General Info

[Old And Ugly]

Working with cash is the most expensive way to pay for things when overseas.

Last trip I lost my Wise card so, to conserve physical cash, I paid for as much as possible digitally. Flights, hotels, taxis etc were paid for online. Physical purchases were paid for with my Maya Pay / GCash. Even hookers were taking GCash without complaint. Transfer costs were trivial. I think fees were P15 to pay a girl for the night.

There was a time when the PI was largely a cash only society. That has totally changed as digital payments have exploded in popularity.

Enjoy. G.

I use GCash only to pay bills, send little money to girls for transportation, or Lazada, Visa CC for hotels, air, S&are. In rest cash is king, and leaves no trace.

[Goferring]

If everything works perfect, you can withdraw max 10 k, about $200, and you end up paying $10 in fees, therefore I send each month western union to myself 100 k and pay about $4 fee.

Working with cash is the most expensive way to pay for things when overseas.

Last trip I lost my Wise card so, to conserve physical cash, I paid for as much as possible digitally. Flights, hotels, taxis etc were paid for online. Physical purchases were paid for with my Maya Pay / GCash. Even hookers were taking GCash without complaint. Transfer costs were trivial. I think fees were P15 to pay a girl for the night.

There was a time when the PI was largely a cash only society. That has totally changed as digital payments have exploded in popularity.

Enjoy. G.

[Old And Ugly]

If everything works perfect, you can withdraw max 10 k, about $200, and you end up paying $10 in fees, therefore I send each month western union to myself 100 k and pay about $4 fee.

[Yendappu]

Outside of North America, I stay away from ATMs, just keep $$ and exchange local currency on the need basis. I had few bad experiences, like ATMs not spitting out any cash, but confirming as if cash was received, crazy ATM charges, . List goes on.

On my June trip to Angeles, I noticed that I did not get a complete refund on my Charles Schwab debit card. It was a sizeable amount, so I noticed it.

I called Schwab customer service. They said that Filipino bank did not breakout / separate their charges. So customer service had to write a ticket, and they investigated, and they refunded the money a few days later.

Schwab will refund the ATM charges on the last day of the month. It doesn't break out the refunds, so it's hard to verify that every ATM charge was refunded. Ya, Needham bank is better in regards that they will refund the money couple days afterwards. But the exchange rate is determined by your bank, and Schwab gives a slightly better rate than Needham (the last time I checked).

It happened on Fields. It was either PS or Metro Bank. Wondering if it is like that everywhere in the Philippines, or just Fields.

I hope they fixed the problem. I won't like having to call Schwab everytime I go to the Philippines.

[GreenBud]

On my June trip to Angeles, I noticed that I did not get a complete refund on my Charles Schwab debit card. It was a sizeable amount, so I noticed it.

I called Schwab customer service. They said that Filipino bank did not breakout / separate their charges. So customer service had to write a ticket, and they investigated, and they refunded the money a few days later.

Schwab will refund the ATM charges on the last day of the month. It doesn't break out the refunds, so it's hard to verify that every ATM charge was refunded. Ya, Needham bank is better in regards that they will refund the money couple days afterwards. But the exchange rate is determined by your bank, and Schwab gives a slightly better rate than Needham (the last time I checked).

It happened on Fields. It was either PS or Metro Bank. Wondering if it is like that everywhere in the Philippines, or just Fields.

I hope they fixed the problem. I won't like having to call Schwab everytime I go to the Philippines.

[Goferring]

I have some nice memories from that place, very nice and relatively cheap for the area, but that's the place where I saw the biggest cockroaches ever, Indiana Jones style, so big that you can keep them as pets. It didn't bothered me, but I still remember it. Couldn't even step on it, because you'll make a mess similar to Texas roadkill, or you may loose your balance as they will try to take you for a ride.

Dayuuuum. I like to see tits and ass as much as the next guy but a pretty girl in a simple and cute dress presses the right buttons too.

Very nice. 👍.

G.

[WestCoast1]

I have some nice memories from that place, very nice and relatively cheap for the area, but that's the place where I saw the biggest cockroaches ever, Indiana Jones style, so big that you can keep them as pets. It didn't bothered me, but I still remember it. Couldn't even step on it, because you'll make a mess similar to Texas roadkill, or you may loose your balance as they will try to take you for a ride.

Couple nights a week they have live band in the lobby / resto area. Guy plays guitar, girl sings love songs. Nice for a date.

[Old And Ugly]

................... Right on Burgos is Makati Palace hotel, bit older, but nice big rooms. .........

I have some nice memories from that place, very nice and relatively cheap for the area, but that's the place where I saw the biggest cockroaches ever, Indiana Jones style, so big that you can keep them as pets. It didn't bothered me, but I still remember it. Couldn't even step on it, because you'll make a mess similar to Texas roadkill, or you may loose your balance as they will try to take you for a ride.

[Amadeuss]

The info site ******************** is down. Anyone got infos why? Hacked? Or did the side manager not pay the server-fees?

[WestCoast1]

I'm surprised you got so many replies

On my part that usually means there has been a lot of rain here in the twigs for the past few days or a week. Difficult to get outside and for the girls to move about also. Gives me more internet time. Hope I can find a date soon.

[Mogwai]

Goiing to to new far away place requires plenty of effort / time / cost /. - nee as much information to make the decision / choice. So, very very much appreciate everyone's help.

It's nice that you appreciate everyone's help, but with some time and effort you could have found most if not all of the answers to your numerous and mostly general questions yourself, by reading this forum. I'm surprised you got so many replies, and no straight RTFF.

[WestCoast1]

So looks like Makati is the winner. I will try plan suitably. Any hotel recommendations. Location, not exactly look for cheap "value ofr money" - assuming it is all 'girl friendly'?

Goiing to to new far away place requires plenty of effort / time / cost /. - nee as much information to make the decision / choice. So, very very much appreciate everyone's help.

If you want to be close to the gogos or clubs there are hotels literally on Burgos or the side streets.

If you want better standard accommodation and / or things to do, then I prefer an Air BnB somewhere in Greenbelt. It's only 10 minutes to Burgos but a lot more to do withing walking distance.

Milano, Gramercy, or Knightsbridge residences (airbb condos) are a 6-8 minute walk from Burgos, and all are right next to the small Century Mall for Starbucks and groceries. About $40/ night for 3 nights. Right on Burgos is Makati Palace hotel, bit older, but nice big rooms. Across the street above Cubana Cafe (live band nightly) is the Royal Bellagio hotel ($50+ nightly). A block away on the corner of Makati Ave / Kalayaan St are the City Garden, and its sister hotel City Garden Grand; bit more pricey but CGG is well known for its GF-ly ways and its lovely rooftop pool and outdoor restaurant.

They are all GF-ly. Its difficult in the area to not find girl-friendly. Also on Burgos are 2 short-time hotels: Lokal (above and behind V-8 gogo bar) and Sogo hotel (corner Makati Ave / Anza, directly behind O'Reilly's gogo bar).

Greenbelt area is where the Ayala and Glorieta malls are located, more upscale, 1 mile west of Burgos on Makati Avenue. Google maps is your friend.

Get in there, punch some pink, write us a descriptive report.

[Goferring]

So looks like Makati is the winner. I will try plan suitably. Any hotel recommendations. Location, not exactly look for cheap "value ofr money" - assuming it is all 'girl friendly'?

Goiing to to new far away place requires plenty of effort / time / cost /. - nee as much information to make the decision / choice. So, very very much appreciate everyone's help.

Thanks.

If you want to be close to the gogos or clubs there are hotels literally on Burgos or the side streets.

If you want better standard accommodation and / or things to do, then I prefer an Air BnB somewhere in Greenbelt. It's only 10 minutes to Burgos but a lot more to do withing walking distance.

[SBTiger]

All have good connections to NAIA. Cab or Grab (think Uber) to Makati or Genesis bus direct to AC.

Manila traffic is really bad so, at the wrong time, they can all be about an hour away from each other. You're not going to walk between any of them and with only 3 days, it's best to concentrate on just one.

Personally, I wouldn't leave Makati. You don't say how you prefer to find girls but Makati has more of everything:

I find Burgos bars more fun than AC.
There are pretty girls everywhere but I think it's fair to say that the hottest girls follow the money and end up in manila. You're going to find more blistering hot girls there and it also lifts the average of the typical girl you will find online or in person.

I look forward to reading a post of whatever you do decide.

Enjoy. G.

So looks like Makati is the winner. I will try plan suitably. Any hotel recommendations. Location, not exactly look for cheap "value ofr money" - assuming it is all 'girl friendly'?

Goiing to to new far away place requires plenty of effort / time / cost /. - nee as much information to make the decision / choice. So, very very much appreciate everyone's help.

Thanks.

[WestCoast1]

I watched it all, the conclusion is that we are fucked. AI is here already, is here to stay, is not used for our benefit, and is not destroying us in a glamorous way like we were imagining it with balistic missiles or the T1000 terminator model, but with accounting algorithms.

In the same way that first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in the baby carriage: First comes digital pricing, then comes the Terminator.

"I'll be back." -- Arnold Schwarzenegger.