Beware if you travel alone to the Philippines

[extremerecluse 32]

Back in October when I traveled to meet my fiance in the Philippines this occurred. I get off the plane around 11:30PM. I go through immigration with no problems. I get my bags. A Filipino I befriended on the plane showed me where to go to exchange money pesos. I exit the terminal and find a security guard at his podium. The guard gets my attention and asks me who is waiting for me. I tell him "my fiance". He asks me what her name is. I tell him. He asks me where she will meet me. I tell him I don't know exactly. He starts to interrogate me. You don't know? Yes. Well do you know her phone number? A: My phone will not work here. Q: You can Get SIM card and load over their. I did as he instructed me. I purchased a SIM Card and load and it did not work after he installed it. More security guards arrived but they were too apprehensive to get involved. My phones battery happened to be dead. The guard instructed me to charge it with the outlet on the wall. I was getting really nervous about this fiasco they were putting me through. The guard then asked me to give him my fiances phone number after the phone was charged enough to work. I showed him the number in my phone memory. He called it and my fiance answered. He asked her where she was and she was 75 feet away waiting outside in the waiting area. The other security guard came to me and asked"What are you going to give to us for helping you? I asked him "What?". Can you give us something? Then I knew what they were out to get from the start. I was too tired to make a stink or complain. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a fresh 500php bill and handed it to them. Plus they kept my SIM Card and Load. The next day I contacted the airport manager and explained what happened through phone and email. I could have easily found my fiance by following the other people out of the terminal, but these corrupt individuals had other ideas in mind. I could not believe what happened as I was resting the following day with my fiance. I am warning all of you who are traveling alone. Find someone on the plane who can walk you through or stay with you until you meet your loved one. The rest of my trip was a pure pleasure.

[happyblessedme 12]

I hate to say it since i am also from the Philippines. That is their modus operandi to make extra money. I went home in November 2010.. and the same situation happened to me.. I used their phone to call my mom who was just outside the waiting area waiting for me.

The good thing is i am also Filipino so i already smell something fishy is going to happen. I did not buy a new simcard but i did use their cellphone till i was able to reach my mom. I gave the guard only 2 $1 bill(LOL),,and he even complained so i said to him whatt???

Go walk the entire building and see if u can find a dollar bill and left with a smile on my face...

Edited May 3, 2011 by happyblessedme

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

These kinds of things not only happen in the Philippines. It happens in India as well.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You got off lucky. You probably would have gotten rolled in a US airport.

[HappyInHawaii 6]

Ok, heres my little story, not as bad as your though.

My fiend and are looking for a taxi from NAIA1 to 3, and we walk up to the white cab, a kid who works there opens the door to the cab and asks for a tip, I try give him 50 peso, we had no luggage, there was no line, no waiting, he just opened the door.

The kid said its not enough, he wanted 200 peso, I took my 50 back and said fine and got in the cab. My male friend (1st time in PH), embarrassed gave him the 200 pesos.

Thats like a $4 or $5 tip just to open the door.

Hehhee, I laugh now, but at the time, I was a little mad about the kids attitude. But I never did anything about it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ok, heres my little story, not as bad as your though.

My fiend and are looking for a taxi from NAIA1 to 3, and we walk up to the white cab, a kid who works there opens the door to the cab and asks for a tip, I try give him 50 peso, we had no luggage, there was no line, no waiting, he just opened the door.

The kid said its not enough, he wanted 200 peso, I took my 50 back and said fine and got in the cab. My male friend (1st time in PH), embarrassed gave him the 200 pesos.

Thats like a $4 or $5 tip just to open the door.

Hehhee, I laugh now, but at the time, I was a little mad about the kids attitude. But I never did anything about it.

I took the wife to a Chinese restaurant off a side street near Roxas Blvd. Coming out, a young man was kind enough to flag a taxi for us. He looked like he expected something, so I gave him the wife's leftovers from dinner. Boy was she pissed!

[charlize56 4]

My fiance visited me last year[march 2010]at 10;30pm via japan airlines,so i waited there inside the greeters area at the 2nd floor,i was at the left side and my kidz were on the right side[alphabetical] i waited till 11pm stil didnt see him so i was nervous,then my phone rang and a lady talked to me asking me about my name,so i was so confused who was this lady? then she told me my fiance was scared to go outside if im not there bcoz i told him about aiports here arent safe,[sorry to tell it but thats the truth]...then i said tell him to go outside coz im here waiting for him,my fiance tolds me that lady was selling simcard inside the airport,but then another call from a man used to be a policeman helping my fiance to find a taxi but he said im waiting for him,its hard for me to understnad what that man was tellin me bcoz he speaks bisayan language[im pure tagalog]so i was confused again why theres many people who interacting between me and my fiancee in his arrival?!,,,but im glad that my fiance listened to what i said before his flights that dont trust strangers just wait for me and i will be there.when i saw him,,, my brother went inside the greeters area and tolds him im waiting outside,cant get through coz theres many many people that night!

[extremerecluse 32]

Oh well, I really feel sorry about this bad experience happened to my fiance OP (USC)..So sad that most of the people here in the Philippines are taking advantage especially to foreigners.. actually It happens twice,in the airport then in the phil.postal service.it's been 7 weeks now since he send me a priority mail small box containing important stuffs... Now, even me a filipina, hate those BUWAYA in my country!!!

[uverseman 5]

Back in October when I traveled to meet my fiance in the Philippines this occurred. I get off the plane around 11:30PM. I go through immigration with no problems. I get my bags. A Filipino I befriended on the plane showed me where to go to exchange money pesos. I exit the terminal and find a security guard at his podium. The guard gets my attention and asks me who is waiting for me. I tell him "my fiance". He asks me what her name is. I tell him. He asks me where she will meet me. I tell him I don't know exactly. He starts to interrogate me. You don't know? Yes. Well do you know her phone number? A: My phone will not work here. Q: You can Get SIM card and load over their. I did as he instructed me. I purchased a SIM Card and load and it did not work after he installed it. More security guards arrived but they were too apprehensive to get involved. My phones battery happened to be dead. The guard instructed me to charge it with the outlet on the wall. I was getting really nervous about this fiasco they were putting me through. The guard then asked me to give him my fiances phone number after the phone was charged enough to work. I showed him the number in my phone memory. He called it and my fiance answered. He asked her where she was and she was 75 feet away waiting outside in the waiting area. The other security guard came to me and asked"What are you going to give to us for helping you? I asked him "What?". Can you give us something? Then I knew what they were out to get from the start. I was too tired to make a stink or complain. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a fresh 500php bill and handed it to them. Plus they kept my SIM Card and Load. The next day I contacted the airport manager and explained what happened through phone and email. I could have easily found my fiance by following the other people out of the terminal, but these corrupt individuals had other ideas in mind. I could not believe what happened as I was resting the following day with my fiance. I am warning all of you who are traveling alone. Find someone on the plane who can walk you through or stay with you until you meet your loved one. The rest of my trip was a pure pleasure.

Something similiar happened my first trip. But after living there for 3 months and then returning for a third trip, I just ignored the guard when he ask me what I was waiting for. I just told him don't worry about me, I know what I'm doing and they never pushed the issue.

Once when my fiancee and I visited Camiguin Island and when the ferry arrived all the filippinos rushed the boat to grab the bags hoping to get big tips.. I just held on to the bag and gave dirty looks and when they insisted on carrying it and called me cheap in bisayan, my finacee screamed at them "heck yeah he's thrifty, why do you think he has money"

Staying in Mindanao I very rarely had any issues like I did in Manila. In fact everything in Mindanao is cheaper and people there much more friendlier than I found in other places. I intend to Live in Davao in several years hopefully.

[Richie Rich 70]

I have many stories also . First when at the Manila airport - when using the Bathroom (CR) --an attendant brought me some water to wash my hands (since they were no running water ) and asked for 500 pesos .I gived him 100 pesos . Secondly , I was in Cebu and was at Kawasan falls (tourist site ) .A guy followed us along the path to the falls and when we came out --he said I owed him 300 pesos as his tour guide .I did not ask for one and he did not provide any service . He insisted and only beacuse I was with my fiancee --I gived him 50 pesos. He was mad . Also while eating at the resort at the falls --they charged me a ''sitting fee '' of 500 pesos. I just sat for about 10m mins and ate at the site . It is ridicoulous --they think we make money --lol . Many times I objected to giving in to them , but only because I was with my fiancee --I did not wish to create a stink . I am much wiser now . but as many said beware .

[HappyInHawaii 6]

I took the wife to a Chinese restaurant off a side street near Roxas Blvd. Coming out, a young man was kind enough to flag a taxi for us. He looked like he expected something, so I gave him the wife's leftovers from dinner. Boy was she pissed!

These stories a great, Im beginning to like this topic.

[Utha 10]

Glad that bad people in airport not in Indonesian airport only.

[George & Gina 29]

I have many stories also . First when at the Manila airport - when using the Bathroom (CR) --an attendant brought me some water to wash my hands (since they were no running water ) and asked for 500 pesos .I gived him 100 pesos . Secondly , I was in Cebu and was at Kawasan falls (tourist site ) .A guy followed us along the path to the falls and when we came out --he said I owed him 300 pesos as his tour guide .I did not ask for one and he did not provide any service . He insisted and only beacuse I was with my fiancee --I gived him 50 pesos. He was mad . Also while eating at the resort at the falls --they charged me a ''sitting fee '' of 500 pesos. I just sat for about 10m mins and ate at the site . It is ridicoulous --they think we make money --lol . Many times I objected to giving in to them , but only because I was with my fiancee --I did not wish to create a stink . I am much wiser now . but as many said beware .

Wow...

All that needed to be done was for your fiancee to complain or fuss at them. They only ever try things like that when I'm alone. People giving in and giving them any money at all is what keeps them coming back for more. And if you fell for the "sitting fee", well....

BTW, this entire thread would fit better in the Philippines regional forum since is has absolutely nothing to IR-1/CR1.

[digital82 3]

These kinds of things not only happen in the Philippines. It happens in India as well.

Ha Ha Ha I agree... When ever i go to India i have 100 rupee($2) note ready for the Corrupt Official Customs Beggars on the airport...

[HappyInHawaii 6]

I know its only 20 peso's, but heres the story -

We rented a little motorcycle "motor" they call it. Going to the mall Im driving up looking to park next to all the other "motors" and the parking attendant came out, the attendant and my finace Lisa jibber jabbered back and forth and then she told me where to park. He said 20 peso, I gave her 20 peso, she gave it to him and he gave her a little ticket and dissapeared.

As we walked into the mall I was thinking something up with the parking. I had Lisa ask the security about the parking, she showed them the ticket. Find out, there is no parking attendent. We had a good laugh. My sweet filipina not so street smart, but thats one of the many reasons I love her. I should have saved the ticket and an attached a notorised story for proof of relationship. just joke

Hey, what kind of story did you expect for 20 pesos?