Or a sharpie

Or stabbed him in the throat.

I definitely hope this isn't gonna sidetrack this thread into a gun control/gun freedom thread. I've one gun that Im interested in discussing on this thread, and it shoots something completely different and only at girls i like (for the most part).

Has anyone nailed a Muslim down here? I'm talking full religious garb and all...

I will high five the Roosher and buy him a pitcher if he can prove it.

^ Don't forget the stipulation that marrying her first doesn't count
.

Most asians prefer whiter skin because it is aesthetically pleasing, but i think only a minority have some desire to be white. And even that minority only want to be like the white women on gossip girl - they've seen our fatties, and they are equally repulsed.

I personally prefer whiter skinned asian girls, and I have zero desire to be white. In fact, if you ask anybody on this forum who knows me (YMG, Moma), I have almost a barely existent desire for white girls.

For me, whiter skin on asian girls is more aesthetically pleasing because it's a nicer contrast with their black hair (or often dyed red hair). Also, whiter skin looks smoother than the darker counterpart (not that it feels any different).

so chillax white guys - it's not all about you or the mixed baby they want to have with you.

I'll chime in on that. I'm 100% Asian, half Chinese half Thai. I have slightly darker skin than most people in the Philippines. It has been 100% a complete non-issue. The girls here are still incredibly easy, very friendly and the race thing has never been an issue. I think the whole foreigner thing is a much bigger deal than the race thing.

(04-22-2014 08:56 PM)G_global Wrote:  I definitely hope this isn't gonna sidetrack this thread into a gun control/gun freedom thread. I've one gun that Im interested in discussing on this thread, and it shoots something completely different and only at girls i like (for the most part).

There's no arguing gun issues, but on the larger issue of crime in phils I tell you I don't think I ever saw a cop outside tourist areas of Manila. They had shotguns and I don't think robbers or kidnappers would be spared. Seems like rule of law is pretty uncertain.

(04-23-2014 02:02 AM)Dagnasty Wrote:  Has anyone nailed a Muslim down here? I'm talking full religious garb and all...

I will high five the Roosher and buy him a pitcher if he can prove it.

I'm planning to go to Zamboanga for just that purpose.

(04-23-2014 02:02 AM)Dagnasty Wrote:  Has anyone nailed a Muslim down here? I'm talking full religious garb and all...

I will high five the Roosher and buy him a pitcher if he can prove it.

If you want a muslim, go to Indonesia.

(04-19-2014 03:51 PM)bigboyz Wrote:  What would be the best way to find good modern apartment or even small house in Davao ? I obviously don't want overpriced internet site where they are targeting only foreigners, place where "rich" locals would go search for it ?

Thanks.

bumping this

Also wondering how much maids cost(probably full time) I am thinking about one that knows how to cook western food very well and obviously keep place clean.

(04-23-2014 06:53 PM)Fisto Wrote:  I'm planning to go to Zamboanga for just that purpose.

When are you planning this? Solo or with the Swoop crew?

I'm definitely curious about the place. Would be crazy to invade RVF style

So, an update on drugs stuff. A few times it was said here that it's probably easy to get prescription drugs if you're a westerner. That was not my experience here in Davao.

I was trying to get some Diazapam (Valium). I walked around to 5 different pharmacies. 3 of them didn't have it. 2 of them asked for a prescription. And refused to give me it without a prescription. I asked if I could use a prescription by a US doctor. They said OK.

This is in Davao - it's possible they're less strict in other parts of the country. Here, it was a no go. I thought about faking a prescription from the US. It's not like they're going to call and check. But I figured breaking drug laws in the "tough on crime" part of the Philippines was probably a bad idea, so I went with melatonin instead.

Listen, I need to dispel some myths about Davao.

Jun N' Dell Apartelle is wack. I mean, it's livable. But I keep seeing it recommended and guys are paying 18-20k here when you could get a studio condominium at Camella Northpoint for 18k or Linmarr Towers at 20k. Yes, you will pay a 10k deposit and yes, you will pay about $100-150 in utilities between electric, cable, and electric.

But let's look at what you're getting.

20k room at Jun N' Dell:

Big metal gate and a courtyard filled with hanging laundry. Old school metal spiral staircase. Extremely basic bed with mismatched linens. Slanted panel glass windows. Old AC window unit. Your shower is not really a shower. It's a drain in the floor with a detachable shower hose -- no shower curtain, glass door, etc. There's no mirror in your bathroom but there is a cheap body length mirror nailed to the wall outside. The kitchen only has a portable electric stove. Old 15" box TV on a cheap wooden stand. The one positive is that it's more spacious than a studio.

The location is ass. You have to either call a taxi or walk a few blocks to the highway. You need to take a taxi or jeepney to get to any of the malls.

You lose power and water during brownouts, which have been rolling through Mindanao daily for the past couple weeks and last anywhere from an hour to four plus.

20k room at Linmarr Towers:

Security booth with guard and gate. Beautiful grounds that are constantly maintained. Very nice, large pool and kiddie pool. Half-court basketball court. Elevator. The units are individually owned and the setup will vary but mine had granite counter tops and stained hardwood cabinets. Gas stove. New LG fridge. 32" Samsung flat-screen wall mounted on an extendable metal arm. Fully featured remote controlled AC unit. Great lighting. Private balcony overlooking the grounds with a view of the mountains on the horizon. Basin-style sink in the bathroom. Granite counter. Large mirror. Standing shower with textured glass sliding door panel.

Excellent location downtown. You can catch a tricycle right down by the guard house and hit up Gmall, Abreeza, or Victoria Plaza/Mall for 10 to 30 pesos. Taxis come into the complex and pick up/let off in the covered garage so you can come and go in the rain without getting wet. Girls will comment on how nice/expensive your place is, etc.

There's underground plumbing and a generator so you don't fall victim to brownouts.

Conclusion:

For an extra hundred bucks and small refundable deposit, you're getting a way nicer place, nicer grounds with great amenities, excellent logistics, DHV, and no blackouts. Linmarr, as a whole, is nicer than any place I've stayed in the US. Meanwhile, you can find stuff for the equivalent of 20k pesos in the US that's bigger than Jun N' Dell and actually has a shower/tub.

Now, if you're simply trying to save money or simply plan on spending all your time outside, get the 13k studio at JND. At just under $300 including utilities and internet, you're actually getting a decent value. The 18k and 20k rooms are a terrible ROI though.

(05-02-2014 12:58 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Now, if you're simply trying to save money or simply plan on spending all your time outside, get the 13k studio at JND. At just under $300 including utilities and internet, you're actually getting a decent value. The 18k and 20k rooms are a terrible ROI though.

I'm surprised $300 gets you a room that poor in The Philippines. Look what $300 can buy you in Vietnam, yet Philippines is supposed to have a lower rent index.

Even in Taiwan you can get a really nice apartment for $300 outside Taipei even though cost of living is much higher than Phils.

(05-02-2014 01:19 AM)Collide Wrote:  

(05-02-2014 12:58 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Now, if you're simply trying to save money or simply plan on spending all your time outside, get the 13k studio at JND. At just under $300 including utilities and internet, you're actually getting a decent value. The 18k and 20k rooms are a terrible ROI though.

I'm surprised $300 gets you a room that poor in The Philippines. Look what $300 can buy you in Vietnam, yet Philippines is supposed to have a lower rent index.

Even in Taiwan you can get a really nice apartment for $300 outside Taipei even though cost of living is much higher than Phils.

I should clarify a little. Even though I said the location wasn't great, it's still IN the city. It's only a few minutes from Linmarr and even closer to Camilla. It's just not right in the heart of downtown and the fact that it's in a "village" off the highway means you can't take tricycles and you're not going to have taxis and jeepneys driving past the front door.

You can find stuff way cheaper over in the Matina/Ecoland area or a little outside of the city.

Also, I didn't mention Magallanes Residences in my first post because it's a little higher than the others at 30k per month but it's still a good option for guys who might be deciding on where to stay. You can also get a 2 bedroom at Linmarr for 30k but I believe those are unfurnished.

(05-02-2014 01:19 AM)Collide Wrote:  

(05-02-2014 12:58 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Now, if you're simply trying to save money or simply plan on spending all your time outside, get the 13k studio at JND. At just under $300 including utilities and internet, you're actually getting a decent value. The 18k and 20k rooms are a terrible ROI though.

I'm surprised $300 gets you a room that poor in The Philippines. Look what $300 can buy you in Vietnam, yet Philippines is supposed to have a lower rent index.

Even in Taiwan you can get a really nice apartment for $300 outside Taipei even though cost of living is much higher than Phils.

Davao just isn't set up as a major destination for business or holidays, unlike Bangkok or HCMC, so there's little depth or choice in the accommodation available. I mean, Enigma has listed by name basically all of the 3-4 condo options available in the city. Half the people that go to Davao have probably read up on it on RVF.

The brownouts are getting worse here in Davao. The local paper said it will continue until May 5 when a power plant will come back online.
They are currently building 3 new power plants in the area to combat the problem. The main culprit is the city expanding too fast.
Been here for 3 days. They have had rolling brownouts everyday I have been here. Makes me think I should find a city with a more reliable power source since most of my work is online.

Quote: You lose power and water during brownouts, which have been rolling through Mindanao daily for the past couple weeks and last anywhere from an hour to four plus.

(05-02-2014 04:22 AM)calwinston Wrote:  The brownouts are getting worse here in Davao. The local paper said it will continue until May 5 when a power plant will come back online.
They are currently building 3 new power plants in the area to combat the problem. The main culprit is the city expanding too fast.
Been here for 3 days. They have had rolling brownouts everyday I have been here. Makes me think I should find a city with a more reliable power source since most of my work is online.

Quote: You lose power and water during brownouts, which have been rolling through Mindanao daily for the past couple weeks and last anywhere from an hour to four plus.

I didn't lose power once in February. There was a little string of them in March but it went back to normal quickly.

Just get one of the Globe prepaid super sticks. The 4G LTE version is 4995 for the device and 999 to fill for a month. It has a 1gb daily data cap so it's not great as your primary internet source if you want to stream media but it solves the problem of losing connectivity when the power is out. It's also handy if you want to hit up the mall without relying on their awful speeds.

I recommended one to Beyond Borders and he just loads his a little at a time without paying for one of the plans. A little more expensive in the long run but it bypasses the data cap.

(05-02-2014 12:58 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Listen, I need to dispel some myths about Davao.

Jun N' Dell Apartelle is wack. I mean, it's livable. But I keep seeing it recommended and guys are paying 18-20k here when you could get a studio condominium at Camella Northpoint for 18k or Linmarr Towers at 20k. Yes, you will pay a 10k deposit and yes, you will pay about $100-150 in utilities between electric, cable, and electric.

I agree. I checked it out and I was like ... What?? This place comes that highly recommended?

First of all, I called and asked if they had rooms. They said yes. Then I showed up and they said they didn't have rooms. Wow.

But the place is kind of out of the way. Like, it's in a kind of complex of buildings, with a guardhouse out front. You have to walk 10 minutes just to get to the front street, where you can then take a 10 minute jeepney to Abreeza Mall. You can't walk to a coffee shop or anything like that. Definitely wasn't my style.

I ended up staying at Magallanes Residences. I'm paying 17,000 PHP for a studio. Walking distance to decent cafes and restaurants. Dates are easy; just ask girls to meet at Rizal Park, which everyone knows where it is. Then walk over to Cafe France. Overall I'd recommend it.

(05-02-2014 01:19 AM)Collide Wrote:  I'm surprised $300 gets you a room that poor in The Philippines. Look what $300 can buy you in Vietnam, yet Philippines is supposed to have a lower rent index.

Even in Taiwan you can get a really nice apartment for $300 outside Taipei even though cost of living is much higher than Phils.

holy fuck - $350
http://cvr.com.vn/?q=property/1bdr-apart...ngcchca903
.

Cyclone,
That is amazing deal!

Regarding the power blackouts in Davao currently, are they seasonal or year long?

Enigma,
Thanks for the great breakdown between Jun Dell and Linmarr Towers! The choice is very easy from your description.

Those Linmarr Towers apartments look pretty nice. Do you have to get the electric, cable, internet bills hooked up in your name? If so for someone just staying short term Jun N Dell is still the better option. I thought Jun' N Dell was located in a decent spot, the village is right off JP Laurel ave which is where both Abreeza malls are. I walked to Abreeza everyday when I stayed in JND. Plus there was a pretty good little Chinese type place outside the village that had delicious breakfast and a old guy selling grilled bananas dipped in some kind of sauce and sugar who always tried to hook me up with his daughter ha. There were a total of 4 Rooshers staying in JND at one time when I was there.

I'm not trying to argue with you cause from the pics I have seen Linmarr towers looks nice. I may even look into it on my next trip to the Phills if I don't end up finding a house. On that same note theres nothing wrong with Jun N Dell.

(05-02-2014 06:10 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Cyclone,
That is amazing deal!

Regarding the power blackouts in Davao currently, are they seasonal or year long?

Enigma,
Thanks for the great breakdown between Jun Dell and Linmarr Towers! The choice is very easy from your description.

The current blackouts according to the paper are just temporary till May 5th(daily 1-4 hours). But they will have periodical blackouts due to the power shortage in Davao. This will not be alleviated till the middle of next year when a new power plant will be up in running. Plus they are building two more that are coming online in 2016 and 2017.

(05-02-2014 10:58 PM)Cr33pin Wrote:  Those Linmarr Towers apartments look pretty nice. Do you have to get the electric, cable, internet bills hooked up in your name? If so for someone just staying short term Jun N Dell is still the better option.

No, any of the condos I mentioned are going to be individually owned. The electric and water is already hooked up through them and they just show you the bill at the end of the month and you can pay it straight up or out of the deposit. Internet depends by the place but the one I stayed in had one of the mobile hotspots and I just bought 2 x 500 calling cards to load it.

These places are just as suited to monthly rentals as JnD.