General Info

[QUOTE=AusMonger100;1684455]So after reading hundreds of pages in the forum, I have a much better idea of how to plan my first solo mongering trip and I'm looking forward to going to AC!

A big thank you to all posters, I love reading your exploits, seeing the pics of your special ladies and learning from your experiences. I look forward to becoming a contributor rather than just a "stalker", although it has been a great journey through you all so far.

Despite much reading (yes, I did RTFF) I am still a little unsure of the layout of the PI. I am coming from Australia so will be flying into Manila. I have read the reports on transportation, but I am looking more for maps on the areas, specifically AC as I plan to spend all my time in AC mongering, not looking for a tourist trip this time.

I'm also seeking advice on what people use for gifts for the girls, I've seen some use clothing, toys etc. I just want to be a nice guy and give respect without causing offence.

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]1. You are not looking for a girlfriend in AC I hope. It is strictly business. You pay for sex. Do you need to bring gifts? IMHO-NO. If some girl makes you happy take her shopping and buy cheap clothes there.

Sex toys are liked by some but for me personally my tool beats everything. Many girls there come from provinces and are not willing for you to experiment.

2. Whichever way you look at it is one long street with many side streets where all the bars and girls are there. There are expensive as well as comparatively cheap bars. If you need help ask other mongers there.

3. As to special ladies do not look at pics or stories. Your experience and the lady of your liking will be entirely different. Looks can be good as arm candy (who are you going to impress. All the people there have seen and done everything) but you need to look at service, GFE girls and ofcourse compatibility.

4. Why don't you go to [URL]dateinasia.com[/URL] and try to hook up with non prostitutes. Yeas, they would love gifts. Do not bring expensive phones, laptops or tablets as well as expensive perfumes. All the do is moment you leave pawn it or sell it to somebody.

Give money donation which is appreciated by all.

[QUOTE=AusMonger100;1684455]So after reading hundreds of pages in the forum, SNIP

Despite much reading (yes, I did RTFF) I am still a little unsure of the layout of the PI. I am coming from Australia so will be flying into Manila. I have read the reports on transportation, but I am looking more for maps on the areas, specifically AC as I plan to spend all my time in AC mongering, not looking for a tourist trip this time.

I'm also seeking advice on what people use for gifts for the girls, SNIP Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]Welcome to the board, hope you have a good trip and we'll be looking forward to your FR's.

In conjunction to "Wayne's map" here's another interactive and fairly up to date map: [URL]http://www.angelescitymap.com/index.php[/URL].

For bar girls and FL's forget the "gifts from my homeland", it's a waste of time shopping for them and a waste of space in your suitcase. If anything, when you arrive in AC head to the SM supermarket and pick up a dozen or so small Cadbury Dairy Milk bars of chocolate (about 25-30 pesos each). Give the girls one of them and some cash as a tip (if the service was good); the cash will be more appreciated or, as others have said, if you find a "special bar girl" (big LOL) then take her shopping at SM or let her pick out a few things from one of the many street vendors' stalls.

[QUOTE=PipJaeger;1684258][b]Eat Shit and ........ Get Healthy?[/b]

Hope it doesn't return as it sounds like you treated the symptoms and not the cause.

[/QUOTE]I think you are right, I still have the runs, I just don't feel sick like at first. I think I will go to the doctor today. I will be in AC soon and don't want to waste time on the toilet.

[QUOTE=Mogwai;1684093]I went to the Immigration Bureau today and it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. They need a photo copy of your passport as well. Didn't know that but luckily I could make a copy at the nearby National Book Store.[/QUOTE]For future reference: If you know you are going to stay over thirty days, save yourself a lot of time and trouble and get an extension upon arrival. You have to wait for your luggage anyway!

[QUOTE=AusMonger100;1684455]
I'm also seeking advice on what people use for gifts for the girls, I've seen some use clothing, toys etc. I just want to be a nice guy and give respect without causing offence.
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]I'm a gift giver. There are a few girls I've seen over and over on various visits. Not every girl gets something. I grab some low costs bottles of perfume from the local shop, I bought some bling type of low cost jewelry. I chuck in some chocolates. What is leftover goes to the hotel door staff and front office staff.

For the "dating" website girls whom I have said I will bring 'chocolate', I will meet them out for a drink, then invite them back to the room for their gift. It's a nice segway.

Don't take too much though. You can over promise as it's amazing how many dating girls will back out.

I've not yet seen any comments here about the recent botched operation by Police Special Forces in Mindanao that led to the slaughter of 44 police by the MILF. I'm not going to recount the details or the pathetic attempts on the part of politicians to deflect blame. It's sufficient to note that the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which was wending its way--albeit somewhat tortuously--through Congress has been put on indefinite hold. According to some information I received yesterday, the chances of the law being passed by this Congress are nil. According to Rody Duterte, the Mayor of Davao, who was quoted in today's "Inquirer,"the death of the law, which would have established a semi-autonomous Moro statelet in Mindanao, will greatly exacerbate tensions and thus increase the chances of "civil war. " Duterte also cautioned that the MILF and other belligerents have weapons that are at least as deadly as those in the possession of the army.

I believe the Mayor and fear an imminent increase in the threat scenarios throughout the island region. I was in Marawi and Zamboanga last week, and the level of fear in both places was almost palpable. The version (second hand) of the "inside story" that I heard yesterday lends additional credibility for me to Duterte's analysis. The botched and fatal raid, coupled with the varied politically inspired cover-ups, and the elections in May, 2016 are creating a potentially explosive cauldron of feelings of betrayal by much of the Muslim population, and some real hostility toward Muslims on the part of some of the Christian population. None of this, I think, bodes well for the immediate future of the region.

For those contemplating trips to Mindanao, I urge you to be cautious and very careful in your planning. Anyone with no knowledge of the region and with no connections to the local populations should not, in my opinion, even think of going anywhere but Davao or Cagayan de Oro.

GE.

[QUOTE=BukoMax;1684677]For future reference: If you know you are going to stay over thirty days, save yourself a lot of time and trouble and get an extension upon arrival. You have to wait for your luggage anyway![/QUOTE]Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for next time. This time I wasn't sure how long I wanted to stay.

I went to the Immigration Bureau today, this time with a completely filled in form. It was a walk in the park, I got my extension in half an hour.
No need to go there very early in the morning. I was there around 12:45 and was done at 13:15.

The bureau is next to Metro supermarket (don't enter the supermarket). There's a small desk at the entrance of the bureau with one or two staff members. Hand over your form, they check it and if everything's fine you get a number. They are very friendly and helpful.
Wait in front of counter 2 until your number's up. Hand over the form, your passport and the copy of your passport. Then wait again.
When the clerk at counter 2 is finished you have to pay 3030 PhP at counter 3.
After that you have to wait in front of counter 5 to get your passport with the extension back. According to some other people who were waiting there this can take from 2 minutes up to an hour, depending on how busy they are. In my case it took only about 15 minutes.

According to the national media, a system of national brownouts will begin tomorrow. These will occur on a rotating basis, and are further evidence of the total incompetence and indifference of the national government. Doubtless this will again prompt outrage on the part of the editorialists, frenzied promises from indolent politicians and, as always, a lack of coordinated response. There's simply no hope at all for this place.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1684816]According to the national media, a system of national brownouts will begin tomorrow. These will occur on a rotating basis, and are further evidence of the total incompetence and indifference of the national government. Doubtless this will again prompt outrage on the part of the editorialists, frenzied promises from indolent politicians and, as always, a lack of coordinated response. There's simply no hope at all for this place.

GE.[/QUOTE]Does this mean we can better withdraw some money from an ATM tonight to be able to 'survive' for some time?

I have lost track, every month it seems like a new mess, post typhoon corruption, pork barrel, police chief, vp binay, etc. There is a grass roots call for the mayor of Davao to run for president in 2016, but even he must realize how hopeless things are.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1684816]According to the national media, a system of national brownouts will begin tomorrow. These will occur on a rotating basis, and are further evidence of the total incompetence and indifference of the national government. Doubtless this will again prompt outrage on the part of the editorialists, frenzied promises from indolent politicians and, as always, a lack of coordinated response. There's simply no hope at all for this place.

GE[/QUOTE]It will only improve in 2016 as that is the election year. As a cutie told me, "we never get brownouts when it is an election".

As GE and others (myself included) have pointed out before, this problem / crisis is well known and as GE says, nothing ahs been done or may the fund syphoned off by those in power? I think this problem was highlighted in 2010 when the current President took over. I was reading an article that claimed the Energy Secretary had no clue of the sector how it works, he being a friend and lackey of the President. That an the articles on corruption in the Electricity Commission (in league with the generating companies) really gives the basis of GE's comments above.

Am sure Davao / Mindanao will be worse hit but I have noticed that Cebu is getting more brownouts. Even Ayala Mall suffers at times. Was reading that people in Mindanao have little respect for a government that barely acknowledges their existence (ie government funds help Manila NCR not the provinces as mush so the chismis goes. Others may have a better, more informed view on that).

But brownouts are here so I hope wherever you are there is some generator or it will be very sweaty otherwise.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1684706]I've not yet seen any comments here about the recent botched operation by Police Special Forces in Mindanao that led to the slaughter of 44 police by the MILF.[/QUOTE]For all his Screw ups, PNoy was on the right track for Mindanao, on his plan to give more autonomy / BBL etc. Etc.

Historically, Mindanao / Bongsamoro people never considered themselves part of Philippines, nor where they controlled by the Spanish, and to a little extent, the US, that's what my history says.

Alas, a lot of thieving movers and shakers, as only happens in Philippines, are against it, lest they loose the large swaths of land and the enormous profits they are making in mining and large scale farming, and fear the loss of revenue.

The same movers and shakers who convince enough filipinos that it's time Philippines Claim back Sabah, and boy, the whole MNLF saga started with Marcos misadventure in the Jabidah massacre.

A lot of history, and the likes of BBM, JV etc demanding justice all is in a way, ensuring that PNoy fails, and should that fail, it's going to be another all out war, and a war Philippines will not win.

The folks of Mindanao have been head hunting and chopping heads for 400 or so years, and the poorly equipped AFP will only lose, says my opinion, vs the ruthless MILF / BIFF.

Let's see.

While the issue is painted as a Muslim seperation, truth be told, the reason for Duterte to step in is, he too know the history to his credit. Autonomy will lessen the hundred year vengeance.

Alas, the war mongers in Luzon may see their wish come true.

The funny thing is, you have Mindanao, which is predominantly Muslim, claimed by predominantly Christian Phillipines. Then you have Sabah, a predominantly Roman Catholic state, claimed by a fake Muslim Sultan. I grew up in Sabah (don't live there anymore). They are waiting for the Sultan to get there. They ware waiting so that they can slit his bloody throat. These guys have connection to Sabah in claim only, bit not in terms of its people or culture. Malaysia for long has been trying very hard to Islamasize (is there such a word) Sabah. And the MLF are supported by both Malaysia and Sultanate of Brunei.

[QUOTE=EconoTech;1684916]For all his Screw ups, PNoy was on the right track for Mindanao, on his plan to give more autonomy / BBL etc. Etc.

Historically, Mindanao / Bongsamoro people never considered themselves part of Philippines, nor where they controlled by the Spanish, and to a little extent, the US, that's what my history says.

Alas, a lot of thieving movers and shakers, as only happens in Philippines, are against it, lest they loose the large swaths of land and the enormous profits they are making in mining and large scale farming, and fear the loss of revenue.

The same movers and shakers who convince enough filipinos that it's time Philippines Claim back Sabah, and boy, the whole MNLF saga started with Marcos misadventure in the Jabidah massacre.

A lot of history, and the likes of BBM, JV etc demanding justice all is in a way, ensuring that PNoy fails, and should that fail, it's going to be another all out war, and a war Philippines will not win...[/QUOTE]

Cebu city—A German was killed while a Frenchman and an Indian were wounded early Friday after they were shot by two Filipinos following an argument inside a fast food restaurant in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, about 12 km south of here.

The German, Henry Haffner, 31 and a temporary resident of Barangay Tisa in Cebu City, suffered a gunshot wound in the stomach and died a few minutes after he was brought to a private hospital.

Wounded were Frenchman Julian Millard, 31 and Cheten Saparaiya, 32, Indian national – both married and residents of Barangay Pooc in Talisay City.

Both were in stable condition at a government hospital in Cebu City.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1684706]I've not yet seen any comments here about the recent botched operation by Police Special Forces in Mindanao that led to the slaughter of 44 police by the MILF. I'm not going to recount the details or the pathetic attempts on the part of politicians to deflect blame.

For those contemplating trips to Mindanao, I urge you to be cautious and very careful in your planning. Anyone with no knowledge of the region and with no connections to the local populations should not, in my opinion, even think of going anywhere but Davao or Cagayan de Oro.

GE.[/QUOTE]There is plenty of press coverage of this tragedy with all the players blaming each other and showing the level of distrust between the PNP and AF. The latter being accused in some newspapers of tipping off the terrorists regularly.

Lots of chatter as to whether Pnoy should resign be forced to resign, EDSA people power again and many I speak to say he should own up but why resign when Binay is the next in the line (that an the fact that the uncles (Cojuangco) who are stirring it in the press linking themselves and Binay to a some council type government while saying their nephew should stand down).

For me and many pinays I speak with it is a sad day when the military can't help their brothers in trouble and the politicians try to gain out of it for election purposes. Am sure Rody the is right and how will anyone agree to pass a law when so many were killed and apparently mutilated after death, their families called to say it also on their mobile phones (press reports today say the MILF cannibalized the returned weapons).

As GE has said on other issues there is complete incompetence in the government (maybe they are good at being corrupt) with no real desire to put things right. The status quo mean they remain rich and in power so why change something that needs fixing?

The tragic deaths of the SAF 44 are a good example as there are so many commissions and inquiries on this trying to deflect the blame away. As I mentioned to a cutie who was asking me about this. How can a suspended PHP chief (Purisma) be anyway near a military operation when he is suspended for 6 months. Who 'unsuspended' him and why? Simple questions and there is only one answer to that IMHO.

The commission will likely take a long time and never deliver. Look at the inquiry in the MT bribe scandal etc as that report seems to have disappeared according to press articles yesterday (allegedly as the main people are PNoy part supporters it said), so am not sure anyone should hold out much hope for a logical explanation for this tragedy except it could happen again.

And for the newbs who want to visit Mindanao. Listen and read GE's advice about travelling in Mindanao. It is sensible based on his years of experience.