First Trip To PI - Need some help
- Thread starter GADawg
- Start date
If you're going for pool action you'll probably want to stay in the metro Manila area. Some areas can be rather trecherous if you're not careful. You probably would be better off traveling in groups or at least have a Filipino friend to show you around and point you to places that are safe and enjoyable. I don't mean for this to sound negative, I absolutely love the Philippines and plan to retire there in a few years myself, but as in any strange country it pays to take certain precautions and realize that where ever you are, there are areas to be avoided. Knowing these can make your trip safer and a lot more fun. I also recommend that you do not make hotel reservations in advance. It seemed to me that if you do, you'll pay US prices for rooms that rent to Filipinos for 1/4th of the price. You can negotiate a little and let them know that you're willing to go down the street to get better rates and they'll work with you.
I've found the Filipino people to be the friendliest, happiest and most gracious people I've ever met in general, but there's good and bad everywhere. I've been all over Mindinao but I don't recommend it for Americans. Especially in the southern regions. There are a lot of good pool players from Davao but I'd catch their action in Manila instead. I am interested myself in the pool action in Cebu. I've been wanting to visit Cebu for a while but haven't made it there yet because I haven't heard of good pool action or tournaments there. If anyone knows Cebu's pool scene I'd appreciate a heads up on that. I understand it's one of the most Kano friendly cities in the Philippines.
cebu players usually goes to manila to play too, manila is the place to be to see action.
NaturalEnglish
Banned
I just got back frok the PI. One of many trips. If you want to see the top Filipino pros...visit One Side in Manila. Opens 5pm. Time your visit when no tournements going on. Thats where you will find many pros practicing. Many budget hotels close by within walking distance to One Side.
AC is good place to play pool...but you wont find any pros there. Sometines they visit...but random. I heard Efren has opened a new place in downtown Angeles. Probably not a good place to visit. Mostly filipino players gambling and drinking. Bad mix for you!
Pool is everywhere in the PI. Table quality will test your skills..haha.
Enjoy your trip...but use your street smarts. PI is very much a 3rd world country. You have something they dont. Money...be careful!!
AC is good place to play pool...but you wont find any pros there. Sometines they visit...but random. I heard Efren has opened a new place in downtown Angeles. Probably not a good place to visit. Mostly filipino players gambling and drinking. Bad mix for you!
Pool is everywhere in the PI. Table quality will test your skills..haha.
Enjoy your trip...but use your street smarts. PI is very much a 3rd world country. You have something they dont. Money...be careful!!
I hope that Jay Helfert chimes in on this thread as he knows a lot about traveling there.
Yeah I figured that. I hit some poolrooms in Cagayan De Oro and frankly didn't see any players there. Just kids. Met an Aussie on Camiguin Island who had a table and liked to play a little. Nice guy who once coached Australias olympic swimming team. Will never forget "Tarzan's Treehouse" on Camiguin. Most of the wonderful memories I have of the Philippines have nothing to do with pool, but I think I'll have to settle in "pool country" when the time comes.
you can also visit Starpaper, One Side..and other billiard halss when your here in Manila.
One Side on Mabini St. is a good place to start ..... and finish. I like to stay at City State Towers a few blocks down the street. Another good hotel right next door for about $40-50 a night. Everywhere you go in Manila you will find pool tables. Even in the alley ways. Most are junk but you will find enthusiastic kids banging away. And they love to take on foreigners.
Even in the bars, you will usually find one big table. These are normally decent tables. Decent, but not great. In some of the malls, you will find better poolrooms, like Robinson's Galleria. People are VERY friendly there, but the hustlers can be aggressive - selling all kinds of stuff on the streets. Viagra, counterfeit silver dollars, belts, knock off watches, etc. etc. I would recommend buying nothing! Beggars are also everywhere, usually little children. I will occasionally give them a peso each.
The sidewalks are crowded and the roads are worse. You can take trikes and jeepneys to get most everywhere. Lots of bars with lots of women, but stay away from the street hustlers. They do not get regular medical check-ups, so many have VD. Girls who work in bars are checked every week. Manila is generally a safe city but I use caution when traveling alone at night. I walk fast and watch everyone. If someone calls out to me, I may wave and respond but keep right on walking.
One last thing - DON'T drink the water! Buy only bottled water or soft drinks at 7/11's or wherever. Even if I use it to brush my teeth, I do not swallow it. Showers no problem. You'll only get sick if you ingest it.
Even in the bars, you will usually find one big table. These are normally decent tables. Decent, but not great. In some of the malls, you will find better poolrooms, like Robinson's Galleria. People are VERY friendly there, but the hustlers can be aggressive - selling all kinds of stuff on the streets. Viagra, counterfeit silver dollars, belts, knock off watches, etc. etc. I would recommend buying nothing! Beggars are also everywhere, usually little children. I will occasionally give them a peso each.
The sidewalks are crowded and the roads are worse. You can take trikes and jeepneys to get most everywhere. Lots of bars with lots of women, but stay away from the street hustlers. They do not get regular medical check-ups, so many have VD. Girls who work in bars are checked every week. Manila is generally a safe city but I use caution when traveling alone at night. I walk fast and watch everyone. If someone calls out to me, I may wave and respond but keep right on walking.
One last thing - DON'T drink the water! Buy only bottled water or soft drinks at 7/11's or wherever. Even if I use it to brush my teeth, I do not swallow it. Showers no problem. You'll only get sick if you ingest it.
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Very good advice... This is actually applicable to many places in the world. Your stomach is not use to the bacteria/germs and whatnots in the water. 1 other thing, also avoid ice(those frozen water used to chill your drink) as they come from tapwater. Unless your drinking the alcoholic kind.
