TheThaiger
Banned
PI is not renowned for great food, to put it mildly.
On A Serious Note: Safety For Foreigners In The Phillipines
- Thread starter Kickin' Chicken
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PI is not renowned for great food, to put it mildly.
Don't know...
The last time I was doing anything in regards South East Asia was 2003-4 and I remember it was something like six were beheaded and somewhere between 30-60 were kidnapped and held for ransom. All my information was obtained from Siprnet and above...
Jaden
The last time I was doing anything in regards South East Asia was 2003-4 and I remember it was something like six were beheaded and somewhere between 30-60 were kidnapped and held for ransom. All my information was obtained from Siprnet and above...
Jaden
Like some previous posters have said, most of the terrorism and kidnapping takes place in Mindanao, the southernmost island. For a poolplayer, there really isn't much reason to go there.
Manila is a HUGE city. Depending on whose reports you believe, 18-21 million people in Metro Manila. I feel safer there than I do in Detroit, but that's not saying much. I bring all my street sense with me. If you go to play pool most of the action and sweating will be at One Side, Star Billiards in Quezon City, and Hermes Bar. There are a thousand other rooms too, but these are the main attractions. One night when leaving the Manila Bay Cafe I was told by a girl to ONLY walk up the street I really didn't want to go up. She told me that I could easily be mugged going the shorter route. Turns out she was right. I saw reports of others being robbed on that street. That can happen in any big city. Best thing to do if you're alone is take a cab.
The city of Cebu is great for beaches, nightlife, and pool. Relatively safe I think but again, it's good to know where you plan to go and have a wingman if possible. There are members here who will only be to happy to meet you and show you around. Another place to connect with Filipinio pool players is Bilyar.net
Don't let fear hold you back. The Filipino people are warm and hospitable. Everyone wants to make a buck, but only a buck or two, not hundreds. I went to a cockfight in Cebu and was betting about $2 per fight. After 30 mins I looked around and realized I was BIG action lol ! The cockfights are on their own TV channel there, 24 hours a day on cable !
I've only been twice, but plan to return and see some more great islands. Good luck...Tom
Manila is a HUGE city. Depending on whose reports you believe, 18-21 million people in Metro Manila. I feel safer there than I do in Detroit, but that's not saying much. I bring all my street sense with me. If you go to play pool most of the action and sweating will be at One Side, Star Billiards in Quezon City, and Hermes Bar. There are a thousand other rooms too, but these are the main attractions. One night when leaving the Manila Bay Cafe I was told by a girl to ONLY walk up the street I really didn't want to go up. She told me that I could easily be mugged going the shorter route. Turns out she was right. I saw reports of others being robbed on that street. That can happen in any big city. Best thing to do if you're alone is take a cab.
The city of Cebu is great for beaches, nightlife, and pool. Relatively safe I think but again, it's good to know where you plan to go and have a wingman if possible. There are members here who will only be to happy to meet you and show you around. Another place to connect with Filipinio pool players is Bilyar.net
Don't let fear hold you back. The Filipino people are warm and hospitable. Everyone wants to make a buck, but only a buck or two, not hundreds. I went to a cockfight in Cebu and was betting about $2 per fight. After 30 mins I looked around and realized I was BIG action lol ! The cockfights are on their own TV channel there, 24 hours a day on cable !
I've only been twice, but plan to return and see some more great islands. Good luck...Tom
Even the Filipino Jails seem like a fun place to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o
Get sentenced to 10 years hard dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o
Get sentenced to 10 years hard dancing.
Anthony Bordain & Andrew Zimmer visited the Philippines and did a show here
Here's no reservations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluP9vU56KY
to quote anthony bourdain, "lechon is the best pig ever" Lechon is roast pig.
Here's Bizarre foods of andrew zimmer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hG-VMZmWUw
Without exaggerating, (as a very proud Canadian) this is the first negative thing I've ever read about Canada that I can remember.
Sorry for being off topic. I do my best to be extra careful when traveling and usually go around in a group of some sort.
Pangit
Banned
They were doing a TV show...of course they are going to say it's good...it's part of the script.
The Food Sucks here. Lechon Manook isn't bad....But Lecon Baboy is so full of fat...I can't eat it.
You have Adobo...Caldretta, Sisig, Dinuguan (unless you are Igelsia Ni Cristo) can't blame 'em, not fan of "Chocolate meat" or as westerner's might call it....blood pudding. Bagaoong...Balut...etc...
I forgot the national dish of the PI...Dried fish. Talk about stinking.
The OP's question about safety. Just stay away from SW Mindanao and everything should be fine. You have to have "Street Smarts" there are hustlers everywhere. Learn how to say "alis pulubi" it will likely be your most used phase. If your gut tells you these new found Pinoy friends are a just a little too friendly... Run away.
I spent three weeks in Makati, Manila, Q City and Subic Bay end of 2010. I never felt out of place or scared. And I walked all over the place day and night.
Like posted before, just have a good sense of your surroundings and have your street smarts with you and you'll be fine.
Like posted before, just have a good sense of your surroundings and have your street smarts with you and you'll be fine.
I like the food. My wife is Visayan and they have good food. At least everything I've eaten was tasty and they are very clean. I agree that dinuguan and balut are gross as well as bagaoon!
While I have never been there, I have heard many say that England has bad food. The only thing good there is the fish and chips in Dover.
I dated a half and half who's Mom was full Filipino, and if she didn't make some of the best food I've ever had in my life...
She made some incredible Lumpia and Shrimp Ponset that were to die for. And a bunch of other Filipino dishes that I don't want to dishonor by trying to spell them correctly, lol.
Anyway, I think Filipino food is pretty amazing.
There are so many different styles of cooking there too! Adobo made by those that are Ilocano is much different than how the Visayans cook it. Also, what tastes good to me may not taste good to someone else. In other words it is very subjective. I happen to like just about everything my wife's family has cooked so far.
After watching the video, the only thing that I can't get my head around is the Balut. Acquired taste.
In the video, the chef travels the world looking for the weirdest food. So that is what he presented when he visited the PI.
I'm sure that the average food there is quite tasty. Minus the tree worms, slugs etc. I like the idea that nothing is wasted.
In the video, the chef travels the world looking for the weirdest food. So that is what he presented when he visited the PI.
I'm sure that the average food there is quite tasty. Minus the tree worms, slugs etc. I like the idea that nothing is wasted.
If I see someone else eating something, I will at least try it because you won't know unless you do try it. I just cannot try balut though!! That is just too gross for me!!!
I'm not English and have no real passion for England, but I lived there a couple of years ago and the food has come a long way from fish and chips in Dover, just as American food has come a long way from meat loaf in Iowa.
The food in England has gotten very good. Expensive but good. The Fat Duck, in the middle of nowhere on the English coast, has been named the best restaurant in the world.