This reminds me of a trip through Manila years ago. This was at the start of our overseas trip from Hawaii through Manila to Hong Kong (it was the craziest itinerary, but afforded us a huge discount on the fare). Going through customs, the agent pointed to a can of macadamia nuts in our luggage and said "I want that". My husband just took the can out and dropped it on the ground. I was aghast and annoyed at this, but he just said that if that's how things were done in that country, we should just roll with it.

Another time in Korea, my luggage was overweight. I only had a $500 traveller's check for which the agent could not make change, so they waived the overweight charge. I don't know if they would do that today.

With just my small experience in Manila, though, I am not surprised at your travel advisory. It's a poor country, and there are many stories of graft and corruption that must trickle down to the lowliest worker. Thanks for your reminder.

I think these bad experiences are not limited to any one country- you will find examples of such behavior in a number of Asian countries and even at times in the US!

If you'd done any research, you would have known there is a cash-only airport departure tax.

And if YOU'D done some research, random, you would have seen that this post is THREE years old.

The departure tax still applies to this day.

OP didn't come back to his own thread after all these years, probably thinking it was his own fault that he didn't do his homework first.

hahaha.

I feel sorry for you... Not because you had a very bad experience, but because of being an unprepared traveler.

I just want to comment on the Cebu International Airport. First of all, everything could have been avoided if you are wiser and more prepared.
Second of all, you could have prevent those ladies thinking that you are a Japanese tourist if you spoke in Cebuano in the first place. And besides, you know that you are in Cebu, and they speak Cebuano.
Next one is the "money issues". Dude, if you know you are traveling you should have prepared everything or even inquire the important things to your travel agent, especially with the fees. Of course, if you already knew the price of the terminal fee at Cebu Airport, which is 200pesos, you could have saved that amount so that you will not have a hard time dealing with these people.

Lastly, "disappointedpinoy" everything is your fault. Are you really a Filipino? If you are, then you already know these kind of things. You know that two of the most common lines in an establishment here in OUR country are: "Don't you have a smaller bill?" and "We don't have a change for that." If you are a real Filipino, then you wouldn't have reacted that way.

To all the readers out here, before we criticize and look at the faults of others, please be aware and wisely think if we have done some mistakes to them. I know this experience is awful but like what I've said, "Be prepared and be a wise traveler."

it's always good to see an old favorite pop back up to the top of the list.

Happy birthday 'AVOID MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT' - now you're three years and four months old! Sorry I missed the party.

Check your calculations. One hand will do.

Ummm - March... April... May... June... err.. July... ummm August

Happy birthday 'AVOID MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT' - now you're three years and five months old! Sorry I missed the party.

dogster, where are you partying now?

Bangkok, I think

So "in transit" didn't take you very far!

It's code for 'I'm going to write it properly and <i>then</i> post it'.