Originally Posted by
1st Cav Vet
In addition to the alternative locations already listed, I would suggest South Korea. Very pro-American. All things being equal...you would be much safer in South Korea than in Manila or its environs.

What a random addition to the thread. That's a bit like me advising someone who was thinking of visiting Chicago to try Canada instead because of the horrific homicide rate here.
Yeah, Manila can be a little on the edge, but frankly stay if you stay in Makati you're generally pretty safe (a safe as downtown Chicago IMO).