I would not recommend this unless you are very sure of the local attitude, especially that of the local police and of any local beggars in the vicinity, toward beggars who do not appear to be Filipino. You could find yourself in any number of possible unpleasant situations. Philippine prisons, whose overcrowding is legendary, are the least of these.

Go to any airport with a sob story and people will give you money. I've been approached by backpackers many time around the world.

I think Efrem is saying in some places foreign “competition” might get their butt kicked, or worse, by any who might be running scams or begging, even at airports.

There are places where even - particularly? - beggars are worked by syndicates that collect “fees” and allocate positions. I’ve even seen “beggars” who rent kids who have been abducted or given to “adoption agents” and have been purposely disfigured and deformed. Is metro Manila one of those places? I don’t know, I wasn’t looking for that, but I’d hate to find out the hard way.

At MNL I can tell you some uniforms won’t take any crap and can be very officious. If a passenger complains about your accosting them, it might not go so well for you. The consularauthorities can’t do much if you’re in bilangguan (jail).

1) Approach airport agents for your airline and pitch your story.

2) Work to get someone at home to wire you money or hange your ticket from home.

3) Get yourself down to the U. K. Embassy and be as nice and cooperative as necessary.

The OP hasn't come back. Guess he got it sorted.