Cebu Expert
Cebu Mini-Datasheet (3 weeks) 2015
I don't want to create a whole new topic for this, so I'm going to keep Cebu short and simple. My aim here is to provide a concise guide for men living in Cebu for 1+ weeks and optimize their time here, without having to go through swarms of previous posts (I certainly didn't), so there may be some repeated information.
Where to stay is simply between IT Park and Mango Square. Do not stay at Ayala, there's nothing else going on in the area after 9pm. Stay in IT Park if you've got to work on online business, are focusing on online game, and prefer to stay in a condo. Although there are no longer any clubs in IT Park, there's plenty of outdoor bars surrounding the district that stay lively on weeknights. But, pulling from Mango Square still easy since upon leaving if you tell her you stay in IT Park she'll have no problem tagging along - IT Park represents safety. Stay in Mango Square if you just want to go pickup from clubs, it's *relatively* shady area but better for getting involved with Filipino lifestyle and active cold approach, as well as a more sinful atmosphere in general. Unfortunately, online girls will refuse to meet you in Mango Square, so would have to venture out a bit. In IT Park, use Airbnb, there are 20+ rooms that are ~$20/night; for Mango Square stay at either "Pillows Hotel" or "Cuarto Hotel".
Online game is the best route to go here. I used shotgun method with DateinAsia, FilipinoCupid, and Tinder. Tinder is useless but has all the rich girls, DIA also useless with absurd amounts of flakiness, although has tons of new girls pouring in every couple days. In hindsight, I wish I used FilipinoCupid more, or other paid sites like Pinalove. FC is something the girls seem to take more seriously, and you can pretend it will be a long-term thing with potential trips to the islands. For all sites, call the girl on phone as soon as possible, to test for English and general retardation. FC girls, you can slow-burn it and they speak better English. Annoyingly, these girls want to fuck nearly immediately, which for someone coming from Singapore, is a massive shift in mentality. For reference I have 9/10 body, 4/10 face, average $$.
Communication is an absolute pain in the ass. Nowhere else on the planet have I experienced slower internet than in the Philippines. You would think that several cafes in a place called "IT Park" would be fast enough to get shit done, but they aren't, and even the 3G from the best provider is garbage. Do all of your shotgunning before arrival, as well as all research on beaches/etc that you want to hit up. The fastest internet is at a co-working space called "The Tide" in IT Park where you pay daily for your own space to focus and get shit done (secret tip: you can actually walk in free after 7pm. The space does NOT close at 8pm as stated on website).
Phone stuff - believe it or not, even phone/SMS is overly complicated here. Most girls do SMS only. The different companies are not very compatible with each other, but the most popular (and cross-compatible) is SUN, however if you want 3G, get GLOBE, so it's ideal to have 2 phones or a dual-SIM phone. Most people actually have multiple numbers. Just make sure you go to an official Globe store so you can pick a good plan (I got 1.5GB/month for $7, it is so slow it's almost impossible to go over this limit).
Transportation - best way is motorbike, the best rental agency is 2km east of Mango Square called "Cebu Guesthouse" they have plenty of motorbikes for $50/week. Get one immediately as cutting through traffic is easier, parking is easier, and it's the best way to pull girls around the city and a short ride can often end up at our place. Don't be a dumbass - buy goggles and a protective mask while driving, both of which can be bought together at Metro for $5. Probably the reason I was sick most of the time was because of exhaust fumes.
Mango Square is simply wild. The classier or 23+ girls consider it a sleazehouse, but in reality it's just fine, similar to LKF in Hong Kong with uglier (and younger) girls. There are just as many people in these clubs at 5am as there are at midnight, but the ratio tends to get unfavorable after 2am. J Ave is the centerpiece of the district, and the best way to approach is to pop in every once in a while throughout the course of the night to test your luck. It's 50% Korean, 30% local hookers, the other 20% are either butt-ugly or 5-7's willing to be pulled. Personally I would use the Korean crowds who are actually a lot of fun to "get in" with their crowd and then use my value to extend to onlooking locals.
The rest of the clubs (Passion, Cluboholic, Alcohology, The Beat, Backdoor, Hype, Ultra) are all filled with 20-year old locals and is a pretty sick scene if you're open minded. Although only a handful of girls dance, they are damn good and seriously get into it, you can just stand there and watch them for 10 minutes. You *have* to be very spontanous in Mango Square, 3-second rule applies to the max here, if you hesitate at all you will get crushed. Don't overthink anything and when she gives you the eye just go for it. Cover for all these places is $2-3 at most. All play gratingly mediocre music, except for Hype. I did not drink at all here so no idea on that but I do know Alcohology provides you with a 7% beer (!) which is worth price of admission. Although I pulled on every night I came here (4 nights), I consider myself very lucky, and it took a lot of pushing through bullshit rejections, pulling from Mango is NOT easy and definitely not handed to you. Plus you'll end up with only a 5-7 max. If you didn't get a motorbike, pull her with a motorbike taxi which are right outside, more fun and cheaper ($1 to IT park).
If you want actual hot women, other major venues are: LIV, MO2, Hyper Club Roof, and Distillery.
LIV is big and classy, has hands down the most jaw-dead gorgeous women I've seen in SEAsia. They're not poster-magazine hot but legitimately exotic hot. Plus the ratio was something like 70% women and your competition is middle-aged dudes. Sadly I was with a tinder girl and her bitchy ladyboy-friend so it was hard to break out often, also sandals.
MO2 is right nearby, and is only good for the amazing live band section. It's got 3 sections - combination of club (which sucks, many gays and insanely loud music), a billiard section which is perfect for dragging girls out to the live band area.
Hyper Club Roof has the best music and easily my top club, similar to LIV and mindblowingly good DJs, awesome staff and fun crowd. For some reason was somewhat empty on a Saturday night when I was there which is a pity, but I did meet some of the coolest Korean girls there.
Distillery is a young-rich crowd, a big bar which turns it up on weekends. Although the girls look 10/10, I didn't have a good experience as it's purely snobby social-circle game. If you don't know anyone, or have no reason for being in Cebu, you'll probably get shunned.
Koreans: are plentiful but their English is simply garbage. They can hardly speak to save their life with locals during day, so expecting them to be able to communicate in a club is hopeless, plus they are always self-conscious and in groups. I found the Japanese girls to be far more cool and eager, even though there's very few of them. But, still strive to befriend their mixed groups at venues as it demonstrates higher value for the locals.
I hardly attempted cold approach during the day here, due to morning sickness and swarms of online messages, and a far higher batting average in Mango Square. TBH, white-god factor isn't very high here compared to Vietnam and Jakarta, but you do get occasional stares from good looking girls who are often in groups or passing by. Sadly I was on motorbike nearly the entire time. Most white guys I saw had pathetic-looking girlfriends, to be straight with you, which means they don't have game. Mall game is overrated (Ayala and SM Mall), but if you must do it, there are spots along the higher floors that overlook below and there's always girls chilling alongside the view. By far the easiest way to cold approach is billiards game method - would have to scope these venues out, but generally any outdoor bar has them. I would just lounge around the tables alone, order 1 drink, and watch people play, within 10 minutes I could open whoever I want including bar girls. Although it's usually just 30% girls at the pool tables so you'll have to deal with mixed groups, inadvertently making new friends but it does boost social value for opening the gems and making connections.
Date spots:
- La Vie is the obvious one, amazing lit outdoor area with chill music and surprisingly unpretentious crowd. Plus, red wine.
- Monastery is a bit hidden, and the only brewery in Cebu, these girls hardly know what craft beer is but they are sure to drink the fruity beer here.
- Mango Square, believe it or not, can be a great date spot. Tell them you want to take them to 22nd Street comedy club, and watch your value rise as other girls ogle you.
- Mountain View, takes a while to get up there, but once you do the main section has many, many options and views to chill out
- Wilson St, this street in general has a handful of classy spots like an Italian pavillion, Alice Gardens (new), and Route Stop Plus, for a more active date
Stay away from: all of IT Park, Ayala Mall Terraces (shits played out), malls in general, parks, Fuente circle, cafes, the shopping districts of Colon/Carbon
Food is fucking amazing here. If you are primal, you'll be in heaven, as there's fresh meat/fat everywhere, and meat quality is very good, mixed in with simple vegetable soups for $1-2. You just go to a local eatery in an alleyway and point at what you want; I didn't get food poisoning once. Some of it might look gross but tastes great once you actually eat it. Obviously stay away from seafood; a lot of stuff is fried, rice is always optional, noodles are rare. Mediocre bakeries are everywhere if you need a quick 10-cent fix. The best lechon is "Rico's" (3 locations), best beer is found at "Monastery" although there's also draft beer at the Irish Pub, don't waste your time with pizza anywhere. Overall a 10/10 experience
Girls: in my 3 weeks experience, I've found that the girls simply cannot be generalized, and am very suspicious of anyone who tries to put them in the same box. The only commonalities I've observed in Cebu are:
- dark skin (well over 95%)
- poor taste in fashion
- loose/random schedules (vs. VN girls)
- aggressive/tough attitude (vs. other Asians)
- somehow socially acceptable to hit on girls working behind the counters
- poor texting abilities, but speak fine in person
- ask a LOT of questions via text. Handle this however you want, but they ask a lot of fucking questions.
- 50% of those online are weirdos. Demand that they meet you in your area, never risk venturing out unless you've spoken intensively.
All in all, Cebu's a mediocre city and its identity is stuck between a "city" and "beach paradise", never quite fully encapsulating either. Has all the negatives of a city without having that full metropolitan city atmosphere. It's more congested than expected so if there for over a week, have an extended beach trip to go at some point. I made some mistakes with online game but if you make the adjustments as stated above, and get a couple girls to come out on trip with you like I did, you'll be in pussy heaven. Some say Philippines is no longer the paradise it used to be, but that applies only to the rich girls who've been afflicted with the disease of smartphones/technology.
Cost breakdown:
- average daily expense: $15/day, + room
- average street meal: $1
- average restaurant meal: $3
- average club entrance: $2
- single beer at store: $.75
- single beer at club: $1.50
- single cocktail: $3
- night at hotel: $20/night
- night at resort: $25/night
- motorbike rental: $10/night (negotiate here)
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Notes on Manila: I only stayed in Manila for a weekend upon leaving, and it was *awesome*. Far more looks on the street despite the fact that there were more foreigners, whiter skin, and generally feels like a REAL CITY. Clubs are far more expensive though, often $10 for cover. I got pulled by a 9/10 girl in her teens before I could even make it to the clubs, within hours of landing. Far different from Cebu and wished I had stayed here more. In general: If you've got a long term trip here, I would spend HALF of it in Manila, and half of it in a paradise city like Puerto Princesa (which still has girls) bon voyage... and if you've got specific questions such as university game or beach spots PM me.
Cyc.
The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary - Vidal Sasoon
DATASHEETS: Chicago (2013) | Singapore (2014) | Vietnam (2015) | Cebu (2015) | Honolulu (2016) | Couchsurfing (2016)
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