Manila

[QUOTE=DanTheMan]I know this may seem out of context here, but I am contemplating a holiday later this year, and have a list complied of places I want to go. Now my question is, other than rooting hot filipino women, (not that there is anything wrong with this).......is there actually much else to actually do/ see here in the Manila, or the Phils in general?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

Hi DTM:

Yes, if you want to overbridge the time between screwing one local girl after the other you can do lots of things in Manila and other parts of the country. The Philippines have much more to offer than only sexy woman! Highly recommendable is the 'Lonely Planet Philippines'. In this travel guide you will find plenty of hints in terms of sightseeing, shopping, cultural events etc.!

Have a great time there!

Hesekiels

Spent 10 days there in January - not a dull moment, as there's plenty to do when you're not at LA cafe or the other bars. Intramuros is a must see and will take all day, the markets especially the huge one at Baclaran are great. I guess it depends if you're after dvds, watches, cheap clothing etc, but the time just flies by and the people at the markets will talk all day to you if you're in that kind of mind.
The malls of course are great places to pick up and they are good places to get cheap eats. I never had a dull moment and never felt threatened - I guess cos it was my first visit that it was all new to me but I will certainly be going back as every day brought something new - just be ready for that certain smile or look as you're walking around the shops and before you know it you are having coffee or something to eat with a nice little office worker who is looking for some extra pocket money. Just be careful of the ladyboys - I was amazed at how hard they were to pick, the old saying about look out for their adam's apple does not always apply!! Be very wary!

If the malls don't work, then you've still got the evening to head to the bars. Sure, on the streets you get hassled by all sorts of peddlers but I just took up a friendly attitude to them all thanked them but said no thanks and just kept moving forward - they will soon lose interest. Experience travelling around on the jeepneys, the taxis are cheap - just barter the fare up front - never a problem!

The golf courses are good and its easy to organise a game - if you're staying at a good hotel they will organise everything for you. Since we don't get a chance to shoot handguns in Australia, I went to a shooting range in Manila - expensive but great fun! The casino is only small compared to Melbourne's Crown but its still a good place to spend time and meet the locals.

I think I went with a good attitude and treated everyone I met with respect - after all you are a visitor. Just be careful and wary, there are so many good looking and willing ladies you can't miss out but just walk around and enjoy the city while you are there!

Please forgive the following seemingly newbie question, but am running out of time and need some quick help. Hopefully my report will make your patience worth while.

I've been searching the forum, without success, for about a week for some information on a good hotel close to the Friday late night/Saturday early action in Manila. I will be arriving late Friday night and will be free until about 5pm Saturday to have some fun before meeting a new Filipina who is planning to win my heart with a few days of passion. However, I would like to have something extra before I meet with her.

I've taken several trips to PI, but always with my Filipina girlfriend, however now that she is out of the picture, I'm making my first mongering trip in a long time. I have stayed at Pan Pacific, but found it to be a little too expensive, but it does have many of the things I like (safe and comforts) and I've tried the Mabuhay Manor, which is a better price and the room is OK, but no in-room safe. I really need a safe because I've heard too many horror stories about guys waking up to find their girl gone as well as cash and valuables.

I am looking for the following:
1. Girl friendly for at least 2 girls
2. In-room safe
3. Good bed (king or queen)
4. Good, strong shower with hot water.
5. Close to a place with good Friday night action and possibly something for Saturday morning (by the way, if you know of something fun for Saturday morning, let me know)

Also, if you have anything you want to add for suggestions, please PM me. I've had several trips to PI, but this is the 1st without my Filipina tagging along.

Thank you for the assistance. If I get enough information via PM, I will complie a list for our future reference.

One more thing, if you know anything about "apartment girls," please let me know. One member made a reference to these girls in a post a while back, but I have not been able to get any additional information about this option.


Nefarious

The club is on the corner of Gil Puyat and Taft Ave. Can't miss it if you're traveling down Gil Puyat from Makati. Any taxi driver knows the place anyway. And it's not in Pasig, its in Pasay.

[QUOTE=Nefarious]Please forgive the following seemingly newbie question, but am running out of time and need some quick help. Hopefully my report will make your patience worth while.

I've been searching the forum, without success, for about a week for some information on a good hotel close to the Friday late night/Saturday early action in Manila. I will be arriving late Friday night and will be free until about 5pm Saturday to have some fun before meeting a new Filipina who is planning to win my heart with a few days of passion. However, I would like to have something extra before I meet with her.

I've taken several trips to PI, but always with my Filipina girlfriend, however now that she is out of the picture, I'm making my first mongering trip in a long time. I have stayed at Pan Pacific, but found it to be a little too expensive, but it does have many of the things I like (safe and comforts) and I've tried the Mabuhay Manor, which is a better price and the room is OK, but no in-room safe. I really need a safe because I've heard too many horror stories about guys waking up to find their girl gone as well as cash and valuables.

I am looking for the following:
1. Girl friendly for at least 2 girls
2. In-room safe
3. Good bed (king or queen)
4. Good, strong shower with hot water.
5. Close to a place with good Friday night action and possibly something for Saturday morning (by the way, if you know of something fun for Saturday morning, let me know)

Also, if you have anything you want to add for suggestions, please PM me. I've had several trips to PI, but this is the 1st without my Filipina tagging along.

Thank you for the assistance. If I get enough information via PM, I will complie a list for our future reference.

One more thing, if you know anything about "apartment girls," please let me know. One member made a reference to these girls in a post a while back, but I have not been able to get any additional information about this option.


Nefarious[/QUOTE]Here are some potential places,City Garden and Oxford suites to be in the center of the Burgos action,Heritage across the street from the Edsa complex and Quezon City Imperial suites if you like the Timog and other QC Clubs.Have you surfed asia Travel,They have a good collection of Hotels.Regarding Apartment Girls,The proper term is Casa

[QUOTE=Vague]
During my travels to Manila i have that the HSBC auto teller in Robinson Mall near L.A. Cafe will pay out up to 40,000p (subject to yr card limit, daily draws set by yr own bank) [/QUOTE]

I can confirm that.
Ditto the HSBC close to SM South Mall in Las Pinas, down and across the street.

[QUOTE=Vague]
Never a problem with this machine any 99.9% of times has plently of money.[/QUOTE]

Except when it's "offline" or otherwise broken for hours for the day or weekend.

If you need higher amounts (yes, subject to limits on your card), you can attend with your passport and supplementary pic ID at the Equitable Bank corner of Pedro Gil & Mabini (one block from Robinson Mall, Ermita). I've drawn P50,000 there and could likely have gotten more in one shot. There's another foreigner-friendly Equitable on UN Ave close to the Holiday Inn. Expect to spend between 20 minutes to 1.5 hours for a bank transaction. Avoid Mondays, Fridays, day-after-holiday, and first and middle of month days.

[QUOTE=ComingToCebu] ...
We received your e-mail regarding your wish to open a checking account with
us. Thank you for your interest in opening your account with us. However,
we regret to inform you that your request cannot be accommodated at the
moment because you need to go to a branch to sign the necessary papers and to make an initial deposit. As such, may we suggest that you just open your account upon your visit to the Philippines.
Gary[/QUOTE]

In my limited experience, BPI is one of the easiest banks for a foreigner to open an account (see my and others postings on this topic in other areas). One must however realize that Phils is a country even more so than the "west" mired in paper-work requirements. You have to show up, and don't forget your passport, your ACR, your supplementary pic ID, photocopies of those, your 1x1 color photo, your proof of residency (Meralco or PLDT billling showing your local Phils address) ... I think that's it unless they change the rules. Then sit there and complete a bunch of forms and cards in duplicate by hand. If you're prepared you'll have your account and ATM card within the hour (or two).

Yes, I'm serious, I just helped a Pinoy brother-in-law open a new BPI account and had to run out to copy his ID and proof of address before he could even start.

You're NOT going to open an account with a Philippine bank without showing up in person with all that here, unless thing radically change overnight, which isn't very likely - unless of course you have a Big Bunch of Money to have someone wave at the "right person" to expedite things for you. Spend enough money and everything can be done. That's still much harder if you're not already here, otherwise just meet the "requirements".

My trivial advice would be, just come, bring some US$ and a bunch of valid credit cards, and deal with your banking needs on the spot. Much easier.

[QUOTE=photocopies of those, your 1x1 color photo, your proof of residency (Meralco or PLDT billling showing your local Phils address) ... I think that's it unless they change the rules. Then sit there and complete a bunch of forms and cards in duplicate by hand. If you're prepared you'll have your account and ATM card within the hour (or two).

Yes, I'm serious, I just helped a Pinoy brother-in-law open a new BPI account and had to run out to copy his ID and proof of address before he could even start.

QUOTE]

I live in NZ but was able to open at the Ayala branch in Cebu, I just had to provide a local mailing address. But BPI is great once you are able to log on thry the net to ccheck your bank accounts activity.
I transfer overnight from NZ and its there the next morning apart from losing a little in the transaction and currency fluvuations. i pay with NZD to buy USD and then ends up in my BPI account in PHP.

I have been trying to open an account from the US with the Bank of the Philippine Islands. I filled out the application and they answered me saying I would be contacted by an afffiliated bank here in the US. No one contacted me and I don't think they will. No matter, I plan on getting a SRRVisa and will need to open a term deposit account in the Philippines next time I am there. I have been communicating with PSBank on this and will just go ahead an open a checking account at the same time as I open the term deposit.

[QUOTE=Fred C Dobbs]I have been trying to open an account from the US with the Bank of the Philippine Islands. I filled out the application and they answered me saying I would be contacted by an afffiliated bank here in the US. No one contacted me and I don't think they will. ... [/QUOTE]

You expect someone to personally followup with you, especially overseas, unless you personally paid them to make it worth their while and they surely expect to see you again for more? Othwise don't count on it. "Customer Service" here is "who you know" and "who you pay" or more importantly both.

[QUOTE=Cebu Local]Regarding Apartment Girls,The proper term is Casa[/QUOTE]

Ok, now I'm curious, what do you and the other poster mean by Casa (aka "apartment") girls?

[QUOTE=CanContrib]Ok, now I'm curious, what do you and the other poster mean by Casa (aka "apartment") girls?[/QUOTE]
girls you get at a house aka Casa,The places you go to in Cavite are casas or euphemisms for brothels where you take out,unlike MP s or KTV which you can "dine in"Hope this clarifies things.

[QUOTE=Cebu Local]girls you get at a house aka Casa,The places you go to in Cavite are casas or euphemisms for brothels where you take out,unlike MP s or KTV which you can "dine in"Hope this clarifies things.[/QUOTE]

Talaga! Sige, marunong ko na! Here I thought I was going to learn about something new! So I've been wise to this all along? Sige. Insert smiley.

I do remember a few years ago with I was a lot greener in Phils, a pimp I was friendly to took me to a "casa" on Del Pilar about a block or so north of LA Cafe, same side though you'd never know it's there if not taken there. I was totally lost back then. I had told him I only had about P500 total and he said walang problema. Through the front door, ok'd past the dude there, upstairs, introduced to the "manager" who trotted out more than a dozen quite young girls in school uniforms for me to choose from. In retrospect I now know they would be college (that's younger here!) girls "working" in the evening to pay their tuition etc. We had a beer and I too-cautiously bailed out and went home to wait for my gf (now wife) to come home to me. I should have stayed and parted with the rest of my 500, but I was too green and too careful. Then again, I was going home to someone much more enticing and worth being home to great. Obviously it's an evening place, since the girls would all be in college daytime. Someday I should try to go back there, if it's still there. If not, well, cross the street and let the school girls at the "new" Amazonia hit on you.

Okay, just got back from 2 weeks in Manila. I will do my best to keep this short and sweet. This was my first time out of the U.S., but I'm only 23 so I don't think i've procrastinated TOO long with my traveling. One word of advice to anyone who, like me, is an inexperienced traveler, if at all possible go with a friend. I went with an office mate who I've known for a few years and that made things 10 times easier. I had no idea what I was getting into, really. His family treated me like one of their own, if not better. I have to say that most filipinos seem to be extremely generous and caring people, unless you're in a bar where everyone seems to have their hands out as soon as they spot the white man.

I hope you don't mind my random observations. Again this was only a 2 week trip so its not like I'm an expert, these are just the impressions I was given.

Like I said I went with a friend who is still there visiting family. It amazes me how close filipinos are to their family, mostly I think because I come from a broken home and family doesn't really mean much of anything to me. As a result, though, I didn't really get to do much mongering. First event was at a club in Malate called 'Absynthe'. I don't know what you call this kind of club, there are girls that dance on stage, and if you want to buy them a 300 peso drink they will sit with you and you can talk to them. I chose a girl who was maybe a 7 or an 8, definatly the prettiest girl there and the only one I saw that didn't look like she was under 18. She later confirmed for me that most of the girls dancing there were around 16 or 17. Sat with her for a while, played it cool, I wasn't sure if she was pro or not, or how things work at a bar like this, but she started holding my hand, leaning against me, all of that sort of thing. My friends got the impression that she liked me, but I wasnt sure if she was a pro or not, like I said, so I figured it was all part of the sell. Got her number before we left, she was a very intelligent girl and we got along. Ended up having a rendezvous later. Only spent that 300 pesos on her total. Was going to take her with me to boracay but she said she had to work, which my associates informed me meant she wanted me to pay her to go with on top of giving her a free vacation. Didn't speak to her after that.

Other than that, I also checked out Amazonia and LA Cafe of course. LA Cafe is worth seeing just for the phenomenon that it is. You won't be in there longer than 5 minutes before girls start clinging to you. I've never been so blatantly groped in a private place by a near stranger before. It was fun. I have to say that I liked amazonia more though. I don't know if all the girls there are pro or not, but there was way less hustle, and I thought the body painting was cool. I also enjoyed the music more. Its a great place to take a girl you meet at LA cafe, in my opinion. Prices at LA cafe seemed to be around 2000 pesos for all night, though I found out later you can barter down to 1500 without much trouble. Got one down to 1k but either the choice of girl or the low price caused a dramatic reduction in GFE value so I had her leave fairly early.

A word about the GFE in the philippines....the girls from LA Cafe with the exception of that one were 10x better than any girlfriend I've ever had. Also, I found it extremely easy to hook up with girls in clubs. A lot of them seemed to be after one night encounters, which surprised me because I had heard so much about how conservative filipinas are. I guess there's also another side to everything.

That was roughly the extent of my mongering. One of the guys we were spending time with knew the owners of quite a few strip clubs, but I didn't really get into that. I think it came to around 3300 pesos when all was said and done if you wanted to vip one of the girls. They were generally very pretty, but the little time I spent talking to them...they weren't much different from any strippers I've talked to here in america. I've never really enjoyed strippers, so maybe I was a little jaded, but it just wasn't my thing. I think next trip, though, I will give it another shot. I didn't try any MP's either unfortunatly. LA Cafe was just too much fun and too much cheaper. What can I say, I am a frugal guy.

One word about boracay, my biggest mistake was not taking someone there. I figured I could meet someone there, and I did meet quite a few very pretty girls, but it was very different from manila. They were all from provinces I had never heard of, and getting to know them seemed a very formal thing. I felt like I was on trial with their family/friends, and God forbid you try to initiate any physical contact on the first meeting. I didn't have time for all that nonsense. Others may have more luck there, it could be that I was just unlucky. I also wasn't there on a weekend which could also be a contributing factor. Did get hit on by a lot of gay guys though. I thought living in los angeles would make me immune to that but LA's got nothing on what I experienced there. Not that I have a problem with anyone thats gay, I just didn't expect it there.

I can add a lot of commentary on what I thought of the philippines in general if its desired, but I feel like it would be off topic for this forum. If anyone is interested though, let me know, especially if there are any westerners who live there now. I would be interested in their take on the place in general.

I stayed at a hotel called the 'Fersal'. Its in sta. cruz and I never found one taxi driver that had heard of it. Its actually a pretty nice place, has hot water, cable, security, all that stuff. Rooms are clean but a little on the small side. 1,300 per night for the regular rooms with a 10% discount for booking a full week, more of a discount if you book a month. I debating hooking up with the girls at the desk but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea. Could have gotten more of a discount maybe, but then I may not have been so welcome to bring girls up to my room.

Anyway, my first report, hope you enjoy it.

[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread.[/blue]

[color=purple]Great report Xtorted Decay, all who haven't check out the Philippines yet should read this. A report from eyes of a young man that's been to the Philippines for the first time, I'm sure it's not the last. Excellent observation young man. You have demostrated that you are an asset to this board and I'm sure you will be adding many report in future of your trips to the PI. At age 23, you have a lifetime of trips waiting. Those who are thinking about a trip to the PI this report should make up your mind.

Sound like you were smart and RTFF and did your intel before you went in, good planning always pays off. I'm sure your next trip will always be better than the last.

Thanks for the great report.


RaZZoR[/color]






[QUOTE=Xtorted Decay]Okay, just got back from 2 weeks in Manila. I will do my best to keep this short and sweet. This was my first time out of the U.S., but I'm only 23 so I don't think i've procrastinated TOO long with my traveling. One word of advice to anyone who, like me, is an inexperienced traveler, if at all possible go with a friend. I went with an office mate who I've known for a few years and that made things 10 times easier. I had no idea what I was getting into, really. His family treated me like one of their own, if not better. I have to say that most filipinos seem to be extremely generous and caring people, unless you're in a bar where everyone seems to have their hands out as soon as they spot the white man.

I hope you don't mind my random observations. Again this was only a 2 week trip so its not like I'm an expert, these are just the impressions I was given.

Like I said I went with a friend who is still there visiting family. It amazes me how close filipinos are to their family, mostly I think because I come from a broken home and family doesn't really mean much of anything to me. As a result, though, I didn't really get to do much mongering. First event was at a club in Malate called 'Absynthe'. I don't know what you call this kind of club, there are girls that dance on stage, and if you want to buy them a 300 peso drink they will sit with you and you can talk to them. I chose a girl who was maybe a 7 or an 8, definatly the prettiest girl there and the only one I saw that didn't look like she was under 18. She later confirmed for me that most of the girls dancing there were around 16 or 17. Sat with her for a while, played it cool, I wasn't sure if she was pro or not, or how things work at a bar like this, but she started holding my hand, leaning against me, all of that sort of thing. My friends got the impression that she liked me, but I wasnt sure if she was a pro or not, like I said, so I figured it was all part of the sell. Got her number before we left, she was a very intelligent girl and we got along. Ended up having a rendezvous later. Only spent that 300 pesos on her total. Was going to take her with me to boracay but she said she had to work, which my associates informed me meant she wanted me to pay her to go with on top of giving her a free vacation. Didn't speak to her after that.

Other than that, I also checked out Amazonia and LA Cafe of course. LA Cafe is worth seeing just for the phenomenon that it is. You won't be in there longer than 5 minutes before girls start clinging to you. I've never been so blatantly groped in a private place by a near stranger before. It was fun. I have to say that I liked amazonia more though. I don't know if all the girls there are pro or not, but there was way less hustle, and I thought the body painting was cool. I also enjoyed the music more. Its a great place to take a girl you meet at LA cafe, in my opinion. Prices at LA cafe seemed to be around 2000 pesos for all night, though I found out later you can barter down to 1500 without much trouble. Got one down to 1k but either the choice of girl or the low price caused a dramatic reduction in GFE value so I had her leave fairly early.

A word about the GFE in the philippines....the girls from LA Cafe with the exception of that one were 10x better than any girlfriend I've ever had. Also, I found it extremely easy to hook up with girls in clubs. A lot of them seemed to be after one night encounters, which surprised me because I had heard so much about how conservative filipinas are. I guess there's also another side to everything.

That was roughly the extent of my mongering. One of the guys we were spending time with knew the owners of quite a few strip clubs, but I didn't really get into that. I think it came to around 3300 pesos when all was said and done if you wanted to vip one of the girls. They were generally very pretty, but the little time I spent talking to them...they weren't much different from any strippers I've talked to here in america. I've never really enjoyed strippers, so maybe I was a little jaded, but it just wasn't my thing. I think next trip, though, I will give it another shot. I didn't try any MP's either unfortunatly. LA Cafe was just too much fun and too much cheaper. What can I say, I am a frugal guy.

One word about boracay, my biggest mistake was not taking someone there. I figured I could meet someone there, and I did meet quite a few very pretty girls, but it was very different from manila. They were all from provinces I had never heard of, and getting to know them seemed a very formal thing. I felt like I was on trial with their family/friends, and God forbid you try to initiate any physical contact on the first meeting. I didn't have time for all that nonsense. Others may have more luck there, it could be that I was just unlucky. I also wasn't there on a weekend which could also be a contributing factor. Did get hit on by a lot of gay guys though. I thought living in los angeles would make me immune to that but LA's got nothing on what I experienced there. Not that I have a problem with anyone thats gay, I just didn't expect it there.

I can add a lot of commentary on what I thought of the philippines in general if its desired, but I feel like it would be off topic for this forum. If anyone is interested though, let me know, especially if there are any westerners who live there now. I would be interested in their take on the place in general.

I stayed at a hotel called the 'Fersal'. Its in sta. cruz and I never found one taxi driver that had heard of it. Its actually a pretty nice place, has hot water, cable, security, all that stuff. Rooms are clean but a little on the small side. 1,300 per night for the regular rooms with a 10% discount for booking a full week, more of a discount if you book a month. I debating hooking up with the girls at the desk but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea. Could have gotten more of a discount maybe, but then I may not have been so welcome to bring girls up to my room.

Anyway, my first report, hope you enjoy it.

[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread.[/blue][/QUOTE]