I've just moved to Manila to teach english for a year, and I'm having a bit of difficulty with a couple things....hoping maybe someone here can help.

1. Where could I find a community of Western expats? Certain things I need assistance with, my Eastern hosts don't seem to understand.

2. Is there a place I can buy INEXPENSIVE light clothing? I like to wear large baggy clothing to keep from sweating in the heat, and hardly anyone carries my size (U.S. XL). People keep directing me to the large malls, in which the employees (understandably) spot a foreigner and try to push the most expensive items they have. I mean literally, I'm getting actual groups of sales reps surrounding me. When at home, I buy second-hand or very basic, cheap clothing....I'd like to do the same here if possible.

If anyone can help, please do! Thanks!

I have a buddy who is from the Philippines & I asked him your questions. He came back with some of his own:

1. There are a lot of expat communities in Manila. Which type would you like? American, English, etc
2. Where in Manila are you based? It's very big so base don where you're at he can recommend a good place to shop.

aphexapex wrote:I've just moved to Manila to teach english for a year, and I'm having a bit of difficulty with a couple things....hoping maybe someone here can help.

1. Where could I find a community of Western expats? Certain things I need assistance with, my Eastern hosts don't seem to understand.

2. Is there a place I can buy INEXPENSIVE light clothing? I like to wear large baggy clothing to keep from sweating in the heat, and hardly anyone carries my size (U.S. XL). People keep directing me to the large malls, in which the employees (understandably) spot a foreigner and try to push the most expensive items they have. I mean literally, I'm getting actual groups of sales reps surrounding me. When at home, I buy second-hand or very basic, cheap clothing....I'd like to do the same here if possible.

If anyone can help, please do! Thanks!

I always run into English speaking expats in the Ermita area of Manila. You find expats in bars pretty often. You even see them in the Robinson Mall sometimes. So, check out the Ermita area. One pub I always stop in at is the G Point Pub on Padre Faura. You might find some in the L A Cafe and Amazonia bars too.
http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/m ... muros.html

There are quite a few American expats and others in the Angeles City area. Probably find some of them in and near the Margarita Station on Fields Ave (near Clark Airfield.) Many of these expats are retired US servicemen living in the PI.
http://www.acmap.com/map.asp?map=f4

Here is an expats forum, it may or may not be useful to you.

http://www.alloexpat.com/philippines_expat_forum/

http://www.geocities.com/benign0/3-00_M ... ttips.html

I always like to browse for stuff in the Carriedo Walking Street area. There is some clothing you can pick up from vendors and shops. When I go in the mall stores I don't get much of a hassle from clerks, but I haven't been there in 6 month maybe they are more desperate. There are some stores that sell used items that may fit you. Ever wonder what happens to left over or excess items from Salvation Army stores and other big thrift stores - they are sold in bulk and end up being re-sold in places like Philippines and Thailand.

Google above bars for addresses.

Just noticed where you are from. You will find US expats not far from the US Embassy on Roxas Blvd. If you wander around the Mabini, Padre Faura, United Nations, Del Pilar and Robinson Mall area you will run into expats. Will they help you - who knows!

Good luck.

Thanks for the help guys! Sorry for the late response, I've been really busy lately.

Hydro wrote:I have a buddy who is from the Philippines & I asked him your questions. He came back with some of his own:

1. There are a lot of expat communities in Manila. Which type would you like? American, English, etc
2. Where in Manila are you based? It's very big so base don where you're at he can recommend a good place to shop.

I'm living and working in Pasig City, in Ortigas Center....not really picky on the type of community, just looking for some birds of a similar feather that I can throw back a few beers with--the folks I'm surrounded by now aren't really fluent in English, and not really keen on the brew. Great people, but it can be tiring having to converse within limits, know what I mean? Would be great to find some Brits or Irish folks, they're a great lot to hang with....if I could find a place where I could practice my French, that'd be nice, too!

You sound like you are female. I do see female tourists in the above G Point bar and pub when I am in the city. So you would not be out of place. I probably drink more sodas in bars now days than beers so ordering a non-alcoholic drink would not be out of place. Food is not too bad.

Good luck.

My buddy suggested Green Hills Shopping Center (5-30 minutes drive from Ortigas Center depending on traffic). He goes there for XL clothes when he's in Manila. You'll still need to haggle if you want to pay close to the local price, but that's just a fact of life.

Could you also ask your students? Make it part of the lesson to tell you where a good place to buy 2nd hand clothes?

1. Expats: Go to the nearest Irish pub. I've never been to a country where there wasn't one.

2. Ask your students. They often have tips.

Be careful where you go. I'm told that parts of some cities, especially Manila, are not safe at night.

Of course, the people at your school are always great sources for information. I practically depended on them when I was in the Ukraine teaching.

aphexapex wrote:1. Where could I find a community of Western expats? Certain things I need assistance with, my Eastern hosts don't seem to understand.

2. Is there a place I can buy INEXPENSIVE light clothing? I like to wear large baggy clothing to keep from sweating in the heat, and hardly anyone carries my size (U.S. XL).

1. If you're looking to meet other expats in a social setting, you can check out Murphy's Pub in Makati (http://www.murphysmakati.com/), or Cafe Havana in Greenbelt, Makati.

2. Since you're in the Pasig area, try SM Megamall. There are many inexpensive stores, good bets would be Surplus Shop, or the SM Department Store. Robinson's Galleria is a similarly mid-priced mall, they have a fairly large and inexpensive department store as well. Tiendesitas (http://www.tiendesitas.com.ph/) has a nice bazaar-type atmosphere, but sizes run small in most bazaar-type stalls in the Philippines.