My experience in the Phils

[Rogbo]

I have been interested in visiting the Philippines for many years, and my courser has hovered over the airline ticket buy button many times. But the length of the itinerary caused me hesitate, but in July I made it click for a one month visit, 8-15-09 to 9-15-09. Since it would be such a short visit, I limited my time to the areas around Manila, Angeles City and Subic Bay.

I have not had much experience with internet introduction sites in the past, but I did get involved with “Filipinaheart” I think it is related to “Colombiancupid” , anyway literally thousands of lovely ladies, I ran into many scammers and other people of less than honorable intent, but found it easy to sift through them, and I owe that ability to my Colombian experiences. I met several wonderful women while I visited and established many friendships. The women there are also very friendly and easy to approach. They are eager to show you there city sights.

Since this was my first visit I followed some of the good advice from our friend Jim from gringo talk, he was very kind and helpful.

Started my stay in the Malate area of Manila which turned out to be a good choice, much nightlife and shopping, very close to the “Mall of Asia” and the Robinson Mall, US Embassy and some historical sites, my first two nights where spent at the “Hostel 1632” I then found the “Malate Pension” a place that suited me.

The people on the street are much more aggressive about begging and selling stuff. Easy to get mobbed if you stop to give money to the street children.
I traveled by bus from Manila to Angeles City, about two hours where I booked a room at the America Hotel, it was okay at best, but I got a good weekly rate. I hung out with more friends from Filipina heart. Took in some of the shows and nightlife. Unable to see Mt. Pinatubo due to cloud cover rain and flooding. The Jeepneys and tricycles where a new and interesting way to get around.

I have read posts on gringo talk about North American men being obnoxious and ugly tourists, I’m not saying that they don’t exist, but I don’t see them around Cali. But perhaps I don’t visit the same spots as they do.

An interesting observation to me in the Phils was; The North American, Australian, and other Caucasians seemed to be pretty well behaved In the bars and on the streets, the guys that I saw being rude, obnoxious and disrespectful of the women where Oriental men, Japanese and Korean men, I was told later by some lady friends, and that surprised me.

On to Olongapo, Subic Bay, by bus about 1 and ½ hours, maybe less if it’s not raining cats and dogs. I stayed several days at the Dreamland Resort Hotel , very nice, Met up with Jim, had a pleasant visit and a night out. On my last planned night in Subic I met a young lady from Filipina heart that I was interested in so I stayed longer but changed hotels to Tresure Island Beach Resort. Rained most of my visit in subic, the locals called it a typhoon.

When I returned to Manila for my last few days it had been raining for several weeks and the rivers where swollen and barrios where starting to flood. After I returned to the states they got hammered by two typhoons.

I had a great visit and hope to see more of the Phils.
Rogbo

[JMitch1959]

Nice report Rogbo,
I would also like to read more of your thoughts about life in Cali.

[John Wayne]

Excellent trip report, thank you for taking the time and going into a bit of detail with it, but yes, do tell us about your travels to Colombia, and other places, you write well.....

[DennisLevy]

Rogbo

Thanks for the trip report....Jim sent me couple of phoots of you with a couple of very young, very beautiful filippinas. And you were definitely smiling!!!

Whats your take on women in Cali? Be as specific as you care to be!!!!!

Dennis
Bogota

[JMitch1959]

Hey Rogbo,
I haven't read anything from Jim since your visit. I hope he didn't get swepped away by a typhoon.

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by JMitch1959

Hey Rogbo,
I haven't read anything from Jim since your visit. I hope he didn't get swepped away by a typhoon.

Jim is the Tycoon there, from what I hear anyone with a shirt on their back and a $20.00 bill is rich.....Ooops you said Typoon, dam I ain't never been good at spellin, thank you Bill Gates for this copy and paste stuf....

a typhoon..... WherlyWind, as my almost 90 year old friend from the Corn Islands would say....

[JMitch1959]

Originally Posted by John Wayne

Jim is the Tycoon there, from what I hear anyone with a shirt on their back and a $20.00 bill is rich.....Ooops you said Typoon, dam I ain't never been good at spellin, thank you Bill Gates for this copy and paste stuf....

a typhoon..... WherlyWind, as my almost 90 year old friend from the Corn Islands would say....

Duke,
I didn't say anything, and I wrote typhoon. Better check your spell checker.

[Rogbo]

Jmitch and John Wayne, no problem I just returned from lunch at the new Hooters at Jardin Plaza, That was an experience!

Thanks for your interest, since I have more time to my self these days perhaps I can find more time for the computer.

Dennis,
I was smiling most of my visit in the Phils.

Many stunningly gorgeous women in Cali, but perhaps I’m a bit prejudiced, cause I just watched 20 or so Calenas learning to hoola hoop in Hooters outfits.

I love the women here, many are sweet, friendly, happy, loving, romantic and affectionate. And some are not. Same as any where else I guess. I’m not trying to be a wise ass. It’s a tough question for me to be specific. But I believe Cali and all Colombia is a good place for a guy to meet quality women and fall in Love. We all must be very careful.

Back to the Phils, the women at Hooters did bring back fond memories of the clubs in the Philippines.

[Sailover]

A Hooters in Cali. That would be like, well, a Hooters in Cali. The breast EVER!

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by JMitch1959

Duke,
I didn't say anything, and I wrote typhoon. Better check your spell checker.

My spel checker works fine, I was goofin' on you....