Philippines Info

[OZZYGUY]

Been a bit of talk lately of a few members going or talking about going to the Philippines so thought I would start a thread for places to go, anything for the Philippines, P4P and just general info. Feel free to add info, this is not a trip report more info for anyone thats thinking of going and genral chit chat about the Phils.


I am in Cebu tonight for the rest of January with some plans to get out to a few islands this trip and some scuba, bar hopping and bike rides. Will try post some photos and info when I get a chance.

I don’t have much experience with the workings of P4P in the Philippines, I’m sure other members could help more on that. We do go to a few of our regular bars when in the city and will post more on them in the coming weeks. (We are 3 hours south of Cebu)

Sinulog Festival is on while we are in town this is a big event for the locals with dancing in the streets, party’s food etc. We will be heading up to the bar areas for this along with a bunch of locals. Janice tells me this is as big as Songkran but no water.

 

[Bacon]

I'm not sure what I'm doing yet. A couple of expats from here are heading over to Manila during the Chinese spring festival. I'm half thinking of tagging along as they're veterans, but Stuart and I have just had a designer from New Zealand join us who will most likely end up staying in China as well. They're thinking of heading to a warmer city further south or just chilling in Shanghai. It makes sense to try and explore China as much as possible whilst here, so I might do that. But we're in the negatives now temperature-wise, so a tropical getaway is tempting too.

I definitely want to check out the Philippines at some point though, so hopefully we'll have more info here. And why is it THE? Is it because it's a collective reference to the 6 billion islands it's made up of?

 

[supersub]

Friend of mine recently went to Palawan, Boracay and Coron. Pics looked lovely.

 

[Quarky]

I'm not sure what I'm doing yet. A couple of expats from here are heading over to Manila during the Chinese spring festival. I'm half thinking of tagging along as they're veterans, but Stuart and I have just had a designer from New Zealand join us who will most likely end up staying in China as well. They're thinking of heading to a warmer city further south or just chilling in Shanghai. It makes sense to try and explore China as much as possible whilst here, so I might do that. But we're in the negatives now temperature-wise, so a tropical getaway is tempting too.

I definitely want to check out the Philippines at some point though, so hopefully we'll have more info here. And why is it THE? Is it because it's a collective reference to the 6 billion islands it's made up of?

I always wondered why it was THE South Island or THE North Island in NZ....?

 

[Stillearly]

the Netherlands , The Gambia ....

 

[Stillearly]

Looking forward to this thread , I've never been , always put off because I thought it was more dangerous than Thailand and reports I'd read of the food not being that great ....

 

[Rockitt]

^^ Yes, likewise.
I know a Filipino girl who's family own and run a small hotel in a place called Boracay. She said it is beautiful there and that I should visit it. Also very safe. I didn't ask her about the p4p scene though 555.

 

[OZZYGUY]

Bacon
Yes defiantly worth going with a veteran or at least a wingman.

Supersub
We are planning on Palawan possibly this weekend if not Bohol. We were planning on Boracay but just chatting with my FIL and he says its really over crowded at the moment. My daughter went to both a few months back and said Palawan was much better than Boracay.

SE
Philippines is much more dangerous than Thailand. You really got to be alert and keep an eye on your stuff. Once out of the crowded areas of the big city its not so bad and very different to the city. But don’t let that put you off it’s a great place and generally the people are very nice and helpful. The local food is very hit and miss but they also have a good rang of restaurants in the malls and cities with all sorts of food. Some of the local dishes are also very nice but not as spicy as Thai and sweeter.

Rockitt
See above about Boracay,

 

[Nomad]

Some of the local dishes are also very nice but not as spicy as Thai and sweeter.

The food is matching your experience with the ladies Ozzy. 555

 

[OZZYGUY]

The food is matching your experience with the ladies Ozzy. 555

555 ok that was funny Nomad.

My wifes parents spent many years in Udon and BKK (FIL working) so I sort of get the best of both sweet and spicy in a few ways...55

 

[Cuzzy]

I always wondered why it was THE South Island or THE North Island in NZ....?

Ahhh because one island is south of the other and the other island is north of the southern island. It is a little confusing but once you grasp the concept the light will come on ;thumbsup; 555.

I guess it was boring old British thinking that labelled them this way. The original names given by native Maori are many depending on whose interpretation one chooses to adhere to.

The link below gives information about the renaming of both islands in 2013 by the then Minister of Transport, Communications, Broadcasting, Local Government, Research Science and Technology, Building and Construction, Customs, Small Business, Statistics and Land Information to better recognise cultural significance. The Maori language can be a little tricky to read and pronounce but it is pretty much phonetic and you say it as it looks when written in English translation. There was never a NZ Maori written language so all translations are done as best can be achieved.

It’s official - New Zealand names main islands - Tourism New Zealand Media

Cultural significance

The North Island will now also be referred to as Te Ika-a-Māui - Fish of Maui. This name refers to the ancient Māori legend of Maui and his brothers who were said to have fished up the North Island of New Zealand from their canoe.

The South Island will now also now be known as Te Waipounamu - meaning the place of greenstone.

"My decision to assign alternative names means people can use whichever they prefer and they will not be forced to use both the English and Māori names together.

"Instead, everyone will have the choice to keep calling the islands what they always have, or use the assigned alternatives, or use both together if they wish," Mr Williamson says.

 

[justcruzing1]

I haven't been, it is a bit more travel from here than LOS.

I also was concerned about the safety and food.

A guy I used to know, shared a lot of things, eventually he went and set up a commercial laundry business, not sure where, over there.
He had it for over 4 years and was making good money, then the local police boss came to his home one night and said "I'm buying your business for xxxx"
He said not interested in selling and that is a ridiculous offer it's worth 10 times that!

He was then grabbed and had a hand gun shoved into his mouth by the guys assistants, he was told to leave the country within a week or be dead.

Roger was no saint and no scaredy cat. He worked security with me, also was the one to get me tooled up when I had the hit put out on me, so he wayed up the options and came home.

He showed me photo's of the front gate to his townhouse complex, on each side of the gate were armed guards, 24hrs a day.

I must add this was a lot of years ago so may be no reflection on current situations.

 

[OZZYGUY]

Its still the same JC and I know some simular situations. We also have a large fence too.

 

[MarcTwoSix]

Philippines holds no interest to me


But I would go to visit you and meet tour wife's family just to get the local experience

On a whole Philippinos are very nice people.....all the ones I met

 

[OZZYGUY]

Philippines holds no interest to me

Me too........... but its starting to rub off on me as I get to know the place.

Always welcome to come Paulie.

 

[kaptainrob]

Ahhh because one island is south of the other and the other island is north of the southern island. It is a little confusing but once you grasp the concept the light will come on ;thumbsup; 555.

I guess it was boring old British thinking that labelled them this way. The original names given by native Maori are many depending on whose interpretation one chooses to adhere to.

The link below gives information about the renaming of both islands in 2013 by the then Minister of Transport, Communications, Broadcasting, Local Government, Research Science and Technology, Building and Construction, Customs, Small Business, Statistics and Land Information to better recognise cultural significance. The Maori language can be a little tricky to read and pronounce but it is pretty much phonetic and you say it as it looks when written in English translation. There was never a NZ Maori written language so all translations are done as best can be achieved.

It’s official - New Zealand names main islands - Tourism New Zealand Media

Cultural significance

The North Island will now also be referred to as Te Ika-a-Māui - Fish of Maui. This name refers to the ancient Māori legend of Maui and his brothers who were said to have fished up the North Island of New Zealand from their canoe.

The South Island will now also now be known as Te Waipounamu - meaning the place of greenstone.

"My decision to assign alternative names means people can use whichever they prefer and they will not be forced to use both the English and Māori names together.

"Instead, everyone will have the choice to keep calling the islands what they always have, or use the assigned alternatives, or use both together if they wish," Mr Williamson says.

We'll be in Auckland on Maui next month before an 8 day stay in Nelson, on Pounamu. ... I like it, sounds more exotic.

 

[Moo Uaon]

what's with these aphrodisiac black ants they have there and where do you get them?

 

[Ian Forbes]

It's been 15 years since I last was in the Philippines. I was turned off by having 4 guys I knew get murdered in the 2 months I was there. That and having to threaten 4 guys with my switchblade knife. I don't scare easy, but it got tiring always checking my back and having to be aware 100% of the time.. However, that was in Angeles City which was like Pattaya on steroids.

I did enjoy the north of the Palawan Island for the diving. I also enjoyed Mindano, but that was before the Muslim terrorist problems.

Boracay is nice with a great beach, but there wasn't much to do when I was there. I hear it's picked up somewhat. I have a big, youngish Canadian friend who pretty much spends his winters there and loves it. The good side is just about everyone speaks good English.

Food doesn't hold a candle to Thailand. Booze is cheap. Cigarettes are cheap. Lots of pretty ladies with REAL boobs... and very friendly. Without the men, the Philippines would be paradise.

 

[Moo Uaon]

It's been 15 years since I last was in the Philippines. I was turned off by having 4 guys I knew get murdered in the 2 months I was there. That and having to threaten 4 guys with my switchblade knife.

thought you said your knife was for opening chip packets? 55

 

[Quarky]

thought you said your knife was for opening chip packets? 55

All 4 guys were carrying unopened chip packets...