Makati

I may need to be in the PI for business, and may stay the weekend. I am thinking about the Century Citadel on Burgos. Is it girl friendly and do they charge a "joiner" fee like LOS/BKK? Any info would be appreciated.

AT2

Just wondering if anyone has any up to date info on La cafe and any other clubs/bars in the area. Planning to be there end january. Also anyone know of any apartments to rent in this area?

Thanks in advance.

Flying Scotsman

[QUOTE=jakers]I'm more concerned about the ice in my drinks than I am with drinking the tap water (I'll drink bottled water while I'm there). If I order a scotch on the rocks or gin & tonic at one of the establishments on Burgos St. (Jools, Dimples, etc.), will I end up running to the bathroom in the middle of the night? It would be quite embarrassing to have the squirts with a "guest" in the room with me.

Please advise.

J[/QUOTE]
[color=blue][b] Jakers[/b][/color]

You have obviously been reading one of the 1960s travel guides that advises you to stick to drinking cola than trust the ice in your drink in two thirds of the developing world.

However, Burgos Street is in Makati and Makati is the financial capital of the Philippines – so any place that has banned smoking from all public places (one of the best things in my opinion) is unlikely to cause you any problems in the dodgy tummy department unless you have a [u]very very[/u] sensitive stomach, within reason if you are sticking to the main bars and not the street sellers. I would have said you would have had more problems with the ice in your drinks on your flight to the Philippines than what you will find in Makati.

[color=blue][b]Juniour[/b][/color]

the municipal water in makati is exactly the same water as the rest of metro manila, a system built in 1878 by the spanish, badly damaged by artillery and bombing in ww2 and never fully repaired, the eastern half of which is now owned and operated by the ayala group following a privatization in 1997.

when the water pressure gets low due to many thousands of illegal connections and leaks throughout the antiquated system, or the groundwater pressure gets high due to saturation and lack of drainage in the monsoon season, it becomes contaminated with raw sewage. you could be drinking human fecal matter whether in makati, pasig, mandaluyong, or anywhere else in and around the city. people do get away with drinking it for a while, but you're making a roll of the dice with your health anytime you do so anywhere in metro manila including makati. same pipes, same water. if it isn't boiled, peeled, or sealed in a package it is risky to eat, drink, or brush your teeth with it. higher prices and the absence of tobacco in bars do not stop dangerous bacteria in water pipes.

i'm glad the previous poster was able to have a good time during the few weeks he has spent in the country, and he probably meant to be helpful, but that was ill-informed and very bad advice. people get dead from dysentery, occasional cholera outbreaks, and other serious water borne illnesses, and it is a major reason the average lifespan is only 57 years.

even in the pi it is hard to get laid while you are hooked up to an iv in a hospital while spasmodically squirting liquefied crap on yourself. it is best to be skeptical of the word of some prolific posters in this particular section of the forum, and if it is something important to you, such as your health, wealth, or safety, then it is wise to get multiple sources and make a cautious judgment on their credibility.

in the unlikely event someone is so bored they actually want to know more about water distribution in manila, here are some places to start:

an academic critique of the situation:

[url]http://wwics.si.edu/topics/docs/argo.doc[/url]

a public relations piece from the water company to stockholders bragging that officially reported water borne sickness has been reduced from over 100,000 to "only" 71,260 cases per year, among other cheery things:

[url]http://uucsr.lfdev.net/award-winning.asp[/url]

customer information from the water supplier, including service area and carefully worded statements to the effect that "it starts out clean, so it's not our fault what happens down the pipe."

[url]http://www.manilawater.com/cs_faqs.cfm#wq-1[/url]

[color=blue][b] Wastrel [/b][/color]

I think you’ve taken a few things out of context here, first I thought we were taking about ice here.

Second, there is a big industry, not just in the Philippines but wider in Asia generally, that actually produces and provides filtering equipment for the production of purified ice/water specifically for bars that caters for foreigners, for all of the reasons you have mentioned. I know this because I once had a conversation with a representative from a company that provides such equipment, who informed me that all the big players are already there.

I suggest that rather than prolong this particular thread I would suggest you asked the bar man/woman or waiter/tress where the ice is actually coming from. Makati is geared up towards serving foreigners and naturally the bars want to retain their cliental. Japanese and Koreans are particularly fond of spirits on the rocks and its well known how particular they are about what they will eat and they don't seem to have any problems although they still complain about the rice there.

Third, in the seventeen years I have been visiting the Philippines I have not yet has any stomach problems as such, nor have I heard of anyone suffering from dysentery or any water borne illnesses from ice in their drink (where sensible precautions are taken) - avoid the street sellers ice as I have seen how they are delivered.

[color=blue][b] Juniour [/b][/color]

Wow... this thread is dead. I have a question about traveling throughout Makati, Pasay, and Manila. Is it advisable to take the Mass Transit System (LRTs) to get from place to place? I was researching and saw that an LRT from Makati can take me close to the EDSA complex and from there can take another LRT to Manila (L.A. Cafe, Skyline health, etc.) ... Or at least close by.

The search function on this board sucks now since the upgrade so it's harder for me to search for things. If any one has any info on this, that would be greatly appreciated... I'm planning on arriving the Tues after Christmas and staying past New Years... any advice for me? Will it be dead since people will be celebrating the Holidays and not working so much?

And, for the younger guys out there, where's a good place to go clubbing in Makati? No mongering... just chillin, dancing, and checking out the trendy girls.

Thanks fellas!

Avoid the LRT, too much chance of getting ripped off, taxis are cheap enough.

[QUOTE=Member #1584]Wow... this thread is dead. I have a question about traveling throughout Makati, Pasay, and Manila. Is it advisable to take the Mass Transit System (LRTs) to get from place to place? I was researching and saw that an LRT from Makati can take me close to the EDSA complex and from there can take another LRT to Manila (L.A. Cafe, Skyline health, etc.) ... Or at least close by.

I wouldn't recommend the LRT as it is well known for snatching wallets and cellphones. Taxis are plentiful and reasonably cheap. To go from Makati to LA Cafe is probably only going to cost you about 150 pesos(3 USD)and time can vary 20 minutes to 1 1/2 hour, though usually it's not as bad as they will try to make it out provided he keeps off the know high traffic streets. You can add 20-30 peso tip if you like. Usually the cabbie will start whinging about traffic, high cost of fuel, sick kids, long hours, etc, etc. I only tip the ones that don't ***** and moan and are pleasant and don't give me a hassle, and then tell them why I'm tipping. You may have to canvas a few drivers first if your going between cities, but usually you'll find one fairly quick. So for less than 3-4 bucks you can ride in "relative" safety

Though I've never been robbed in 12 years of visiting Manila and walking around, it's better to avoid the congested bump and run areas like LRT stations.

1584,

Personally, I would not recommend takingpublic transportation here. Stay away from jeepneys and buses. LRT1 (Light Rail Transit), which runs along Rizal and Taft avenues, is only partly air-conditioned (selected carts only) and always packed. It will take you close to LA Cafe and Cafe Havana in Malate but the walk from LRT station to the destination (especially LA Cafe) might not be pleasant at all. MRT3 (Mass Rail Transit) runs along EDSA and is much better than LRT. It's relatively new and fully air-conditioned. You could take it if you need to go to Glorietta/Greenbelt or Shangri-la Plaza on Shaw boulevard. However, I would not recommend to take it to EDSA complex the walk is relatively short (about 500 m) but, again, very unpleasant. The connection between MRT3 and LRT1 is confusing. Taxis here are very cheap. So my advice is to always use them. Just make sure that they turn on the meter. If not, ditch the cab and get a new one. There have been stories when cab drives were involved in various scams, but generally, if you follow common sense, you should be safe.

New Year's Day is the craziest day in Manila. I was here on New Year's Day only once and since then try to leave the country on that occasion. Expect a lot of people outside and don't be surprised to hear gunshots - so watch out for stray bullets. Every year someone gets accidentally killed in Manila on New Year's day. My advice is to stay inside of one of the many bars that will be opened.

There are two great places to go clubbing in Metro Manila. One is Quezon City. There are plenty of great clubs with absolutely beautiful girls. However, I would not recommend going there alone. You will not find expats there - mainly local youth. If you have a local friend, that's the place to go. Otherwise, follow the rest of the foreigners to Makati. While Manila has some clubs, you'll find older crowd. The young ones stick to Makati. For the beginner, I would recommend starting with Greenbelt. There are two clubs on the third level. Do not expect to hook up with rich and posh there - they stick to private parties.

Anyway, that's my personal opinion. Hopefully, other people on the board could give you a different angle on the questions you asked.

Enjoy Manila!

Try the MRT, it may be the better option.

EDSA Complex in Pasay is kind of sort of close to an LRT station, maybe 10 minutes walk or even faster if you walk fast.

It's quite a bit farther from LA Cafe, etc. to a station.

I like to walk and take public transport myself. But in Manila, with it's humidity and grit, even a short walk like the one from EDSA Complex to that nearby station can leave me feeling grungy and sweaty. And you really don't want to be like that when you're trying to meet up with girls. It does, however, make your first beer taste real good.

Like all mass transit in Asia, the LRT is crowded and some of the cars aren't even air conditioned.

Since taxis are so cheap there's no need to take public transport. Between Makati, EDSA and Mabini you almost never need to pay more than 2 bucks or so.

I guess I'll be sticking to taxis then... When I was traveling/vacationing in Bangkok, I used the electric train almost all the time and didn't fear people pick-pocketing me... actually it didn't seem too crowded in those trains. But, I guess Manila is a different story. Thanks fellas!

I have been taking theLRT and MRT in Manila when I visit-it is fast although crowded during rush hours. Never been pickpocketed - if you use common sense and stay alert you will be OK. It might be safer than buses and jeepneys. In non-rush hours taxis are the way to go - pick newer ones and make sure to ask if the AC is working. A couple of bucks will get you from Greenbelt to Malate if the traffic is light. Please tip accordingly as the taxi drivers don't make much money. They in turn could give you tips on the best place to monger.

#1584. Hope you enjoy your trip to Manila. As mentioned before, if you want to check out a moderately upscale nightspot, go to Havana's at the Greenbelt Mall in Makati. Outdoor patio with tables that are always full. If you want to go in the smallish bar and listen to the Cuban music and dance, you will need shoes and collar. Flip flops not allowed. It is very safe and easy to get to. It is right near the Makati Shangri La Hotel and there are a cluster of really big malls. While in that area, you can also try the Hard Rock Cafe. There are also other nightclub/bars on the floors above Havana that are worth checking out. I have only ever seen working girls at Havana and Hard Rock though. The vast majority of patrons at these places are just Filipinos out to look good and have fun. If you want two very upscale places with nearly always a gaggle of girls looking to chat and meet, try the second floor bar of the Shangri La in Makati and Wasabi's (a Japanese Restaurant/bar) next to the Peninsula Hotel. Nice places and there are usually some very attractive, more cosmopolitan types hanging out there. Walking around in Makati is safe from my experience and I have often walked from the major hotels near the malls to Burgos. Fifteen or twenty minutes at night and you can get a bit of the feel of the city.

There are also a bunch of night spots that are not necessarily tied into mongering on Adriatico Street in Malate neighborhood. I have been to a few like the Library and Bedrock. Nice talent and nice crowd.

You can also go over to the business areas in Ortigas section of Manila. Lots of restaurants and bars near the big SM Mall that has many of the emerging middle class yuppie wannabes that work in the call centers and such.

Then, when you get tired of doing that, hit EDSA complex or Burgos or LA Cafe because it will save you alot of time and effort! Have fun, be safe.

Well written, informative and often hilarious! Golazo, I still remember your take on the mongers in your AC report. And the massage in Makati; "mediocre, from a minimally interested masseuse at steep prices". Great stuff. Roversman99 is another funny guy.

Anyway, I'll be in Makati in two weeks. For the first time, in anticipation of the trip, I joined a filipino website to try to meet some regular girls, in addition to the pros. At least for the daytime. Of course, it will be EDSA at night unless I get lucky. Question: does anyone have any experience with meeting girls from the websites. Do their photos and online personas come anywhere near the reality?
I'm not much for chatting, because I feel that no matter how much chatting you do, within 5 seconds of meeting a girl, you'll know whether you want to bang her not, regardless of how much time you've spent online with her.

Don