Second Chance To Metro Manila.

[MacBubba]

I don't know if this is doable, but I think there may be places to stay around the UP Diliman area.  Then you would be around people who are closer to your age.  If you can get in touch with UP or Ateneo, they might be able to direct you to people (maybe one of their student clubs) who can help with lodgings and tours?  In that school belt, you should be able to have your pick of restaurants, and they can even provide information on points of interest - theater, museums, etc.

 

And, since you will be in Manila, finding a wedding dress would also be easier.

[Jake]

I do not disagree with you. But anybody that ignores Manila, is also ignoring the Philippines. It is like pretending you love France, or Russia, whilst ignoring Paris or Moscow, Silly idea.

I don't think it's a silly idea to completely ignore Manila.  We are trying to educate Camilla (Orange Sol) based on our

experiences travelling through metro Manila.  We are not trying to discourage her at all.  She's asking for some advice

and we will give it to her -- the good, the bad and the ugly.  

 

Macbubba gave an excellent suggestion about hanging out at some university area where Camilla could meet students

with the same concerns about personal security.  

 

If it's silly for me to ignore Manila, then so be it.  I will drink my cold San Magoo some place else....but I will still love PI.

 

Silly me........

Edited May 20, 2014 by Jake
spil chik

[Malcolm Graham]

Talking to a club owner the other day it seems the place to be is in the Mall of Asia area.  All the casinos opening, with nightly shows, is moving all the tourist activity there.  You also have in a short taxi ride Rizel park, Ocean park and the Cultural Centre of the Philippines.  I stayed in the Copacabana hotel next to Heritage hotel on every previous visit.   One of the reasons I did is the hotel has exclusive use of a number of taxis who will take you anywhere and even wait if you want them too.  Cost is a bit more than a normal taxi but you are going to feel safe.  Downside is it is on the edge of Baclaran and once it gets dark you walk nowhere unless you're a crazy englishman like me. Though Baclaran during the day is good shopping.  Another area is Fort Bonafacio that seems to be the place to be these days especially for shopping and dining.

[deevey]

Durban Inn Makati is in a pretty safe boutique hotel right on Makati Ave and I think around 2500 a night, but is slap bang in RedLight district of Burgos - so its not exactly quiet, for better or worse.

 

However theres plenty of ex-pats and police around, easy to walk to decent local ex-pat frequented (non girly bars) nightspots and malls and grab a cab to others, only places/people to really avoid are the beggars and "heads" hanging out around 7/11 at night-time - street kids and beggars are everywhere unfortunately even in the nicer areas of Makati. 

 

If you hang out around M-Cafe in Greenbelt for an evening you'll quickly find artisty people who will point you in the right direction regards Galleries / theaters / Places to see etc ... depending what day of the week you arrive though. 

 

 

You may be impressed with the modern and cleaner look of Makati but just over your privacy wall of broken glasses

are those millions and millions of displaced families now squatting along Pasig River.  

 

This I have to agree with, and its a real shame - I don't believe that there is a single place in Manila that does not have a slum/squatters area within eyeshot or at least as soon as you exit the gates of even the nicest subdivisions.

 

With regards to Transport, sure ride the Jeeps around Makati, but I honestly would not bother using public transport around the rest of Manila (except maybe the MRT) elsewhere if you are only here for a few days. Better off to take cabs and only take Branded Taxis like E&F, Basic taxi etc ...lock all doors once inside and keep your wits about you. Whenever possibly check your route before you leave so you have an idea if you are headed in remotely the right direction.

Edited May 21, 2014 by deevey

[the_whipster]

Durban Inn Makati is in a pretty safe boutique hotel right on Makati Ave and I think around 2500 a night, but is slap bang in RedLight district of Burgos - so its not exactly quiet, for better or worse.

 

 

Durban Inn must have increased its prices massively in the four years since I last stayed there. They had fan rooms, for less than 1000 back then. And it was always full of permanents and semi-permanents. You were lucky to be able to get a room there.

[deevey]

Just did a quick search, its been remodeled a few times since then alright. I thought I saw a sign last time I was going past that said 2500, but going rate appears to be about 1.9-2k these days.

 

The best western across the street (or whatever it happens to be called this year) is probably near enough around the same price and a lil more "mainstream" 

[sandwichmaker]

The once beautiful Pasig River snaking its way through Manila is now a major open sewage system. For the last several

decades, metro Manila exploded with millions of displaced people from Mt Pinatubo (1991) and super typhoon Yolanda last

year. You may be impressed with the modern and cleaner look of Makati but just over your privacy wall of broken glasses

are those millions and millions of displaced families now squatting along Pasig River. Desperate people will do desperate

things, especially if they haven't eaten for days but they're strung out on shabu or Tanduay rum or both.

Now along comes this caucasian female in a crowded Manila bus terminal -- tall Danish, blond and blue eyed. I think she

will attract more attention than a caucasian male wearing jewelry and expensive Nikon camera around his neck. But what

do I know -- I'm just a poor Filipino boy who has seen a lot during my travels also.

Jake; a poor boy who drives a big car and has spent much time in the usa? Hmm ;)

Pepper spray seems well over the top unless you're actually under attack from man or dog. I've never heard of a Filipino dog attack people on the street for no reason. I have heard of robberies. Scumbags stole my friends ID and phone so she couldn't work for several months.

But that was on a bus at night in QC. Any tourist can avoid higher risk by taking taxis.

Edited May 26, 2014 by sandwichmaker

[Jake]

Jake; a poor boy who drives a big car and has spent much time in the usa? Hmm ;)

Pepper spray seems well over the top unless you're actually under attack from man or dog. I've never heard of a Filipino dog attack people on the street for no reason. I have heard of robberies. Scumbags stole my friends ID and phone so she couldn't work for several months.

But that was on a bus at night in QC. Any tourist can avoid higher risk by taking taxis.

To Sandwichmaker,

 

This was my strong recommendation to Camilla (Orange Sol) for her upcoming trip to Manila:

Please consider a travelling companion who can be trusted to protect you 7/24.  Travel light, keeping both your hands

free and your bag strong but lightweight.  Please buy a small canister of pepper spray against the 4 and the 2 legged

animals.  Carry a small flashlight at all times -- brownouts can happen any time.  

 

You said: unless you're actually under attack from man or dog -- wouldn't it better to be prepared.  A small canister

can easily impede the attack from happening in the first place, while travelling alone in a bus or taxis.  Often times, it's

very hard to get a taxis late at night, during heavy rains or during a traffic grid lock.  I've seen many dogs, roaming in

packs where some of them are rabid -- yeah, it does happen, believe me.

 

The 2 legged animals can be worse -- high on shabu or tanduay or both.  They become sexual predators called man-yak

(maniac) -- yeah, it does indeed happen, believe me.  

 

PS -- I drive an old Honda Accord with bald tires.  I have spent many, many years of my child and adulthood in the streets

of Manila, Olongapo and other major cities.  Often late at night, I escort my wife and her sisters from a night of singing

and drinking.  Didn't have a pepper spray but Judy's cousin (another body guard) gave me a small wooden baseball bat.

 

Was it well over the top? Not one bit -- that small wooden bat was my equalizer and gave me a peace of mind.  A pepper

spray is much better -- more portable and easily concealed.  Without it, my only weapon is a thumb up my ass.

 

  

Edited May 27, 2014 by Jake
spil chek

[janjanboy24]

there lot of great places in manila that you can visit. Dont forget to visit malate or ermita. You will surely enjoy bars and party out there every night! enjoy!!  :thumbsup:

[robert k]

I was hearing about a nice combination rechargable flashlight and taser. I personally would prefer a full sized can of wasp and hornet spray that sprays a concentrated stream at least 20 feet, which I have used to kill squirrels (3 time losers convicted of wire chewing and caught in the act) in an area where it would have been frowned upon if I shot them. You can also give someone a pretty good whack on the head with a 20 oz steel can full of liquid, don't ask me how I know.