Manila

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2652097]Evidently, the link I posted, though published by the government, is not entirely clear, and is meant to apply only to those coming for medical visits and urgent / humanitarian missions, though that's not stated in the announcement. Regular "leisure" tourism is still not permitted and there's been no decision yet made on when the country will open again for tourists. I misinterpreted the announcement, and probably should not have posted it until I had sought clarification from those involved in the ongoing discussions. Evidently no one has a firm idea on even an approximate date for opening to tourists..[/QUOTE]GE.

I'm not sure how to interpret all of this. "Evidently" is similar to "assuming" or "presuming". I learned a looooong time ago not to assume or presume anything. LOL Yes, "regular leisure tourism is still not permitted". But the announcement states that opening up would be in the middle of February. As demonstrated time and time again, that is plenty of time to reverse course on multiple occasions. FWIW, I tried calling the PI consulate offices in Los Angeles and San Franfreako to get an "official" clarification and was stonewalled with recorded menu messages. There is nothing in the referenced announcement that limits visits (beginning in February) to "medical visits and urgent / humanitarian missions". Since making your original posting, what made you backtrack a bit?

Thanks.

SS.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2652180]Wondering why...[/QUOTE]Either way, certainly "titillating". (adjective. Arousing mild sexual excitement or interest; salacious.).

SS.

I spoke with someone who helped to create the message who clarified it for me. The words you put in quotes reflect the gist of what I was told. I was also told that a decision on when to start admitting tourists is still being discussed and that no decisions have been reached.

GE.

[QUOTE=SamSanuk;2652299]GE.

I'm not sure how to interpret all of this. "Evidently" is similar to "assuming" or "presuming". I learned a looooong time ago not to assume or presume anything. LOL Yes, "regular leisure tourism is still not permitted". But the announcement states that opening up would be in the middle of February. As demonstrated time and time again, that is plenty of time to reverse course on multiple occasions. FWIW, I tried calling the PI consulate offices in Los Angeles and San Franfreako to get an "official" clarification and was stonewalled with recorded menu messages. There is nothing in the referenced announcement that limits visits (beginning in February) to "medical visits and urgent / humanitarian missions". Since making your original posting, what made you backtrack a bit?

Thanks.

SS.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=SamSanuk;2652345]Either way, certainly "titillating". (adjective. Arousing mild sexual excitement or interest; salacious.).

Was She Cold or Just Excited?[/QUOTE]I can 'assume' that she was not too cold (she is / was vivacious, humorous, happy, and narcissistic). That leaves. . . Well use your imagination.

Here is another one of my gals, also 'titillating' (and not too cold).

[QUOTE=SamSanuk;2652299]GE.

I'm not sure how to interpret all of this. "Evidently" is similar to "assuming" or "presuming". I learned a looooong time ago not to assume or presume anything. SNIP Since making your original posting, what made you backtrack a bit? SS.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2652557]I spoke with someone who helped to create the message who clarified it for me. The words you put in quotes reflect the gist of what I was told. I was also told that a decision on when to start admitting tourists is still being discussed and that no decisions have been reached.GE.[/QUOTE]Talking to pinoy government officials, whether LGU or above, whether in Phils or in other places, is HIT-and-MISS. I capitalized that on purpose. It can be sketchy information, wrong information (a good bet), or information that they themselves might change on the fly. Getting solid intel from them can be impossible, even for the simplest of requests. For example you go to your Brgy hall and ask how to deal with a situation. The lady there tells you to go to the Dept. Of Trade to deal with your problem. She walks away and you speak to a Brgy guy, and he tells you to talk to the Dept. Of Health. You taxi to the DT and explain your problem, only to be told that they don't deal with your kind of issue, and they direct you to the DOH. You taxi to the DOH and explain your situation, only to be told that they don't handle that kind of problem: "You try the DT maybe". Maybe?

Recently I transmitted to another expat who has lived in Phils much longer than me, a story about how my local Brgy office had effed up a situation for me, repeatedly (specifics not mentioned here). It was one of the worst cases of multiple incompetent LGU and Mayoral personnel, and poorly run systems, that I have ever seen. It threw hundreds (dare I say a thousand) persons into disarray. Multiple Brgy personnel gave conflicting advice on what to do, and the Mayor's office forgot (failed) to publicize the bad situation, and failed to deal with it after it happened. When I wrote and described it to our expat friend, his simple (and completely correct) reply was such as this: "Another disaster, a tragedy. But not surprising, as you are talking about people who could not organize a bake sale". You know the old line: "Its not a bug, its a feature", meaning that this kind of thing is a way of life in Phils.

When GE is describing the situation with the announcement, its very understandable. One government department decided to publicize some upcoming thing (good), but they did it in English (should be good, but not necessarily, translation difficulties). They didn't explain it very well (bad). Leaving everyone confused. Its not a bug, its a feature. Phall in line, phella.

[QUOTE=SamSanuk;2652299]FWIW, I tried calling the PI consulate offices in Los Angeles and San Franfreako to get an "official" clarification and was stonewalled with recorded menu messages.[/QUOTE]As all government offices are on reduced hours, reduced workforce, reduced clientelle (50% or 30% at any given time, covid-case related), and mandatory online appointment scheduling, its a fair bet that they are doing that at all consulates or Phils government offices the world over. So much for walking into the Phils Consulate on La Brea in LOS Angeles to apply for a visa. And so much for phoning them, you might need to make an online appointment.

Sammon, don't lose your faith in Santa. Keep checking your stockings.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2652218]Dear Santa,

You forgot.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfpnDPDvMec[/URL][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2652627]Talking to pinoy government officials[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2652627]Talking to pinoy government officials, whether LGU or above, whether in Phils or in other places, is HIT-and-MISS. I capitalized that on purpose. It can be sketchy information, wrong information (a good bet), or information that they themselves might change on the fly. Getting solid intel from them can be impossible, even for the simplest of requests. [/QUOTE]My experience has been that often Filipinos have a difficult time delivering bad news. In those situations they hem and haw and become evasive rather than saying, "Look pal, your shit out of luck."

[QUOTE=TheRose;2653355]My experience has been that often Filipinos have a difficult time delivering bad news. In those situations they hem and haw and become evasive rather than saying, "Look pal, your shit out of luck."[/QUOTE]Yes. They will say "maybe" when the answer is no, because they don't want to deliver bad news. I assume it also explains some lying. They sometimes lie to avoid delivering bad news and / or to avoid they or the other person losing face.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2653211]Sammon, don't lose your faith in Santa. Keep checking your stockings.[/QUOTE]Sammon never loses faith. I suggest he take matters into his own hands when he return. "Grab the bull by the horns", so to speak. If you catch my drift.

Hey, who's taking that picture. . . ?

No outside food? Single person occupancy?

This notice sounds like the disclaimer you get when you book a Pay-to-stay cell in LA county jail the pay-to-stay room at the LA county jail actually sounds more inviting than they make these rooms sound.

[URL]https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-pay-to-stay-jails/[/URL]

Needless to say I canceled that one immediately until they update these policies. Smh.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2657351]No outside food? Single person occupancy?

This notice sounds like the disclaimer you get when you book a Pay-to-stay cell in LA county jail the pay-to-stay room at the LA county jail actually sounds more inviting than they make these rooms sound.

[URL]https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-pay-to-stay-jails/[/URL]

Needless to say I canceled that one immediately until they update these policies. Smh.[/QUOTE]I am guessing that is from one of the NCR's many quarantine-only hotels. I believe I reported previously that all 10 of the NCR's Red Planet hotels (and many other chains) have gone to Q-only. They are not for travelers, they are for persons needing to isolate. That might include returning OFW, or anyone who tests positive.

I dislike saying it, but I think inbound tourists next month are in for interesting times regarding accomodations. PLEASE contact your hotel or apartment manager, or condo host in advance to ask about policies that might be of importance to you (but maybe not covered in the Agoda description). Items such as:

1) Number of guests allowed.

2) Medical requirements for you and your guests.

3) Can the guest come / go (which is what we typically want: F / F / F), or does the residence (owner / host) want the guest to live there (what we don't want)? This information is known the host, residents and Admin, but often not spelled out in the hotel or airbb description. See * below.

4) Is this facility an ROF- or Q-faciltiy (see MM's pic)?

5) Does this area have a curfew (or when was the last time there was a curfew, and what time does / did it start)?

6) Same for alcohol ban.

7) What is the current Alert level? Has this residence been locked down before?

* Side note. Made an Agoda hotel reservation in the NCR, 15 months after the pandemic started. The hotel was nicer than the usual ST places that I had been using so I decided an over-nighter with my lady would be a good change-of-pace. The room has 2 large beds and can be reserved for 1, 2, 3, or 4 persons, with a tiny price increase for the 3- or 4-person option, so I clicked 4 persons. I was considering a 3-some as a possibility. I had one regular gal inbound for the night and was considering contacting a second gal (who had 3-somed with the first gal before). Once at the hotel, checking in at the counter with girl #1, I mentioned to the clerk that 'Jenny' might be joining us later. "No sir. Maximum 2 persons per room. Hotel policy during Covid". Hey, Agoda says 4 persons. "No sir. Last week we were ECQ and it was 1 person per room. Now its not ECQ, maximum 2 persons. Only". The manager came out of the back room and confirmed that info.

Hey, guy, why does Agoda say 4 person? I paid for up to 4 persons. "That agoda is from before the pandemic. Not now". You haven't updated it in 15 months? "No sir". Then I want a partial refund for the 2-to-4 person upgrade. "Yes its fine. But you will not bring additional person here. This is pandemic!" Everything worked out fine with one girl.

** Separately, google map your residence location, and find the surrounding Sogo and Victoria Court hotels. Once your boots are on the ground, ask your door guard if there are other ST hotels in the area.

*** Contacted recently privately by chaps who have apparently not been RTTF. They think that now that they will be allowed in as tourists, that 'the pandemic crap is done'. DO SEND US SOME DESCRIPTIVE FIELD REPORTS once you are BOTG.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2657388]7) What is the current Alert level? Has this residence been locked down before?[/QUOTE]I forgot to add:

8) Amenities. Throughout the NCR (and many provinces), amenities such as gym, pool, and basketball courts have been closed for the pandemic. On occasion I saw this or that residence open their gym or pool (with restrictions, ie not more than 4 persons in the gym or pool at once, and only the gym or the pool was open -- not both). That would usually last for just a few weeks. Birch Tower in Malate opened their pool briefly in August. My residence opened their gym for a while. Ask your airbnb host or call the hotel in advance.

I booked 4 nights at the Peninsula. Who knows how it will work out with the usual parade of sex partners coming and going. I'd rather find out myself than wait at home for the all clear which might be months away.

Things are changing so fast that who knows. I sense a feeling of fatigue with the pandemic an also it appears to be waning.

If I got to do it in the bushes in Triangle park then so be it LOL.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2657388]
1) Number of guests allowed.

2) Medical requirements for you and your guests.

3) Can the guest come / go (which is what we typically want: F / F / F), or does the residence (owner / host) want the guest to live there (what we don't want)? This information is known the host, residents and Admin, but often not spelled out in the hotel or airbb description. See * below.

4) Is this facility an ROF- or Q-faciltiy (see MM's pic)?

5) Does this area have a curfew (or when was the last time there was a curfew, and what time does / did it start)?

6) Same for alcohol ban.

7) What is the current Alert level? Has this residence been locked down before?
[/QUOTE]MY HOPE is they become more realistic about tourists expectations and do away with some or all of these nonsensical policies since this is endemic now we need policies that live with this going forward. Just as they did away with the stop light scheme, they will need to retire these alert levels as well as the fucking liquor ban. While I appreciate that this is the situation in the phils now and it is not Feb 10 yet and they keep moving the goal post however with the influx of tourists this can't be the norm going forward. It might have been possible with pliable locals but entitled Gen Z vloggers and your run of the mill monger are not going to obey any of these rules, I know I won't. I won't be there until April so by then my hope is that they undo all of these horrible ineffective restrictions, however this is the Philippines we are taking about so it wouldn't surprised me if they added MORE restrictions not less when the influx of tourists arrive. I heard on a news cast that the tourists are exempt from the passenger limits they had set in place which is also a good sign.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2657541]MY HOPE is they become more realistic about tourists expectations and do away with some or all of these nonsensical policies since this is endemic now we need policies that live with this going forward. Just as they did away with the stop light scheme, they will need to retire these alert levels as well as the fucking liquor ban. While I appreciate that this is the situation in the phils now and it is not Feb 10 yet and they keep moving the goal post however with the influx of tourists this can't be the norm going forward. It might have been possible with pliable locals but entitled Gen Z vloggers and your run of the mill monger are not going to obey any of these rules, I know I won't. I won't be there until April so by then my hope is that they undo all of these horrible ineffective restrictions, however this is the Philippines we are taking about so it wouldn't surprised me if they added MORE restrictions not less when the influx of tourists arrive. I heard on a news cast that the tourists are exempt from the passenger limits they had set in place which is also a good sign.[/QUOTE]Half the bars that reopened when alert level 2 was released in November have closure orders placed on them for breaking rules of alert level 3 in January. Appreciate people being optimistic and getting here now opportunities available to them, hope they aren't in for disappointment. On plus side there's always PinaLove, WeChat and a SOGO.