Davao

Well, the Apo View had been in bankruptcy for years, and may still be, but it's hasn't seemed to affect the physical plant, which looks fairly well maintained. DS can comment on the quality of the rooms, but I'm reasonably sure that the Executive rooms at least, have been refurbished within the last 2 years. DS has also said that the hotel's wine list is small, but decent and fairly priced. Can't say the same for the MP which has a lousy, highly overpriced wine list.

The Royal Mandaya has been a hole since I moved here, going on seven years ago, so it's glory days must be well past, and the Grand Regal, also a hole, has been deteriorating since I've even here. The one time I ate there I found the food inedible.

For the most part--as reisdents and frequent visitors can attest--maintenance is a truly foreign concept here; whether applied to structures or standards of service.

GE

I normally stick with the "normal" girls when I am in the Philippines. But twice on this last trip I went the pro route.

I had a date with a hot 22 year old girl one night who said she was not feeling well, so after a quick dinner I dropped her off at her boarding house. I was horny as can be and I remembered last year getting a massage at place that had the word Roman in the title. So I told the taxi driver to take me to the massage place with Roman in the tittle. Of course this dumb ass taxi driver could not figure out that I was referring to Roman Plaza. After adding about 120 pesos to the meter and not finding the place I finally gave up for the night and had the driver drop me off at my hotel.

Of course when I got back to my room it took me one second to find the name and address for Roman Plaza using Google. By this point I just gave up and went to bed.

The next night I had a date with a new girl, did not score with her so off I went to Roman Plaza, with the directions typed in my iphone.

From reading the reports, I knew they had a bar with available girls for take out and also a nice selection of girls for a massage if I wanted that.

I got there around midnight and ordered a drink. The gay in charge had 7 girls come in to the bar and stand for me. I said I was just having a drink now and may pick a girl later. After about 30 minutes I realized that the 7 girls were the only choices available and I better "shit or get off the pot". I notice one cute college girl and asked how much for a ladies drink, the response was 350 peso. So I declined the drink and just sat there for another 10 minutes or so telling my self to buy the cute girl a lady drink or get going next door to the massage place.

So I asked the girl to join me at a table and ordered the drink. Before the drink arrived she told me she was not available for LT only Short time. At this point I was thinking about moving on, but then the drink arrived, so I figured might as well hang out with her for a few minutes since I already ordered the drink. The girl was by far the best looking girl in the bar but she kept explaining to me she could not do LT only ST because of class in the morning. My dick convinced me to take her for ST, until she told me the bar-fine was 3500 peso. I did not bother to ask how much of a tip she would expect and just decided to cut my losses and go next door far a massage plus more.

So I walk to the next lobby and tell the girl I want a massage. She points to a girl in the hall and says she is available. I inform her that I was expecting to choose a girl from the large window, as I had done last year. The clerk tells me they are closed now and there was only the one girl available. Lucky for me, the girl was cute and once again my dick was getting inpatient. I gave the male clerk the cash for the room and he walked me to the massage room. Nice room, with large bed, tub and TV. After the massage, I agreed to 1500 tip for her to get nude and finish with a HJ.

Guys,

I am looking forward to returning after a couple months away. Hotels are plentiful in Davao City but most are not very good. Last year at this time I spent eight nights in the Anisable Suites in Lanang, a fairly new Hotel. Cost me P 2,600/Nt (was quoted P2,000). It was terrible and the Restaurant there served only filipino food which was equally bad. Rarely saw anyone else staying in the Hotel except for a few occasional filipinos. Doubt they paid anywhere near what I was paying. I even got food poisoning from the food in the restaurant.

Apoview and Marco Polo are the only really decent hotels in town. I want comfort and amenities in the Hotels that I stay in when travelling. And if you are going to be entertaining ladies it is a good idea to have a comfortable room. During my younger, poorer days I stayed in cheap hotels like the Grand Hotel and Casa Leticia. Both are terrible. Casa Leticia is very poorly run as the owners no longer manage it. Restaurant there has always had the worst food I ever at anywhere in the world. Until I tried the breakfast at the Mallberry Hotel, the Casa Leticia breakfast had been the worst I had ever eaten.

Apoview has had all the rooms on its Executive Floor remodeled and they look fabulous. Rooms throughout the Hotel are being remodeled. Marco Polo, unless things have changed in the past year, has magnificent rooms throughout. The Hotel IS being maintained to excellent standards. I wll know more on this in a few weeks time.

Dragon Slayer

Bob, 1500 is quite steep for a HJ. Next time she should fuck your brains out for that. :-)

Bob Bowie, thanks for posting.

Barba, sad I will be in Davao when you are gone and we cannot have dinner. My last Trip I did not meet a single person from ISG over the course of at least a week in each of Manila, Cebu, Davao and CDO. No one was available and I think there was an underlying feeling that I should be left alone when around my children.

Actually, I enjoy meeting my friends for dinner or even to visit a couple Bars or Clubs. When in Davao City I often watch my young son, Little C, while Rose works. Gives me a chance to bond with him. But I can always get his nanny over to the Hotel or arrange a sitter for a few hours. I know my Pal, GoodEnough, did not want the little guy acting up when out at night. But I can make sure he is okay for a couple hours with someone or even his mother as now she is off at 6:30PM rather than 9:30 before.

As to Roman Plaza, I visited the place back in 2004 with GoodEnough when we were both unattached. I assume the same gay manager, feather duster in hand, is still there. I got the impression then that it was a ripoff and left without a woman, never to return. P 3,500 for a couple hours with a girl in Davao IS A FUCKING RIPOFF! Just like in Cagayan de Oro, the desire to horrifically overcharge the foreigner outweighs the fact that the Place needs to make money.

At P3,500 you are talking nearly $ 100 US. And in Davao City no less! This IS a very poor City. Most people, including the pros in the Clubs, are lucky to earn this much in a month. And in CDO it is even worse. Few foreigners in either City and most are retired ex-pats on small pensions that allow for rent on a very cheap home, food, transportation and little else. No way any of them could afford even the drink and other charges at Roman Plaza.

When confronted with these rediculous fees, I simply say "No, way too expensive". I then finish my drink, get my bill, and leave. Lets them know I am not going to permit them to rip me off like this. Will it change the way they do things there? No! These people know nothing of how to run a business and most cannot even run their own lives. All they know about foreigners is: ALL FOREIGNERS ARE RICH AND ALL FOREIGNERS ARE STUPID.

As Barba noted extra service in a massage parlor should include getting fucked and blown for anywhere from P 1000-1500. Again, the massage at Roman Plaza will do its best to overcharge the foreign patrons on the basis of the last line of the former paragraph. There are many massage parlors in Davao City that you can visit, some open 24 hours, and you should pay no more than P 1,500. Avoid the one that has flyers in major Hotels as this is strictly a massage for P500. Inquire about the Massage Parlors around the downtown area.

On Thursday through Saturday evenings you can always go to Rizal Promenade or the dozens of CLubs on Torres Street. Should not be much trouble to start talking to some beautiful, young ladies here and get them to accompany you. Or, as happened to me a few times, I got their cellphone number and met them a day or two later.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer]When confronted with these rediculous fees, I simply say "No, way too expensive". I then finish my drink, get my bill, and leave. Lets them know I am not going to permit them to rip me off like this. Will it change the way they do things there? No! These people know nothing of how to run a business and most cannot even run their own lives. All they know about foreigners is: ALL FOREIGNERS ARE RICH AND ALL FOREIGNERS ARE STUPID.

Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]I couldn't agree more, DS. I am no expert on the PI, but this crappy overcharging, at least attempting to, seems to be rampant throughout SEA. Last year, whilst in Thailand, I was at the Chatuchak market, at Chatuchak, one haggles for pretty much everything. I was buying some childrens clothes for my lady friends child and I politely began the process of haggling, the vendor then bluntly said, "No discount, you have money! " I was stunned, not only did she refuse to haggle, but she was really rude. Before I could say anything, my lady friend said something to the vendor in Thai, hung the clothes up, took me by the hand and pulled me out of there. We then went across the way and bought some clothes at another stall, making sure that the first vendor saw us. Way to drive away the business!

Bob Bowie,

Two years ago in my own Home here in the USA I had some fucking lowlife tell me flat out, "Sir you are a rich man, you must pay more". I pointed towards the front door and said calmly, "Get out". Had he been reluctant to leave I would have had the Police there in a "New York Heartbeat". Had a plumber try to pull some shit on me just two weeks ago. I told him to "get out now". When he replied with his, "sir anyone else you will get will tell you the same thing", I just calmly stated, "do I need to call the Police now and have you arrested?"

My former wife, mercifully gone from my life more than 20 years, was Thai. Met and married her there long before the Australian writer, Neil Hutchinson, wrote, "Money # 1". Book IS a must read by every single westrener and Japanese/Korean man going to Thailand in search of Thai Pussy. ABSOLUTELY! When I met Neil my first wors were, "I wish I had your book thirteen (13) years ago. It would have saved me thousands of dollars and years of misery."

In the Philippines or Thailand you DO NOT do your own shopping. You get your lovely, sweet lady to do this. My gorgeous Jen would NEVER allow me to accompany her when she bought me a cellphone, reapired a phone or did anything for me. Former professional nightclub singer in Manila/Makati City, she knew exactly what was being said about US. US means westerners from America, Australia, NZ, EU and UK and also ALL Japanese and Korean men coming to the Phils.

Whenever someone tells me this "IS THE ONLY WAY", or "YOU ARE A RICH MAN, NO DISCOUNT". I WALK AWAY FAST! No fucking yelling or arguing. I learned that I am at my best when I stare someone straight in the eye and in a calm but cold voice tell him NO! At 6'4" and 240# I can intimidate the fuck out of these scumbags without saying anything. In a confrontation once a strong, big guy asked me, "just stand behind me. Most guys will NOT mess with me. No one in here is going to fuck with you".

When I learned to speak Thai fairly well and understand most of what Thais said, my problems really began. This was over twenty years ago and I was young, naieve, tough and mean. Also had the world class LE training from a former occupation to fall back upon. But the regular Thais have the pathetic habit of constantly poking fun at falang (westerners) and Japanese. Guess it comes from knowing these people are far ahead of them in lifestyle and eveything else. Also, the average Thai man stands about 5"2" to 5"5" and weighs from 110 to 125 lbs. Not too impressive a sight! Leaves not much left to do but insult and ridicule Us on the belief that their language is so fucking difficult no westerner of Japanese guy could ever learn it. Ya Right!

Dragon Slayer

Guys,

Last year at this time I checked out this newly opened Hotel, Hari Royale Suites, a five minute taxi ride from Victoria Plaza Mall. It did not have its restaurant finished yet, but a year later that should be open. It had large rooms, nice, queen size beds, 28" flat screen tvs with cable netowrk on the wall, wifi internet service and a mini bar/refrigerator.

It is located on a quiet street in a filipino neighborhood. Not certain taxis are readily available as I had mine wait for me. Rooms of the Superior Quality are around 2,200 pesos per night. I imagine they are discounting them now as they are a bit off the path. It is on Santa Ana Ave, corner of Narra St (82-300-0111). It is an al;ternative to the much more expensive Marco Polo and ApoView Hotels and an upgrade from the Red Night Garden which is located in the middle of fucking nowhere, which is a major disadvantage unless you intend to seldom leave the property.

This may be a decent place to try and it is also only about a 5-7 minute taxi ride to the Bars and Clubs on Torres St and 20 minutes into the downtown area. It IS certainly far better than Casa Leticia, Anasable Suites, Gran Hotel or the sleazy backpacker hotel in downtown Davao that tends to attract primarily guys with ONLY ONE THING IN MIND: a place to stay for as little as humanly possible (why don't they simply stay home in this case).

Dragon Slayer

Guys, I will be here soon. In Makati for several days and then to Cebu I believe. Then to Davao City. I will spend a week later in my Trip at the Marco Polo but the first part in the Apoview Hotel which I like. Nice, big rooms and at least one magnificent restaurant, Entree', with a wine list that is very simple but also very reasonable (has a few good Italian and French reds and a couple nice Chilean and Australian reds; all at only 35% markup).

I get updates from GoodEonough. Even heard that alone with him, I was invited to a Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Only problem is I already mentioned to Rose that we would celebrate this holiday together. had planned on dining out with her and GE and his woman and having my Son, Little C, be brought by the restaurant as we were finishing dessert so he could join in the fun. He loves this and behaves fine as long as his mother is there. WIth me he gets a bit active as he thinks he should be asserting his dominance.

Have to think this over. I do not think Rose is welcome as the Lady doing the inviting is nice and lovely and was someone I was interested in before. She could be attached to some guy now but who knows what the story is. I was here in my City last year at this time so I hate to pass up celebrating this year.

I heard that the courtyard in Haban Compound is becoming the ex-pay hangout. Does not mean too much to me. Only time I would ever sit out there is if I was "trolling for pussy". Otherwise, it is inside De Bonte Koe where this is A/C, music, engaging atmosphere and none of the fucking lowlifes GoodEnough is constantly mentioning to me who drop by his table outside. I could not handle these guys ever. Davao's strict non-smoking law (vigorously enforced) and the fact that if you go inside, you "must actually spend money", eliminates these lowlifes.

Henny has even set a Rule prohibiting these guys from using his bathroom inside his restaurant. They were stealing not only toilet paper (???) but the soap dispenser and the towels he had there. Now you really DO have to stop and think of the type of individual who enters a restaurant bathroom and steals these items. NOT YOUR EVERYDAY PESON BY A LONGSHOT!

But this IS the type of Creature that visits and lives in Davao City, primarily due to how cheap it is to live, as long as you live like a poor filipino (remember LawnMower Man moved here after reading posts by GoodEnough; he pays a whopping $ 114/month for a slum dwelling a good 40 mins from downtown Davao). Barba wrote a post about these guys last year on this Board. He was repulsed by how sleazy and scummy they were in appearance and personal habits.

These guys get lonely for the company of other foreigners and head to places where ex-pats congregate. This means the habana courtyard nightly. No money and no idea of what to order or how to behave in a decent restaurant, along with the need to smoke, these creatures occupy tables outside where they can harass and insult others and lear at and try to move in on the young filipinas. Like any of these filipinas would ever get within a mile of "cro magnum foreigner".

I avoid sitting outside ever! All I need is one of these lowlife scumbags to touch or say something to Rose and he would be "carried out feet first". But in the safety and comfort (and privacy) of the inside of De Bonte Koe, Cafe De Ville or Chico's or even Someplace Else, you do not see any of these animals. Devoid of social graces, they are NOT permitted inside any of these places and Chico's is frequented by the Mayor and the Chief City Councillor. No lowlifes would last five minutes there.

My personal suggestion to anyone visiting Davao City is to avoid the outside courtyard. You can go inside and drink beer or wine at De Bonte Koe, Chico's or Someplace Else (have a light snack at Cafe De Ville) and NOT have to be concerned with these Scumbags. Last thing anyone needs is one of these guys approaching your lady/wife and making some disgusting comment. Fat Terrence did almost "commit suicide" in Cafe De Ville last January but Claude grabbed ahold of him before he was able to get near Dragon Slayer and his Lady. He was quickly ushed outside and I, wonderfully, missed his "return trip" last September.

Dragon Slayer

Tonight we went, as we do every three to four weeks, to Claude's (Cafe de Ville) on Rizal St. for dinner. There were three of us: my lady, and a very close, highly cultured Australian friend of ours, and I. We dined for more than three hours on escargots, magret de canard a l'orange, two bottles of excellent Beaujolais Ancien, Calvados and coffee. The food was delicious, prepared perfectly, and beautifully and unobtrusively served. Claude sat with us throughout our dinner.

There's nothing newsworthy about this, but tonight, for the first time, I realized that I need this restaurant to allow me, once a month or so, to revel in Western civilization and to remind myself that I am its product. Of course, it also lets me spend a few hours talking in French which is also a plus for me. But I was reminded, yet again, that this is the only place in Davao that lets me be, feel and act Western, without compromise. It's a FRENCH restaurant without any compromises to local custom, tastes, or cuisine, and thus its become an important talisman for me. Granted the tab--at about Php9,300--is high for Davao, but who cares? The food, the conversation, the ambiance, and the wine were excellent and I could pretend, for a brief time, that I was back in France.

As a Westerner living here, it's important beyond measure, to--at least every 3-4 weeks--dress up, return briefly to a civilization and a culture that I understand and love, and immerse myself in an atmosphere that's not Filipino in any aspect other than the serving staff.

There's a national magazine here called "The Tattler" or some such, and Claude told me that one of the recent issues ranked Cafe de Ville as the number 2 restaurant in the entire country. Given local culinary expertise, this may seem like damning with faint praise, but for Davao, this is as good as it gets.

GE

GE,

I don't blame you to feel that way. I know of Filipinos in Europe and North America who travel miles from their homes just to taste Filipino Food where it is available.

But it seems you don't enjoy the Philippines and its people. Why stay here?

[QUOTE=Davao Local Hunk]GE,

I don't blame you to feel that way. I know of Filipinos in Europe and North America who travel miles from their homes just to taste Filipino Food where it is available.

But it seems you don't enjoy the Philippines and its people. Why stay here?[/QUOTE]I'm not sure how you could infer from my post that I don't enjoy the country and it's people. One reason I stay here is the work, which I enjoy. Another reason is the lifestyle I'm able to maintain without much strain.

It's too simplistic I think to consider "enjoyment" as if the feeling were some sort of monolithic construct. Countries, people and cultures are multi-faceted, and most peoples' reactions are equally fractionated. There are aspects of the people that I admire, respect and enjoy. There are other aspects of the country that I enjoy less and still others that I dislike intensely. This has been true regardless of where I've lived and/or traveled.

I don't think that it's at all disparaging to local culture to seek immersion, even briefly, in your own. In my case, I love France. It's my favorite place on the planet, and taking the opportunity, every few weeks, to immerse myself in all things French is pleasurable to me.

GE

Davao Local Hunk,

GE enjoys complainin at times. Do as I do and just say "ya, yh huh, got it GE., You are sooo right!" I complain also at times. And I LOVE DAVAO AND THE PHILIPPINES!!!

This IS a wonderful place full of nice, friendly people. I miss both Davao, Cebu, Makati and all the Philippines whenereve I am away from it. No need to elaborate further.

Dragon Slayer

Guys,

I am here in Davao City. Have not seen GoodEnough yet. Sadly I did have another "friend" from ISG try very hard to Fuck Me Over with one of the ladies I see here. She is Rotchel now age 23. I met her first time three and one half years ago. I also made the mistake of posting her nude photos here and her real Name. I also did the very stupid move of giving her cellphone # to a guy calling himslef Wolfy here. BIG MISTAKE!

I will learn later today if this is the fucking Piece of Shit that tried to fuck me over. If yes he ______________.

What happened is I promised her I would celebrate her birthday when I arrived here, complete with the chocolates and expensive perfume and a nice piece of jewelry she wanted. She is sweet and after 3 1/2 years I should do something for her. She works in a job that does not pay much and she tries to get by. Never asks me for money and I like her.

She informed me that she was afraid now as a "FRIEND" of mine contacted her informing her that I was married and had a Family here in Davao. Also my own website where I posted photos. Now who the fuck does this sound like???

Friend! Ya a Real Fucking Friend. GoodEnough aptly commented last night, "some guys on the Forum just enjoy causing trouble and pain for others. They think that by doing this they are making your life less enjoyable than it is".

First, I am NOT married and everyone knows I do have my infant Son here in Davao City and his lovely Mother. That I support them and my other children is a GIVEN! My Son's Mother works full time so she does earn money but not enough to evn pay for the nce Apartment they lve in together with her mother who watches my Son.

I guess I may have to reconsider posting photos in the future. I will NOT MEET any new ISG Members EVER! The guys I have as Real Friends (GE, WR, Barba, etc) are it!!! They can be trusted and I know all of them. The reality of this IS it DOES NOT make my Life here In Davao City any different. If I do not see Rotchel I will simply give her Gifts to someone else at Christmas time. No problem. But this DOES hurt her and make her unhappy.

What twisted, sick fuck would do this?? I mean COCKSUCKER, WHAT DO YOU GAIN? Most likely you are a pathetic geek and loser who could not score pussy at a Hooker Party with a fistful of Dollars and a Note from your Mommy! If this is the way you get your kicks YOU ARE ONE VERY VERY SICK, TWISTED FUCK!

If I get the ISG Name I will Post it. Any real name will be forwarded on to a guy I know here in the NBI and some relatives in the USA who are employed in the occupation I had years ago. The least I can do is expose this Mommy's Boy. Perhaps more and he may even have broken a few Laws along the way.

Dragon Slayer

[quote=dragon slayer]guys,

what twisted, sick fuck would do this?? if i get the isg name i will post it. the least i can do is expose this mommy's boy. dragon slayer[/quote]hey ds,

i agree this jerk is lower than pond scum. i’d like to think most guys on the forum are a decent sort, but the thing about the internet is that a lot of lowlife’s can hang out here and do outrageous stuff under the cloak of anonimity. unfortunately you are a target because of your high profile and generosity. hope this does not ruin things. i like this forum and have received a lot of valuable info here.

this bull shit reminds me of an episode that happened to me a long time ago in high school. i was shagging a girl on the side. we had sex the first night we went out, which was a big deal back then. i was telling one of my best friends about the affair when this jag off i barely knew over heard me. he went straight to the girl and told her i was telling everybody she was a **** or something. of course i lost the girl. but then i and a few friends humiliated the moron in public for a month or more. it was pure high school hijinks; i wonder whatever became of the girl. probably overweight and a divorced mother of three. the idiot probably got gang raped in his early 20’s.