Davao

[QUOTE=Blackypop; 1238857]Sorry guys there are a lot of information but my only easy questions are:

Is Davao worth to visit it for mongering?

What about the problems with police when prostitution is forbidden there?

I will stay at the Philippines in feb / March for 4, 5 weeks and would like to visit Mindanao / Davao / Zamboanga del norte / Bukidnon.

But I am undecided because of safety and how open are the girls to foreigners.

Cheers.

Blackypop[/QUOTE]Is this a first trip?

You are asking naive questions. Are you sure you have read the threads here thoroughly?

Davao and Cagayan de Oro cities are safe and OK but be wary of straying too far away from them.

You should stay in Cagayan de Oro if you plan to meet a girl from Bukidnon. Safer in CdO than the hinterland west and south.

You should NOT roam around Zamboanga del Norte or any parts of Western Mindanao without good escorts and definitely NOT if you are on your first trip.

[QUOTE=Blackypop; 1238857]Sorry guys there are a lot of information but my only easy questions are:

Is Davao worth to visit it for mongering?

What about the problems with police when prostitution is forbidden there?

I will stay at the Philippines in feb / March for 4, 5 weeks and would like to visit Mindanao / Davao / Zamboanga del norte / Bukidnon.

But I am undecided because of safety and how open are the girls to foreigners.

Cheers.

Blackypop[/QUOTE]First thing you need to do is RTFF. There is lots of discussion on mongering in Davao. The short answer is yes, Davao is a gold mine, more so for GFE, rather than the commonplace bargirl scene like in Angeles. Zamboanga can be rather dangerous for foreigners.

RG

[QUOTE=Blackypop; 1238857]Is Davao worth to visit it for mongering?

What about the problems with police when prostitution is forbidden there?

Blackypop[/QUOTE]For bar girls and streetwalkers Davao is crap IMHO. At least compared to what I have seen in Manila, CDO and Cebu. You will find someone to hump always, but might have to lower your standards or accept a bad attitude if you use the SW.

For girlfriends it is a good destination.

The cops do not give a shit about prostitution in Davao. Just stay legal.

Many bars in CDO with better quality girls than Davao, but expensive at 3-3, 5 K for a barfine.

B.

Guys,

I am in Ormoc now. I return to davao shortly before Manila and back to USA for months of long, hard work. I was ill for over a week in Cebu City. Too sick to travel with a fever, bad cough, diarrhea and nasal congestion. Took a lot of effort to go buy the necessary antibiotics as I felt very weak. The meds were worse than the illnes; had me nauseous and I could not eat for two days. Had a solid two days / nights where I did not leave my hotel room. Meds had me nauseous for two days and I had to stop taking them to avoid puking. Miseralble.

When I felt well enough to travel I took the boat here in Ormoc. I will post on experiences later as the light in room in not so great.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Red Kilt; 1238969]Is this a first trip?

You are asking naive questions. Are you sure you have read the threads here thoroughly?

Davao and Cagayan de Oro cities are safe and OK but be wary of straying too far away from them.

You should stay in Cagayan de Oro if you plan to meet a girl from Bukidnon. Safer in CdO than the hinterland west and south.

You should NOT roam around Zamboanga del Norte or any parts of Western Mindanao without good escorts and definitely NOT if you are on your first trip.[/QUOTE]Hmmmn, I'm somewhat surprised by a few of Red Kilt's warnings. I agree that one should use CDO as the base for trolling Bukidnon. Those towns are not large and everyone will soon know you are around. Any girl there will be very inhibited on her own turf. However, safety in the hinterlands south and west of CDO leave me wondering what Red Kilt knows that I don't. I have traveled extensively on several occasions through MOST of Mindanao, from Lake Sebu and GenSan in South Cotabato in the southeast, to Surigao on the northeastern corner and all the way across the top to Dapitan / Dakak in the northwest. All my travels have been by road, either by bus or V-hire. Certainly Dipolog felt safe enough, although I felt as if Pagadian City was at the edge of my personal comfort zone. I definitely would not feel safe in Cotobato, Ipil, or Zamboanga City!

I have the greatest respect for Red Kilt, whose reports are always informative and accurate. That's what is bothering me now. What does RK know that I don't, or is his sixth sense, due to is far greater experience and understanding, just more acute than mine? BTW my roaming around Mindanao was not just a 'one off'. But encompassed several trips over the last dozen years. I am interested in further responses to my observations from Red Kilt and other experienced members. Have I been just a lucky 'fool in paradise', or is most of Mindanao relatively safe?

[QUOTE=Questor55; 1240585]Hmmmn, I'm somewhat surprised by a few of Red Kilt's warnings. I agree that one should use CDO as the base for trolling Bukidnon. Those towns are not large and everyone will soon know you are around. Any girl there will be very inhibited on her own turf. However, safety in the hinterlands south and west of CDO leave me wondering what Red Kilt knows that I don't. I have traveled extensively on several occasions through MOST of Mindanao, from Lake Sebu and GenSan in South Cotabato in the southeast, to Surigao on the northeastern corner and all the way across the top to Dapitan / Dakak in the northwest. All my travels have been by road, either by bus or V-hire. Certainly Dipolog felt safe enough, although I felt as if Pagadian City was at the edge of my personal comfort zone. I definitely would not feel safe in Cotobato, Ipil, or Zamboanga City!

I have the greatest respect for Red Kilt, whose reports are always informative and accurate. That's what is bothering me now. What does RK know that I don't, or is his sixth sense, due to is far greater experience and understanding, just more acute than mine? BTW my roaming around Mindanao was not just a 'one off'. But encompassed several trips over the last dozen years. I am interested in further responses to my observations from Red Kilt and other experienced members. Have I been just a lucky 'fool in paradise', or is most of Mindanao relatively safe?[/QUOTE]Thanks for the vote of confidence in my details Questor.

My advice to the poster (who appeared quite naive to me) was based on my close knowledge of most of Mindanao through my work associations.

As you point out, there are regional differences between North, South, East and West and parts in between. He seemed to be planning a trip to meet girls based in a number of towns on the map without knowledge of the context of the provinces in which they were situated.

For my last trip (in mid-2010) around Agusan del Sur (in the NE) through Butuan and across to Tandag I was required to have a security escort because of the incidence of kidnappings that had occurred in Region 13 (Caraga) in the past 2 years. This has not only been foreigners but also locals (a group of teachers was abducted in 2010 and held for a week or so).

It is all NPA activity in the north-east and around Bukidnon and not terrorist groups and kidnappings are a money-making activity as well as raising awareness of their "causes". However, there are some rogue bandits operating opportunistically as well.

In the south, just last week a colleague told me that he no longer uses either the large commuter buses from Cotabato to Davao nor the smaller FX vans for his travel. He prefers to hire a private car since it seems they are less likely to be stopped and robbed. The motive is theft only. Cash, jewellery and phones / computers / iPads etc. I understand there is far more incidence of this happening than is reported in the Press.

In summary, there will always be occasions when people (such as Questor and no doubt others) can report having done numerous trips around certain areas and nothing happened. However, his experience doesn't mean that it CANNOT or WILL NOT happen on the next trip, and my advice was levelled at the first-timer who doesn't quite realise that roaming around Mindanao is not quite the same as driving between LA and Vegas (or Sydney and Melbourne).

I tend to trust local advice in all my travels in Mindanao and I am not prepared to be the 1 in a 100 where something nasty happens because I disregarded local warnings. I am not being unreasonably alarmist nor ultra-conservative, but I do suggest that Mindanao travels need to be carefully planned with local conditions factored in. I have no doubt that someone will report that they drove between Cotabato and Davao or Davao and Butuan last week and nothing happened therefore it must be safe.

As my friend Red Kilt knows all too well, the security situation in Mindanao is volatile and what was true yesterday, is not necessarily true today. I see to travel frequently and with no fear to Zamboanga, for example since I knew from our own security people that I would be safe. Over the past two years however, the place has become significantly more dangerous, and now when I go, I remain in my hotel after my meetings. Cotabato has been extremely dangerous during the entire time that I've lived here, and I'm slightly uneasy from the time I arrive until I leave. The same is true to Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Maguindanao and Basilan. Though I cannot verify this assertion empirically, as one who lives here and travels throughout the region, it "feels" to me as if the uncertainty and levels of violence are rising. I would never, under any circumstances, take public transportation between cities: first because of questionable maintenance practices, second because the drivers are often insane, and third due to the risk of attacks. Of course, I'm more fortunate than some in that I have access to a fleet of vehicles, but without them, I wouldn't travel by road.

Fortunately as well, Davao and CDO are oases of calm and order, and General Santos is almost as safe, as is Butuan. The fact is though that, aside from the aforementioned, this region is a powder keg that can be set off by clan warfare, bandit groups, separatist movements and kidnap for ransom gangs. It's not a place for the timid traveler obsessed with personal safety, aside from Davao and CDO.

I think I've said this before, but perhaps it bears repeating. In my organization no one-Filipino or expatriate-is allowed to travel between cities after 5 o'clock in the evening. This is a prudent rule, and I'd advise all of you thinking about taking a road trip here to take it to heart.

GE

Thanks for answers, it would be my first trip to Mindanao.

I know only AC but like to visit some places in Pilippines.

In an other Forum (german languaged) I read about Davao, CDO und Bukidnon as a paradise for mongerers.

So I liked to ask you about your experiences and or any hints to go there.

I know my english is not perfect guys sorry for this.

RedKilt I am sorry if my questions are naiv for you I only liked to get some informations.

Blackypop

[QUOTE=Blackypop; 1240861]. .

RedKilt I am sorry if my questions are naiv for you I only liked to get some informations.

Blackypop[/QUOTE]Blackypop: I appreciate that you confirmed my suspicion that it was your first trip and that you were going on things you had read or heard. I was not using the term "naive" in any disparaging way. You admitted yourself that you were naive (that is, unaware about what you were suggesting).

Please read the Davao thread and the CdO thread carefully.

Go back 100 posts. All of your questions will be addressed there, whether you are fluent in English or not.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1240836]As my friend Red Kilt knows all too well, the security situation in Mindanao is volatile and what was true yesterday, is not necessarily true today. I see to travel frequently and with no fear to Zamboanga, for example since I knew from our own security people that I would be safe. Over the past two years however, the place has become significantly more dangerous, and now when I go, I remain in my hotel after my meetings. Cotabato has been extremely dangerous during the entire time that I've lived here, and I'm slightly uneasy from the time I arrive until I leave. The same is true to Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Maguindanao and Basilan. Though I cannot verify this assertion empirically, as one who lives here and travels throughout the region, it "feels" to me as if the uncertainty and levels of violence are rising. I would never, under any circumstances, take public transportation between cities: first because of questionable maintenance practices, second because the drivers are often insane, and third due to the risk of attacks. Of course, I'm more fortunate than some in that I have access to a fleet of vehicles, but without them, I wouldn't travel by road.

Fortunately as well, Davao and CDO are oases of calm and order, and General Santos is almost as safe, as is Butuan. The fact is though that, aside from the aforementioned, this region is a powder keg that can be set off by clan warfare, bandit groups, separatist movements and kidnap for ransom gangs. It's not a place for the timid traveler obsessed with personal safety, aside from Davao and CDO.

I think I've said this before, but perhaps it bears repeating. In my organization no one-Filipino or expatriate-is allowed to travel between cities after 5 o'clock in the evening. This is a prudent rule, and I'd advise all of you thinking about taking a road trip here to take it to heart.

GE[/QUOTE]Sound advise good enough. Stick to the east side of Mindanao. Rode solo on a motor bike last year from Davao, Butuan, Surigao, Camiguin, CDO, Bohol, Cebu, and then the magnificent ride from CDO back to Davao.

No problems at all, just don't venture to Cotabato. Will do a similar trip this year with friends.

Can't say enough good about Mindanao been travelling there for 28 years.

Epis, you might also want to consider the trip between Davao and General Santos City for your next ride. The road improvements are almost finished, and it should be a relatively easy 2. 5 hour ride over the mountain. Just make sure you stick to the daylight hours and it's very safe, aside from the suicidal bus and truck drivers.

GE

I'm writing this primarily for DS, who is the only frequent traveler I know for whom the quality of wine and food is as-and perhaps more-important than the quality of punani. For those who don't care, please skip this post.

We probably go to Bon Appétit to eat three out of every four Saturday nights. As someone who spent a large part of his life in France, and whose heart is always there, it's like coming home. Tonight, Yves, the host, proudly presented his new wine list. Apparently he's met a new distributor of French wine, and it's a list that would make DS' heart palpitate a little faster: good Burgundies, Bordeaux and even some Brouilly (Beaujolais) as well as some Loire Valley wines that I've never before seen in the country, whether in Manila or here. The prices are extremely reasonable, and he's added two Champanges; a Taittinger Brut for Php2700 and another one that I forget for even less. We had an escalope de veau, preceeded by a warm lentil salad and followed by a strawberry tarte, consumed with a lightly-chilled Brouilly and it was all perfect. The damage was about Php4, 000 or about half what I would have paid in Paris but just as good. There was a highly cultured German guy sitting at the next table. He lives in Hong Kong and was ranting about the quality of his steak tartar and the wines, which he insisted on sharing with us. All in all, another lovely night. We were there from about 8 through 11.

Great food. Great wine. Reasonably priced and lovely people. What more could one ask except to actually be in France?

GE

Nice, GE. So I know where we are going in some days. First bottle is on me.

Barba.

GoodEnough, Thankyou for another Excellent Post. And thankyou again for taking Rose, my young Son, Conor's Mother to dinner there for her birthday. I do like Bon Appetit and the addition of excellent wines and some champagne is very nice, indeed. Guys, try the quiche here. Delicious. ANd always have the Chocolate Dessert. Served hot, it is easily one of the finest desserts I have ever had anywhere.

Guys,

A couple days before leaving I took My young Son, his mother and her younger sister to dinner at Henny's De Bonte Koe Restaurant on Rizal St. This is a place I have been frequenting since early 2004. I still like it in spite of the poor selection and horrific prices on the wine list. He just will not change this no matter how many people comment. He had a few very cheap, lousy wines that retail for $3-4 US / btl which he sells for P800-975 ($ 18. 60. $ 22. 70). Way overpriced and lousy wines. THen he has a couple bottles opf decent wines for P 2200-2975 / byl ($51. $ 69). Much too expensive for wines retailing at $18-$25 US. Lastly he has a selection of wines going for P5, 000 P7, 000 P8, 000 P9, 000 & P11, 000. WHy such an extended number of very expensive wines I do not know. And no one appears to ever drink them. And kept in a rack at room temperature (a / see off during day / night) they may not even be drinkable.

Still, we enjoy going here and so does my Son. We met at the Bar. My Rose looked stunning and had her hair and makeup professionally done; wearing a beautiful, clinging dress of red on her body. Her sister was also beautiful, but no American Money to allow for the trips to the Beauty Parlor or the dressmaker.

Most guys seeing this would be jealous as all hell. But not too quick to conclude. Not everything is as it appears on the surface. My Son's mother has been treating our relationship as that of two people who have a child together and nothing else. No sex at all and she rarely says a word to me, save for,"I need money". As I told my good friend, the situation has reached the point where I am seriously thinking of Walking!

I am not cut out to be a fucking Jellyfish like that infamous lurker here, Coolerbrew. I am not a Bank Account either. No fucking way will I finance a Lady's Life (or fucking Filipino boyfriend I believe exists). This comes to mind especially now. If you recall, it was back in January 2009 when I was fucking the 25 year old Anya Belle in Davao. She readily posted on this Board and the Davao Board in the original Philippine Forum. She was a good fuck but it was very clear that she was a "good fuck had by all". In mid February of 2009 she asked me to send her $ 200 for a Trip she had planned with some friends. Mentioned how she had spent Valentine's Day with three (3) men!

As I told GoodEnough by phone, what woman celebrates Valentine's Day just her and three me. His reply was,"someone who wants to get fucked by three men simultaneously". I sent her $ 100 for her Trip but I never communicated with her again. Good fuck or not, NO WAY was I going to finance the cock she was getting.

Yes, what appears on the surface does not indicate the turbulence beneath. I may soon be in a situation of having my Son dropped off with me at the hotel for a few days and nothing more. His mother needs an awakening or a realization that NOTHING IS FREE!

Dragon Slayer

Guys,

I thought this Board could use a photo of a 22 year old from a couple weeks aga in Davao City. She came by on her way to work at a Cafe (no idea which one). Blew me and fucked me nicely. You can see T Rex nudging her tit.

Dragon Slayer