When the world opens up I'm thinking about going to Cebu for a week or two...Anyone been before?

[spidermike007]

Some basics. If you do get into an altercation with a Philippine man, or are getting robbed or harassed, unless you are a 6th degree sensei, do not fight back. An astonishing number of locals are well trained in the fighting arts. Many are good with sticks, knives, blades of any sort, and their hands, fists and feet. I have a friend who is a world class security consultant. He is a black belt in several different martial arts, he is about 6'5 and about 260 lbs of muscle. He says he can usually fight his way out of a gang of up to five men, nearly anywhere in the world. Except in the PI. That is the only country he will NOT take an assignment. The average guy there, can take down the average Westerner in five seconds. In Thailand few have those kinds of skills. Very few. The security situation is not very good. You always have to keep your eyes open, keep an eye on your back, and beware of robbery, home theft, and violence. It is rampant. I have many friends who live there, and they all say the same thing.

The food terrible. The only other country I can think of with worse food, is Cuba. Granted, if you are willing to spend the money, you can find good food. But, it is not the general rule, as it is here. Also, the access to fresh fruits and vegetables is pathetic compared to Thailand. Very low quality, and often not fresh. Thailand is a paradise by comparison, when it comes to all things related to food.

Pollution. They use a lower grade of diesel. So, there is alot of soot in the air. The PI has an epidemic of lung diseases and respiratory diseases. Even on many of the populated islands. The hospitals are full of people who are having a very hard time breathing. It is a real issue there. Lung disease is at an epidemic level, though the authorities do not like to talk about it, and publish very little information on it.

[WineOh]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

My first time there, a friend of mine and I hired a Vietnam era pilot, at Clark in AC, (back in the glory days of AC, I hear the scene completely changed, pre-Covid, as the bar fines spiraled out of control) and he flew us to Oriental Mindoro, in a souped up, 50 year old single engine plane. Landed on a grass strip. Great experience. Really cool guy! Then a fairly rough one hour ride to Puerto Galera. Nice town, with excellent diving five minutes from the beach. Nice girls too.  Though that was some time ago. No doubt the women are the highlight of the PI, which feels like one giant Tijuana to me.

 

Took the boat and bus back to Manila. Not the same at all!

Seems you have been about abit.

have you ever had any trouble there?

im quite a well traveled guy myself but these days I'm more safety conscious as i was previously .

[WineOh]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Some basics. If you do get into an altercation with a Philippine man, or are getting robbed or harassed, unless you are a 6th degree sensei, do not fight back. An astonishing number of locals are well trained in the fighting arts. Many are good with sticks, knives, blades of any sort, and their hands, fists and feet. I have a friend who is a world class security consultant. He is a black belt in several different martial arts, he is about 6'5 and about 260 lbs of muscle. He says he can usually fight his way out of a gang of up to five men, nearly anywhere in the world. Except in the PI. That is the only country he will NOT take an assignment. The average guy there, can take down the average Westerner in five seconds. In Thailand few have those kinds of skills. Very few. The security situation is not very good. You always have to keep your eyes open, keep an eye on your back, and beware of robbery, home theft, and violence. It is rampant. I have many friends who live there, and they all say the same thing.

The food terrible. The only other country I can think of with worse food, is Cuba. Granted, if you are willing to spend the money, you can find good food. But, it is not the general rule, as it is here. Also, the access to fresh fruits and vegetables is pathetic compared to Thailand. Very low quality, and often not fresh. Thailand is a paradise by comparison, when it comes to all things related to food.

Pollution. They use a lower grade of diesel. So, there is alot of soot in the air. The PI has an epidemic of lung diseases and respiratory diseases. Even on many of the populated islands. The hospitals are full of people who are having a very hard time breathing. It is a real issue there. Lung disease is at an epidemic level, though the authorities do not like to talk about it, and publish very little information on it.

Thanks mate.

i may look at Taiwan instead ????

[spidermike007]

6 minutes ago, WineOh said:

Seems you have been about abit.

have you ever had any trouble there?

im quite a well traveled guy myself but these days I'm more safety conscious as i was previously .

 

Yes, been there a number of times. I am always very security conscious when I am there. I have to assume that some areas are safer than others. But, when I stayed in AC and Manila, my friends who had lived there for years, told me that I had to stay with a few blocks of my hotel at night, and that walking was not recommended, except with a small grid. I like the PI, for the people. Both the men and especially the amazing women. I would visit again, for sure. But, you have to watch your back. You will be fine, as long as you follow some basic precautions. 

 

The poverty there is grinding, and the people are far more prone to violence and infinitely more skillful as street fighters, than the average Thai, from my point of view.

 

I never feel threatened here, as long as I behave myself, show respect to the locals, and do not do anything really dumb. 

Edited January 25, 2021 by spidermike007

[katatonic]

1 hour ago, jvs said:

Been there a bunch of times,do not go around alone when you are drunk!!!It is a lot more dangerous over there!

I would suggest Puerto Galera on Mindoro island,has everything you want and all close to each other.Take a bus from Manila and a boat across to the island.

A lot of bars and nice beaches,White Beach is nice,at least it used to be.

Bars are a bit different over there.

I was about to post something similar. Cebu is a <deleted>hole. Went there on a boat and we lost a day due to literally tons of plastic rubbish on the anchor/chain. Puerta Galera is decent, some good bars, plenty of girly clubs/bars if you like that, the floating bars are great. Diving A1, if you want that too. Expats friendly. I went all over and that is the one place I would go back. Borocay: a good chance of being drugged and robbed - happened to me the last time I went - only there one night and on my 3rd drink, around sunset.. Worst hangover I've ever had.

[WineOh]

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

I never feel threatened here, as long as I behave myself, show respect to the locals, and do not do anything really dumb. 

Ive only ever felt really threatened here twice in the whole time i have been here. 
 

the first was on Haad Rin beach,  koh phangan. I was dancing in a bar and I bumped into a guy(thai or filipino i dont know) and knock his drink a bit.

he was furious and told be to get lost before he kills me. I went back to my room and stayed there for the remaineder of the evening.

 

another time was in Phuket, at the hight of the tuk tuk mafia around 2013. I had a young student girl on the back of my bike( she was 19 at the time) just flew down from bangkok to stay with me for a week. A taxi driver saw me and started staring at me. I asked him what he was looking at and that set him off. Apparently he didnt like that i had a young girl on my bike as a foreigner and threatened to use a bat on me.

 

apart from that, nothing else really major.

 

oh, a ladyboy once attempted to mug me in patong by walking beside me and slipping her hand in my pocket. I grabbed his/her hand, spat in its face and kicked it up the backside before it ran away down a dark alley. 

Edited January 25, 2021 by WineOh

[katatonic]

16 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

Yes, been there a number of times. I am always very security conscious when I am there. I have to assume that some areas are safer than others. But, when I stayed in AC and Manila, my friends who had lived there for years, told me that I had to stay with a few blocks of my hotel at night, and that walking was not recommended, except with a small grid. I like the PI, for the people. Both the men and especially the amazing women. I would visit again, for sure. But, you have to watch your back. You will be fine, as long as you follow some basic precautions. 

 

The poverty there is grinding, and the people are far more prone to violence and infinitely more skillful as street fighters, than the average Thai, from my point of view.

 

I never feel threatened here, as long as I behave myself, show respect to the locals, and do not do anything really dumb. 

I stayed in Manila for a few months and actually never came across any problems at all, surprisingly, nor felt remotely threatened. I used to roam the backs street in Malate every night and apart from the, as you say, grinding poverty: way worse than even India, where I spent years, never had an issue. Some superb live music venues, way better than the generic tourist rubbish you more often come across. TheBar1951 absolutely recommended. I never made it to closing time, staggering out about 4am usually. I started work at 6.30.. Too good! And there's the best ever Spanish restaurant near there too. Some gems if you look.

[neytil]

2 hours ago, WineOh said:

Cebu island is definitely on the cards for my first post covid holiday.

Heard great things about it and would like to know more.

Anyone here ever been?

what to expect?

nice beaches, food, girls etc?

I've never been to the philippines before so any advice/suggestions would be great!

thanks.

 

(apologies if this is in the wrong forum). 

Best places for diving in Cebu are Moalboal in Southwest of island and Mactan island near airport.

Otherwise, for decent diving need to head to Palawan, nowhere near Cebu unfortunately.  Food situation is as others described.  If you have some common sense, it isn't nearly as dangerous as some of the timorous types have been posting on here

Edited January 25, 2021 by neytil

[neytil]

38 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

He is a black belt in several different martial arts, he is about 6'5 and about 260 lbs of muscle. He says he can usually fight his way out of a gang of up to five men, nearly anywhere in the world.

Sounds like you have been watching too many Rambo movies....

[Surelynot]

Stayed a long time ago, so comments probably not relevant ......stayed at the Bluewater Lagoon Resort.....very nice.....hightlight of the holiday, apart from meeting a very sweet 20yo was beening stung by a jelly fish from head to foot.....looked like someone had poured boiling water all down me.

Edited January 25, 2021 by Surelynot

[DaLa]

2 hours ago, WineOh said:

A rather murky picture you paint there mate ????

anywhere else you recommend for a first timer? 

Have you thought about Skeggy? Both policemen are honest, going out alone at night isn't a problem because there's nothing to go out for. The girls are...well you're definitely in for a treat if you like that sort of thing  and unfortunately their English isn't as good as Thai bar girls.

 

Seriously Singapore or Hong Kong for me as soon as we are let loose.

[WineOh]

1 minute ago, DaLa said:

Hong Kong for me as soon as we are let loose.

you going for the riots mate? ???? 

[Nout]

3 hours ago, WineOh said:

A rather murky picture you paint there mate ????

anywhere else you recommend for a first timer? 

The murky picture is accurate in my limited experience. I don't agree about the girls. But in the Philippines don't wander around after dark, and be careful when drunk. Its so violent even the tiny stores have armed guards! Be careful about using ATMs...especially at night. The girly scene  even in AC is a thing of the past. The food is dreadful...Apparently Scuba diving is good there.

[WineOh]

1 minute ago, Nout said:

The murky picture is accurate in my limited experience. I don't agree about the girls. But in the Philippines don't wander around after dark, and be careful when drunk. Its so violent even the tiny stores have armed guards! Be careful about using ATMs...especially at night. The girly scene  even in AC is a thing of the past. The food is dreadful...Apparently Scuba diving is good there.

I'm already having second thoughts now mate.

 

Taiwan or Cambodia is looking good atm.

[2 is 1]

Hey guys dont put same sentence MANILA AND CEBU! Yes every place can be dangereus if go wrong area! I always kept other "small" money for situation if somebody want rob me! Few hundred pesos.

30 minutes ago, neytil said:

Best places for diving in Cebu are Moalboal

Yeah its nice place and picture what i put before is close bye.

[bkk6060]

Been there half a dozen times never had a problem.  Never got robbed, stabbed or shot like some will tell you.

AC and Subic first trip then explored other places subsequently.

Cebuana girls are pretty beautiful and sweet.

Really like Dumaguete beautiful.

 

Of course,  don't be stupid just like visiting any tourist area.

I would not listen to the negativity and fear mongering probably the same people who complain about Thailand and every place else.

[WineOh]

2 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Been there half a dozen times never had a problem.  Never got robbed, stabbed or shot like some will tell you.

AC and Subic first trip then explored other places subsequently.

Cebuana girls are pretty beautiful and sweet.

Really like Dumaguete beautiful.

 

Of course,  don't be stupid just like visiting any tourist area.

I would not listen to the negativity and fear mongering probably the same people who complain about Thailand and every place else.

Thanks for the reassurance mate! ???? 

[HashBrownHarry]

3 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Boracay? 

It was very expensive 20 years ago, dread to think what it would be like now.

 

Poor night life when i was there but stunning island.

[jvs]

7 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I would not listen to the negativity and fear mongering probably the same people who complain about Thailand and every place else.

It is a fact that Thailand is a lot safer!No two ways about it!Nothing to do with fear mongering if you warn some one about the situation there.

Mindoro is pretty safe because there is no where to go if you commit a crime.

I like the Philipines i have some good friends there and have traveled a lot over there.

You can meet a lot of educated people there who are not working or are doing some

meager job.

They all want to get out of there and there must be a reason!

 

[Bangyai]

I spent some time in Cebu City then down the coast by bus to Moabual where we stayed at White Beach. It was nice and quiet back then ( 35 years ago ) but probably changed since then. From there we took a boat over to Dumaguete on Negros. That was just okay but nothing to shout about. 

 

Also checked out Puerta Guelera but went to the Sabang beach which was s**t hole.

White beach better.

 

I'd love to go again but probably wont happen now. Too many roots here.

[Bangyai]

16 hours ago, WineOh said:

Thanks mate.

i may look at Taiwan instead ????

 

Been there done that. Women were no problem there. I mean straight women. I was hooked up on day two. But apart from that , nothing to write home about. Took a coach tour with the Taiwanese girl I hooked up with down to Taroko gorge. Nice excursion and didn't see another European until we were back in Taipei.

 

You could also consider Penang. Some nice beaches there and good food. Women again , not a problem.

[captainjackS]

I went to cebu region in 2017 for 8 days.  split between cebu city, bohol nature, panglau beach tourist zone.  3-4 nights in cebu city was interesting.  met a girl online and went out with her a few of the nights.  we went to eat and bars around mango square.  I stayed in Travelbee hotel.  looks a lot like Hop Inn here in Thailand.  clean, secure, "by the book".  they will keep the girl's ID card at the front desk while she is in your room.   Lots of homeless families with children around that area. sad to see. but i never felt directly threatened. but seeing the armed guards everywhere reminded me to keep my head up and eyes open . This was also the same time when Mindanao had violence in the streets, bombs, whatever else was going on.

[EVENKEEL]

4 hours ago, WineOh said:

isn't that the dangerous one that lonely planet etc advises against traveling to? 

You can fly into Clark and Angeles City is right there, 45 min away is Subic Bay (Barrio Barretta). I have spent alot of time in Subic but no experience beyond that but the story Pilotxxxxx told is pretty much how it is. 

[1FinickyOne]

4 hours ago, WineOh said:

Feel I should add that when I go on holiday I like sun all day, plenty booze, white beaches with clear water and plenty willing females to cherry pick.

Also partial to a bit of culture here and there when the booze wears off...

 

 

maybe you should try Thailand? 

[murraynz]

16 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Reading between the lines you should go to Angeles City for your first trip

Angeles city is week and boring,compared to thai nightlife areas.

[spidermike007]

16 hours ago, WineOh said:

Ive only ever felt really threatened here twice in the whole time i have been here. 
 

the first was on Haad Rin beach,  koh phangan. I was dancing in a bar and I bumped into a guy(thai or filipino i dont know) and knock his drink a bit.

he was furious and told be to get lost before he kills me. I went back to my room and stayed there for the remaineder of the evening.

 

another time was in Phuket, at the hight of the tuk tuk mafia around 2013. I had a young student girl on the back of my bike( she was 19 at the time) just flew down from bangkok to stay with me for a week. A taxi driver saw me and started staring at me. I asked him what he was looking at and that set him off. Apparently he didnt like that i had a young girl on my bike as a foreigner and threatened to use a bat on me.

 

apart from that, nothing else really major.

 

oh, a ladyboy once attempted to mug me in patong by walking beside me and slipping her hand in my pocket. I grabbed his/her hand, spat in its face and kicked it up the backside before it ran away down a dark alley. 

 

And both were about confrontations with locals. Had you apologized to the guy in the bar, and offered to buy him another drink, it is likely he would have cooled off and all would have been fine. It is about respect, and the perceived loss of respect. And I consider the southern islands to be the worst in Thailand, as they tend to attract a lower element, and most of those folks are not particularly fond of foreigners. With the taxi guy, what are you looking at is right out of Raging Bull, Good Fellas, and Casino. You just do not mouth off to these guys, unless you are asking for trouble. 

[spidermike007]

16 hours ago, neytil said:

Sounds like you have been watching too many Rambo movies....

Nah. A guy with those kinds of skills can take out an entire group of thugs, assuming they are not armed with guns or billy clubs. Most guys on the streets do not possess a great deal of skill, when it comes to fighting. 

[Presnock]

spent some time there many years ago and loved it.  Being an avid scuba diver, the waters around many areas there are fantastic, full of colorful sea life and clear and warm waters.  Bars were plentiful, women great and friendly.  Food was typical Filippino food of which I am and was not that fond of but a mixture of other foods was available.  Cost was cheap.  At least worth one try!

 

[Parsve]

Was on/in Cebu seven years ago. At the Island there are some very nice waterfalls and in one village the fishermen take you out for snorkling with whalesharks. Town, nice people, everyone speaks very good English. Easier to get western food then in Thailand.  You get more for your money than in Thailand. In the town there is a big mall outside there are tables. Young woman sitting alone at a table there is nearly guaranteed a freelancer. Taxi cheap (I hired one fore a hole day for 300 pesos. Travelling more than 200 kilometers).

[Nout]

19 hours ago, WineOh said:

Thanks mate.

i may look at Taiwan instead ????

Thailand is an enormous country. Have you explored it thoroughly? As soon as travel restrictions are lifted I will be traveling round Thailand again.