Been to the Philippines?

w9ball

w9ball

My Long Lost Love
Silver Member
I am planning a long trip to the Philippines and am trying to get an idea of what to expect. I am trying to find an area with a good mix of pool and surfing. I have been looking into Surigao city, which is close to Siargo island, which has the best surfing in the Philippines. Has anyone been to Surigao city or Siargo island? What is the pool world there like as far as equipment, action, price to play? I believe Dennis orcullo is from Surigao city so I imagine there must be atleast one good pool hall there where he learned. Any info on different areas of interest for Surfing and good competitive pool is much appreciated. Not interested so much in Manila, I have heard it is much more expensive than other areas and there is no surfing nearby. Where is paradise for a surfer/pool player?
 
w9ball said:
I am planning a long trip to the Philippines and am trying to get an idea of what to expect. I am trying to find an area with a good mix of pool and surfing. I have been looking into Surigao city, which is close to Siargo island, which has the best surfing in the Philippines. Has anyone been to Surigao city or Siargo island? What is the pool world there like as far as equipment, action, price to play? I believe Dennis orcullo is from Surigao city so I imagine there must be atleast one good pool hall there where he learned. Any info on different areas of interest for Surfing and good competitive pool is much appreciated. Not interested so much in Manila, I have heard it is much more expensive than other areas and there is no surfing nearby. Where is paradise for a surfer/pool player?
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There is not much good pool going on down there.
You'd be looking at tough equipment and conditions there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmycle91eQU&feature=related
Panggasinan has some some surfing and you'd be closer to Manila or Angeles City ( where Efren is from ).
 
You can either play pool or surf, you can not really do both.

Read the Embassy warnings before you travel, it can happen, not saying it will...

Anglese City is where the majority of the westerners hang out, there you can play pool and poker all day n night in a very safe environment, but it is not really where the Filipino's play. They play in Manila, there you will get hustled.

You will get some really good cues out there
 
Surfing is almost non-existent in the Philippines. So enjoy playing pool in Manila... or bum around the beaches of Boracay, Palawan (an hour away from Manila by air) or Batangas --> (2 hours away from Manila by car)
 
It's true Siargao Island is a surfing destination.

But if you don't want to get off Luzon there's also a surf spot in the province of La Union about 6 hrs. by car from Manila.

They say Siargao is more for advanced surfers while La Union is for beginners. (http://www.sanjuansurfresort.com/)

Either way take your pick. :D
 
My wife was born in the Philippines, so I've been there a couple times.

I'd say go to Boracay and spend your time kiteboarding, windsurfing, or skimboarding.

For good pool anywhere in the Philippines, I'd find a table where a few locals hang out and look like an amateur for awhile. Let them know you are willing to wager a few peso's and within a short while you will have a line down the block of sharks trying to get "Joe's" money. Bring lots of Peso's, be prepared for some culture shock.
 
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Megabreak said:
You can either play pool or surf, you can not really do both.

Read the Embassy warnings before you travel, it can happen, not saying it will...

Anglese City is where the majority of the westerners hang out, there you can play pool and poker all day n night in a very safe environment, but it is not really where the Filipino's play. They play in Manila, there you will get hustled.

You will get some really good cues out there
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How does the Philippines compare to Thailand for pool? Bangkok's great for bangers like me, with lots of places with challenge tables and relatively few good players - I'm guessing there are lots of similar halls in PI, with loads of good local players?How about tourists and expats - many of them? Is gambling pretty much compulsory? Are they as sore losers as thais? Manila or Angeles?

What rules do they play? Ting tong thai rules got on my nerves after a while - do filipino's play proper rules?
 
TheThaiger said:
I'm guessing there are lots of similar halls in PI, with loads of good local players?
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Yes

TheThaiger said:
How about tourists and expats - many of them?
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Not too many in the pool halls, you see a few here and there.

TheThaiger said:
Is gambling pretty much compulsory?
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Not really. It depends who you're with. Many people will just play for fun.

TheThaiger said:
Are they as sore losers as thais?
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It's difficult to generalize on this topic. It will depend on the individual you'r up against.

TheThaiger said:
Manila or Angeles?
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Manila

TheThaiger said:
do filipino's play proper rules?
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Yes, but be clear as to what the rules are BEFORE you start the game.

JC
 
w9ball said:
I am planning a long trip to the Philippines and am trying to get an idea of what to expect. I am trying to find an area with a good mix of pool and surfing. I have been looking into Surigao city, which is close to Siargo island, which has the best surfing in the Philippines. Has anyone been to Surigao city or Siargo island? What is the pool world there like as far as equipment, action, price to play? I believe Dennis orcullo is from Surigao city so I imagine there must be atleast one good pool hall there where he learned. Any info on different areas of interest for Surfing and good competitive pool is much appreciated. Not interested so much in Manila, I have heard it is much more expensive than other areas and there is no surfing nearby. Where is paradise for a surfer/pool player?
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i've always wanted to go to the PI but after i heard about a few tourists getting kidnapped and beheaded i'd be a little nervous .

Gl and bet low!!!!!!!
 
poolplayer2093 said:
i've always wanted to go to the PI but after i heard about a few tourists getting kidnapped and beheaded i'd be a little nervous .

Gl and bet low!!!!!!!
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I was there for 2 1/2 weeks recently and never felt like i was in danger. You just have to keep a low profile and have some street smarts. :)
 
poolplayer2093 said:
i've always wanted to go to the PI but after i heard about a few tourists getting kidnapped and beheaded i'd be a little nervous .

Gl and bet low!!!!!!!
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Do not go to the south! Mindanao is the main southern island, home to the rebels and Islamic fundamentalists. They don't much care for westerners down there. The main northern island is Luzon, where Manila is. Cebu, Boracay and Palawan are also great tourist destinations. Clean, friendly and safe. The only westerners I've seen (or heard of) getting in trouble in Manila were either dealing in drugs or getting drunk and obnoxious. It's not a good idea to offend the easy going filipinos. Of course, that could probably be said for almost anywhere in the world.
 
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I've been to a lot of places and thought I was satisfied with where I've been. But I missed the boat when I didn't make Manila one of them. Too damn old now travel and gamble. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
I've been to a lot of places and thought I was satisfied with where I've been. But I missed the boat when I didn't make Manila one of them. Too damn old now travel and gamble. Johnnyt
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You're never too old Johnny. I've seen older men than you walking around with young girls in tow. And a pool cue on their shoulder! :thumbup:
 
jay helfert said:
You're never too old Johnny. I've seen older men than you walking around with young girls in tow. And a pool cue on their shoulder! :thumbup:
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Yes, that is so true!! I was walking in the mall when I was there and saw a really young cute girl walk right up to Jay H and put her arm around him.

I tell ya, this guy gets all the chicks.

:grin:
 
poolhustler said:
Yes, that is so true!! I was walking in the mall when I was there and saw a really young cute girl walk right up to Jay H and put her arm around him.

I tell ya, this guy gets all the chicks.

:grin:
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Easy baby easy! One of the perks of being on TV over there. :smile:
 
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