Printable View
[QUOTE=Samchad; 1305815]Hi,
I am travelling to manila soon. I am wondering what a reasonable rate for short time service with a free lance lady would be? Is 2000 PHP easily found, or less?
Thanks for your help.[/QUOTE]Yes, if you stay out of barfine places (Burgos in Makati, EDSA / Firehouse in Malate / Ermita). G-point and MBC in Malate can easily 1500 for ST / two pops (specify before leaving the bar what you expect).2000-2500 gets LT.
[QUOTE=Westcoast1;1305920]Yes, if you stay out of barfine places (Burgos in Makati, EDSA / Firehouse in Malate / Ermita). G-point and MBC in Malate can easily 1500 for ST / two pops (specify before leaving the bar what you expect).2000-2500 gets LT.[/QUOTE]Thanks for letting me know. I was checking Craigslist and I keep seeing 4000 pesos, which is like $95 USD. That is too much in my opinion. I think 1500-2000 p is reasonable. Is Craigslist a good place to find someone, or should I just go into a shopping mall food fair and some lady would come to me to pick me up quickly if she sees I am alone?
[QUOTE=Samchad;1306144]Thanks for letting me know. I was checking Craigslist and I keep seeing 4000 pesos, which is like $95 USD. That is too much in my opinion. I think 1500-2000 p is reasonable. Is Craigslist a good place to find someone, or should I just go into a shopping mall food fair and some lady would come to me to pick me up quickly if she sees I am alone?[/QUOTE]I would not depend on CL. It is little different than dating sites: the girls can be hit/miss. Also, those inflated prices you see (4000+), some guys use CL exclusively, and are used to overpaying; the girls depend on that, and are used to getting it (spoiled).
The malls are hit / miss. Most malls in Manila are not filled with available girls, only a few. Robinson's Place in Malate, floor one, is a modest bet. Harrison's Plaza, floor 2, is a good bet (a mamasan will find you if you are white / alone).
G-Point and MBC in Malate are sure bets, the girls go there for one reason only. If she's in the bar (not an employee) , she's there just to get plucked for the night.
Smart is not so smart.
I usually buy a load card before departing the Philippines. On my subsequent arrival, I scratch, sniff, load and start texting while waiting for my baggage. By the time I'm in the taxi, the return texts start coming in.
Not this time. It took me a while to figure it all out, but SMart has changed their system. Do no follow the instruction on the load card. The card, even the ones they sell now say, key in 1510 and the PIN and then SEND. The new system is go to msg function, type in RELOAD (space) Pin and then send the msg to 1510. I never did figure out how to check my load. X
Immigration Bureau to fine airlines for tourists without return tickets.
[url]http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/266340/news/nation/immigration-bureau-to-fine-airlines-for-tourists-without-return-tickets[/url]
Airlines will be penalized with administrative fines by the Bureau of Immigration if they allow foreign tourists bound for the Philippines to board their planes without return tickets.
BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. Noted that it should be the responsibility of the airlines to make sure that all its passengers who are traveling as tourists have procured the necessary return tickets.
He noted that the requirement on return tickets for tourists is an international rule, practiced and implemented in almost all other countries in the world.
Furthermore, David said that those tourists with no return tickets will be prohibited from entering the country and sent back to their port of origin.
'This rule is meant to guarantee that a tourist will leave the host country before the lapse of his stay as a temporary visitor, ' David explained.
Likewise, BI spokesperson Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, explained that under Sec. 29 of the immigration act, aliens who arrived as tourists but do not have valid return or onward tickets shall be automatically excluded.
However, she added that Balikbayans, who are also considered tourists but are admitted for one year, are exempted from the rule in deference to the fact that they are former citizens of the Philippines. — DVM, GMA News.
[url]http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/366978/bi-imposes-return-ticket-requirement[/url]
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday said it will slap fines on airlines bringing foreign tourists to the country without return tickets.
Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. Instructed the BI airport operations division to impose fine on any airline which allows a foreign visitor to board its aircraft without a return ticket before flying to the Philippines.
He said the requirement on return tickets for tourists is an international rule that is practice worldwide.
"This rule is meant to guarantee that a foreign visitor will leave the host country at the lapse of his stay," the BI chief said.
David stressed that it should be the responsibility of the airlines to see to it that all their passengers who are traveling as tourists have procured the necessary return tickets.
He said those who do not have return tickets will be excluded and sent back to their port of origin.
Lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson and intelligence chief, explained that under the immigration law aliens who arrived as tourists but do not have valid return or onward tickets shall be automatically excluded.
Mangrobang, however, stressed that balikbayans, who are also considered tourists but are admitted for one year, are exempted from the rule as a courtesy of being former Filipinos.
She stressed that although the exclusions have inconvenienced the excluded passengers, the bureau has no choice but to implement the law.
What exactly is the deal with the Philippines and immigration? I mean many "rich"/developed countries in Asia are way more lax with this than the Philippines. As an American or Western European, you can show up in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan and be waved right through with a 90-day stamp without as much as a question, but then you get to the PI and they have questions for you, they want to see your return tickets, and you're limited to a 3 week stay!
It's just bizarre. Surely the PI relies more on tourism than the aforementioned places? And surely there is no real problem of "illegal immigration" into the PI. I mean, what would someone sneak in for? A shitty job that pays $150 a month? In Japan, Korea, etc, there are actually people trying to overstay and get jobs without authorization, but they still don't bother you at immigration.
So what really is all this about?
[QUOTE=Rick Rock; 1307128]What exactly is the deal with the Philippines and immigration? I mean many "rich"/developed countries in Asia are way more lax with this than the Philippines. As an American or Western European, you can show up in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan and be waved right through with a 90-day stamp without as much as a question, but then you get to the PI and they have questions for you, they want to see your return tickets, and you're limited to a 3 week stay!
It's just bizarre. Surely the PI relies more on tourism than the aforementioned places? And surely there is no real problem of "illegal immigration" into the PI. I mean, what would someone sneak in for? A shitty job that pays $150 a month? In Japan, Korea, etc, there are actually people trying to overstay and get jobs without authorization, but they still don't bother you at immigration.
So what really is all this about?[/QUOTE]Lots of FRs on this RR already. I tend to agree with the practicalities of your comments. There is an e ticket system implemented to save airline billions yet we have to produce a paper copy if requested by immigration. The same that we have to show international airlines. However, PI to my humble knowledge, is the ONLY country I have visited (and I have visited many as some members here will know) that specifically enforces the rule.
Is a great advert for tourism as I said earlier coupled with the 21 day visa.
For me it is a pain to be asked and to show a paper copy when there is a booking online to be seen by the counter staff if they could be bothered. Some mongers did try showing the booking on a laptop but the officials wanted to see a paper copy so they went and prointed off what they showed on the screen. How stupid is that?
In this day of modern technology PI has a long way to go to catch up yet the President will likely say in his SONA that the economy grows (well yes for the rich but has limited or no impact on the poor and certainly no jobs or investment to note). Hapless and misguided with limited check on reality apart from trying (albeit very slowly) to deal with corruption. And likely GMA will get off on a technicality.
So this is a frustration but one we must bear if we want to visit. I said to someone the other day, Thailand must be easier than this etc and he agreed but if you like pinays these silly rules are here to stay!
[QUOTE=Rick Rock; 1307128]. And surely there is no real problem of "illegal immigration" into the PI. I mean, what would someone sneak in for? A shitty job that pays $150 a month? In Japan, Korea, etc, there are actually people trying to overstay and get jobs without authorization, but they still don't bother you at immigration.
So what really is all this about?[/QUOTE]There actually is a lot of "illegal immigration" here Rick.
I agree that the whole thing seems dysfunctional but, in defence of the PI, there are actually hundreds of overstaying foreigners in the Philippines who arrived on a tourist visa and have stayed and set up all manner of businesses here.
Sorry to say Starchild but your countrymen were targeted in a big bust in a city in Isabela in Northern Luzon earlier this year. Houses were raided and literally whole families were found with no visa, no work permits yet they were carrying on various forms of business.
The Korean community was likewise discovered to have established schools here with young korean students enrolled on fake student permits.
I think tourists are getting caught up in the cross-fire.
It's no big deal. Book your return ticket and bring a print-out when you book-in.
I complain about these things as much as anyone but I have learned, for my health and sanity, to do what is required up front and try to change it through other means. It ain't going to change soon so just grin, take a deep breath and bear it.
[QUOTE=Wicked Roger;1307132]Is a great advert for tourism as I said earlier coupled with the 21 day visa.[/QUOTE]Hasn't this been extended to 30 days upon entry?
Also, if you obtain a tourist visa in advance, how long are you permitted to stay?
[quote=wicked roger; 1307132]lots of frs on this rr already. i tend to agree with the practicalities of your comments. there is an e ticket system implemented to save airline billions yet we have to produce a paper copy if requested by immigration. the same that we have to show international airlines. however, pi to my humble knowledge, is the only country i have visited (and i have visited many as some members here will know) that specifically enforces the rule.
is a great advert for tourism as i said earlier coupled with the 21 day visa. [snip][/quote]as previously announced, bi has plans to increase the standard 21 day tourist visa to 30 days. when that will happen i am not sure, just "sometime in 2012" was mentioned. and we all know that things move at lightning speed in the philippines when it comes to these things. 2012 could turn into 2015 before the paper pushers get around to it since it took them a decade (or three) to include the terminal fee in the ticket price.
it's more fun in the philippines di ba wr. lol.
[QUOTE=Starchild2012; 1307110]Immigration Bureau to fine airlines for tourists without return tickets.
[url]http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/266340/news/nation/immigration-bureau-to-fine-airlines-for-tourists-without-return-tickets[/url]
Airlines will be penalized with administrative fines by the Bureau of Immigration if they allow foreign tourists bound for the Philippines to board their planes without return tickets.[/QUOTE]Fines, just as I said before. The fact is that in an age of low cost and cheap tickets, this can be silly anyhow.
If I have plans to stay and I easily circumnavigate the law by buying a return ticket for a few tens and simply do not show up at my return flight? Of course I will loose that money, but. Maybe I don't care.
What about sea transportation?
[QUOTE=Bionicman; 1307179]Fines, just as I said before. The fact is that in an age of low cost and cheap tickets, this can be silly anyhow.
If I have plans to stay and I easily circumnavigate the law by buying a return ticket for a few tens and simply do not show up at my return flight? Of course I will loose that money, but. Maybe I don't care.
What about sea transportation?[/QUOTE]And then this.
[url]http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1759&Itemid=78[/url]
In Singapore, the Phil Embassy posted an apology for asking returning former Kababayans for a return ticket, which is insulting considering they are former filipinos. But a veteran chimed in that a lot of 'them have committed various crimes in US / UK or elsewhere and took flight to Phil!
[QUOTE=Red Kilt;1307153]Sorry to say Starchild but your countrymen were targeted in a big bust in a city in Isabela in Northern Luzon earlier this year. Houses were raided and literally whole families were found with no visa, no work permits yet they were carrying on various forms of business.[/QUOTE]Yes. There are lots of Indians in the PH and every other month, when raids takes place, Indians are caught with no papers, I know many are staying here illegally and leeching off with 5-6 loan shark business for decades and now they have come up with new ways to make money by illegal immigration from Indian villages to the PH. India is way way poorer and worse in terms of corruption than PH, if you think PH is bad. Multiply it by 100 and you will know how India is.
With population explosion and no hope in India, people are desperate to move out and they sell land, house in India to pay the fees to illegal recruiters who bring them to PH and put them in small small villages across PH. The problem is return tickets won't deter them from staying in the PH. Once they land in PH, its a mini paradise.
[quote]I agree that the whole thing seems dysfunctional but, in defence of the PI, there are actually hundreds of overstaying foreigners in the Philippines who arrived on a tourist visa and have stayed and set up all manner of businesses here.[/quote]Big deal. They are starting businesses. What a drain on the economy! LOL.
I'm sure tourism more than makes up for whatever is "lost" to "illegal businesses" (isn't that a joke anyhow? You're talking about a place with knee-deep corruption, no one even knows who to pay for what half the time, lands have multiple titles or no titles at all, etc.).
I'm still no sure what the real underlying cause of the all around extremism of immigration in the PI compared to other countries. Heck, I have less trouble getting into Europe or America than I do the PI!
The President delivered the SONA today in Filipino language.
For those who wish to read it in English, and it is worth reading, check out the English version here.
[url]http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/9069-the-state-of-the-nation-address[/url]