(12-24-2015 06:57 AM)asdfk Wrote:  Guys, I expect to fly in next week.. When walking in a city I continuously look at Google Maps to know where I am. This has served me well accross Europe. I've heard some stories about people getting robbed violently in SEA when showing their smartphone in public. Now I'm not too worried because I'm tall (1.90M) and I've never been attacked in the streets, but I just want to make sure that won't make scum there resort to stab 'n grab, if you know what I mean.

It depends on where you'll be. In Makati or the Fort I wouldn't worry about being stabbed, especially during normal hours. I would worry more about someone just grabbing it out of your hand and taking off.

I remember I was once behind Greenbelt mall at night waiting to cross the street and there was a 10 year old boy next to me swaying back and forth, eyeing my pants pocket, thinking about diving in. I caught his eye, smiled and shook my head slowly "No". He got the message, but he had that look like he's been successful at it before.

(12-24-2015 06:57 AM)asdfk Wrote:  Guys, I expect to fly in next week.. When walking in a city I continuously look at Google Maps to know where I am. This has served me well accross Europe. I've heard some stories about people getting robbed violently in SEA when showing their smartphone in public. Now I'm not too worried because I'm tall (1.90M) and I've never been attacked in the streets, but I just want to make sure that won't make scum there resort to stab 'n grab, if you know what I mean.

If it were me and I was nervous, I'd walk with false confidence to the nearest 7/11, bank, or any place with a 'security guard'; stop inside, check google maps, then go out and get back on my way. If that happened outside, I might slowly look around and smile or nod at anyone that was staring at me. Transportation is dirt cheap, and most places you'll be going within walking distance are trike accessible.

But if you're lost, you can always go up and ask a Filipino. Most speak English, are very friendly, and if they're working (security guard or sales agent), you should be safe. Filipino hospitality is famous for a reason. Don't be shy to tip a peso, sometimes it's worth it.

You've already started a cop paranoia thread elsewhere. Are you going to start trolling the Philippines and Bangkok threads with additional fears and insecurities.

Don't want to get your phone stolen? Buy a cheap world phone from walmart and use that. Leave your modern smartphone where your staying, buy a travel safe, hire a security guard, pack a german shepherd, get some bodyguards, or don't leave your mom's basement. But stop fear trolling. Many of us have been to these countries too many times to count, and we're still here, regardless of all of these "reports."

I'll tell you one thing. Acting like a frightened little rabbit tends to be one thing that most attracts the wolves.

(12-24-2015 06:57 AM)asdfk Wrote:  Guys, I expect to fly in next week.. When walking in a city I continuously look at Google Maps to know where I am. This has served me well accross Europe. I've heard some stories about people getting robbed violently in SEA when showing their smartphone in public. Now I'm not too worried because I'm tall (1.90M) and I've never been attacked in the streets, but I just want to make sure that won't make scum there resort to stab 'n grab, if you know what I mean.

On top of that he thinks being 190cm (which actually isn't that tall) is gonna someone keep away the bad guys.

(12-24-2015 08:36 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  On top of that he thinks being 190cm (which actually isn't that tall) is gonna someone keep away the bad guys.

That's actually super tall for the Philippines. But it would definitely make him stand out more, whether for good or bad.

(12-23-2015 06:19 AM)YardDog Wrote:  @DD - Nice find. Back in Manila I sometimes hang out with a 22 year old rookie customs official. She says drug pour through the docks all day long. As a worker you can either keep your mouth shut and have no trouble or confiscate the package. If you do the latter it's possible the cartels have plants in the offices who will tell the drug dealers who did it. She says the cops around the docks are all dirty too. You can imagine not many confiscate packages. At this point she's trying to get moved into an office position as the whole scene is too heavy for her. Basically her experience confirms everything in that video.

Here's a secret about SEA that many people don't know about..there's probably just as much drug money and drugs flowing through Thailand, the Philippines, and everywhere else as any of the violent cartel hellholes in the world like Honduras or Mexico. The reason why these places aren't warzones is because they are separated (largely) by water and the government officials are involved in one way or another. So you could say the cartels in Asia are partially government and politician controlled. This means there's an organized and thoroughly vetted process for how and when drugs get through. The competition tends to get ratted out pretty fast and eliminated usually by peaceful means (interdiction at the airport, long jail terms, and formal execution) rather than sicarios playing bowling ball with severed heads in nightclubs like in Mexico. Note how it's almost never the serious cartel level shipments that get seized in asia but always small time players or independents.

Plus street meth and heroin is so cheap in Asia it sort of naturally prices out the competition overseas. There's no way a cartel from Latin America can compete or flex muscle in asia for this reason.

Staff at the hotel pitched in and got me a bottle of wine for Christmas.

(12-24-2015 08:36 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  On top of that he thinks being 190cm (which actually isn't that tall) is gonna someone keep away the bad guys.

6'2" barefoot (so, 6'3" in shoes) is not tall? This is the Philippines thread man, not the Netherlands one.

On the one hand people recommend to "not be an idiot", while others are ridiculing me for asking what's the smart thing to do in those countries. That's funny.

Thanks for the feedback all, my worries have been soothed and I'm ready to get my nut off.

(12-24-2015 09:05 PM)thoughtgypsy Wrote:  

(12-24-2015 08:36 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  On top of that he thinks being 190cm (which actually isn't that tall) is gonna someone keep away the bad guys.

That's actually super tall for the Philippines. But it would definitely make him stand out more, whether for good or bad.

(12-25-2015 10:34 AM)Vice Wrote:  

(12-24-2015 08:36 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  On top of that he thinks being 190cm (which actually isn't that tall) is gonna someone keep away the bad guys.

6'2" barefoot (so, 6'3" in shoes) is not tall? This is the Philippines thread man, not the Netherlands one.

In general but apparently world wide it's tall.

What I was trying to get at was that height won't protect you from weapons or a group of kids.

Just saw the movie, "On the Job", on Netflix. Had no idea it was a Filipino movie until I started watching. It was riveting.

Any other recommendations for good Filipino movies?

I just booked. I'll arrive the 1st of january. Next step: get a penthouse apartment. 2016 is gonna be great.

@Onto: Check out Metro Manila on netflix, I found it a really good movie. Friend of mine told me that's kinda how society is like in the phils.

Also anyone know any good Kali drop in gyms?

(08-30-2015 03:14 PM)dreambig Wrote:  I met a university student on the bus who made her Filipino boyfriend court her for 4 months and they still haven't kissed almost 1 year into dating.

What is the difference between courting and dating? Honest question.

(12-26-2015 05:15 AM)LeapLeap Wrote:  

(08-30-2015 03:14 PM)dreambig Wrote:  I met a university student on the bus who made her Filipino boyfriend court her for 4 months and they still haven't kissed almost 1 year into dating.

What is the difference between courting and dating? Honest question.

It's implied that courting is more serious with more longterm intentions. There are still some filipinas out there who are very traditional.

Even though this thread makes it seem like every filipina will jump in the sack with every foreigner who comes along this just isn't the case. A lot are certainly like that (otherwise this thread would be a ghost town) but there are still some very traditional ones who believe in courtship and are legit virgins.

Now, just because a filipina uses traditional words to describe herself doesn't mean shit either. It's all about her actions and the company she keeps rather than words. They are all god fearing, loyal, traditional, and no hook ups! girls on paper.

Hi friends, I don't know Manila at all; in your opinion which could be another option than Makati among these places? Muntilupa, Valenzuela, Marikina, Cavite, near Eastwood libis, libis-quezon city, Manila city, Mandaluyong city .... or what other place. I like to meet beautiful regular girls (not pro). I don't like to spend a lot of money to live for 20 days. I don't know but I think Makati is a bit expensive. I will rent an apartment for 20 days. I'd like to be in Mabini near La Cafe but I'm afraid regular girls don't like that place.

(12-26-2015 05:21 AM)El Chinito loco Wrote:  

(12-26-2015 05:15 AM)LeapLeap Wrote:  

(08-30-2015 03:14 PM)dreambig Wrote:  I met a university student on the bus who made her Filipino boyfriend court her for 4 months and they still haven't kissed almost 1 year into dating.

What is the difference between courting and dating? Honest question.

It's implied that courting is more serious with more longterm intentions. There are still some filipinas out there who are very traditional.

Even though this thread makes it seem like every filipina will jump in the sack with every foreigner who comes along this just isn't the case. A lot are certainly like that (otherwise this thread would be a ghost town) but there are still some very traditional ones who believe in courtship and are legit virgins.

Now, just because a filipina uses traditional words to describe herself doesn't mean shit either. It's all about her actions and the company she keeps rather than words. They are all god fearing, loyal, traditional, and no hook ups! girls on paper.

Yea because I met with a girl who was saying she had been "courted" but also referred to the guys who "courted" her as her "exes". But to my mind a guy who is courting is a suitor not a boyfriend so that's not an "ex".

(12-26-2015 06:55 AM)LeapLeap Wrote:  Yea because I met with a girl who was saying she had been "courted" but also referred to the guys who "courted" her as her "exes". But to my mind a guy who is courting is a suitor not a boyfriend so that's not an "ex".

Just use filipino logic to figure this one out. Stop playing western vocab semantics or doing logic corkscrews to determine what she really means.

The "exes/suitors" are basically guys who probably took her out a few times and maybe had innocent puppy love with.. up to kissing, all out fucking, sucking, or maybe just innocent diddling at the ktv booth.

In otherwords, it's up to you to decide what the girl is really like based on present day observable behavior and other traits.

Rudimentary game applies.

(12-26-2015 03:18 AM)Jack Of All Trades Wrote:  @Onto: Check out Metro Manila on netflix, I found it a really good movie. Friend of mine told me that's kinda how society is like in the phils.

Also anyone know any good Kali drop in gyms?

That was a really good movie. It puts things in perspective.

(12-26-2015 09:33 AM)El Chinito loco Wrote:  The "exes/suitors" are basically guys who probably took her out a few times and maybe had innocent puppy love with.. up to kissing, all out fucking, sucking, or maybe just innocent diddling at the ktv booth.

In otherwords, it's up to you to decide what the girl is really like based on present day observable behavior and other traits.

Rudimentary game applies.

You're right. I know that, thanks for the reinforcement.

(04-14-2015 12:18 AM)YardDog Wrote:  While they still allow you to sign up for the unlimited internet with supersurf when texting it in, you're really being signed up for the lesser gosurf.

I checked their site and the supersurf is still listed. Wonder what these assholes are up to.

Anyone else have this issue? The daily data limit on gosurf is shit. I was streaming music and working for about 45 minutes and I ran out. With that supersurf I was working for hours on end and never hitting the limit.

(04-14-2015 12:38 AM)PacFan Wrote:  I subscribe to the Supersurf999 as I am on Globe Prepaid...great deal for the 30 days and no limits whatsoever

As far as the GoSURF vs SUPERSURF... With GoSURF you buy data (that nonetheless expires after a while), with SUPERSURF you buy days with supposedly unlimited data, but there is actually now a 800MB "fair use" cap after which they will cut your speed.

SUPERSURF is the way to go for most, except for the very light users who will appreciate that GoSURF promos don't expire as quickly, and the very heavy users for whom 800MB a day may not be enough.

BTW, Tinder works like a charm for me on my phone where I use Smart data, but not via my pocket wi-fi where I use Globe. Even the desktop variants (Tinder++ and Bluestacks) will not work.

(04-04-2015 07:40 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Filipinos are NOT fluent English speakers. I don't know why so many guys are unable to grasp this very obvious fact.

Yeah, that's an all important point and one that's easy to forget.

Thing is so much of language here is English. All the signs, most online adds, people speak English among themselves, the movies in cinemas aren't subtitled, you've got English language newspapers...

Needless to say back in the old country in Europe the English language presence is miniscule - there's movies but they're subtitled.

Meanwhile I had so many people here ask me if I speak Cebuano and give me the sad puppy eyes when I say no. I was getting irritated until I realized from my POV they're entitled and from their POV I'm arrogant.

From my POV I'm already making an effort to speak one of their official languages, which is a foreign language to me - yet they're not satisfied and want to guilt me into learning an additional, second language of theirs as well.

And from their POV they're making an effort to speak to me in my language at a very decent level (of course they assume I'm American) and I'm reciprocating by showing ZERO interest in their language.


Though I do wonder...I understand English is the language of instruction here yet the English of so many is very basic. Obviously then the quality of education for many can not be that good, but I wonder if English itself is not a part of the problem. If so many pupils lack English skills wouldn't it be easier for them to assimilate knowledge in their mother tongue? Why hold them back by challenging them with a new language and new infor at the same time?

(04-04-2015 11:37 PM)Scott Free Wrote:  Malou: It was the same for me, when I got my job, they called me back almost immediately after the interview. The other places didn’t even bother writing or calling me. But what you have to understand is that in our culture, we value "Saving face".

No doubt, but probably there are some qualifications. When I was apartment hunting the agents and the owners didn't really know what to do with my "don't call me, I'll call you". They were pushing me for a yes or not on the spot which would be unusual in the old country. And the girl who was with me thought it was normal and they were sincere - ie she didn't feel they were impolite or that it was a sales/pressure tactic.

(12-26-2015 05:29 PM)Onto Wrote:  

(12-26-2015 03:18 AM)Jack Of All Trades Wrote:  @Onto: Check out Metro Manila on netflix, I found it a really good movie. Friend of mine told me that's kinda how society is like in the phils.

Also anyone know any good Kali drop in gyms?

That was a really good movie. It puts things in perspective.

Has a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.





Just watched it. Its a great movie and has won many international indie film festival rewards.

Who is in the Philippines right now? I am here with a sweet little province girl. Staying in makati. While we were eating at el chupacabra I saw young blond guy with a sweet tiny little filipina following him. Something about his manner just screams forum member.

I was at el chupacabra just a couple hours ago. I didn't see any young blonde guys with tiny girls.