Manila

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1227958]Believe it or not, in absolute terms, things are getting better here. However, the pace of progress is glacial, while in the "tiger" and would-be tiger economies it's rapid and in some cases visionary. That's why in relative terms, this place falls further behind its neighbors every year. There's no readily apparent national vision in the country, just a lurching slightly forward, in fits and starts, and there's no political will to carry through on much of anything, just empty rhetoric; and endless soap opera in which form trumps substance almost every time. What's slightly encouraging though is the the mega-firms like San Miguel, SM and Ayala are starting to fret about the lack of infrastructure and seem determined to actually do something about it.

GE[/QUOTE]I agree with your comments, with the exception that the big companies in the Philippines are run by dynasty clans who wish to maintain the status quo. That way they have the field all to themselves with no competition. How many hours would SM survive if Walmart or Tesco entered into the Philippine market? That is why the Philippines makes it virtually impossible for foreign companies to operate in the country. The impartial World Bank 'Ease of Running a Busines' survey ranks Philippines 133/160 globally (ranked similar to countries in central Africa).

[QUOTE=Fastpiston;1228977]I agree with your comments, with the exception that the big companies in the Philippines are run by dynasty clans who wish to maintain the status quo. That way they have the field all to themselves with no competition. How many hours would SM survive if Walmart or Tesco entered into the Philippine market? That is why the Philippines makes it virtually impossible for foreign companies to operate in the country. The impartial World Bank 'Ease of Running a Busines' survey ranks Philippines 133/160 globally (ranked similar to countries in central Africa).[/QUOTE]No argument from me. Most of the "mega" businesses in the country couldn't compete-at least in their current status-with the global firms, which is why the market is essentially shut. It's in the interests of the oligarchs to continue operating the countnry as a private feifdom, and it's going to stay that way for a long, long time.

GE

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1228995]No argument from me. Most of the "mega" businesses in the country couldn't compete-at least in their current status-with the global firms, which is why the market is essentially shut. It's in the interests of the oligarchs to continue operating the countnry as a private feifdom, and it's going to stay that way for a long, long time.

GE[/QUOTE]And of course, this continuation of fiefdoms has 'trickle down affects' in every aspect of the culture. For example, the recent catastrophe in CDO / Iligan. Oligarchs support Catholic Church. Church opposes birth control. Population doubles in 30 years. Lack of jobs and scarcity of land results in flimsy shanty towns built in dangerous locations. Illegal logging erradicates ground cover. Inept and corrupt officials do nothing to address potential problems. Heavy rainfall creates massive flash floods. A thousand lives are lost. 'Act of God'? Hmmn. The circle game. Back to the oligarchs and Church. LOL.

I just cannot believe what I am reading here about big business in the Philippines being uncompetitive.

What do you mean uncompetitive?

In Australia, governments hand out vast amounts of taxpayers dollars to businesses just to keep them open, and employing people.

The car manufacturing business springs to mind, where handouts of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are handed over.

When the going gets a bit tough, the govt props up selected banks with vast amounts of taxpayer dollars.

The government passes large amounts of money to industries via specific contracts.

In the US, when the going got tough, the govt handed vast amounts of taxpayers money to selected banks. Not to all, just the favourites, those that paid the most via their lobbyists. In fact, the actual amounts handed over were about ten times what congress had legislated.

In the UK, right now, the prime minister has vetoed EU financial arrangements so that the British financial industry (the city) can be protected from foreign competition.

So before you sink the boot into Phils business, are you sure that business in your own country is competitive without taxpayer support?

Do I hear a deathly silence?

G

I was a couple of times in LA Café Manila, and as I was told, now it is called Bay Café or something like that.

There were many ladies, but from my point of view low quality. I was hassled several times, no like the way they are.

They seem to be very professional getting customer, but as my friends told me quite bad doing her work.

We had bad experiences there, I think the place doesn't worth it.

You will be asked for 2. 000 pesos, but negotiate it to get it down to 1. 000 – 1. 500.

Do not remember the prices of the drinks, but not too expensive.

Lady drink about 140 pesos, but be careful because some of them ask for more expensive cocktails about 330 pesos.

There are many places around Ermita area.

Oil massage cost around 350 pesos. 1 hour.

Do not remember very well but for about 500 pesos you can have a hotel service, the masseur goes to your hotel.

In this case you may offer hand-job, you will be asked for a tip of another 500 pesos.

In many massage shops extra services are not offered, so be careful because maybe it is not welcome to ask for it.

There are many of them around Ermita area.

Many ladies inside them, some outside trying to get customers inside.

At the beginning I thought they tried to pull my leg when I asked them how the KTV works. It is unbelievable, just paying for singing having the company of the girl clapping how well you are doing.

Many KTV but it seemed not to have customers at all. I do not know how they can sustain such business.

They do not offer extra services, I mean, you cannot take a lady out or do anything else than sing.

So. If you like singing and being clapping for a lady who you are paying, you are in the right place, if not. Keep out of these KTV.

[QUOTE=Gangles; 1229207]I just cannot believe what I am reading here about big business in the Philippines being uncompetitive.

What do you mean uncompetitive?

In Australia, governments hand out vast amounts of taxpayers dollars to businesses just to keep them open, and employing people.

The car manufacturing business springs to mind, where handouts of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are handed over.

When the going gets a bit tough, the govt props up selected banks with vast amounts of taxpayer dollars.

The government passes large amounts of money to industries via specific contracts.

In the US, when the going got tough, the govt handed vast amounts of taxpayers money to selected banks. Not to all, just the favourites, those that paid the most via their lobbyists. In fact, the actual amounts handed over were about ten times what congress had legislated.

In the UK, right now, the prime minister has vetoed EU financial arrangements so that the British financial industry (the city) can be protected from foreign competition.

So before you sink the boot into Phils business, are you sure that business in your own country is competitive without taxpayer support?

Do I hear a deathly silence?

G[/QUOTE]To Gangle,

If you are taking about Hand out in the Phillipines the Government is the one getting it under the table that is, many US company don't want to do any business in PI because of all the Coruption so many of us come here for monkey business only.

Fast Eddie 48

MBC is a good place for the mongers. Depends on the time of the day. Try the second floor at late evening. I met with very good looking ladies. Matter of fact, one of them got married and living in Oregon Coast and I do visit her time to time. You can find serious gems there. But you need to be picky.

[QUOTE=Esteban30; 1229386]I was a couple of times in LA Café Manila, and as I was told, now it is called Bay Café or something like that.

There were many ladies, but from my point of view low quality. I was hassled several times, no like the way they are.

They seem to be very professional getting customer, but as my friends told me quite bad doing her work.

We had bad experiences there, I think the place doesn't worth it.

You will be asked for 2. 000 pesos, but negotiate it to get it down to 1. 000 – 1. 500.

Do not remember the prices of the drinks, but not too expensive.

Lady drink about 140 pesos, but be careful because some of them ask for more expensive cocktails about 330 pesos.[/QUOTE]

Tesco is a very lame operation and in USA, everyone ate their lunch. Walmart had pull out from the many markets at overseas. Unless you know the local taste, big box stores don't do very good in third world countries.

[QUOTE=Fastpiston;1228977]I agree with your comments, with the exception that the big companies in the Philippines are run by dynasty clans who wish to maintain the status quo. That way they have the field all to themselves with no competition. How many hours would SM survive if Walmart or Tesco entered into the Philippine market? That is why the Philippines makes it virtually impossible for foreign companies to operate in the country. The impartial World Bank 'Ease of Running a Busines' survey ranks Philippines 133/160 globally (ranked similar to countries in central Africa).[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48; 1229399]To Gangle,

If you are taking about Hand out in the Phillipines the Government is the one getting it under the table that is, many US company don't want to do any business in PI because of all the Coruption so many of us come here for monkey business only.

Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]I'm pretty sure that Gangle's point is that it's hypocritical to cast aspersions on the Philippines when Western (and to be fair the Japanese) governments engage in the susidization of entire sectors and industries on a much more massive scale. The US and Europe, for example massively subsidize the Agricultural sectors, while Japan ensures, through the subsidies it pays to its small farmers, that foreign rice cannot penetrate its markets. The point is that all, or almost all governments are corrupt. The US Congress is a wholly-owned subsidiary of special interests, while the line between the public and private sectors in France is written in the sand. The difference is that corruption in the Philippines is somewhat more overt, clumsier and not nearly as sophisticated as that which occurs in the West or in Japan. It's also more direct here. Whereas, for example, I would never dream of offering a bride to a cop anywhere in the States or Europe, or to a civil servant, here it's routine and expected.

GE

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1229730]Whereas, for example, I would never dream of offering a bride to a cop anywhere in the States or Europe, or to a civil servant, here it's routine and expected.[/QUOTE]Fortunately there's a steady supply of new ones, whenever you have to turn one over to the coppers.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1229730]I would never dream of offering a bride to a cop anywhere in the States or Europe, or to a civil servant, here it's routine and expected.[/QUOTE]LOL, GE, I didn't realize that the old feudal law of "le droit de seigneur" lived on in Davao. No wonder it is so hard to find a virgin here:).

I have Type II diabetes, and like a lot of fellow sufferers, I used artificial sweeteners for a long time.

Not long ago, a friend sent me a warning about Aspartame, which is a common ingredient in artificial sweeteners. A little bit of research showed that Aspartame is a toxin, a known poison, with some pretty horrific side effects.

Not long ago, a Bill was introduced into the US congress which would make the use of Aspartame illegal because of its known harmful effects. The industry, with deep pockets, unleashed a bunch of lobbyists, with equally deep pockets. Enough congressmen were bought off to make sure that the bill did not get to the floor of the House. That is, money crossed hands with the result that lives of people are put at risk, for increased profits of big business.

Now that is what I call corruption. But then thinking back to my time in the US, I realised that that is actually the way that the US congress is run. By big business. There are thousands of lobbyists working full time in and around the congress, manipulating the process and system of government.

Now that is serious corruption.

The Philippines is amateurish in comparison.

G

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1229730]I'm pretty sure that Gangle's point is that it's hypocritical to cast aspersions on the Philippines when Western (and to be fair the Japanese) governments engage in the susidization of entire sectors and industries on a much more massive scale. The US and Europe, for example massively subsidize the Agricultural sectors, while Japan ensures, through the subsidies it pays to its small farmers, that foreign rice cannot penetrate its markets. The point is that all, or almost all governments are corrupt. The US Congress is a wholly-owned subsidiary of special interests, while the line between the public and private sectors in France is written in the sand. The difference is that corruption in the Philippines is somewhat more overt, clumsier and not nearly as sophisticated as that which occurs in the West or in Japan. It's also more direct here. Whereas, for example, I would never dream of offering a bride to a cop anywhere in the States or Europe, or to a civil servant, here it's routine and expected.

GE[/QUOTE]

Asparteme is a rare case. It is the baby of Searle Pharma and Donald Rumsfeld. If any one would read the story behind the Asparteme would hate Rumsfelf one more time. However, since US brought serious anti-corruption and transparency measures into the effect. With good and bad, most of the countries wish they were us. FYI, I lived in several different countries and traveled to many for job and business.

[QUOTE=Gangles; 1229815]I have Type II diabetes, and like a lot of fellow sufferers, I used artificial sweeteners for a long time.

Not long ago, a friend sent me a warning about Aspartame, which is a common ingredient in artificial sweeteners. A little bit of research showed that Aspartame is a toxin, a known poison, with some pretty horrific side effects.

Not long ago, a Bill was introduced into the US congress which would make the use of Aspartame illegal because of its known harmful effects. The industry, with deep pockets, unleashed a bunch of lobbyists, with equally deep pockets. Enough congressmen were bought off to make sure that the bill did not get to the floor of the House. That is, money crossed hands with the result that lives of people are put at risk, for increased profits of big business.

Now that is what I call corruption. But then thinking back to my time in the US, I realised that that is actually the way that the US congress is run. By big business. There are thousands of lobbyists working full time in and around the congress, manipulating the process and system of government.

Now that is serious corruption.

The Philippines is amateurish in comparison.

G[/QUOTE]