Quote Originally Posted by englishbird View Post
Thanks everyone. I am a little concerned about being a target for bag snatchers and pickpockets etc. But Im sure that if Im sensible and careful, then things should be fine. Im not sure that I can go out without my handbag!.

I will try not to spend the whole week shopping. I really want to see some of the city also.

Your be fine in manila you see quite a few white ladies some with phill mahals/hubbies others there working or because there other half is.

ATC mall in alabang often has plenty of KLM and other air stewadesses walking about and they seem totally comfortable.

Shopping malls unlike in the UK are normally extremely safe inside and no shop or mall will want you hurt or robbed.

Remeber most if not all malls have security where people are searched on the way in and plenty of armed security guards on most shop doors.

For example in ATC once i was withdrawning money at one atm near an entrance where guards were standing and one guy (im surely totally innocent) moved too near me and he was shouted at with out me noticing he was even there to get back by one of the guards.
I dont think they want a foreigner robbed near them as they want to keep their jobs, its not right but you will in most cases looked after better than a typical phill.

Have a great Journey and dont forget to pack your ice skates