Manila, The Philippines

[DFWTexEx 276]

Seems that I will be going there on a business trip in a couple of weeks.  Traveling solo.  Manila metro only. Staying in Makati.  Work stuff in Eastwood.  This will be my first visit.   Sadly, I can't get out to the islands on this trip (maybe next time since we are opening an office there).  Pro tips?

Me: gay, middle aged guy, not into ladyboys.

[RollLeft 5044]

Traffic is a bitch.  Waze works.   When in doubt talk basketball, NBA especially.  Kenny Rogers Roasters is not a joke there so don't joke about it.  Wallybee is their McDonalds.   Know that Duterte is from the South and most Northerners know little and care little about the south.  Rich Chinese and Japanese are the ones targeted for kidnapping so don't ask locals about crime or worry about that.   Eat the seafood.   

Edited September 24, 2018 by RollLeft

[52-80 19150]

if taxi drivers try to scam you - and they surely will - just shout at them PUTANG INAY MO

[po elvis 2070]

I didn't seem to have you in my files as gay. Updated now.

[DFWTexEx 276]

1 hour ago, po elvis said:

I didn't seem to have you in my files as gay. Updated now.

Except for drunken show tunes nights on the front porch, I pass.

[VinyVango 689]

http://www.staffvirtual.com/blog/10-exotic-filipino-foods-you-have-to-see-to-believe

[El Diablo 4232]

@RayDog has spent some time in the area fairly recently, maybe he can give some pointers.

[HookEm 2467]

If you feel like gambling, go to Solaire casino on the bay. Really nice. Just got back last week.

We ate at a restaurant in Makati called Blackbird. Excellent food and cocktails.

Water and ice in 5-star hotels is likely ok, but I still avoid it.

[Liquor and Poker 3659]

Don’t drink the “red Coke.”

[SurlyORama 164]

On 9/24/2018 at 12:18 AM, RollLeft said:

Traffic is a bitch.  Waze works.   When in doubt talk basketball, NBA especially.  Kenny Rogers Roasters is not a joke there so don't joke about it.  Wallybee is their McDonalds.   Know that Duterte is from the South and most Northerners know little and care little about the south.  Rich Chinese and Japanese are the ones targeted for kidnapping so don't ask locals about crime or worry about that.   Eat the seafood.   

Minor correction: it's Jollibee (not Wallybee). Great if you feel like a meal of a fast food hamburger and spaghetti ...

[52-80 19150]

whyzit called manilla instead of womanilla?

[DFWTexEx 276]

Back from this trip:

• City was more fun than I thought.  I stayed in at the Peninsula in Makati and had business in Eastwood, so I know I was mostly in the "good parts" but I did not expect such a modern and Western place.  Felt like any big US city.  I walked around at night around the hotel.  There are some urban green spaces surrounded by restaurants.  Women were jogging at night by themselves; that's how safe it felt.  Duterte may be a maniac, but according to my driver, the criminals are scared of him (for now).
• RollLeft's tip about the NBA was no joke.  Even the little guys bicycling you around the tourist spots could talk hoops.  On my last day, the sports section of the local paper had one story about Pacquiao and 3 NPA stories on its front page (a long story on the death of Tex Winter, a story about the Utah Jazz defense, and a story about Donovan Mitchell)
• We did go to Jollibee.  I did not have spaghetti but had a little burger with one piece of delicious, spicy fried chicken.  The standard fast food menu there (including McDonald's) was fried chicken (pieces, not tenders or nuggets), spaghetti and a hamburger steak with mushroom gravy.  Hamburgers were listed as "other items".
• The seafood is great as expected.  Our best meal was the Dampa Seafood Market, where we walked the stalls and picked the best fish, giant prawns and some squid... and then walked into a restaurant and had them cook it up for us.  It's a little rough in there but they keep it clean and smelling fresh.  It's worth the drive.
• Speaking of drives...the worst traffic that I have ever seen.  The trains and buses don't work well.  I don't know how they will figure it out.  Waze and Google Maps alternated between working and not working. But, one usually kicked in and got us around.  There is no Uber.
• Didn't get to go to the clubs or see the woman and or pretend women dancing.  But, I did ask about that because on the next trip, more guys are coming.  So, that will be setup and I will report back.

[RollLeft 5044]

I had a similar experience my first go.  It is a tale of two cities.  There are very poor parts for sure but the very modern city easily redirects ones attention. I had heard and read so much about the politics and crime before I went that I was pretty guarded only to end up not experiencing what i had read about.  Its all there but i at least felt no less safe than if I was in NYC.  What we read about that country is a small part of who they are and i have found is primarily concentrated in Mindanao. 

I compare Manila/Mindanao to NYC /Florida.   Makati is the financial district to the north and Mindanao is more palm trees to the south.  Its a shame.  Its naturally beautiful country down there, but some of the areas are just primitive.  You literally have to avoid some towns.  That said one day i was in a pretty remote part of that island.  I hadn't seen a car on my drive for at least 20 minutes when out of nowhere the car that was approaching me and then passed me was a google camera car, lol.  It was surreal but made me laugh.  I was remote and in the jungle but so was technology. 

The people are also so open and welcoming to those from the U.S.  The labor market down there is young, bright and hungry.  Also the Languindigan Airport is just beautiful.  The terminal sits overlooking a beautiful sea and tons of blue sky.  I have found Cebu air to be their Southwest airline.  They are fast, friendly, modern and cheap.   I still have hope for a BPO to the south but as you know BPO's new to the game target Manila.  Then after some time it seems they wise up (also feel safe enough) to venture up to Angeles.  Why pay Manila/NYC big city labor pricing when you get country pricing for almost the same labor pool.  It really is interesting.  

On your next visit I recommend Fort Santiago.   The whole area reminds of San Antonio as it is a Spanish part of the city.  Its similar and no more than a visit to the Alamo, but i like history so if you do also you'll appreciate it.  Lastly, while i feel they have good food imo it hasn't surpassed the hospitality.  I'll be down there in a few weeks so i'm hoping to find something new.  Glad you enjoyed your trip.

[DFWTexEx 276]

7 minutes ago, RollLeft said:

On your next visit I recommend Fort Santiago.   The whole area reminds of San Antonio as it is a Spanish part of the city.  Its similar and no more than a visit to the Alamo, but i like history so if you do also you'll appreciate it.  Lastly, while i feel they have good food imo it hasn't surpassed the hospitality.  I'll be down there in a few weeks so i'm hoping to find something new.  Glad you enjoyed your trip.

I did got to Fort Santiago, the Cathedral and the historical part of the city.  It's amazing to me that these people are still thriving when you consider the number of natural disasters and wars that have absolutely devastated them.  Beautiful, old part of town.  Had some buko juice, which was nicely refreshing in the heat.  I agree about the food.  The seafood was good because it was fresh and simply prepared.  Beyond that, I didn't really have anything that stood out, but that was partly because this was a short trip and I didn't have a lot of time to explore.

The BPO seems to be pretty mature in the Manila area.  I think Eastwood City was created just for that world.  It's a 24/7 commercial center, servicing the C shift people who work during US business hours.  That is where we are setting up.

[RollLeft 5044]

1 hour ago, DFWTexEx said:

The BPO seems to be pretty mature in the Manila area.  I think Eastwood City was created just for that world.  It's a 24/7 commercial center, servicing the C shift people who work during US business hours.  That is where we are setting up.

 

That's great.  I agree on your view of their experience.

Yes, no doubt.  In the country it is the most mature market for BPO's.  It has the most resources and most experienced labor market.  It is still my first choice when i seek services there, but for convenience and not price.  I only meant that it was an eye opener to me and when i found similar labor to be drastically cheaper, which is ridiculous, simply by exploring for labor outside the big city.          

[RollLeft 5044]

I have stayed at some of the nicer hotels in Makati.  No need to do that anymore plus the expense mounts when staying more than a few days.  This time around i used Agoda.com.  There i was able to book a high rise condo, or 5star if you want, for two weeks at 1/3 the price of the lowest 5 star.  I'll probably use this site again.   The place i got was just as nice, secure but newer and closer to my office. 

Terminal 1 is no longer in use , former international flight terminal, for arrivals/departures.  Terminal 3 is now the terminal to use.  Its the most modern and easiest terminal to travel to/from.  United lounge should be up by Thanksgiving.

I usually have a driver i use when i go but he was out of town.  So i navigated the much maligned taxi's.  I never use the yellow metered taxis.  They are half the price, to Makati, but you have to wait 20+ minutes in line to get one.  I opt to pay the flat rate white cars one lane over, which are double the price at $8, to not wait in line and just go.   

After a week i was craving a bit of home so the Wildflour Cafe & Bakery hit the spot.  Breakfast is the way to go there.  I'll make a stop there each trip moving forward.  Manam was a memorable spot for local food.  Shangri La still has the best dining among the hotels.  I forgot the name of the clam soup i had at the seaside seafood mkt but it is the most common and best i've had.        

GrabAp>Uber 

Edited November 13, 2018 by RollLeft

[RollLeft 5044]

I can't say it enough.  Grab app is the way to go here.  Price to Makati was 270 Php vs 440 fixed rate white cabs which i normally have used in the past(don't wait in line for the yellows).  Also, if you use a fixed rate be sure and say hello again and remind them you used their service last time.  They immediately signal the desk not to upcharge the fare since youve paid it before.  Its on the big blue chart anyway so just point to it and ask the price if needed.  Grab is not just for getting around but especially ordering food. Or having something delivered for you.  The delivery charge is a buck and they don't expect tip, though i did.  Lao Beijing is legit for 24/7 take out.  The soup dumplings and Lo Mein is choice.   Felipe & Sons barber was excellent. The Landmark was excellent on getting an off the rack quality belt on the fly.  Damn, i picked up two for the price.  The breakfast spread at the Shangri La is still noteworthy.  Again all in Makati.  Lastly, I still find it hard to tip so little.  It just not as customary here and in my experience, many locals don't tip.   If you fly United pick a Star Alliance connect if you must have one.  You almost always get bumped up in class.  ANA or China Air is the way to go, avoid Jet Star.  

Edited January 19, 2020 by RollLeft

[RollLeft 5044]

This trip out was work heavy the first week and I didn't venture out of Makati much.  Firefly Roofdeck was noteworthy.  Left there and this past week i've been in Boracay.  If anyone is on the island pm me and we can catch the game, i've got sling, bring some San Miguel.  Though i've been working there has been some relaxing.  This place is a very, very underrated spot (though often makes the top 10 list of best beaches in the world).  If you don't like staying near the masses avoid Station 2.  Its where all the shopping and vibrancy is.  In the evenings, as you can see in two of the pics, its also where you can do most of the sailing and other activities.  For peace and quiet stay in Station 1 or the top of the island, see pic one.  The sunsets are spectacular.  

ps. don't forget your health QR code to get into the country and then another QR code to get on the island.

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by RollLeft

[Post Oak 20210]

Those poor people. How can anybody live like this? T&Ps