General Info

[Mr Enternational]

For online strangers that can be ladyboys, or look totally different in reality,

Why not just ask if they are bakla and videocall to see if someone looks totally different in reality? That would save you time and money.

[Mr Enternational]

Asian men consider women over 25, who are still single, to be potentially-poor marriage material. After age 30, there is a distinct loss-of-attractiveness, especially in mothers.

Poor marriage material in what aspect? The way you say, they are only looking for someone to be attractive for the first 5 years of marriage. After that, what do they do with them? A woman is going to age the same whether she is married or not at a certain age.

To me, there would be more to marrying a person than their attractiveness. Is she helpful? Do we enjoy some of the same things? Do we like being around each other? I married her because she is young and pretty are ridiculous qualifications. That is like buying a car because it looks good. Damn how it performs and the reliability and maintenance.

I am 52 and would personally never get married. But if I did then it would probably be to a woman who is at least 30 because she has had some life experiences and has shown some resilience. I do not want to be trying to train anyone, especially someone that may not even be trainable. I want someone who is already prepared for the job.

A couple of days ago my mom had me go buy tires for her car. She was insisting on Michelin. I said mom with Michelin you are paying for their advertisement. There is more to a tire than a name. Tires actually have grades written on them, and as to the grading these Falkens are a better tire and cheaper to boot. There is more to a woman than how pretty she looks.

[Old And Ugly]

This is where a little patience is of great assistance. A platonic coffee or Jollie burger on day 1 for a shy girl often results in her coming over to say thanks on day 2. This is a lot better than scaring her off by insisting to meet straight in your hotel room.

Of course, we also have the other extreme: girls who do not want to risk being seen with a foreigner in the wild so will suggest coming straight to the hotel.

It's not difficult to play both ends of the game.

G.

For online strangers that can be ladyboys, or look totally different in reality, I never tell them where I stay, I always met them at some restaurant close by, that way, I'm protected, and they are also protected from being seen at the the mall in the company of an old and ugly man (that by the way is still in his 30's in his head).

[WestCoast1]

And what is fair compensation for their short, or long, time company?

Fair compensation will be different per gent, the same way that beauty is different for each gent. You or I might think that both 2000 and 2500 are both reasonable or fair amounts for a given time with a given girl. But to her, one of those numbers is a 25% increase over the other (or a 20% drop).

OTOH, I could make the point that p400 is fair compensation for the same girl in the same situation. What if the same girl, whom I'd paid p2000 to before, had such an extreme emergency today that she told me she would do ANYTHING for a fast p400. Should I commit with her to give her 400, then have her, and then give her P400? Or P2000? Or something between? I think there might be multiple right or wrong answers there.

[Trevor2522]

In Thailand, the rules are fairly well-defined in the pay-for-play market but, in The Philippines, one is dealing with a 65%-higher population (115 m vs. 70 m, in just 42% of the Thais' land): quite-poor women just seeking a meal-ticket / ATM in life. The ageless saying: "Men want a woman's first love; women want a man's last love" & Professor Dawkins' 'The Selfish Gene', highlight the disparity between male and female behavioural directives.

Although there is a spectrum of hooker-to-harlot-to-hopefuls, they are all fundamentally seeking the economic security of permanent relationships. Time works relentlessly against them: Asian men consider women over 25, who are still single, to be potentially-poor marriage material. After age 30, there is a distinct loss-of-attractiveness, especially in mothers.

So, what do we have to offer for the puki? Certainly not marriage in a no-divorce country, with imprisonment for adultery! Meals, gifts, money, some attention (mostly sexual); possibly a mixed-race child to a single mother. Hardly the objectives of their dreams and long-term support imperatives. For guys with a conscience, it is a bit of a conundrum. I personally don't expel any wrigglies to worsen the country's overpopulation problem and, contrary to most nationalities, Filipinas are mostly okay with that, if a supportive relationship is present.

It is very easy to play the field, especially with provincial gals, whom amorous males could visit in endless rinse-and-repeat cycles across the republic, or merely in the capital. Actor Michael Caine (91), rhetorically asked in Alfie (1966, aged 32): 'What's it all about?" How do you reconcile male sexual imperative with females' desire for permanence? And what is fair compensation for their short, or long, time company?

[Goferring]

Any girl I hook up with, I grab their details and place on my list because you never know when you might require their services in the future.

(This is generally always via WhatsApp in my case).

A handy fall back plan to have.

_Phil.

This is where a little patience is of great assistance. A platonic coffee or Jollie burger on day 1 for a shy girl often results in her coming over to say thanks on day 2. This is a lot better than scaring her off by insisting to meet straight in your hotel room.

Of course, we also have the other extreme: girls who do not want to risk being seen with a foreigner in the wild so will suggest coming straight to the hotel.

It's not difficult to play both ends of the game.

G.

[Mr Enternational]

Those unlimited-call SIM packages do not include landlines or international, only cellular; businesses normally use mobile numbers to accommodate.

Who is talking on the phone like that these days? It is 2025. You can send messages all day long on whatsapp. You can message pharmacies, doctors offices, and damn near anybody. If need be, you can even call people on whatsapp. These days you only really need the data. Most people I know will not even answer the phone unless you first message to ask if they are available to take a call. For me it is much easier to message and be able to respond at my leisure. I am never sitting by idle as to where I can take calls. It actually frustrates me when people call. Even my parents know to send a message on whatsapp.

even locating a store in a warren-like mall without signage, information desk or staff to ask. Try chain-restaurant Zark's excellent beef burger patties (P95): e.g. 3F of Glorietta 4 mall, Makati. Which meet-up sites and locations in Manila do you find best for your '$20+ online or street options'?

You are supposed to ask the security people where the stores are. But I know what you mean. I was in Robinsons and they had only one of those screens to look the stores up. I was in H&M and the lady told me to check Uniqlo. I asked where is Uniqlo. She pointed out into the mall abyss and said that way. Took me about 15 minutes to find that shit. Would make sense if malls were still actual malls, but these days they have so many twists and turns that you end up walking in circles not being able to find what you are looking for.

Why do chicks always want to meet in malls? I tell them it is better to meet at a place outside. A mall full of people is too big to be trying to track down one person. Somewhere you can pull up to and walk in and immediately see the person makes more sense. I understand that in many third world countries being in a mall is their pastime. At home I shop online and have no need to go near a mall. They are phasing out in first world countries.

[PhilJoy]

WRT locations, I don't go searching for streetwalkers but will meet girls at a 7/11, JollieBee or similar if she doesn't come straight to my room. I will admit that $20 in Manila propper isn't going to be a stunner. Away from the foreigner ghettos it's very doable.

Enjoy. G.

Thanks G,

A man with my own strategy.

G makes a good point about having a contact list.

I arrive again tomorrow and I've already basically got everything lined up in advance and it avoids the hunt.

Sure, a few have dropped out, but there's always been a replacement to take their place.

Any girl I hook up with, I grab their details and place on my list because you never know when you might require their services in the future.

(This is generally always via WhatsApp in my case).

A handy fall back plan to have.

_Phil.

[Goferring]

Fair comment. It can be the Madagascar of SEA in terms of third-world frustration, despite the English-language veneer of modernity. Those unlimited-call SIM packages do not include landlines or international, only cellular; businesses normally use mobile numbers to accommodate. Moderate data load is important for Grab taxis, apps, or even locating a store in a warren-like mall without signage, information desk or staff to ask. Try chain-restaurant Zark's excellent beef burger patties (P95): e.g. 3F of Glorietta 4 mall, Makati.

Which meet-up sites and locations in Manila do you find best for your '$20+ online or street options'?

I'm struggling to remember making a regular phone call on my last visit. All of my voice or video calls were data or app based eg WhatsApp or in app on Grab etc. I doubt I sent more than a handful of sms's.

I've got a pretty extensive contact list that I fall back on but online I'm pretty much exclusive to PinaLove though I am starting to test Facebook too. WRT locations, I don't go searching for streetwalkers but will meet girls at a 7/11, JollieBee or similar if she doesn't come straight to my room. I will admit that $20 in Manila propper isn't going to be a stunner. Away from the foreigner ghettos it's very doable.

Enjoy. G.

[Trevor2522]

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.

Fair comment. It can be the Madagascar of SEA in terms of third-world frustration, despite the English-language veneer of modernity. Those unlimited-call SIM packages do not include landlines or international, only cellular; businesses normally use mobile numbers to accommodate. Moderate data load is important for Grab taxis, apps, or even locating a store in a warren-like mall without signage, information desk or staff to ask. Try chain-restaurant Zark's excellent beef burger patties (P95): e.g. 3F of Glorietta 4 mall, Makati.

Which meet-up sites and locations in Manila do you find best for your '$20+ online or street options'?

[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!