New to Manila
 

Hi,

I have recently been posted to Manila by the office, I'll be here for 18 months. Everyone here is very welcoming and friendly - however I was still wondering how to make contact if anyone from home is around. Things seem quite quiet on the net - any advice? Embassy and BritCouncil not that helpful....

Re: New to Manila
 

There are British chaps scattered around the Philippines and you can read about life on a couple of forums on the Yahoo groups : cebu_britclub and another one is philippine_living_island_paradise, the latter is mostly American but is busy with everyone.. do you like the Kari Kari with Bagoong ??:p

Re: New to Manila
 

Yes there are a fair few of us about on the island of Cebu. I think you will meet a lot in the malls like SM.

Re: New to Manila
 

Let me just make it clear: will you be staying in Manila or Cebu? In Manila I think there are far more Brits living there (but engaged in business I presume) but down south in Cebu you'll find more tourists (because of the beaches, etc.). What do you mean that the embassy has not been of much help?

Are you asking by what means you can contact anyone from home--is home Manila or the UK?


:thumbup:


If you've found advice elsewhere I hope you're having a nice time wherever you are located right now.

Re: New to Manila
 

It doesn't take long to make friends, and there are always plenty of Brits about in the malls especially in Manila or Quezon. Most are tourists, but there are a fair few permanent residents as well.
The coffee shops in SM attract a lot of Europeans. I guess by now you will have made a fair few friends, especially amongst the Filipinos, they will know all the good places.

Re: New to Manila
 

Hello gentlejitsuka,

I guess you will have already settled in by now, but just in case...I'm in the same boat, I have just started a posting here for a year, living in Makati. I have plenty of Filipino friends from my office, but as I'm on my own it would be nice to meet another brit occasionally.

I have noticed one or two around, but just marching up to someone's restaurant table and introducing yourself is a pretty scary prospect!

Anyway if you fancy meeting up for an iced tea let me know.

Rhys

Re: New to Manila
 

Yes, well said, all very well saying lots of Brits around but making contact is scary......nod and smile maybe? pretty scary. Suggest thinking of a hobby or sport that interest you and seeking a group of members. The hobby can be almost anything lets face it, give it a try and in the mean time make contacts.

I will build myself a sailing boat from a plan I've ordered from the US and already I'm on a website with English speaking members, similar minded and feeling an "affinity" with them. One member actually quoted "I Dunno" so that comment made made me smile. Another suggestion was to to fill bouancy parts with empty plastic coke bottles, sticking one to the mast top to prevent one going fully turtle!

Wish you luck.

BUT .. do consider the sincerity of all contacts because we do attract all types of people with different motives ;)

Re: New to Manila
 

Hey guys,

Sorry I didn't reply - I've been offline for some time because I've had issues with the internet at home - it doesn't bear going into!

Yeah I've met a fair few people since I came here and made friends - still a limited number of brits though! It's a wonder where they all go. Or where we all go. I know that I'm here..... {=P

Is it just that we're not good with the internet or something?

Re: New to Manila
 

Single chaps in the Philippines don't stay that way for very long, there's a partner for you however odd you look or behave.......but beware it is a "Minefield" !
I use the forums a lot before I came over here but now only do so on the odd occasion when I have the spare time. Other Brits are probably the same, happily busy with their lives and spouses. Pubs and meeting places are few and far apart except in the city centres. In the provinces, its not the place to find nice girls out with their friends for a drink or chat. Black as pitch round here after 9pm and quiet.
To find a bar for Brits a tip would be to follow some of the chaps from the Embassy into the "grean belt" where they would be having a bite during the lunch time....worth a try?

When we have used the malls I've observed most of the foreingers hoping to find the "Mr Average" and lock glances for the innitial contact however I've never met anyone like this and only see huge chaps with ill-fitting clothes over beer bellies accompanied by "dolly" type Filipina spouses in tight skirts and dangly earings ..... sorry but it irks me when I see these couples. The other day we saw a young family obviously a foreinger and Filipina wife with two young children and both well heeled on a shopping trip........wonderful and a rare sight......now I'll come off my orange box!



Yeah I've met a fair few people since I came here and made friends - still a limited number of brits though! It's a wonder where they all go. Or where we all go. I know that I'm here..... {=P

Is it just that we're not good with the internet or something?[/QUOTE]

Re: New to Manila
 

[I am from the UK to working here M single looking for Brits to go out and have a laugh with.Are still in manila if yes which part???[/B]

Re: New to Manila
 

Ru still in Manila now which part ?I am A single 32 year old brit working here for 3 years looking to meet some brits go out and have a laugh and a drink.
Get back to if your still here

Re: New to Manila
 

hi yeah i am still in manila .....i live in q.city if you know that thomas morato ?
have a wife but dont got out ..but only with her would love to meet up with a fello brit ......

just to have a chat and a few drinks that sort of stuff my email is [email protected] get back if you want to meet up ...
thanks carl

to all you Brits !!!
 

Hello I have read your posts and wander if your still here? I am in Marikina but can go anywhere for a few beers and a chat at anytime if anybody fancys meeting up. I am 32,English and have been here for 2 months,
look forward to some replys ??

Re: New to Manila
 

Yes I'm still about, but I live in Cebu. I always look out for posts from the Philippines.

Re: to all you Brits !!!
 

hi its hughes 26 yeah would love too meet up just send me an email ..
[email protected]