General Info

[QUOTE=BrainDrain;1828340]On my first trip to Manila, a friend gave me a list of things for survivial:

Run is cheaper than coke, so any drink will be strong.

Do not wear jewellery or watch.

Do not make any conspicuous display of wealth.

Leave wallet, licence, passport etc in hotel safe. Carry only photocopies.

Carry only the cash needed for the immediate task.

Planning for my next trip in a few weeks, I select the oldest clothes from my wardrobe. I donate my clothes to when I leave. I get home with just the short & clothes that I am wearing.

BD.[/QUOTE]There is no need to look poor. Dress elegant. If you are wearing old clothes girls think you will be a cheapskate. Except street urchins and some hustlers nobody is going to bother you. I have never been threatened and of course I avoid being too drunk and avoid lonely streets. Take taxi to most places if it is not short distance and especially late nights.

If you want to bring some old clothes donate it to street beggars but ask them first if they want.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1828090]Fully agree with GE's comment, but he is, of course, quoting general trends and average risks.

These trends and averages do not account for the risk of opportunistic crime everywhere in the Philippines, so be aware of your situation AT ALL TIMES.

Back in 2008 I had a gold chain removed from my wrist by 2 excellent "artful dodgers" as I walked in front of SM Megamall in Ortigas Center in the midst of quite a large crowd at 3 pm in the afternoon. One dodger distracted me on the left side while the 2nd guy snipped off the chain from my right hand using a small palm-sized cutter. The whole exercise took 3 or 4 seconds, and could not be foreseen nor avoided, even though I am tall, strong and was walking purposefully and rapidly. They disappeared within the next few seconds.

Lesson learned. I have never worn any jewellery again since that day and it stays in the safe at home. Nothing to tempt them any more.

A friend's wife had her bag + wallet taken from her shoulder in the center of Makati at 7 pm as she crossed the walkway over Makati Avenue from Landmark Department Store in Glorietta going towards Greenbelt.

Both examples were daring and opportunistic, and both occurred in places and at times that defied any prediction or expectation.

The stories I read here about drunk or even slightly tipsy guys traversing the streets of AC and Burgos etc at any time of day and night makes me think that there must be 1000's of examples of guys being rolled that never get reported on here or elsewhere lest the victims will lose face on the board.[/QUOTE]Took a young lady to a hotel in Sogo and looked in my backpack for my camera, and no where to be found. Some one had carefully and cleverly removed it from my backpack whilst I was walking in Glorietta. So now, my backpack is chest facing like all the others you see.

[QUOTE=EconoTech;1828068]Agreed, foreigners get kidnapped or killed only like once a week, so statically, you are safe (joke. Pun intended.).

Reality is, 99.9% of foreigners who get kidnapped or killed set themselves in such situations the locals couldn't resist kidnapping or killing the fellow. Challenging the locals, drinking with the locals, showing off too much money, going off the beaten path just to experience it or confident in the believe that they survived Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere, and PH is nothing (and in reality, Filipinos in some parts have no qualms cutting heads off for no reason, including their own relatives and kith and kin. No, they aren't blood thirsty, but it's like. Ah, I been butchering pigs, so today let me do a human).

It's just the other 0.1% who are real victims of circumstances or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.[/QUOTE]It is plain stupidity that gets you robbed and more stupidity that gets you killed.

2 months ago I was staying in a Cebu hotel. Around midnight I went down to the 7-11 next door for a soda and brought one back for the doorman / guard. As we were BS'ing drinking our sodas a man came down from the elevator and asked the guard where was the closest pharmacy. He replied that the nearby mall was closed now and the nearest one was 5 minutes away by taxi and cost 50 pesos. The man then asked how far was it to walk it. The guard with a puzzled look replied, 1 kilometer and 15-20 minutes to walk and sir it is not safe to walk at night and the taxi is 50 pesos! The man said he could take care of him self he knew martial arts and continued out the door. Not sure if he could catch or stop a bullet from a tandem motorcycle driver!

Stupidity will get you killed!

Be warned. I always though you were allow 7 kilos for one carry on luggage in addition to a "personal bag". Last week checking in for a flight at Clark, they weigh my carry on and it was 7 kilos. Then they weighed my backpack and charged me 200 pesos per kilo. According to the guard the backpack was over the allowable 7 kilos which was the carry on luggage. The check in clerk argued with the guard but the guard prevailed.

I looked up the CP website later and it now states that they allow a personal bag up to 7 kilos. Wtf! CP screwed us again.

During the past week I've spent time in Manila, Angeles and Davao, where I've lived for 11 years, and I've realized, with unusual clarity, that regardless of location, this place is becoming progressively more unlivable for me. The Philippines is, in many respects, a failed state and I've lost any hope of that changing during my remaining time on earth. I think given what is for me this incontrovertible fact, it may soon be time for me to admit defeat and get out, as the country in general gets progressively more intolerable with each week that passes.

I read a recent article that concluded that Manila will, by 2020 become virtually unlivable, due to wretched infrastructure, unchecked and growing traffic congestion, continuing corruption and general governmental disdain for the welfare of average citizens. I believe it. Davao, indeed all of Mindanao cannot, or will not generate sufficient electrical power, thus brownouts become more frequent and of longer duration. Government rhetoric to the contrary, this is not a problem that will be resolved any time soon. Angeles is, quite simply, a slum providing endless sexual opportunity. Cebu has become a Manila in microcosm, with its problems exacerbated by a lack of water supply, which will only become worse as time passes.

After thirty-five years or so of living in various third world countries, the ready availability of young, pretty sexual partners is hardly unique, and is not sufficient compensation for the total hopelessness of what I see here; at least it's insufficient for me. So, I think I'll spend more time during the next several months pondering alternative destinations.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1829906]During the past week I've spent time in Manila, Angeles and Davao, where I've lived for 11 years, and I've realized, with unusual clarity, that regardless of location, this place is becoming progressively more unlivable for me. The Philippines is, in many respects, a failed state and I've lost any hope of that changing during my remaining time on earth. I think given what is for me this incontrovertible fact, it may soon be time for me to admit defeat and get out, as the country in general gets progressively more intolerable with each week that passes.

I read a recent article that concluded that Manila will, by 2020 become virtually unlivable, due to wretched infrastructure, unchecked and growing traffic congestion, continuing corruption and general governmental disdain for the welfare of average citizens. I believe it. Davao, indeed all of Mindanao cannot, or will not generate sufficient electrical power, thus brownouts become more frequent and of longer duration. Government rhetoric to the contrary, this is not a problem that will be resolved any time soon. Angeles is, quite simply, a slum providing endless sexual opportunity. Cebu has become a Manila in microcosm, with its problems exacerbated by a lack of water supply, which will only become worse as time passes.

After thirty-five years or so of living in various third world countries, the ready availability of young, pretty sexual partners is hardly unique, and is not sufficient compensation for the total hopelessness of what I see here; at least it's insufficient for me. So, I think I'll spend more time during the next several months pondering alternative destinations.[/QUOTE]I came to the same conclusion also a while. Many Filipinos are forced to live there, because where else can they live but having to do something and the freedom to choose to do something else is a vastly different thing. I will rent or sell my property and live in another country with cleaner air, better food and equally beddable women. After all Asia is full of them for decent guys. Trips to Manila and the Philippines in general will be for pleasure and the moment the infrastructure challenges start to curb my enjoyment, then will happily head out for sunnier cleaner less populated climes.

New vehicles last year had a 23% increase on previous year nationwide. That's a lot more cars on the road and you, and other permanent residents there, know exactly the problems that brings.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1829906]
After thirty-five years or so of living in various third world countries, the ready availability of young, pretty sexual partners is hardly unique, and is not sufficient compensation for the total hopelessness of what I see here; at least it's insufficient for me. So, I think I'll spend more time during the next several months pondering alternative destinations.[/QUOTE]The PI seems more like some small Central American dictatorship than a rising South East Asian country which is too bad, but by this comparison I prefer the PI over Latin America. I like the girls better and I really enjoy the less developed island beaches which remind me of Costa Rica circa the '70's. As a short time visitor I ignore all the problems and write them off as 3rd world BS. Then again, because of the violence, corruption, and incompetence; I never thought the PI would be a good place for me to retire to. Frequent short visits less than 3 weeks in duration - yes, live here full time - no way.

I will be very interested to hear where you land next should you finally decide to leave the PI. Thailand seems to me to be the only viable place with plenty of girls, infrastructure, reasonable safety, and a healthy cuisine, but LOS has plenty of problems too. There is no Shangri La.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1830030]
I will be very interested to hear where you land next should you finally decide to leave the PI. Thailand seems to me to be the only viable place with plenty of girls, infrastructure, reasonable safety, and a healthy cuisine, but LOS has plenty of problems too. There is no Shangri La.[/QUOTE]I haven't spent much time in S. America, but I spent years off and in in various African countries and this place reminds me more of some of them than it does of the rest of this region.

I recognize of course that Shangri-La is an illusion, amd that each person's illusory paradise is different. But all developing countries are not equally hopeless, and it's the hopelessness in the end, that has gotten to me. The more I read about Philippine history, the more I realize that nothing has really changed much here in five centuries or so, and it's my belief that nothing important ever will.

GE.

Thanks for the post. Was this a domestic or international flight? What was the solution to the problem?

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1829900]Be warned. I always though you were allow 7 kilos for one carry on luggage in addition to a "personal bag". Last week checking in for a flight at Clark, they weigh my carry on and it was 7 kilos. Then they weighed my backpack and charged me 200 pesos per kilo. According to the guard the backpack was over the allowable 7 kilos which was the carry on luggage. The check in clerk argued with the guard but the guard prevailed.

I looked up the CP website later and it now states that they allow a personal bag up to 7 kilos. Wtf! CP screwed us again.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1829900]Be warned. I always though you were allow 7 kilos for one carry on luggage in addition to a "personal bag". Last week checking in for a flight at Clark, they weigh my carry on and it was 7 kilos. Then they weighed my backpack and charged me 200 pesos per kilo. According to the guard the backpack was over the allowable 7 kilos which was the carry on luggage. The check in clerk argued with the guard but the guard prevailed.

I looked up the CP website later and it now states that they allow a personal bag up to 7 kilos. Wtf! CP screwed us again.[/QUOTE]There are most likely different strokes for different blokes and by saying that I guess I was lucky. When going back from Manila here the other day I had for reason only booked 20 kg luggage but it weighed in over 26 kg. My hand carry was also havy bcs I was expecting trouble due to the wieght so I more than filled my handcarry (to at least well above 10 kg, didn't weigh and tried kept it behind me all the time at check in counter. No trouble at all and the checkin man just tagged my luggage, gave me boardingcard and off I went. Not saying I am special in anyway but I guess we can say they are a tad unstable and each minute you could get a different result. This time I was happy with mine.

[QUOTE=XMan;1830459]Thanks for the post. Was this a domestic or international flight? What was the solution to the problem?[/QUOTE]Domestic. Clark to Cebu. Solution was had to pay 1400 pesos.

BTW. Flew from Cebu to Tacloban today and had no problems with 20.5 kilo checkin bag, which I prepaid online, no charge for 7. 5 kilo carry on suitcase and 5 kilo backpack. If you been on the CP ATR plane then they weigh you too at checkin.

My next flight is to Manila and I booked Air Asia airlines. Tire of CP crap.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1830037]I haven't spent much time in S. America, but I spent years off and in in various African countries and this place reminds me more of some of them than it does of the rest of this region.

I recognize of course that Shangri-La is an illusion, amd that each person's illusory paradise is different. But all developing countries are not equally hopeless, and it's the hopelessness in the end, that has gotten to me. [/QUOTE]I have never been to Africa. I have no real desire to go although strictly from a mongering perspective some Ethiopian and Madagascar girls have caught my eye. Then I read various reports in the respective forums and come to the conclusion that a trip there is just not worth it, but I could be wrong. It is just that I find it hard to think of a place with better girls than the ones in South East Asia.

After Thailand, I think Cambodia comes in a distant 2nd choice and possibly Bali, away from all the tourist madness, a third choice for the best overall retirement destination. I have thought about living on one of the quiet natural Philippine islands like Palawan, but I think I would get bored after a while and also stick out like a sore thumb. I might be wrong about that too, but I will probably continue to set my sights on Thailand. It is interesting and far from inconceivable that I might eventually wind up on a southern Thai island with a Filipina girlfriend. That would be a trip! Ha Ha.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1830603]I have never been to Africa. I have no real desire to go although strictly from a mongering perspective some Ethiopian and Madagascar girls have caught my eye. Then I read various reports in the respective forums and come to the conclusion that a trip there is just not worth it, but I could be wrong. It is just that I find it hard to think of a place with better girls than the ones in South East Asia.

After Thailand, I think Cambodia comes in a distant 2nd choice and possibly Bali, away from all the tourist madness, a third choice for the best overall retirement destination. I have thought about living on one of the quiet natural Philippine islands like Palawan, but I think I would get bored after a while and also stick out like a sore thumb. I might be wrong about that too, but I will probably continue to set my sights on Thailand. It is interesting and far from inconceivable that I might eventually wind up on a southern Thai island with a Filipina girlfriend. That would be a trip! Ha Ha.[/QUOTE]My first choice would undoubtedly be Thailand and I have my reasons:

1. Better infrastructure than most other countries in SEA (barring Singapore).

2. They have an economy that is not reliant only on tourism or on a single product / service.

3. They have variety in landscape if I want to travel intra-country. Big cities, lazy beaches, mountains, plains, etc.

4. Cost of living is still fairly cheap, especially in non-commercial locations.

5. It is still a Right Hand Drive country, so easier for me.

6. The girls are hygienic, hot and available.

7. I have an impression that Thais are generally more honest than some others in SEA, though there is no evidence.

8. The food here is possibly a 100 times better than any other place in the Region. I may even say that Thai food ranks among my Top 3 favorite cuisines. And it is bloody cheap.

9. Airline connectivity to other destinations is better developed than in most other places in SEA (again leaving out Singapore).

10. I speak better Thai than other languages in the Region.

Good Enough,

35 years is a long time to wait for change. And no evidence of positive change forthcoming. I admire your great concern for your fellow Filipino human beings. I am sure your presence has at least made a huge difference in their lives. You have always made accurate and objective posts here of which I have learned quite a bit.

Good luck and best wishes on what ever your decisions are.

DG8787.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1830748]Good Enough,

35 years is a long time to wait for change. And no evidence of positive change forthcoming. I admire your great concern for your fellow Filipino human beings. I am sure your presence has at least made a huge difference in their lives. You have always made accurate and objective posts here of which I have learned quite a bit.

Good luck and best wishes on what ever your decisions are.

DG8787.[/QUOTE]Thanks DG. I have been in this country for 11 years, and worked in a wide range of developing countries during the other 24 years or so.

GE.