Sex Tourism

You don’t have to be a Magna Cum Laude and First Placer in the Architectural Board Exam to know that most of the tourists visit the Philippines for sex. You don’t even have to be the Ambassador of the United States to know that. It’s an open secret and that’s the ground reality. Tourists visit our country not to visit the WORLD OF WONDERS or the Wow Philippines for that matter. They visit our country for sexcapades, period. Sexcapades nga mga pinoy, how much more mga tourist na may mga pera.

President Abnoy’s Tourism Secretary and his Presidential Spokesperson (Lady Gaga of Malacañang) are questioning the accuracy of the data of US Ambassador Harry Thomas. They’re in denial, period. As mentioned, it’s an open secret. Everyone knows it. Maybe they’re thinking that it’s not happening because of President Abnoy’s ‘Daang Matuwid’ ek-ek.

Ambassador Harry Thomas was right when he said that 40% of the male tourists coming to the Philippines are here for sex. As a US Ambassador to the Philippines however, it’s a diplomatic blunder. Regardless, he was right and he will always be unless we do something to correct the situation.

This is the right time for our publicity hungry Senators to conduct hearings in aid of re-elections, este, in aid of legislation pala. They can invite resource people from the hospitality industry, the local police and the suspected pimps. Unfortunately, this kind of Senate inquiry will not put them in the front cover of any Tabloids or Tabloids pretending to be broadsheets? ABiaS CBN will not cover it either. They’re more interested if the subject of the inquiry is the former PGMA and her family.

There’s no use denying the existence of prostitution because of the tourism. The most proactive thing that our government could do is to create laws and monitor its enforcement.

President Abnoy donated USD 1 Million to Japan

President Abnoy donated USD 1 Million for the reconstruction of a local city hall in Japan devastated by the tsunami. I would like to believe that the intention is to be generous. But can we really afford it? Can we, a third world country, really really really afford it?

The Japanese people know that we’re poor and we’re better off using that money to other worthwhile projects for our own people. But they’re nice people and they will not tell it in our faces. Hence, they accepted the donation, with heavy heart, I guess.

I remembered when the Cotabato was flooded because of the Water Lily. President Abnoy went there without bringing any aid. He read his speech saying not to expect too much from him (the presidency) because he’s barely one year in the office. After reading his speech he help the Mayor of the City distribute goods which were prepared by the City. When the president and his entourage left the City, the Mayor and the LGU complained that the president did not bring any aid. President Abnoy was embarrassed by the Mayor’s statement that he even verbally abused the Mayor, calling him a liar. It was found out eventually that Abnoy’s DSWD secretary, the Peace Bond scam girl, did distribute the aid through the Congressman and the Vice Mayor who are allied to President Abnoy. Because of their politicking, the aid did not reach the people.

President Abnoy could not even help the people from Cotabato, yet, he donated USD 1 Million to the Japanese. I don’t know what his intentions are but I hope it’s noble. I’d like to believe that it’s good but I smelled something fishy. And I don’t buy the ‘Daang Matuwid’ and they’re ‘Malinis’. Abnoy and his alipores are the same.

Tropical Storm Pedring is wrecking havoc in our country right now. There will be deaths, displaced, and other things that our government should be concerned about. The USD 1 Million will come a long way if President Abnoy spends it for his people. What he’s doing is a misplaced priority. He can be generous but he has to start at home.

President Abnoy trampling Judicial Independence

President Abnoy, his cohorts in Congress and the yellow zombies still believe that they have the monopoly of goodness. Now they’ve gotten worst. They want to trample the constitution and still want people to believe that they’re just cleaning the bureaucracy and they’re doing it for the good of the country. There is nothing wrong with being a reformist government but they should make sure that their reforms are within the law.

The issue started when the Abnoy government wants to take control of the Judiciary’s P1.25- billion fund for unfilled positions, saying it would release the funds only when new personnel were hired. SC Chief Justice Renato Corona warned that this violated the Court’s fiscal autonomy that was constitutionally guaranteed.

Because their proposed budget maybe declared as unconstitutional, Abnoy’s allies in the House of Representatives are now threatening to impeach the Justices who would vote for the unconstitutionality of the proposed law. Prior to that, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman issued a statement that they would question before Supreme Court the stripping of the P1.25 billion Judiciary fund.

Like any other proposals of President Abnoy, the proposed law is bound to be junked by the Supreme Court. I believe that SC will insist on its independence. I don’t think that the mud sliding and PR war waged against them by Pres. Abnoy’s government will affect them. This is the beauty of democracy.

GoHotels.Ph Review

Bed @ gohotels.ph

When I was planning my vacation, I intended to stay in Kabayan Hotel because they’re reasonably priced. When I booked online however, there were no rooms available. I have no other choice but to look for an alternative hotel. I remembered reading an article regarding a new hotel venture that the Gokongwei’s are into. I then searched the internet and found their website. So I decided to book with gohotels.ph at the Cybergate Plaza along EDSA Mandaluyong.

The price range is as affordable as that of the Kabayan Hotel and it looks clean too. I never hesitated to make a booking.

I booked for 3 nights (upon arriving in Manila 11-13 August) and another 2 nights (before leaving Manila 4-6 September). Booking with gohotels.ph is very easy as long as you have a credit card. Instantly a receipt of the transaction will be sent to your email including the electronic confirmation form.

You can also request the hotel for an airport pick up, just as long as you’re staying for more than 82 hours.

Rooms are priced at Php. 1,288 (+Taxes) per night. You may choose Queen Size or Double Bed depending on your needs. Gohotels.ph has AC, LCD TV, Wifi, Hot and Cold Shower, Bath Towels, Soap & Shampoo and a Safety Deposit Box as complement of your stay.

Actual Stay

Toilet @ gohotels.ph

I was not picked up by AVIS, the limousine company that gohotels.ph has a tie up. There was confusion in their arrangement that I was not able to avail of the services that I paid for. When I arrived at the hotel, the Hotel Manager just apologized to me but never offered any alternative solution, like for example, issuing a debit note to me. I did not insist since it was only Php. 625.00 and I earn more than that in the Kingdom of the Sands. It’s not fashionable to argue or create an argument for a very small amount of money. If I were to choose between the Php. 625.00 and my dignity, I’ll choose dignity.

When I arrived at the hotel I’ve noticed that the hotel lobby was very clean. It’s not well lighted and has no AC, however. I think they’re going green so I didn’t mind. The most important thing is that the place is clean. Check in time is at 2:00 PM so if you’re there earlier than the check in time, you’ll have to wait. You have to sign several papers before they’ll give you your Access Card. The drawback with the Access Card is that once you leave the room, the centralized AC will automatically shut down.

The Floors that serves for guests occupancy are the 5th and 6th. The 2nd and 3rd are for the parking spaces and Office spaces of Call Centers that renting in the Cybergate Plaza. Just like in the hotel lobby downstairs, the Elevators have no AC. I wasn’t surprised when there was also no AC at the 5th Floor Lobby. There were air vents and AC ducts so I assume that they’re just saving energy. I have no complaints since it’s all for our environment.

Shower @ gohotels.ph

I was given a room with a view on EDSA. I love the view and the room. The room is very clean and welcoming. It’s just that the Centralized AC could not really counter the heat of the sun that’s facing the window. I have no complaints because I slept well and was well rested because of the room.

The only disadvantage in checking in with gohotels.ph is that you’re not allowed to eat inside your room. You can eat your food at the 5th Floor Lobby or at the Cybergate Mall nearby. It’s not also for smokers because they ban smoking. They have smoke detectors everywhere. I am not a smoker so I don’t have problem with their regulation.

The location of gohotels.ph is along EDSA Mandaluyong. It’s very near to the Boni Station of the MRT. If you’re an OFW, it’s just a bus / MRT ride away from the POEA. The nearest mall is the Cybergate Mall, just beside Cybergate Plaza where gohotel is located. You can also go to Megamall through bus or just by walking. The only problem is if you want to go to Mall of Asia, it’s going to take a lot of time to get there. The airport is also farther but if you’re going to take the hotel limo, you’ll get there within 30 minutes.

Housekeeping is done from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. You’ll be impressed because they’re very keen on cleanliness.

If I were to rate gohotels.ph, I’ll give it a 9/10.