Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PROSTITUTION AND SEX TOURISM
The Philippines, like some other Southeast Asian countries, has an unfortunate reputation for
prostitution and sex tourism . It's a huge industry domestically with an estimated 800,000
men, women and, sadly, children working in the trade. The country's international image as a
sex destination came about largely as a result of the US military presence here during and
after World War II, when “go go” or “girlie” bars flourished around the bases at Clark and
Subic Bay.
While it's illegal to sell or procure sex, the trade still operates under the guise of
entertainment: sex workers are employed as singers, dancers, waitresses or “guest relations
o cers” in clubs and bars where they are expected to leave with any client who pays a fee
(the “bar fine”). Then there's what are euphemistically dubbed “freelancers”, prostitutes that
independently cruise bars looking for paying customers. In the Philippines it's common
(because it's so cheap) to hire these girls for several days or weeks to have what's called a GFE
(“girlfriend experience”).
According to the Coalition Against Tra cking in Women ( W catwinternational.org), some
15,000 Australian men a year visit Angeles, north of Manila, on sex tours; plenty of Americans,
Brits and Europeans join them, while Koreans, Taiwanese and Chinese have developed their
own networks, usually based in karaoke bars and restaurants. Manila, Cebu City, Subic Bay and
Pasay City are also major sex destinations.
DATING WEBSITES
Though you will often see older Western men accompanied by young, attractive Filipina
women all over the Philippines, don't assume these are prostitutes. The situation is confused
by the legal and equally popular phenomenon of online dating websites that exclusively
pair Filipinas with foreigners - plenty of the men you'll see have been matched with their
Filipina “girlfriend” and intend to seriously date or even marry them, however dubious this
might seem.
CHILD PROSTITUTION
The Philippine government estimates that almost half the sex workers in the country are
underage , many of them street children lured from the provinces by the promise of work or
simply food and water. In recent years “cyberporn” has become a major problem - in 2014 the
British-led Operation Endeavor uncovered a global network of paedophiles streaming live child
abuse by video from the Philippines. If you suspect someone of being a paedophile or engaging
in any abusive behaviour towards minors, call hotline T 1-6-3 or visit W abs-cbnfoundation.com.
In rural areas it's still common for foreign men to
be greeted by passers-by with calls of “Hey Joe!”
This harks back to the GI Joes of World War II and
American occupation.
glutton who wants to grab the food. The speed of
service in restaurants in the Philippines has also
improved, but you should still expect your patience
to occasionally be tested.
Filipino time
Why do you never ask a Filipino to do something by
the end of the week? He might think you're being
pushy. That's an exaggeration of course, but beyond
the cities, the old joke still resonates for longtime
residents of the Philippines.
In recent years, perhaps due to the number of
young Filipinos returning home after an overseas
education, the attitude towards punctuality has
begun to change. For medical or work-related
appointments you'll need to be on time, but for
social gatherings turn up half an hour late: it is
considered impolite to be on time for a party, for
instance, simply because it makes you look like a
Women travellers
Women travellers rarely experience problems in
the Philippines, either travelling alone or as part of
a group. The culture, however, is a macho one and,
especially in the provinces, foreign women may
experience being stared at or the occasional catcall
or lewd comment in Tagalog. In the barangays,
Filipino men hold dear the oft-regurgitated image
of themselves in local movies as gifted romancers,
able to reduce any lady to jelly with a few choice
words and the wink of an eye.
Reacting to this attention is the worst thing
you can do. If you smile and remain good-natured
 
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