Gay Saunas: Manila, Philippines

COMPLETED 15 SEPTEMBER 2017

1.  Why No Gay Sauna Reviews From Manila..?
2.  Crummy Standards, Crummy Infrastructure
3.  The Paradox
4.  The Sauna Scene In Manila Is Shitty..??


1.  Printed in red at the end of each of our Hong Kong sauna reviews, is an invitation to readers to submit reviews of saunas in any Asian city.

2.  We have received reviews from Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo and Taipei.  We are always looking for more Asian cities plus updates of those published.


1.  Why No Gay Sauna Reviews From Manila..??

1.  This blog has a steady readership from the Philippines.  We've received emails praising the blog and crowing about their "mindblowing" sauna experiences when visiting Hong Kong.

2.  We replied and requested sauna reviews from Manila.  "Oh sure..! sure, no problem..!", they gushed.  Then there was silence.  Nothing.


2.  Crummy Standards, Crummy Infrastructure

3.  Chatting to our contacts, we may know why.  The Philippines has really crummy standards in its urban infrastructure. One only has to recall the disgust and dismay at the first impressions on arrival at Manila International Airport (compared to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore) to realize that the Philippines doesn't measure up.  Sure, Makati (the business and tourist district) looks clean and hip but beyond that........it's very crummy and slum-like in huge swathes of Metro Manila.

4.  Generations of exploitative Spanish and US colonization, lax social discipline, endemic poverty, poor city planning, an entrenched mentality of crime, corruption and procrastination - the "mañana" (leave it till tomorrow) factor, have conspired to create an urban infrastructure -  and consequently a gay scene AND a gay sauna scene that is well below that found in other Asian cities.


3.  The Paradox

1.  Yet the Philippines is (correctly) rated as one of the most gay-friendly (and trans-friendly) places in the world.  In 1994, it was the first country in Asia to hold a Pride Parade, it has openly gay TV presenters and actors, there's no shortage of gay Filipino bloggers writing in English.  See for example the selection highlighted by the gay travel blog, Nomadic Boys in their post dated 11 June 2017 entitled, "Why is Philippines so gay friendly?"

2.  Filipinos have a generally friendly attitude towards foreigners (in his gym in Hong Kong, there are several str8 muscled Flips who are very friendly to FuelMix. They swap work out tips, stop and chat on the street, buy him coffee, it's all good).

3.  It makes the absence of submitted Manila gay sauna reviews (to this blog anyway) all the more surprising.  One would have thought that such gay-friendliness and a dedicated Filipino readership, would have resulted in those readers showcasing their saunas to the world...

4.  Unless there's another reason...


4.  The Sauna Scene In Manila Is Shitty..??

1.  Despite the size of Metro Manila, there appear to be only 3 saunas that get a regular mention:

• Farenheit Cafe & Fitness Centre - Quezon City, Manila
• Club Bath Philippines - Pasay City, Manila
• Cool Spa - Makati City, Manila (re-opened after renovations)

2.  Historically, the gay centre of Manila was Malate.  But rising rents and gentrification pushed the gay bars and saunas out.  Apparently, the gay saunas in Manila are run as private clubs.  They require 2 pieces of ID and a joining fee. None are open 24 hours and none get rave reviews (unlike certain saunas in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei).  It is alleged by one gay resource site that Manila saunas are raided by the Police from time to time (for what, was not said). Assuming readers commenting online are telling the truth, some of the reviews of Manila saunas are damning:

• filthy premises;
• dead cockroaches;
• non-existent condoms and lubes;
• smell;
• private cabins not cleaned;
• thick cigarette smoke;
• no fire exits;
• hustlers;
• allegations that nobody over 59 allowed;
• rude front desk staff;

.....and there are only 3 saunas..??!!  Is the sauna management shooting themselves in the foot or is this the usual Filipino standard..??

3.  When we asked readers in Manila who contacted us about gay saunas in Hong Kong, to tell us about the saunas in Manila, here's what we received back...

• "I'd rather not...it's a small scene.  Everybody knows each other."
• "It's not that good...that's why I come to Hong Kong."
• "Gay saunas in Manila are embarrassing.  Not as good as Taipei or Hong Kong."
• "Oh...they are nowhere near the standards of Hong Kong or Singapore...they're pretty bad."
• "Gay saunas in Manila are really disappointing."
• "It's the Philippines..!!  Don't expect much.."

• Readers may submit reviews of gay saunas in any Asian city;
• We reserve the right NOT to publish reviews we deem suspicious, inaccurate or self-serving;
• FuelMix no longer gives personalized sauna advice; 

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