Post: #3526

I'm looking for an apartment in Manila, but it has to be really close to a cocktail bar with dimmed lights and pleasant sofas. Does anyone know anything like this in Manila?

Post: #3527

(04-28-2016 10:13 AM)DVY Wrote:  Duertete = no to corruption, crime and obv terrorism. Yes to more jobs and helping the common person.

I'm actually rocking a duertete bracelet as I write this.

Him and trump have that same feel... Make xxxx great

Dont get me wrong, he sounds like a good thing to clean up corruption and crime... and I think he is the man to do it. So I would like to see him win.

Im just curious if we would see a more brutal police force with a heavy hand.
He doesnt exactly shy away from violence, so there is always the chance of things getting a bit interesting.
(offering 1000 pardons a day to police if he comes into power, being involved in death squads in his home city, being known as "The Punisher" etc)

If anything, if it does get a little hairy it could be a good thing to clear out some of the sexpats. A more peaceful Chang Mai might look very attractive to them.

Post: #3528

I was on the Duterte bandwagon but I've pulled back from it.

Duterte not too long ago came out and said he is a socialist and is willing to team up with the communist on managing the government if he gets elected. Then he had a little anti-American and anti-Australian rhetoric recently.

Despite that he does have a few good things about him. I don't think he will show much respect to any of the Muslim terrorist groups and wouldn't hesitate to wipe them out. He also has been pretty strong against corruption in government which is something the Philippines needs more than anything else.

I have somewhat of a indirect connection to Duterte (my main girl's uncle has been friends with him for many decades) and if he wins I wonder if I can parlay this into something. Although being an American probably negates any chance of that.

Post: #3529

(04-28-2016 09:28 PM)username Wrote:  I was on the Duterte bandwagon but I've pulled back from it.

Duterte not too long ago came out and said he is a socialist and is willing to team up with the communist on managing the government if he gets elected. Then he had a little anti-American and anti-Australian rhetoric recently.

Despite that he does have a few good things about him. I don't think he will show much respect to any of the Muslim terrorist groups and wouldn't hesitate to wipe them out. He also has been pretty strong against corruption in government which is something the Philippines needs more than anything else.

I have somewhat of a indirect connection to Duterte (my main girl's uncle has been friends with him for many decades) and if he wins I wonder if I can parlay this into something. Although being an American probably negates any chance of that.

I don't think the powers that be in other countries will let him win. Its pretty easy to fix an election over there.

He's all over human rights groups radar. Then the communism angle.

Aloha!

Post: #3530

(04-28-2016 10:13 AM)DVY Wrote:  Him and trump have that same feel... Make xxxx great

A lot of Filipinos have been asking me about Trump lately, and the first thing I say is he is "like Duterte".

There are tons of similarities between the two and their campaigns. Even down to really strange coincidences like them both criticizing the Pope.

(04-28-2016 09:28 PM)username Wrote:  Duterte not too long ago came out and said he is a socialist and is willing to team up with the communist on managing the government if he gets elected.

His comment about being a socialist was in reference to criticisms that he is a communist. The NPA (communist rebellion) in Mindanao is the longest running rebellion in Asia, so he has no choice but to try to maintain the peace with them to some extent.

At the same time as those comments, he said he plans to encourage smalls businesses and expand the middle class.

He's also called for lower taxes, more foreign investment, and has stressed the importance of industrialization.

During one of the debates he had a particularly red pill moment where he called out Al Gore and the UN's climate change agenda, saying they can't even get the US and China to follow the standards, and pointing out that the Philippines cannot grow without industry -- basically a big 'fuck you' to the global warming alarmists.

I haven't heard much from him that would strike me as "socialist", from an economic perspective.

Quote:Then he had a little anti-American and anti-Australian rhetoric recently.

Which rhetoric?

Recently an Aussie and American ambassador offered their two cents about a bogus media controversy and he told them to mind their own business and stay out of the Philippine's election process.

He's a nationalist. In reality, the US has fucked over the Philippines pretty good in the past, and I'm sure he understands this.

At the same time, he also understands the importance of their alliance, and has said he'd give the US a piece of Palawan as a deterrence to China if necessary.

That's just another one of the ways he's like Trump. I don't believe either harbor any particularly animosity towards specific nations, but they are not going to take any shit from anyone either.

(04-27-2016 01:24 PM)DVY Wrote:  Lol maybe the duerte story is true but I didn't really see a strict enforcement out.

I don't know exactly how the Duterte story goes, but basically a foreign (Aussie?) guy was smoking and refused to stop. The mayor then gave him the choice to either eat the cigarette butt or go to jail? Or maybe he threatened to shoot him?

Either way, the gist of the story is that the guy he did it too was basically telling the mayor of the city to fuck off and blatantly refusing to follow the law. He pretty much got whatever was coming to him.

(04-28-2016 08:45 PM)barrel Wrote:  Dont get me wrong, he sounds like a good thing to clean up corruption and crime... and I think he is the man to do it. So I would like to see him win.

Im just curious if we would see a more brutal police force with a heavy hand.
He doesnt exactly shy away from violence, so there is always the chance of things getting a bit interesting.
(offering 1000 pardons a day to police if he comes into power, being involved in death squads in his home city, being known as "The Punisher" etc)

If anything, if it does get a little hairy it could be a good thing to clear out some of the sexpats. A more peaceful Chang Mai might look very attractive to them.

I've spent over two years in Davao and you rarely ever even see police officers. And when you do, they're not bothering anyone.

The "death squad" stuff is more of an intimidation thing -- it's not like people are getting killed every day (or anywhere close to it). And I'm pretty sure a good portion of the deaths happen during shootouts with armed criminals.

The propaganda about Duterte being a "dictator" or anything of the sort are huge exaggerations.

Most of his "strict" laws aren't much different than what you'd find in the US or other developed countries -- bars close at a certain time, you can't smoke indoors, you have to wear a seatbelt, you can't speed, your vehicle needs to pass emissions standards, etc.

And the US is way, way worse in terms of police presence and harassment.

He has said that he will enact a "bloody" cleanse of the government within months of being elected, but it's hard to say whether that would affect the average person or not.

Post: #3531

Pretty sure the death squad days in Davao were back in the 90s. Duterte cleaned house and it's been in maintenance mode since then. Hope he can do the same for the country as a whole. I don't think it would be easy, but it's worth a try.

Post: #3532

(04-30-2016 10:54 PM)RawGod Wrote:  Pretty sure the death squad days in Davao were back in the 90s. Duterte cleaned house and it's been in maintenance mode since then. Hope he can do the same for the country as a whole. I don't think it would be easy, but it's worth a try.

One of my rotation girls is from fairly deep within Mindanao (Sultan Kudarat represent.) According to her they mostly all love Duterte where she's originally from. They know he's been mostly a force for positive change in the region. The elite in the Philippines are afraid of him and are also looking for cracks and ways to try and manipulate him for their own benefit.

Before we get too starry eyed about Duterte let's not blind ourselves to the harsh realities of politics in the P.I. It's all about money, guns, and family connections. When those fail or they catch you slipping then it devolves into terrifying violence fast.

The Philippines is still mostly about plata o plomo traditions in politics which the countries which were colonized by the spaniards seem to adhere to.

So Duterte will have to appease many elites unless he wants lots of motorcycle assassins with uzis and bombs trying to take him and his family out. He might have been able to wrangle Davao but Luzon and all the other island elites is another story altogether.

This will be a fine balancing act if he actually gets into office. A life or death type balancing act.

Post: #3533

The 20 year anniversary of the People's Power Revolution was just a few months ago. If they can overthrow Marcos, they can put Duterte in the Palace.

Duterte's support is actually highest among the middle and upper classes. The Philippines polls based on socioeconomic class, and Duterte polls 100% to 150% above the other candidates in the ABC class (highest income). The numbers are much, much closer among the lower classes.

He's also overwhelmingly popular with OFWs.

The country's richest and most educated form the entire base of Duterte's support. And his supporters are extremely loyal and passionate.

I predicted Duterte's rise in this same thread back in August 2015, months before he even announced his candidacy. Most people in Luzon and much of the Visayas barely knew who he was at that point.

(08-30-2015 10:09 PM)Enigma Wrote:  1. Forget the GDP. If Duterte becomes president, which I would bet money on at this point, this country will change in major ways, from safety to corruption to economics.

This guy is a real alpha that I think most guys on this forum would appreciate.

Now he has a commanding lead in the polls and continues to surge, despite an all-out media campaign against him.

There's obviously a chance he doesn't win or is killed, but his movement and the push for change is very much real.

Post: #3534

(05-01-2016 12:37 AM)Enigma Wrote:  The country's richest and most educated form the entire base of Duterte's support. And his supporters are overwhelmingly loyal and passionate.

Don't be fooled by this. They ride the popular guy and the man of the hour but plot behind the scenes. This is how things are done in the P.I. Lip service is always strong until it starts to directly conflict with personal/tribal interests.

Then that's when the fangs bare and lead starts flying.

Keep in mind the wealthy and educated family members also aren't necessarily privvy to the scheming of the elite shotcallers and their buttonmen. I've met more than one filipina who does not understand the brutality of the culture. They live in a bubble of middle and upper class socialization and limited acknowledgement of reality as it pertains to daily life. Overseas vacays, beach resorts, cafes to cafes, and restaurants to restaurants reviewed on apps. That's their life. That is not real life.

There's a lot of very expensive wheels to grease for the man from mindanao.

Post: #3535

(05-01-2016 12:44 AM)El Chinito loco Wrote:  

(05-01-2016 12:37 AM)Enigma Wrote:  The country's richest and most educated form the entire base of Duterte's support. And his supporters are overwhelmingly loyal and passionate.

Don't be fooled by this. They ride the popular guy and the man of the hour but plot behind the scenes. This is how things are done in the P.I. Lip service is always strong until it starts to directly conflict with personal/tribal interests.

Then that's when the fangs bare and lead starts flying.

There's a lot of very expensive wheels to grease for the man from mindanao.

But Duterte would not be popular without the middle and upper class. That's where he has polled highest and held the biggest lead for the entire election cycle.

That's why I was able to predict his trajectory more than six months ago. The middle class of the country is obsessed with him, on par with the support that Trump gets.

He just recently pulled ahead with lower class voters. Poe was beating him in classes D and E for months.

Obviously he is going to have problems with the real elites who are focused on sucking the country dry. But I don't think it's reasonable to pretend that he doesn't have any allies.

Post: #3536

(05-01-2016 01:02 AM)Enigma Wrote:  That's why I was able to predict his trajectory more than six months ago. The middle class of the country is obsessed with him, on par with the support that Trump gets.

He just recently pulled ahead with lower class voters. Poe was beating him in classes D and E for months.

Obviously he is going to have problems with the real elites who are focused on sucking the country dry. But I don't think it's reasonable to pretend that he doesn't have any allies.

The middle class loves him because they are not dissimilar from the average American who sees the country being sucked dry by globalists. They are not wrong about this. I think they are completely right that he's the right man for the job.

However, even with this sort of support don't underestimate the forces arrayed against someone like him. The elites definitely fear him. His populist message is so strong they have to acquiesce.

I'll say this again and i'm standing firm on this..the elites fear him and do not like him at all. The shotcallers absolutely do not like him. They understand populism and will ride the wave but believe me the guys at the top are probing weakness.

Someone likes Duterte needs to control the police and military. Like he did in Davao. That's not so easy either in the position he's in if he's elected.

If he survives and enacts real reform then he'll be a legend right up there with Rizal.

Post: #3537

(05-01-2016 01:15 AM)El Chinito loco Wrote:  The middle class loves him because they are not dissimilar from the average American who sees the country being sucked dry by globalists. They are not wrong about this. I think they are completely right that he's the right man for the job.

However, even with this sort of support don't underestimate the forces arrayed against someone like him. The elites definitely fear him. His populist message is so strong they have to acquiesce.

I'll say this again and i'm standing firm on this..the elites fear him and do not like him at all. The shotcallers absolutely do not like him. They understand populism and will ride the wave but believe me the guys at the top are probing weakness.

Someone likes Duerte needs to control the police and military. Like he did in Davao. That's not so easy either in the position he's in if he's elected.

If he survives and enacts real reform then he'll be a legend right up there with Rizal.

Oh, don't get me wrong -- I'm not disagreeing that the elites fear him. They definitely are, and there's definitely a real chance that they could stop him.

My point is simply that a lot of the people in the middle and upper classes are sick of the corruption as well.

What's going on in the Philippines is more of a power struggle at the top, rather than a battle between the upper and lower classes.

Post: #3538

I think we need to distinguish between the super-elites and the elites. There are competing factions.

The family I was visiting strongly backs duerte. They've known him for over 15 years. The amount of $ flowing indirectly into his election is staggering. Bracelets, pictures, posters. Its everywhere. It free.

If you go around Davao, Cebu or Manila. Its everywhere. Its arguable that I see more of Duerte brand than Coca Cola or Nestle. Its on maybe 50% of cars as stickers. Its truly insane.

Duerte has is far from stupid. I think he'll win if its a fair fight (arguable if it is).

The bribes, intimidation and extortion are real. From the high to low. The elites interest will always be protected at one way or another.

From speaking w/the Davao guys, the dream is a more efficient wheel and reform. Less police corruption, less governement employee shake-down, and just a smoother running business wheel.

Shabu is a big problem here in the Phils.

One of the stories I've heard is how bad the ports are. Say a container of "insert business parts" come in. It will not be unloaded unless you pay the forklift driver to pick the container from the ship, pay the crane operator to load it unto the trucks, pay the gate checker, pay the person who owns the gate. So after all is said and done, you sometimes end up paying 50% of merchandising value as bribes.

AND this is for a PEZA accredited business.

This indirect "wheel stoppage" ultimately hurts the consumer. There is a lot of frictional costs and short-sightedness.

One thing is for damm sure. I would never want to live hear long-term and have ANY sort of business that competes w/powerful filipino interests. Its too easy to step on people's toes here.

There are people who have never even seen 100k pesos in their hands. Imagine what you can pay somebody to do for 1M peso (20k dollars). Minimum daily wage is 350-400 pesos. 50% of of that at least gets eaten up by essentials. Most have only 150-200 pesos daily allowance for everything else...

Yet the elites (I got a lot of flack on this board for showing how they live and spend) don't even blink on spending 10k pesos/per person in a night. Hell I was in Davao, and we went to dinner, then 3-4 bars and bought bottles at each one. Spent about 2k pesos each for Davao.

These are cats that will fly to Japan for a vacation for the weekend, drop a ton of $ there, and fly back to Davao and be incognito again. No flashy clothes, cars or jewelry. But they have a flashy 15-25M peso condo in Manila, porsche/lambo/ferrari in Manila, GFs stashed all over the Phils (possibly w/multiple illegitimate kids).

There is a def skew of population living on the lower end, but there is a tip-top minority elite that basically live like kings. Its just non-stop debauchery and hedonism.

Post: #3539

(04-30-2016 10:49 PM)Enigma Wrote:  ..

Good post, thanks for the corrections.

(04-30-2016 10:49 PM)Enigma Wrote:  I've spent over two years in Davao and you rarely ever even see police officers. And when you do, they're not bothering anyone.

Noticed the same thing as well. The two times I remember seeing police they were doing speed radar on drivers.

--

On an unrelated note, I just now noticed Tune Hotel in the Philippines are now Red Planet Hotel. Does anyone know if Red Planet plays the same games Tune does with aircon fee, internet fee, and other add ons fees? It appears they don't by looking at their web site. If so that is a good thing.

Post: #3540

(05-01-2016 04:23 AM)username Wrote:  

(04-30-2016 10:49 PM)Enigma Wrote:  ..

Good post, thanks for the corrections.

(04-30-2016 10:49 PM)Enigma Wrote:  I've spent over two years in Davao and you rarely ever even see police officers. And when you do, they're not bothering anyone.

Noticed the same thing as well. The two times I remember seeing police they were doing speed radar on drivers.

--

On an unrelated note, I just now noticed Tune Hotel in the Philippines are now Red Planet Hotel. Does anyone know if Red Planet plays the same games Tune does with aircon fee, internet fee, and other add ons fees? It appears they don't by looking at their web site. If so that is a good thing.

Red Planet has everything included in the price, no add on fees.

Post: #3541

And you can get a 10% discount if you book with their mobile app. You can also use the app to extend your stay if you are too lazy or hungover to go to the reception.

Post: #3542

Just wondering DVY. When you refer to the elites spending all this $$, you essentially mean "rich kids spending daddy's money" vs self-made hustlers, right?

Post: #3543

Duerte cleaned up Davao through extra-judicial killing of criminals, drug dealers, and some say drug-users.

Doing that in a small city that most of the country had already written off is a lot easier than doing that in Manila and every other city in an entire country.

Is there really less corruption in Davao? Maybe, but it's my understanding some of the political elders and their friends over the last 20 years have done pretty well financially and own many businesses along with large swaths of land. Is that corruption? Maybe, maybe not. Probably no more than any other country.

Political seats do tend to be handed down to family members, but is that corruption? Haha....well we do have the Kennedy's, Bush's, and Clinton's too.

I was chatting with a Pinay recently and asked her who she favored. Her response was, "What does it matter who wins? They are all corrupt"

When I was in college I worked at a local store that was run by arguably the wealthiest man in the city. He was also the biggest donor of the political party that was in power and had been for the past 50+years. Everyone would come into this local store which he used as his unofficial office. Lots of "corruption" when down at that store. People would come in with their speeding/parking tickets and the Chief of Police would come in on Monday's to pick up the stack to have them thrown out. The judges, the mayor, business-men, would all come in to talk to my boss and they would have their conversations in quiet corners.

It was great for me, because even though I was a lowly employee of this store just trying to make a buck working through college I got discounts at all the other businesses because those places knew who I worked for. I got my parking tickets wiped clean, another employee got an actual assault charge thrown out by a judge. This city has a list of people that police keep at dispatch. If you're on the list when you get pulled over by a cop you get set loose.

Is that corruption? Yeah, I guess so but that's how it's been since the dawn of man and it's never going to change.

Duerte made Davao a very safe place through extreme measures, and that ushered in foreign investment, and a better quality of life. But to say that he ended corruption and all the rest, well....maybe, but I don't buy it and I don't necessarily think that's the most important thing.

Safety, the protection of law-abiding citizens, and the development of a better quality of life that can be enjoyed by everyone is really what a leader should deliver. Duerte did a great job in that regards with Davao, but were innocent people wrongly killed because of it? Was the sword too heavy? I don't know. Extreme situations cause for extreme measures.

Post: #3544

(05-01-2016 03:57 PM)Onto Wrote:  Extreme situations cause for extreme measures.

Agreed. It is hard to hold 3rd world countries to 1st world values. The challenges they face are so different.

Post: #3545

Flying out of sfo tonight. First timer overseas. The excitement is really starting to build momentum!

Got an apartment in the fort for several days before i decide where i want to go next.

I arrive at 430am so i hope i can buy sim card and do money exchange that early before i get settled.

Post: #3546

@ Onto- I wrote about the broken wheel. You described it perfectly w/your life experience. For me, I say corruption is everywhere AND I don't really mind it in small measures as long as the end result is a better, smoother running system or gradual improvement in Quality of Life/Wages for the average citizen.

Manila definetely doesn't fit that bill. Cebu can't say yet. Davao I see it.

@RichieP- Are daddy's $ and self-made hustlers really that discreet? What if you had family $, connections, but still opened up new businesses, made $, started a family, kept your head down and didn't blow all your $.

The lines aren't so clear here in the 3rd world.

W/out education you have no way forward, but some can't even afford to get an education. W/out family connections, help and bank financing (family connections) it would be near impossible to open a business.

In the USA social mobility is higher, but I don't want to discount people's accomplishments just because of family wealth.

I admire people who continue to grow no matter what circumstances... Its just the ceiling is much higher in the 1st world.

________________________
So on Saturday, I went solo to a bar. Started talking to this group of filipinos/filipinas. Invited them all to Liv for free. There is no way they could have offered it on their own. Paid for the table (5k pesos). Hung out w/them. Said hi to my other foreigner acquantices that also offered me their alcohol and VIP table. We had some laughs, walking aroudn the club and hitting on other girls. Went back to my table, hung out w/the Filipino group. Then took my favorite girl home from the group who really liked me.

Is that pay 4 play?
________________________________________________________
Is taking a girl and her friend to dinner and then drinks at a bar pay 4 play?

_______________________________________
Spent about 3k pesos. Japanese ramen spot, sake beers then a bottle/mixers at a nice outdoor lounge. Is that p4p?

How about if I didn't swoop but swooped the next time...Is that pay for play?
_______________________
How about if I swooped a girl I met at 7-11, but gave her 300 pesos to take a taxi home @ night.

Is that p4p?

Do you see what I mean about the black and white lines here becoming gray.

Post: #3547

(05-01-2016 03:57 PM)Onto Wrote:  Duerte cleaned up Davao through extra-judicial killing of criminals, drug dealers, and some say drug-users.

Doing that in a small city that most of the country had already written off is a lot easier than doing that in Manila and every other city in an entire country.

Is there really less corruption in Davao? Maybe, but it's my understanding some of the political elders and their friends over the last 20 years have done pretty well financially and own many businesses along with large swaths of land. Is that corruption? Maybe, maybe not. Probably no more than any other country.

Political seats do tend to be handed down to family members, but is that corruption? Haha....well we do have the Kennedy's, Bush's, and Clinton's too.

I was chatting with a Pinay recently and asked her who she favored. Her response was, "What does it matter who wins? They are all corrupt"

When I was in college I worked at a local store that was run by arguably the wealthiest man in the city. He was also the biggest donor of the political party that was in power and had been for the past 50+years. Everyone would come into this local store which he used as his unofficial office. Lots of "corruption" when down at that store. People would come in with their speeding/parking tickets and the Chief of Police would come in on Monday's to pick up the stack to have them thrown out. The judges, the mayor, business-men, would all come in to talk to my boss and they would have their conversations in quiet corners.

It was great for me, because even though I was a lowly employee of this store just trying to make a buck working through college I got discounts at all the other businesses because those places knew who I worked for. I got my parking tickets wiped clean, another employee got an actual assault charge thrown out by a judge. This city has a list of people that police keep at dispatch. If you're on the list when you get pulled over by a cop you get set loose.

Is that corruption? Yeah, I guess so but that's how it's been since the dawn of man and it's never going to change.

Duerte made Davao a very safe place through extreme measures, and that ushered in foreign investment, and a better quality of life. But to say that he ended corruption and all the rest, well....maybe, but I don't buy it and I don't necessarily think that's the most important thing.

Safety, the protection of law-abiding citizens, and the development of a better quality of life that can be enjoyed by everyone is really what a leader should deliver. Duerte did a great job in that regards with Davao, but were innocent people wrongly killed because of it? Was the sword too heavy? I don't know. Extreme situations cause for extreme measures.

Corruption happens everywhere, including in the USA. It is inherent in the business of politics and can not be totally eliminated. After all, your buying influence to serve your own interest. For me, the issue is more a matter of how much they take on top. With some politicians, its all take and take, hardly giving back to the community. In Davao, I can see the investments in infrastructure, relatively good services, and a well behaved population compared to a lot of other provinces. Its just my feel but the standard of living for the poor in Davao seems better compared to Manila. Having solid support in Davao says a lot for what Duterte has accomplished.

In Manila, it could take you months to process business papers if you do not pay the bribe. In Davao, the paper work must be processed within 3 to 4 days or else it will land on Duterte's desk (or so they say.) I just came back from Davao - big US Chamber of Commerce meeting attended by the US Ambassador. One guess as to who they think will be the next Philippine President? A little late in the game but if you have the resources, its a great time to invest in the Davao area.

Post: #3548

I've been hit with a bit of a sucker punch. Upon trying to get a SIM load for my phone, its apparent i have a locked phone! So basically I have no service outside of my hotel room wifi makes gaming on the go more difficult..

Post: #3549

What is the legal age in philippines to have sex?
A very beautiful girl i am talking too, said to me that she lied to me and she's 17 years old and not 18.
I am sad because she is so beautiful and i guess 17 is not legal age for sex.

Post: #3550

(05-03-2016 09:00 AM)yomi Wrote:  ...

(01-05-2011 05:35 PM)Roosh Wrote:  11. No jailbait/illegal threads. Do not talk about where to find girls under 18 or how to have sex with them, even if it's legal in the location being discussed. Do not post sexy pictures of girls that are confirmed to be under 18. Do not talk about illegal drug use or breaking the law.