Is Manilla Really so Bad?

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dashadow said:
I've never been to the Philippines, but I would offer one piece of advice for any single male going there. Be careful, or you'll end up leaving with a wife in tow. :)
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Likely this will happen because already I have someone special in Marikina, a suburb of Manila. I heard it is the crowd, driving, and some sport crimes are bad. Pocket picking are common there.. so be smart with your ID and cash.. hide elsewhere where they will NOT be able to reach in your clothes.

My gf said of those things. Better get a taxi or jeepnays or something like that.

If you are going alone, better get a friend to go with you for safety reason if you are going into more dangerous area otherwise, you are gonna be fine.
 
I lived in Pasay city for about 6 months as a westerner and traveled around by myself in jeepneys all the time. Manila is a more dangerous city then many, but as long as you dont make yourself a target your fine. Its very different to Usa or Europe though. there were regular fires and some fights in my condo building, but also the neigbours were alot more friendly then in the west - often bringing me a plate of food etc. Alot of places in Manila you are much less of a target imo as all eyes are on you. I would rather ride a jeepney then a taxi if alone though if going somewhere not familiar with. Manila is ok. lots to do, but the provinces has some amazingly beautiful spots
 
I read an article about how many people get killed each day in Manila... in traffic related accidents.

The number was enormous.
I think driving in Manila is a frightening idea... but it may be safer to be a driver than a pedestrian.
I'd rather be surrounded by steel.
: )
 
maxwel said:
I read an article about how many people get killed each day in Manila... in traffic related accidents.

The number was enormous.
I think driving in Manila is a frightening idea... but it may be safer to be a driver than a pedestrian.
I'd rather be surrounded by steel.
: )
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Is it as bad as Russia? Man those Russian sure know how to have traffic accidents.
 
wisebeardman said:
Is it as bad as Russia? Man those Russian sure know how to have traffic accidents.
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In my opinion compared to USA Europe its terrible
Have no experience of driving in Russia
Compared to some other asian countries Philippines is quite good, and I quite enjoyed it outside of Manila as there were not many Cars on the road (compared to here) and of course the beautiful scenery :). I have a Philippine Licence, and have driven there. Driving in Manila is the most stressful thing I have ever done! I have driven in Bangkok, China, and more ruraly (and not legally :( ) Sri lanka and Cambodia, awell as My home country and europe

But the speed is not such an issue in Manila, I think alot of fatalities are the way people are crowded into cabs or Jeepneys that any crash will cause serious problems, and obviously no seatbelts. Also its quite hard for emergency services to reach people given the constant traffic problems, and I have seen (well only one time) somebody unconsious after a crash with 3 young guys come and pick their wallet from the pocket then run off
 
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if u want to ride a taxi just make sure the meter is plugged in,many taxi drivers abuse tourists ( even Filipino tourists). Dont agree with a certain amount raised by the driver.. :)
 
maxwel said:
I read an article about how many people get killed each day in Manila... in traffic related accidents.

The number was enormous.
I think driving in Manila is a frightening idea... but it may be safer to be a driver than a pedestrian.
I'd rather be surrounded by steel.
: )
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yes, one of the hardest thing to do in Manila is to cross the street without traffic lights. u must be alert
 
hon2294 said:
yes, one of the hardest thing to do in Manila is to cross the street without traffic lights. u must be alert
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That sounds frightening, lol.

I guess when I visit Manila I'll just stay on one side of the street the whole time.
: )
 
maxwel said:
That sounds frightening, lol.

I guess when I visit Manila I'll just stay on one side of the street the whole time.
: )
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LOL can be.. u can also ride a taxi to be safer haha but make sure the meter is plugged in :D
 
hon2294 said:
yes, one of the hardest thing to do in Manila is to cross the street without traffic lights. u must be alert
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This is for the smallr streets, right. The main thoroughfares have lights, dont they? I was from manila, but has long moved to the countryside.
If you have business in Manila, Max, then you may need to stay part of the time there, but there are nearby provinces not as crowded and traffic as bad. Baguio city quite far up north, but hopefully central Luzon, and south Luzon mainland wc includes Laguna and Quezon, are not so 'bad.' Of course it depends if you want ot go down south to Palawan or even Mindanao, where i havent been to, however. Your missionary friends could go with you to places where they feel comfortable and safe.
 
I'm sure there are lots of wonderful things to see and do in Manila.
It IS one of the largest cities in the world,
and it is officially, by all standards, considered a "world class" city.

However, I really have seen some insane statistics on traffic fatalities.

I've decided to either never cross any streets,
or travel in an armored car.
: )
 
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UpstateNYChristianBro said:
Likely this will happen because already I have someone special in Marikina, a suburb of Manila. I heard it is the crowd, driving, and some sport crimes are bad. Pocket picking are common there.. so be smart with your ID and cash.. hide elsewhere where they will NOT be able to reach in your clothes.

My gf said of those things. Better get a taxi or jeepnays or something like that.

If you are going alone, better get a friend to go with you for safety reason if you are going into more dangerous area otherwise, you are gonna be fine.
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This is true. I was recently the victim of snatchers, getting away with my wallet. First time ever it happened to me, here on a bus in Metro Manila. Also several recent attempts from thieves trying to open my backpack. During the soon ten years I've stayed here haven't been so bad as it is now. Many police I've talked to say there is a big increase in these kind of crimes. Especially foreigners must be alert and take all safety measures they can!
 
tribesman said:
This is true. I was recently the victim of snatchers, getting away with my wallet. First time ever it happened to me, here on a bus in Metro Manila. Also several recent attempts from thieves trying to open my backpack. During the soon ten years I've stayed here haven't been so bad as it is now. Many police I've talked to say there is a big increase in these kind of crimes. Especially foreigners must be alert and take all safety measures they can!
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Is this corroborated by others here, or maybe by some news stories, or statistics?
I'm curious if this is quantifiable and statistical or just anecdotal.

If it is really happening, then I'm curious to know the reasons.
 
maxwel said:
Is this corroborated by others here, or maybe by some news stories, or statistics?
I'm curious if this is quantifiable and statistical or just anecdotal.

If it is really happening, then I'm curious to know the reasons.
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Local media are quite reluctant to have the word out about anything that can be taken as portraying PH in a bad light. However, careful reportage is yet being done. One may google for example increase of crime rate in the philippines to find some media coverage.
 
I looked at some crime statistics; it's hard to tell what's really going on from a few statistics.
The police say official crime statistics have only gone up because reporting methods have changed.
I think polices forces everywhere say the same thing whenever crime goes up, but...
it looks like the Philippines may have actually changed some reporting methods.

It's really hard to tell from the statistics and articles I saw.
 
As far as American business people over there, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said their members aren't having any particular problems. They also said, you were "more likely to be killed in a street accident than in a crime..."

That makes me feel much better about the crime, but much worse about the traffic, lol.
: )
 
maxwel said:
I looked at some crime statistics; it's hard to tell what's really going on from a few statistics.
The police say official crime statistics have only gone up because reporting methods have changed.
I think polices forces everywhere say the same thing whenever crime goes up, but...
it looks like the Philippines may have actually changed some reporting methods.

It's really hard to tell from the statistics and articles I saw.
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Every country is more or less reluctant to admit a significant rise in their crime rate. And here we have one. Different report methods I am less sure about. However, in general there seems to be a trend everywhere these days to report the smallest thing on earth and file for the maximum penalties. Other than that there is a demographic explosion here in Metro Manila, with loads up people moving in from the provinces, some areas being heavily affected. Not a few of these people are uneducated and desperately poor. It follows that some end up in the dark side. These days finding a fairly well english speaking person is not to be taken for granted. When I came here everybody spoke english well. Now, you sometimes in some settings have to look around for an english speaking person (happened to us even at a big hospital, yesterday). And, yes, I certainly caution anyone of the traffic here. Its really terrible! I do not drive myself here in Manila. Recently saw a "kano" in a traffic accident with a bus. How much ever he was not to blame for it, I am sure he must pay. Hope he have a good insurance.
 
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Is Manilla Really so Bad

a continuation of the above..........As to why its bad luck;* Who really knows.* Maybe for the same reason that its considered bad luck for a dog to sit next to a pregnant woman...........cultural beliefs, arent they great?
 
WhiteWolfOfTheBlackForest said:
Interesting thread! Maxwel, did you end up traveling to Manila or still planning to go?

Have any Fillipinas here been to the Autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao?
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The A.R.M.M. region isn't really a recommended area for foreigners.

I would assume it's fairly safe for the average Filipino though... at least for a visit.
 
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