Filipinas - Opinions and Advice

[quote=x man]sh, have you done a camiguin report? i'd like to go there someday. i think ge (davao) was planning to go there just before his injury, so we didn't get a report. send us some info if you can...

x[/quote]


x man its been awhile since i went to camuiguin. it is a great place if you want to tour, lots to do, climb a volcano, snokel in an underwater grave yard. (the have a real spooky grave yard on land, i mean skulls hanging from trees and stuff!) bathe inthe hot springs, some great diving. most of the "resorts" are small, family owned, a few by foreigners. it is not on the scale of boracay favored by the manila crowd. ihowever, there is not much inthe way of mongering. i did not see a "bar" or club on the island
and unless things have changed drastically in the past three years (which i doubt) i think this is a classic case of bringing your own. of course this is the "peens" and you can get lucky anywhere.

i think camiguin has the friendliest people in the islands.

spamhog

Save the time & $$ on the AAA International Drivers License for the PI. When I showed it the guy was like "what the heck is this" but was perfectly satisfied with my California DL. In fact, it HELPS to let them know you are American and there are not many countries left where that is the case.

Nissan rental (Blue And White) at NAIA used to have the best rates on the best cars. They also had an office next door to Heritage on Roxas. I even took a station wagon of theirs all the way around the loop on the Halesma Highway through Baguio, Banue and back to Cabanatuan City. Never tried to rent a car on Mindanao and often it is cheaper to hire the car WITH the driver (plus he provides a navigator, translator as well as some sense of security.

Surigao is WAY more Bundok than Butuan or CDO etc. Cebu has all the creature comforts and is a different World indeed.

If you cannot communicate with babae, it gets boring QUICK. There are some in Mindanao that speak great English, though less than Manila, Cebu etc. Often, the ones that speak TOO good English are to be scrutinized for how they got that proficiency.

First off, you CAN drive with a US drivers license for a limited time period IF you are on a Visa or within the "three week visit" catagory. Anything over that you NEED a license to drive AND you need a License to drive a motorcycle.

That said, I cant imagine why anyone would WANT to drive here. As far as renting cars go it is available in most major cities including Davao, Cebu as well as Manila, however consider this: If you break down, run out of gas have an accident, disble the car etc etc you are literally shit out of luck. No such thing as a tow truck here (Unless you are in Davao/Cebu where I know they have localized tow services.) I've regularly driven through Bukidnon from Davao to Cagayan/Kidapawan and never encounted a breakdown problem. If I did it might have taken days to get assistance, few gas stations, no tow services etc. What you have is some guy who fixes tires in a makshift "Vulcanizing' shop next to a sari sari store where they MIGHT have some gas or deisel in a family sized coke bottle. Depending on whats wrong with your vehicle and what make it is finding spare parts is a logistic nightmare.

I reference this as it seems DD is considering renting a car and driving about in norhtern Mindanao, perhaps from CDO to Butuan along the national highway. Consider what happens if you have a breakdown DD even a flat etc. It is not like a US interstate. You might be able to rent a vehicle in CDO but my strong advice is not to. Take the air con bus which is about P80, also at the Agora terminal are private vans who drive to and from Butuan (and other areas) these are L 300 jobs who wait until they get x amount of passengers going in a certain direction, fewer stops. Yes you could look into hiring a driver in Butuan but remember few taxi's.

Good luck

Spam hog

I too can't imagine why one wants to drive in Phils. Drivers are cheap. If a foreigner is doing the actual driving and has an accident, the whole neighborhood and family will all be out with their hands out claiming all sorts of damages.

[QUOTE=Fastpiston]I too can't imagine why one wants to drive in Phils. Drivers are cheap. If a foreigner is doing the actual driving and has an accident, the whole neighborhood and family will all be out with their hands out claiming all sorts of damages.[/QUOTE]

This is true who do you think will get the money or charges from the accident.They money goes to the local and the rest to the foreigner.

When you can get a driver a car everything included for 6 dollars per hour why drive.Sit back and enjoy the view.Take victory liner it's safe comfortable and cheep.Hire a car or van,ten bucks goes a long way here.

B.B...

[QUOTE=Dashing Don]Cont'd.

Her take on the internet dating thing is interesting and she's been quite frank. In the mall we met a middle-aged female who works in an internet cafe and helps girls who don't know english. If the girl gets the caucasian to send money, this 'internet mamasan' gets half.
Don[/QUOTE]


I must say that I finally gave up on writing to the Philippinas because so many kept asking for money that it made me sick. After all, I had never even slept with them. I always asked them why they do not request money from rich men in their own country. The answer is that their people would drop kick them into the ocean, or worse. I tell them that not all Americans are rich and not all people in their country are poor. Logic to these girls is like trying to reason with a 3 year old.

Fortunately I work in the US with some educated Philippinas. They are nothing like the internet sharks. It is like the difference between a ghetto hustler and a Harvard graduate. So there are many good people from the Philippines. Most of them are not on the internet begging Americans for money simply for talking with them.

It makes me respect the P4P girls there. At least you get sex for your pesos with them.

I'm going to Butaan airport, last time a taxi droped me off in Gingoog city and that was the last I saw of a taxi, so my wife family held me like a hostage cuz I was not married at the time and she was a virgin. I've heard different stories that I needed international liscense and I don't want any problems, I would have to stay at a resort and there is only one there to use their hotel taxi. Anyway I was quite pleased marring the wife, have had other virgins before but she was exceptional. I have rented motorbikes before and could'nt find any in Gingoog.

I enjoy reading your interesting posts. Very much appreciated. Thank you.

Hello everyone,
It's been a long time since I posted and since I've been on the board. About 2 years ago I believe.

Anyway, last time I was here, I asked about putting a girl through college, well she finally graduated as a nurse and will be going to the US to work.

My next "project" is to setup a business for a girl that I met 2 years ago. I know what some are thinking, girls scam guys all the time. I know, I know, I'm not stupid. I don't love the girl, I have real no interest in her nor wish to bang her. I just have this crazy savior complex where I try to help people out. Anyway, I met her 2 years ago, when she was working at a boutique store at the mall. What happened was I tried to pick her up and we ended up going out. Later I find out she's a virgin, I checked, and we just remained friends. We kept in contact and I went to see her a couple of months ago, she was working at another store since her contract with that store ran out. Anyway, I wanted to see, if she was a bullshitter or not because the 2 years since we met, she swears she's still a virgin and was always busy working. I'm a sick guy but I check again and it's legit. So I don't know why, I just want to help her out. I have no desire to screw her nor marry her etc. etc. Just want to help out.

Are there any recommendations for a simple business that can be setup for someone to run. She's seems to be pretty smart and saves well. She makes 5000p a month working but saved up a decent amount of it, when she showed me her bank statement.

I was thinking of a internet cafe in a province somewhere, doesn't need to make much money, I figure even a 5000p profit a month is better for her than busting her hump at a store for 6 days a week.

Any advice appreciated.

Mook

Mook
You should change your name to monk! You're a better man than me, and most of the guys here.
TD

I'm back in Makati after a sexless week in Butuan, Cebu and Panglao Island and am making up for lost time.

Some impressions:

Butuan has nothing going for it and the only foreigners there are those that are accompanying their Filipino wives. It was my birthday during my two days there and I wanted to go to a restaurant and get a decent bottle of wine and have fun. My 'future wife' had no clue where to go so we jumped into a trike and asked the driver for his suggestions. Now this trike was literally falling apart with holes in the floor, tilted at a 45 degree angle, and it would sway from side to side as we went along. The 50cc or so engine couldn't manage more than 10mph and the smoke and smell was something awful. At one point there was a loud bang as we hit a huge pothole and suddenly we were airborne. Thats when I figured out what the piece of fucking rebar was doing, sticking out of the roof of the cab. You're supposed to hold on to it when the trike hits a pothole.

After about a half hour, we pull up in front of a dimly-lit place with a sign saying 'all you can eat--100pesos'. What the fuck! Told the driver to take us to McDonalds, quick. So I ended up celebrating my birthday with a McFish.

A few days later, we took the ferry from Butuan (Nasipit) to Cebu. 10 hours overnight. For 30us, we had a stateroom which was as big as a hotel room with aircon, tv, shower, minibar etc. Very nice. The hordes were up top in these little boxes and communal toilets. Smooth pleasant ride.

Cebu:

Second time here. I like this town. We stayed in the Marriot and traversed the Lahug-Osmena Circle-Port axis and I must say that it seemed much better run than Manila. More green; less poverty; and new buildings going up. It seemed like it was on the move.

Ayala Mall is as nice a mall as any I've seen in the states. We also hit the girly bars; Dimples; Black Hole?; and Silver Dollar. And later the Sunflower Disco but by now I was drunk. I liked the laid back feel of the Dollar but didn't barfine anyone because of the young girl that was with me.

Panglao Island:

A two-hour ferry ride from Cebu takes you to Tagbilaran, Bohol and from there a half hour taxi ride to the resorts on Panglao. We stayed at Bohol Beach Resort a spacious place with a lot of frontage on a nice beach. Food was wack though. Best food is at Alona Palm Resort which is Swiss/German run. Great food there.

Rented a powerboat to go snorkelling at Balincasag Island, about 45 minutes away from Panglao. Great snorkelling and Im sure great diving as there was a 150 foot wall just a few yards offshore. Than back to Manila.

Everywhere we went, the patience, good humor and friendliness of the Filipinos was key to the nice time we had. If we were in the wrong shipping office, the staff would call and or direct us to the right one. Going in the wrong direction? Complete strangers would walk us a whole block to set us straight.

A ready smile or nod of the head will get you far in the PI. Start demanding your 'rights' and I'm not sure what will happen. Probably at the very least, there will be a long wait. The Filipinos are always ready to have a joke and are a lot of fun.

All thoughts of getting married disappeared about 10 minutes after I met my internet girl. She just wasn't as attractive in person and bad breath cannot be detected over the internet. I had promised to take her around and I followed through, buying her stuff etc. We had a good time but its great to get back to Manila and all that well-dressed pussy. I'm going to have to rethink this marriage thing. Maybe I'm just a monger at heart. Thats what my ex says. Not only that, she says that all my friends are mongers and that I consider non-mongers to be pussies.

Now that girl knows a thing or two.

Don

[QUOTE=Mookman]Hello everyone,
It's been a long time since I posted and since I've been on the board. About 2 years ago I believe.

Anyway, last time I was here, I asked about putting a girl through college, well she finally graduated as a nurse and will be going to the US to work.

My next "project" is to setup a business for a girl that I met 2 years ago. I know what some are thinking, girls scam guys all the time. I know, I know, I'm not stupid. I don't love the girl, I have real no interest in her nor wish to bang her. I just have this crazy savior complex where I try to help people out. Anyway, I met her 2 years ago, when she was working at a boutique store at the mall. What happened was I tried to pick her up and we ended up going out. Later I find out she's a virgin, I checked, and we just remained friends. We kept in contact and I went to see her a couple of months ago, she was working at another store since her contract with that store ran out. Anyway, I wanted to see, if she was a bullshitter or not because the 2 years since we met, she swears she's still a virgin and was always busy working. I'm a sick guy but I check again and it's legit. So I don't know why, I just want to help her out. I have no desire to screw her nor marry her etc. etc. Just want to help out.

Are there any recommendations for a simple business that can be setup for someone to run. She's seems to be pretty smart and saves well. She makes 5000p a month working but saved up a decent amount of it, when she showed me her bank statement.

I was thinking of a internet cafe in a province somewhere, doesn't need to make much money, I figure even a 5000p profit a month is better for her than busting her hump at a store for 6 days a week.

Any advice appreciated.

Mook[/QUOTE]


Mook, I weould seriously NOT persue the INTERNET idea, lots of start up capitol, high maintainance, which I doubt she has the technical expertise for so she will have to hire a "Tech" who will rob her blind. Two suggestions follow

Have her go into the "Ukay Ukay" business literally translated it means bargain and indicates a second hand clothing store. You indicate she has some experience in this so she should be able to get business license etc for her shop. If she makes it she could branch out into a retail clothing outlet/boutique, buy stuff from Thailand or Hong kong (china) if she has the contacts.

Second I would look into a retail shop selling all kinds of cards ie cell phone, internet, cell phone covers, accessories, Pasa load etc. Lots of such little businesses here and these places do okay.

Good luck


Spam Hog

After mulling it over, I think I'll just send her to nursing school. The internet cafe does sound hard with all the things that can go wrong.

The girl I sent through nursing school went to de la salle university in manila but she attened nursing school previously but left because of financial hardships. This new girl never went to school before but did graduate high school but I have a feeling it'll be hard to get her into school.

I don't know if this is accurate but I've heard from some filipino friend here in the states that they can first go to be a nurses assistant and then try to be a nurse.

I'll be heading over to the PI end of august, drop me a pm for some SM's.

Mook

Senator Don, sorry to hear your trip to Butuan was not too sucessful. I know what you mean with the bad breath. That's a real turn off in my book. They say things happen for a reason.. I think you should consider yourself lucky and get back to the job at hand which is to bang beaver in Manila.

You need to stop listening to that nonsense from people like [blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue] Surfer. He'll try and convince you the real quality is in the boondocks. I say Bullshit. This is the same [blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue] who will tell you he was listening to your favorite band before they went "commercial".

Anyway, thanks for taking one for the team as I am sure Butuan is a place I need not vist.

[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited in accordance with the Forum's Zero Tolerance policy regarding reports containing any [u]personal attacks or derogatory comments[/u] directed towards another Forum Member or the Forum Membership in general.[/blue][/size]

Have to agree about Surfer. Generally, Surfer's posts are noteworthy only for their ability to induce a sudden and uncontrollable bowel movement in the unwary reader. Lately he's been smoking even more weed and has been relentlessly pushing the 'pure monger' thang.

The 'pure monger' ventures into parts unknown, mostly in Mindy, to discover the mythical female El Dorado, where the girls are pure and a monger like Surfer can romp with these nymphs, without being interrupted by crass, pay-to-play types like ourselves.

Guess what? It dont exist! The Mindy girls are likely to be darker, less educated and probably more traditional.....(read) harder to bang. Throw in the lower standard of living and what have you got........just another pipe dream from Surfer.

Don