Manila

[QUOTE=Liondale]Had my first trip to Manila recently, only a one nighter though so tried to make the most of it.

After some research on the forum I had decided to head to Burgous and then to Cafe Havana, and if those two did not work out for me, then would do EDSA later.
LA was to be saved for the next trip.

Oh, paid my driver who had been with me for 4-5 hours, 1.5k, any comments on that?[/QUOTE]We all have had a first time - and all made mistakes. You will get plenty of posts about how much you overpaid for everything but I think you would be far better off next time sticking to your plans that you had made after RTFF.

P

[QUOTE=Liondale]Had my first trip to Manila recently, only a one nighter though so tried to make the most of it.

After some research on the forum I had decided to head to Burgous and then to Cafe Havana, and if those two did not work out for me, then would do EDSA later.
LA was to be saved for the next trip.

But then, as so many times before, a quick chat with my taxi driver and all plans are replaced by new :)
Firstly he told me he could take me to some apartments with 20 or so girls, where you can pick for take out and massage. This did not attract me at all, cause I really prefer the freedom to browse the goods before you have to make a decision. At apartments, my experience is that you get a few seconds to see the girls then you have to pick one. Besides I wanted to see some of Manila's nightlife. Anyone else have experience with these apartments?

When I told the driver I wanted to go to Burgous, he said he knew other places with better show, where the girls go totally nude. I was surprised as I thought they would do that in Burgous, but he said the law is upheld stricter in Makati becuase it is a business district so no nudity (can anyone confirm?). I then agreed to go with him to a show place where the girls will strip down completely. Ended up not far from airport I think, Rohas/Rojas Boulevard. This street had quite a few clubs with titles including "international show/entertainment". My driver's recomendation was Asia Club or Asia something. At door they will ask you to leave you mobile if it has a camera. Inside you get seated, and a manager will come and ask you to order drinks and if you want company. Yes and yes! He then took me to view an aquarium, girls seated in three - four rows with numbers. Price was 875 per hour, including a ladies drink.
If you want take out, he said minimum spending on the house was 2 hours, and the take out fee was 8k. Didn't bother to nego the take out, as I wasn't going to do that anyway, but picked a nice girl who turned out very good in English so had a good hour.

The place looks has a big stage, with all couches facing the stage. On stage they have normal dance acts (no nudity) as intermission entertainment, some girls just come on and dance in their bikinis or topless but not very entertaining. And then there will be some more engaging dances where the girl goes all nude. To my disappointment, there wasn't any striptease though. Like found in the US, where the girls definitely tease more. Here it is more like a dance, but nude. All clientele was asian it seemed.
While sitting there with my girl I was informed that the covercharge of 800-something was also added to my bill, was no informed of this before I entered to be aware. My long island was around 400 if I remember correct. After the main dance event, the dancer came over to my table and suddenly she had a drink I had to pay some 800 for as well. She rubbed me up well, and was very hot, but only stayed for a few minutes as she obviously wanted to do as many tables as possible.
Talked to one of the managers and he said all the clubs there had the same setup.
This was not my thing but an interesting experience nonetheless. Final bill had amounted to around 3.5k.
Saw many smaller looking bars etc heading to and from this area, might try some others next time.

Told driver to take me to Cafe Havana, which surprised him, he told me there is nothing happening there, but I wanted to see it.
Cafe Havana looks like a normal bar, and for a second I thought there might be a chance to score some freebies here. At the bar this spanish girl was all over me (she said she was spanish, but might have been south american for all I know), but she was not my type so I pulled away. Then caught eyes of a very nice looking philippina, talked to her and the friend, danced had drinks, she told me she was a stewardess with Cebu, I thought I was the MAN. Then suddenly, the ugly looking friend asked me if I wanted both of them to come with me and I realized I had been blind. No freebies here. I said I wasn't interested in both, cause frankly I am not sure I could have managed to get it up if the ugly one had followed. They offered 6k for both, I offered 3k for the stewardess which was rejected and she was already eyeing someone else. So took a stroll around, talked to an australian girl who was there to party with her pakistani friend, they were definitely not working. But all the philippinas I talked to later was all, without exception, there to sell their services. Inside and outside. Asking price/going price seemed around 5k, I got one for 3k after handling her bar bill of 1.3k. Very good looking but a disappointment in the sack.

Next time it is time for EDSA and LA, and possibly Burgous if time permits.
How far is it from EDSA to LA?

Oh, paid my driver who had been with me for 4-5 hours, 1.5k, any comments on that?[/QUOTE]Since you were only there 1 night I would have recommended you got to a nice hotel in Makati, went straight to Burgos St and BF one or two ladies for lots of nice sex. Least hassle & best bet given limited time.

The prices you paid/were quoted for everything all along the way on your night of exploration were astronomically high.

The 'apartments' you mention are known as casa's. They are underground illegal brothels catering mostly to locals (very cheap) and foreigners desperate to walk a dangerous path (not so cheap). I would'nt recommend them.

Cheers mate
AV

[QUOTE=Genkisugiru]I have searched and RTFF, but I still feel the need to ask if anyone can recommend a good weekly condo or suite hotel in Manila. I've spent a few nights at the Pan Pacific, which I enjoyed. But staying for a week this May, I don't want to pay $150+ per night, and I'd prefer more of a condo / apartment type place.[/QUOTE]I just responded in "Manila hotels" section

Funny, if I pick something up or bring back a bargirl I make sure to steer her toward the info desk where they ask her to leave her ID. Much safer this way.

At the Nana hotel in Bangkok they actually set up a table at the elevators in the eveining to check ids.

[QUOTE=Run Mann]Why is this crap and why focus on other hotels that requires ID cards from their guests? More logical to ensure your GF has her ID with her thus eliminating this problem.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Amavida]Since you were only there 1 night I would have recommended you got to a nice hotel in Makati, went straight to Burgos St and BF one or two ladies for lots of nice sex. Least hassle & best bet given limited time.

The prices you paid/were quoted for everything all along the way on your night of exploration were astronomically high.

The 'apartments' you mention are known as casa's. They are underground illegal brothels catering mostly to locals (very cheap) and foreigners desperate to walk a dangerous path (not so cheap). I would'nt recommend them.

Cheers mate
AV[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your advice.
I thought barfine + ST/LT in Burgos would anyway amount to 3-5k? Or have I misunderstood.
Please share.

[QUOTE=Liondale]Thanks for your advice.

I thought barfine + ST/LT in Burgos would anyway amount to 3-5k? Or have I misunderstood.

Please share.[/QUOTE]I absolutely agree with Amavida. I did the exact same thing on my last trip to Manila in Oct of 2009. My last night in PI, I stayed at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati. Went to checkout P Burgos street. Yah, the beer prices will cost you 150 pesos at those bars and ladies drink can range from 300-390 pesos but, it's only 1 night. Finish the 1 night with a bang! Ended up BF a girl at Bottoms Bar. The BF was pricey at 3900 but, she was worth it. Banging a nice chick in a nice hotel on a King size bed. Forget about going to LA Cafe, EDSA, Club Havana etc. Its inconvenient to bar hop that way. Unless that is. It's close to your hotel. On P Burgos St, it has the most gogo bars and is just walking distance to each other.

Don't listen to the taxi driver. They did the same thing with me when I told him to go to P Burgos St. He said he can take me to a place where the girl can be with you all night for cheap etc etc. But, I just brushed him off because my mindset was set on checking out P Burgos St. They like to drive you around so. They can earn more.

If you had a couple of days to stay in Manila then yah checkout EDSA, LA Cafe.

[QUOTE=Naughty Nigel]Hey guys,

I just had my gf w me late night at new world hotel in makati and they called security on my because she forgot her id? No I'd. They sent her back home to QZ city and I did not get any aktion. GRRRRRRRR. I never had this happen ANYWHERE in Philippines before. WTF! I'm staying at Peninsula hotel in Makati on my trip in May. Can I expect similar crap from hotel security then?

Nigel[/QUOTE]
A buddy and I was staying in the New World last month and he had his girl from Subic come up (4 pm). She forgot her ID and I told him not to worry, but when we come back from bar hopping walk in and if they ask just say she is already signed in and keep walking.

He didn't listen and took her down stairs and tried to get them to sign her in with no ID. Sorry:( No Go! She had to have her Mom send her ID by fax and it killed two hours of party time:(

After she got her fax, we went bar hopping and I picked up a girl, walked in the hotel at 2 am, staff tried to stop us, but I told them that we already signed the girls in at 4 pm and they let us go without checking.

This is the only hotel in the Philippines that I have had this issue. Since it changed hands, it has went down hill.

Last week my buddy went to the New World from Terminal 2, coupon taxi and the driver took two hours to find it. He didn't know to say "New World, Renaissance".

But now I always ask any girl going with me, "Do you have ID?" Because you never know...

Robb

[QUOTE=Run Mann]Why is this crap and why focus on other hotels that requires ID cards from their guests? More logical to ensure your GF has her ID with her thus eliminating this problem.[/QUOTE]Run, Concur. Ask to see it at the bar. My experience is about 1 in 5 don't carry one. Another 1 in 5 clearly have an ID with someone else's pic on it.

[QUOTE=Gogobarlover]....up BF a girl at Bottoms Bar. The BF was pricey at 3900 but, she was worth it. [/QUOTE]

Do you also have to nego with the girl/manager separately to pay for the girl's services, or does the bf cover it all?
I've been in some places (not Phils) where the barfine just releases the girl from the bar, but you have to pay additional "service fee" to the girls.

Cockroach ran across the blender at LA and that was my last day in town. Only cockroach I saw there this trip. Many cock roaches though. Talent is the lowest I have ever seen there. Big frigg'n rat in the lobby of City State. My gf put her feet up on her chair in the dining room and the waiter said "no rat here". It was right under the green table cloth for the morning buffet!!!

Rat comes out again and I tell waiter. Waiter goes and looks again and says no rats here sir. Must be my medication. But the waitresses won't even go near the front of the dining room. Finished dinner and took scared gf upstairs.

LA Cafe is getting to the level of Blue Marlin Bar. Will be there again next month and of course hit the place again but its getting pretty bad there. Better ass and better class to be found elsewhere.

[QUOTE=Liondale]This street had quite a few clubs with titles including "international show/entertainment". My driver's recomendation was Asia Club or Asia something. At door they will ask you to leave you mobile if it has a camera. Inside you get seated, and a manager will come and ask you to order drinks and if you want company. Yes and yes! He then took me to view an aquarium, girls seated in three - four rows with numbers. Price was 875 per hour, including a ladies drink.
If you want take out, he said minimum spending on the house was 2 hours, and the take out fee was 8k. Didn't bother to nego the take out, as I wasn't going to do that anyway, but picked a nice girl who turned out very good in English so had a good hour.
[/QUOTE]

Ya...thats Asia entertainment complex, on Roxas Blvd....apparently more bigger bars than burgos or edsa...however, three to four times more expensive but quality of girls equally 3-4 times better looking than other places.

Now, where have you heard such places around the world.......Japanese hunting ground....the price is ridiculously high...there is strip show and girls dance naked etc. 800 or something is the entry fee....sometimes the taxi drivers get a cut.

You need to have minimum 15,000 pesos to hunt around, lady drinks are 250 to 400 at some venues and bar fine is also very high. Thats why you don't hear that place mentioned here often.

1500 for 4-5 hours of your time with a taxi is ok. no comment. very hard to get cheaper deal than that.

EDSA to LA is one shore to other....it will take around 30 minutes with traffic plus around 150 PHP taxi fare.

If you had one day, you could have directly headed to EDSA..good deal for money and service

[QUOTE=Liondale]Do you also have to nego with the girl/manager separately to pay for the girl's services, or does the bf cover it all?
I've been in some places (not Phils) where the barfine just releases the girl from the bar, but you have to pay additional "service fee" to the girls.[/QUOTE]


yes..you have to pay additional service fee to the girls....or u could negotiate with the mamasan for all in one deal and some discount....however..as we know ..even with that...the girl will ask some money at the end of the day,

[QUOTE=Naughty Nigel]Hey guys,

I just had my gf w me late night at new world hotel in makati and they called security on my because she forgot her id? No I'd. They sent her back home to QZ city and I did not get any aktion. GRRRRRRRR. I never had this happen ANYWHERE in Philippines before. WTF! I'm staying at Peninsula hotel in Makati on my trip in May. Can I expect similar crap from hotel security then?

Nigel[/QUOTE]

Bro...I can feel, how the situation might have been. Living here & being from a third world country. It doesn't work here quite like in the west.

First, You don't reason with a guard in a third world country. They are following orders and rules not logic and the managers are quite happy to fire them on first strike. No second chance for them.

If you are in a situation, always act calmly, smile and ask for the manager or supervisor, throw a story, that, you are surprised regarding the new rules and you have been visiting the hotel for last 5 years and it has never happened before and that you are a regular customer to the hotel.

If you are able to meet the manager, 90% of the time, your problems will be over, they generally overrule the guard...besides they can reason and use logic etc not follow the rules strictly. you can also tell, you did not know the rules, cos earlier you did not had any issues and next time, you would be more carefull etc.

Secondly, you might have heard about bribing the guard and how corrupt third world country is....NEVER DO IT...Farangs still needs to learn the way bribing is done...Do not give money to guard in front of everyone or in the lobby etc....they have cameras and if someone else sees, he will be fired.

Do it subtly, in a corner or better, bring them some jollibee foods, you can give them any place and they would be very happy. Agreed, its a third world country, but still, there is a method to the madness, how its all done :)

I know, just to bring in the girl, one has to go through so much pain....this guideline is from my experiences and observation and would be useful in any situation not only with ID cards.

If you live here or plan to stay longer, NEVER EVER disrespect a Filipino or try to act smart, do not argue, you can do all the sh*it you want here..i mean i don't know a place..where i can go so low in my behavior and still come out unscratched.

If they say NO to you in any matters, you can be hell sure, there could be a big reason behind it...so never argue.


Just call up peninsula hotel and ask them directly about their policy, take the persons name etc. Good luck

Thanks all who commented on my post. I will definitely have a different game plan for my next visit.

And also agree with Born Loser 5, there is no point in arguing with the staff/guards etc in 3rd world countries. Their opinion does not matter at all, they are following instructions and have everything to lose by breaking the rules.

[QUOTE=Liondale]Do you also have to nego with the girl/manager separately to pay for the girl's services, or does the bf cover it all?

I've been in some places (not Phils) where the barfine just releases the girl from the bar, but you have to pay additional "service fee" to the girls.[/QUOTE]Actually, the BF should cover it all. A certain amount for the bar and certain amount for the girl. In Thailand however, the BF you pay upfront is just to release the girl. Then, after the deed, the girl will expect a tip.

In Philippines, the bars I been to anyway, if the BF is 1700 pesos, the 700 pesos would go to the bar to release the girl and 1000 pesos goes to the girl. That's the drawback to Philippines is that you pay in advance to the girl before any service is done. Unlike Thailand, you pay 600 bahts to release the girl at a gogo bar and after the deed is done, you decide how much to give the girl. However, most girls you BF at a gogo will ask for 1500 - 2000 bahts.

As far as ST and LT, I wouldn't bother with LT in most cases because if you pay more for the LT, after the service is done, she may want to leave and not stay with you overnight. If you do ST, some girls if they like you, will just stay with you overnight anyways. This happened to me in Thailand and Philippines where I only paid for ST yet, the girls stayed overnight with me. However, in my case, I BF the girls at later hour though so.. by then, the bars are all closed.