Manila

I found myself alone in Manila this week. Two nights ago I went to Manila Bay Cafe, I have been there before on two other trips. This was the first time I walked alone. I was to tired to pay for a girl, one gave me her number written on a napkin. While walking home to my hotel, the Best Western La Corona, located a few blocks from MBC. A street kid, about 15, took and interest to some paper in my shirt pocket. (The aforementioned telephone number written on a napkin) ' he swooped in and snatched it.

I caught him by the arm and grabbed him by the neck, he was not very strong. I yelled at him, the next thing I knew a friend of his bashed me in the back of the head with a chunk of concrete about the size of a softball.

I took a swing at him and must have grazed his eyeball as he seemed quite upset.

He picked up his rock and planned for further attack. At this point a group of their street companions showed to provide them with support. I decided to turn tail and run.

Subsequent to this situation, I have talked with a few locals who told me the kids have been preying on customers of the 711. I have heard several accounts of similar attacks.

As per trip report, arrived in Manila at 4am and had 2 hours sleep. Woke up and as per trip report was happy to see replies from the virgin who is no more.

But what was weird was to see 2 texts from ladies who had no idea I was in Philippines asking " Hi Freebie, are you here now ".

I haven't met either girl, and don't intend to.

One is an 18 year old virgin studying in Leyte, other is 29 and works in SM in Sucat.

I hadn't been in Manila for 12 weeks.

They must just endlessly send messages hoping that one day they get a reply. This is the modern day equivalent of the message in a bottle.

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational; 1255606][SNIP]With each carrier in each country it lists the payment amounts accepted as I did copy and paste in the previous post, but maybe you can not see it on the site if you are not registered.

It is not me who is wrong on the exchange rate. Etopuponline lists 45p-1USD for the Philippines on their website. I copied and pasted that directly. If they are giving me 45 to the dollar you think I am going to argue and say they should only be giving me 43? You already admitted that you have never used the service, yet you know everything about it and how they have HUGE markups. If you insist on being right about this one then go ahead and be my guest. But I am writing from experience and proof of my experience and not mere speculation.[/QUOTE]OK thanks for the explanation. Like I stated I have never used them before, I was only quoting from there website and if they charge you less then $20USD per transaction that's a better deal.

As to the Forex exchange rate, anyone who gives you 45p-1USD is giving you a great rate and I would be happy to take that rate all day long. I thought you were quoting the posted International Forex exchange rate being at 45p-1USD, that was my correction, because it has been months since the rate was 45p.

[QUOTE=X Man; 1255578]I've been using a 1000peso Nokio for the past two years. Since I travel in Philippines two or three times a year, I keep using the same SIM, and I buy a phone card before I leave. Then as soon as I arrive the next time, I load the phone and kill time in the taxi by sending msg.

I'm thinking of getting a phone with two SIM slots since I sometimes get gals who say something like,"I can't text you because I'm using SUN". At first I was confused. Are the two systems incompatible? Of course the real reason is they have some sort of free text set up with one company and can't be bothered to spend a few pesos on texting someone using a different company's SIM. Penny wise, pound foolish?

I've quoted SA88 here because it is so true that they will walk you thru the whole process and set things up for you. Most malls have several shops and often they have one area where there are numerous kiosks style "shops". They are usually staffed by females, and they are often competing to get you over to their kiosk. So, one variable you can consider is find the kiosk with a lass that appeals to you. If she helps you set up, get her to text you. Or test the phone by texting her. You might do this in a surreptitious way, not to try to fool anyone, but just to help her save face with her colleagues, or possibly her boss. Then later you can text her to thank her and maybe offer to buy her lunch because of her kindness. But more likely than not, as you are typing your message, you will get your first ding. I wonder who might be texting?

So, to add to what SA88 wrote, you can walk out with a fully-functioning phone, and one contact. Oh, I love the P'ppines.[/QUOTE]I have had problems keeping the same sim card. I used to make 4 visits a year. Sometimes it works and sometimes does not. When asked the store girl which sells sim, she told me it is her experience that sim cards go bad even if it is used continuosly. She does not know the answer. She believes companies want people to change sim card to make more money.

Same things happen in China, HK and Thailand too.

[QUOTE=Wjmpsr; 1255648]I found myself alone in Manila this week. Two nights ago I went to Manila Bay Cafe, I have been there before on two other trips. This was the first time I walked alone. I was to tired to pay for a girl, one gave me her number written on a napkin. While walking home to my hotel, the Best Western La Corona, located a few blocks from MBC. A street kid, about 15, took and interest to some paper in my shirt pocket. (The aforementioned telephone number written on a napkin) ' he swooped in and snatched it.

I caught him by the arm and grabbed him by the neck, he was not very strong. I yelled at him, the next thing I knew a friend of his bashed me in the back of the head with a chunk of concrete about the size of a softball.

I took a swing at him and must have grazed his eyeball as he seemed quite upset.

He picked up his rock and planned for further attack. At this point a group of their street companions showed to provide them with support. I decided to turn tail and run.

Subsequent to this situation, I have talked with a few locals who told me the kids have been preying on customers of the 711. I have heard several accounts of similar attacks.[/QUOTE]I'm sure this won't happen to you again as you'll know what to do but was it just the napkin with the phone number he snatched?

[QUOTE=Sammon; 1255788]I have had problems keeping the same sim card. I used to make 4 visits a year. Sometimes it works and sometimes does not. When asked the store girl which sells sim, she told me it is her experience that sim cards go bad even if it is used continuosly. She does not know the answer. She believes companies want people to change sim card to make more money.

Same things happen in China, HK and Thailand too.[/QUOTE]Different expereince here. I've had my Manila SIM card since 2003. Works every time, and I visit 6-8 times a year. Now they changed the law, the load doesn't expire after 14 days so usually I still have load left on my card as soon as I arrive.

[QUOTE=Sammon;1255788]I have had problems keeping the same sim card. I used to make 4 visits a year. Sometimes it works and sometimes does not. When asked the store girl which sells sim, she told me it is her experience that sim cards go bad even if it is used continuosly. She does not know the answer. .[/QUOTE]I am not questioning your experience Samm but I can quote my own experience.

I have lived here for 15 years; I have used a Globe and a Smart SIM and I have NEVER had any problems with either of them.

Globe is a post-paid account (for business) and Smart is a pre-paid account that I load with 300 php every 2 weeks or so.

I have been out of country for various periods like 5 and 6 months during that time and on each occasion the Smart remained "alive" and never expired on me.

I don't understand why people have these problems with SIMs crashing etc. I am not saying it doesn't happen. I am merely saying that in 15 years it has NEVER happened to me.

I use the "text all you can" options with Smart that costs 25 php per 24 hour period and you can text as often as you like which explains why you will get endless texts from girls because they are using this option.

You can also have a certain number of free calls too by adding an * or sometimes a # and then a specific code to the front of the number. Lots of different options available and they change frequently too so rather than give the options here it is better to go to Google and type "Smart unlitext and call" to read the latest options available (same for Globe. Type "Globe unlitext and call).

Note that calls on a pre-paid SIM are VERY expensive and just a few short calls that are not on any plan will quickly use up a few hundred pesos.

[QUOTE=Run Mann;1255840]I'm sure this won't happen to you again as you'll know what to do but was it just the napkin with the phone number he snatched?[/QUOTE]Yes all he got was a napkin, so I had some comic relief at least.

[QUOTE=FlyboyBill; 1255203]Someone on this site said buying a cellphone when you arrive is better than renting, or bringing one from states. Are there cellphones stores in the Manila airport, or what would be a better bet?

Thanks GREAT story Westcoast1![/QUOTE]Leave your "good" cell phone home is USA (or whatever country). When you land in Manila, don't buy a phone at the airport. Go to your hotel, then go to the nearest mall and buy one there. Mid priced Nokia with Smart card has always worked well for me. Yes, you can call back to the USA (or other country) with no problem. Take the time to have your friendly phone saleswoman show you the features and how to call the USA. If she does a good job, offer lunch / dinner. Make this your "Philippines phone", and take it home with you. If you don't use the SIM for 60 or 90 days the card will expire, but so what. Just buy another when you return.

[QUOTE=Mr Hawaii;1256016]Leave your "good" cell phone home is USA (or whatever country). When you land in Manila, don't buy a phone at the airport. Go to your hotel, then go to the nearest mall and buy one there. Mid priced Nokia with Smart card has always worked well for me. Yes, you can call back to the USA (or other country) with no problem. Take the time to have your friendly phone saleswoman show you the features and how to call the USA. If she does a good job, offer lunch / dinner. Make this your "Philippines phone", and take it home with you. If you don't use the SIM for 60 or 90 days the card will expire, but so what. Just buy another when you return.[/QUOTE]Mr Hawaii if you read the posts between your post (8714) and the one you are responding to (8692) you would have seen many answers repeating exactly what you said.

No wonder some of us guys get irritated by people who don't RTFF before they post. Oh well. Must be Friday. That's why my fuse is short.

[QUOTE=Wjmpsr; 1255648]I caught him by the arm and grabbed him by the neck, he was not very strong. I yelled at him, the next thing I knew a friend of his bashed me in the back of the head with a chunk of concrete about the size of a softball.

I took a swing at him and must have grazed his eyeball as he seemed quite upset.

He picked up his rock and planned for further attack. At this point a group of their street companions showed to provide them with support. I decided to turn tail and run.[/QUOTE]You got off lightly, consider yourself fortunate. You could have been seriously injured, even if it were your wallet, really bad move to have touched the kid. A horde of locals would kick the life out of you.

[QUOTE=Strickjb;1255254]Just bring a quad-band GSM phone. Nokia would be good. Buy a SIM card (cheap) on arrival. Then enjoy![/QUOTE]Have to agree that if you don't want to waste any time and want to start texting as soon as you get your feet on the ground, bring an unlocked phone from home. You can purchase just about any model you want on Ebay. SIM cards are available in the arrivals hall.

Hi everyone,

I don't post here very often (I'm pretty much a lurker) but one of my friends in Manila is looking to hook up with a guy (or even two guys at once) next week (Wed-Fri during the daytime). She is a graphic design student 19 years old, a bit chubby but VERY cute. Nice big rack. She is really sexually adventurous, which is why she asked me to do this "shout-out". So anyway, if anyone is interested, drop me a PM and I can put you in touch with her. Please also provide a pic, and she will send you a pic herself or go on cam. The only requirements are that you are hygienic, clean, white, slim or chubby (not fat) and not older than 40.

She does NOT want money for this. She is just very curious. She can't host, so you would have to take care of that.

Be aware, D Cups is at large in Manila, in the P Burgos area.

I had the pleasure of hooking up with him last night, in Papillon. Within minutes, he was feeling the tits of a well endowed bar girl. He doesn't care if they are chubby, or even plump, as long as the jugs are well endowed.

As we worked from bar to bar, his modus operandi was the same, the bigger the better. Sometimes more than one at a time.

By the time we got to High Heels, he found himself compelled to accept the offer of some special attentions to relieve him of his essential bodily fluids, so he followed another well endowed lady to the rear of the premises. About 20 mins later, reappeared with his knees a bit wobbly, and a contented smile on his face. Apparently said damsel was expert at the arts of extracting said bodily fluids in a relatively short period of time. While relieving him of 2500 pesos.

Last time I got that service at High Heels, there was no charge, just drinks for the girl. Which probably came to the same amount. But mine was done in the bar, in the corner next to the DJ / Cashier.

We then moved on to Jools, just in time to catch then floor show. We sat right at the front, so he was able to chat up the dancers while they were performing. What a great show. We then retired to the middle of the place, and soon after, two of the dancers appeared, very intent on relieving him of whatever they could.

At this juncture, I departed to return to the arms of my damsel Miss J, who had earlier declared that she wanted to swallow my sperm. And promptly did so. Hence my lack of interest in most of the girls available through our travails. Except for Miss C, who is a drop dead gorgeous 19 year old, just sold her hymen a few days before. And didn't enjoy the experience. So now we are texting back and forth, but I am sure that some smart guy will have snatched her from the bar long before I can get back there.

Such is life.

G

[QUOTE=Sammon; 1255788]I have had problems keeping the same sim card. I used to make 4 visits a year. Sometimes it works and sometimes does not. When asked the store girl which sells sim, she told me it is her experience that sim cards go bad even if it is used continuosly. She does not know the answer. She believes companies want people to change sim card to make more money.

Same things happen in China, HK and Thailand too.[/QUOTE]I also don't have problems reusing my Smart sim after being gone for six months or less. I know in Thailand before at least, the sim cards expire pretty quickly. As others are saying, they don't have a problem using their sim cards again. I'm going to say something and you may take offense that I'm saying this but please don't. Are you assuming that you had so much load left on the phone that when you come back it should still be on the sim and therefore be able to make texts and calls? Because if you are, that is not necessarily the case. The load will expire at a preset time but the sim card can still be good, but you have to reload the sim card. It will still show a signal, but you have to reload it. Some loads last longer than others. If say, I get a 200 pesos load card at the store for Smart, it says on the voice confirmation on the load that it's good until maybe a month away or so, it gives a date. A 500 pesos load lasts way longer date wise than a 200 pesos load card, maybe up to 6 months long. But if you load another small 100 pesos in it after the fact, I don't know if that expiration date on the 500 pesos load is changed or not. I do not know about those electronic loads though. I'm just speaking in regards to my experience with Smart sims.

I do want to mention that with my last visit in February, I had real tough times using Smart on the weekends at night. It was like the network was overloaded and I couldn't sent texts or call anyone, nor receive them for very long periods. I had to reboot my phone sometimes to get it to work again or wait a couple hours before it got back on track. This happened during the weekend nights for like 3 straight weekends. I had to buy a Globe sim to get in contact with someone I was supposed to meet at a certain time. I know other people around me were having similar problems with their Smart sims also and at the same time some were not. It was very strange.