majorcom

My wife and I will be traveling to the Philippines this November 2019.
Are the any suggestions for photography (and other items) in Manila and the island of Puerto Princesa?
Thanks in advance.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, do not take $5000 worth of equipment with you ... a smaller 1" sensor-20mpix camera with great zoom well not attract people who would do you harm.

Quixdraw Loc: x

You are intrepid souls - unless I had local family connections there, I'd Pass. All the best of luck for safe and enjoyable travel!

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

Wasn't exactly the safest - or friendliest - place in the world 50 years ago.
Don't think it's improved a whole hell of a lot since.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

There's a whole section designated as a separate Muslim state.
You'd stick out like, weell like a sore sacrificial animal

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

My husband and I were just discussing today how the Philippines has changed since he was there years ago in the Air Force - not a safe place at all, unfortunately.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

I moved to the Philippines a bit over three years ago, after spending the month of November 2015 exploring a number of the areas I might choose should I decide to make the move. Primarily because I considered it the only place I could live temperature-wise - but also because of the beauty of the mountainous area - I decided that Baguio City would be the place for me. It has been a good choice, and I intend to stay. There obviously are cultural differences to which one must accommodate, but for any reasonable person that is not a problem.

There are places within the country to which I would not travel, though many expats appear to be living there without problems. In particular, I would be very cautious with respect to the heavily Muslim areas in Mindanao, though I had no untoward incidents in either Cagayan de Oro or Davao City. I must say that there are areas in any country to which I would not travel - the US included! It is incumbent upon one to use good judgment everywhere, be alert and not look for trouble. I have had no problems whatsoever in the three years of my residence here.

There are many great possibilities for photography here - though understand that this country is green for a reason! - rain. I have not been to Puerto Princesa, so can offer no advice in that regard except to say that Palawan Island is Muslim country. I do understand that there will be outstanding photographic opportunities. I got really good pictures on a visit to Bohol, as well as around Baguio.

I've needed to be in Manila (the NCR area is Manila plus other cities) a number of times - I hate it. It's just a very large city, with all the attendant problems, not the least of which is traffic. On one occasion, traveling by taxi from my hotel in Makati to the US Embassy, mid-morning on a weekday, a distance of about three miles took three hours!!! I could have walked it in one hour. Also, in Manila, have exact fare for the taxi - the drivers don't make change - and use only metered taxis.

You will find a few here who have difficulty with English, but for the most part it is not a problem. Do understand that one of the Filipino tendencies is to tell you what they think you want to hear, and your understanding of a given word or expression may not be theirs. Also, what is fact, law or the best way to do something often depends on the particular office with which you are dealing, the particular person involved, the day of the week and what color shirt they're wearing! This is true for government offices as much as with the private sector!

"Out of stock, sir" could mean just that, but more likely that it's somebody else's responsibility, they don't know where it is - or, they don't know WHAT it is! There are, as I've indicated, a few things to get used to here - BUT - I like it here and plan to stay!

Have a good trip, take lots of pictures - and post them here, of course.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

mantamoon Loc: Houston

I agree whole heartedly with Loren. I travel to the Philippines several times a year. Never had a problem. Be sure to visit the Phil-Am cemetery in Manila. Go have fun and forget the nay-sayers.

applepie1951 Loc: Los Angeles,California

I have been traveling to the Philippines for over 9 years now doing photography photographing models and doing street photography,as a matter of fact I will be starting a YouTube Channel soon on photographing in South East Asia, What i can tell you is that you really don't have nothing to worry about taking pictures in the philippines as long a you don't show yourself as a professional, by that I mean using strobs light's and Soft Boxs cause then you will be looked at as a professional and anywhere you go to take pictures you will need to have a permit and will have to pay a fee, it's not like in the US you can take pictures anywhere you want with light's are not but not in the Philippines and the same goes for South korea and Bankok, as long as you don't look like a professional you will be ok, no one will bother you they will just look, don't try and take pictures of the locals as specially the ladies 90% don't like you taking pictures of them the men don't care, and don't leave your equipment unattended are for sure it will be stolen aside from the you will be fine. have fun as I said i been doing photography in Philippines for over 9 years and have never had anything stolen and I carry lot of equipment and expensive len's.

gutdoc

I just arrived 3 weeks ago, but I did a lot more of underwater photography. My friend went all over. Since this was his first time to the Philippines, we arranged a tour covering the Northern and southern part of the Philippines. Btw, our dive tour started in puerto princesa. I can see why they call that place “the last frontier”. A lot beautiful sceny. Dont forget the underground river when your there. My friend was lucky enough to see the banaue rice terraces and the floating coffins of sagada. According to him, with all the places he visited it was a photographer’s dream. Like all places, just travel smart and don’t just wander off. Heck, there are more dangers in 42nd street in New York! Enjoy your trip

gutdoc

Here are some of the sights that I saw when I was there. Just travel smart and dont believe any of the nay sayers. Enjoy!

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

An addendum – it occurs to me that you might like to see some recent pictures of the Philippines. Go to one of my websites:
https://www.rlvphoto.com/

There are pictures from the Baguio Flower Festival, a month-long yearly event, some taken by my wife in the province around Bais City and some from Bohol, including the Chocolate Hills (which weren’t chocolate when we were there because it wasn’t the dry season). You also can see me with my daughter (a professional photographer living in Palm Springs), my Filipina wife and the area in which we have lived for the past three years. At the age of 91 I have a few years left, and intend to spend them right here!!!

Loren – in Beautiful Baguio City

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I would travel to the Philippines before I would travel to south Chicago any day. I lived in the Philippines for 3 years and have many fond memories having travelled widely in the country. I would avoid Mindanao but would not worry about anyplace else.
Loren, I salute you sir. If I was going to live long term in the Philippines, Baguio would be the place. Best weather in the country! ps. You are right Manila sucks!

eog

First of all, Palawan (where Puerto Princesa is) is not a muslim province. So I echo the same comment not to listen to the nay sayers. The Philippines is a safe place and and the people are very hospitable and friendly but just like any other big cities they have a share of scammers and the likes. Manila is just like any other big cities in the USA but the traffic is probably worse than LA. If you're in Manila, I suggest that you go to Tagayay which is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Manila where you can take a lot of beautiful pictures of Taal Volcano, etc. Don't go there on a weekend though or you'll get stuck in traffic the whole day. Go there on a weekday and make sure to leave early. There are a lot of places to take pictures of in Puerto Princesa one of which is the Underground River. You can also go on island hopping and enjoy the white sand beaches and go snorkeling. Coron, which is another thirty minute flight from Puerto Princesa, is, for me, one of the best places in the Philippines. Go on island hopping and you will have plenty of beautiful sceneries to take. Island hopping there will take at least a good half day to a whole day but you will see a lot of amazing sceneries.
I don't know how long will you be staying there in the Philippines but Bohol is another province worth visiting especially for pictures, etc. Here are sample pictures to whet your appetite: The first one is the entrance to the Underground River, the second one is Taal Volcano in Tagaytay and the third one is in Coron...

Entrance to Underground River


Taal Volcano from Tagaytay City


Coron, Palawan

edwardjohnsjewelers

My wife and I visted both Manilla and Palawan and found many photographic opportunities.
The Old Town in Manilla and the Underground River in Palawan were great places for photography.
You do need to be mindful in Manilla as you would in any big city.