(Photos and video will be inserted to this report in January, 2012 upon my return to states. Due to time constraints and logistics, the below report will need to be completed at a later date, since there is just to much to see on Fields Avenue and the surrounding area in Balibago, Angeles City!).

KOKOMO’S (aka KOKO’S):

I chose to stay at Kokomo’s, as I had stayed there many years ago and due to the fact that it is centrally located and has the best restaurant on the Fields Avenue strip.  I was pleasantly surprised when the tricycle from Dau pulled up and I noticed that not only had they installed a wheelchair ramp (which bore a large blue wheelchair symbol), but also the guard and staff helped me out of the tricycle.

We arrived at Kokomo’s from 100 islands at 1:00 am, not knowing if they would have a room available or not. (The phone numbers we had gotten from the internet were inactive). Luckily, we were given a room overlooking the pool. It was upstairs, and a bit challenging, but it was the only room available.

The room was nice and clean with air conditioning, the bathroom was average size, with a bathtub and shower. I am a b/k amputee and I was able to shower by placing one of the plastic lawn chairs into the bathtub. No Problem!

I did not advise the manager that I was a reporter for Philippine-Travelers.com until the second day. So  when I say that the staff was exceptional, friendly and helpful, it was natural and not a “Kiss-Up”.

Room service and housekeeping were great! Again, when they arrived I was greeted by friendly faces and a warm “Good Morning Sir”.

We ordered fish and chips (large portions and delicious), a chicken sandwich and a fruit plate (very refreshing). Breakfast was delivered to the room and was likewise delicious and sufficient sized servings.

The last time I was there, they held a beauty contest at the pool, which included all the girls, dancers, waitresses, etc, from all the clubs. I was not so fortunate this time. You may wish to contact Kokomo’s before you travel to make reservations  and to see if another one is scheduled at the time of your stay. I should also note that Kokomo’s has an “open front”, at which many of the ex-pats and tourists watch the girls as they go to and from work at night anytime after 4 PM..

Every time I walked through the restaurant and lobby, I was asked by numerous employees if I needed assistance. (I was using my walker on this trip). I always declined, but they deserve credit for offering assistance.

All in all, I would still give THUMBS UP to KOKOMO”S on the Fields Avenue Strip in Angeles City. Both for rooms to stay at (if you can walk with a walker and negotiate stairs) and for the food. Sorry,but even though the restaurant has wheelchair ramp and flat flooring, as well as booths a wheelchair person can eat at, I have to report that the restaurant is suitable and accessible for wheelchairs , but the hotel is not. .

You may contact Kokomo’s at: (Phone Number to Be Added Soon)

CLUBS ON FIELDS AVENUE AREA, ANGELES CITY, PHILIPPINES:

Although Angeles City is the nightlife Capital of the Philippines, with most clubs closing at 4 AM (Some are actually 24 Hours), before going there with a walker or wheelchair, you must understand that due to yearly flooding, the curbs on Fields Avenue are built up quite high. For this reason, with few exceptions I would advise those in wheelchairs to avoid Lower Fields Avenue in Angeles City, Unless of course, you have companions to assist you over the curbs and stairs. Also, most clubs will NOT allow video if you ask! I guess all those videos you see on the internet and Youtube, are taken without permission.  It’s a shame too, because I would have loved to give the clubs the extra publicity.

CLUB LANCELOT:

Club Lancelot is one of the smaller clubs and has steps/stairs only with no wheelchair ramp. (Unless you have someone to pick your chair up and over the street curb and into the club.  Enjoyable show, cute dancers.  Like many of the clubs, no video allowed (We asked), which is a shame because this is one of the more lively clubs. Sorry we cannot show you.

TREASURE ISLAND:

Treasure Island has steps/stairs only with no wheelchair ramp. (Unless you have someone to pick your chair up and over the street curb and into the club.  Enjoyable show, cute dancers.  Like many of the clubs, no video allowed (We asked), which is a shame because this is one of the more lively clubs. Sorry we cannot show you.

FORBIDDEN CITY:

Forbidden city had a WHEELCHAIR RAMP from the street to their door!

Forbidden City is accessible by both walker and wheelchairs. It is located across the street from Kokomo’s. Much like some Las Vegas clubs, Forbidden city has four levels, each descending downward toward the stage. Wheelchair patrons would best to use the higher first level inside.

I used a walker and I when I asked if I could make video, they said yes, and  they ushered me to the stageside level, which was no problem.

Not only was the Forbidden City  the most wheelchair friendly club, but the staff and management were exceptionally friendly. On this trip to Angeles City, this was my favorite club. Video will be added in January upon my return.

It seems others also enjoyed Forbidden City too.

 DOLLHOUSE:

The Doll house has steps/stairs only with no wheelchair ramp. (Unless you have someone to pick your chair up and over the street curb and into the club.  Enjoyable show, cute dancers. Likewise, the Doll house hotel and Cafe have no wheelchair ramps.  Like many of the clubs, no video allowed (We asked), which is a shame because this is one of the more lively clubs. Sorry we cannot show you.

VALHALLA:

VALHALLA had a wheelchair ramp cutaway from the street to the club. Once in the club, the floor is flat from the front to the back of the club. Both the dancers and the waitresses and employees were friendly. This club is both wheelchair and walker friendly.  Like many of the clubs, no video allowed (We asked), which is a shame because this is one of the more lively clubs. Sorry we cannot show you.

I must also give kudos to a little Chinese Restaurant next to Valhalla. Late at night (4 am) I was walking with my walker back to Kokomo’s, when this little oriental man noticed I was walking in pain. He asked if I needed a seat and he allowed me to sit in a chair in front of his restaurant. The girl who worked there also brought me a glass of water. The problem, what he noticed was the pain in my leg and hip. Eating there the next day I found delicious Chinese and Vietnamese foods! Strongly recommend this place. When I asked the name of the restaurant, he just said, “Valhalla”.

CHAMPAGNE:

CHAMPAGNE is also across from Kokomo’s, and it has one step to enter. The floor inside is flat from front to back, making it wheelchair and walker friendly once you get over the one step entrance.  The dancers were young and happy. The guard smiled as he opened the door for me. The club also has two television sets at each end of the bar  that were playing a ball game. Like many of the clubs, no video allowed (We asked), which is a shame because this is one of the more lively clubs. Sorry we cannot show you.

GENESIS:

GENESIS has no wheel chair ramp and the tiles in front of the building were dangerous even for my walker, whch often got stuck in the spaces between the tiles. Inside was wide,flat  and smooth, making it good for wheelchairs and walkers alike. This club had very beautiful dancers, which made me giggle when I looked at the TV over the door, only to see Discovery channel on and a show on coal mining. One of the most interesting things in this club is the lady that walks around in a bright and shiny silver sheriffs costume, but instead of guns in her strapped-down holster, she had bottles of wine and shots. Again, we were not allowed to video the show or the club. (I should note that immediately after I asked and was told “no” to photography, two of the five Japanese men sitting next to me were using their cellphones to make video.)

FANTASY:

CLUB FANTASY had a flat floor and no ramp needed. All of the chairs were elevated spinning type. (Embarrassing and hard to get on for disabled person). However, they guided me to a booth area at the end of the bar, where I was able to sit most comfortably and also with perfect view of the dance floor. TV’s were arranged all around the top of the bar approximately 18″ apart.  I have to say that the dancers and waitresses in FANTASY CLUB were the happiest and most entertaining  of the trip. Even the waitresses/hostesses were dancing in the booth area I was seated at, as well as some of the girls who had just got off their dance rounds. (Great place to sit!) ha ha  Once again, I asked and no video allowed.

VOODOO:

We saved the worse for last. Voodoo club is attached and next to the Kokomo’s restaurant, where you can walk right into the entrance of Voodoo. This was one of the first clubs we walked into. The girls seemed friendly and did not mind the video camera sitting on the bar. We had already ordered drinks when I heard a loud ”thud” sound on the bar next to me. I looked back and some idiot had intentionally tipped over the camera. When I challenged his actions and asked who he was, he would not respond. When I took HIS photo, he fled out the front door. Later, the girls told me his name was “Josh”, the manager. Later, after I complained to higher management, he denied ever touching or turning over my cam.  (I believe JOSH is an American! Can you believe it?) But you will see the video BY CLICKING HERE, including the tipping of the camera by JOSH, which he denied ever happened, to both his boss and myself.

Had JOSH of VOODOO just introduced himself and then asked it be turned off, I would not have to make this negative report. I advised both JOSH and his higher boss that I was still going to report exactly what transpired, since I do not wish to endanger any of our readers at a club where a lying manager with such an explosive personality, attitude and temper works. It’s a shame too, since this report will undoubtedly be found and read on the internet long after JOSH has gone! (Did I mention we have had our website 15 years?)

Well JOSH, watch the posted video, then see if your boss still believes your lies! Here is your 15 minutes of fame!  We will be sure to send someone else in next time. If you check You Tube for Voodoo, it seems others had no problem making videos… How much did they pay you JOSH?  Or do you only pick on disabled people in walkers and wheelchairs?  Or are they just “Fluff” videos placed on the internet to suck people in?

Oh well, that’s it for this trip. Other clubs will have to wait till next visit, as well as follow uo visits, which will be made by other members of our staff.  (We anticipate TWO trips for  2012)  I hope this article has assisted you in planning your trip to the Philippines. Your feedback is cordially invited.

BAR GIRLS AT PLAY AFTER THE CLUBS CLOSE:

Unfortunately, many tourist seem to think that the girls who work in the clubs in Angeles City are just prostitutes. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Most are just girls who came from many provinces to earn money so they can help support their children and/or families back home.  Here we show you that they are just regular (albeit VERY beautiful) people, and that they enjoy playing  simple game on Fields Avenue, Angeles City after work.

After the Bars and Clubs close at 4 am, and all the neon lights go out, the streets take on a completely different, almost deserted air. Here is a lonely street pedler early in the morning.

TO BE CONTINUED

oooooooo – 0 – oooooo

Be sure to check out our Official Website at:

http://www.philippine-travelers.com/page_3.php

FEEDBACK: As always, your comments, questions and/or suggestions are invited and greatly appreciated! Also, Should you have a “Philippine Based or Related” story you would like covered, please feel free to contact us! (Priority will be given to disability-related stories and comments, but all are welcome.).  We would also love to have any and all experiences you have had in either Angeles City or Cebu nightlife. Questions and comments regarding guide and/or Immigration petition assistance are also welcome. We are also interested in great Pilipino foods! If you have a favorite Carenderia or restaurant you think makes the greatest dish, or, why do you believe your favorite hotel or resort in the Philippines is worth sharing? Let us know about it and what makes it excel.

We are also always searching for host families in the Philippines, for our reporters/verifiers to stay (usually just 2 or 3 days) , this allows us to save money, help host families, and be neutral in reporting since it saves us from having any fiduciary interest or link to the location/s we are reporting.. Dont worry about the size of your house, or even if it is finished, we are adaptable. Even Bahay Kubo or Dampa, we have seen and experienced it all! (Any and all Host family contacts or identification is strictly confidential.)

12-12- 2011