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[QUOTE=MauiDude; 1107767]But I have been robbed in Philippines and Thailand by the police. They were actually very friendly when they were robbing me.[/QUOTE]I'm sorry you were robbed by anyone at all but this had me LOL.
Can you tell us just how they robbed you (set you up?) and what they took?
FZ
[QUOTE=MauiDude; 1107500]The hot girls are there. They just get taken out quickly. So you got to keep checking it out. But I look for longer term girls.
Still I go there just to look and talk to some of the hot ones if I see them.
I walk by there almost everyday.
Hahaha. Its close to where I live[/QUOTE]Guess I have to pay more attention the next time I'm in AC.
You live and walk by there everyday, Man do I envy you and hope to do the same someday and hope AC don't change by then when it's time for me to retire.
FZ
[QUOTE=Freezone;1108248]Why not just use Victory Liner from Pasay for the roundtrip or 5 Star RT. Is there a reason why you prefer going one way only with either bus companies?[/QUOTE]5-Star is northbound on EDSA highway while Victory Liner is southbound. The taxi must travel several miles just to do a Uturn and that can easily add 15-30 minutes on the taxi and another 15-30 minutes on the bus. My way you'll save time and money and just trust me when I say traffic on EDSA is murder during rush-hour. BTW, both terminals are located in Pasay so make sure you tell the taxi driver or he'll might try to take you a terminal in a different city.
Good Luck
I've never gotten good vibes from this place, but was never quite sure why.
So, this afternoon, I pop in figuring it can't be as bad as I remember.
It seems that I'm the only customer except for two foreign guys sitting at the regulars table near the door. My guess is that one is the mgr and the other a regular. There are about 15 dancers, six or seven waitresses.
I get my beer. Certainly cold enough. I take one swig and then find that one of the foreign guys has decided to rearrange or take down Christmas decorations almost directly over my head. This strikes me as supremely odd. Stonefaced, I simply get up and move to another table.
I see one gal that looks nice, try to get eye contact so I can invite her over. We make eye contact and she immediately hides behind another dancer. I was not staring at her nether regions, but I understand that these things happen. I wait a while and later the same thing happens. For fks sake, if you get a job dancing in a bikini, is it really so friggin hard to let someone take a look at you?
I pay my bill before finishing my beer. Plenty of other bars that have cold beer and better atmospheres. X
Hi fellow members,
I am heading back to Angeles in Feburary will be there for my 21 day visa visit just wondering if the bars are still getting raided? Looking forward to seeing how much things have changed since April. Can any members give any advice if pricing has changed? Also wondering if paul be will be there in feb as iam looking for a good wingman! Cheers.
Members if anyone is lookiing for a good wingman not a cock blocker send me a message.
[QUOTE=Freezone; 1108254]Guess I have to pay more attention the next time I'm in AC.
You live and walk by there everyday, Man do I envy you and hope to do the same someday and hope AC don't change by then when it's time for me to retire.
FZ[/QUOTE]I have met some of the hottest girls at the BJ bars. And they end up married.
But yes lot of dogs.
I doubt that things will change a lot here.
The men in power want to be in power and have it be a mans country.
Men are men and women are women. And it is very acceptable that men are not monogamus and play.
The only question is the style in which you do it ?
The clubs support the politicians, the police. The girls and their families. But take that away and the girls will still be here with a lot of motivation to be with the foreigners.
They are in the malls, walking the streets and at the schools. So they are here and everywhere.
Mostly the girls rotate come and go a lot. So all the clubs may be hot one week or one night. And then for another month or two poor results. Some days I go out and meet ten girls that are nice and naughty and I am attracted to.
Other times I go out and just don't find one with mutual interest.
[QUOTE=Freezone; 1108251]I'm sorry you were robbed by anyone at all but this had me LOL.
Can you tell us just how they robbed you (set you up?) and what they took?
FZ[/QUOTE]Basically robbery is taking of property or money through force or fear.
So I think when you deal with police that have authority and they use that authority to take money or property that is robbery.
So no I did have not have gun or knife pulled on me but the intimidation of their uniform and authority.
Which for me causes fear to deal with them and maybe I am paranoid but I know the power of the police from both sides.
Once was stop by traffic police in makati that threaten arrest under bogus charges. Fortunately I had a filipina.
Woman that was very head strong and smart that helped me out of the situation and only had to pay.
500 pesos.
At the airport twice the security police took money out of my pocket and said they would keep it as a gift.
With some talking I was able to keep the money by subtle talk of going to the us embassy and other higher authorities. But all these guys had guns and yes I do feel the fear dealing with these guys.
Because of the power of arrest and force that they have. And also I know if get mad then it will be a real problem and its hard to control my anger when they are shaking me down.
There have been other attempted things but fortunately I was paying attention and able to avoid the situation from getting worse.
Okay so much negative. I got to also say that I have met some extremely honest and nice people both in and out of the government. So I do have to stay honest and say there are a lot of nice and honest people here.
But I believe you still need to be aware and conscious of the bad so you will not be caught off guard.
[QUOTE=MauiDude; 1108502]Basically robbery is taking of property or money through force or fear.
So I think when you deal with police that have authority and they use that authority to take money or property that is robbery.
So no I did have not have gun or knife pulled on me but the intimidation of their uniform and authority.
Which for me causes fear to deal with them and maybe I am paranoid but I know the power of the police from both sides.
Once was stop by traffic police in makati that threaten arrest under bogus charges. Fortunately I had a filipina.
Woman that was very head strong and smart that helped me out of the situation and only had to pay.
500 pesos.
At the airport twice the security police took money out of my pocket and said they would keep it as a gift.
With some talking I was able to keep the money by subtle talk of going to the us embassy and other higher authorities. But all these guys had guns and yes I do feel the fear dealing with these guys.
Because of the power of arrest and force that they have. And also I know if get mad then it will be a real problem and its hard to control my anger when they are shaking me down. [/QUOTE]I guess I must be completely naive. I know that corruption is a pervasive and permanent feature of the Philippine police and other government agencies, but I am completely gobsmacked that customs officials or whoever they were, tried to take money off you without a least some transgression on your part, in such an overt and public way. Your post is definitely food for thought!
[QUOTE=MauiDude; 1108502]Basically robbery is taking of property or money through force or fear.
So I think when you deal with police that have authority and they use that authority to take money or property that is robbery.
So no I did have not have gun or knife pulled on me but the intimidation of their uniform and authority.
Which for me causes fear to deal with them and maybe I am paranoid but I know the power of the police from both sides.
Once was stop by traffic police in makati that threaten arrest under bogus charges. Fortunately I had a filipina.
Woman that was very head strong and smart that helped me out of the situation and only had to pay.
500 pesos.
At the airport twice the security police took money out of my pocket and said they would keep it as a gift.
With some talking I was able to keep the money by subtle talk of going to the us embassy and other higher authorities. But all these guys had guns and yes I do feel the fear dealing with these guys.
Because of the power of arrest and force that they have. And also I know if get mad then it will be a real problem and its hard to control my anger when they are shaking me down.
There have been other attempted things but fortunately I was paying attention and able to avoid the situation from getting worse.
Okay so much negative. I got to also say that I have met some extremely honest and nice people both in and out of the government. So I do have to stay honest and say there are a lot of nice and honest people here.
But I believe you still need to be aware and conscious of the bad so you will not be caught off guard. [/QUOTE]Mauidude,
There are many post here that tell you Manila police are the biggest thief in the world, they will shake you down every chance they have and that how they made a living not the little salary that the goverment give them this is from the top down, they need to clean up the polce force or lose all the tourist business and the poor people in this country will suffer.
Fast Eddie 48
In any place where girls are cheap, government / police corruption exist.
Philippines.
Indonesia.
Thailand.
Etc.
[quote=poopbunny; 1108749]in any place where girls are cheap, government / police corruption exist.
philippines
indonesia
thailand
etc.[/quote]the girls aren't cheap in california and the police here can retire at 53 w / full benes and 90% of their salary for life. and to top that, just before they retire they are promoted specifically to increase their salary for the purpose of increasing their benes for life. with cost of living adjustments evry year. who's more crooked?
[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48; 1108719]Mauidude,
There are many post here that tell you Manila police are the biggest thief in the world, they will shake you down every chance they have and that how they made a living not the little salary that the goverment give them this is from the top down, they need to clean up the polce force or lose all the tourist business and the poor people in this country will suffer.
Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]To me that is a big negative with the corruption.
But the girls make up for it and also the real nice people and the weather and the ocean and all the good things.
I just try to avoid situations that will lead to trouble.
I really don't expect any change but I do hope I can live in peaceful harmony.
Yes the poor people in the country suffer more and maybe that is why there is npa and other groups like that.
The politicians and government steal the money and don't make improvements that will benefit the populace.
Somehow people keep coming because its still probably relatively rare that a tourist gets taken by the police and people like me just accept it as the way it is and I am not going to fight it but just avoid it.
Still I can walk away and leave the country if it gets really bad for me.
But I do have some really good things going for me here.
[QUOTE=Mortman;1108639]I guess I must be completely naive. I know that corruption is a pervasive and permanent feature of the Philippine police and other government agencies, but I am completely gobsmacked that customs officials or whoever they were, tried to take money off you without a least some transgression on your part, in such an overt and public way. Your post is definitely food for thought![/QUOTE]Yes and I am ex police and have been very supportive of police and government.
And totally I know when I am in foreign country it is yes sir and no sir. And never attract attention to myself.
And always very careful. (I do flirt with girls in public places a little but only when the surroundings are compatable)
So I know police procedure and government protocal.
I even dress very conservatively usually long pants and nice shirt when travelling and going around government areas,
It amazed me that the armed security would take money out of my pocket. And in front of other police and security before and after the metal detector as they pat you down. And I am totally 100 plus.
I also felt I could have cultivated the police there to smuggle anything I wanted if I was so inclined to be involved.
Which I am not involved in anything illegal.
Its a mistake to think that the police here only bother you when you are doing something. I travel light and make sure I am totally compliant with all regulations.
You know the police here can shoot you easily and get away with it. Okay that is my paranoia but it is true to a point.
Anyway I have also had met some really nice government employees and officials here and in other poor countries.
So its not everyone and it probably does not even really happen a lot?
But just be aware that the bad ones are actively looking for someone to rob and steal from.
I told the police that when I came to do some work for the embassy they told me not to give any gifts without clearance from them. I bluffed but was very nice and the security police gave me back my money.
I met a philippine doctor in USA and she was military. She said she had to leave the Philippines because the rebel groups were following her.
Basically people are watching. The police. Government and the crooks (they are all crooks in this behavior)
They are looking for any weakness and any thing they can take.
Several times there have been street hoods that have tried to rob me but usually that is when my guard is down and I am too friendly and talking to guys that come up and start a coversation (local guys)
Now there are even foreigners in angeles begging for money. One person told me that one of the foreign beggers was getting very aggressive.
Anyway for me a little paranoia might be good to keep me alert and always looking at my environment and the people around me. But still be nice and courteous and enjoy the life here.
And not to beat a dead horse. But a friend of mine was asked for money from custom officials and police to let him take his girl on trip to Singapore. They would not let her clear customs without a pay off. (I think it was 10000 Pesos).
They have been together for a long time maybe one or two years and she had passport going and return ticket and they would not let her out. He refused to pay the bribe and she had to go home.
I have seen more and heard more but I think you get the idea.
Don't worry too much as there are also ten good things for every bad thing here. At least for me.
You just can not take anything for granted here and can not get complacent
Once again is it a mystery that corruption exists when money is involved? The world is one big money hungry corrupt place, Those with money get everything those who don't get nothing
[QUOTE=MauiDude; 1108832]Yes and I am ex police and have been very supportive of police and government.
And totally I know when I am in foreign country it is yes sir and no sir. And never attract attention to myself.
And always very careful. (I do flirt with girls in public places a little but only when the surroundings are compatable)
So I know police procedure and government protocal.
I even dress very conservatively usually long pants and nice shirt when travelling and going around government areas,
It amazed me that the armed security would take money out of my pocket. And in front of other police and security before and after the metal detector as they pat you down. And I am totally 100 plus.
I also felt I could have cultivated the police there to smuggle anything I wanted if I was so inclined to be involved.
Which I am not involved in anything illegal.
Its a mistake to think that the police here only bother you when you are doing something. I travel light and make sure I am totally compliant with all regulations.
You know the police here can shoot you easily and get away with it. Okay that is my paranoia but it is true to a point.
Anyway I have also had met some really nice government employees and officials here and in other poor countries.
So its not everyone and it probably does not even really happen a lot?
But just be aware that the bad ones are actively looking for someone to rob and steal from.
I told the police that when I came to do some work for the embassy they told me not to give any gifts without clearance from them. I bluffed but was very nice and the security police gave me back my money.
I met a philippine doctor in USA and she was military. She said she had to leave the Philippines because the rebel groups were following her.
Basically people are watching. The police. Government and the crooks (they are all crooks in this behavior)
They are looking for any weakness and any thing they can take.
Several times there have been street hoods that have tried to rob me but usually that is when my guard is down and I am too friendly and talking to guys that come up and start a coversation (local guys)
Now there are even foreigners in angeles begging for money. One person told me that one of the foreign beggers was getting very aggressive.
Anyway for me a little paranoia might be good to keep me alert and always looking at my environment and the people around me. But still be nice and courteous and enjoy the life here.
And not to beat a dead horse. But a friend of mine was asked for money from custom officials and police to let him take his girl on trip to Singapore. They would not let her clear customs without a pay off. (I think it was 10000 Pesos).
They have been together for a long time maybe one or two years and she had passport going and return ticket and they would not let her out. He refused to pay the bribe and she had to go home.
I have seen more and heard more but I think you get the idea.
Don't worry too much as there are also ten good things for every bad thing here. At least for me.
You just can not take anything for granted here and can not get complacent[/QUOTE]Mate, I know you are trying to urge people to use common sense when travelling, and be aware of safety particularly in "red light" districts. But I live here, and prior to that travelled through Manila and Clark airports more times than I can possibly count.
I was never stopped by customs / passport officials for anything. I never had to take any money out of my pocket, much less the suggestion I give it to them. If it had happened I would have made such noise that any thoughts of extortion would have quickly disappeared. Both airports, by way of example, are hubs for tourists to Boracay and Bohol, the government would never allow massive extortion of tourists to these regions, these are major cash cows.
There are rebel groups but safety concerns outside of Mindinao are not relevant. More likely to get hit by a trike driver than attacked by rebels. Manila, Angeles, Cebu, Boracay, Subic are not anywhere close to the rebel areas in the South. Even in Mindinao, people will tell you Davao is very safe. Ok, if you plan on vacationing in Muslim Rebel areas, yea safety may be a concern.
It is not accruate that the police can just walk up and shoot you. And get away with it. Don't you think there would be immense international press if the Western citizens were being gunned down in the streets by the police.
You say several times street hoods have tried to rob you. I might agree if you define rob as attempts to pickpocket, that is why I never let anyone touch me (including the street kids and vendors). But if you are suggesting armed robbery. It happens. But in relation to most USA cities its hardly significant. UNLESS you are not where you are suppose to be. That being outside the tourist areas hanging with shady Filipino's.
Yes, there are beggars here, they exist because kind hearted visitors keep giving them money. Why don't we stop doing that, the beggars are all organized gangs anyway, the money you give is not going to the poor mother and baby strapped to her shoulder. In regards to the ONE "American" that was begging, he is no longer around. He was crazy and the police finally got him off the streets. That was due to people complaining and the police taking action.
I've also had occasion to travel with a Filipina outside of the country, and many of my friends travel with their wife or girlfriend. IF all the paperwork is complete and matches, they have had no problem what so ever. But it is true if there is some error, in a corrupt country, some peso can make the problem go away. In the USA or Australia, under no situation would the problem go away. The only problem I heard of was one friend who's girl had a different name on her passport versus her ticket. Frankly I had the same problem myself in China, where my first and last name was reversed on the ticket. That required an hour to sort out.
A frequent visitor knows better, but for a first time visitor, its just not dangerous. Stick to the main strip, SM Mall, MacArthur highway shops and restaurants, there is no problem. I am on the streets every single day and night, I have never been robbed (knock on wood) , the police have always been courteous and helpful, I travel through the airports without a problem, and I've never met a rebel, seen one or heard of one operating in the tourist district. At most a tourist may run up against corruption for driving a motor scooter without a helmet (few hundred peso) or trying to expedite a visa extension (maybe a couple of thousand peso at worst). There are people who get into bad things and bad things happen to them. But the average tourist, attending the bars, staying at a hotel, avoiding street people and freelancers, just don't see your alarm bells.