This won't be a trip report in the usual sense. Unlike any trip I've ever made anywhere else, I hooked up with one girl and stayed with her the entire trip. And given that she wasn't a pro (and never has been), I won't say much about that aspect of the trip except:

She was an 18-yr old hottie I met through Date In Asia. We'd chatted and Skyped a fair amount before the trip. I went into it with an open mind, not sure that I wouldn't toss her back after a day or two, but she was a total keeper. She was sweet, nasty, and cute, with the spinner body type I love. She would NOT let me give her a penny aside from paying for meals. She refused to let me take her shopping at SM. She has a job as a housekeeper for an old American in AC, and feels she has enough money to be independent. He was back in the States on vacation, so I had her all to myself. She was totally into sex, and she even videoed several of our nastier sessions (and sent them to me). I actually had to beg her to let me sleep a couple of times. She felt that five rounds a day was minimally acceptable. We went out bar hopping with her sister and brother-in-law (an American) and I didn't see anyone I would have chosen over her.

That said, the bar scene seems to get more and more depressing every time I return to AC. During my first trips my friends and I were openly getting BBBJs in bars like Byrd Cage and Treasure Island; now, nary a tit is to be seen. I saw way more skin in the Pattaya and BKK bars than I did in the AC bars, and the situation used to be the opposite. Now you have stages full of girls shuffling their feet and looking entirely disinterested unless a group of Koreans walk in and start raining 20 peso notes on the girls. Everyone in the bars seems to be wary of another raid.

There were, on the other hand, plenty of doable girls, although they are vastly outnumbered by the rice-belly/Jollibee addict girls who should never ever be encouraged to wear anything other than a flour sack. The prices are still reasonable, despite the rise in "bar fine" prices. And the dollar has been strengthening against the peso, which helps. I got above 45 to the dollar across the trip, and it's now up to 45.36. (BTW, the best rate is found at Kabayan Money Changer, on Fields, near MacArthur...see pic). So despite the somewhat depressing effect of the constant raids on what goes on inside the bars, AC is still AC, and the best filipinas are as sweet as they get.



Overall, the place remains a shithole, and in some respects it's getting worse. There's a lot of new construction and population growth, but zero investment in infrastructure, so traffic is getting worse by the day. The restaurant situation remains abysmal, although I did find very good Italian restaurant, Piccolo Padre, which is located in the Queens Hotel on Constaine Street. It's not for the Cheap Charlies (about 2000 pesos for two), but their risottos were excellent.

I stayed at the Lewis Grand Hotel (CH Link), in one of their better rooms with a pool view. It was a corner room with two good sized balconies, lots of room inside, and good amenities. The bed was huge and very comfortable (in contrast to the broken-down mattresses at the Pacific Breeze), and there was a sofa, a table with four chairs, a decent Samsung flatscreen, and a minibar with room for my own supplies. The AC worked well and the controls seemed to actually function as intended (as compared to the Pacific Breeze, where I could never get the AC adjusted right). The room was very light, given its corner location, and had good lighting within the room that was easy to control from bed. The bathroom was spacious as well, and had a separate tub (with hand shower) and shower with rainfall shower. I always had plenty of hot water, which is a major complaint I had with the Pacific Breeze. Hotel staff were friendly, courteous, efficient, and treated my girl with respect. My only complaint was with the quality of the wi-fi, but this is a problem nearly everywhere in the Philippines, and my connection here was a vast improvement over what I was used to at the Pacific Breeze. I was able to make Skype and FaceTime video calls with minimal problems.

The pool at the Lewis Grand is one of the nicer pools in AC, with lots of space for relaxing on comfortable chaise lounges. The pool has two jacuzzis and enough space to throw a party. I had a group of friends over one afternoon and we were served drinks in the pool by the hotel staff.



While walking down Fields one afternoon I noticed this sign in front of Club Asia:



I think the bar next door was hiring the unattractive dancers.

Speaking of bars, I've given up trying to keep track of their names, let alone where various girls work. The turnover in bars is quite remarkable, and I noticed quite a few "for sale" signs as well as ads in the local paper for bars for sale. Hey, if your dream is to live in a shithole and lose money while dealing with corrupt officials and police, now's the time to buy!

Walking in AC is always a bit of a thrill. It's one of the few places I know of where the cars park on the sidewalks (when sidewalks exist) and pedestrians are expected to walk in the streets teeming with motorbikes, trikes, cars (increasingly) and jeepnies.





The girl I was with wanted to buy me a t-shirt with this slogan on it, but I passed.



I told my girlfriend that if I come back to the Philippines, it won't be to Angeles City. I'll fly her to Boracay or Palawan (she's never been on a plane), but I've seen enough of AC. I'd rather pay twice as much for a week in BKK or four times as much for a week in Rio than spend more time in AC. The bars used to be the attraction, but they are a pale imitation of what existed even 5-6 years ago, let alone in the days when AC really was Sin City. It's a place everyone should see once, but it's just not my style.

(Message edited by Bwana_dik on January 21, 2014)

You did something similar to my Jakarta trip last fall. I spent the entire six days with one girl, my "time-share wife." Never touched another, and never hit any mongering venues. And talk about the traffic....

Would love to see you in Bangkok sometime wearing that "you are what you eat" shirt!

I did wear a t-shirt one day that says ""Let the Fucking Begin." You can get away with that in AC.

Happy to hear about the 18 year old. I can't even conceive of sex 5X a day here in Chicago, where it's currently 3 degree with a wind chill of 20 below. You're living the life, Bwana and I trudge along the tundra, mile after mile...

Depressing to hear about AC these days. Your news plus SANCHO saying my fav two bars on Raymond Street have been busted and are currently out of commission. And I'm supposed to book a $2,000 flight in advance HOPING that things get better?

Yes, indeed, if I can find the $, might be time to look into Medellin as we discussed for 4th of July. Gotta call Boyd, find out about the current state of Calle 53 and Mayorista.

Keep on rockin', man.

Raymond seemed to be a shadow of itself, and the bars on Santos looked pretty grim.

Looks like I'll have to shift my MDE dates. I have to go to BKK for work from the 4th to the 14th.

Glad I didn't do this trip with u , coz u would have ditched me and ur legendary barhops for ur new found love ! Lol
Whole trip with a girl , hopefully some day I will have the feeling to do that .

Sunny, had you showed up you know you would have gotten me to the bars. This is your fault!

She is a maid for an American in Angeles City but he happened to be away. She fucks you right off the back and wants to film it. She is a regular civilian alright and never been a bargirl. Beware of the long con.

Finally a trip report that doesn't involve da homies fucking all my dearest most beloved girlfriends (the unfaithful little tramps). So is the baby_dik due in October? ;-)

I had very good luck with the girls of Santos Street and Raymond Street, shadow of former self or not and even though the numbers may have been down. And I saw a cutie at what appeared to be another bj bar up the street from Norma's; unfortunately, I was too busy to follow up.

Sancho, I'm afraid the photo-documented report I'm preparing might upset you. On the other hand, you did point out to me some of the choice sluts you call your girlfriends (thank you).

Blazers, no long con, and all true. Spent time with her American brother-in-law who confirmed that she's just as advertised: a young horny girl. I met her American boss the day he returned from the States. He also had nothing but kind words for her. She seems really serious about wanting to live on her own terms, with her own money. The only gift she accepted was my pocket rocket, which she is clearly enjoying from the pics she sends. I had a couple thousand pesos left over at the end of the trip, and she wouldn't take them, and actually got a bit pissed at me for offering them.

What can I say? She seems like a totally genuine, sweet nymph.

IAS, she started her period yesterday

I didn't get the "Cunt" t-shirt, but I did wear this one out one night when we went bar hopping.

It's a "Fruit of the Loom" t-shirt! How appropriate.

Indeed, Murasaki I'll be sure and bring it to LOS in July and wear it in the loom.

"IAS, she started her period yesterday "

She must be something special. Ordinarily a Filipina would start her period right after you agreed to let her stay for the week. Very considerate of her to wait until you were through.

"She must be something special. Ordinarily a Filipina would start her period right after you agreed to let her stay for the week. Very considerate of her to wait until you were through."

I asked her if she really was a Filipina

(Message edited by Bwana_dik on January 24, 2014)

I once bought a t shirt on the boardwalk in Ocean city that said "Totally spoiled by Nana," with the idea of wearing it to Nana Entertainment Plaza.

"If your dream is to live in a shithole and lose money while dealing with corrupt officials and police, now's the time to buy." LOL...

As you indicated, AC just doesn't seem like a place worth visiting anymore, although I really envy that you're there and I'm not.

Does the travel ever get to you frequent Pacific Ocean crossers? The only way economy class is remotely bearable is if you are two passengers in a three-passenger row. If there's three, it's a god-awful way to spend 12-15 hours on the long leg...

Good one, Mangaman. I have another t-shirt I picked up in NYC that says "If you lick them, they will come." I've worn it in Thailand.

Quilombo, I hate the trek to Asia. The very best itineraries I can get involve a 23 hour trip, wheels up to wheels down. Some are longer. Economy is brutal, and it's getting much harder to get upgrades without paying through the nose.

thanks for sharing as always. I'm with Blazer's on the gal ... 1+1 =2, not 5 Just doesn't compute, but that's your business and by the sounds of it, who cares - you had a good time.

Living here, I keep myself more than amused. Things aren't what they were 10 years ago, but still pretty darn good al things considered.

btw, Raymond St got raided just after Sancho and team left and 2/3 bars have been closed with quite a bit of press.

Great report! Does anyone have tips on using the Date in Asia site or know where I can look to know how to use it effectively and not get scammed or anything?

DM- I still worry that there's a catch with this girl, but no sign of one so far. I agree that it doesn't compute.

As to using DIA, setting up an account is free. The only way to avoid scams is to arrange to chat on Skype or some other video chat so you know what you're really dealing with. There were several DIA girls who failed the Skype test. Even then, you may not know what you've gotten into until you get to the Philippines and meet the girls. Lots of the DIA girls from AC are bar girls, but many aren't. Some of those who aren't are freelancers and will expect $. There's another group who are looking for boyfriends/husbands. They can be great or a royal pain in the ass. I'm batting 2 for 2 in this category, but the girl I met on this trip was over the top. The first one got too clingy too fast, but this one seems to be primarily in it for the sex.

I saved the DIA site because of your experience and will try the Skype test. Can't make up mind about this summer. Talked with Boyd and he said the old days of Mayorista and Calle 53 chicks are over. Any independent confirmation on that? Not really interested in $80 buck short-time Mansion rubber fucks.

But if Angeles and Raymond Street are also down...what's a monger to do?

I will be on the ground in AC next week again, arriving Sunday night and will give the latest update from a traveler's perspective. Splitting my time between AC and Subic. I like the floating bars in Subic, so that was one of my prime motivator to get this trip scheduled this early in the year versus later after the floating bars are pulled out for Typhoon season.

I actually started lining up girls using DIA, but is just takes sooooo much effort. I have a life outside mongering and can't stand chatting every night and the back and forth. Previously I had mix of legits (I actually saw her a couple of times before getting bored) and scammers (Sob stories of sick relatives, paying for medicine, etc, etc). So relatively easy - if you don't get blinded right of the bat by the girl and fall for her.

The two I had on the hook for this trip seemed legit as well, but so much maintenance and drama. If I did not respond to messages quick enough, or was just busy, they would get jealous and send desperate messages. I can't even imagine how clingy they will be if I ever did meet them in person. Almost like a Fisherman having hooked his lifetime dream of a Marlin and being scared to lose it. Just too much to deal with in advance of the trip. I prefer just to take my chance - I have a real hard time believing that from the last time I visited just a few months ago to now that much has changed. Last time it was as easy as ever to find a girl, without all the advance drama and time investment needed in a DIA girl, even with some of my old time favorite bars closed.

Also all this BS about "I have fallen in love with you" after just a few e-mail exchanges and chats gets a little old and tiring to maintain as well.

Prefer to hit the ground running and taking my chances.... until then chill and relax continuing my normal life.

Thanks for the advice and thanks to Lovingmarvin for your input on this. That bit about having to keep in touch on a regular basis is a big turnoff for me. Even if it wasn't, I enjoy hitting the bars enough that I'd feel suffocated spending time overnight, days together would be hell.

You'll see in my upcoming Subic, AC, and Manila reports where I attempt to visit almost every major bar in each place.

Great effort, mate!

Let's see... this report has

- monogomy
- no cash changing hands
- internet dating

toss in some pics of a 4 star hotel pool and this has all the makings of a trip report on singlemingle.com

Pauly, despite the political annoyances, there more girls still in AC to fuck than I can possibly get to in this life.

Using a dating site is a lot of unnecessary overhead and headaches unless one is looking for a longer term relationship AND doesn't like going to a bar.

Dondingo,

Fuck you, mate! What's that saying about the pot calling the kettle black?

My how the mighty have fallen... seems like only yesterday that you and I were brothers in arms with Sunny and Clooney, barhopping late into the night while rackin up impressive numbers...

LOL but now appartently I've Beenadik to the mighty Bwanadik? My most heartfelt apologies old friend

I look forward to your next AC report , although based on the trends I fear your next trip will only contain graphic details of you staying in the Lewis Grand while you all day long, while bemoaning the passing of the 'good ol' days' :grin: