Manila

[QUOTE=Blu8096; 1449775]I am surprised to hear how dangerous it sounds in Malate at night. I like many others am staying across from Robinsons. I expected a popular area like there and where all the clubs are would be relatively safe because of so many people. I expected to walk to and from MBC and the surrounding hot spots at night, no way I wanted to take a cab. Is that to dangerous to do?

What about walking by the bay at night time, is that dangerous also?

I'm big at 6' 1' and 210. I also have boxed and kick boxed since I was 20. I can take care of myself but that is not the point, I do not want to have to. I'm 45 now and am past my can't wait to fight days.

What is it that is so dangerous? Is it being pick pocketed? Robbed by force? Stabbed? Jumped by a group?

Are we to assume they all carry a knife or know Eskrima or Arnis?

Has anyone here been jumped before or robbed?

Staying in Malate no longer sounds like a good idea.[/QUOTE]I think it is a small chance. Like the other poster said, most common thing to watch / deal with is kids pick-pocketing.

There are def people that will rob you and kill you if you resist.

Try not to walk to many blocks (maybe 3 being the most) and get a cheap trike or cab.

I am not sure about the Baywalk. I went to the Baywalk with 2 waitresses from MBC at like 2am and didn't have any problem. Def a sketchy place with homeless people sleeping all around.

Bottom line is Malate is a very poor place and there is def a chance (albeit not huge) to get robbed.

Keep your wits about you.

[QUOTE=Westcoast1; 1449788]Yes.

Malate is a poor area, and gritty. Lots of homeless sleeping on the streets. The appearance is worse than the reality. There is only a small chance of anything happening to you, but why take the chance? A taxi from one part of Malate to another at night will cost $2. Newbs should not make a practice of walking the bario at night.

The most likely problem will be pick-pockets (usually groups of small children working together: you can't cover all of your pockets at once, and you can't hit them). Robbers on the other hand don't work alone, and martial arts are asian sport (you don't stand much chance against 3 guys with knives or guns; just give them what they want).

Reminder: taxis are good.[/QUOTE]CRAP! Should have stayed in Makati!

Can anyone recommend a website where I can find FL or agency girls in Manila. Had to be real. Thanks for the help in advance.

[QUOTE=Westcoast1; 1449788]Yes.

There is only a small chance of anything happening to you, but why take the chance? A taxi from one part of Malate to another at night will cost $2. Newbs should not make a practice of walking the bario at night.

The most likely problem will be pick-pockets (usually groups of small children working together: you can't cover all of your pockets at once, and you can't hit them). Robbers on the other hand don't work alone, and martial arts are asian sport (you don't stand much chance against 3 guys with knives or guns; just give them what they want).

Reminder: taxis are good.[/QUOTE]There are clothes that come with zippers and velcro, and things like the camera / outdoor type vests that have loads of inner pockets. Those kind of things arent quite required wear but the harder it is for a group of kids to get at you the better. The alternate. Of course is to excercise a good reasonably fast, purposeful walking pace. The street kids don't have the energy to walk fast after you. They will switch to easier "prey".

[QUOTE=Blu8096;1449798]CRAP! Should have stayed in Makati![/QUOTE]You're going to be fine. Its a vibrant place at night. But its also lower end, and not for the weak-at-heart. There are plenty of taxi's. Traffic doesn't lighten up until about 9pm. It is NOT Makati / Ortigas / Fort. Just don't go for long romantic nightime walks (plenty of taxis).

[QUOTE=Dkooau;1449814]Can anyone recommend a website where I can find FL or agency girls in Manila. Had to be real. Thanks for the help in advance.[/QUOTE]I'd start with Craig's List.

[QUOTE=Blu8096;1449798]CRAP! Should have stayed in Makati![/QUOTE]Malate is not well lit. It's not so bad as some are saying but there is a chance of something happening real real late night when there is no one around. I walk it all the time from MBC to Executive Plaza to Adriatico. I rarely drink so I'm pretty aware of my surroundings. In all my years, I had one group of kids try to come up to me and beg for coins while a couple try to pickpocket me. Most of the people will beg for coins from you. I don't go down some dark non traveled streets. I try to go where the taxis would likely be driving. Down Del Pillar, down Mabini or whatever. But like I said, I don't really drink. I'm still relatively healthy and mobile and don't carry a whole lot to lose when I'm out like that. For someone older or not in good health or a drinker, I think for the most part, taking a taxi is just better insurance wise. Just don't take taxis sitting right outside places like MBC. Walk a half block down and get one that is moving and not parked who will use their meter.

As soon as the get close I scream like an banshee and convulse like an epileptic. That usually gets rid of them.

[QUOTE=FreebieFan;1449819]There are clothes that come with zippers and velcro, and things like the camera / outdoor type vests that have loads of inner pockets. Those kind of things arent quite required wear but the harder it is for a group of kids to get at you the better. The alternate. Of course is to excercise a good reasonably fast, purposeful walking pace. The street kids don't have the energy to walk fast after you. They will switch to easier "prey".[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Key Master;1449899]Malate is not well lit. It's not so bad as some are saying but there is a chance of something happening real real late night when there is no one around. I walk it all the time from MBC to Executive Plaza to Adriatico.[/QUOTE]That area is known as Ermita not Malate. Not sure where the boundary is but Malate is more upscale and generally safer then Ermita.

[QUOTE=X Man;1449959]As soon as the get close I scream like an banshee and convulse like an epileptic. That usually gets rid of them.[/QUOTE]XMan,

You do that when see the cuties and me for that matter (no need to reply!)

See you next month also so try keep the screaming down.

On a more serious note, the comments about this area are fair, it is not an area I like. I have ben there but never felt at home there.

You should tell the taxi to take a direct route home using the main roads don't go around the back streets late at night in case there is a friendly policeman trying to shake you down. See my FR about 3 years ago on this escapade. Just keep your wits about you and don't wander around like a Japanese tourist with large cameras around your neck as that is as good as saying "rob me".

[QUOTE=CaliPro; 1449797]I think it is a small chance. Like the other poster said, most common thing to watch / deal with is kids pick-pocketing.

There are def people that will rob you and kill you if you resist.

Try not to walk to many blocks (maybe 3 being the most) and get a cheap trike or cab.

I am not sure about the Baywalk. I went to the Baywalk with 2 waitresses from MBC at like 2am and didn't have any problem. Def a sketchy place with homeless people sleeping all around.

Bottom line is Malate is a very poor place and there is def a chance (albeit not huge) to get robbed.

Keep your wits about you.[/QUOTE]You posted recently that you spent all of 4 days total in the Philippines, so at best your advice is to be taken with a grain of salt the size of an orange.

i was able to shake of those pesky kids a few times by simply looking very unsympathetic straight into their eyes, saying "no" firmly and clutching my wallet pocket. they always seemed to lose interest once they glance down at your hands guarding your pockets. and while one of them is begging in front of you, there is always another few kids behind your back on either side.

-peeman

Thought I would share this with the forum.

If you are wondering why I left out a lot of girly bars or Korean joints, keep in mind I am not a monger, just a 27 year old party guy that loves SEA and LA. I mostly hit up clubs, get girls online and at the malls.

[url]https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zW_noa9126aI.kampoQlaMeVE[/url]

Enjoy.

[QUOTE=Blu8096; 1449775]I am surprised to hear how dangerous it sounds in Malate at night. I like many others am staying across from Robinsons. I expected a popular area like there and where all the clubs are would be relatively safe because of so many people. I expected to walk to and from MBC and the surrounding hot spots at night, no way I wanted to take a cab. Is that to dangerous to do?

What about walking by the bay at night time, is that dangerous also?

I'm big at 6' 1' and 210. I also have boxed and kick boxed since I was 20. I can take care of myself but that is not the point, I do not want to have to. I'm 45 now and am past my can't wait to fight days.

What is it that is so dangerous? Is it being pick pocketed? Robbed by force? Stabbed? Jumped by a group?

Are we to assume they all carry a knife or know Eskrima or Arnis?

Has anyone here been jumped before or robbed?

Staying in Malate no longer sounds like a good idea.[/QUOTE]Blu,

If you're a bigger guy that will deter the ones who will try and jump you, but what about the bad guys with guns? There must be millions of home made guns floating around the Philippines. No matter how big you are a bullet is going to win.

WC and ET have provided you with good advice. Follow it. If you walk around at night just be aware of your surroundings and don't go roaming around any dark alleys. Remember taxis are dirt cheap in the Philippines (so long as the meter is on and working properly). Spending 60p for a taxi to go 8 blocks might be the best investment you will ever make. I was staying at the Hyatt years ago and walked over to LAC (now MBC) and when I came out at 2am there were alot of street kids and younger guys hanging around outside. I got bad vibes and took a taxi 2 blocks from LAC to the Hyatt with my pickup. The meter did not even click over from the flagdown rate of 30p and I gave the driver 100p.

Enjoy the Philippines.

[QUOTE=Buko Max;1449964]That area is known as Ermita not Malate. Not sure where the boundary is but Malate is more upscale and generally safer then Ermita.[/QUOTE]Odd, nobody seems to know the boundary, even the locals. Eurotel on Pedro Gil shows an address of Ermita, and two blocks away the Tropicana Apartments on Guerrero shows an address of Malate. I mentioned this to the door guys of both hotels, asking where the boundary is (Orosa? Guerrero?) , and nobody knew. The door guys at Trop began to wonder whether Robinson's was Malate or Ermita.