So that you know before you get into it, this will be a lengthy post. My intention is to make you aware of a few things you should consider when going on a vacation to Angeles City, Philippines. For those who have been to Angeles, I'm sure I may miss a few things during the course of this report. I have not seen all, nor do I claim to, so if you've been there please add information to this thread to better assist our fellow brothers who may make their first trip to the area.

Angeles City is about a two-hour drive north of Manila. It is located next to what use to be Clark Airbase. The base was abandoned in '91 due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. A large number of servicemen as well as many locals I spoke with, would love to see the US military back in that area. There are constant rumors on both sides that the US will go back over there. Due to the unfortunate sad state that the Philippine economy has been in for a while, the US returning to Angeles City is highly unlikely. Even with the volcano eruption the main reason the US left is because the Philippine Gov. didn't have the money to continue paying us. Keep these facts in mind when one of the locals mentions to you that the US will return.

What is now left in Angeles City--often called the Balibago Area--is an area of clubs, lounges and hotels. The area was basically for the servicemen and has since become a growing tourist zone. The base, which will soon be able to receive international flights from the states, is now known as the Clark Field Economic Zone. A Holiday Inn has been placed on the base as well as a duty free shop, a few restaurants, banks, jewelry stores, clothing shops, and I believe a theater is to arrive soon. Even with all of this please do not think you will go there and see the lights of Las Vegas. Angeles City is still a very poor and rundown area, resembling Tijuana in many ways. The tourism is growing and with that things are slowly improving in the area. Fortunately it seems most tourist find out about Angeles through word-of-mouth and not advertisements. In my eyes I see this as a good thing. They get enough customers to keep the place open yet not drive prices up.

I'll speak on the financial situation first. The currency in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso. Even thought dollars are accepted just about everywhere in Angeles City, I'd suggest having your funds changed to Pesos just to make life easier. All prices are written and quoted to you in Pesos. If you pay in dollars your change will often times be in Pesos as that is what they have in the drawer.

If you plan to use a credit card, your best bet is Visa. Believe that commercial when they say Visa is everywhere you want to be. You will rarely see AMEX anywhere in the PI and even though Visa owns the company you won't often see Master Card either. Please, for your sake, do not think that because they are the same company your Master Card will work.

If you rely on an ATM card, make sure you can use the Cirrus network. For effect I'll say this again, MAKE SURE YOU CAN USE THE CIRRUS NETWORK!!! Of course Visa will work as well. Other than that, nearly all ATMs are for networks we have not seen or used in the states. Strangely enough there aren't any ATMs in the immediate area of Fields Ave. (the area you want to party in.) Should you need to use a bank machine, hop aboard one of the trikes (I'll explain later) and have the driver take you to one of the Bank of Philippine Islands institutions (BPI Bank for short) in downtown. You will be able to use your card there to withdraw either dollars or pesos. The round trip fare should cost you about P500 ($12.50)

If you use traveler’s cheques, most hotels can cash them for you and provide you with dollars or pesos. Many of the bar/restaurant/lounges will cash traveler’s cheques as well as exchange currency.

Once you arrive at Ninoy Aquino Airport in Manila you have a few options as to how you will get to AC. Once you come through customs you will be attacked from all sides by taxi drivers wanting to take you to your destination. The last time I was there, my driver told me the airport is in the process of changing things to that the drivers cannot loiter in the building harassing people as the come from customs. I'm not certain if this change has been put into effect yet.

The first way I'll talk about for getting to AC is for the gentleman who hasn't properly planned prior to arrival, or otherwise chose to wing it. The taxi drivers will quote you many different prices. Don't be surprised at the high rate quoted to you. Keep in mind this is a two-hour drive, part of which takes you through the hellacious traffic of Manila. Those who frequent Los Angeles, Ca will feel right at home. Normally a cabby will quote you anywhere from P2,000 to P3,600. ($50-$90) Like many countries you can talk the man down.

Once you've settled on a price the cabby will help with whatever luggage you have. It's not always that he is a kind helpful soul. This is often done in hopes that you won't change your mind since he has your luggage as he's walking you to his cab.

Now just sit back and relax. Try to remain calm because what you are about to see would frighten many a brave soul--traffic in Manila. This will not sound right as you read it on the screen but trust me on this. Once you see it you know you'd never be able to accurately explain it. Have you ever seen a school of fish swimming? Have you ever noticed how they all shift at one point in time and proceed in a new direction? Well this is what you see in Manila. There will be some knucklehead three lanes over to your left who wants to make a right hand turn from that lane. Now all of a sudden everyone wants to go that way so now everyone is turning. I know it sounds strange, but you'll have to see it for yourself.

There is only one major highway going toward Angeles from Manila so it is frequently packed. Never the less my trips have always lasted just under or just over two hours.

Do not expect the drivers to know what hotels are good in the area. Most do not know as they are from, and live in Manila. If you mention Fields Avenue they can get you there, may not know what hotels are good. They are good about asking directions from the locals to get you where you need to be, so don't feel as though you're lost in a foreign land. From what I've seen and been told English is widely used in the PI, more so than the average American uses Spanish. Your driver will more than likely be able to speak to you fluently so try to build some sort of companionship with him. He may be more willing to drive you all over creation until you find a hotel you like. I did it this way on my first trip, having heard of a few hotels from people who'd been to AC before. Things worked out fine.

The smart man's way of planning this trip would be to go online and reserve a room. Many of the hotels in the area now have websites. You may contact them through their website, reserve a room and in many cases schedule to have the hotel taxi waiting for you at the airport. This makes the whole process smoother. The driver may have refreshments inside for you as the two of you make your drive. Even though it won't be said at the time, whatever you drink will be tacked on to your hotel bill. This is just something to keep in mind.

The third option, which I do not advise, is the bus. If you are with someone who's done this before things will work out well for you and at a much cheaper rate. The problem with this course of action is you'd have to catch a taxi to the bus station in Manila, find out which bus is going to Dau--the city next to Angeles--and they find out when it comes and if it in fact goes all the way there. The Philippines is a very hot place during the summer months and many of these buses do not have air-conditioning. Once you get to Dau, you'll have to walk up to MacArthur Hwy and catch a trike to Fields Ave.

The fourth method is actually a popular one though I have not used them to get to Angeles from Manila. Swagman Travel offers a shuttle service from Manila to their hotel in AC. Like I said, I have not used them to travel from Manila to AC and have not researched that yet, so I cannot speak on it. I do know, by way of mouth, that this is a popular way to travel.

I've only been to two hotels in Angeles and have heard of a few more good ones. The prices differ based on whether or not the hotel has a pool, and the size of the rooms. If you were making your first trip to Angeles, I'd suggest staying at the American Hotel on Fields Ave. Fields Avenue, also known as Don Juico Ave Perimeter Road, is where the majority of the clubs are located. If you were to stay at the American Hotel, the clubs are just down the street from you--close enough to walk yet not so close you cannot sleep at night. Of course nighttime isn't when you'd be sleep anyway, but I'm sure you get the idea. The American Hotel is P1080 a night. ($27)

A little further down the road is the Phoenix Hotel. This is a very nice hotel, though you can't really tell from the outside. You can reserve your room with them online as well as have them pick you up from the Airport. Also Arlene is fine. (Sorry, had a flashback) Anyway, as with most of the hotels they provide travelers cheque cashing service, advances on your Visa card, currency exchange, and a laundry service. The rooms come with a stocked refrigerator for those who need something to munch on and a little drink in the room. This is good for those times you and your lady take a break and don't want to wait for roomservice.

If you'd prefer to stay in the center of all the action and not have far to walk once you and girl leave the club, the Chicago Park hotel is right in the middle of the club area. I'm not sure how it is on the inside. I'm sure it's rather noisy there since clubs surrounds the place.

Another place that provides services similar to the American Hotel, Vegas Hotel, and Phoenix, is the Bonanza Hotel Resort. If you should happen to see a brochure or advertisement for this hotel it does not look as glamorous as the photo shows. It's isn't a bad place though it isn't as ritzy as the other three I mentioned. If you want to be far away from the action so that the various ladies you mess with can't make surprise visits without you knowing, the Bonanza might be for you. Like I say, the rooms aren't as nice as the others, but the place is cozy, way out of the way, cheaper, and on Sundays they have an all day buffet. You pay once and you can keep coming back all day. The Bonanza is P640 a night. ($16)

Now that you are in AC you want to get out and put in work. Most of the music in the various clubs is the same. There are a few exceptions. The Voodoo Group owns a few different clubs, including a building housing I believe it is 5 or 6 clubs in that one spot. A few of them play all rock and the rest all techno/club music. I don't want to go into a full description of every place I walked into. That would drag this out too long. From a better description of nearly every club check out www.gr2.com

As for the places I feel are the best, I like the Top Hat Club. This is the place for those who prefer their women in the mid 20s and with ass. I'm not sure what the deal is here, maybe it's the owner, but most of the girls in here are very well proportioned, more so than the rest of the clubs. I even saw one who reminds me of Kia. The music is varied, but mostly classic rock.

Other very good spots to go to are the Papillion, Rhapsody, and Confetti. La Bamba is a great place to hang out, even during the day, and the Volcano is nice even if just to see the inside. When walking down the street you definitely won't miss this place. They did a good job with it. I remember when it was a small bar called the Blue Hawaii.

The way these clubs work are in some ways similar to Tijuana with a whole lot more fun added in. Even the most attractive girls in the place will step to you if you don't step to them first. Most of the places have women ranging from age 18 up to the late 20s dancing on a stage all at the same time. They remain up there for a few songs then come down as another set of women goes up. They are usually in some sort of bathing suit though there are a few clubs such as La Bamba, which have the girls dressing in a different provocative uniform every day.

The basic m/o is that you go in, have a seat, have a drink, buy a girl you like a drink, and talk. How much fun you have is up to you. In many of these places talking may be all you want to do. There are always drink specials going on so if that's your thing, a place to suit you isn't too far away. A few clubs have a side dance floor for those who may want to get their lady on the floor.

After talking with a lady for a while you may decide you'd like her to spend the night with you. The usual cost for this is P800. I've heard as high as P1000, but you can talk them down. Some may even ask how much you want to pay. (that's rare) When the two of you choose to leave the club, whether you go to a dance club, dinner, or whatever, she will be with you until a few hours before she has to go to work the following day.

As for other expenses of the AC life, you should take into account how much you'll eat. The meals usually run around P200 to P300. Many of the popular places to eat other than your hotel are Kokomos, which is located in the center of the club area on Fields Ave. About a block or two up from there is Margarita Station. This is an equally popular place. Both serve Filipino, Thai, Chinese, and American dishes. Both have very cheaply priced Internet cafes, pool tables, and gift shops. They also will provide all the financial services your hotel provides. Many locals and tourists hang out at these popular spots.

Another very good place to be is Rick's Cafe. The design of the place is very interesting as well as being comfortable. It's basically a straw roofed hut with a building around it. Inside you will see a circular bar with the bartenders serving you from inside. There is always a current movie playing, which can be viewed from anywhere in the bar, and heard out side of the bar thanks to a Bose Stereo system. The movies shown are in some cases so current that we'd still be going to the theater in the states to see them. If you were to go there next month don't be surprised to see and hear a very clear copy of Castaway playing in Rick's Cafe. The food is also very good here.

As you get around in the PI you cannot possibly miss these odd looking, sometimes unpainted cars shuttling people around. They are basically taxis known as Jeepenees. You’ll also notice a lot of motorcycles with carriages on the side. They also act as taxis and are known as Trikes. The guys driving the trikes act similar to the taxi drivers in Tijuana in that they are always asking if you’d like a ride somewhere. You can get just about anywhere on Fields and close parts of MacArthur Hwy and Mitchell Hwy for about P50.

The people of Angeles City are very friendly, and most speak very good English. In fact one individual you are sure to come across is a gentleman calling himself “Dan the Man”. He’s a T-shirt salesman on the street who frequently walks up to hold conversations with people and flex his knowledge of America. You will see a lot of Australians in AC—for some reason many of the locals do not like the Aussies. I really don’t understand that since so many of them live in the area. There are also quite a few retired US military folks over there. Most of them are hotel owners/managers or the same for one of the clubs. These guys are usually quite pleased to talk with someone visiting from the states and they have the same attitude as we do on this site. You just want to see everyone have a fun safe time.

I’m in a bit of a rush typing all of this, so I’m sure I’ve missed a few things. If you have any questions, please type them here on the website incase someone else could use the information. If it seems that I haven’t answered your question it is because I’ll be out of the area until February. I’ll get back at you all then.

One of the best things to do when planning your trip is to keep asking questions of those who’ve been over there. Also the very best website to check out concerning this area is www.balibago.com. Other ones that will help are www.gr2.com, which provides a more in-depth description of the clubs. www.balibago.com/map.gif is a map of the area. For those who may think so, I am not promoting these sites as if I’ll get something from them. I listed them because they helped me.

Good luck. I’m hoping I make it over there as well this year.

Actually I've just thought of two things I missed.

Your drinks in the club are P40. Her drinks are P120.

Also, it would be wise to take your own condoms or by them from a major store. I hear the condoms made over there are of a rather weak material and are prone to breaking.

Hail CHENG HO....the one and only!!!!! As soon as I win the lottery be prepared to join me for a world tour!!!!
Salsa(SUSHI) boy

What an outstanding report! I used to fantasize about going to the PI when I was on the TSM board but nothing I ever read there was as detailed and well writen as your post.

One quick question. I understand there is a bar fine when you take the girl out. Is that part of the 800-1000 peso price you mentioned or is it extra?

$25 for an all nighter/dayer. No wonder so many expats won't leave the place.

Got a little more info for all my brothers out there. This won't be as long as the first post.

First of all I apologize for the delay in getting back to y'all. I'm finally back in town after having spent the last month in the Lost World, aka the Land that Time Forsook. If you look on a map it would read as WTF, Texas. Avoid that area at all costs--very dead and boring place.

I'm glad you all enjoyed the post. I had hoped it was thorough enough. As for the question of the P800 - P1000 ($20 - $25). That's what it costs to get the girl to leave the club and stay with you for the rest of the night. You just pay it once, when the two of you decide to leave the club.

For you crafty ones out there, this fee still applies even if you should barfine the girl just before the bar closes for the night. I have had someone come over without me paying for her to do so. If you are so fortunate as to have this also happen to you, have a little consideration for the girl and don't go spreading around who it is that is paying you special visits. THEY CAN GET FIRED for this. (especially if they start turning away paying customers just to make a free visit to you later.)

One thing you should consider as soon as you arrive in Angeles is to make plans to leave. The easiest way I've done it is through Swagman. They offer a shuttle service which stops at most of the major hotels in the area. When you arrive talk to the people at the front desk of your hotel about scheduling a pick-up time with Swagman Travel to get you back to Manila. One bus runs a day so you DO NOT want to miss it. Your other options would be to have the hotel taxi or one of the local taxis take you up to Manila. The third and possibly worst option is to take the cattle car leaving out of Dau. That takes you into the heart of Manila and you'll have to catch a taxi from there to the airport. This bus is almost always packed.

Here is one of the major things to keep in mind. THERE ARE NO ATM's in Manila's Ninoy Aquino Airport. (that is unless things have changed in the last year) I have no clue why this is since most ports around there world have at least one. What makes this situation even worse is you will have to pay a tax of P1000 ($25) to leave the country. It doesn't matter who you are, where you are from or what you're doing in country. You have to pay this tax before you can even see the plane you'll be taking home.

Hope this all helps.

Hey Salsa (Sushi) Boy, it's about time someone else wants to do the world tour. It's on. We need a group name like those people who go riding roller coasters all over the place.

Welcome home Cheng ho!!!
World tour 2001..yee haaa
SB

Correction to the first posting in this area: the Philippine Government didn't pay the US Air Force to base it's planes at Clark AF Base, rather it was the USA who paid the Philippine Govt.; it was decided by them that they'd rather not have a foreign military based on their soil anymore. Then as you may recall, during the contest between the Chinese, Vietnamese and the Philippines over the oil rich Sprately Islands, there was suddenly talk about how the USA had to abide in their mutual defence agreement with the Philippines to protect their claim to those islands. Ditto for the Naval base at Subic.

Another point in the first account posted, the trike fee into the downtown area should in NO WAY cost P500! Try maybe P50! In fact, you can get there for about P5 or less if you just hop onto a jeepney. That's a rountrip price too! (P2.5 each way.)

If you have a collored shirt on, you can walk to the casino and they have ATM's on the premises, that's about a five minute walk from where Fields Ave. intersects with Mac Arthur Hiway, just make a right and walk until you see the sign for the casino. You have to then walk down their rather long driveway. They will not allow you inside if you just have a regular T-shirt on, it has to have a collar.

Cab fare from Ninoy Airport out to Angeles City can be had for P1500, in fact, I've done it for P1000. You may have to also pay a slight amount more for the gas and a tip.

If you want to really save some money take a cab to the Rabbit Bus Station in Pasay for about P60, which is about 1.5 miles or so from the airport. Then get a one-way fare for P77 to Dau, which is just 1.5 miles from the Fields Ave. area of Angeles City. That trike fare from Dau to Fields Ave. will be about P30 or P40. That's how the natives do it and the busses depart at all hours.

An alternative is to use the "Fly the Bus" offered by the Swagman Hotels, the one-way cost is about P400. If you book in their hotel in Ermita the first night, they'll pick you up at the airport for free and in the morning you can catch either the 8am or Noon or 3pm busses. Their busses all make trips back to Manila when you are ready to go, however they never have busses that get me there anywhere near the early morning flight that Northwest Airlines has out of Manila. So, you'll have to take a bus the day before and check into a hotel in Manila. Manila hotels are overpriced! I'd rather check with the Island Tours business at 886 and see if they have any vans headed back to Manila on the day you want to leave, so that not a night is wasted in Angeles City. Their van fee is P1500 or so and if you happen to share the ride with one or more, you'll just divide the P1500 fee amongst yourselves. Their van is often leaving at 4am or so to get you to the airport in time for you morning flight. The cheaper method is to take the Rabbit bus at Dau (near Fields Ave. area) but that is a little bit more involved and maybe not recommended for beginners.

It is just astounding that for between P800 and P1000 (that's $19 or $23.80!) you can have as your companion a beautiful 18 year old the whole night and most of the next day. It puts the overnight prices quoted by the TJ bargirls at a laughable shame! Guys, do yourself a favor and get over there, they love Americans. I've seen fares at $540 r/t (LA or SF to Manila), so then your daily costs for transportation, hotel, lady, drinks and food are going to be about $60 to $80 per day! That's a bargain!

Bingo, which carrier is quoting $540 out of LA?

I too would like to know which carrier goes out of LA for $540. I've been a courier out of San Fran for $400 but LA is much more convenient and the extra $140 is well worth the lack of hassle.

a courier whats that?
how do i get a $400 ticket out of sf?
thats dirt cheap to me, i cant find anything under $600.
thanks

Cheng Ho, I'm ready to start planning for our world tour 2001.
SB

What good shopping is available at the malls? Also, what time of year is considered peak and off-peak. Thanks in advance. RW

In Makati, there's a huge mall about 1 mile away from the street where all the main girlie bars are. It's a pretty big mall even by Western Standards. Lots of modern shops.

In Angeles, there's Savers Mall which is on MacArthur Highway about 1 mile from the main bars on Fields. Not much there at all. It feels more like a swapmeet more than anything else.

The only good shopping is in the bars. Best place in the world to get a bargain on a companion that I can think of.

What kind of attire does everyone wear into the bars are night? Is it super casual (ie: shorts and tee shirt/golf shirt. Are long pants required in some of the clubs? Thanks in advance. RW

GoCeltics-
IMO - Makati is more formal Jeans - slacks collar on shirt is typical (you will see many Japanese business men there), Angeles is casual though if you dress like you were going to a club in the U.S. it will definatly go over well. The only place in Angeles with a dress code is the casino.

Scooter

It's interesting about attire. In my research in preparing for Angeles City last year, I read somewhere (I don't remember now) that the girls seem to give you a better response when you are wearing pants. The report I read was from a guy who had done an experiment. He went in shorts most of the week and his response w/ the girls was good. But, he noticed as soon as he donned pants/trousers the girls were much more responsive to him in the bars.

Irregardless, you'll have a good time in the Philippines even if you dress like a slob. But, I would say 95% of the time you'll see most guys (both tourists and ex-pats) in t-shirts and shorts. Remember, its usually 90+ degrees with lots of humidity.

Scooter,

Check your mail.

Harry

What happened to Cheng Ho? I can use his words of wisdom.

Harry

Scooter,

What is the casino like in AC? Do you have a name? My other vise is black-jack! ... (prog)

The casino in AC is called Casino Filipino.

Here's a post off of the AC2 board by a poster:
"The Casino Filipino, is a quick jaunt up MacAurthur towards AC proper. It does sit a ways back off the road. There were card games galore, and the place was packed at night. Alas as i found out in April they no longer had a craps table.

Whatever you do, don't get into any card games with the locals outside a casino."

Another poster:
"I have stopped by there not this last trip in Feb, but a couple of times before, they have a P500 enter fee, but it is given back to gamble with once you enter.
I donot remember a crap table, but they do have live black jack tables.
They do pat you down out side to see if you are holing a wepon, and also you must have LONG PANTS on, or else you will not be allowed to enter."

Another:
"Yes they have crap tables. I don't know the odds. Minimum is P20. It's quite lively on weekend nights. Locals gotta "show money" to get in. Foreigners usually get in hassle free. Check the Bacarrat tables...you will see the "other" filipinos. P20,000 per bet!!!!!!"

And yet another:
"The dice table odds are 'normal,' tho they wouldn't let me bet double/triple odds behind the line or on the numbers.

They are quite picky about shoes/shirts/pants. I was wearing flip flops the first time I tried to get in and even tho I offered a goodly number of Pesos, they wouldn't let me in."

Hope this helps!

Thanks N8guy... Good stuff... (prog)

I was just in Manila in March and checked out the casino by the airport. There was a small entry fee of about 500 pesos or so. I played a little Blackjack on a 300 peso to 5000 peso limit table. Not sure how high the limits go. The thing I didn't like was the dealer had no hole card so you take your hits and then the dealer takes his second card. It takes a little different strategy from normal because you are trying to set up thru your hits what second card the dealer gets. Also other players can side bet on your hand.

Call Jupiter Air at 1-650-635-1700 for courier rates.

There are a couple things that need to be clarified to this guide.
1. The departure tax is 550 pesos not 1,000
2. Traveler's checks can be cashed but with a 6% surcharge. The only mongering place where TC are such a hassle. I hate carrying too much cash so I split it up between cash, my ATM and TC's. This way there is always an alternative if you lose your ATM or get robbed or your deposit box is emptied by an unscrupulous employee.
3. Deposit boxes-The Apartelle Royal has in room safes. IN room safes are better because YOU decide the combination, making it nearly impossible for anyone to get access to your dough.

Visa card can NOT be used to withdraw money from any ATM in AC.

I tried several ATM's using my Citibank Visa card without success. The Mastercard logo was displayed on most machines, but the VISA logo was sadly absent, and my card did not work. None of the banks would give a cash advance on my card.

Eventually I was told by a bank cashier that Equitable bank was the only one in town that gave cash advances, I found one on Mac Arthur Highway, ten minutes walk from the Orchid Inn, and finally got some pesos.

The Orchid Inn will give cash advances but only for a 6 percent fee, eek!

You can also draw with your visa at the ATM just inside the main gate. A 5 minute walk from Margarita Station. This is a PNB machine.

After a 7 year absence, I'm back on Club Hombre. I'm surprised, and actually quite please to see my original post is still on the website. I originally typed this out for Redsnake prior to the site closure. Thank you much to everyone at Club Hombre. (I'm retired now) A woman in Thailand shut down the playa. She's good though and worth it. I miss the good old times though. That's what brought me back in here. The site has really grown. It's good to see.

Y'all keep up the good work and make sure we're all informed. I just came back from Dubai. Someone should really look into updating that post. A lot has changed from '06 to '08.

Y'all be easy.

Cheng (now known as Marley10)

Mahalo