Money exchange rates
by bulldogtwo
Sorry to differ, but you should always be getting a better rate for a hundred dollar bill versus a 50 or 20 bill. If not, go somewhere else that will give you a better rate. This is usually the case in all of the SEAsian countries, at least any country I have been to.
The rates may be comparable at the airport versus in town, but generally speaking you can get better rates in town. Money exchangers are all over, in the malls for the most part.
The only big difference that I have found from one country to the next is whether to take travel cheques. Some countries will give you better rates for cheques than actual dollars, some will not.
Good luck
Tipping Tips in Manila!
by machomikemd
Tipping is common in Manila, and anything above 10% will gain you undying loyalty.
Restaurants: Even if a service charge is included, custom dictates adding another 5%-10% to the
bill.
Porters: Service in top hotels is good and should be rewarded with 20 pesos per bag.
Taxis: Most cabs are metered, and rounding up to the next five pesos is a good rule of thumb.
Taxi Drivers Always Have an Angle
by AKtravelers
First, you can tell that the taxi drivers of Manila have a good sense of humor -- just look at this sign that they have painted on the back of their cabs. What a joke! You would take down the Manila telecommunications infrastructure if you called or texted anytime you saw unsafe driving by a taxi! But you will also find that the cabbies are amiable once you start talking to them. However, you will also notice that many of the drivers tend to use their 30 minutes with you as a chance to sell you on something. Most of these guys have some affiliation with a night club, and they'll try to persuade you to go there -- and obviously they want to drive you there and come in with you so that they can get credit for you. If you are asingle male or a male with another male colleague, these bars wil usually be strip clubs or places where you can buy women -- at least that's what we mostly heard touted. I have no idea what happens when you take a cabbie up on such an offer.
Daing Na Bangus (marinated milkfish in vinegar)
by machomikemd
The milkfish, Chanos chanos, is an important food fish in Southeast Asia. It is the sole living species in the family Chanidae. The fry are collected from rivers and raised in ponds, where they can be fed almost anything and grow very quickly, then are sold either fresh, frozen, canned, or smoked.
The milkfish is also a national symbol of the Philippines, where it is called bangus. This meal is called Daing na Bangus (marinated milkfish in vinegar) and is easy to prepare.
First cut your fish lengthwise along the back, taking great care in not breaking the skin. The place the fish skin side down in a a wide and shallow container. Add vinegar, peppers, garlic, salt and ground pepper, and let marinate in your refrigerator for 24 hours, turning the fish over after the initial 12.
To prepare, drain, and fry with oil in a large skillet for 5 or 6 minutes, or until the fish reaches a golden brown color.
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