Manila?

Old Aug 18th, 2003, 12:47 AM
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Manila?

Can anyone tell me about their experience to/in Manila since I've heard very mixed reviews about the place. I only have 4 days and want to relax, eat, explore the city, furniture shop. Thanks!
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Old Aug 18th, 2003, 09:23 AM
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I just got back from Manila about two weeks ago. What specifically were you looking for information about? This was my third trip so I am starting to know my way around there better!
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Old Aug 21st, 2003, 11:26 PM
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actually, i'm hearing horror stories about cabs and am strongly encouraged to hire own car/driver, can you recommend any?
what do you recommend as must-do in manila? can you tell me where to go to look at furniture, where to go for massage, general shopping for handicrafts and where i must eat? thanks!
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Old Aug 22nd, 2003, 12:41 AM
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I think you can have a wonderful time! My husband went for the first time last year and absolutely loved it. There are very few foreigners so he felt like a pseudo-celebrity, towering over everyone (he's 5'10"). Filipinos are very warm and hospitable but there are some dishonest people you must watch out for. My knowledge is limited but here are some suggestions.

1. Cab drivers will always try to make an extra buck or two - really...just an extra buck or two. If you see how many of these people live, you'd probably give him more. It's not a big deal but just make sure he's using the meter.
2. Everything is so inexpensive. I think our brief stay at the Peninsula last year was less than $100 a night for a beautiful room and decent buffet breakfast.
3. No food from the street vendor, drink bottled water, etc.
4. Pick pockets are everywhere - don't ride on a Jeepney.

Shopping recommendations:
I've only been to a couple in Makati - It's the cleanest area and most likely where you'll be staying. Glorietta Mall and Powerplant Mall. Powerplant Mall is just an uber clean mall you can find in any american city. They have a Coach store here, Lacoste, Mont Blanc,Renee Furterer (I was really surprised to see this one), Shiseido......a lot of foreign shops and more expensive local designers - not really cheap after thinking about it.
Glorietta Mall is right across from the Peninsula. It has a Paul Smith store (I was extremely shocked about this) and local shops, as well as Rustan's. Rustans is their high end dept. store and they have several locations throughout Manila. Their cosmetics department is quite impressive - I found their Chanel products to be cheaper than in the US, among other things. If you're into makeup, here's a good place to stock up.
For local handicrafts I recommend Balikbayan Handicrafts - I've honestly never been but my mother always requests stuff (vases, pottery etc) from this store. There are several locations, see http://www.clickthecity.com/shop/sho...8&subcatid=144 for the nearest address to where you'll be staying.
Rustans also has a lovely homewares dept. but I was told it was overpriced. It's worth taking a look at because their items are higher quality.

Food recommendations:
I am not especially fond of filipino food but there was one restaurant I really enjoyed last time I was there. I do not recall the name of it but it was right by Manila Bay...there's a bunch in the vicinity, sort of close to the Manila Hotel.
I was told that both the Manila Hotel and The Mandarin Oriental served excellent food.

Lastly, spa recommendations:
I've only experienced the Peninsula spa in Makati and it was heavenly. I don't recall what I paid for my massage and facial massage but I think it was under $50. The hotel can email you the menu if you wish. The Mandarin Oriental has a more expansive spa menu I plan on investigating when I'm there in October. Their spa menu is listed on their website. I did have a mani/pedi at some salon chain in a mall once that was really too cheap to pass up. They did a great job, all for under $20 with tip.

oops! I just realized the time. I will look into it a bit more for you and get back to you. When are you going by the way and where will you be staying?

r
 
Old Aug 22nd, 2003, 01:56 AM
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I about a month a ago i stayed in manila for a month... actually Makati..

the malls out ther are monstors like Glorieta and SM malls..

well my view on taxis is well known on this board.. they are just about the lowest form of huaman.. damn crooks. only a handfull of honest or hell not lazy onece out there

well as an american and spanish speaking one.. manila is a firly easy place too ger aournd you'll find just about every AMERICAN shop and food place ther is.. as oppesed too euruopian outlets which you find in HK and other S east asian contries..

anoying thisgs
1 secuity guards in just about every shop.. they are verry nice HELLO sir, mam.. but getting frisked (SP) all day is not fun..
2 not much of a walking city half the time your walking in the miele of street dodging jipnees.

sorry cant help ya with sites. not much of a sites seeker... but the philapines has a well organized touist media campain going..


TIP buy your Manila map back at home the once ther are old and badly made..
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Old Aug 22nd, 2003, 08:45 AM
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Cabs are fine--just make sure they put the meter ON! We had a car and driver but we were visiting friends so we used theirs. We paid between P200-P500 for a day. There are tons of cabs outside the airport. You can use the stands for prepay.

Things I would not miss are: Intramuros. This is the historical area of Manila and also where Rizal spent his last days. You can rent a horse drawn carriage for P500 per person.

Divisoria. This is my favorite place to shop. Everything from fabric, clothes, native souvineers, designer knockoffs, books, you name it. You can find anything here. There is supposed to be a high rate of pickpockets here--I have never had a problem--I keep my money in my front pocket. Also I take off my jewelery.

Roxas Blvd-this was recently redone. Take a stroll in the evening and watch the sun set over Manila Bay. There are benches here as well as a bunch of cafes. Aristocrat chicken is always a favorite place of mine to eat there.

Ongpin: This is the main street in their Chinatown. BEST place to buy 28k jewelery as well as eat some great chinese food. Be sure to pick up some Hopia to eat while you are there. FYI--most places here will charge you the extra 10% to use a credit card.

Luneta Park-EARLY in the morning (5am-7am) there is a large group aerobics. Walk around and people watch or join the exercise. Do NOT buy mineral water from the people selling it on the street there--it is NOT mineral (even if it appears to be sealed).

Food: (I don't know where you live so if you have any of these restaurants at home you can skip them.) Max's Fried Chicken, Goldilocks, & Jollibee are EVERYWHERE. I am in love with the Banana Bread at Red Ribbon. Get some buko juice from the people on the streets.

I have ridden the jeepneys many times and have been fine--they are P4 each ride. Again, depending on the area, take off your jewelery. I also have taken the LRT--great and aircon inside!!! When crossing the street remember you NEVER have the right of way. Just dogde the cars or walk in a group--you'll be fine.

Finally-do not believe everything the guide books say. The neighborhood we stay in is described as a "steaming slum". It is a fantastic neighborhood! Manila is a great city and if you get a chance to go to any of the beaches in the rest of the Philippines do it! Have a great trip and let us know if you have any other questions.

PS--like airhead says there are not a lot of foreigners there. If you are light skinned people will stare at you--you get used to it.

***Please ignore any bizarre spelling of places in the PI--some are spelled phonetically :-S **
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Old Aug 31st, 2003, 11:27 PM
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Manila has been getting a lot of bad press and is quite under-rated. Although there is a lot of petty crime, abusive cab drivers, like any big city, you just have to be alert and careful (no walking in dark alleys, etc).

Shopping: Local products are cheap. Some stores like Balikbayan Handicrafts sell products from all over the Philippines at quite reasonable prices.
For a more market like atmosphere in an air conditioned shopping center, go to Greenhills. Everything is there-- genuine/pirated computers/dvds/vcds, trendy clothes, authentic/fake signature handbags, furniture. Everything!

For antique Filipino furniture some go all the way up north to Vigan, Ilocos (1 1/2 hr plane ride or 10 hr drive) but prices are quite low for the real thing.

Massage: Labor is cheap here so massages are cheapest here vs the region. Top of the range is the Oriental Spa at the Oriental ($40!) with very nice ambiance to match.

Foot massage - Footloose in Pasay Rd (just ask your concierge or call directory assistance 114) for Thai style foot massage. Only $6!

A lot of spas have sprouted all over the city. One of the more well known is The Spa. Its newest branch in Makati is along Jupiter St. Massage around $10, $20 for a twin massage (2 masseuse kneading you at the same time). They also offer the volcanic hot stone massage. Ahhhhh.

Eat: Filipino food takes some getting used, not as popular as Thai/Chinese food as it is more Malay in origin w/ Spanish influence.
Barbequed Chicken is very good at Bacolod Chicken Barbeque. Ask your hotel as there are different restaurants offering Bacolod Chicken barbeque ("inasal").

Seafood at seaside- Seaside mkt sells fresh seafood. Located along Roxas Blvd. You can have them cook it right in front of you. Cheap and good seafood.

Via Mare- if you want to try Filipino food.

The new greenbelt mall in makati has plenty mid range- to high end food outlets. Try Centro for Filipino food with a twist; my favorites are corned beef in tamarind soup, clams torta, sizzling tofu, garlic butter steak.

Locals also raving about Pepato; owned by Margarita Fores a well known chef who studied in Italy.

Kai - also in Greenbelt; Japanese food prepared by Filipino chefs from Nobu.
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Old Sep 1st, 2003, 03:38 PM
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Just got back from Manila, Boracay, Bangkok. Most of the cab drivers in Manila I encountered were ok although they will try to have you use a flat rate instead of the meter to make more money and will not take you on the meter if they think there will be a lot of traffic. One cab ride though used the following tricks that you need to watch for. First someone on the passenger side waved me to the cab. Rule one never get in a cab where the driver has a friend with him. Second he had the meter covered up with a rag. Rule two, make sure you can see the meter. Then he told me he would take me for a flat rate of 100 p to where I was going. While driving he changed the rate to 150 p. His friend asked me to give him my sneakers , I refused. When we got to the destination he 'asked' me to tip his friend for getting me the cab. Not wanting any trouble I paid 200p. Grabbed my things and got the hell away from them as quickly as possible. True the difference between the 50 p it would have been on the meter and the 200 p I paid is only a $3 ripoff but a ripoff none the less.
A driver I recommend is Jose 09197532139
, he drove me to Subic from Manila. He is a nice guy who speaks well and is knowledgeable. Tell him the American who he took with the two pretty young Filipinas from Bayview Park to Subic 3 weeks ago, sent you.

As far as Manila goes, the people in the hotels and the shops do give a high level of service and respect but
be very careful on the streets, there are many homeless, poor people. Also I recommend staying away from Rizal park. Loaded with homeless and vendors that will constantly pester you.

Makati is a nice area, they somehow keep the homeless out of there and it has the shopping malls.


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Old Jan 17th, 2004, 07:18 AM
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hey anyone who will be visiting manila, specifically those who will be staying near my area in makati, im offering a massage therapy service... a choice of swedish, shiat-su, reflexology or combination.... contact me at my mobile (+63917) 8452107 or at my email [email protected]

my price is PHP 300.00 ONLY!! thats US$7.00
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Old Jan 27th, 2004, 02:24 AM
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hi everybody. manila is just another city like what you have in the most urbanized cities around the world.

When you visit Philippines, try visiting the southern island. try the province of South Cotabato. its the fastest growing province in the south. even the friendliest province in the south. we have great tourist spots here, very affordable neat and great hotels. try contacting the province tourism or the city tourism when you get here. or better, if you want a personal guide, call me at my mobile number 09192698207. i could arrange your stay and your tours.
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