Vacation to Philippines...any advice/comments?

[copperportfolio]

Hello everyone...Im going to college pretty soon, and I decided to go back to Philippines for vacation. I will be travelling alone, staying with my great-aunt in St. Ignatius, Quezon City ( Know the place?If you do, can you tell me about it. Never been there). However the recent violence is really giving me second thoughts. Also I spoke a person who recently came back from the Philippines and they say that they had as experience with a mugging. So is it really safe to be back there?

Also If I do decide to spend sometime in the Philippines, what things should I do or shouldn't do, what not to wear...what not to say...

Hey know any night spots??? Or a nice place to take in the filipino spirit? Thanks for all the help you can give...

:walkman2:

[clawed_out]

just dont wear jewelries, dont flash your wallet/ money/ anything that can be stolen from you... keep it well hidden

as much as possible magsalita ka ng tagalog for easy blending

the entire capital is one big night spot


every city has its own watering hole etc etc..

enjoy & take care

[copperportfolio]

Thanks for the help...so basically I need to blend in with the public. Well that shouldn't be too hard...but I don't know if my tagalog is the best. I'll just be careful about what I say...

:walkman2:

[donstruan]

You don't have to say a word. You will stick out like a sore thumb. How old are you? 18? 20? It may take some time to get used to a lot of the things there. But I would trade places with you in a heartbeat dude. It sounds like you are interested in having a good time there. It will be hard for you not to!

:dance:

[copperportfolio]

Yea I guess your right...I will be very noticable. But I know for a fact sticking out like a sore thumb is bad.

My cousin, when he took a vacation a couple of years back. He got into a car chase with a filipino actor...He almost got into a big fight with the actor at the club. He said it was scary...but like you said it will be a lot of fun...can't wait...

:walkman2:

[c0ngster]

Originally posted by copperportfolio
Hello everyone...Im going to college pretty soon, and I decided to go back to Philippines for vacation. I will be travelling alone, staying with my great-aunt in St. Ignatius, Quezon City ( Know the place?If you do, can you tell me about it. Never been there).

i know a lot of people in st. ig. what street does your aunt live in?

[heymikey]

Originally posted by copperportfolio
My cousin, when he took a vacation a couple of years back. He got into a car chase with a filipino actor...He almost got into a big fight with the actor at the club. He said it was scary... What's the actor's name?

[copperportfolio]

Originally posted by c0ngster


i know a lot of people in st. ig. what street does your aunt live in?

I don't know the specific address she lives at...so can you tell me something about the place?


I don't know if I should tell, but...Well my mother said it was an actor named Marc Anthony? Supposedly he gets into all sorts of trouble...

[clawed_out]

will be there this week

i cant wait!

mark anthony yung payatot na singer? oh wait puerto rican nga pala yon...

ah yung fernandez ang surname, yeah, i heard about his mishaps

when will you be going?

[c0ngster]

Originally posted by copperportfolio
I don't know the specific address she lives at...so can you tell me something about the place?


its a subdivision where everybody knows everybody. just like white plains and blue ridge, it used to be exclusive, 20 or so years ago. there are still SOME rich folk, but the a lot of them moved to more affluent subdivisions.

[raven23]

St. Ignatius is one of the so-called 'exclusive' subdivisions on the Katipunan strip (this side of Aurora), between White Plains and Blue Ridge.

It's one of the ideal spots in the Metro being in close proximity to Libis, the Ortigas area, even Greenhills.

This means that Megamall, Galleria, Shangri-la, and Greenhills are within 15 mins drive on light traffic.

While it's officially in Quezon City, it's also relatively in the 'middle' of the metro. So, Makati, Pasig, Cainta, Antipolo and Timog/T. Morato/Quezon Ave. are all within reasonable travel times.

All this means that the major shopping & gimmick areas are quite accessible if you have a car.

St. Ignatius is also pretty quiet, and being smaller than White Plains or Blue Ridge means the community is close-knit, like c0ngster says.

Finally, don't worry about the bombings / kidnappings / crime. Crime has always been there, kidnapping will still be there, and the bombings are just a recent spat of national dissidence -- no real terrorism here in the Phils anyway.

You'd best to be more mindful of your wallet and cellular phone in Greenhills or Manila.

[copperportfolio]

Hey thanks everybody for all the info on St. Ig...it sounds like a very nice place to be. Oo! Shopping...well I gotta save some money then, can't wait to be there...

Well right now I didn't set a date yet but if I am going it'll be either this Christmas or Easter season...which is better?

LOL...yes Marc Anthony the filipino actor. I said that to my mom too...I was wondering why Marc Anthony the Puerto Rican would be in Philippines, picking a fight with my cousin...

[iara]

try to avoid public transportation as much as possible. too many people get held-up while riding jeeps, buses and fx'es.

easter or christmas vacation? christmas definitely! they say pinoys celebrate this season like no other. you'll have to experience it for yourself to know what i mean.

[copperportfolio]

Well the only thing i hear about transportation, is the BAD traffic...Although my parents have mentioned stories of some of my family memebers being "held up", they said it was almost a kidnap. From the airport they took a taxi or other form of transportation and they got held up, they took their money and their luggage.

My relatives joked around saying that they will hire a bodyguard for me...my aunt in the Philippines said she'll hire someone "just incase", although I think thats overdoing it. Have you seen people with bodyguards around? I think thats wierd...

Oh I know Christmas is fun...I have been in the Philippines before during Christmas and Easter but I was young back then....I really can't remember specifics. All I remember is a lot of fire works...You right there, isn't anything quite like a filipino Christmas...But Easter celebrations are interesting too...specially the crucifixtions.

[iara]

only if you're planning to go to cutud, pampanga for the holy week. that's where the more popular crucifixions are held.

anyway, it would be useful for you to know that a holy week/easter vacation won't exactly be as exciting as a christmas one. remember that everything grounds to a halt during holy week - no malls, no bars, no places to go to. you'll be stuck at home for a couple of days with nothing to do.

[copperportfolio]

Hey! well...I guess you right. However its nice to go back to the province and meet up with the family I guess. Christmas is nearing and I still haven't made up my mind. Knowing me, my procrastination will catch up soon enough.

Anyone know where the best shopping is around, I appreciate that. Now how about the nightlife scene. Any specific recomendations and "no-no's"?? I'd really like to get around and bar hop (I've heard the extravegant night life) :D

Also...Bagio is near my province...we'll probably visit. How dangerous is it to get there? My grandmother cautions me not to go there...why? :wondering: