Angeles City

[QUOTE=OralFanatic;1442673]This conversation has changed from tail to tailhooks but I'd still like to know if Olongapo and Subic could handle a fleet full of blue balls or if this would spill over into AC. I have a feeling AC would see quite an uptick in activity and as much as I love our military, I wouldn't want to be there when the fleet docks.[/QUOTE]I don't think AC will be able to handle anything in the near future. How many of you are on other monger boards, but the AC and PI specific boards are reporting numerous raids and closures in AC, most due to the IJM.

Just an FWI

and closed. last night. 11pm. one of the girls txt me saying the police had discovered an **** girl (i'm sure the newspaper will report her as 'rescued').

[QUOTE=Chris Long; 1402851]Chris Long in Angeles City.

Mongering in Angeles City:

I am going to write a quick how to guide for newbies who have never been to AC before. I fly into Manila because a flight from the states going directly to Clark is a lot more expensive. Manila airport is somewhat of a beehive and a little more confusing than many other airports that I have been to, but certainly manageable and with each trip it becomes more and more familure. Once you pass customs and immigration and before you exit you will find a money exchange, they give a pretty good rate for an airport exchange and I usually exchange some money there before I exit. Once you exit the building you will find a white striped crossing, cross the street and walk down the tunnel there will be signs at the end, if your name is at the beginning of the alphabet you go to your left if at the end of the alphabet you go to your right. You will come out and there will be a mob of people waiting for their ride and across the street there will be drivers waiting for their pick up. Many will hold up signs with the person's name on it. Most if not all AC hotels will arrange a pick up from the Manila Airport for you for around 2700 or 2600 pesos which is the equivalent of about $60 USA give or take a few bucks. There is a less expensive way which will run you around $10 to $15 USA You take a taxi from the airport to the bus station in Manila then you take the bus to Dau (sp?) and a trike from there to your hotel. I have been told that it is quite easy and comfortable. I have never tried this before but plan to on my next trip. For a first timer it may be advisable to have the hotel arrange your pick up. There is a certain amount of cultural familiarity and comfort that you will want to obtain before you immerse yourself into Philippine culture by taking the bus. Also after a 30 plus hour flight coming from the states you may want a drive there to pick you up and take you directly to your hotel...[/QUOTE]CL,

Thanks for this great post. The AC Map links aren't working? I am heading there next week and would love the information.

TC

Yes, there was, and is, resistance to have US forces based in the Phils.

One thing that the PI govt overlooked when they pushed the US forces out was that they got their planes and ships from the US for free.

Since the US pulled out, the supply of ships and planes stopped.

To the point where the PI cannot mount a reasonable force in the conflict over the Spratleys and other offshore strategic island groups. Same for the PI air force. Basically a bunch of buildings, a force structure. But apart from a few donated trainers, no fighters or bombers.

They are pretty barehanded now that the South China Sea has hotted up.

G

[QUOTE=OralFanatic; 1440936]I just read this yesterday but apparently the Philippines is looking to 'build' new air and naval bases at Subic which the US forces could use. Again. It's been a long time since I've been out by Subic but I wonder if there are still enough bars to handle the crowd when the fleet docks, or if any of this will spill over into the AC scene. If several thousand drunken sailors come into AC, that could drive up prices.

[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/27/us-philippines-usa-idUSBRE95Q0C120130627[/url][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=OralFanatic;1442673]This conversation has changed from tail to tailhooks but I'd still like to know if Olongapo and Subic could handle a fleet full of blue balls or if this would spill over into AC. I have a feeling AC would see quite an uptick in activity and as much as I love our military, I wouldn't want to be there when the fleet docks.[/QUOTE]It is still against military law for its personnel top employ hookers. I year in jail and discharge.

"14 October 2005, when USA President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13387, which amends the Manual for Courts-Martial to specifically enumerate "patronizing a prostitute" as a violation of Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). USA military personnel will have committed an offense if they "compelled, induced, enticed, or procured person to engage in an act of sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary or other compensation." The act must also be "wrongful" and be "to the prejudice of good order and discipline" of the armed forces or "bring discredit upon" them. A violation is punishable by "dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year."

Don't think a career navy guy will risk his future on a piece of PI nookie.

Slim

[QUOTE=Azmodeus Fl;1442587]When the Philippine government kicked the US out I think they did not realize the economic impact this had on the economy. Now they want us back.[/QUOTE]The situation is a lot more complex than that. Been to AC lately? Taken a look at the parking lot of SM Mall? It's filled as far as the eye can see with nice new cars. Then go inside the mall and see the people spending their money. They make the local expats look cheap by comparison. Against all odds, there's a big new middle class in the Philippines. Travel the country, look around and you'll see it. Yes, the USA military benefited some areas and some people, and could do again, but these days overall economic development has gone way beyond that.

Military does not enforce it unless they get caught with an incident.

[QUOTE=Nvslim; 1442937]It is still against military law for its personnel top employ hookers. I year in jail and discharge.

"14 October 2005, when USA President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13387, which amends the Manual for Courts-Martial to specifically enumerate "patronizing a prostitute" as a violation of Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). USA military personnel will have committed an offense if they "compelled, induced, enticed, or procured person to engage in an act of sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary or other compensation." The act must also be "wrongful" and be "to the prejudice of good order and discipline" of the armed forces or "bring discredit upon" them. A violation is punishable by "dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year."

Don't think a career navy guy will risk his future on a piece of PI nookie.

Slim[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Nvslim; 1442937]Don't think a career navy guy will risk his future on a piece of PI nookie.

Slim[/QUOTE]Slim,

Tell that the military guys in High Heels and Plan B in Makati yesterday. Am sure they would discuss ex Pres Bush orders after the pinay nookie.

If and when the US military returns in force all these rules etc are forgotten an forgiven unless as Mbs said there is an 'incident'

PI need US cash and investment, the ony way to improve the country IMHO, so will ignore the basic to achieve a greater good (ie more cash in certain pockets LOL)

[QUOTE=Betong;1442938]The situation is a lot more complex than that. Been to AC lately? Taken a look at the parking lot of SM Mall? It's filled as far as the eye can see with nice new cars. Then go inside the mall and see the people spending their money. They make the local expats look cheap by comparison.[/QUOTE]And factor in all of the other development too: expansion of the SM Mall, new condo's / hotels (like the one going up across from the Wild Orchid) , new side walk along Fields Ave; renovations at the airport, etc.

No, the Fields Ave / Perimeter district is not in any danger. It's too much of a cash cow for the area (especially the city "fathers") and there's far too much money laundering happening there for anyone to interfere with; at least in the foreseeable future. Yeah, there's going to be the occasional raid or three; partly to keep up the pretense of keeping the city "clean" and partly for same reason as it has been for years: power plays by bar owners and bar lease takeovers.

Finally back in good old AC, it's like coming home, or is it? Somethings are the same here but something is different. The atmosphere. The many latest raids has changed that. This place has changed gradually over the years becoming less good for the average punter. Still it has remained good, but what now? Police in the streets, police holding up customers in the Kokomos restaurant, agents in bars, and bars being reluctant to do bf. All this is new for me.

Last night I went to Kokomos for a burger. The main entrance is "blocked" by the police, they are talking to a couple, I don't know about what. The staff seem worried. I enter by the the side entrance and sit down, but from where I'm sitting it's difficult to see what happens further. But one elderly cop then walks around in the area I am sitting, he looks very eager, I'm not sure if he's observing people inside the restaurant or something over the street, outside Typhoon.

And what do I mean by agents? Well, if you see people that look totally misplaced inside a bar, then you know they are there for observing on behalf of "someone". I went to this smaller joint today. Coincidentally I sit by the same table as these two, a man and a woman, archetypical oundercoover agents, in my eyes. They look "British" and talk English, but because of the loud music I cannot understand their conversation. But from a few words I think it's British accents. Seems like they are talking about something they observe of the dancers. I pay for my drink and leave.

I also went all the way up to the far side of Perimeter, searching for bars. When I get off the jeepney I am in what they call Kooreatown. Even if I am not that surprised to see security guards on every corner, I do find their high profile a bit "strange". And now "they" are obviously planning to fill the gap between Lower Fields and K-Town, the two areas that they already have secured. History unfolds in strange ways, different groups with differing and non-related agendas can suddenly find common grounds in specific cases.

Sorry about this pessimism. And I certainly hope I am wrong about this: it seems like this is the end of an era, I can only recommend the friends of the old AC to come back while we are still in 2013. There are still gems to be found if you look around in the few still friendly places.

[QUOTE=John Traveller; 1443328]Finally back in good old AC, it's like coming home, or is it? Somethings are the same here but something is different. The atmosphere. The many latest raids has changed that. Still it has remained good, but what now? Police in the streets, police holding up customers in the Kokomos restaurant, agents in bars, and bars being reluctant to do bf. All this is new for me.

Last night I went to Kokomos for a burger. The main entrance is "blocked" by the police, they are talking to a couple, I don't know about what. The staff seem worried. I enter by the the side entrance and sit down, but from where I'm sitting it's difficult to see what happens further. But one elderly cop then walks around in the area I am sitting, he looks very eager, I'm not sure if he's observing people inside the restaurant or something over the street, outside Typhoon.

Sorry about this pessimism. And I certainly hope I am wrong about this: it seems like this is the end of an era, I can only recommend the friends of the old AC to come back while we are still in 2013. There are still gems to be found if you look around in the few still friendly places.[/QUOTE]Thanks John for the on the scene report. I haven't read much about the current crackdown on this forum. I wonder why?

My feeling about the raids is that they are just a low season demand for higher payoffs that seem to have become a regular event in AC every rainy season for the last 3 years. I hate to hear about this sort of thing, but so far only 3 bars have been raided. If this were a new paradigm, it seems to me the authorities would raid 20 bars in one night including the big ones, to signal things have really changed in AC. That it is no longer going to be business as usual going forward. But the authorities have not done this so I remain hopeful. I still plan to visit AC in early 2014, but if things get worse; I will make travel adjustments and spend more time in Makati and Subic.

One question John since you are there: are girls still being barfined or are other arrangements necessary like texting the girls and setting up a "date" outside of the bars?

[QUOTE=Natty Bumpo; 1443447]Thanks John for the on the scene report. I haven't read much about the current crackdown on this forum. I wonder why?

My feeling about the raids is that they are just a low season demand for higher payoffs that seem to have become a regular event in AC every rainy season for the last 3 years. So far only 3 bars have been raided. If this were a new paradigm, it seems to me the authorities would raid 20 bars in one night including the big ones, to signal things have really changed in AC. That it is no longer going to be business as usual going forward. But the authorities have not done this so I remain hopeful. .

One question John since you are there: are girls still being barfined or are other arrangements necessary like texting the girls and setting up a "date" outside of the bars?[/QUOTE]Can one of you Philippine's experts explain why there are raids? By this, I do not mean the obvious (the police are shaking down the bar owners for a bit of graft) , but what is the law. What is the ostensible reason the police are going into the bars? I thought prostitution was legal in the Philippines as long as the woman was older than 18 years of age. Or, is it just the bar fines that are illegal (in essence that pimping, or its equivalent, is forbidden)?

In any case, I have been reading the Phils boards for several years, I have been to Manila a few times, I have plans to return soon, and would like to actually understand what the legal situation might be.

THANKS!

[QUOTE=Forest; 1443462]Can one of you Philippine's experts explain why there are raids? By this, I do not mean the obvious (the police are shaking down the bar owners for a bit of graft) , but what is the law. What is the ostensible reason the police are going into the bars? I thought prostitution was legal in the Philippines as long as the woman was older than 18 years of age. Or, is it just the bar fines that are illegal (in essence that pimping, or its equivalent, is forbidden)?

In any case, I have been reading the Phils boards for several years, I have been to Manila a few times, I have plans to return soon, and would like to actually understand what the legal situation might be.

THANKS![/QUOTE]First off. Prostitution is [B]ILLEGAL[/B] In the PI. In any shape or form. At any age. This is a serious catholic country. They just started teaching sex ed in school. As the catholic church was able to prevent it from passing in the pass.

In Jan 2013 They passed new broad based "[url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord908][CodeWord908][/url]" Laws which now state MANY offenses that the bars engage in are considered "[url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord908][CodeWord908][/url]" offenses and a non-bailable.

The difference between past raids and now. The mamasans and Bar managers who are caught are NOT being released and facing "[url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord908][CodeWord908][/url]" charges. All 3 bars raided. Still have people in jail. Without bail.

And no one wants to spend time in a PI jail. So its understandable B0 / BM are a bit nervous.

The Mayor has stated. NO Bar Fines permitted. And raid will persist until its understood.

Now if anyone thinks the bars contribute too much money to the economy. They got rid of the Military. And it contributed way more. To many more Filippino's. And the city survived.

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger;1437625]Try skyscanner web site this has helped me in the past. It does depend if the airline subscribe but you can get a feel of which airline or where. There are other similar web site but I use this the most.[/QUOTE]I have used a lot of sites for flight bookings, its hard to find one site that gives all the options. A good way to find flights to smaller airports, for example Clark, is to check the airport's arrival and departure info on its own site, so you can see every airline who flies in and from where and when, then book direct on the airline site. Hope this helps.

I notice that ABC Hotel has a pool party on Sunday night just passed. Anyone whom is in town care to write a field report?