Manila

The Swagman is close to the LA Cafe.

Prices are around 1300php I believe thats including pick up from the airport.

http://www.swaggy.com

Have Fun

Teddybr,

There is a big difference between a "con job" and plain "overpricing". It appears that you did not detect that a con job was being done on you by the cab driver and the casa operator when $4K was quoted to you for an all-nighter. I'm sure their prices dropped to 2.5K pesos when the old-timer monger arrived. Surely, you did not prove your point.

MasterBlaster

I have a retired Motorola nexus phone that uses a Sim card. Do you know if this would be compatible with the cell phone cards in PI? Are all SIM type cell phones compatible with all cards? I can probably haul it along just in case.

I will post this in a couple other forums so please forgive me if you get tired of seeing it.

Hi,

Your phone will work if it supports the GSM 900 or GSM 1800 MHZ frequencies.

A good resource I use is here:

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

You can see under each country, the networks that are live, and if you click 'network info', you can see which frequencies they support. You can cross reference the network you purchased the phone from, vs. the network/country you will be visiting. If they support the same network frequencies, your phone will probably work.

The newer phones are dualband/triband, so they will automatically work on all networks.

Have fun in PI.

I use a tri-band phone, which is very compatiable to almost any phone, and I am using it in the states.

You need a dual-band at the least. If not, just buy one. It will cost around 100 USD, or 4,500-7,000 ps for one. You can buy a use one, which is cheaper. When you are done, you can give it to the girl, if you like.

Trust me, if you stay longer enough in the P.I., a cellphone is a necessitiy, b/c you can't use a regular phone to call anyone, except in your hotel (Cost you more), or someone with long distance set up.

J Boy,

First the phone should be tri-band frequency or considered "world phone" before it can work in PI. The phone should also be "unlocked" before it can accept SIM cards from other mobile service providers. When a mobile phone is "locked" it will only accept SIM cards coming from the mobile service provider that sold you the phone. Instead of taking a risk, you can buy a cheap mobile phone with a SIM card from the PI for about $60. Pick the SMART or GLOBE mobile service provider for better coverage.

Buy a Globe starter pack. It will cost you PhP200 (less than $4) and will include 30 free minutes or so. You can buy recharge cards from Php100-Php500 pesos. Most of the women you will meet here will have cell phones, all who have cell phones will give you their numbers and will want yours. The few who do not have phones will ask if you will buy one for them. They will then start sending you text messages on a regular basis, which you can either ignore or to which you can respond. Either way, it's vital to have a cell phone here. I too have a triband phone and use it world wide. However, you can buy a used cell phone here in any mall for $40-$60 and it will work perfectly.

GE,

One thing you forgot to tell about the irriating habits of texting, which I think is very rude while eating, like talking in a restaurant at times (even I am guilty of this!). Yes, I know it is cheap to call, but everyone that I know wants to save, so they all text, even the ones with money.

Sory about that. I should have told you that the Philippines is the text messaging capitol of the world. Filipinos text 24/7 and will bug the crap out of you all the time once they get your number. It's just something with which you have to cope. Of course, you don't have to respond and after a while the girls will get bored and it will cease.

I've never been to the PI before and I've got a 5 hour layover in Manila airport (3pm until 8pm). I am arriving from HKG and flying to Australia.

Any suggestions as to what to do? How much?

Thank you!

Yellow Fever,

If you have 5 hours its best to just stay in the airport. When I flow out of Manila it took at least an hour to just get to the gate because there are so many check points. But if you must leave the airport, I was reading about a club close to the airport that gives massages and the theme of the place is like a airport. There is a picture and discription of the place in the Manila section.

For a short time you got your best bet is a massaga parlor. Ask the cab driver to take you to the nearest one. Prices may range fro 500-1000 for hj and up to 2000 pesos for fs.

Faust Joe,

I must leave the airport and get my 'fix'. I changed my flight and I arrive a little earlier at 1pm so I have nearly 7 hours to explore.

I will take care and be at the airport a little earl to clear the control checkpoints...

Thanks for your help.

Hi guys,

I'll be in the PI for a wedding in July, for one of my good friend's wedding. Anyway I plan to give him a great bachellors party. Any suggestions where i can get a good number of girls for a decent rate. Is JR worth it? Does anyone have experience in this area? I used to live in the PI, so i have some contacts.

Thanks
amboy

Hi Amboy,

With regards your query about JR. I have used and recommended him many times. I will also be in Manila in July so let me know if you wanna meet up for a beer. I always stay in Heritage Hotel. I have already been in touch with JR recently to set some things up. Best get him to take you out to the casas then you can choose yourself. If you tell him what you want and get him to bring a selection to your room then he just goes to the casas to pick them up. Be careful what you ask for in that case. Remember, a "small" girl by Philippine standards can be a midget! So careful what you ask for :)

The Flying Scotsman