General Info

[Mr Enternational]

Many people prioritise order and predictability and the PI has neither.

It certainly works out when one is able to use the disorder and unpredictability to their advantage in certain situations.

[Goferring]

Wise words. However I am still not going to get far online without a local SIM card that the operator doesn't steal the paid load from. I did ask the American resident, who invited me, to obtain an extra SIM card in advance -- but he refused. I asked for his Wise account name to 'Buy him a coffee' -- again he refused.

The PI does seem to attract the type of people who can tolerate its 'Third World' character, exonerate its inefficiencies and duck physical requests for assistance. I was here in PI for 3 months in 1988, when life was simpler and calmer: without cellphones or Internet. Sad to see what effects they have had on formerly-pristine Boracay island, and even GI-ruled Angeles.

You make a good and valid point. If signing up for a SIM card is too difficult or frustrating then PI may not be the best destination for you to enjoy. I don't mean that in a derogatory or insulting way. Many people prioritise order and predictability and the PI has neither.

Good luck. G.

[Transporter]

Good news is, today I've lined up all my Manila contacts in advance, so there's no need to go on the hunt.
Enjoy the game _ Phil.

Never known any game to follow the plan in the PI, but wish you luck.

[PhilJoy]

Well it's that time again, when I'll be doing another frequent Business / Pleasure trip to the Phils in few days.

(I hope to add a few reports along the way).

Yes, I'm a Cheap Charlie, but most of us are, who either make multiple visits a year or live in The Phils.

I'm on a fairly tight schedule with work over the next few weeks and will be in and out of Manila quite a few times.

Good news is, today I've lined up all my Manila contacts in advance, so there's no need to go on the hunt.

For the newer guys, and I may have said this numerous times before, to keep in touch with your previous encounters works wonders.

You can avoid the barfines and expensive lady drinks by setting your own terms, as opposed to the bar rules they adhere to, and you can reward them personally for a job well done.

Sure, the vast majority will be at you for cash all the time once you're gone, but it's best just to ignore them.

They'll be back for some action in the future, and as soon as you say you'll be back in The Phills soon, it's like flies surrounding freshly laid shit.

Just my experience and I'm now fully booked for Manila.

If only this phone would stop pinging with "I love you messages".

Enjoy the game _ Phil.

[Aml3740]

The pitfall of PI are over hyped. Sure somethings are blindingly frustrating but the same can be said of other countries too. Especially for a for a first time visitor.

I don't see PI as expensive when comparing like for like in other areas of Asia. PI, LOS and Indo all have $20 online or street options thru to $200 gogo nights. It's a mistake that many are making to compare $20 girls in one area to $200 in another.

There has always been someone else to blame. 30 years ago it was the Japanese. Then the Chinese. Now it's the Koreans. Soon it will be the Indians. The truth is that while some are complaining, others are still having a great time. For the two extremes have a read of my provincial exploits or Sir Lancelot's redlight reports. We both had a great time in very different ways.

Go have a good time. If you don't like it, that's fine but don't fall for all the hype and rule it out before seeing for yourself.

Enjoy.G

I agree with G. I think almost anyone can have a good time here if you are open minded and know what you want. Honestly, if I am going to the Philippines for a month or less, I am not worrying about a SIM card. I'm just roaming and using my US number. It is an extra $50-$100, and isn't worth the hassle otherwise. And, for taxis, you live and learn.

If you are maarte and want a city with your 4-5 star hotels and women to match, your options are maybe limited to Makati and Burgos. Lower the bar for where you stay and the city a little bit, and maybe that's Angeles. And so on and so forth. As for me, I love the province. I didn't do a pussy your like G, mostly because I already have two ladies and don't need that. But I've experienced things that most on this board never have, and probably never will. And, for me, that is part of the draw. I'm at home on a jeepney or tricycle, and I'm at home on a motorcycle going up a rocky mountain road. I love rice and and I'm not picky about ulam (and I can cook most Filipino food, too).

It's all about what you're looking for and what you can and will tolerate. Jarango has a post in the "Living in the Philippines" thread. There are a lot of drawbacks. My biggest pet peeve is how long it takes for everything. For most things, you have to just show up and wait. No matter what it is. It's annoying. But, if that's really the worst I have to deal with (and it doesn't happen that often), it's not really that bad, and good days far outweigh the bad ones!

[Jarango]

The pitfall of PI are over hyped. Sure somethings are blindingly frustrating but the same can be said of other countries too. Especially for a for a first time visitor.

I don't see PI as expensive when comparing like for like in other areas of Asia. PI, LOS and Indo all have $20 online or street options thru to $200 gogo nights. It's a mistake that many are making to compare $20 girls in one area to $200 in another.

There has always been someone else to blame. 30 years ago it was the Japanese. Then the Chinese. Now it's the Koreans. Soon it will be the Indians. The truth is that while some are complaining, others are still having a great time. For the two extremes have a read of my provincial exploits or Sir Lancelot's redlight reports. We both had a great time in very different ways.

Sir Lancelot got what he wanted. He beezed about, shot some pool abnd speared lots of young women, which he admits is the reason he went there. As he worked within a 10 day time frame, stayed beside Walking Stand stayed sober, his visit was a success for him. He did not find the love of his life but he was not looking for that. (There is always Broken Britain, as he says).

All that said, there are lots of downsides, as walking St is a dive uilt on aslum. The food is problematic (as in geting sick), petty crime, noisy bikes, weather, a long way to travel and so on.

But, in Sir Lancelot's case, he got what he wanted and, if it is within his budget and so on, then success.

One of the most obriong things in life is loking at people's holiday pics. There was a time when overseas travel was exotic. That ship long ago sailed.

Pussy in Angeles is no different from McDonalds or Jolibee, the difference being that, as Sir lancelot affirmed, it is much cheaper and more pleasant. Jolibee with a smile andan ice pair of boobs.

Edit: I am more price conscious that Sir Lancelot. However, given the amount of bonks and their quality he had, he came out leagues ahead if bonking is ourt unit of currency. I am at home now and have a chance of a €100 bonk, which is very cheap here but which would be considered very low quality in Angeles. As my carnal needs have subsided, I am best putting that €100 to the price of returning to Angeles or some similar place. YMMV.

[Trevor2522]

If you don't like it, that's fine but don't fall for all the hype and rule it out before seeing for yourself.

Wise words. However I am still not going to get far online without a local SIM card that the operator doesn't steal the paid load from. I did ask the American resident, who invited me, to obtain an extra SIM card in advance -- but he refused. I asked for his Wise account name to 'Buy him a coffee' -- again he refused.

The PI does seem to attract the type of people who can tolerate its 'Third World' character, exonerate its inefficiencies and duck physical requests for assistance. I was here in PI for 3 months in 1988, when life was simpler and calmer: without cellphones or Internet. Sad to see what effects they have had on formerly-pristine Boracay island, and even GI-ruled Angeles.

[Goferring]

Addendum: given the taxi and phone hassles outlined in the posts below -- plus high P4P prices and the Korean influx -- is the Philippines still a worthwhile destination for our hobby?

The pitfall of PI are over hyped. Sure somethings are blindingly frustrating but the same can be said of other countries too. Especially for a for a first time visitor.

I don't see PI as expensive when comparing like for like in other areas of Asia. PI, LOS and Indo all have $20 online or street options thru to $200 gogo nights. It's a mistake that many are making to compare $20 girls in one area to $200 in another.

There has always been someone else to blame. 30 years ago it was the Japanese. Then the Chinese. Now it's the Koreans. Soon it will be the Indians. The truth is that while some are complaining, others are still having a great time. For the two extremes have a read of my provincial exploits or Sir Lancelot's redlight reports. We both had a great time in very different ways.

Go have a good time. If you don't like it, that's fine but don't fall for all the hype and rule it out before seeing for yourself.

Enjoy.G

[Dg8787]

ATMs should beat money changers who have to deal with physical cash -- but the rates can be quite close with the best MCs. Airport ATMs, like most in town, only dispense P10,000. HSBC in Ayala Avenue, Makati, dispenses P40,000, which is useful if you are paying the local skin tax of P250 per transaction.

Addendum: given the taxi and phone hassles outlined in the posts below -- plus high P4P prices and the Korean influx -- is the Philippines still a worthwhile destination for our hobby?

I am talking about money changers. ATM and money transfer companies are a different matter along with debit cards and not a comparison.

Addendum: if any of those are concerns then best to stay away from PH.

[Trevor2522]

The other week coming in to terminal 3 the money exchanger's rate was USD1. 00 - 57.90 pesos. The official prime rate was 58.11. Which no one gets the prime exchange rate. I have found the Terminal 3 rates to be very good. At times better than street money exchangers. The only downside side is having to show your passport, if that is a concern.

ATMs should beat money changers who have to deal with physical cash -- but the rates can be quite close with the best MCs. Airport ATMs, like most in town, only dispense P10,000. HSBC in Ayala Avenue, Makati, dispenses P40,000, which is useful if you are paying the local skin tax of P250 per transaction.

Addendum: given the taxi and phone hassles outlined in the posts below -- plus high P4P prices and the Korean influx -- is the Philippines still a worthwhile destination for our hobby?

[Trevor2522]

No need for the Grab app while you're at the airport. Each terminal has a Grab kiosk you can use to book your Grab ride. I use the Grab app all the time when I am in Manila, but I never have booked a ride on the app at the airport; the drivers give preference to the Kiosk. It is much cheaper than the taxis. I got scammed 1. 5 k one time from Terminal 1 to Newport City. Never again.

Thanks. If Grab has a kiosk where tired travellers can book without a phone or Internet, that's a great facility which no one on YouTube has mentioned. It is hard to believe the authorities have not clamped down on the P1,500 scammers by now.

s far as the SIM card issue, it is better to download the Globe One app prior to entering the country. You can get a local number on eSIM and avail a promo before you even arrive. Or, if you're there for a short time, just use your phone plans roaming feature.

Thanks. I originally thought eSIMs were data only but maybe numbers are coming online now. How long do they give you to register your number and documents with the government? It is normally 30 days for a physical SIM. Is there a similar eSIM service prior to arriving in Thailand?

I thought it really oppressive having to upload selfie, passport, proof of address and ticket out just for a local phone number! Even then, they never approved the application via text and I had to go into Glorietta Globe store in Makati to find out the status. They said it was working, then regaled me with dozens of Machiavellian promotions, packages, durations and countries. I settled on P350 for unlimited calls/texts & 3GB data, valid for 30 days. Paid cash into the machine, confirmed the load, but the balance was P1 back at my AirBnB, without any usage! How can anyone monger or do business in a country where they spend half their time in phone shops sorting out this crap?

There is clearly now institutionalised theft by Globe and Smart of customer's loads, shortly after paying, loading and displaying the new balance. Also happened to a friend using Smart. There is a reason why tourist arrivals to Thailand outnumber those to the Philippines by over 5:1 ! Philippine cheating and incompetence levels meant I cut this trip short to go to Thailand, where one can buy and top-up a SIM in any 7/11 within 5 minutes and the SIM does not have to be registered for 6 months. At Bangkok airport I just go up to the departures level and take a metered taxi dropping passengers off; we are both happy!

https://seasia.co/infographic/international-tourists-arrivals-in-southeast-asia-2023

[Trevor2522]

Mfs tried to get me for 1500 to go to Ermita. Then some guy came along and said 900. I had already called Grab for 431 before leaving out of the door and the first person asking. I just wanted to see how much they said. I have T-mobile from the States which has free roaming in almost every country, so I have no problem getting a grab from the airport.

Thanks. Any country's phone number can be used for Grab, apparently, not just a local one. I have 2 x UK SIMs which claim to roam internationally but they are patchy. One worked in Colombia but the other worked in Philippines.

I have never had a problem with a load disappearing. The people in the airport want too much for the SIM and data though. 1500 pesos minimum for Globe was a pure ripoff. I went to a phone shop for my SIM. The guy said they pay 59 pesos for them and sell them for 80.1 month of the fastest data is 980,1 week 580, and 3 days 300. You can also top up at 7 11. You go to the machine to decide which plan you want. It prints out a paper, then you go to the cashier to pay. The cheapest plan was I think 75 pesos.

The Philippine cellular top-up system is crazy-complicated in terms of calls / data / validity. The longest one can buy is only 30 days; in normal countries load does not expire so rapidly. Plus, there is now organised larceny by the cellular providers. I lost P350 loaded at Globe's main office in Makati and my friend lost P200 of a P449 top-up (Smart network) at 7/11. In both cases the loads were acknowledged but then got cut.

[Aml3740]

Manila international airport (NAIA), Terminal 1 -- The yellow and white taxis are now across the two frontage lanes, then down a steep, pedestrian ramp to the right. But they will still rip you off, just like everything else in the country. I was charged 700 for a 450 ₱ trip to Makati in a yellow, metered taxi; my friend, 2 weeks earlier, had been charged 1500 peso in an unmarked car.

My driver switched the meter off (it was on initially to con me), and also kept the customer copy of the receipt, so I could not complain. Use the Grab app if you can but that is problematic for newbies with the patchy wi-fi and general tiredness. Best avoid the place like The Beatles did after getting battered in 1966!

Philippine sim card top-ups are either short-changed or disappear completely the next day. That is why I am leaving very early and heading to civilisation in Thailand. Days of head-banging grief in The Philippines just to get a local phone number. In Thailand it takes 5 minutes in a 7/11. You have been warned! As for the women: a can't is a can't.

No need for the Grab app while you're at the airport. Each terminal has a Grab kiosk you can use to book your Grab ride. I use the Grab app all the time when I am in Manila, but I never have booked a ride on the app at the airport; the drivers give preference to the Kiosk. It is much cheaper than the taxis. I got scammed 1. 5 k one time from Terminal 1 to Newport City. Never again.

As far as the SIM card issue, it is better to download the Globe One app prior to entering the country. You can get a local number on eSIM and avail a promo before you even arrive. Or, if you're there for a short time, just use your phone plans roaming feature.

Sure, friendly scammers are waiting for you. Just know what the scams are (taxis) and avoid them. Grab or Joyride (if you're fine using a motorcycle) is the way to go.

[Mr Enternational]

Manila international airport (NAIA), Terminal 1 -- The yellow and white taxis are now across the two frontage lanes, then down a steep, pedestrian ramp to the right. But they will still rip you off, just like everything else in the country. I was charged 700 for a 450 ₱ trip to Makati in a yellow, metered taxi; my friend, 2 weeks earlier, had been charged 1500 peso in an unmarked car.

Mfs tried to get me for 1500 to go to Ermita. Then some guy came along and said 900. I had already called Grab for 431 before leaving out of the door and the first person asking. I just wanted to see how much they said. I have T-mobile from the States which has free roaming in almost every country, so I have no problem getting a grab from the airport.

Philippine sim card top-ups are either short-changed or disappear completely the next day. That is why I am leaving very early and heading to civilisation in Thailand. Days of head-banging grief in The Philippines just to get a local phone number. In Thailand it takes 5 minutes in a 7/11. You have been warned!

I have never had a problem with a load disappearing. The people in the airport want too much for the SIM and data though. 1500 pesos minimum for Globe was a pure ripoff. I went to a phone shop for my SIM. The guy said they pay 59 pesos for them and sell them for 80.1 month of the fastest data is 980,1 week 580, and 3 days 300. You can also top up at 7 11. You go to the machine to decide which plan you want. It prints out a paper, then you go to the cashier to pay. The cheapest plan was I think 75 pesos.

[Trevor2522]

Manila international airport (NAIA), Terminal 1 -- The yellow and white taxis are now across the two frontage lanes, then down a steep, pedestrian ramp to the right. But they will still rip you off, just like everything else in the country. I was charged 700 for a 450 ₱ trip to Makati in a yellow, metered taxi; my friend, 2 weeks earlier, had been charged 1500 peso in an unmarked car.

My driver switched the meter off (it was on initially to con me), and also kept the customer copy of the receipt, so I could not complain. Use the Grab app if you can but that is problematic for newbies with the patchy wi-fi and general tiredness. Best avoid the place like The Beatles did after getting battered in 1966!

Philippine sim card top-ups are either short-changed or disappear completely the next day. That is why I am leaving very early and heading to civilisation in Thailand. Days of head-banging grief in The Philippines just to get a local phone number. In Thailand it takes 5 minutes in a 7/11. You have been warned! As for the women: a can't is a can't.