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Posted

I was there a couple of months ago and thought it was a terrible place. You walk into 7-11 and they have sawn of shotguns. The hotel i stayed at they had three security guards with m16s at the entrance then more at reception. I dont think i will be going back for a while. Has anybody else felt the same as me that it is not a safe place? and that they feel safer in BKK? as i know for sure i feel alot safer here. :o

Posted

I was there 13 years ago when the US had just shut down there thing in Angeles City.

I got a gun pulled on me down on a beach and saw a german guy in the disco getting a bullet in the head for refusing to give a local a cigarette.

I was very happy to get back to LOS.

Posted

I go once a year, love it there. If I was single I would live there in a heart beat.

Looking forward to being just 3 hours by jet away someday. :o

Posted

First night I ever spent in Manila, a guy said he was going to shoot me if I didn't give him some money.

I asked to see his gun and he said he hadn't brought it with him and had left it at home.

So I said 'okay i'll wait here and you go and get it', but he couldn't be bothered.

Posted
I was there 13 years ago when the US had just shut down there thing in Angeles City.

I got a gun pulled on me down on a beach and saw a german guy in the disco getting a bullet in the head for refusing to give a local a cigarette.

I was very happy to get back to LOS.

I was there in1997 for couple of weeks. :o

People were very nice like most of Thais. :D

Yes, it was kinda scary thing indeed finding CVS,KFC, and Macdonald's secury guards with firearms in there hand, :D:D:D

Posted

My general impression of the place is that it is an economic and political basket case with zero hope of any improvement in the forseeable future. Beyond that, the people are friendly,English is widely spoken and there is less culture shock for Westerners because of the colonial period and the religion. For me, the Bhuddist aspect of Thailand is a big feature though.

Posted

I lived there in Manila and Davao on and off for 5 1/2 years (ie I had a house and family there but I was working elsewhere). I hated the place.

It is a filthy tip. The guns are everywhere (thanks to the US influence). The food is disgusting. I found the corruption to be far worse than here and the general atmospere to be very depressing. Every time I was there I found myself yearning to leave and get back to work, it was that bad.

Posted

I go there for a few days every 3-4 months (next trip next week) and love it, but I've only been to Manila. Later this year, I plan a trip to the south for some R&R.

Never got into any trouble and always feel safe and welcome. I think the people are genuinely more welcoming of foreigners than here and there is less a culture of 'what can we rip the farang off for next.' than here.

But whoever said the food is awful is spot on. How do they stay so slim by eating pig fat all day?

Posted (edited)
I go there for a few days every 3-4 months (next trip next week) and love it, but I've only been to Manila.  Later this year, I plan a trip to the south for some R&R. 

Never got into any trouble and always feel safe and welcome.  I think the people are genuinely more welcoming of foreigners than here and there is less a culture of 'what can we rip the farang off for next.'  than here.

But whoever said the food is awful is spot on.  How do they stay so slim by eating pig fat all day?

Yeah, the food is markedly inferior to Thai food. If you dig a little, there are some interesting dishes (not that I am expert) like Sinigang soup, fresh seafood, and vegetable dishes with salty thingies.

Good idea to check out other areas. I was in Cebu City,Cebu and then went up to Bantyan Island, and then Negros. Bantayan Island was amazing, talk about primitive conditions for the natives though! I met some locals and ate their local food. Not fit for animals, grade D course rice (disgusting, the most atrotious rice I ever had) served with dried small fish. That was dinner. A cab driver in Cebu said something really funny to me: "the people in Bantayan are really backwards, they love all white people."

Edited by Jomtienwow
Posted
I go there for a few days every 3-4 months (next trip next week) and love it, but I've only been to Manila.  Later this year, I plan a trip to the south for some R&R. 

Never got into any trouble and always feel safe and welcome.  I think the people are genuinely more welcoming of foreigners than here and there is less a culture of 'what can we rip the farang off for next.'  than here.

But whoever said the food is awful is spot on.  How do they stay so slim by eating pig fat all day?

Yeah, the food is markedly inferior to Thai food. If you dig a little, there are some interesting dishes (not that I am expert) like Sinigang soup, fresh seafood, and vegetable dishes with salty thingies.

Good idea to check out other areas. I was in Cebu City,Cebu and then went up to Bantyan Island, and then Negros. Bantayan Island was amazing, talk about primitive conditions for the natives though! I met some locals and ate their local food. Not fit for animals, grade D course rice (disgusting, the most atrotious rice I ever had) served with dried small fish. That was dinner. A cab driver in Cebu said something really funny to me: "the people in Bantayan are really backwards, they love all white people."

Lived in Cebu and Mindanao for a while. Cebu bit touristy for me, but Mindanao is great. Have to ensure you're in the christian area, not the muslim however. People loved the idea that a foreigner would stay on their island due to the problems. Only disadvantage, they think everyone foreign is an american and keep shouting "hello johnny" :o

Posted (edited)

I could really fall in love with the Philippines but for two things: some truly awful food and some really grinding in-your-face poverty - often literally round the corner from a gleaming 5-star hotel. Corruption is off the scale and it's impossible not to feel guilty sometimes when you see how so many are condemned to a life in the underclass.

You get used to the guns - and they are everywhere in the cities. I'll never forget going into a "Jollibee" (local equivalent of McDonalds) and the uniformed guard opening the door for me with one hand while toting a pump-action shotgun in the other - big smile to me and "Enjoy your meal, sir". I also recall being there in the run-up to New Year's Eve and seeing the TV appeals from local mayors to these guys - not to shoot off their guns at midnight on the 31st to join in with all the fireworks; apparently, in the days following, they give out that year's statistics on accidental gunshot deaths the same way we get "drink and drive" accident scores. Logic tells you that there has to be a reason for all those guns and it sometimes seems that every third vehicle is an armoured bank truck.

Never had anything remotely threatening happen to me or near me, but I'm from what we're pleased to call "inner London" so maybe I'm inherently streetwise? At the risk of sounding patronising, just about all the Pinoy I've met are just overwhelmingly charming and genuine. Many lead what we westerners see as a truly miserable existence but seem to come through it no matter what.

Overall, you get the feeling that the Philippines could be so much - fabulous scenery/places and wonderful people - but they have been screwed for so long by the Spanish, followed by the US and then their own politicians that it seems to be in the blood.

One last thought: if you think there's a lot of karaoke in LOS - you just won't believe how widespread it is the Philippines.......... :o

Edited by Steve2UK
Posted

Spent lots of time there. Cool place .Go at least once or tice a year. It has is good to visit but can't stand long stays without a break. Guam Palau and Saipan all near by or better back home in LOS. :D

Had lots of great times :D , but many more here in LOS :o . Hello to all my buddies at Magambo's, P Burgos , Clark, Boracay, Lagaspi. :D

Posted
Spent lots of time there. Cool place .Go at least once or tice a year. It has is good to visit but can't stand long stays without a break. Guam Palau and Saipan all near by or better back home in LOS. :D

Had lots of great times :D  , but many more here in LOS :D . Hello to all my buddies at Magambo's, P Burgos , Clark, Boracay, Lagaspi. :D

Boracay, heaven on earth !! I believe its been voted the best beach in the world on more than one occasion, I went there to have a look and have to agree, awesome !!! Diving was out of this world. Only downside was the hassle from the Kathoeys which I didnt like, much worse than the Thai ones !

As for guns yeah, very scary ! What is even more scary is the security guard who was working at my resort in Angeles, handed his gun to me to let my mate take a photo, still got the pic complete with security guard smiling without a care in the world !!!

When I went back a 2nd time I didnt enjoy it ! Thailand millions times better.

Good to come on here and be able to say this, I went on to the Philippines version of thaivisa (cant remember the name of it) and got banned just for saying Thailand is better. I guess those yanks just don’t like hearing the truth !! (yeah, place is packed with them)……..

Oh, and I think you may find its Mogambos, not Magambos :o

Posted
Spent lots of time there. Cool place .Go at least once or tice a year. It has is good to visit but can't stand long stays without a break. Guam Palau and Saipan all near by or better back home in LOS. :D

Had lots of great times :D  , but many more here in LOS :D . Hello to all my buddies at Magambo's, P Burgos , Clark, Boracay, Lagaspi. :D

Boracay, heaven on earth !! I believe its been voted the best beach in the world on more than one occasion, I went there to have a look and have to agree, awesome !!! Diving was out of this world. Only downside was the hassle from the Kathoeys which I didnt like, much worse than the Thai ones !

As for guns yeah, very scary ! What is even more scary is the security guard who was working at my resort in Angeles, handed his gun to me to let my mate take a photo, still got the pic complete with security guard smiling without a care in the world !!!

When I went back a 2nd time I didnt enjoy it ! Thailand millions times better.

Good to come on here and be able to say this, I went on to the Philippines version of thaivisa (cant remember the name of it) and got banned just for saying Thailand is better. I guess those yanks just don’t like hearing the truth !! (yeah, place is packed with them)……..

Oh, and I think you may find its Mogambos, not Magambos :o

***link to porn site removed***

Its not a forum,but has many a tale from PI.

Posted
PI is a lot of fun and the people are great.

In the country you gets those "thai type" smiles.

Really like PI a lot. I will live in Thailand but PI comes in a close 2nd.

good destination for the 'seasoned whorist'...So im told.

Thailands closer for me (uk) ..But wouldn't rule out a weeks fun there next time im over(in lLOS)..

If it wasn't a little bit 'dangerous' it wouldn't be so cheap.

Posted

Manilla is a real 3rd world modern city. Absolute squallor and filthy rich next to each other.

Sorry guys, but when you have 7-11s haivng to get armed guards and metal detectors and bag searches to get into a shopping centre then thats not the place for me.

Angeles? Good for the ladies and nothing else. Even the local expats dont walk after dark for fear of being mugged / assaulted.

But there are far nicer places as have been mentioned above.

But, once in the PI was enough. Manila airport is just a shambles.

Posted
Manilla is a real 3rd world modern city.  Absolute squallor and filthy rich next to each other.

Sorry guys, but when you have 7-11s haivng to get armed guards and metal detectors and bag searches to get into a shopping centre then thats not the place for me.

Angeles?  Good for the ladies and nothing else.  Even the local expats dont walk after dark for fear of being mugged / assaulted.

But there are far nicer places as have been mentioned above.

But, once in the PI was enough.  Manila airport is just a shambles.

The 7-11 in Phibun Mangsahan (Ubon) now has an armed guard - not as bad as you guys are describing for PI, but still gave me a surprise ! Do they all have them now ?

Oops, sorry, off topic...

Posted

Spent in Q.C. Manila 4 years in late 90's

Loved it and hated it at the same time. Fantastic and friendly from the heart people with their everyday problems of poverty. You can see this everywhere.

European traditions blended with old local believs. Dusty roads with trafffic jams 24/7. Shot guns everywhere. Old colonial buildings at their last glamour. Luck of money and corruption made it as it is now.

Yes, they love America and Americans ( which puts me off ) but except businessmen, sex tourists and mostly US expacts ( less of european) you can hardly see tourists there due to remote tourist location and luck of tourist attractions like in here. .. except karaoke and girly bars.

Ceby, Palawan, Angeles and Puerto Galera are ok but look at the rest of the country. Poor piece of the 3rd world country. America and US $ it's still a paradise for them. Basketball and rap music rules there like nowhere else.

But if they only be given chance to present what they have to offer for tourist business it would be paradise for all of us and especially for them ( not America for sure).

Posted

Was there for a month 2 years ago. Went with high expectations, but headed out in a hurry and back to LOS, cutting my trip short. Had a guy try and pickpocket me. Actually caught him, but he was in cahoots with the police...so they wouldn't do a thing...as I stood there holding this guy and fending off his fists.

Caught an immediate flight to Cebu to get away from Manila. Not much better. Horrible air, crazy traffic, and not that safe. Left after one night to a small village on the other side of the island. Now that was nice. So were a few of the other islands I visited. The girls approach you everywhere you go! The attention was great.

Heading to the airport on Cebu for my flight to Davao, I heard it got cancelled due to a bombing. One American killed, along with some others. Pretty much total chaos. Couldn't get out on a plane for 2 days. So, took a boat to Manila and then flew immediately back to LOS. Though I did meet a bunch of great women on the 24 hour boat ride!

Food is horrible, but most (not all) can speak English. So that is a huge help.

Posted

TH:

Thailand much better food, Puying sleazier, more scams. BKK safer than Manila. More expate in LOS as PI does not need as many english teachers.

PI:

Pinoy better Asses, tits and cuter, less kiniving, are faithful, want to marry. PI cheaper. People much nicer. Cleaner beaches.

A toss up between two shitholes. Pick your poison.

Posted
TH:

Thailand much better food, Puying sleazier, more scams. BKK safer than Manila. More expate in LOS as PI does not need as many english teachers.

PI:

Pinoy better Asses, tits and cuter, less kiniving, are faithful, want to marry. PI cheaper. People much nicer. Cleaner beaches.

A toss up between two shitholes.  Pick your poison.

Pinoy better asses?

Sounds like the germ of a new growth industry.

I don't know whether to be offended or buy a ticket.

Posted

I much prefer Thailand.

I lived in the PI for four years back in the eighties, Angeles City, and not on base, either. I had no problems with the locals in general, but I did have one incident.

It was Christmas. The locals were celebrating as they always do for every holiday, with fireworks. I lived right next to a trike stand (like a tuk-tuk stand) and the trike drivers were throwing triangles (quarter-sticks of dynamite into my yard. Nor only were my dogs hightly upset, but I was too. I happened to be quite ill at the time with a massive sinus infection. I asked them to please not throw them into my yard anymore.

Three times.

Then I made and heaved a Molotov cocktail at them. I hit one trike, with the driver still sitting in it, flames went everywhere, and definitely upset all the drivers. They ran to the police. I sat around and waited for the police to show up. The police came and talked to me. The police left. The drivers all treated me with much more respect thereafter.

Posted
Then I made and heaved a Molotov cocktail at them. I hit one trike, with the driver still sitting in it, flames went everywhere, and definitely upset all the drivers. They ran to the police. I sat around and waited for the police to show up. The police came and talked to me. The police left. The drivers all treated me with much more respect thereafter.

LOL now thats funny :o

Posted
It was Christmas. The locals were celebrating as they always do for every holiday, with fireworks. I lived right next to a trike stand (like a tuk-tuk stand) and the trike drivers were throwing triangles (quarter-sticks of dynamite into my yard. Nor only were my dogs hightly upset, but I was too. I happened to be quite ill at the time with a massive sinus infection. I asked them to please not throw them into my yard anymore.

Three times.

Then I made and heaved a Molotov cocktail at them. I hit one trike, with the driver still sitting in it, flames went everywhere, and definitely upset all the drivers. They ran to the police. I sat around and waited for the police to show up. The police came and talked to me. The police left. The drivers all treated me with much more respect thereafter.

ermm yea ok sounds like fun :o

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