Why would anyone want to visit the Philippines?

[KittenKong]

Too freaking hot.

I always found it hotter and more humid in Thailand than in the RP. Probably because the RP is surrounded by the fairly cool Pacific.

[LC 100]

I agree most of the food is bland, however, the local food in Bicol province where my wife is from is hot, they use chilies in many of their dishes, one such favourite is 'Bicol Express'...

[2fishin2]

Food is good and beer is better in the PI.

[lometogo]

Have lived long time in both countries - in Cebu, Dumaguete and Davao in the PI and in Bangkok and CM in Thailand.

In my opinion, the smart punters are those who get a Filipina and bring her to live in CM. To me, Filipinas are sexier and more attractive than Thai women. And they are much more open sexually and expressive than their Thai sisters.

Don't get me wrong, I love Thai women as well and find many of them more educated, sophisticated and worldly than Filipinas. I love the Buddhist influence on the society and women here in Thailand too. Buddhist countries, regardless of how truly "buddhist" they live, just feel nicer to live in.

But the Philippine catholicism is often only a veneer and seldom gets in the way of the women (or men) enjoying life.

And food, ohmigod, I eat better in my first day in Thailand than I will for 6 months in Philippines. Simply the most horrid food I have ever encountered anywhere. When's the last time anyone in your country suggested, "let's go to a Phillipine restaurant"? Never, right? If you particularly like 99% of your food 299% deep-fried, then you will surely be at home in Philippines.

Filipino people and the countryside are spectacular. The infrastructure, general cleanliness and upkeep are on par with the food - horrible. As many have said, most of that is a result of world-class corruption, from top to bottom.

Violence? I'm from America so it's hard for me to find a more violent country than my own. I've never felt threatened or unsafe in either country. Keep your wits about you, don't flash money, don't be a dick to anyone, and above all, don't get drunk in public and you'll likely be ok most of the time.

So, in conclusion, Thailand comes out far and above the winner as a place to live, with 2-3 trips to the PI a year. And get yourself a great Pinay and bring her to Thailand and have the best of both worlds.

[bangon04]

Why? Delightful people. Warm welcome everywhere. None of the surliness so common in Thailand these days. Easy communication in English. Wonderful scenery. Gorgeous beaches. Low prices. Why not? Scruffy cities. Boring, unhealthy food. Above all, skip Manila. Worst city in SE Asia by far. Fly into Angeles/Clark (CRK) from KL, Singapore, or HK if you can and start from there. On the armed security guards everywhere, I admit it's off-putting at first. But the profession is a job-creation scheme. Most of them are too mild to shoot rabbits. The murder rate by gunshot is far lower than in Thailand.

Agree with a lot of this. There are areas in Manila which feel safe, and areas which definitely do not. Guns and poor law enforcement seem equal but with more US thinking and influence.The airport, and transport infrastructure is dismal. The corruption is fairly equal to Thailand. Yes there are more obvious signs of major poverty. Too many kids with no means to feed or educate them. (Good Catholic country)

English is a bonus. Same Chinese blood influence. = corruption and nepotism. Feudalism everywhere.

Angeles/Clark is more like Pattaya but in the mountains..

The people you meet are friendly. They do not pretend to be superior. They realise their country is a basket case and they still smile and do the best they can.

As for the girls - a Spanish influence in the genes is more pleasing to look at than the flat Chinese faces.

[Dustdevil]

I stayed near the Megamall in Manila, where there's a corridor created by walls along the streets which in turn caused the most choking pollution I've ever encountered. Then I enter my three-star hotel and have to go through a metal detector each time. When I check out of my room I realize my keys have been stolen. I don't know what they'd want with a foreign tourist's house keys until I realize that the key ring had an Infiniti emblem on it--which means somebody thought there would be an Infiniti parked in the hotel garage. The front desk girl is totally unhelpful, saying such things simply do not happen in that hotel. As for the food--appalling, inedible unless you stop by the Shangri La. Otherwise, fuhgeddaboudit.

[jacko45k]

I have a friend currently in Cebu and next heading to Borocoy. Feedback is he is having a great time.

Avoid Manila and it can be great.

[aronp1]

Oh yes I seen on TV how the Christianity epidemic is running rampid in the Philippines. It truly is amazing. I bet Emperor Constantine never expected his creation to have lasted so long and have such an impact on the word hundreds of centuries later.

[chicowoodduck]

Well, I go about twice a year and will be heading back to the PI in a few weeks.....it is what you make of it....if you stay clear of Manila....I head out to Sabang and Puerto Glara....quiet spot, no hassles, easy going life style, never any problems, good break from the shitbags and goings on in Pattaya.....IMHO....YMMV....lol..????

[craigt3365]

They drive on the wrong ( American ) side of the road. Too freaking hot. Haven't been there; however, if the food is as bad as other posters say, not interested.

Like Thailand, the Philippines has its share of horror stories about women. Lang Hancock is the most famous example.

A majority of the countries in the world drive on the Right side of the road. It was influenced by France, Russia and the US.

http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/driving-on-the-left/

Today, only four European countries still drive on the left: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.

[subterminalvelocity]

I visited an Uncle (former Vietnam vet) in Manila a few years ago before making sponsored jumps from helicopters into Davao city.

I was VIP with very wealthy and influential businessman and had the pick of the girls.

You can imagine I had a stellar time but, I'll have Thailand any day particularly now married to a former glamour swimsuit model here in BKK.

[thaidrew]

I am fairly well travelled in South East Asia and been here 23 years or more and visited most of it.

I have never been to the Philippines and have been thinking about it and having a look for the experience BUT a friend of mine, who is a Thailand regular, has recently returned. He is streetwise and knows his way around a few big South East Asian cities as well as the popular places.

His take was this:-

1. He never relaxed or felt safe at all whilst moving around in Manila. He says he was constantly on edge and waiting for bad things to happen. He was on his guard but all the time felt nervous.Going out at night unless by taxi was a big no-no.

2. He said when he went to Clark, a cyclone came in and scared him to death and weather was terrible for about three days.

3. He couldn't eat a Mc Donalds without chidren or women with babes in arms banging on the restaurant windows asking for money. He also stated he had never seen as much poverty or as many slums as in Manila and children begging. It had all the sounds of a dysfunctional country.

4. He mentioned the only positives were the women spoke English and understood him better.

5. He said he was constantly hassled by beggars in the street and really believes Manila to be the worst city he has ever visited.

6. Food on the streets, he says was by and large greasy, unhealthy and inedible unless he went to lousy fast food joints. He likes the soup stands and BBQ stands around Bangkok!!

I then went on to many Flipino forums to research this morning and all I read is people being mugged in broad daylight in Manila, gangs of well dressed Filipinos robbing people without shame in Jeepneys working in groups of up to 8, terrible poverty, drugs being placed in peoples drinks knocking them out and getting robbed, credit card scams in restaurants,agressive and nasty attitudes from Manila taxis threatening and refusing to open meters,cheating and scamming as soon as you get off the plane, police and security with machine guns at shopping malls and ever increasing threats from Muslim insurgents.

My God, it makes Pattaya sound like kindergarden!!!

I have made a few friends from there on Facebook and can assure readers ALL BAR NONE are trying to get out of there and work elsewhere. I have not met one, male or female, that says they love the Philippines and want to stay. Also, I have unfriended a few on FB as they constantly are trying to ram ' GOD ' down my throat and I am a long time atheist.

So, the question is, is it really that bad those of you who have been??

If it is, Why would anyone want to visit the Philippines???

Try Tagbilaran, on Bohol, and adjacent island, Panglao, have been 3 times, never had any worries, perhaps not the cheapest place in pi, but friendly folk, reasonably clean, and lots to see including chocolate hills.

[derator01]

An inappropriate post has been removed from view. Please abide by forum rules and show respect to other members, regardless of their nationality.

[slipperylobster]

They drive on the wrong ( American ) side of the road. Too freaking hot. Haven't been there; however, if the food is as bad as other posters say, not interested.

Like Thailand, the Philippines has its share of horror stories about women. Lang Hancock is the most famous example.

A majority of the countries in the world drive on the Right side of the road. It was influenced by France, Russia and the US.

http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/driving-on-the-left/

Today, only four European countries still drive on the left: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.

Yes. Only 3rd world countries still drive on the left side.

[Ace of Pop]

Them 3rd World Oz lot may not see it that way

[Scouse123]

They drive on the wrong ( American ) side of the road. Too freaking hot. Haven't been there; however, if the food is as bad as other posters say, not interested.

Like Thailand, the Philippines has its share of horror stories about women. Lang Hancock is the most famous example.

A majority of the countries in the world drive on the Right side of the road. It was influenced by France, Russia and the US.

http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/driving-on-the-left/

Today, only four European countries still drive on the left: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.

Yes. Only 3rd world countries still drive on the left side.

Yes, That's why third world Japan drives on the left and first world North Korea drives on the right.

[Scouse123]

Anyway everybody,

Thank you all so much for your opinions and views on the Philippines. I am still going yo visit for the experience but I think I will completely miss Manila and fly into Clark and take it from there.

[LC 100]

Good decision, enjoy....

[slipperylobster]

Angeles...

Had a home behind Swagman hotel in Diamond subdivision (where my son and his mom stayed). I lived in Subic, but would ride my Yamaha Serow (and previously, Kawasaki KMX) across the lahar fields into the backway (friendship bridge) to Angeles. Had to take my boots off and roll up my pants. Splashing across two lahar river flows before the bridges were put up. Was there since Pinatubo...and way before (many military exercises at Subic) since the late 70's. Also been to most places North and south.

For those who had a trouble free trip (yes, there are nice places to go where you will not run into trouble so often)...just a word of advice. When you live there for more than 15 years straight, you see and hear things that go unseen by the infrequent traveler. Philippines has problems...kidnapping in the south, NPA in the middle and north. 8 years or so ago, the NPA assassinated 4 policemen across the street from where I lived. Also they robbed a group of sailors on tour of pinatubo. Several homes (foreigners) were being broken into.... This is not in Manila. This is all over Luzon (a big place),as well as Mindoro, Leyte, Cavite (where my 17 year old son lives), Laguna (where my 25 year old daughter lives)...Negros (where my wife lived)....etc. Philippines is more on par with Cambodia than Thailand. There are dangers from extremely violent gangs, drug lords and their peons, and the corruption is far worse than Thailand. Police carry weapons off duty, and you may be pissing next to one, while he reveals a weapon (not his longanisa) and tries to get you to hire him. Trikes will call you into card games (tong-its) that you have no chance of winning. Everyone on the street will claim they know you. This is outside of Manila...and is far reaching. Congratulations to those who have been there and claim to have see no evil. You just had blinders on, or were hanging out at a resort. The real Philippines can be..and is...a dangerous place. Not saying that you should be afraid to go....but what washes in thailand, will not wash in the PI.

The experiences I have had were up close and personal. Several "hits" were done on friends/acquaintenaces. I was in their homes the next day, and carried more than a few people in a plywood box, up the hill. New York (my home) does not even come close to those experiences.

[Agkarajit]

Having visited more than 40 countries and lived in 12 countries across the 4 continents, there are always dark and bright side of every nations. However, for us, we believe that the main purpose for one to travel on leisure is to be exposed to other cultures, seeing new places and contributing to the local economy by a positive mean. As a foreign visitor, one should avoid negative criticism and worsen the situation. The Philippines was one of the country that I have lived for 3 1/2 years. In Manila, there is an area calls Makati where there are great restaurants and other decent forms of evening entertainments within walking distance. Concerning local transportation, it is recommend that one take hotel limousine, chauffeur driven hired car or a taxi arranged by one of the high quality hotels in the area. They are a lot cheaper than the U.S. or Europe. For cultural exposure in Manila, we recommend that one visits the Intramuros and San Agustin Museum. Last year, even Bill Gates and his family made the Philippines their holidays destination. For more information on the Philippines, please visit: http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

[watcharacters]

OP sounds like Canadian Terry..

Don't be so negative..

[MAJIC]

The murder rate by gunshot is far lower than in Thailand.

Can you list some sources because I cannot find them.

This link may give you some info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

[Shadychris]

Angeles...

Had a home behind Swagman hotel in Diamond subdivision (where my son and his mom stayed). I lived in Subic, but would ride my Yamaha Serow (and previously, Kawasaki KMX) across the lahar fields into the backway (friendship bridge) to Angeles. Had to take my boots off and roll up my pants. Splashing across two lahar river flows before the bridges were put up. Was there since Pinatubo...and way before (many military exercises at Subic) since the late 70's. Also been to most places North and south.

For those who had a trouble free trip (yes, there are nice places to go where you will not run into trouble so often)...just a word of advice. When you live there for more than 15 years straight, you see and hear things that go unseen by the infrequent traveler. Philippines has problems...kidnapping in the south, NPA in the middle and north. 8 years or so ago, the NPA assassinated 4 policemen across the street from where I lived. Also they robbed a group of sailors on tour of pinatubo. Several homes (foreigners) were being broken into.... This is not in Manila. This is all over Luzon (a big place),as well as Mindoro, Leyte, Cavite (where my 17 year old son lives), Laguna (where my 25 year old daughter lives)...Negros (where my wife lived)....etc. Philippines is more on par with Cambodia than Thailand. There are dangers from extremely violent gangs, drug lords and their peons, and the corruption is far worse than Thailand. Police carry weapons off duty, and you may be pissing next to one, while he reveals a weapon (not his longanisa) and tries to get you to hire him. Trikes will call you into card games (tong-its) that you have no chance of winning. Everyone on the street will claim they know you. This is outside of Manila...and is far reaching. Congratulations to those who have been there and claim to have see no evil. You just had blinders on, or were hanging out at a resort. The real Philippines can be..and is...a dangerous place. Not saying that you should be afraid to go....but what washes in thailand, will not wash in the PI.

The experiences I have had were up close and personal. Several "hits" were done on friends/acquaintenaces. I was in their homes the next day, and carried more than a few people in a plywood box, up the hill. New York (my home) does not even come close to those experiences.

Putting to one side my rather tongue in cheek post #52 in which I encourage the unhappy TV expats to move to the RP - this is probably the most informative and accurate post so far.

People's 'holiday' experiences are often very far removed from the realities of living in any country. Not only is there simply not enough time in a few weeks holiday to absorb what lies beneath the outward veneer of any place, it is also the case that we often spend large amounts of money on holidays, and thus often have the mindset that we will enjoy ourselves no matter what, and tend only to focus on the more pleasant aspects. However the OP is not wishing to move to the RP just visit - so yes there are many beautiful places there - but one cannot live ones entire life on a beach. You will never be far from grinding poverty on a scale much worse than in LoS - the wealth is split almost entirely between the 'haves' and the 'have' nots, with very little middle ground. There are many on here that complain of a perception that Thailand is only interested in foreigners money, well newsflash - the RP is much worse. In the larger cities unless you are in one of the 'security patrolled' Mall areas you will be constantly harassed by beggars and scam artists. Pickpocketing is rampant - I suspect it may be taught as part of the curriculum ;-) Corruption is also much more endemic than in Thailand - be sure to have cash available to buy yourself out of trouble.

As has been suggested you can have a lovely time, but just be aware that you need a more heightened awareness of your surroundings than in many other SE Asian countries, and try to maintain a low profile.

[Shadychris]

The murder rate by gunshot is far lower than in Thailand.

Can you list some sources because I cannot find them.

This link may give you some info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

That link shows both the murder by gunshot numbers and rates are actually much higher in the Philippines than in Thailand.

2012 Phillipines 8,484 rate 8.8

2011 Thailand 3,307 rate 5.0

Unless of course the rate for Thailand increased by around 150% in a 12 month period... Seems unlikely.

Also very interesting to see that those countries who enforce very strict gun control regulations with no permits or 'rights to bear arms' all have very low rates i.e. <1

I guess that's a whole new discussion though...

[Shadychris]

Today, only four European countries still drive on the left: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.

Yes. Only 3rd world countries still drive on the left side.

Yes, That's why third world Japan drives on the left and first world North Korea drives on the right.

Touchee! You beat me to it. In fact from what I can make out, with the exception of some of South Africa, all of the 3rd world countries drive on the right.

I see a lot of posters on TV using the term 3rd world incorrectly, in particular to describe Thailand - clearly they have no understanding of the meanings.

Although to be fair the term has morphed slightly from the original designation of countries into 1st, 2nd and 3rd dependant mainly on alliance during the Cold War period, it is now also used as a descriptor for socio-economic development status.

However Thailand does not fall into 3rd world category by either definition of the term. It was classed as 1st world in terms of Cold War alliance:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_World

And in terms of its current economic growth and development it is not in the 'least developed' category:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_developed_country

It can be seen that the Philippines does have 3rd world status regarding CW alliance, but it also does not fall into 3rd world as far as economic development goes.

The 3rd World in terms of socio-economic growth :-

[siam2007]

okay now it is finally me and my 25 Centavos of words.

Most negatives mentioned here are true. If you don't lose your common sense, you can usually avoid unfortunate incidents

Angeles is by no means better or safer than Manila. Angeles makes Pattaya appear as the Saint Tropez of South East Asia. At least it has the sea, beaches, nice foods. Angeles has nothing. The Airport is one giant disaster to get to and from. rip-off guaranteed.

Yes the food is miserable, and even the same brand of Junk food (McDo, KFC) tastes a lot worse than in TH, Malaysia or Indonesia.

You can get much better food at the small Carenderias, usually in smaller towns where you can just open the lid and see what's cooking and then order. cheap and quite nice - my favourite would have to be Menudo and Adobo.

If you are stuck in Manila, there is a superb Lunch buffet in the Ermita area, walking distance from Robinson Mall. It is called G-POINT and is an average beer bar at night, but serves a fantastic and inexpensive lunch buffet (which you will feast on while sitting on bar stools usually when it is crowded) at 245 PHP if I remember that right. google for it - highly recommended, best food I ever had in the PH. Everytime I transit in MNL this is the first place I go to have lunch. The owner is a Scandinavian and the food is Scandinavian (meat balls!), Filipino, Japanese, Seafood, Mexican - just great. Go there early at 12 noon as they sometimes do not refill the dishes quickly (plus to avoid the bar stools - some regular tables r there too).

While Malate / Ermita is that much a shithole as has been described here, MNL has for sure some nicer parts (and upscale!) too. Taguig for example, Makati....

I have never been robbed there or anywhere else in the PI, but I am extremely cautious near to Paranoia. When I go out and carry my tablet with me or anything of value, I put it in a plastic bag of a cheapo-supermarket like Puregold or even 7eleven, so it does not look interesting.

The main difference between the PI and TH when it comes to crime is that crime is a lot more random in PI than in TH. You rarely will be robbed or shot to death in Bangkok or CM or HKT in bright daylight, in the PI this can happen way to easily. Filipinos are Machos and daring, whereas Thais are shy and cowards. They will rather stab you from behind at night. Therefore, I feel that it is a lot easier in TH to avoid crime than in the PI.

Hotels, particularly in Manila, are miserable value for money, expensive and low standard. In some cheaper places the mattresses are not better than sleeping on the daily "Manila Bulletin" newspaper. That the Peso is mostly pegged to the $ did not help recently.

Public transport is non-existent or unbelievably overcrowded at any given hour. Taxis actually the only way to get around (the GRABTAXI app is very useful, and unlike someone stated here, the Taxis using Grabtaxi app DO use the Meter, though there is a fixed fare GRABCAR service now too).

That flying is the best way to get from A to B is not surprising though, as Buses and trains quickly would be stuck in a country consisting of 7107 islands.

despite the negatives, I would recommend to anyone to travel there at least ONCE, because, as the Chinese say "seeing just once is a lot better than hearing about it a Thousand times".

It is a very poor country and it will be a shocking experience for most first-timers, but the people are actually hospitable and openminded. It will make you sad to see in which conditions many of them have to live.

I actually made FRIENDS there. The same I can not say in TH after so many years....

[slipperylobster]

Yes, That's why third world Japan drives on the left and first world North Korea drives on the right.

Touchee! You beat me to it. In fact from what I can make out, with the exception of some of South Africa, all of the 3rd world countries drive on the right.

I see a lot of posters on TV using the term 3rd world incorrectly, in particular to describe Thailand - clearly they have no understanding of the meanings.

Although to be fair the term has morphed slightly from the original designation of countries into 1st, 2nd and 3rd dependant mainly on alliance during the Cold War period, it is now also used as a descriptor for socio-economic development status.

However Thailand does not fall into 3rd world category by either definition of the term. It was classed as 1st world in terms of Cold War alliance:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_World

And in terms of its current economic growth and development it is not in the 'least developed' category:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_developed_country

It can be seen that the Philippines does have 3rd world status regarding CW alliance, but it also does not fall into 3rd world as far as economic development goes.

The 3rd World in terms of socio-economic growth :-

silly boys.............lol

it was a joke...i wasn't being serious. You guys are too sensitive..but it is funny.

[Shadychris]

Yes, That's why third world Japan drives on the left and first world North Korea drives on the right.

Touchee! You beat me to it. In fact from what I can make out, with the exception of some of South Africa, all of the 3rd world countries drive on the right.

I see a lot of posters on TV using the term 3rd world incorrectly, in particular to describe Thailand - clearly they have no understanding of the meanings.

Although to be fair the term has morphed slightly from the original designation of countries into 1st, 2nd and 3rd dependant mainly on alliance during the Cold War period, it is now also used as a descriptor for socio-economic development status.

However Thailand does not fall into 3rd world category by either definition of the term. It was classed as 1st world in terms of Cold War alliance:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_World

And in terms of its current economic growth and development it is not in the 'least developed' category:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_developed_country

It can be seen that the Philippines does have 3rd world status regarding CW alliance, but it also does not fall into 3rd world as far as economic development goes.

The 3rd World in terms of socio-economic growth :-

silly boys.............lol

it was a joke...i wasn't being serious. You guys are too sensitive..but it is funny.

Yes I appreciate you were joking, and it made me chuckle - obviously everyone knows (and neither does anybody ever call) the UK, or Japan etc 3rd world countries.

However it is accurate to say that a lot on here do constantly refer to Thailand as a 3rd world country. Whether just through ignorance, or as an attempt to belittle Thailand, or possibly a combination of both - who knows..

I do know that whilst I am not overly sensitive to it, things like that can and do cause offence to Thais. So even if just a few people are educated by the info and links provided, it wont be funny, but rather some small progress....

[Gutenberg]

The murder rate by gunshot is far lower than in Thailand.

Can you list some sources because I cannot find them.

This link may give you some info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

Thanks and it clearly states that Philippines has much higher rate.

[Ghostnigel]

I was there for a month 5 years ago, and i found the Philippines (apart from Manila) to be very welcoming. I did travel there with my gf at the time, who i met in Dubai.

I travelled all over Luzon, to Manila, Angeles city, Clark, Tugeugaro city, Baguio city, Cavite. I wasn't threatened once, although i must admit Manila could be a bit scary at night, but i never had any problems, maybe i was just lucky, i guess..

The food wasn't very nice, but got by. I think i would go back there, given the opportunity. But i think there are better places to travel to, and see, so maybe i will never get back there.