Comments on: Manila through the eyes of an Aussie

By: Tony B

Tony B — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:55:57 +0000

Yep, as an Aussie, I respect your system of armed security, and I’d agree, Jules, they do more than just secure the building. It’s great knowing I can sit in Jollibee and not worry about crime. I’ve been to phils 3 times now, and despite the air quality of Manila, really love the energy and the chaos.

To an outsider, Phils is a very different place, even if you can get by with just using English. I think that actually adds to the culture shock. In phils, you have so many more people around, so it means that there are so many more staff on duty anywhere you go. As an example, to buy a pair of sandles at SM recently I interacted with 6 staff, not 1 or 2 like I would in most western shops.

In a lot of ways, Philippines works better than many “First world” countries. I’ve never had to wait more than 3 minutes for a jeepney in any city, but here in Melbourne you can wait an hour+ for a bus.

I must admit I did take a moment or two to get used to seeing guards with assault rifles at a Jollibee in Zamboanga City! (don’t worry, I understand why.)

By: jules

jules — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:26:25 +0000

Most security guards in Manila have multifaceted roles in a typical establishment. Other than their main duty of securing business premises they open the doors for customers as matter of courtesy, especially helpful when old ladies have bagfulls of groceries with them. They also facilitate a more orderly flow of people and prevent touts/beggars from harassing customers, kick out drunk customers who make trouble. Enforce company policies like no taking of pictures to protect business trade secrets like store layouts etc. which can also be useful to terrorists planning an attack. If you guys search at Nationmaster.com the crime rate in the Philippines is one of the lowest in the world. Even better than a lot of so called “affluent countries”. It may be cause for inconvenience but given our circumstances, I would say it’s quite effective and serves our own purpose. Foreigners should learn to respect what system we have in place no matter how odd it might seem to them.

By: Manila Freelancer

Manila Freelancer — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:24:16 +0000

If trillanes wants to die for the country… Why Not? Who wants to donate a bottle of Poison? nyahaha.. Honestly this i really like this post..

By: nina

nina — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:17:14 +0000

Estan: Trillanes is a fluke, period XD

Gary: Nice to hear that, especially coming from a non-resident. I’ve gotten used to having guards checking our bags everywhere in Manila that I am usually taken aback when I don’t see them overseas. My brother-in-law’s favorite sign in Manila says “please deposit your firearms at the concierge,” posted at the entrance of a mall. Yup, that’s Manila for you 😀

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:43:36 +0000

While Manila isn’t the cleanest city in the world (the air quality was horrible) at no point did I ever feel in danger.

…the armed guards at McDonald’s was a bit odd, however.

By: estan

estan — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:44:24 +0000

i think, kahit in time siya sa nangyari, ganun pa rin sulat niya. Trillanes’ caper was a fluke and a failure.