Manila

[QUOTE=FreebieFan]1. If you open a BPI account through the manager you can arrange go to bank to collect your ATM.

2. Theres no issue with the P 90,000 balance. You oepn the account with it and then withdraw it. no one checks that you keep a P90,000 balance. If you really need the money, then redeem the cash, and send it your other non Philippines accounts by TT.[/QUOTE]
I have a BPI dollar account and I have to maintain $300 balance or I am charged a $5 monthly service fee.

Robb

[QUOTE=Econo Tech]snip....

Whatsgoingon: hope I didn't offend you, but I guess you catch my drift! Nope, as long as you didn't ask her, or given her a few hundred pesos, and as long as she didn't obviously look at you with a disgusted look. Which is not the case as she spent another day with you. You are cool.[/QUOTE]

Nope, no offence taken. Its my first trip to Phil in 13 years so I appreciate the guidance from difference viewpoints. I spoke with her today and she said she didn't ask for any more money because after giving her the amount I did the previous night she would have felt ashamed to ask for more. I will make up for it next time I see her, likely to be beginning July. She said she would explain more then. Will let you know the conclusion to this story then!

[QUOTE=Whatsgoingon].............. I spoke with her today and she said she didn't ask for any more money because after giving her the amount I did the previous night she would have felt ashamed to ask for more. .........[/QUOTE]

Aha just as I predicted in #5223

Good to know I am correct sometimes, but many filipinas are difficult to "read".

Continuation of my previous post [url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=1029461&postcount=5190[/url]

Spent 2 consecutive nights pulling from different go-go bars at the complex.

[b]EDSA - Cotton Club[/b]

Arrived late. Past midnight. A dozen or so girls left on stage. Thin on talent, no-one too inspiring. Walked right in ignoring the stage and sat at the bar next to a pretty GRO (not a regular stage dancer) I eventually pulled. Definitely not a SYT but I was in the mood for curves and maturity. ;) BF PHP 1600, DFK, BBBJ, DATY, multiple shots offered and received. GFE quotient high but bordering on fake. Left my room happy the next morning at about 8 am with a PHP 3000 tip. (Was quoted ST for PHP 2500 - turned into semi-LT so I gave what I thought was fair)

[b]EDSA - Casino[/b]

Arrived even later than the day before. Around 1 am. Also a dozen or so girls left on stage plus a few Japanophile hopefuls circulating on the floor. About 2 or 3 do-able. Made my choice on a Japanophile SYT. BF PHP 1600, DFK, BBBJ, DATY, multiple shots offered and received. GFE quotient high. Left my room happy the next morning at about 9 am with a PHP 3000 tip.

Had a late flight out the following day. Texted her to meet me at a no-tell motel in Malate. Arrived late due to traffic, only had an hour to spare. Same GFE service offered and received. Tried to get out of paying BF but couldnt as she was supposed to get to work at 5:30 pm. Bull? Stuffed PHP 3000 in her purse before she left, meaning for it to be all in (BF + tip) but she pulled a face, saying it should be BF PHP 1600 + PHP 2500 for ST = at least PHP 4000. Mercenary. So much for the repeat.

[b]Misses[/b]
Didnt make it to:
Cafe Havana, Harrison Plaza for mall pickups, Bautista *****houses, Quezon City Clubs. Can anybody feedback on these recently?

Left the PI and already missing it. Lessons learnt on this trip:

1. Mental note to revisit LA Cafe. Worth the risk with the FLs for that Pinay GFE minus the BFs, the go-go bar drama, the hassle of mamasans, supervisors and her schedule for indentured slavery.
2. Dating sites not worth the time and effort, statistically speaking. Unless you have the time trolling the sites spouting nonsense for months before you arrive.
3. Taxi to EDSA, just say "Complex, EDSA and Roxas". No need to say Firehouse, EDSA extension and Roxas opposite Heritage Hotel, blahblah... as suggested by other sites.
4. Next trip to the PI, maybe AC will be worth a revisit :D

[QUOTE=Escort Fan]That is a VERY interesting post. Previously some guys said banks were reluctant to open bank accounts to guys not residing in the phils with the noticable exception of HSBC which requires you have always at least 100K pesos on your account. I don't want to "freeze" 2, 000 USD or 1600 euros in a phil bank.

Hotel adress worked but. When they ship you the new atm card or the statements when you'll leave the hotel it will be returned to the bank as no longer live there. Isn't it going to be a problem?

Can you confirm that a european (or american) can open a bank account in any BdO in MNL with let's say 20 or 30K and get an ATM card?

All I need is an IBAN to cash in and an ATM card to cash out.[/QUOTE]


My story. I walked into a BdO branch in Mindanao. Got lucky to get one of the 10s working there. She had, however, an ugly ring around the wrong finger. Shit!
Anyhow I was there for banking and not bonking. So I paid 10K peso into the account. The deposit was free as this would be "my" branch. The ATM card took 10 days and I picked it up at the bank. As the address I gave my hotel, not even a room number. They new I would not be found there but they dont mail statements etc. You do all at the ATM.
The 2000 peso balance is to avoid banking charges. If you keep less they start charging some peanuts.

The whole thing took 10-15 minutes, way too quick to check out all that candy working in the branch.

For me it worked. I have a residence visa but that did not really make a difference they told me.

So try your luck. Metrobank is more a headache plus the ladies are not even a far second to BdO. You might decide on BdO on Makati avenue, the main branch. If that is not working, the local branch manager in the province might be more eager to have that extra customer who keeps cash in his bank.

[QUOTE=Econo Tech]Didn't know banks accept hotels as addresses. Considering the amount I spend on the Cirrus/Maestro withdrawal, your suggestion seems better.

And the banks when I asked here (all Philippine Banks have branches in Singapore.) all insisted a load of documents, Philippines style. Maybe to drown me in paperwork.

Let me give it a shot during my next visit.[/QUOTE]

I forgot to mention that I m going to date a BdO lady in a few weeks when visiting my favorite province. I will expand my inquiries with her to more economic matters if time permits :))

BdO = best looking women 25+ and up

[QUOTE=Whatsgoingon]Nope, no offence taken. Its my first trip to Phil in 13 years so I appreciate the guidance from difference viewpoints. I spoke with her today and she said she didn't ask for any more money because after giving her the amount I did the previous night she would have felt ashamed to ask for more. I will make up for it next time I see her, likely to be beginning July. She said she would explain more then. Will let you know the conclusion to this story then![/QUOTE]If you have worked or lived with filipinas, they lie to avoid making the other person feel bad. Well, that's my experience. Like the times I have met some friends who worked in Singapore, and when they are back for good in Phil, they are ashamed to ask. That doesn't stop me from ensuring something useful gets across, like some gift vouchers, or similar stuff. Well, as a matter of fact, I know the difference one faces, when she was earning about 3000 US$ a month in Singapore, and now back to Philippines for less than 1/3rd of that pay.

Anyway, not to dwell on it more. Since you had fun. Let's talk about other stuff.

PS: to save bandwidth, Thaifun's suggestion seems good. I better check with BDO in Singapore, as they issue Philippines ATM cards.

[QUOTE=Raverboy]Continuation of my previous post [url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=1029461&postcount=5190[/url]

Spent 2 consecutive nights pulling from different go-go bars at the complex.

[b]EDSA - Cotton Club[/b]

Arrived late. Past midnight. A dozen or so girls left on stage. Thin on talent, no-one too inspiring. Walked right in ignoring the stage and sat at the bar next to a pretty GRO (not a regular stage dancer) I eventually pulled. Definitely not a SYT but I was in the mood for curves and maturity. ;) BF PHP 1600, DFK, BBBJ, DATY, multiple shots offered and received. GFE quotient high but bordering on fake. Left my room happy the next morning at about 8 am with a PHP 3000 tip. (Was quoted ST for PHP 2500 - turned into semi-LT so I gave what I thought was fair)

[b]EDSA - Casino[/b]

Arrived even later than the day before. Around 1 am. Also a dozen or so girls left on stage plus a few Japanophile hopefuls circulating on the floor. About 2 or 3 do-able. Made my choice on a Japanophile SYT. BF PHP 1600, DFK, BBBJ, DATY, multiple shots offered and received. GFE quotient high. Left my room happy the next morning at about 9 am with a PHP 3000 tip.

Had a late flight out the following day. Texted her to meet me at a no-tell motel in Malate. Arrived late due to traffic, only had an hour to spare. Same GFE service offered and received. Tried to get out of paying BF but couldnt as she was supposed to get to work at 5:30 pm. Bull? Stuffed PHP 3000 in her purse before she left, meaning for it to be all in (BF + tip) but she pulled a face, saying it should be BF PHP 1600 + PHP 2500 for ST = at least PHP 4000. Mercenary. So much for the repeat.
[/QUOTE]Wow!

Did I read that right? Paying working girls 2500 for ST? PLUS a barfine? To each his own, but this is alcohol talking? AC girls go for 1300 (no tip needed, she only gets half that for her salary, the bar keeps half). FL girls from LA Cafe and other places in Malate a few months ago were LT with me for 1500 (tip = p100 taxi) and were plenty GFE. Listen, the girls will tell you all kinds of lies about how much you should pay them. Both before and after. If you are (not so smart) to ask her how much she wants before leaving the bar, she will quote high prices. Don't do that. Tell them how much you are offereing FIRST. Just say an amount you don't want to go over. She's already getting p1000 from the EDSA barfine. She's willing to work LT for 2000 total. If the barfine is 1600, offer her p400 tip. If she balks or says higher, smile and walk away over to another girl or to LA Cafe. Once inside LAC, offer p1500 LT. Of course she'll balk at that. Don't go over 2000 pesos to get a LT in Manila.

If girls in AC are willing to work LT for p650 and girls in LA Cafe are p1500, why would you shell out p3-4000 for EDSA or Burgos? You are driving the prices up for the rest of us.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]I disagree. Having tried various alternatives over the 7 years or so that I've lived here, I concluded a while ago that ATMs are the easiest, safest, and usually the cheapest means of getting local money. Machines are ubiquitous and are rarely empty, and the amount charged by your bank or by local banks is partially offset by the lousy exchange rate offered by many bureaux de change. Plus, you will usually get a better rate from the ATMs than you will from the money changers. Carrying around a pile of $100 bills is just one more thing to worry about. I would advise that you keep two or three such bills tucked away as an emergency stash, and use your ATM for getting pesos. If you have an ATM/Visa debit card, so much the better, as you can use it for hotel expenses and usually in restaurants. Again, you'll get a better rate from Visa than from most currency exchange places.
GE[/QUOTE]
Very good info GE. I agree 100% and I keep a $1000.00 for emergencies...Maybe ATM down or if I need to go back to US for an emergency I have dollars.

Robb

[QUOTE=Westcoast1]Wow!

Did I read that right? Paying working girls 2500 for ST? PLUS a barfine? To each his own, but this is alcohol talking? AC girls go for 1300 (no tip needed, she only gets half that for her salary, the bar keeps half). FL girls from LA Cafe and other places in Malate a few months ago were LT with me for 1500 (tip = p100 taxi) and were plenty GFE. Listen, the girls will tell you all kinds of lies about how much you should pay them. Both before and after. If you are (not so smart) to ask her how much she wants before leaving the bar, she will quote high prices. Don't do that. Tell them how much you are offereing FIRST. Just say an amount you don't want to go over. She's already getting p1000 from the EDSA barfine. She's willing to work LT for 2000 total. If the barfine is 1600, offer her p400 tip. If she balks or says higher, smile and walk away over to another girl or to LA Cafe. Once inside LAC, offer p1500 LT. Of course she'll balk at that. Don't go over 2000 pesos to get a LT in Manila.

If girls in AC are willing to work LT for p650 and girls in LA Cafe are p1500, why would you shell out p3-4000 for EDSA or Burgos? You are driving the prices up for the rest of us.[/QUOTE]
He isn't driving up the prices, that is the going rate in Manila. If you want cheap you go to AC. A lot of guys are here on business and can not make the trip to AC and the cost of living is more then AC.

LAC is great, but if you are alone and maybe on your first trip it can be over whelming. 1500P for LT is a great price in LAC if you can get it. It takes time to find the girl that is there looking for short term help, versus the LAC regulars. I have spent 4 fours in LAC looking for the one diamond and sometimes I don't find it.

Robb

[QUOTE=Phils Gambler]Now living in the metro area.

If anyone's ever intersted in a wingman, whether at regular bars or LA Cafe or wherever, let me know.[/QUOTE]I will be there next month and might need a wing man here and there. PM me and we can talk.

[QUOTE=Robbaf]He isn't driving up the prices, that is the going rate in Manila. If you want cheap you go to AC. A lot of guys are here on business and can not make the trip to AC and the cost of living is more then AC.

LAC is great, but if you are alone and maybe on your first trip it can be over whelming. 1500P for LT is a great price in LAC if you can get it. It takes time to find the girl that is there looking for short term help, versus the LAC regulars. I have spent 4 fours in LAC looking for the one diamond and sometimes I don't find it.

Robb[/QUOTE]So which is it? I'm driving the rate up or I'm paying the going rate? I have been told by multiple sources (not the girls) that EDSA girls dont get a peso from the BF. It all goes to the house, unlike in AC.

This wasnt my 1st time in Manila, and I've mongered in AC before.

[QUOTE=Raverboy]So which is it? I'm driving the rate up or I'm paying the going rate? I have been told by multiple sources (not the girls) that EDSA girls dont get a peso from the BF. It all goes to the house, unlike in AC.

This wasnt my 1st time in Manila, and I've mongered in AC before.[/QUOTE]
They do get some of the BF, I am not sure how much. But the tip that is expected is 2500P to 3000P for LT ( I don't ST in EDSA).

Robb

[QUOTE=Robbaf]They do get some of the BF, I am not sure how much. But the tip that is expected is 2500P to 3000P for LT ( I don't ST in EDSA).

Robb[/QUOTE]Tip expected in EDSA (Pitstop) last week was 2500P. It may be expensive but it seems to be the going rate.

[QUOTE=Raverboy]So which is it? I'm driving the rate up or I'm paying the going rate? I have been told by multiple sources (not the girls) that EDSA girls dont get a peso from the BF. It all goes to the house, unlike in AC.

This wasnt my 1st time in Manila, and I've mongered in AC before.[/QUOTE]Raver, apology. Had no idea it had become this out of control at EDSA. EDSA new name: Burgos-West. While its possible the bars keep the whole barfine, if you ask your lady how much she gets, she will tell you (I did this on Burgos). The girls there got 1/2 or more of the bf (depending on the bar). They also were asking for exorbitant tip (2000-3000 was not unusual a few months ago) before leaving the bar. What makes this girl worth 4000 pesos (1500 from the barfine + 2500 tip), when another girl is going at 1500 or 2000 total?

Rob, Whatsgoing, thanks for the edjamakation. By the way, 1500 was what I paid in LA Cafe for LT a few months back, several nights. There was never any argument or up-sell from the ladies. I try to hit the price before she can. Several started at 3000 (or 2000), but there was no back-forth on price. As soon as I said "one-five for LT" they were grabbing their purse or dragging me out the door. At no point was there dickering, as in her: 3000, me: 1500, her: 2500, me: 2000. OK. It was her: 3000 (or 2000), me: 1500. OK. I come there a few times a year, prices have not moved much. I'm guessing the stinky economy everywhere is taking its toll.