General Information

[QUOTE=Pip Jaeger;1524716]I checked their website and no mention of how much a day pass costs. What did you pay and how long ago was your visit? Also, I read few reviews about the resort, sounds like a dump and that you could only really swim in the ocean if the tide was high. Was that your experience too?[/QUOTE]I believe it was about 300P, but not sure. Rooms at East are indeed dumpy, but grounds, pool and restaurant are fine. However, as I said before, it's West that gets my recommendation on all fronts. Was at both last year. Stayed a few nights at West. All beaches on Mactan are man-made. Water is shallow and ocean swimming is poor.

[QUOTE=Brymor; 1524667]I am currently in Cebu for one month. I met a professional, educated middle class woman for the first ever time here. Although she does not know my history, she does know I have visited the island many times over the years and before embarking on a relationship with me, she asked me to get tested. I thought this was not an unreasonable request from her especially as I really like her so off I went to Hi Precision Lab situated just off Fuente Circle. These clinics are always very busy and reception is part of the main waiting area. It is a bit disconcerting to try and communicate what you need without all the other people in the waiting room hearing and no matter how 'thick skinned' you are it is difficult not to feel some embarrassment. Anyway once I got over my initial fear I tried to quietly inform the receptionist what I wanted and the conversation went along like this.

[SNIP][/quote]You claim to have a lot of time spent in the Philippines, yet you went in unprepared. You need to know exactly what test (s) you want [b]before you go into the clinic[/b]. Go in armed with a list and have a backup test for every disease just in case your first choice is not available. Nurses and receptionists are trained to only focus on the tests they offer. Most have zero ability to think outside the box or to think quickly. It's ingrained in the culture. Try going into ACE hardware and asking for a small plumbing piece and you will get the same result. Few locals can think outside the box and use questioning and the process of elimination to come to an answer.

All the clinics / hospitals you visited have STI / STD tests, some full spectrum some not. You have to know what you want before you go in so you're not lost in the "sir not available sir" merry-go-round.

[quote=pip jaeger;1524716]i checked their website and no mention of how much a day pass costs. what did you pay and how long ago was your visit? also, i read few reviews about the resort, sounds like a dump and that you could only really swim in the ocean if the tide was high. was that your experience too?[/quote]this place is older and fit for local and cheap charlie consumption. i was curious and stopped at tambuli and toured both the east and west facilities a few years ago. the receptionist showed me around and it reminded me of some mid to low-end all-inclusive resorts in the dr and cuba. i thanked the nice hrm ojt receptionist and made my way back to shangri-la to lounge around the pool.

tambuli (when i visited) was a mud flat. i guess that could be a good thing if someone is looking for a free therapeutic mud bath.

Thanks for the advice even though it comes across (whether intended or not) as a bit patronising. I am pretty familiar with the culture and customs here and don't really need educating on the lack of initiative and independent thinking that many locals display. Admittedly I was taken by surprise with the complete lunacy that a patient should be expected to know beforehand what tests they should have, in order to determine if they have an infection rather than screening them for any infection. I have learnt another lesson, one of many I will continue to learn the more often I come here. I have often used the expression 'nothing surpises me anymore' but just occasionally it still does!

[QUOTE=Brymor;1525277]Thanks for the advice even though it comes across (whether intended or not) as a bit patronising. I am pretty familiar with the culture and customs here and don't really need educating on the lack of initiative and independent thinking that many locals display. Admittedly I was taken by surprise with the complete lunacy that a patient should be expected to know beforehand what tests they should have, in order to determine if they have an infection rather than screening them for any infection. I have learnt another lesson, one of many I will continue to learn the more often I come here. I have often used the expression 'nothing surpises me anymore' but just occasionally it still does![/QUOTE]Doctors are hopeless all over the Philippines, its the only country in the world that I'm confident I'm smarter than the doctor treating me. I often research what meds ill need beforehand and simply tell the doctor to write the prescription as this is what my regular GP has given. Claymidia is the worst, since its often unnoticed as there is no symptoms, and also many places don't know how to test for it. Getting a broad std check up would be not accurate, better off just self medicating for claymida to be safe, and testing for HIV. The rest you prob would have noticed something already. The doctors at the bottom of ayala are fine for a script, but there advice is broad and simple.

[quote=questor55;1524749]i believe it was about 300p, but not sure. snip all beaches on mactan are man-made. water is shallow and ocean swimming is poor.[/quote]i was mainly interested in finding a beach to go swimming / snorkeling so i guess i'll pass on tambuli.

[quote=stroker ace88;1524929]tambuli (when i visited) was a mud flat. i guess that could be a good thing if someone is looking for a free therapeutic mud bath.[/quote]on the other hand, maybe i'll bring a couple of my girls and see if i can entice them into a bit of "therapeutic" mud wrestling, lol.

thanks for the info guys.

Was up near Vikings at about 1. 30am this morning having walked up from Mango Square. Juliana's or whatever it is called now was pretty quiet from how I used to remember the place, seemed to have more guys than girls.

Saw the ususual group of street urchins stood on the corner across the road from Yellow Cab pizza when all of a sudden this large foreigner aged in his 50s comes hurtling across the road towards these kids screaming like a banshee. I saw one of the kids offering a wallet to him with his outstretched hand as he caught up with them, none of the kids tried to run I guess they were like startled rabbits caught in the glare of a car's headlights. The foreigner gained his composure as he stood glowering at the kids and checked the contents of his wallet, not surprisingly whatever cash he had in there had gone. The next thing is he grabs one of the larger kids a quarter of his size and begins wrestling him to the floor with his arm around his neck screaming "give me back my money" and the kid repeatedly shouting "it wasn't me".

I decided this was not something I should get involved in and I left behind a writhing mass of limbs, as I walked off back to Mango Square. This is just a reminder to those that frequent this particular area that these street kids are a constant menace with their thieving hands and you need to make sure you watch you pockets at all times. They have been here and working the same MO ever since I started coming to Cebu 10 years ago. You just need to be assertive and firm and make sure everything of value is secured

The guy was inviting a knife in the ribs. These gangs work in tandem and often they watch each other's backs. If he escaped the incident with his wallet intact but money gone he is lucky not to become another story in the "Sunstar".

Why guys still walk around anywhere in the Philippines with a wallet containing all their credit cards and cash in one neat bundle is beyond comprehension. I have received at least 3 security briefings from the different agencies for which I work and all of them, amongst other things, say to carry your cash separately from your credit cards, and always leave at least one of your credit cards secure in your hotel.

I carry two money clips; one with small bills (100s. 50s and 20s) and the other with the 1000 and 500 bills. If anyone holds me up with a gun or a knife I will give them the small bills. We are advised not to hand them over but to throw them to the side onto the ground. Same for a cell phone. Throw it aside and then run like hell.

Those of you who pump iron or fight UFC or are 200 cm and 150 kgs and fancy yourselves as any match for these street punks should think about it. Even Jack Reacher may not be a match for these street kids. There is plenty of evidence to show that these guys run in groups and carry weapons and fight dirty.

Much better to be pro-active and avoid these sort of confrontations.

It may well end in tears.

[QUOTE=Red Kilt;1528137]I carry two money clips; one with small bills (100s. 50s and 20s) and the other with the 1000 and 500 bills. If anyone holds me up with a gun or a knife I will give them the small bills. We are advised not to hand them over but to throw them to the side onto the ground. Same for a cell phone. Throw it aside and then run like hell.[/QUOTE]Good idea, RK. I carry my big bills in a money belt.

Hi All,

I'm planning to come to Cebu in a couple of weeks and was wondering what I should tip a DIA girl that I'm planning on meeting. I've RTFF but can't find any recent price guidelines.

Thanks.

GC

[QUOTE=Global Citizen; 1528377]Hi All,

I'm planning to come to Cebu in a couple of weeks and was wondering what I should tip a DIA girl that I'm planning on meeting. I've RTFF but can't find any recent price guidelines.

Thanks.

GC[/QUOTE]Depends which area she comes from. Province girls 1, 000pesos and city girls 1, 500 is sufficient. Remember to tip these girls discreetly.

[QUOTE=Global Citizen; 1528377]Hi All,

I'm planning to come to Cebu in a couple of weeks and was wondering what I should tip a DIA girl that I'm planning on meeting. I've RTFF but can't find any recent price guidelines.

Thanks.

GC[/QUOTE]I give 1000 pesos per day. If she is good I take her shopping, disco, dinner etc.

[QUOTE=Global Citizen; 1528377]Hi All,

I'm planning to come to Cebu in a couple of weeks and was wondering what I should tip a DIA girl that I'm planning on meeting. I've RTFF but can't find any recent price guidelines.

Thanks.

GC[/QUOTE]This is a very subjective matter, depending on the quality of service provided by the girl, whether she is an ordinary girl looking for a foreign benefactor or a pro or semi pro, how long she stays with you, your budget and many other variables. As a rule of thumb I usually pay 1500 for a girl that stays a couple of hours and about 2000 for an overnight. Some guys may think this is being a cheap charlie others may pay less, like I said it is very subjective. If you really like a girl then you can usually judge whether she is satisfied with what you pay based on whether she is in a hurry or not to see you again. Almost without exception, most non pro / semi pros will not help you out with a fair pricing policy, if you tell them you would like to give them some money for shopping, taxi or whatever, if you ask them how much they want invariably they will answer "its up to you?" If you underpay them and they are not happy with what you give, most regular girls and even semi pros will not say anything to you but they are unlikely to see you ever again. Pros (of which there are many on DIA) will usually be quite forthright about what renumeration they expect

[QUOTE=Brymor;1528591]This is a very subjective matter, depending on the quality of service provided by the girl, whether she is an ordinary girl looking for a foreign benefactor or a pro or semi pro, how long she stays with you, your budget and many other variables. As a rule of thumb I usually pay 1500 for a girl that stays a couple of hours and about 2000 for an overnight. Some guys may think this is being a cheap charlie others may pay less,[/QUOTE]Good observations Brymor. Don't be a cheap charlie especially if they are non pro (say they are at college etc) and a 1000 pesos is cheap charlie territory IMHO. I also pay the taxi fare more so if the girl has come a long way. A nice touch and what is 200 pesos to a guy who has paid much more to fly over from the USA for example and stay in a nice hotel (unless you are one of the very cheap punters I have had the 'pleasure' of meeting and seeing in Cebu).

No non pro will ever complain but will expect something (they likely ant to give some cash to the mother and keep some for school) and being cheap means you won't see them again . One guy I know paid his girl 1000 pesos no taxi etc and she told me (while at my place discussing politics and greater world affairs LOL) she would never see him again as he treated her like a 'dog', this is a college girl needing cash to help the tuition fees etc not pro.

Now some may disagree entirely with the above and like being cheap and saving 100-200 pesos and showing the girl they are cheap, but not me. It pays dividends if you pay a tad more, show some respect and are a nice guy (albeit horny as hell and at times for some of us, kinky as well LOL)

Good to see you Brymor, keep shagging!

Yes W. R, I agree 100%. Also the cheap charlies can forget about ever being introduced to the girls' cute friends, cousins, sisters, etc.