The Phils

[mastrmindalliance]

So I'm finally getting to the Philippines in a couple weeks. This trip got put on hold from Christmas for GF reasons, but anyway, I'm excited. Have travelled the region a lot but never been to PI. TBH, I haven't been this excited about a destination since the first time I went to Japan.

Watches..? Not so much. Having travelled Asia extensively and haggled at street markets I know for the few dollars more you're better off buying from our dealers (recourse) although I will prolly picky up a couple of street fakes. I always do. Though if you have a great watch story I'm definitely interested to hear it! I'll probably just take a single, cheap, waterproof, non eye catching gen with me - seiko monster or maybe even IWC slevin.

I'd like to hear about your favourite part of your Philippines trip. The best thing you did, saw or otherwise experienced. or maybe even the worst, or something out of left-field. Maybe you went there for hols, or business, or maybe you're a local, doesn't matter, long or short trip doesn't matter

Please share your favourite Philippines story with me/us.

[hiker01]

You want REPS...go to the GreenHills Mall on the Ground Floor......shoes, handbags, shirts, etc of all Premium brands! Gold....pearls....you name it, they got it!

Stay off street hookers!!!! You never know who they've been with last!!! You're better off with the High End Massage Parlors......all masseus requires a Medical Check-up!

When exactly are you going? Business or Pleasure?

Don't wear any expensive looking watches and Jewelry on the streets, you'll likely attract the wrong crowd! Filipinos are super friendly to foreigners in general, but you

always have the bad apples! Just be casual if your just touring and dress up if you go clubbing and go straight in......no side trips! If you're on your own, watch out for your

drinks. Don't leave your drinks in the open and always order beer with the cap on! SAN MIG light is one of the best Light beer IMHO! Make it half frozen!

PM me if you need more info! It's one of my play yard!

Good luck and have fun!

Hike!~

[mastrmindalliance]

Hehe, no hookers for me, I'm going with the GF. I've heard to be very careful with flashy possessions, especially around Shabu (meth) infected areas. How careful exactly should I be in Manila do you think? Would a monster on steel be too eye catching? I'm guessing I leave the prada shades at home this time and I've also been told to keep my mobile phone hidden in Manila.

I definitely want to check out Dampa and at some stage eat Lechon - if Bourdain reckons it's his fave pork in the world - it's a must. (Adobo btw is one of my favourite meals).

Oh, here's a specific question, is a foreigner likely to pick up 'the belly' from food over there like, say, indo? This is a question I can't seem to get a definitive answer from friends who've been...

I'm in Manila, then Laguna then Palawan.

Taking any and all tips, and interested in all stories!

[Dave123]

Was there for 3 weeks over xmas and new year,my wife has family in Quezon City,i spent a couple weeks at Edsa Shangri-la,hung out with her family (all million of them) and went to Boracay for a week (over new year).

No interest in reps there but i wore my bling SA the whole trip,though i'm told i was crazy to do so... ,did alot of drinking (as usual),alot of poverty of course,different lifestyle then what i'm use to here in Canada,but interesting. The traffic and pollution in the city is unreal though,i will never complain about driving here again.

Boracay was nice,stayed at Monaco Suites,nice. Sat on the beach outside the Sur hotel alot on Boracay beach,went on a boat cruise and went by that skinny little boxer's house (they love that guy),had a great display on new years eve,lots of fireworks along all the hotels on the beach.

Rambling here,the trip was different for sure,the flight too long but i will go again probably next xmas.

I leave you with this,try some "Balut",i watched a couple guys eat these "eggs",the most disgusting thing i've ever seen...

Yum....

And in all its glory.....

Enjoy your trip....

[mastrmindalliance]

Salamat po Dave!

Interesting stuff! Oh yes, balut is on the menu. I'm told the locals will enjoy seeing me indulge. Being Australian, naturally I'm taking Vegemite with me, so will make them eat that stuff as return favour (because it's bloody awful). Hah!

We're staying at the Edsa Shangri La too. Any good?

[Dave123]

Salamat po Dave!

Interesting stuff! Oh yes, balut is on the menu. I'm told the locals will enjoy seeing me indulge. Being Australian, naturally I'm taking Vegemite with me, so will make them eat that stuff as return favour (because it's bloody awful). Hah!

We're staying at the Edsa Shangri La too. Any good?

If you can eat that,you are nuts...slap a million bucks on the table and not a chance here....

Very nice hotel man,stayed in the executive tower suite,also had a regular deluxe room for a relative,the tower suite was very nice,bed very comfotable,reg room is nice as well. Loads of staff there,get ready to say "good morning" about 50 times a day,very friendly...

Walkway right into a nice mall as well,attached to the hotel. You will like it for sure,restaurant has great food,the breakfast buffet (i dont eat breakfast though) is loaded,dinner and everything there at breakfast.

One thing i found amusing,Pfizer was having a convention when i was there,a Viagra convention in the Philippines of all places....

[mastrmindalliance]

,a Viagra convention in the Philippines of all places....

Product testing with all those saucy Pinays?

thanks for the info so far guys. Very much appreciated

[mastrmindalliance]

Bumping this up so peeps in other timezones can tell me their stories

[hiker01]

Sorry guys, but I love balut! I could eat a half dozen of those in one setting! That's the first thing I eat when i get there!!!! Yummmmy! It's good energy

food after a long nite of partying!

Litchon????? Order the "Litchon de leche"! It's the young suckling pig! The best there is when it comes to litchon!

The "belly"? You could pick that anywhere if you indulge too much with food and drinks and not working out! Shangrila has a nice Fitness Center/Club, use it!

Manila is just like any other big city.....crowded, heavy traffic, fast paced......and yup......pollution is to much! It's from all those cheap diesel powered busses,

jeepneys, taxis and cars they drive around! Can't be worst than Biejing or Shanghai!

Laguna is okay.....but Palawan is the best! How long are you staying in Puerto Princesa? Places to see and go to:

Under Ground River, being an Ozzie, skip the crocodile farm! Check out all the Island Resorts, Visit El Nido! If you dive and plan to visit Coron Island, it is a must!

They have like 50 to a 100 sunken World war II Japanese ships scatterd all over!

Here's a link for more Palawan info: http://www.tourspalawan.com/ I love Palawan so much I bought a beach front property there in a little town called Napsan. It's

about 25 kilometers southwest of Puerto Princesa across the mountains. That side of the Island is facing the China Sea and has better beaches/sand than the east

side!

I mite run into you......plan to be there May 16-22!

[mixmeister]

Haha! Am I the 1st local to read and post here?

Yes, Greenhills is the place to go for the goodies. When I first discovered these forums, I went to Greenhills to check on what the stores had, but strangely...I still bought my 1st rep from Narikaa (and I didn't regret it). There were a few sellers there that 'appeared' to know the better reps than the 'run of the mill' ones...which sell at sub-$100!

I am still not comfy buying from them a 'good' rep, since the dealers can't even identify what movement is in the good ones (or convince me that they are knowledgeable in their trade). I was offered a PAM, which was pulled out from underneath a hidden stash, and the guy was selling it for around $300. When I asked what movement was in it, if it were Asian or Swiss, he didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Actually, he said 'Swiss', but I know too well, he knew it was what I wanted to hear. Well, this was about 2yrs ago and it may have changed now.

I would still confidently purchase a PAM from David(DSN) & Rolex from BK, because of their reputation & because of the knowledge I have acquired from these forums. Not to mention, their wares are respected and coveted all over the rep world. I haven't met any other knowledgable 'rep enthusiasts' here in Manila. I wish that we could identify ourselves and get together to compare notes and maybe learn to identify trusted sellers. (PM me if you are one of us!)

It's sad that I live closer to the 'source' (China), but I can't seem to find a good dealer.

But maybe, if a fellow Pinoy reads this...we can get the ball rolling!

Edited April 6, 2011 by mixmeister

[hiker01]

WElcome! Maybe you should set up a mini GTG with me and MMA when we get there next month?????? That would be awesome!

[richard lawton]

Hi All,

Did not know you were a regular visitor to the Phillipines Hike

I have a house in Baguio City (City of Pines) and i'm going in about

10 days time for my annual holiday. (Try to get home at least twice a year)

Love the country, I agree Greenhills is the only place to buy reps

but I would only buy from here or the main dealers.

mastrmindalliance follow the previous advice here, it is really is good!!!!

and have a great time.

Richard

[PeteM]

Stay off street hookers!!!! You never know who they've been with last!!!

Hike!~

Oh !! I think I can guess !!!! ;) :p

[hiker01]

Hi All,

Did not know you were a regular visitor to the Phillipines Hike

I have a house in Baguio City (City of Pines) and i'm going in about

10 days time for my annual holiday. (Try to get home at least twice a year)

Love the country, I agree Greenhills is the only place to buy reps

but I would only buy from here or the main dealers.

mastrmindalliance follow the previous advice here, it is really is good!!!!

and have a great time.

Richard

Geeeezzzz......Richard! Small world! Maybe one day we could get together! That would be a blast! Baguio is beautiful!

I have hike the mountains of Kalinga in Apayao......stayed there for a week 2 years ago. I rafted the Chico River

with Ned Schickles, the famous rafter/guide from Oregon! Twas a blast!

Planning to get a Condo in Tagaytay on this trip! Pinas is where I'm retiring......soooooooooooooooooooooooon, very soon!

[hiker01]

Oh !! I think I can guess !!!! ;) :p

Hey....remember, I do community service

[mastrmindalliance]

Wow! A great response. Thanks so much guys. Or rather, maraming salamat!

@ hike. Sorry, perhaps the 'the belly' is an an Australianism (bali-belly, dehli-belly). I meant picking up the old poo and spew. Wondering how careful I have to be? For example, in Indonesia, i have to be very careful, but Malaysia I can eat anything i like. Have you ever picked up a stomach bug while there?

Good tip about the crocodiles, I guess i can scratch Croc jerky off the pasalubong list. Anyone have have any tips for good pasalubong (gifts from your home country)?

unfortunately I will be gone by the time you arrive. Will be home by 1st may. Such a pity as I'm sure being there for the Paccy fight on the 7th would be awesome! I'm in Singapore a lot so it's very easy to return to PI and will chase you all down next time, hopefully for a get together

@ pareng mixmeister, Thanks for the tips! Something I've learnt since this joining this scene is to just buy from our dealers. I've only ever really gotten a price much cheaper once. Other than that I've discovered you're likely to save only $30-50 max - often just the shipping fee - on the high end reps when travelling (and the dealer quality reps are actually everywhere) but you forego any recourse. Once you walk away with your new purchase that's it. If it dies the next day too bad. I enjoy the markets and haggling, but save that only for the occasional street fakes (referred to around here as canal street reps). Though I always grab a couple for mates and for a giggle.

So a couple of specific questions...

- Stomach virus - should i be super careful or just normal travel careful?

- tipping - do i tip in PI? if so, what's the norm?

- What are the important local customs i should be aware of?

- Any really great Pasalubong ideas?

- I'm there partially for holy week. Do i have to be diplomatic about questions of my religion like other countries in the region (i go by agnostic ie - not religious at all hehe)?

- Surfing - I'm aware there is some surf up in the north east. At this stage though I'm not planning on taking boards. Should i revise this? Are there some surfing treasures?

Thanks for all the info, really great stuff! Any other offbeat stuff i should be checking out? - Like say - go dancing with the Jolibee mascot and upload a vid to youtube?

[PeteM]

Hey....remember, I do community service

Mate..Over here in Blighty...that means a court given non custodial sentence, for offences such as soliciting etc...!! What am I saying......

[hiker01]

Wow! A great response. Thanks so much guys. Or rather, maraming salamat!

@ hike. Sorry, perhaps the 'the belly' is an an Australianism (bali-belly, dehli-belly). I meant picking up the old poo and spew. Wondering how careful I have to be? For example, in Indonesia, i have to be very careful, but Malaysia I can eat anything i like. Have you ever picked up a stomach bug while there?

Just avoid drinking the local water and don't use ice on cheap watering holes! maybe you should forgo raw sea foods although it would be tough in Palawan. Lots of yellow fin tuna and the best seaweeds called "LATO"!

Good tip about the crocodiles, I guess i can scratch Croc jerky off the pasalubong list. Anyone have have any tips for good pasalubong (gifts from your home country)?

Anything from Oz is fine! Mini bomerangs will do. Stuff ROOS and skins for the important folks.....key chains and T-shirts for other relatives!

unfortunately I will be gone by the time you arrive. Will be home by 1st may. Such a pity as I'm sure being there for the Paccy fight on the 7th would be awesome! I'm in Singapore a lot so it's very easy to return to PI and will chase you all down next time, hopefully for a get together

No worries, next time!

@ pareng mixmeister, Thanks for the tips! Something I've learnt since this joining this scene is to just buy from our dealers. I've only ever really gotten a price much cheaper once. Other than that I've discovered you're likely to save only $30-50 max - often just the shipping fee - on the high end reps when travelling (and the dealer quality reps are actually everywhere) but you forego any recourse. Once you walk away with your new purchase that's it. If it dies the next day too bad. I enjoy the markets and haggling, but save that only for the occasional street fakes (referred to around here as canal street reps). Though I always grab a couple for mates and for a giggle.

So a couple of specific questions...

- Stomach virus - should i be super careful or just normal travel careful? - see above

- tipping - do i tip in PI? if so, what's the norm? - 10% is plenty! 100PHP for taxi drivers and doormans and valets!

- What are the important local customs i should be aware of?

- Any really great Pasalubong ideas?

- I'm there partially for holy week. Do i have to be diplomatic about questions of my religion like other countries in the region (i go by agnostic ie - not religious at all hehe)? Remember, Pinas is 95% Catholic! Holy week is very HOLY! Don't cuss in front of future relatives!~

- Surfing - I'm aware there is some surf up in the north east. At this stage though I'm not planning on taking boards. Should i revise this? Are there some surfing treasures? Pagudpud in ILOCOS is the one I tried! Mindanao have some, but don't go there! They eat white folks there for lunch!!..........juts kidding. Just kidnap you for ransom!

Thanks for all the info, really great stuff! Any other offbeat stuff i should be checking out? - Like say - go dancing with the Jolibee mascot and upload a vid to youtube?

I'll add some more if I could think of anything!

Cheers!

[mastrmindalliance]

Haha! Thanks once again, great info! Advice taken,

Here's the Jollibee mascot.

[Dave123]

6 weeks or drinking (i went to Mexico as well) and pork eating brought the man boobs out...

I didnt do it,i swear! ...but i wore the bling all over...

Before she kicks my a ss,me and the boss in Cabo,franken SA at the time...

[chronoluvvv]

i'm waiting for you guys to break into a karaoke routine

[lhooq]

I seem to have missed this thread back when it was still fresh...

I was just in Puerto Princesa a couple of weeks ago. Very nice, but the resort I stayed at was more remote than I'd like. I've heard nothing but good things about El Nido, though it is a more expensive destination. Last year, I took a quick trip to Bohol, which was a nice balance between the isolation of PP and the crowded (but still amazing) beaches of Boracay.

I live and work in the Makati area, so if any of you are passing through, do drop me a line and I'll buy you a drink. (Coke Light. In a can.)

[mastrmindalliance]

Back from the Phils and all I can is... Wow! I won't bother answering any of my own questions for you because the trip was brief and would be innacurate. I'll comment on the safety factor though.

All in all I think it's much like any other big city - yes,there are places you shouldn't wander into with your tourist skin. Keep your wits about you but dont let it spoil your holiday. A caveat - the locals will tell it's VERY unsafe in Manila, and while i would never ignore the advice of people who know much better than me, i got the feeling that they think you will blindly stumble into an urban ghetto. As a very well seasoned traveller my advice is just to use your common sense - you should be mindful of yourself and your important belongings anywhere you go.

The people are exceptionally warm and hospitable. The shopping and services are extraordinarily cheap (do tip for services). Make sure you smile a lot as this seems to be a universally adhered to cultural trait of Pinoy people and dont get cranky at the inevitable obstacles you will confront in the cities (especially with transportation). In fact, i'd suggest you would waste a lot of time and a little money if you plan to 'wing it' getting around. A little help with local knowledge will go a loooooong way in this country.

We were surprised by the amount of desperate poverty. Yes I've seen this before in my travels in the region (Malaysia/indonesia) but not since Africa have I seen this depth of urban poverty, as opposed to rural in the above examples. Make sure you give something back for your guaranteed awesome experience - a little will go a long way here.

Finally, (outside of the cities) in the mountains and coastal areas it's a beautiful country. Our experience turned out to be more cultural than the resort style kicking back we had in mind. The trip was much more amazing for this reason.

Have many pics if you want to see more when i get home, but here is one I snapped at the Black Nazerene procession in Quiapo on Good Friday during Holy Week. This was just nuts - think 1000 times moshing the snake pit at Metalicca. We were close to the 'front', if you like, in this pic. According to the paper 30,000 peeps turned out for this. I'm not religious, but they love that Jebus dude:

And in case you were wondering - the rumors are true - it is an entire nation of smokin' hot babes. Though i think if that's what you go there for you will quickly find yourself in trouble.

Even though I know many words - no combination of any of them would convey very much about this country and it's amazing people. You just have to go there.

Oh, Edit heh: Saw many watches but didn't 'look' at any. So, I'll assume that it's like all asian travel - my advice is to just use our forum dealers.