Going Manila for 3-5 months. Need advice
Apr 22, 2015, 8:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Going Manila for 3-5 months. Need advice
Hi All,
I'm an Indian based out of Delhi working with a IT MNC. I've to travel to manila for 3 months initially which could be further extended by 2-3 months. Actually, I was googling out for Manila and I got lot of mixed reviews for the city. Some people say the city is not safe to travel, some say it is quite good. I want to know basically about the safety and weather conditions. I've heard typhoons are quite common there. Are they really disastrous?
Well my office would be at Ayala centre, Makati and my employer would be providing me accommodation there. They would be providing me with a service apartment which would be somewhat near the office. Can anyone please recommend me a good service apartment (1bhk) which has all basic amenities like kitchen, laundry, wifi etc.
Also, if this place is near to shopping malls then it will also do so thay during my off days I could roam around.
And, since it is a new country for me so what all places can roam around and what all precautions do I need to follow?
I'm a 27 year male travelling first time outside India.
Thanks for help in advance!
I'm an Indian based out of Delhi working with a IT MNC. I've to travel to manila for 3 months initially which could be further extended by 2-3 months. Actually, I was googling out for Manila and I got lot of mixed reviews for the city. Some people say the city is not safe to travel, some say it is quite good. I want to know basically about the safety and weather conditions. I've heard typhoons are quite common there. Are they really disastrous?
Well my office would be at Ayala centre, Makati and my employer would be providing me accommodation there. They would be providing me with a service apartment which would be somewhat near the office. Can anyone please recommend me a good service apartment (1bhk) which has all basic amenities like kitchen, laundry, wifi etc.
Also, if this place is near to shopping malls then it will also do so thay during my off days I could roam around.
And, since it is a new country for me so what all places can roam around and what all precautions do I need to follow?
I'm a 27 year male travelling first time outside India.
Thanks for help in advance!
Apr 22, 2015, 9:15 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
Being Filipino and have lived in Manila for a little bit, I'd be glad to help some things.
As with any other city in the world, you always want to take the proper precautions like with pick pocketing, robberies, etc. Manila is pretty much a safe city especially the area you'll be working at. Ayala Center is pretty much an upscale area with alot of upper class rich folks. As always, the proper precautions and proper alertness is recommended. It's not dangerous compared to the south of the country in Mindanao where most terrorist activities are prevalent.
As for typhoons, it usually hits between June-November. The typhoons tend to hit more south of the country in places like Cebu but can occasionally strike the capital. As always, follow up on news reports for information and the proper steps to stay safe.
As far as accommodations, I think a condo would be your best bet but don't really have info on that. Maybe you can look up online regarding expat living.
As far malls, you got Glorietta, Greenbelt, Shangri-La all in your area. A little bit further you have SM Megamall and Fort Bonifacio which is an upscale city. You can also make a trek down to the Mall of Asia if you'd like. If you plan to take a taxi, make sure that you demand to use a meter and make sure the meter is sealed and not tampered with. That's how they can get you.
Lastly, the Philippines is one of the few countries in Asia where English is well understood. Just like in India.
As with any other city in the world, you always want to take the proper precautions like with pick pocketing, robberies, etc. Manila is pretty much a safe city especially the area you'll be working at. Ayala Center is pretty much an upscale area with alot of upper class rich folks. As always, the proper precautions and proper alertness is recommended. It's not dangerous compared to the south of the country in Mindanao where most terrorist activities are prevalent.
As for typhoons, it usually hits between June-November. The typhoons tend to hit more south of the country in places like Cebu but can occasionally strike the capital. As always, follow up on news reports for information and the proper steps to stay safe.
As far as accommodations, I think a condo would be your best bet but don't really have info on that. Maybe you can look up online regarding expat living.
As far malls, you got Glorietta, Greenbelt, Shangri-La all in your area. A little bit further you have SM Megamall and Fort Bonifacio which is an upscale city. You can also make a trek down to the Mall of Asia if you'd like. If you plan to take a taxi, make sure that you demand to use a meter and make sure the meter is sealed and not tampered with. That's how they can get you.
Lastly, the Philippines is one of the few countries in Asia where English is well understood. Just like in India.
Apr 23, 2015, 4:49 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Hi All,
I would also like to know how much salary/allowance is enough for living in Manila. I mean the apartment to me would be provided by the employer, so other than that what is the average monthly expense in Manila. I'm not used to a very luxurious life and not involved in smoking/drinking etc.
Also, I'm a pure vegetarian, so are there some veg (probably Indian) restaurants there in manila. Do the groceries shops have some Indian products which could be cooked at home?
I would also like to know how much salary/allowance is enough for living in Manila. I mean the apartment to me would be provided by the employer, so other than that what is the average monthly expense in Manila. I'm not used to a very luxurious life and not involved in smoking/drinking etc.
Also, I'm a pure vegetarian, so are there some veg (probably Indian) restaurants there in manila. Do the groceries shops have some Indian products which could be cooked at home?
Apr 23, 2015, 3:40 pm
#5
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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Posts: 14,429
Only been to Manila a few times, but ever recall seeing an Indian. I would suspect you better bring your own spices @:-)
The area where you will be staying is possibly safest in greater Manila, but still need to be aware of your surroundings.
And yes, you will be divided by a common language: different flavors of English.
The area where you will be staying is possibly safest in greater Manila, but still need to be aware of your surroundings.
And yes, you will be divided by a common language: different flavors of English.
Apr 23, 2015, 5:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: CX Silver, QFF Bronze, Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 571
Hi All,
I would also like to know how much salary/allowance is enough for living in Manila. I mean the apartment to me would be provided by the employer, so other than that what is the average monthly expense in Manila. I'm not used to a very luxurious life and not involved in smoking/drinking etc.
Also, I'm a pure vegetarian, so are there some veg (probably Indian) restaurants there in manila. Do the groceries shops have some Indian products which could be cooked at home?
I would also like to know how much salary/allowance is enough for living in Manila. I mean the apartment to me would be provided by the employer, so other than that what is the average monthly expense in Manila. I'm not used to a very luxurious life and not involved in smoking/drinking etc.
Also, I'm a pure vegetarian, so are there some veg (probably Indian) restaurants there in manila. Do the groceries shops have some Indian products which could be cooked at home?
Apr 24, 2015, 6:02 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: PR Premier Elite
Posts: 1,950
Anecdotally, I've been noticing ALLOT of Indian nationals in the Philippines over the last year or two, whereas in the past I rarely noticed any. I have even noticed a handful of small Indian operated restaurants very recently purporting to offer authentic Indian vegetarian menus, though I have never tried any of them and couldn't offer any direction or recommendation, but I have seen them.
All of this is recent. In the last couple of years. But very recently there definitely seems to be the beginnings of a small but significant Indian community developing a foothold in and around Manila. I suspect the OP may find himself part of a wave of Indian nationals conducting similar business in the Philippines very recently.
All of this is recent. In the last couple of years. But very recently there definitely seems to be the beginnings of a small but significant Indian community developing a foothold in and around Manila. I suspect the OP may find himself part of a wave of Indian nationals conducting similar business in the Philippines very recently.
Apr 24, 2015, 6:34 am
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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Many IT MNC has been divesting from India to India and Philippines for their intl work where communication in English is essential.
My consultancy is part of this staring around 2008/9. I saw Alabang develope.
My consultancy is part of this staring around 2008/9. I saw Alabang develope.
May 3, 2015, 10:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 628
Hi,
Apologies for being late to comment but since I spent time in Manila/Makati on a couple of assignments, thought would be good to share some details.
There are quite a few furnished serviced residences in and around Makati. I stayed at the Somerset and Ascott. These belong to the same Citadines group and generally well managed. Ascott is pretty luxurious and more central, but more expensive. You can reach out to the directly for extended stay quote discounted rates.
Makati is quite safe and I never felt unsafe and have travelled there many times. Manila is a bit different but fine if you are aware of your surroundings generally like in any large unfamiliar city.
In terms of living expenses, it really depends on whether you eat out all the time or cook at the apartment but overall food prices are reasonable (cheaper compared to US, probably comparable to eating at a decent restaurant in India). There are 2-3 grocery stores (a couple by Glorietta Mall and one in the Greenbelt area) and I was able to find most of the spices etc I needed. Check out New Bombay restaurant outside Glorietta Mall. There are also other restaurants, including Indian/middle eastern, around the area that should be able to offer vegetarian food.
Enjoy your stay in Manila/Makati!
Apologies for being late to comment but since I spent time in Manila/Makati on a couple of assignments, thought would be good to share some details.
There are quite a few furnished serviced residences in and around Makati. I stayed at the Somerset and Ascott. These belong to the same Citadines group and generally well managed. Ascott is pretty luxurious and more central, but more expensive. You can reach out to the directly for extended stay quote discounted rates.
Makati is quite safe and I never felt unsafe and have travelled there many times. Manila is a bit different but fine if you are aware of your surroundings generally like in any large unfamiliar city.
In terms of living expenses, it really depends on whether you eat out all the time or cook at the apartment but overall food prices are reasonable (cheaper compared to US, probably comparable to eating at a decent restaurant in India). There are 2-3 grocery stores (a couple by Glorietta Mall and one in the Greenbelt area) and I was able to find most of the spices etc I needed. Check out New Bombay restaurant outside Glorietta Mall. There are also other restaurants, including Indian/middle eastern, around the area that should be able to offer vegetarian food.
Enjoy your stay in Manila/Makati!