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Asian International Dating Forums => Asian -> Introductions and Ice-Breakers => Topic started by: william15011 on April 18, 2015, 05:50:47 PM
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I have been on filapinocupid.com for about a week. I have met a girl that I really like. We cam almost every night and I plan to visit the country in July. I wanted to send her some flowers, However, she told me she does not have an address with a number.
Is this normal? She told me I could send the flowers to her aunt's house and she would give it to her.
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Sounds a little odd and a bit early to be sending flowers to me. (or to her, LOL) Add that she says she doesn't have an address and for whatever reason/s, wants you to send evidence of a potential romantic relationship elsewhere, seems strange to me. She might have a husband, boyfriends or all the above. Most Filipinas do, even if living with extended family, do have addresses, or can get deliveries from the local post office if they're very rural. Heck, she lives by an Internet Cafe, I assume.
Most get very excited at the thought of family and those close to them seeing that someone sent them a romantic gift. Maybe it's all OK, but I don't know. Besides, it seems pretty early in the process if this is an indicator that you're already substantially narrowing the field of choices down that you have to choose from. The education you'll get from meeting a lot of different women from the cities and provinces, about their culture and differences, as well as encountering the inevitable ones who might act sweet, true and romantic, but have alterior motives or simply just aren't the best fit for you should be invaluable. Don't rush.
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I offered to send her flowers. She did not ask for them. I am just trying to be romantic. She is very beautiful. I really just trying to check her out. Is this an address: sanmigel gasig city manila
Anyway, I have had my share of scammers on that site. She does seem somewhat genuine. Maybe she just doesn't want to give me alot of information.
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The old rule of thumb was always never email/message more than 3 months before you plan to travel. And that really is an old rule, and I'm not sure just how valid it is. I suppose we should change it to it never hurts to make some contacts up to 3 months out.
High speed internet has given everyone ADD. They train sales people now to contact internet leads within 5 or 10 minutes of the submission. The thing to do is work all these websites like internet sales leads. Don't get emotionally tied to any lead, because most won't work out. Especially the last 3 or 4 weeks develop that list of top girls. Work on that list all the way up to your flight. Heck keep working on it while you are traveling too.
You should probably have at least 50 contacts on skype/whatsapp/viber before you leave. It's good to have even more. You can't have too many. When you have down time on your trip source those leads to fill the time.
Leave the emotions and flowers for real time meets. Best of luck.
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I offered to send her flowers. She did not ask for them. I am just trying to be romantic. She is very beautiful. I really just trying to check her out. Is this an address: sanmigel gasig city manila
Anyway, I have had my share of scammers on that site. She does seem somewhat genuine. Maybe she just doesn't want to give me alot of information.
A week into 'knowing' someone on line is short. Sending her flowers is certainly a sweet gesture that will leave a lasting impression. A few months testing the waters before traveling to the other side of the planet to meet what might essentially be one woman, seems short. If you have a ton of time and money, leaving tomorrow to go to Manila, Philippines is all well and good, as you can get a better feel for the what life is like there, but unlesss you're quite wealthy with lots of time, taking more time to get to know the overall situation before traveling would probably suit you better.
I have been to San Miguel, Pasig----it's a part of the metro Manila area and is densely populated. A lot of people move there from elsewhere, as there are more employment opportunities, including multinational corporations and call centers.There are some impressive skyscrapers and other corporate facilities, shopping, restaurants and nightlife, with bars and nightclubs attracting all sorts of clientèle. Like a smaller version of Makati, Manila, you don't immediately see the dire poverty in Pasig or Pasay that you quickly see in most of the Philippines, but it's 'in there' too---they just do a better job 'keeping up appearances' there.
At least, as you wrote, "She does seem somewhat genuine." Be great if that's still the case in 2 weeks, or better yet, two months. I thought when reading your initial post: "I bet she's a pretty young lady who would catch most red blooded guy's attention."
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Yes. She is quite beautiful. Kind of out of my league. She does seem sweet and genuine, but I was not born yesterday. I have met several other women and have not stopped contact with these other ladies. I will keep your advice and set up a call center.
On another front, how hard is it to travel to say Ormoc, Leyte, Philippines or [/size]Iloilo, Iloilo, Philippines (a couplde of girls I am talking to at this moment). I plan on staying in perhaps Manila. [/color]
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Yes. She is quite beautiful. Kind of out of my league. She does seem sweet and genuine, but I was not born yesterday. I have met several other women and have not stopped contact with these other ladies. I will keep your advice and set up a call center.
On another front, how hard is it to travel to say Ormoc, Leyte, Philippines or [/size]Iloilo, Iloilo, Philippines (a couplde of girls I am talking to at this moment). I plan on staying in perhaps Manila. [/color]
[/size][/color]
With Ormoc, Leyte, and Iloilo, lloilo both, along with, Bohol, Dumaguette and Davao, (all excellent places IMHO opinion for meeting more 'simple, pretty, traditional' Filipinas) being closer to Cebu City, which has an international airport, I'd be more inclined to initially fly into, set up base and have a look around CC.All these cities are in the Visayas region of the Philippines, an area that is arguably more scenic, with better beaches, a slower pace of life and a lower cost of living, than the Manila area. Cebu City is bit big and crowded for my own taste, but overall is more livable to me than Manila. The Midtown Hotel there is nice, w/o being overpriced like the somewhat nicer Marriott there is. Not too far from the airport or docks, you'd be able to cover a lot of prime areas in a short amount of time---even 2 or 3 weeks.
So, from CC, you can catch ferries, faster jet ferries, propeller planes or jets to those other places mentioned. I think it puts you in one of the sweetest spots to be able to quickly jump off from and see some of the nicest, most scenic areas, along with women as pretty as you'll see anywhere in the Philippines, ladies who also may not be as jaded as some of the women from the largest cities. Then again, if very lucky, you might meet one woman who would love to see those places with you.
That said, with internet cafes in even the smallest barangays (villages) nowadays, you still have to be careful, as a farm raised, provincial girl can get on Filipinocupid and especially if they're extraordinarily beautiful, and/or they have a college degree that could land them a good job abroad, I assure you they get a lot of 'interests' from tons of guys.
Hopefully if they're raised in the right way, they nonetheless retain their modest pride and self respect and would rather miss a meal than try soliciting guys for gifts, money and trips to resorts.Funny thing though----look around at the profiles and tell me if you don't notice that the really hot looking babes, with all the makeup, bathing suit pictures and sexy clothes, tend to be the ones who either never went to, or didn't graduate from college. Wonder why that is?
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The old rule of thumb was always never email/message more than 3 months before you plan to travel.
You should probably have at least 50 contacts on skype/whatsapp/viber before you leave. It's good to have even more. You can't have too many.
Leave the emotions and flowers for real time meets.
Never message more than 3 months before visiting? Huh?
Fifty contacts? ridiculous!
I don't know where these strange ideas came from, bur they have NEVER been "rules" on this forum.
Go ahead and send flowers if you wish. Nothing wrong with that at all.
Ray
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Hi William, welcome aboard.
The address thing is not so unusual. But not wanting to give a specific location/address after 1 week of contact is also not so unusual.
How long are you planning to stay for your first trip?
Visiting Manila, Ormoc, and Iloilo in one trip may be a little overwhelming. Travel to those areas is not too difficult if you have a personal guide to meet you on arrival. Maybe you should pick one or two of those for a first trip.
I say go ahead and send flowers if you wish...or chocolates, or a pizza, or whatever meets your fancy. That should set you apart from the other 250 guys who are contacting her... LOL!
Ray
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Thanks guys, I plan to follow your opinions. I plan to live in the Phillippines for about four weeks. I think Cebu City will work for me since I am a small town kind of guy. Thanks for all of your advice.
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First of all, there is nothing wrong for being a romantic man by sending her the flowers, but don't you think it is too early as you only knew her for 1 week. If she refuses to give you her real address, one of these reasons could be that she feels "too early" that she only knows you for a week.
The other thing that you mentioned that you cam almost every night? Is it YOUR night? If it is, then it is in her day time? Is she working? Does she always speak you alone or is also on "multi-chat"?
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Thanks guys, I plan to follow your opinions. I plan to live in the Phillippines for about four weeks. I think Cebu City will work for me since I am a small town kind of guy. Thanks for all of your advice.
Four weeks is good but you'll need a visa for anything over three weeks. You can also get an extension of the 3-week automatic visa after you arrive over there.
I don't think of Cebu City as a "small town", but it is smaller than Manila.
If you are going to visit a lady in Iloilo, you can hop a ferry from Cebu. I would have her meet you in Cebu and take you over there.
Also, keep in mind that July is typhoon season so local travel plans can sometimes get interrupted.
Ray
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Never message more than 3 months before visiting? Huh?
Fifty contacts? ridiculous!
Ray
Informal things most people say... whatever. What's a flight to Asia cost? What's the whole trip cost? How much vacation does a working guy have? I know you've been out of it for awhile, but this is the high speed internet generation.
Getting 50 contacts is relatively easy in the high speed internet age. Too much happens over the course of more than a month or two and the leads go cold. Welcome to the international search... 2015 style.
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Thanks guys, I plan to follow your opinions. I plan to live in the Phillippines for about four weeks. I think Cebu City will work for me since I am a small town kind of guy. Thanks for all of your advice.
Cebu City is a pretty big city, and like some cities, has some sizable nearby, closely intertwined cities, in this case Mandaue and Lapu Lapu. But Manila 'proper' has about 15 times the amount of people per square kilometer than Cebu City does which in turn has about five times more people per kilometer per sq.km.than Davao City. Metro Manila is right next to Quezon City, which has a population of a million more than metro Manila 'proper' All that said, Davao City is more spread out than any of those big cities and for my tastes, is more pleasantly livable, even if by population it's now by most accounts the second largest city in the Philippines---but again, it's spread out and somehow doesn't feel nearly as big as Cebu City.
But Cebu City is a good place to get an immediate taste of the hustle and bustle of life and variences of wealth, poverty and sophistication available in some parts of the Philippines . You'll also quickly pick up on how westernized it and how much most of the Philippines is commercially, with pretty much all the fast food chains and familiar USA brand name stuff available, along side the more traditional FIlipino fare.
But if I were single and looking, I'd probably start in CC, look around for a few days, catch the jet ferry to Bohol and relax, then carry on to Davao City. Depending on what age range you're looking at, Dumaguete, which is close to Bohol, has a lot of college students and the beaches, swimming and diving are supposed to be as fine as Bohol's--I'd like to visit there. A surprising amount of students take summer coursework in the Philippines. Decent---really any kind of jobs, are hard to find and a college degree helps. The Philippines has one of the highest literacy rates of any third world country. While English ability and accent varies, the Philippines ranks just behind the United Kingdom for number of English speaking citizens.
I still haven't gotten to Palawan and it's a bit off the beaten path, but I hear it's very beautiful, with some of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches on earth. Mr. Micro Soft himself, Bill Gates, just got back from vacationing with his family for twelve days on Palawan. I don't think they stayed at a Motel 6. Bill and Melinda took the private jet, but sent their kids home early on commercial flights, lest they miss any school.
I didn't know Ray was such a sweet, generous guy, but personally, I think that sending flowers or other gifts overseas to someone you've only known about a week and have never met personally, is a bit premature.
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Thanks for all your advice Robert. I will copy and paste them when I visit. Also thanks for telling me about the visa. I was thinking that maybe I could go to Vietnam or closer country for a couple of days and then go back. I do want to spend about four weeks on this ventures, possible even five weeks.
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Informal things most people say... whatever. What's a flight to Asia cost? What's the whole trip cost? How much vacation does a working guy have? I know you've been out of it for awhile, but this is the high speed internet generation.
Getting 50 contacts is relatively easy in the high speed internet age. Too much happens over the course of more than a month or two and the leads go cold. Welcome to the international search... 2015 style.
bcc, this is the ASIAN forum, NOT the Latin forum. Different countries, different cultures, different women, different strategies, etc...
Question: did you have 50 or more contacts lined up when you made your first trip to LA? What were their names and addresses?
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I didn't know Ray was such a sweet, generous guy, but personally, I think that sending flowers or other gifts overseas to someone you've only known about a week and have never met personally, is a bit premature.
I didn't realize that Robert was gay and disapproves of romantic gifts to girls.
Maybe he would be O.K. with something more practical? They do like Spam over there...
http://www.filipinasgifts.com/grocery-gift-basket/giftbas-0010202.html (http://www.filipinasgifts.com/grocery-gift-basket/giftbas-0010202.html)
;D
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What were their names and addresses?
As in physical addresses? You are even dating yourself to suggest email addresses. I think you mean what is their viber, skype, whatsapp, facetime, snap chat, etc. Things have changed globally.
Also in terms of rapid change over the past few years, calling someone gay is no longer an insult.
Things worked out great for me. That being said it would have been great to know just how many contacts I needed to acquire and vet as this truly is a numbers game.
I don't think this just applies to Colombia or Latin America (I think it's global). I would say 50 contacts is the starting point. Maybe shooting for 60 or 70 online contacts would be crazy in 1998 or even 2005. But in 2015 that's what you need to shoot for. Sure you can get lucky and strike gold instantly. But random luck is not a good game plan. Play the numbers and mingle.
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Also in terms of rapid change over the past few years, calling someone gay is no longer an insult.
I would say 50 contacts is the starting point. Maybe shooting for 60 or 70 online contacts...
Huh? Who said that was meant as an insult???
And you still haven't answered the question bcc. Did YOU have 50 or more contacts when you first went over? How about just give us 25 names, OK?
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As in physical addresses? You are even dating yourself to suggest email addresses. I think you mean what is their viber, skype, whatsapp, facetime, snap chat, etc. Things have changed globally.
Also in terms of rapid change over the past few years, calling someone gay is no longer an insult.
Ahhh BCC, Don't sweat it--the old coot knows he's an anachronism, brains and old battleships long in mothballs. To take him (or me--anything/anyone here really) too seriously, is to do ourselves a disservice. While some might question what part of the animal's anatomy is most appropriate to reference here, I heard he was first in line when this tune came out on an album--delighted to get the first vinyl pressing of it in 33&1/3 RPM in fact! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0plbEFWWPA
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Ahhh BCC, Don't sweat it--the old coot knows he's an anachronism, brains and old battleships long in mothballs. To take him (or me--anything/anyone here really) too seriously, is to do ourselves a disservice. While some might question what part of the animal's anatomy is most appropriate to reference here, I heard he was first in line when this tune came out on an album--delighted to get the first vinyl pressing of it in 33&1/3 RPM in fact! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0plbEFWWPA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0plbEFWWPA)
That being said, I don't care how old you are. If you are wanting to go overseas and meet younger girls then you better have all these communication apps on your cell phone. As noted in very old threads I did my online searches and sourcing (met my wife right off thee ole social network), but this is literally evolving by the month. What I did several years ago is outdated and irrelevant information.
Ray's head in ass pictures aren't going to get you dates. Him proving how little or many dates I got on my first trip overseas also won't get you dates. Knowing what Viber is and loading your phone with girls will get you dates. That's just how it works right now.
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Ahhh BCC, Don't sweat it--the old coot knows he's an anachronism, brains and old battleships long in mothballs. To take him (or me--anything/anyone here really) too seriously, is to do ourselves a disservice. While some might question what part of the animal's anatomy is most appropriate to reference here, I heard he was first in line when this tune came out on an album--delighted to get the first vinyl pressing of it in 33&1/3 RPM in fact! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0plbEFWWPA
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/aybooba/universe-facts-11_zps77e778bb.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/aybooba/media/universe-facts-11_zps77e778bb.jpg.html)
Oh Robert, your incessant whining is getting old. Are you ever going to grow up?
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/aybooba/troll_2_zps36977386.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/aybooba/media/troll_2_zps36977386.jpg.html)
Now take your finger out of your nose Bobby and get back under your bridge where you belong...
And next time, instead of screwing up another member's legitimate thread with your childish little personal attacks as you always do, be a man for once in your life and do your flaming in the Flame Room where it belongs...
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-taunt014.gif)
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Ray--it's too bad you don't have any idea of when someone's trying to interject a sense of humor into what's otherwise escalating into an increasingly flammatory thread. But hey, if you don't see it, it's no one else's fault but your own--don't try and turn things around.
At least I'm not like you, calling a member here--namely me, a homosexual. I was 'man' enough to laugh it off, especially considering 'the source.' But others might not look at it that way, of course.
Lighten up a bit and try to quit being, as is all too often the case here, so uptight and maybe everyone would be better off. You may be old as dirt here, pushing for 10,000 posts, but even the moderators have had to give you more than a little grace a number of times, rolling their eyes and barely tolerating your belligerence and badgering of members here.
If you feel that I'm doing it to you, which I'm not, at least figure that maybe it's a taste of your own medicine, which apparently you don't handle very well.
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(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W1vRfgehRq6Om1SQJ7r_BejdTycBuohJSIAL49mrU3o=w403-h507-no)
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Four weeks is good but you'll need a visa for anything over three weeks. You can also get an extension of the 3-week automatic visa after you arrive over there.
I don't think of Cebu City as a "small town", but it is smaller than Manila.
If you are going to visit a lady in Iloilo, you can hop a ferry from Cebu. I would have her meet you in Cebu and take you over there.
Also, keep in mind that July is typhoon season so local travel plans can sometimes get interrupted.
Ray
It was raised to 30 days in 2012
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It was raised to 30 days in 2012
Thanks! :D
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Ray--it's too bad you don't have any idea of when someone's trying to interject a sense of humor into what's otherwise escalating into an increasingly flammatory thread. But hey, if you don't see it, it's no one else's fault but your own--don't try and turn things around.
At least I'm not like you, calling a member here--namely me, a homosexual. I was 'man' enough to laugh it off, especially considering 'the source.' But others might not look at it that way, of course.
Lighten up a bit and try to quit being, as is all too often the case here, so uptight and maybe everyone would be better off. You may be old as dirt here, pushing for 10,000 posts, but even the moderators have had to give you more than a little grace a number of times, rolling their eyes and barely tolerating your belligerence and badgering of members here.
If you feel that I'm doing it to you, which I'm not, at least figure that maybe it's a taste of your own medicine, which apparently you don't handle very well.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/aybooba/26006aab.gif) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/aybooba/media/26006aab.gif.html)
Now what are you crying about Bobby?
You're such a phony hypocrite. You get your jollies following guys around the forum dropping childish little insults, trying to provoke a fight, while whining and pretending you're a victim.
If you don't like my replies to your silly little insults, then just leave my name out of your stupid troll games.
You won't post your insults where they belong, in the flame room, because you can't get the attention you need there as you can get on the open forum.
Time to grow up Bobby...
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Thanks for the message robert angel. I find that alot of the women that I meet on filipinocupid use the internet cafe. Since you have so much experience. I was wondering if it is okay to purchase "minutes?". Some of asked me and I have blown them off. I have only been on the site just over a week.
My age range is really big. I hate to say it, but from 23 to 37.
Any advice. I can't send you any messages.
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Thanks for the message robert angel. I find that alot of the women that I meet on filipinocupid use the internet cafe. Since you have so much experience. I was wondering if it is okay to purchase "minutes?". Some of asked me and I have blown them off. I have only been on the site just over a week.
My age range is really big. I hate to say it, but from 23 to 37.
Any advice. I can't send you any messages.
Hi William--I think after you post 4 more times, you can send, respond to messages--"PM's" here.
The age range you mention is not at all extreme or unusual, assuming you're not much older than 70, LOL.
In 4 separate more posts, you can ask about differences between the Visayas and elsewhere, changing, carrying currency, gifts, safety, things to bring, not bring, hotels, etc. Short of just posting, 'one, two, three, four', you can still keep it very brief if you prefer.
I would be leery of women who straight out ask, or even 'hint' early on that they need some money for chat time. Money and gifts changes everything, I'm afraid. While there's a time and place for everything, in the first weeks to months, I personally don't see it as a good sign. It can show them that you're "a source of revenue" when you don't really know for sure whether or not you're one of many guys---many sources.
If you're not already onto it, viber and skype, to name but two tech applications, can help you connect, communicating even from their preferred internet cafes--you can chat using facebook--you can set up another FB profile/s if you want to keep your primary profile exclusive--the options and playing field for all involved change all the time. Be wise on your end and wary regarding their's.
Although it's not too long before you're on the plane, I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to 'go exclusive' with any one woman. Narrowing down selection is the normal route. Right now, all the scammers and gold diggers are sizing you up, but within the probably overwhelming amount of women sending you interests, are undoubtedly some good candidates. That said, don't hesitate to search out women, women who might be too shy to make the first approach, but might be good ladies--matches.
Totally mind blowingly beautiful women are another topic to handle with care. They typically get something of 'the royal treatment', with lots of attention so rest assured, you're not the only one who's taken notice of their 'charms'.
If she's really hot and used to 'high maintenance overhead', that can be problematic down the line. Be careful what you wish for and realize that if things follow a best case scenario, you'll be with this person for a long, long time and that beauty is going to fade more than the basic fundamentals of her personality probably will.
That said, once she's acclimated to USA life--really life in most 'first world' nations, inevitable changes to differing degrees will likely occur in her personality. If she had her head screwed on pretty good to start with and didn't look or act like a diva, your probably better off down the line than vice versa.
Sometimes you can look at what I call a 'modest, simple, traditional Filipina'. 'Simple' means pretty uncomplicated and she can she be shy or straight forward, playful (but not cold or rude) not dumb, stupid or insensitive.
Try to imagine what they'd look like with their hair done, a little lipstick and a nice dress/outfit--a diamond in the rough perhaps. Sometimes it pays to look past what's basically superficial anyway.
I am leery of a bunch of bikini shots, resort shots, even studio pictures and a lot of make up, although that's become somewhat more acceptable to some guys over time
My wife was a computer engineer, working for Coca Cola, 12 hour+ work days, six days a week, sometimes half a day on Sunday. She didn't wear makeup, had two awful pictures when a friend introduced us and she sent money home to help pay sibling's private school tuition, rather than buy clothes. Sometimes she only had enough money left to eat just vegetables, but for four years, she never asked me for a peso and we chatted, usually for hours every single day, unless she was with her family--way out in the country, where there was no internet. If she said she would be there, she was.
Even if time and money is tight for you, don't totally convince yourself that this first trip is going to produce a wife. I'm far from wealthy moneywise and went over there more than once, for one woman each time. So then after a rather long correspondence and trip, I had to face the sad and hard fact that we just weren't right for each other. That said, it was still great--if nothing else, I had a wonderfully interesting vacation with nice company each time.
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thanks robert.
Thanks for the advice, I guess the next question is safety. What should I be on guard for?
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thanks robert.
Thanks for the advice, I guess the next question is safety. What should I be on guard for?
The areas of most concern are within what's called the ARRM region, which stands for
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Region_in_Muslim_Mindanao
By and large, the Muslims are peaceful and many are hospitable, successful merchants even outside of the ARRM area, but there are certain areas that can be 'hotspots' that you want to avoid--they're safe havens for terrorists. The ones that are typically always 'no no' areas include Tawi Tawi and Jolo Island, to name just two examples. That general area is some place--something you might want to read up on. There are also other areas where communists stir up trouble, but in terms of specific area/s, they're harder to pinpoint. Plus, you can't tell a communist from a non communist any more than you can tell a Catholic from a Lutheran.
Generally speaking, it's best to not talk politics, religion or money---that's probably good advice in most places most of the time though.
While you shouldn't totally disregard our (and other) nation's security ratings and travel advisements for the Philippines and the specific area you're visiting, I think chances are that most areas of the USA would tally more violent crimes, as well as thefts. As I sort of indicated, that still leaves certain areas that you'll almost certainly know that you, as well as almost no Christian Filipinos, would want to visit, as they know they're simply not welcome there and to go there would be like inviting trouble.
That said, it is dumb to walk around most parts of Manila (really a lot of places worldwide) with things like gold necklaces, expensive cameras on straps, etc., etc. Even in Makati, Manila, where my brother in law and his family live, which has some pretty swank areas, my wife clutches her purse close to her body and just doesn't like walking around or using public transportation. Then again, I never worried, except for one time in China Town's Tutuban Mall, when I felt kind of weird--like I was being watched--and I simply caught a taxi cab out of there. Some years, Manila tops the list as the most densely populated city on earth, so purse and jewelry snatchings aren't uncommon. You can be at a $500 a night hotel and a block away there can be a squatters village, with people who are desperately poor.
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IMHO, to say that all of Mindanao is unsafe, is a gross overstatement. Most is safe and Davao City is by far, the safest of the largest cities.
https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/Philippines/Areas-to-Avoid-in-the-Philippines
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/21/travel/philippines-coolest-towns/
Not sure why they don't have Palawan Island on here--as mentioned, Microsoft's Bill Gates vacationed there with his wife and kids, for the better part of two weeks and no, wasn't kidding when I said he and his wife sent the children home early on a commercial flight!
Not sure why Bohol isn't mentioned, the beaches and the Chocolate Hills--the Hills in particular , with the world's tiniest monkeys, is much visited and beloved by Filipinos.
There are some other world class scenery areas, including incredible beaches not mentioned either. 7000+ islands--there's a lot of neat stuff not mentioned--but the focus is pretty much on towns, I suppose.
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Got these, and a few other places on my travel radar these days....
https://www.google.com/search?q=caramoan+camarines+sur&biw=1079&bih=582&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OCM4VfnJOK-wsASD3oGQDg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
https://www.google.com/search?q=palawan+resorts&rlz=1C2CHFX_enUS629US629&biw=1105&bih=542&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CCs4VcvxH8u3sAWI_4HQBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg
As long as they have air conditioned rooms for at night, some good places nearby to eat at and a decent club or two to dance at, if we're in the mood, I'm game.
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The areas of most concern are within what's called the ARRM region, which stands for
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Region_in_Muslim_Mindanao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Region_in_Muslim_Mindanao)
By and large, the Muslims are peaceful and many are hospitable, successful merchants even outside of the ARRM area, but there are certain areas that can be 'hotspots' that you want to avoid--they're safe havens for terrorists. The ones that are typically always 'no no' areas include Tawi Tawi and Jolo Island, to name just two examples. That general area is some place--something you might want to read up on. There are also other areas where communists stir up trouble, but in terms of specific area/s, they're harder to pinpoint. Plus, you can't tell a communist from a non communist any more than you can tell a Catholic from a Lutheran.
Generally speaking, it's best to not talk politics, religion or money---that's probably good advice in most places most of the time though.
While you shouldn't totally disregard our (and other) nation's security ratings and travel advisements for the Philippines and the specific area you're visiting, I think chances are that most areas of the USA would tally more violent crimes, as well as thefts. As I sort of indicated, that still leaves certain areas that you'll almost certainly know that you, as well as almost no Christian Filipinos, would want to visit, as they know they're simply not welcome there and to go there would be like inviting trouble.
Mamasapano Maguinado is especially hot now after the Philippines National Police lost 44 police officers in an attempt to capture a Malaysian terrorist on January 25, 2015.
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Again thanks for your advice Robert. I think I will keep my searches to Cebu City. There are a lot of women on FC from that part of the Philippines. Therefore, I would assume that Cebu City is a safe place to live for about five weeks. I might take a trip here or there for women that I meet that I find interesting. On that point, I have found some profiles from Cebu City that show women wearing nothing but swimming suits, etc. I would assume these are women to avoid.
On another note, I have met a woman that lives near Manila. She has a job because we cam from where she works. She can only cam from work because she can't afford a "load" to use her phone at home. She wants me to send her 1,000 pesos western union for it. Is this a good idea? Trust me, she does work at this store because she has the cam on when she is working (she is a cashier).
Again thanks for all your help.
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She wants me to send her 1,000 pesos western union for it. Is this a good idea?
No
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(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-signs006.gif)
My advice:
When you first meet up with these girls, keep money or any financial discussions completely out of the relationship.
DO NOT send anything for cell phone loads, Internet café fees, or ANYTHING.
If they make a modest request, as this latest girl did, just ignore her as if you never heard the request. If she never asks for anything again, then she may be OK to further pursue a possible relationship with.
But if she asks for something a second time, drop her fast and move on to someone else. You are not a bank so don't be treated as one.
Ray
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Again thanks for your advice Robert. I think I will keep my searches to Cebu City. There are a lot of women on FC from that part of the Philippines. Therefore, I would assume that Cebu City is a safe place to live for about five weeks. I might take a trip here or there for women that I meet that I find interesting. On that point, I have found some profiles from Cebu City that show women wearing nothing but swimming suits, etc. I would assume these are women to avoid.
On another note, I have met a woman that lives near Manila. She has a job because we cam from where she works. She can only cam from work because she can't afford a "load" to use her phone at home. She wants me to send her 1,000 pesos western union for it. Is this a good idea? Trust me, she does work at this store because she has the cam on when she is working (she is a cashier).
Again thanks for all your help.
Stay away from sending money--it sets a bad precedent. If it's (you) is/are a big enough priority to her and especially if she's working as is the case here, she'll find a way to afford the internet café.
Most folks end up coming in on international flights have to fly to Manila, but some international airlines fly direct to Cebu City. Personally I couldn't justify staying in Cebu City for five weeks when it is such a convenient jumping off place to more attractive places close by. Mactan's beaches--the beaches closest to CC, --except for some expensive ones that are cleaned and groomed everyday, don't impress me. A lot of shipping and nearby industry leaves so much pollution that when I was there, I had to wear sandals into the water and watch my step. I'm sure there's more current info on that and CC on-line for research.
Cebu City is sort of a mini Manila, although former Philippine President Arroyo returned political favors for CC helping swing the election for her and they improved the city's infrastructure a bit.
It's a matter of personal judgment on bikini shots and I suppose things are changing, but there's still millions of Filipinas who be it beach or pool, wouldn't wear anything more revealing than pair of mid thigh shorts and a T shirt.
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My women has never once asked for money but she is inquisitive about cost differences for things between the U.S. and the Philippines as I am always using googles Philippine peso to dollar conversion. Let me tell you how a gift went once. A friend of mine who does security had a brand new Iphone 4 that someone left in a bar over a year ago and never claimed it and his old ipod touch. I had no use for them but he was like "Here. Give it to someone that needs it or sell it." In turn I asked the little woman how old her cell phone is and she said nearly 3 years. I'm like, I have a gift for you. She absolutely is aware of the stigma of some women asking for stuff and protested and I actually had to talk her into it. I had to convince her that it did not cost me anything and it is a free gift and if she doesn't want it she is free to sell it. Which she countered that she would never sell them because they are a gift from me. Ok, so I sent it via USPS (Which I highly do not recommend) and the Philippines customs has lost the damn thing. So learning lesson of shipping and the disappointment from her is not that she did not get the package but feels that customs lost a gold brick belonging to me.
So point is and I think Robert can attest to. If they are genuine, they will never ask for any money from you while dating. If you give them a gift to me it seems they value the gesture more than the item itself.
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......................... Ok, so I sent it via USPS (Which I highly do not recommend) and the Philippines customs has lost the damn thing. So learning lesson of shipping and the disappointment from her is not that she did not get the package but feels that customs lost a gold brick belonging to me.......................................
Never send anything of value through the post office.
That package was not lost; someone has a brand new iPhone - very likely a postal employee.
If it have to be there within a certain time frame or sending small item - either send your package via air cargo or Fedex/UPS/DHL (expensive).
This way your package do not go thru a third party thus less opportunity for thief.
We send small packages via LBC (& Johnny Air) air cargo and it usually takes about a week from NYC to delivery in Manila.
We have 4 BB boxes enroute to Manila ( they will be delivered within the next 2 weeks - they just left transhipment) & will be sending an air cargo shipment within the month.
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Never send anything of value through the post office.
That package was not lost; someone has a brand new iPhone - very likely a postal employee.
If it have to be there within a certain time frame or sending small item - either send your package via air cargo or Fedex/UPS/DHL (expensive).
This way your package do not go thru a third party thus less opportunity for thief.
We send small packages via LBC (& Johnny Air) air cargo and it usually takes about a week from NYC to delivery in Manila.
We have 4 BB boxes enroute to Manila ( they will be delivered within the next 2 weeks - they just left transhipment) & will be sending an air cargo shipment within the month.
Yep, that phone got "lost" in a custom's officer's pocket... LOL
The only way to insure that a package will get through the postal system is to send it registered and insured. Even then, it's still not advisable.
We have had good luck with LBC in particular. How much do they charge you for a Balikbayan box from NYC to Manila? Are your rates lower after the Christmas season rush?
Ray
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I don't think that Fosgate shares any of ray's laughter >"Yep, that phone got "lost" in a custom's officer's pocket...LOL"<, regarding that the iPhone he sent her may have ended up in some customs officer's pocket. Tasteless and par the course.
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DHL delivers to even some rather remote areas of Mindanao. It can sometimes take 3 or 4 months for USPS sent mail to get to Mindanao, but it gets scrutinized by a lot of hands and eyes, as it moves via plane, boats and trucks, with many people interested in the size and weight of parcels, often holding envelopes up to bright lights looking for signs of cash inside
We've always been lucky (so far) using UMAC or our balikbayan boxes, but we pretty much 'mummify' each box, densely coating it in 4 or 5 complete coats of clear and duct tape. It'd be pretty obvious that someone took effort using a tool to get inside it. That said, I still consider ourselves "lucky" thus far that we haven't been robbed, as there's always things like laptop computers, tablets, cameras and the like in there.
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................................We have had good luck with LBC in particular. How much do they charge you for a Balikbayan box from NYC to Manila? Are your rates lower after the Christmas season rush?
Ray
$60 per box - large ones.
LBC had a promotion when we sent ours - send 3 large boxes and get a small box sent for free.
The rates were the same during the holidays - they just add a promotion like the one above. This time we skipped sending during this holiday season - instead we sent them last month.
Their current promotion is (they call it VIP - Very Important Padala):
Send 1 regular box & a small one fee would be $25.
Send 2 regular boxes & the small one fee is $20.
Send 3 regular boxes & the small one fee is $20.
LBC is expanding in the NYC area - they opened a 3rd office last November.
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Robert you are 1000% correct about filipina's profiles. I had a long conversation with a woman whom immediately told me she was in love with me. She was really cute, in addition, her profile had her wearing a bathing suit. She lived in Cebu City. I guess because I am a lonely guy, On about day three of her telling me this, she started asking for money. This has happened about three other times. In the future, I will not even think about a reply from a woman wearing a bathing suit on FA.
Thanks for the advice. On another note, I plan to visit Cebu City June 20, Is this too soon? I think I have credible women to date, telling them of my plans.
Bill
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Robert you are 1000% correct about filipina's profiles. I had a long conversation with a woman whom immediately told me she was in love with me. She was really cute, in addition, her profile had her wearing a bathing suit. She lived in Cebu City. I guess because I am a lonely guy, On about day three of her telling me this, she started asking for money. This has happened about three other times. In the future, I will not even think about a reply from a woman wearing a bathing suit on FA.
Thanks for the advice. On another note, I plan to visit Cebu City June 20, Is this too soon? I think I have credible women to date, telling them of my plans.
Bill
Thanks, but no one can be 100% on how to deal with profiles. It's a real heady, ego stroking time when you first get onto sites like FC and Blossoms and all these hot women, women probably out of our league here are suddenly sending you "interests" and even "favorites" by the dozen.
What I made were basically broad generalizations and recommendations.You can probably take some of that to the bank, but any one profile is at best going to give you a limited sketch. You have to dig in deeper and chat, cam and basically follow your hopefully increasingly educated hunches.That said, you may meet her in real life later and especially if you haven't taken sufficient time, realize (if you can see and think logically) that she's not right for you. It takes the right balance of balls and brains. Be careful what you wish for....
Especially if it's your first rodeo and you're hoping to do 'one woman, one trip = wife' I think you need more than a few months of prep time. If as you mentioned staying 4 to 5 weeks, I think setting up in Cebu City sounds good, but once again I think that traveling to other, smaller cities from there is so easy and inexpensive (by far the most expensive thing is just getting there initially ) that you should consider that.
I can't emphasize enough that the way most guys screw up big time---I'm talking marriage, misery, and then divorce, is because they rushed things. This takes TIME.
And above all, especially given the newness of all this, tell yourself "Probably won't score a wife this first time, but I'll sure as heck have a good vacation."
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For pictures run them in Tineye. I have busted a few using that app. http://www.tineye.com/ (http://www.tineye.com/)
Also cut and paste key phrases or their whole profile statement into google and see if it comes back with any hits. I caught two that had profiles on more than one site but different images. I also caught one woman who had pictures of herself and I noticed an American speed limit sign in the back ground. I asked her if she had ever been to the U.S. and she said no. Next! Also on sites like Cherri Blossoms what is cool is that they show the country of origin's flag next to it. Often you will see where they are at is not where they claim to be. For instance they claim Cebu City and you see Germany, USA, Ghana Africa, Korea, China etc. Just avoid them.
Far as the package it's no big loss to me but I kick myself because I did not foresee this as I have never had a problem shipping packages overseas to even war zones. I will certainly take more precaution in the future knowing what I know now.
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I don't think that Fosgate shares any of ray's laughter >"Yep, that phone got "lost" in a custom's officer's pocket...LOL"<, regarding that the iPhone he sent her may have ended up in some customs officer's pocket. Tasteless and par the course.
Listen up bobby...
I wasn't talking to you so you can go pound sand.
Speaking of "tasteless"... Your repeated attempts to start a flame war with your childish little comments have become "par for the course".
If you aren't man enough to take your petty insults to the Flame Room instead of repeatedly trying to trash other members' threads, then why don't you just give us all a break take a hike?
Bye... (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-greet025.gif)
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Quick question. I met a woman and we are "thinking" about going to Boracay Island while I visit. I told her we are just friends and I will think about it. We have only known each other for two weeks. Is this a con. Should I get my hopes up.
Thanks in advance.
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Take it for what you will. I brought up wanting to go island hopping when I get down there to meet mine. Not sure if it was that fast but my thought is this. I'm going to scratch a few things off my bucket list like swim with Whale Sharks, sea turtles and maybe even be lucky enough to see a Thresher, Mako or Tiger. I want to walk on pristine beaches with very few others around. Boracay was initially on the list until I saw photos how crowded the beach can get there (just google boracay beach crowd). Me, I'm looking at Northern Palawan like El Nido or maybe even Coron. Coron looks like one of the most pristine areas at the moment. If your forking out the dough to spend four days on a plane trip there and back you might as well make the best of it. Me, I think I would go nuts just touring a city like Manila or Cebu etc.
Anyway, I get down there and we don't click or whatever, I still get a killer vacation and cross off a couple bucket list items.
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Also as others have suggested bringing a few small gifts when you go. Some people here may think it is inappropriate but maybe read this and make a decision for yourself when you go. (Listen to the voice in your head)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasalubong (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasalubong)
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Speaking of "tasteless"... Your repeated attempts to start a flame war with your childish little comments have become "par for the course".
Let's assume everything you wrote above is 100% accurate. A matter of days ago you called him gay. That's about as childish as it gets. Pot calling the kettle black at a minimum.
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I don't think I would engage Ray if I were Robert either. The outbursts that I have seen are irrational and illogical of the type one would clinically see with someone with either a chemical/alcohol problem or psychological dysfunction. Either way potentially dangerous to himself and others around him. Ray I understand you may be a fellow veteran brother, but you got some personal demons you have to work out. No one here wishes ill on you.
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I don't think I would engage Ray if I were Robert either. The outbursts that I have seen are irrational and illogical of the type one would clinically see with someone with either a chemical/alcohol problem or psychological dysfunction. Either way potentially dangerous to himself and others around him. Ray I understand you may be a fellow veteran brother, but you got some personal demons you have to work out. No one here wishes ill on you.
Let's assume everything you wrote above is 100% accurate. A matter of days ago you called him gay. That's about as childish as it gets. Pot calling the kettle black at a minimum.
As it's Willam's thread that's been effected and him not being a full member, I'll post this in the main and copy it into the Flame Room as well, to hopefully allow this thread to run it's more useful course and commentary regarding this unfortunate nastiness to continue in the Flame Room. .
Regarding Ray, while racist, (I'm surprised there are any Mexicans left in the USA, given his vitriol) given his homophobic name calling, the consistent, unwarranted aggression across so many subjects across both Asian and Latin lines, for all the never ending, nasty name calling, the incessant belittling of other members, and the posting of the same old pictures --pictures along the lines of telling people he that knows what a person is--then often showing a graphic with a person's head up their ass countless times (to name but one of many derogatory images he loves to post on P-L)----while all this and much more ugliness have been Ray's mainstay for years, he's nonetheless been allowed to continue in the same vein.
Apologies are obviously not part of his repertoire.
Countless members here have grown tired of his unabated nastiness, of him repeatedly being warned, placed on watch and otherwise reprimanded and yet nothing really ever happens.
Many of those members grew tired of him bullying people around imperviously and simply left. He's like an adolescent school yard bully, with Teachers who don't want the trouble of writing him up or staying with him for detention.
Members here can be afraid, ignore it, act amused and/or otherwise wait for their turn to be his target here.
If history has taught us anything, it's that unless confronted and addressed, bullies don't go away. Their aggression, hostilities--their diatribes go on and on. This is WAY beyond the realm of 'spirited discourse' way beyond one individual against a few other selected individuals. It's a chronic, un addressed problem here.
Besides those he ran off here, there are surely others who looked into P-L, interested and thought of joining this otherwise by and large civilized community, but who never signed up because of his bullying, caustic nature.
Even now, when he's again on 'watch' status here, he continues unabated, his malignant manners as always, ongoing and not even really 'checked'.
He's allowed to maintain P-L as his personal, ongoing bully pulpit, 'watched status' or not--it's makes no difference--he never even tones it down.
It was said that he on occasion offers some useful visa and immigration advice, as if that alone gave him sufficient value to warrant allowing his ongoing misbehavior, but again this week, he was dispensing erroneous information in that area. He's outlived his utility. To call him a 'dime store lawyer' would constitute over valuation and misrepresentation.
For him to accuse others of name calling and starting trouble that moves threads to the flame room, telling others they should start any thread that criticizes him to the flame room, is about as ironic as irony could be. I guess he feels can give advice, but doesn't take his own--that he sure can dish it out, but doesn't handle the same very well.
Sure there are occasional arguments between members here, but is there anybody who's caused more arguments or caused more threads to end up in the 'Flame Room' than him?
What does he add in terms of discussion on developing and maintaining relationships with foreign women? Isn't that a large part of what P-L is about? Is him rolling out his picture of dump trucks and red flags for the 1000th time really constructive?
Some may question if indeed is he's even really married, so miserable is his P-L personality and so little useful insights he brings. Who could, would or should have to suffer a life alongside the 'Fifty Shades of Ray?
What may have once been seen here as a mild annoyance, has become a pervasive irritant.
This thread is certainly not the first time people have questioned the guy's mental health, suggesting to no avail, that he seek help. The real questions are: Is he going to be able to continue running roughshod over new and old members alike on P-L? To continue to run people off? When is enough enough?
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Quick question. I met a woman and we are "thinking" about going to Boracay Island while I visit. I told her we are just friends and I will think about it. We have only known each other for two weeks. Is this a con. Should I get my hopes up.
Thanks in advance.
If you want to see a lot of older European, Australian, Korean, and N. American guys, along with their much younger 'dates'--quite often much younger Filipina hotties in eeenie weenie string bikinis, Boracay's the perfect place. Most young Filipinas want to go there, just to say "been there" and have a good time. They say the beaches are beautiful, if crowded, that the night life really rocks and that by Philippine standards, it's expensive.
With 7000+ islands, with countless other beaches and many, many resorts, no one in my family, here nor there, has much interest in going to Boracay.
Weather wise, Boracay in June is 'probably' OK, but July to October is the southwest monsoon season, known as "Habagat", the wettest season and can get very sultry and humid, especially in August. No guarantee they'll have even a single monsoon and if they did, you'd know ahead of time, but FYI.
The places I suggest, while not totally immune to wind and monsoons, are further south and typically don't get nearly the amount of wind or rain that Boracay gets for most of the summer.
I am sure Fil. Cupid and Blossoms are chock full of ladies who'd love for some guy to pay their way to Boracay, like US college students on Spring Break want to go to Baja, Cancun, San Padre Island, Panama Beach, etc. But there's also a lot of Filipinas who wouldn't dream of asking some guy to spend that kind of money, feeling it more proper instead to ask 'the guy' to come visit them in their hometown, visit the nearby beaches there and perhaps meet their family.(if they REALLY like you)
I'd look closer at Panglao, Bohol, Dumaguete, as well as Island Garden of Samal (10 minutes from Davao City). They're not too far or expensive to travel to from Cebu City would cost you a lot less money, have beautiful beaches, nice amenities including lodging, meals and a much more authentic 'Filipino experience.'
It seems a little daunting to travel about when you've never been there before, but it's quite easy, inexpensive and usually a lot of fun, with lots of friendly people all along the way. At any of these places, including the trip there, you won't be the only foreigner, but you'll also experience a more typical Filipino environment than you would on Boracay Island. You might want to also check:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Panglao,+Bohol&biw=1120&bih=597&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Qac-VeKQLoSLsAXyzoCwDg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&dpr=1.5
https://www.google.com/search?q=Panglao,+Bohol&biw=1120&bih=597&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Qac-VeKQLoSLsAXyzoCwDg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&dpr=1.5#tbm=isch&q=Island+garden+of+Samal+beaches
https://www.google.com/search?q=beaches+of+island+garden+city+of+samal&biw=1079&bih=582&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WKY-Ve6HHaGSsQSiqYCQCA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=dumaguete+beaches
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Thanks alot for your advice Robert. My friend told me that her mother did not want her going to Barclay unless she had an escort. I told her that it would be to expensive and we would do something else. I am taking your advice and will have the attitude that I am on a vacation. I even telling women that type of information when I speak with them on filipinocupid.
Thanks for getting rid of Ray. I really enjoy the advice I am getting from you guys and would like to continue receiving the information. I plan to tell you guys my entire adventure in "real time".
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I don't think I would engage Ray if I were Robert either. The outbursts that I have seen are irrational and illogical of the type one would clinically see with someone with either a chemical/alcohol problem or psychological dysfunction. Either way potentially dangerous to himself and others around him. Ray I understand you may be a fellow veteran brother, but you got some personal demons you have to work out. No one here wishes ill on you.
Hey Fozzie,
Why have you been stalking me on this forum? That's at least the third time you have tried to start a flame war with me by posting dumb, unsolicited personal attacks.
I don't know what your personal problems are, but I really think that you should discuss these strange behaviors with your psychiatrist... ASAP!
Now go stick your thumb in your ear and go bowling...
;D
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Thanks alot for your advice Robert. My friend told me that her mother did not want her going to Barclay unless she had an escort. I told her that it would be to expensive and we would do something else. I am taking your advice and will have the attitude that I am on a vacation. I even telling women that type of information when I speak with them on filipinocupid.
Thanks for getting rid of Ray. I really enjoy the advice I am getting from you guys and would like to continue receiving the information. I plan to tell you guys my entire adventure in "real time".
William, I realize that you are new and unexperienced on this forum, but I have been here for over 17 years and little wimpy trolls like Bobby Angel don't scare me off.
Rest assured that I'll be here long after he is gone. ;)
Ray
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As it's Willam's thread that's been effected and him not being a full member, I'll post this in the main and copy it into the Flame Room as well, to hopefully allow this thread to run it's more useful course and commentary regarding this unfortunate nastiness to continue in the Flame Room. .
Regarding Ray, while racist, (I'm surprised there are any Mexicans left in the USA, given his vitriol) given his homophobic name calling, the consistent, unwarranted aggression across so many subjects across both Asian and Latin lines, for all the never ending, nasty name calling, the incessant belittling of other members, and the posting of the same old pictures --pictures along the lines of telling people he that knows what a person is--then often showing a graphic with a person's head up their ass countless times (to name but one of many derogatory images he loves to post on P-L)----while all this and much more ugliness have been Ray's mainstay for years, he's nonetheless been allowed to continue in the same vein.
Apologies are obviously not part of his repertoire.
Countless members here have grown tired of his unabated nastiness, of him repeatedly being warned, placed on watch and otherwise reprimanded and yet nothing really ever happens.
Many of those members grew tired of him bullying people around imperviously and simply left. He's like an adolescent school yard bully, with Teachers who don't want the trouble of writing him up or staying with him for detention.
Members here can be afraid, ignore it, act amused and/or otherwise wait for their turn to be his target here.
If history has taught us anything, it's that unless confronted and addressed, bullies don't go away. Their aggression, hostilities--their diatribes go on and on. This is WAY beyond the realm of 'spirited discourse' way beyond one individual against a few other selected individuals. It's a chronic, un addressed problem here.
Besides those he ran off here, there are surely others who looked into P-L, interested and thought of joining this otherwise by and large civilized community, but who never signed up because of his bullying, caustic nature.
Even now, when he's again on 'watch' status here, he continues unabated, his malignant manners as always, ongoing and not even really 'checked'.
He's allowed to maintain P-L as his personal, ongoing bully pulpit, 'watched status' or not--it's makes no difference--he never even tones it down.
It was said that he on occasion offers some useful visa and immigration advice, as if that alone gave him sufficient value to warrant allowing his ongoing misbehavior, but again this week, he was dispensing erroneous information in that area. He's outlived his utility. To call him a 'dime store lawyer' would constitute over valuation and misrepresentation.
For him to accuse others of name calling and starting trouble that moves threads to the flame room, telling others they should start any thread that criticizes him to the flame room, is about as ironic as irony could be. I guess he feels can give advice, but doesn't take his own--that he sure can dish it out, but doesn't handle the same very well.
Sure there are occasional arguments between members here, but is there anybody who's caused more arguments or caused more threads to end up in the 'Flame Room' than him?
What does he add in terms of discussion on developing and maintaining relationships with foreign women? Isn't that a large part of what P-L is about? Is him rolling out his picture of dump trucks and red flags for the 1000th time really constructive?
Some may question if indeed is he's even really married, so miserable is his P-L personality and so little useful insights he brings. Who could, would or should have to suffer a life alongside the 'Fifty Shades of Ray?
What may have once been seen here as a mild annoyance, has become a pervasive irritant.
This thread is certainly not the first time people have questioned the guy's mental health, suggesting to no avail, that he seek help. The real questions are: Is he going to be able to continue running roughshod over new and old members alike on P-L? To continue to run people off? When is enough enough?
Oh Bobby, you're such a hateful little devil. You must have had a rough childhood and you never did grow out of it.
May I suggest that you up your blood pressure meds before you pop a gasket?
(http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/emoticon-cartoon-024.gif)
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I was curious what the big hub bub was here, so I reviewed the thread. RobertA, YOU sarcastically personalized a reply to Ray on reply number 13. Prior to that, Ray was merely offering valid advice regarding sending flowers of all things. Take a look for yourself.
There is no need to try to create a lynch mob now. Offer thoughts and leave it at that.
Fathertime!
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I was curious what the big hub bub was here, so I reviewed the thread. RobertA, YOU sarcastically personalized a reply to Ray on reply number 13. Prior to that, Ray was merely offering valid advice regarding sending flowers of all things. Take a look for yourself.
There is no need to try to create a lynch mob now. Offer thoughts and leave it at that.
Fathertime!
Hi bozo,
Yes, RA knows he started the fight AGAIN, and anyone who isn't blind knows he started it. That's his style... start a flame war and then cry that he is a victim. And it seems that a few newbies here are buying into his BS.
I recently corrected some erroneous statements RA made about Filipino divorce laws, and since then he has gone berserk, thinking he can get me banned from the forum. How dare I correct anything erroneous that Robert has posted! Now he sees me as a threat to his little game of pretending to be all-knowing in every topic started here or on the Latin forum.
No matter what the subject, he goes running to google and Wikipedia, copying and pasting "facts" in an attempt to make himself look good.
Then when I get warned because of a little dig at Bernard the troll, he sees his big opportunity to draw me into a stupid flame war. Of course then he tries to influence the moderators to take more action by REPEATEDLY pointing out the fact that I am in Watched status. See how many times he specifically mentioned that in his little rant?
Of course he thinks he is so smart and everyone else and the moderators are stupid enough to fall for his little game.
Now Robert has even resorted to calling me a racist (LOL), showing all that he so desperate to get me banned that he will stoop to any depths.
I really don't care if Robert's little feelings were hurt because someone dared to correct him. He simply needs to grow up and face the realities of life...you can't always be right about everything.
You have been here long enough also to know that hundreds of trolls have come and gone over the years, and Robert is now becoming one of them.
Ray
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$60 per box - large ones.
LBC had a promotion when we sent ours - send 3 large boxes and get a small box sent for free.
The rates were the same during the holidays - they just add a promotion like the one above. This time we skipped sending during this holiday season - instead we sent them last month.
Their current promotion is (they call it VIP - Very Important Padala):
Send 1 regular box & a small one fee would be $25.
Send 2 regular boxes & the small one fee is $20.
Send 3 regular boxes & the small one fee is $20.
LBC is expanding in the NYC area - they opened a 3rd office last November.
Those sound like really good rates kfc.
We have 2 big boxes going out this week via LBC. $70 per box from San Diego to Mindanao and Cebu. The lowest rates are always to Metro Manila. I guess they can practically unload the container on the pier and load them into the delivery truck.
Have you had any trouble with customs on those electronic items you ship? I know LBC includes electronics stuff on the "banned" list. Probably due to Filipino customs restrictions, but more likely to give them a reason to avoid responsibility if they get "lost" in transit. Also, I believe that used electronic items are treated much differently for customs duty purposes. How do you declare them on the shipping docs?
I heard that Philippine customs only spot checks a few Balikbayan boxes, so the chance of getting busted/charged customs duties is slight.
P.S. How is your kalamansi tree doing? Are you betting on Saturday's fight?
Ray
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Hey Fozzie,
Why have you been stalking me on this forum? That's at least the third time you have tried to start a flame war with me by posting dumb, unsolicited personal attacks.
I don't know what your personal problems are, but I really think that you should discuss these strange behaviors with your psychiatrist... ASAP!
Now go stick your thumb in your ear and go bowling...
;D
Goto the flame room for response
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Goto the flame room for response
I'll tell you what fozzie,
I really don't care about your response, so why don't you and your buddies go play with yourselves in the Flame Room. Have a ball making ignorant personal attacks against anyone you like if it makes you feel like a big strong man.
I have better things to do with my life than play with you children...
Bye...
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he started it.
Again if we are going to be fair.. It goes both ways. As a parent (and some of us are grandparents on here)... What you wrote is the most childish thing our kids say.
You also mentioned that you have to correct Robert. Just a couple days ago you were corrected for being out of date on something. It clearly goes both ways. You can't in one post have an image of bart pulling his pants down... and then complain about someone being childish while using colorful language to suggest straight adult males masturbate each other.
Glass house...
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Those sound like really good rates kfc.
We have 2 big boxes going out this week via LBC. $70 per box from San Diego to Mindanao and Cebu. The lowest rates are always to Metro Manila. I guess they can practically unload the container on the pier and load them into the delivery truck.
Stuff we send usually get delivered very quickly, usually within a day or two after they reach Manila port.
Have you had any trouble with customs on those electronic items you ship? I know LBC includes electronics stuff on the "banned" list. Probably due to Filipino customs restrictions, but more likely to give them a reason to avoid responsibility if they get "lost" in transit. Also, I believe that used electronic items are treated much differently for customs duty purposes. How do you declare them on the shipping docs?
The last few electronic stuff we sent were all sent via air cargo. We drop the box off in person, the contents are verified in our presence and then the carton is sealed. We insured each & also pay the custom fee(s) upfront.
We sent stuff like XBox One, PS4, Cell phones, tables, monitors and the likes & had no problems.
I heard that Philippine customs only spot checks a few Balikbayan boxes, so the chance of getting busted/charged customs duties is slight.
We the electronic stuff we don't want to take any chances so we list them or send them separately via air cargo. If you are one of the unlucky ones who gets his/her BB checked and they notice things that you should have listed/pay duties on but didn't - they can confiscate the entire carton. And if they want to make you pay the fees instead, then they can charge you whatever they want (adding extra $$$ as a penalty), you are at their mercy - either pay up or lose the entire box.
There is also the issue of commercial quantities - any 12 items of the same thing is considered commercial quantities and are forbidden/taxed high. We counter that by separating the items in quantity of 11 or less in each box and addressing the boxes to different recipient.
Also if they open the box and what is inside & what is on the form is different then they consider that smuggling.
So people take note and declare your stuff and if you decide not to declare then prepare to lose the entire content if found.
P.S. How is your kalamansi tree doing? Are you betting on Saturday's fight?
Ray
The first one died - we have a replacement which is doing great.
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Again if we are going to be fair.. It goes both ways. As a parent (and some of us are grandparents on here)... What you wrote is the most childish thing our kids say.
You also mentioned that you have to correct Robert. Just a couple days ago you were corrected for being out of date on something. It clearly goes both ways. You can't in one post have an image of bart pulling his pants down... and then complain about someone being childish while using colorful language to suggest straight adult males masturbate each other.
Glass house...
What have you been smoking bcc? Don't try to put words in my mouth, OK?
Masturbating adult males? Where the hell did that come from?? I think you better stay away from those gay porn sites. LOL!
Correction: I never said I "have to correct Robert", only that I did so. Yes, another well-informed member corrected something about Philippine visas that I had posted? So what's the big deal that you and Robert are trying to make of it? I think it is important to correct erroneous info that may be posted here, and I welcomed the correction and thanked him. Did I fly into a rage and try to have him banned for that, and post a hateful personal attack against him the like Robert has done? I'll let you answer that, oh all-knowing one... ;D
And I notice that you weren't a bit concerned about him calling me a "racist". Are you just using this little spat started by Robert to play the role of the opportunistic troll? Sure looks that way from here.
Now bcc, are you really offended by a cartoon of Bart dropping trow? Are you going to report me to the authorities for child porn or something? Jeez man, grow up already!
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Again if we are going to be fair.. It goes both ways. As a parent (and some of us are grandparents on here)... What you wrote is the most childish thing our kids say.
You also mentioned that you have to correct Robert. Just a couple days ago you were corrected for being out of date on something. It clearly goes both ways. You can't in one post have an image of bart pulling his pants down... and then complain about someone being childish while using colorful language to suggest straight adult males masturbate each other.
Glass house...
I'll tell you what fozzie,
I really don't care about your response, so why don't you and your buddies go play with yourselves in the Flame Room. Have a ball making ignorant personal attacks against anyone you like if it makes you feel like a big strong man.
I have better things to do with my life than play with you children...
Bye...
Hi bozo,
Yes, RA knows he started the fight AGAIN, and anyone who isn't blind knows he started it. That's his style... start a flame war and then cry that he is a victim. And it seems that a few newbies here are buying into his BS.
I recently corrected some erroneous statements RA made about Filipino divorce laws, and since then he has gone berserk, thinking he can get me banned from the forum. How dare I correct anything erroneous that Robert has posted! Now he sees me as a threat to his little game of pretending to be all-knowing in every topic started here or on the Latin forum.
No matter what the subject, he goes running to google and Wikipedia, copying and pasting "facts" in an attempt to make himself look good.
Then when I get warned because of a little dig at Bernard the troll, he sees his big opportunity to draw me into a stupid flame war. Of course then he tries to influence the moderators to take more action by REPEATEDLY pointing out the fact that I am in Watched status. See how many times he specifically mentioned that in his little rant?
Of course he thinks he is so smart and everyone else and the moderators are stupid enough to fall for his little game.
Now Robert has even resorted to calling me a racist (LOL), showing all that he so desperate to get me banned that he will stoop to any depths.
I really don't care if Robert's little feelings were hurt because someone dared to correct him. He simply needs to grow up and face the realities of life...you can't always be right about everything.
You have been here long enough also to know that hundreds of trolls have come and gone over the years, and Robert is now becoming one of them.
Ray
I was curious what the big hub bub was here, so I reviewed the thread. RobertA, YOU sarcastically personalized a reply to Ray on reply number 13. Prior to that, Ray was merely offering valid advice regarding sending flowers of all things. Take a look for yourself.
There is no need to try to create a lynch mob now. Offer thoughts and leave it at that.
Fathertime!
Oh Bobby, you're such a hateful little devil. You must have had a rough childhood and you never did grow out of it.
May I suggest that you up your blood pressure meds before you pop a gasket?
(http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/emoticon-cartoon-024.gif)
I didn't know Ray was such a sweet, generous guy, but personally, I think that sending flowers or other gifts overseas to someone you've only known about a week and have never met personally, is a bit premature.
Look--You can say my above statement justifies what followed, you can say I'm trying to ""Create a lynch mob now""but the fact is that Ray himself said this veering off thread better belongs in the flame room, which I created, but obviously he doesn't want to follow his own advice. So here we are.
Father Time, who's been pretty sage and level headed in recent years, suggested: "Offer thoughts and leave it at that".
I tried that, letting a few of his broadsides blow by. Yes, it'd be great advice if it was mutually agreed upon, (and it would seem to be in someone's best interests to do so) but I'm not going to sit idly by and let Ray continue with his offensive broadsides and insinuate that people like Braziliangirl and others--even the newer people, are inconsequential.
Lord only knows the people who left long ago--what an impression he left on them. Or the 'lurkers' who took a few looks in here and probably thought: "What a bunch of nasty nuts--not for me." I don't think we'll be hearing from them. We haven't seen Innocent Vixen since 2014 in here and I don't think Ray got a Christmas card from her either.
Was what happened with Bernard the first time Ray has been placed on 'watch' status?
Did differences in posts on divorce laws really cause me to go "berserk"? Think of the term and definition of "beserk" and tell me what member here do you think would come to most member's minds? Who best fits that description?
So if Ray wants to bring this on--so be it. I tried, backing off a bit and was willing to 'let water find it's own level.' But obviously the higher road's not the one being most traveled here.
The fact is that even with those people who despised him long gone, far more that are still around have come out, basically saying he needs to go, far more than have come to his defense.
I haven't been soliciting people to take sides--this is--has been all very transparent, but obviously Ray doesn't want this to gently fade into the night. He's taking shots at not just me, but bringing other members--adding them into the aim of his childish wrath. So OK--have it his way--this time. Let him reap what he sows.
Again--this could've been wrapped up rather than it just beginning, if Ray could have just backed off a bit, instead of him ramping it up, bring a great deal more attention than it initially had. Without him insisting on carrying on with his adolescent level tantrum, his typical spittle, etc.--this might have been history--a foot note already.
Could've been a couple broadsides exchanged and done with, but some guys just don't want to let go of the stone, no matter how hot it may get. Pity.
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Could've been a couple broadsides exchanged and done with, but some guys just don't want to let go of the stone, no matter how hot it may get. Pity.
Well bobby, I see that YOU haven't let go of it yet, have you?
You're just another phony hypocrite...
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Alright, I was man enough to call the guy out and I'm man enough to admit to my mistake. I went off of Ray thinking he was "Awesome" as a couple of actions reminded me of him. I'm still getting acquainted with who is who and I certainly would have either rephrased my words differently, if I would have commented at all. For this I am sorry
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Apology accepted... thanks! :)
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Well bobby, I see that YOU haven't let go of it yet, have you?
You're just another phony hypocrite...
Once again, the irony is incredible. Look real hard in the mirror Ray, and you'll see someone who nine out of ten times personifies all the bad things he falsely accuses other people of being. Every time you point the finger, you've got three more pointing back at you.
For every post I've made in this thread, you've made three or four--same thread. You're still calling people names, same ole modus operandi Ray. But you do the Math---add up the posts here and ask yourself if: Robert's REALLY the one who "can't let go of it"?.[/b So I'm "ANOTHER" one? My God--it must be a conspiracy!] Come on now--who's putting most of this stuff out here? Can you read? Count? Can you smell the smoke? You on fire or what? How many rounds do YOU want to continue keeping on escalating this to? You're the one.
Fosgate5 offered you an olive branch so to speak, an apology. Like a man. You've certainly not been nice to him, ironically accusing him (as you do to anybody who makes you feel threatened) more than once of trying to start a flame war here, among other things--attacking him with the "use your head as bowling ball' reference, etc., etc.
Once again--your usual, antagonistic style. Of course any normal person would see it's just you acting as typical, inciting a flame war, while accusing others as being the culprits. So quit the subterfuge, OK? If you want to believe yourself--if you want to have your own little pity party, keep it to yourself, but quit slagging members here OK?
17 days or 17 years here, it doesn't matter--you're off the chain and it's just getting worse. Wrong is wrong, no matter how you paint it. I'm not saying I'm any saint, far from it--never claimed otherwise. But I'm not consistently nasty and argumentative either.
I don't think the word 'apology' is in your play book. But try to be a bigger man and maybe people won't come forward here as they're doing and/or talk behind the scenes with such disdain about you.---> Wears Raybans---> 8)
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Once again, the irony is incredible. Look real hard in the mirror Ray, and you'll see someone who nine out of ten times personifies all the bad things he falsely accuses other people of being. Every time you point the finger, you've got three more pointing back at you.
For every post I've made in this thread, you've made three or four--same thread. You're still calling people names, same ole modus operandi Ray. But you do the Math---add up the posts here and ask yourself if: Robert's REALLY the one who "can't let go of it"?.[/b So I'm "ANOTHER" one? My God--it must be a conspiracy!] Come on now--who's putting most of this stuff out here? Can you read? Count? Can you smell the smoke? You on fire or what? How many rounds do YOU want to continue keeping on escalating this to? You're the one.
Fosgate5 offered you an olive branch so to speak, an apology. Like a man. You've certainly not been nice to him, ironically accusing him (as you do to anybody who makes you feel threatened) more than once of trying to start a flame war here, among other things--attacking him with the "use your head as bowling ball' reference, etc., etc.
Once again--your usual, antagonistic style. Of course any normal person would see it's just you acting as typical, inciting a flame war, while accusing others as being the culprits. So quit the subterfuge, OK? If you want to believe yourself--if you want to have your own little pity party, keep it to yourself, but quit slagging members here OK?
17 days or 17 years here, it doesn't matter--you're off the chain and it's just getting worse. Wrong is wrong, no matter how you paint it. I'm not saying I'm any saint, far from it--never claimed otherwise. But I'm not consistently nasty and argumentative either.
I don't think the word 'apology' is in your play book. But try to be a bigger man and maybe people won't come forward here as they're doing and/or talk behind the scenes with such disdain about you.---> Wears Raybans---> 8)
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/aybooba/universe-facts-11_zps77e778bb.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/aybooba/media/universe-facts-11_zps77e778bb.jpg.html)
Bobby, you're such a whiny little cry baby!
Yes, Fos was man enough to admit his mistake and publicly apologize. But you will never be 1/10 the man he is. You'll just always be the same little whiny brat trying to play the victim game.
You know what bobby, if you don't like me being on the same forum with you, then there is a simple solution...
BYE BYE BOZO! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-greet024.gif)
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-taunt002.gif)
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I want to stay out of this friendly discussion but why is the same thing being posted in both this thread & the flame thread? It should be one or the other.
Guys there is a flame thread so take your beer drinking, belly bumping, huggling & barbershop quartet singing there before another thread is ruined.
Oh wait, this thread is already......
Ahhhhh what the hell, you guys continue.
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I want to stay out of this friendly discussion but why is the same thing being posted in both this thread & the flame thread? It should be one or the other.
Guys there is a flame thread so take your beer drinking, belly bumping, huggling & barbershop quartet singing there before another thread is ruined.
Oh wait, this thread is already......
Ahhhhh what the hell, you guys continue.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/aybooba/universe-facts-11_zps77e778bb.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/aybooba/media/universe-facts-11_zps77e778bb.jpg.html)
Bobby, you're such a whiny little cry baby!
Yes, Fos was man enough to admit his mistake and publicly apologize. But you will never be 1/10 the man he is. You'll just always be the same little whiny brat trying to play the victim game.
You know what bobby, if you don't like me being on the same forum with you, then there is a simple solution...
BYE BYE BOZO! (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-greet024.gif)
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-taunt002.gif)
Yea, KFC--read back a bit and see where Ray was all about having this put in 'The Flame Room'---then when his expressed wish was granted, noooo---he didn't want to go that route. THAT's why it's here. Thank Ray. He accuses me of making this an ongoing thing and he's sending out three+ posts to every one I make, whining all the way. He's stoking the fire--hosting his own roasting. 8)
He's confused, conflicted---it defies description and classification. One of my university degrees is in Psychology, but there's nothing in our DSM book on diagnostic and statistical classification of mental disorders that begins to address the variety and depths of the disturbing, delusional symptoms he exhibits. He's all over the charts.
His blathering psycho babble, his rants, raves, role reversals, the twists and turns accusing others of behaviors he himself personifies, it really does--I'll admit it all this belongs there--that's why we TRIED to put it there---in the flame room. When Ray's ready to come out of his room, the proper one (not just the padded one) is waiting. Meanwhile--he's got more 'whine' than Vichy, France!
Some people can't even take their OWN advice, never mind man up and apologize to anyone, not even after one is tendered to him after he's been at least as offensive, as usual.
He's lost in his own woods and meanwhile can't see the forest for the trees, I'm afraid. Pity.
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I want to stay out of this friendly discussion but why is the same thing being posted in both this thread & the flame thread? It should be one or the other.
Guys there is a flame thread so take your beer drinking, belly bumping, huggling & barbershop quartet singing there before another thread is ruined.
Oh wait, this thread is already......
Ahhhhh what the hell, you guys continue.
ROFL! Nice description.
The ONLY reason that I am responding to troll-boy here is because this is where he started his stupid personal attacks and this is where he continues to post endless nonsensical drivel.
Robert and his stupid crusade belong in the Flame Room, but he continues to post all of his trash in both forums. Why? Because he wants a world-wide audience to witness his endless babblings.
I never said I would participate in any of the personal attacks in the Flame Room by the hateful Robert or any of his followers.
He can say whatever he wants over there and I really couldn't care less. But if he continues to make personal attacks against my character in the public arena, then I have the right to respond here. If he stops trashing this thread and keeps his drivel in the Flame Room, then I will have nothing more to say to him here... or there.
It's all on Robert...
Ray
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One of my university degrees is in Psychology, but there's nothing in our DSM book on diagnostic and statistical classification of mental disorders that begins to address the variety and depths of the disturbing, delusional symptoms he exhibits. He's all over the charts.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q48/aybooba/abff29c2.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/aybooba/media/abff29c2.jpg.html)
My name is Bobby Angel and I'm a wannabe shrink... DUH!
Man, do you have ANY idea how stupid you sound?
(http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/emoticon-cartoon-022.gif)
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Hello Robert Angel,
I think one of the hotels you mentioned earlier in this post is The Midtown Hotel. I could not locate this hotel in Cebu City. On another point, I have given up searching on FC. Too many scams. I do plan to visit Phil. if only for the hundreds of beaches and the fact that I need a vacation. I have decided to spend six weeks in Phil if possible. Hopefully I can find a wife if I don't chicken out.
Again thanks for all your advice.
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...........I think one of the hotels you mentioned earlier in this post is The Midtown Hotel. I could not locate this hotel in Cebu City. .............
The Midtown Hotel is now called the Summit Circle Hotel.
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The Midtown Hotel is now called the Summit Circle Hotel.
Thank you. I see that they are a group of hotels in that area. Is it okay to get a cheaper hotel in that general area.
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Thank you. I see that they are a group of hotels in that area. Is it okay to get a cheaper hotel in that general area.
Personally I would not go the cheap route. Sometimes cheap not only means cheap price but also cheap amenities.
On my first trip to Cebu, we went to a hotel and after visiting the room we turn right around and got us a better hotel.
I have limited stay in Cebu so I cannot comment on the hotels there. We mostly stay in Luzon and if we were to stay in a hotel there (which we have done) it would either be one of the following:
Sofitel
Shangri-La
Pan Pacific
Raffles
Faremount
The Bayleaf
The Peninsula
InterContinental
Holiday Inn
They are a bit on the expensive side but......
Are you a member of any hotel rewards program?
Do any of your credit cards offer any such program/rewards?
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Personally I would not go the cheap route. Sometimes cheap not only means cheap price but also cheap amenities.
On my first trip to Cebu, we went to a hotel and after visiting the room we turn right around and got us a better hotel.
I have limited stay in Cebu so I cannot comment on the hotels there. We mostly stay in Luzon and if we were to stay in a hotel there (which we have done) it would either be one of the following:
Sofitel
Shangri-La
Pan Pacific
Raffles
Faremount
The Bayleaf
The Peninsula
InterContinental
Holiday Inn
They are a bit on the expensive side but......
Are you a member of any hotel rewards program?
Do any of your credit cards offer any such program/rewards?
I don't find that much in Cebu City to warrant staying 5 or 6 weeks but if I were staying there for an extended period, I would try and negotiate a better rate. Ask for the manager when it's relatively quiet, as he/she won't want every customer within earshot trying to negotiate. International chains may not have the same flexibility. Never hurts to try, regardless. Hotel managers in the Philippines will often make 'adjustments' rather than have rooms go empty and would rather lock in a customer for a while than have him shop around. Sometimes, after you've been there a while and have a better ' feel ' for the place, you can even find apartments or condos that will rent you a place for extended periods, but use common sense there. We've gone to cities for 2 or 3 weeks and every few days, changed hotels, as we'd find a nicer place at a better rate. Other than maybe some formal wear on hangers, we sometimes don't even unpack our suitcases, so while it's still a little hassle, saving a bundle and seeing a different part of the area makes it worth it.
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I don't find that much in Cebu City to warrant staying 5 or 6 weeks but if I were staying there for an extended period, I would try and negotiate a better rate. Ask for the manager when it's relatively quiet, as he/she won't want every customer within earshot trying to negotiate. International chains may not have the same flexibility. Never hurts to try, regardless. Hotel managers in the Philippines will often make 'adjustments' rather than have rooms go empty and would rather lock in a customer for a while than have him shop around. Sometimes, after you've been there a while and have a better ' feel ' for the place, you can even find apartments or condos that will rent you a place for extended periods, but use common sense there. We've gone to cities for 2 or 3 weeks and every few days, changed hotels, as we'd find a nicer place at a better rate. Other than maybe some formal wear on hangers, we sometimes don't even unpack our suitcases, so while it's still a little hassle, saving a bundle and seeing a different part of the area makes it worth it.
If someone were to stay in the same place for an extended amount of time like 5/6 weeks then the sensible thing to do would be to get a rental - an apartment or condo.
Hotels are for short stay visits.
Staying that amount of time in a hotel (any hotel) would not be cost effective. Plus you are limited in some of the things you can do like cooking your own meals. You also have to take in consideration do the hotel offer (free or paid) some of the amenities you want - internet, wifi, and the likes.
I do not "negotiated" a hotel rate like I would do if I was out there shopping for good or the likes. In any hotel (or hotel chain) there are always better rates to be had. Remember low cost are not always for the lowly/no-frills hotel, you can also get cheap rooms at the high-end (they too have to fill up their rooms) - you just have to know how to find them. The key is you have to know (learn) how to shop for accommodation & be flexible.
Also you never book for an extended amount of time at a hotel - any hotel. You only book for a short time (a day or so) and then you either extend your stay or move on to an other hotel should that hotel is not to your satisfaction.
Personally, if I was to stay in a hotel then it would be at a good International chain hotel unless there isn't one in the area.
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If someone were to stay in the same place for an extended amount of time like 5/6 weeks then the sensible thing to do would be to get a rental - an apartment or condo.
Hotels are for short stay visits.
Staying that amount of time in a hotel (any hotel) would not be cost effective. Plus you are limited in some of the things you can do like cooking your own meals. You also have to take in consideration do the hotel offer (free or paid) some of the amenities you want - internet, wifi, and the likes.
I do not "negotiated" a hotel rate like I would do if I was out there shopping for good or the likes. In any hotel (or hotel chain) there are always better rates to be had. Remember low cost are not always for the lowly/no-frills hotel, you can also get cheap rooms at the high-end (they too have to fill up their rooms) - you just have to know how to find them. The key is you have to know (learn) how to shop for accommodation & be flexible.
Also you never book for an extended amount of time at a hotel - any hotel. You only book for a short time (a day or so) and then you either extend your stay or move on to an other hotel should that hotel is not to your satisfaction.
Personally, if I was to stay in a hotel then it would be at a good International chain hotel unless there isn't one in the area.
Thanks Robert and thekfc. I guess the biggest problem I have is what I plan to do. My main goal is finding a wife. But I also like to swim and just do things that will be fun to do in Phil. So I think I will go with your plan (thekfc). I will book for an initial two days to get my "sea legs". And then negotiate or move to another hotel. It appears that there are a bunch of hotels in that area that are relatively close and with the internet, I feel I will be okay, even though I may need to check out and be "homeless" for a few hours. I will also check out apartments for rent as well. How does that work? My credit here in the US is about 780, which is good, will a person in Phil be able to check for credit? How will I be able to check them out? How does the law work for this in Phil?
THanks for the advice,
William
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Airbnb.com
Rent directly from the owner, or owners manager.
I rented a great place in Manila, and also in Boracay.
I like apartments, or houses.
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Once again, the irony is incredible. Look real hard in the mirror Ray, and you'll see someone who nine out of ten times personifies all the bad things he falsely accuses other people of being. Every time you point the finger, you've got three more pointing back at you.
For every post I've made in this thread, you've made three or four--same thread. You're still calling people names, same ole modus operandi Ray. But you do the Math---add up the posts here and ask yourself if: Robert's REALLY the one who "can't let go of it"?.[/b So I'm "ANOTHER" one? My God--it must be a conspiracy!] Come on now--who's putting most of this stuff out here? Can you read? Count? Can you smell the smoke? You on fire or what? How many rounds do YOU want to continue keeping on escalating this to? You're the one.
Fosgate5 offered you an olive branch so to speak, an apology. Like a man. You've certainly not been nice to him, ironically accusing him (as you do to anybody who makes you feel threatened) more than once of trying to start a flame war here, among other things--attacking him with the "use your head as bowling ball' reference, etc., etc.
Once again--your usual, antagonistic style. Of course any normal person would see it's just you acting as typical, inciting a flame war, while accusing others as being the culprits. So quit the subterfuge, OK? If you want to believe yourself--if you want to have your own little pity party, keep it to yourself, but quit slagging members here OK?
17 days or 17 years here, it doesn't matter--you're off the chain and it's just getting worse. Wrong is wrong, no matter how you paint it. I'm not saying I'm any saint, far from it--never claimed otherwise. But I'm not consistently nasty and argumentative either.
I don't think the word 'apology' is in your play book. But try to be a bigger man and maybe people won't come forward here as they're doing and/or talk behind the scenes with such disdain about you.---> Wears Raybans---> 8)
Apology accepted... thanks! :)
and disapproves of romantic gifts to girls.
Maybe he would be O.K. with something more practical? They do like Spam over there...
http://www.filipinasgifts.com/grocery-gift-basket/giftbas-0010202.html (http://www.filipinasgifts.com/grocery-gift-basket/giftbas-0010202.html)
;D
He bashes some one--tell him in the rudest terms to put his fingers into his head and use it as a bowling ball--the guy tries to make nice (athough he know's ray's a psycho) and you think maybe once every nine thousand or so posts ray might offer an apology--but NO!
The post-quote function won't allow all to format here--but early on here in this thread, is the following quote from ray, in it's entirety:
>>>"""Now what are you crying about Bobby?
You're such a phony hypocrite. You get your jollies following guys around the forum dropping childish little insults, trying to provoke a fight, while whining and pretending you're a victim.
If you don't like my replies to your silly little insults, then just leave my name out of your stupid troll games.
You won't post your insults where they belong, in the flame room, because you can't get the attention you need there as you can get on the open forum.
Time to grow up Bobby...""<<
MY insults!?--you're (as usual) not exactly sending out Hallmark cards as replies here--since you're consistently, on a three or four measure for every one post I make here--since YOU'RE sending out increasing amounts of desperate, nasty juvenile images and verbage, assuming any slight is directed towards you.
WHY don't you follow your OWN advice??--A flame room WAS created, but your typical, if belated early childhood meltdowns prevent you from following your own advice (as well as when it was repeated by others here)nor any common sense, manners, protocol or decorum.
Earlier--really too many hurled insults to mention, post or quote--but as you so often do to others in your homophobic mindset--you state you "didn't realize I was gay" Oh boy, ray--that really hurts, LOL--I'm so conflicted!! Not!--sorry ole chap-- Arr ar ar...
Ray--do the world and yourself a favor--seek some help from mental health professionals. Not that there'd be any tribute here if it happened, but most folks think you're rather likely to blow a valve and do yourself in.
You said you had nothing more to say on this--hope your word's good on that--let's see.
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and disapproves of romantic gifts to girls.
Maybe he would be O.K. with something more practical? They do like Spam over there...
http://www.filipinasgifts.com/grocery-gift-basket/giftbas-0010202.html (http://www.filipinasgifts.com/grocery-gift-basket/giftbas-0010202.html)
;D
He bashes some one--tell him in the rudest terms to put his fingers into his head and use it as a bowling ball--the guy tries to make nice (athough he know's ray's a psycho) and you think maybe once every nine thousand or so posts ray might offer an apology--but NO!
The post-quote function won't allow all to format here--but early on here in this thread, is the following quote from ray, in it's entirety:
>>>"""Now what are you crying about Bobby?
You're such a phony hypocrite. You get your jollies following guys around the forum dropping childish little insults, trying to provoke a fight, while whining and pretending you're a victim.
If you don't like my replies to your silly little insults, then just leave my name out of your stupid troll games.
You won't post your insults where they belong, in the flame room, because you can't get the attention you need there as you can get on the open forum.
Time to grow up Bobby...""<<
MY insults!?--you're (as usual) not exactly sending out Hallmark cards as replies here--since you're consistently, on a three or four measure for every one post I make here--since YOU'RE sending out increasing amounts of desperate, nasty juvenile images and verbage, assuming any slight is directed towards you.
WHY don't you follow your OWN advice??--A flame room WAS created, but your typical, if belated early childhood meltdowns prevent you from following your own advice (as well as when it was repeated by others here)nor any common sense, manners, protocol or decorum.
Earlier--really too many hurled insults to mention, post or quote--but as you so often do to others in your homophobic mindset--you state you "didn't realize I was gay" Oh boy, ray--that really hurts, LOL--I'm so conflicted!! Not!--sorry ole chap-- Arr ar ar...
Ray--do the world and yourself a favor--seek some help from mental health professionals. Not that there'd be any tribute here if it happened, but most folks think you're rather likely to blow a valve and do yourself in.
You said you had nothing more to say on this--hope your word's good on that--let's see.
And even more "infantile name calling"?
And the same old childish insults all over again?
Your flame war was over Bobby, so why are you starting it up again? Don't you have anything better to do with your life? Can't sleep at night with all that hate in your heart?
I'll pray for your troubled soul...
NOTICE: If you don't want a response to your garbage, then post it in the Flame Room. I'll let you say whatever hateful stuff you want over there if it will make you feel better... :-*
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And even more "infantile name calling"?
And the same old childish insults all over again?
Your flame war was over Bobby, so why are you starting it up again? Don't you have anything better to do with your life? Can't sleep at night with all that hate in your heart?
I'll pray for your troubled soul...
NOTICE: If you don't want a response to your garbage, then post it in the Flame Room. I'll let you say whatever hateful stuff you want over there if it will make you feel better... :-*
Find your eye glasses and have a look around ray--it's been there a while--now there's yet a second one recently dedicated to you...who said 'wishes don't come true'? ::)
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Find your eye glasses and have a look around ray--it's been there a while--now there's yet a second one recently dedicated to you...who said 'wishes don't come true'? ::)
FLAME ROOM Troll Boy, FLAME ROOM