There is beauty in chaos. If you believe that there's beauty in chaos, then Manila is the right place for you.
The traffic is as bad as they say. To get from one vicinity to the next takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. And that's just within the city. Without traffic, it usually just takes you 15–20 minutes. But there's usually traffic every day except Sundays.
Public transport is impossible too. We have a light rail transit system but the two lines don't connect. So you have to compensate by taking multiple buses and non-airconditioned jeeps just to get where you want to go. They can be a bit full so you have to squeeze in.
The taxis are old, creaky, dirty, and sometimes smelly. The drivers are rude and unprofessional. If they know you're a tourist, they'll overcharge you. If you're a local, they'll refuse you if you're going somewhere out of the way, and they won't take you unless you pay a few hundred bucks above the fare. Many will not use the meter.
Uber was a Godsend. We had a good Uber system a few weeks ago, but the government made it difficult for them to do business. Just today, they slapped Uber with a Php190M (USD3.65 Million) fee due to technicalities. It's a warning to foreign businesses that red tape is still alive in the Philippines. And if the government cannot adapt to new technologies, they'll use subjectivity to decide what to do with you.
I tried entering the Philippines before as a tourist. I look Taiwanese so locals thought I was foreign. Everyone tried to fleece me. From the taxi to the hotel, and to every step of the tour I booked, the locals tried to overcharge me until I told them off. Fortunately, Filipinos are a fun bunch and will just scratch their heads when caught and laugh it off. It's hard to be mad at them for so long.
The Internet is really slow. There's a duopoly in town and internet service is slow. No matter how you complain, it still won't improve. Again, the red tape. What can we do?
Lots of petty thieves in Manila. Do not ever leave your things unattended. They will get lost. In Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, you can leave your stuff while you go to the restroom. In Manila, is you're stupid enough to leave them unattended, when you're back, someone has already left with them. And it's so hard to get these thieves to justice since law enforcement is poor.
You can't really walk in the streets in the vicinity. You can go around Ortigas Center, or in Makati, or in BGC at night, but you cannot walk from BGC to Makati without getting mugged. It's safe —- you won't get killed —- but it's no other country safe where nothing scary will happen to you.
Our news shows what's important to us. On a typical news day, there's murder, rape, rampant corruption, more corruption, floods and disasters, and showbiz news. Everything is sensationalized.
I can go on and on.
But don't get me wrong. Personally, I love Manila.
The people are fun, easygoing, and sweet. They are kind and generous (even though they don't have a lot), and are very welcoming even though you're still a stranger. They're good singers and dancers and know how to have fun.
The food is an acquired taste but is delicious. Our lives revolve around pork and chicken, and if you love an unhealthy lifestyle, then Manila is for you. Everything is oily and consumed deliciously with beer. Food is enjoyed with the company of friends and there's no better friend than a Filipino.
Manila is a fun place if you have friends. It's easy to make friends here especially if you're a foreigner. It can be the best place or the worst place… and how you see it depends on what type of person you are, and what you're looking for. If you believe in beauty in chaos, then Manila is the best place for you.
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