Manila

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]So there you have it. In Thailand the commercial sex scene is ubiquitous and actually a lot of fun, but its strictly commercial. In the Philippines, it's more amateurish, for the most part, and somehow more genuine (or at least it feels more genuine. GE[/QUOTE]Very well said GE. Only one thing that I would add. My last trip to BKK (Mar 08) I met way to many girls in the bars and after talking to them, found out that they are LB's. So be careful.

Robb

Gamahucher and Robbaf, it is not worth having a long debate because you both have made intelligent contributions.

However may I point out that the new 70 peso flagfall yellow taxi service from Manila's airport international airport terminals 1 and 2 (I have not checked out from the domestic terminal) is a vast improvement on the higher priced, white 'coupon' taxis. I travelled to my Ermita hotel for P160: yes, on the return to the airport a standard metered taxi would do it for P130 on a good day with not too much traffic but let's not quibble over less than A$1!

The yellow taxi drivers even seem professional. As for metered taxis, I have not had a problem in my last three trips to Manila. Unless the meters are set a bit fast - as an outsider, that's harder to know.

Food? Yes, can be dodgy but try Mr Choi Kitchen at Robinsons Place Mall or the Hyatt Ermita's buffet dinner, the latter for about P1400 but you get free unlimited San Mig beer or soft drink. Superb food at both, and that's hardly an exhaustive list. Manila's food scene has vastly improved from 15 years ago, although Mayor Lim's ill-advised decision to shut down the successful Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard as usual was shortsighted and didn't help the development of an al fresco dining culture.

[QUOTE=Jasonkramer]I just read the posts about the cab drivers here in Manila and I have to put in my two cents. I've lived all over the world and the taxi drivers here are the absolutely the worse. I truly mean that. When I first got here, I didn't give a shit. For a short ride, I would give them 300-500 pesos. I was new, so I didn't know where anything was. They covered the meters, took me the long way, told me they didn't have change, charge me another 100pesos for a bag in the trunk. Since I don't drive, I have been taking cabs every day, about 4-5 times a day for the last year. I know where everything is. I have an internal clock that tells me how much the fare would cost around Manila.

These guys are bad. About half of them have fast meters. From Burgos to Greenbelt mall, it should be about 50-60 pesos, with traffic. When it gets around 100, you know they're messing with you. One guy said taxis never run on meter. That's bullshit. If they don't want to set the meter, I walk out. And if the meter is fast, I let them drop me off at the ministop on Burgos ( there is a police stand ) and we go and file a report. Only takes 5 minutes. Most of the time, they shit in their pants and just drop me off and drive off. I tell them, "I'm not a tourist and I've lived here for a year. I know the meters. Most of them say "Sorry, I don't have money", etc., etc. The irony is that they all have Jesus and the cross on their taxi cabs but they try to rip you off.

I had friends driven to remote places and robbed at gunpoint and knives. It's a very common story. Initially, for safety sake, I always accompanied my friends to the cab and took down their license number. ( I made sure they see me ) When they try to play their stupid games, I call LTFRB and file a complaint. When their license gets suspended, it's a 5000 pesos fine and a 6 month suspension. You made think I'm being petty but it's the principle that bothers me. If they just take me to my destination without saying "Too much traffic", "100 over meter", "500" or some other bullshit, I will tip them generously ( about a 100 over the fare ). But when they play their games, I will give them the EXACT change.[/QUOTE]My wife & family use cabs here on a daily basis. Your post is so far from our experience its unbelievable. You say you lived here for a year, man it must have been one miserable, miserable year if you spent your time screaming at cabbies over $1 difference in fares.. We are friendly & chatty with our cabbies & more often than not they leave it to us to nominate the fare at the end. I have many cards of trusted cabbies we have used many times. These guys are just a txt or call away to pick us up & take us happily like chauffeurs to most anywhere we want. Sure we get the odd dodgy one off the street but where in the world don't you.
I hope wherever you are now you are happy Jason.
AV
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The foregoing post is merely my personal opinion.
It is not intended to offend any person either living or dead.
It is for entertainment/discussion purposes only.
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[QUOTE=Jasonkramer]I just read the posts about the cab drivers here in Manila and I have to put in my two cents. I've lived all over the world and the taxi drivers here are the absolutely the worse. I truly mean that. When I first got here, I didn't give a shit. For a short ride, I would give them 300-500 pesos. I was new, so I didn't know where anything was. They covered the meters, took me the long way, told me they didn't have change, charge me another 100pesos for a bag in the trunk. Since I don't drive, I have been taking cabs every day, about 4-5 times a day for the last year. I know where everything is. I have an internal clock that tells me how much the fare would cost around Manila.

These guys are bad. About half of them have fast meters. From Burgos to Greenbelt mall, it should be about 50-60 pesos, with traffic. When it gets around 100, you know they're messing with you. One guy said taxis never run on meter. That's bullshit. If they don't want to set the meter, I walk out. And if the meter is fast, I let them drop me off at the ministop on Burgos ( there is a police stand ) and we go and file a report. Only takes 5 minutes. Most of the time, they shit in their pants and just drop me off and drive off. I tell them, "I'm not a tourist and I've lived here for a year. I know the meters. Most of them say "Sorry, I don't have money", etc., etc. The irony is that they all have Jesus and the cross on their taxi cabs but they try to rip you off.

I had friends driven to remote places and robbed at gunpoint and knives. It's a very common story. Initially, for safety sake, I always accompanied my friends to the cab and took down their license number. ( I made sure they see me ) When they try to play their stupid games, I call LTFRB and file a complaint. When their license gets suspended, it's a 5000 pesos fine and a 6 month suspension. You made think I'm being petty but it's the principle that bothers me. If they just take me to my destination without saying "Too much traffic", "100 over meter", "500" or some other bullshit, I will tip them generously ( about a 100 over the fare ). But when they play their games, I will give them the EXACT change.[/QUOTE]

Its a third world country....

That being said my experiences have been that they are pretty decent guys except for the erratic driving and false advertisement "I have aircon sign" :)

After 5 years of travelling to Manila for business, I've had my share of both bad and good experience with the cab drivers...mostly good. But the bad ones just want to make me shoot someone.

My last one was a good one, checking out...bell boy loaded the cab and meter was down when I got in, about 4 blocks away we had to turn back coz I forgot something. Not much small talk, got to the airport, he tells me to wait while he gets me a cart. First time ever!

He loaded up the bags on the cart, meter was 140 Pesos. I gave him 500 Pesos and said thank you for the great service.

I'm staying at the Makati Shangrila. I'm from Daly City, CA and we all have our horror stories. Being a Filipino, we all have our own drivers pick us up at the airport. When the embassy warns you about the drivers here, you know it's bad. Most flights arrive late in the evenings, that's when most of the problems will arise. Last weekend, we had about 12 people wanting to go the SM MegaMall. You'd think that since the taxi was from a nicest hotel here in the Philippines, they would be honest. We took three cabs and all followed each other. Our meter was 110 from the Shangrila to the mall. The other two was 190 and 230. I asked both of the drivers why the fare was so much. Both said it was heavy traffic. Then one of my friends went up to both of the drivers and told him in tagalog that we all left at the same time and our taxi was following them. Both of them just put their head down and took 100 and walked away.

Try not to take a cab alone, especially if you're a female. A girl I used to date told me she had too much to drink at the Embassy and took a cab to San Juan. The driver pulled over and told her that she didn't have to pay him anything, just let him touch her in a few places. She freaked out and got out of the car.

Just use common sense. If they say no meter, just get out of the car and hail down another ride. And obviously, don't carry valuables with you.

First of all, let me start off by saying I think Filipinos are one of the nicest people, definitely most friendliest in Asia. I grew up with Filipinos all through my life. The people here are amazing...so oppressed, living in poverty and yet, they can smile and still keep their spirits up. I always tell my friends that the people in the provinces are some of the nicest folks in the world. They have so little, yet, they will give you so much.

I'm Korean, but was adopted and grew up and educated in the US. The expat community here is pretty tight-knit group. One of my closest American friends that has been living here for 15 years said, "People think you are Korean so you will get hassled more from the taxi drivers". First, I didn't believe him but it's true. When they see me, they assume 3 things - (1) I don't speak English (2) I'm a tourist or student (3) I have loads of money and I don't know any places. So I become the "perfect" target to ripoff. I love it when I tell them I'm an American and start to speak English and they have this look on their face.

Let me tell you what happened just today. My local friends and I did some karaoke at Avenue, very close to Burgos. As we were walking back to Burgos, I notice a taxi driver throwing in some luggage for a young, attractive Korean lady. She asked him how much and he said "only 300 pesos to The Citadel". The Citadel is RIGHT DOWN THE BLOCK, ONLY 2 MINUTES WALKING DISTANCE!!!" So I grabbed her luggage and we both walked together. I told the that tool that we didn't need his "help".

I really love it here. I have a company in the US and just opened up an office here last year. I'm having a great time but the taxi drivers just drive me crazy. Now, I just say "meter please". If they haggle, I just walk out. They'll say "200" and I say, "why 200 if the meter is only "60"? Again, I make plenty of money. It's not that. I just hate feeling taking advantage of. Just because I'm a foreigner and Korean looking does not mean I'm a walking ATM machine. If I walk into Jolibees, I don't get charged more because I'm a foreigner. It's the principle. Yes, these scabs bug the shit out of me. They give their own people a bad name. Because most are good, honest people. I have to put up with this crap every day. Some days, I'm just not in the mood. What other country, espeically in Asia do we have to put up with this? Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia....all are safe places. Even Thailand, a third world country has decent drivers. When I tell people I'm in the Philippines, they all ask, "Is it safe?!"

I give a ton of money to charity organizations here. I love it. Giving is definitely one of the greatest gifts of life. I want to give my money to honest people. If the drivers take me to point A to point B, I'm happy and I tip well. Every time, I say, "Thank you for your professionalism".

I had two friends from the US that had visited me and after a week, they both said, "Man, I need to get the fuck out of this country. These people are just maggotts!" It made me feel so sad to hear that. Because most of the Filipinos are great people. But they were in Manila most of the time and they had some bad experiences with taxi drivers and the local police officers. ( for another posting ) Some of us that are here for a short time and majority of the time is with taxi drivers. So yeah, I understand how they feel.

Having said all this, something funny happen to me last week. I was at the Market Market mall in Fort Bonifacio and grabbed a cab to take me to Greenbelt Three. It was an old driver and I said, "Greenbelt 3". He said, "Duty Pree?" I said, "No, Greenbelt Three!" He said again, "Okay, Duty Free!". I didn't want him to take me to the airport so I said, "Never mind, just take me to Burgos". He said, "Pure Gold?" ( Pure Gold is all the way in Malate ) So I just started to give him directions. While he was driving, he asked me what I was doing here in the Phils. I said I owned a "call center". He said, "Oh, you're a carpenter?! " I started laughing so hard. I wish I could of taped our conversation. It was like a Seinfeld episode.

A few tips - before you go in the cab, check the gas tank. Many times, they are running on empty. Tell them you live here and not a tourist. Always text your friend their license number. ( written on the door ) Just in case something happens, you have their information. Let them see you do it. And before you walk out, look back on the seat. One time, my big, bulky Blackberry phone slipped through the cushion. ( I can't tell you how many friends have told me they lost their phone in the taxi )

I got a Benz in the US and I can't ship it and driver here. Second, I'm thinking of just getting a motorcyle. My friend loves it and thinks it's the best decision he's ever made. I would say most of my experiences are good. But I think these drivers are just killing this country. Yes, you may say it's only a $1. But it's not that. I have plenty of money. It's the principle.

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[QUOTE=Key Master]Why do you have to stay near the airport? I recommend you get a hotel in Malate, near LA Cafe and just walk there. I think you can be in your hotel in an hour and a half easy after landing at that time. Go to LA Cafe and get something nice to stay with you overnight for your 2000 pesos, maybe 2500. Upstairs usually has the better talent, some only go with Korean and Japanese, but not all. There might be some new yellow metered taxis at the airport now when you leave arrivals which wasn't the case before.[/QUOTE]

Some only go with Korean or Japanese? Sounds like BKK shit which happens more and more. I got tired of Thai scene on my last trip 2 months ago and want to check out PI in 3 weeks. Angeles was OK a couple of years back. Should I skip Manila and just go to Angeles or stay in Manila? I will have about 5 days in PI, in the middle of my HK/China trip. If in Manila, should I stay close to Burgos, EDSA or La Cafe area nowadays? I'm not counting pennies but not overpaying is important to me. And not having to deal with hardened pros is a definite plus. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'm in my 40's, good shape, full head of hair, fairly good looking for my age. Do I just stick to freelancers? There seems to be a lot of changes in the Philippines.

Would be visiting manila over the weekend and staying or 3 days at the Makati Shangrila.

Have been visiting manila once every quarter and usual hangouts are Dynasty, Pacific Blue and Asian Entertainment. Have been charged upto 7k as the bar fine. Is this normal or just ripping off a foreigner? I am allowed to bring in my own bottle at the first two named places. So I save a little money on that. Girls have always been top grade at all Pacific and Dynasty. Asian has a much more commercial approach with girls being thrust on you.

Another issue, I usually visit these places with the same taxi driver and feel the rip off is linked to this.

[QUOTE=Jasonkramer].. the taxi drivers just drive me crazy...[/QUOTE]Yeah we get that.
[QUOTE=Jasonkramer]you may say it's only a $1. But it's not that. I have plenty of money. It's the principle.[/QUOTE]Yeah, yeah we get it already..
AV

Interesting (but too long) debate on Taxis guys, but if you ask me, its the same all over the world, and believe me I have been there in over 30 years working away from home !!

Talking of being there, I actually was a Taxi Driver from 1987 - 1997 when times were hard and the kids were young etc etc. I had a full time job and had to drive a Taxi in my off time to make ends meet due to rising prices, big mortgage et al.

I know all the tricks, all about long hours, traffic, fiddling meters, blah blah blah... and apart from picking up drunken scantily clad young ladies from night clubs, believe me, the job is no fun at all.

I respect Taxi Drivers, tip them well and have never knowingly been ripped off, but maybe that is just the luck of the draw.

It does bring into new light the expression YMMV though ;)

Your Meter May Vary ???

Cheers, F/Fifty

[QUOTE=Tulip777]Some only go with Korean or Japanese? Sounds like BKK shit which happens more and more. I got tired of Thai scene on my last trip 2 months ago and want to check out PI in 3 weeks.[/QUOTE] Happens here to but still plenty of pussy to go around.[QUOTE=Tulip777]Angeles was OK a couple of years back. Should I skip Manila and just go to Angeles or stay in Manila? I will have about 5 days in PI, in the middle of my HK/China trip. If in Manila, should I stay close to Burgos, EDSA or La Cafe area nowadays? I'm not counting pennies but not overpaying is important to me. And not having to deal with hardened pros is a definite plus. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'm in my 40's, good shape, full head of hair, fairly good looking for my age. Do I just stick to freelancers? There seems to be a lot of changes in the Philippines.[/QUOTE]Depends on your budget & your mongering temperament.
AC : Large number of P4P girls, Quite variable quality but due to numbers you can always find something nice. Convenient.
Burgos : Expensive P4P, most consistent quality of other areas. Convenient.
Edsa : Lots of FL's, variable quality but often lots of good ones. Prices moderate. Not as convenient as straight P4P places.
LA Cafe : Bottom feeder FL's but gems can be found, Lower prices. Hunting FL's can be time consuming. Not as safe as Makati area.
Malls (Food Courts) : Can pick up amateurs often freebies but least reliable way to get laid.
Cheers
AV

[quote=amavida]yeah we get that.

yeah, yeah we get it already.

av[/quote]wow, you're irritating. no wonder you have the disclaimer. i'm just offering my opinion. just because you're married to a filipina or don't agree, you don't have to be condescending. we are all just trying to help each other out.

315 reports? ! and you're married? i'd say you should get a life. feel sorry for you.

i've heard from others about you. this is not your forum. i don't agree with with alot of what others write but it's still their opinion. instead of writing your disclaimer, why don't you just try not to be a jerk.

hmm. filipina wife, filipino family, 315 reports, looking for sex with **** girls. i'd say you're a loser.

I've been here a while now and I've talked to girls on Burgos, EDSA, socialites, etc. Here's my take:

Yes, just like us men, everyone has their preferences. Some girls tells me that they will NEVER sleep with a black or an Arab guy. Even at LA Cafe, I saw one Indian looking guy walk up to a girl and she shook her head. I went up to her later and asked and she said, "Mabah-own!" ( It means "stinky" ) And I have met other girls that said they prefer to be with Asian guys only. In Burgos, I see many of the girls with Caucasians, old guys, bald guys, etc. I think there is plenty of action to be had.

I did have some friends from the US visit me. ( they were all white ) I was kind of surprised but most of them didn't get any love at LA Cafe. It's true. Upstairs, the girls are much prettier and they tend to prefer Koreans and Japanese. Downstairs, everything goes. But the quality of the girls is not as high.

We later went to EDSA and it didn't matter. For the most part, I don't think it really matters. We all have our preferences.

Spent two weeks in Manila and my observation is pretty much in line with much of what has been written here in this forum. I was here on a business trip so I did not get out to see much in the day time but had some moments at night.

I'll skip the Thai versus Filipina comparison except to say that I also found the Filipinas to be more sincere and genuine in their presentation of themselves. The Taxi scam debate is too much, it reminded me of how hard is to get a cab in NYC during rush hour and how I would gladly pay them an extra buck but I get the posters who don't want to be ripped off. I would say this about the Taxi Drivers; they are doing what a large segment of the world's population would do if they were in similar situations. These people are dirt poor, I certainly do not approve of their scamming visitors but I understand why they do what they do and if you as a visitor don't you are not being realistic. I hope no one gets hurt over 100 pesos.

The KTVs and Karaoke places did nothing for me so after seeing the lay out of two of these places, I gave up on them. Paying to sit with a girl who can't sing and you get no happy return? The appeal of this escapes me. I think the girly/go-go clubs would do much better with some of the patrons if they decrease the bar fines which can be as high as 3500 pesos in some clubs. I did enjoy the girls in many of the bars in Burgos especially the Ringside club with the female and Dwarf boxing sessions. They have some cute dancers with nice bodies but I never inquired about taking any of them out. Bottoms seems to be a very popular club with a special or VIP rooms some girls tried to lured me into but I wasn't impressed with any of them so I passed.

Not sure why all the less attractive girls swarm customers once you enter the bar and can't get the hint to leave when you tell them you are not going to buy them all lucky drinks. Again I think those lady drinks might get more play if they cost a little less (350 pesos) but I did see some guys in some clubs with a platoon of girls around them all with drinks. Why do customers sign that bill after you order a drink? Is that a legal document and can it be used in court if you don't pay? No need to answer, I just found this procedures amusing. I like how the girls in the bar sized up customers too with the usual conversation. How long you’ve been here? Where you Stay? How many times in PI? Good method of distinguishing the suckers from the experience mongers by these girls.

Saw quite a few Filipinas who were mixed and had a real exotic Asian look. I'm not a big fan of Chinese chicks but for some reason when they are mixed (Chinese and Filipino or Chinese/Thai) they seem more attractive to me, I actually had hooked up with one on Asian Euro before I arrived in Manila but she is all the way out in the boonies and wanted me to send her money for a ticket to come see me but with such a short visit and the abundance of girls here so I told her we would meet on my next visit. I never took a girl from any of the bars but was approached buy numerous free lancers and took a chance on a cute Chinese/Filipino who wanted 500 pesos for a massage, turned out to be an excellent salad tosser. There are loads of these girls on the street but as in the bars you have to wait for the cute ones to walk by. I had three girls who looked liked some harden criminals; one had a scar on her face. Initially I thought she was the actor Willem Dafoe in Drag especially when she smiled. I politely refused them and moved on. The free lancers in groups all push the two girls massage offering but I would never go for that, its one or nothing for me with the free lancers.

The Somerset Hotel Chain in Manila is not worth the price, the charge about 5100 pesos per night (PLUS almost 700P per day for internet usage) and the rooms while accommodating are far from luxurious. Had a massage from the in house masseuse who to my surprise offered a HJ at the end she had nice soft powerful tits but would not offer FS. Over all I had a great time in Manila from my conversations with the Taxi Drivers to the Pan Handlers offering Cialis and Viagra to the Freelancers, Bar Girls and even the Korean Air representative who looked through my pass port and told me what a world traveler I was. I saw beautiful Ticket Agent at the entrance gate who couldn't stop smiling after I told her she looked like a Princessa, she took my compliment so well. Try that at JFK, well on second though the ticket agents at JFK are all mostly cunts so they would not look like that girl.

My advice to people coming here is to go have fun and not get hang up on the small stuff you can't change like the traffic and taxi drivers. Enjoy these lovely ladies while you can, for me it was an honor being here even if some people made me feel like it was an honor to be in my company. I definitely will return, here are some random non-nude pics attached.