Comparing different cities in Philippines

[wanderlust]

In various posts I have read forum members avoiding "1st-tier cities". What makes a city first, second, or third-tier?

- Does anyone here have experience with any of the following cities? I assume these are not first tier.

Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Ormoc? These places seem out of the way.

- Has anyone been to some of the less touristy islands in the Philippines? What were the girls there like where you went?

- How dangerous is Mindanao for real? GenSan? Cotabato? Anyone ever been to those places? Is it worth the risk?

I get the vibe so far that in Iloilo the people look more Malay and less Spanish, and that it's not visited much. Cagayan de Oro seems to be more prosperous and more materialistic, at least for the Philippines.

Any input I can get on any other second-tier cities will be helpful too.

[Johnny1975]

I saw this thread and felt sad that no one replied.

I dedicate this bump to wanderlust.

[Taco]

- Has anyone been to some of the less touristy islands in the Philippines? What were the girls there like where you went?

- How dangerous is Mindanao for real? GenSan? Cotabato? Anyone ever been to those places? Is it worth the risk?

I've only been to Cebu so I can't tell you much. However, the east coast of Cebu is where most of the expats are, the west coast doesn't see a lot of foreigners. Cebu is free of Abu Saef, New Peoples Army and alligators. It has an international airport, good shopping and very friendly women.

[Yohan]

- Does anyone here have experience with any of the following cities? I assume these are not first tier.

Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Ormoc? These places seem out of the way.

I have been in Iloilo + nearby Guimaras island, in Tacloban and Ormoc, and also other in other cities on nearby islands around Cebu, like Camiguin Island, Bohol, Camotes Islands and also Negros.

I have never been in Cagayan de Oro however.

It's fine if you go to all these other island, small cities and some resorts and stay for a few days for swimming and diving and look around visiting some waterfall or otherwise attraction, but these are smaller cities, sometimes with poor shopping facilities, poor medical facilities, poor electricity and water supply etc. and it is getting boring after a short while.

Still the center where all is moving on in this region is Cebu City and if you stay long-term maybe good to stay there. Just my opinion. Some others are mentioning Dumaguete City in Negros to be a nice place to stay for longer, but I have not been there and cannot confirm it.

[Yohan]

- Has anyone been to some of the less touristy islands in the Philippines? What were the girls there like where you went?

- How dangerous is Mindanao for real? GenSan? Cotabato? Anyone ever been to those places? Is it worth the risk?

I've only been to Cebu so I can't tell you much. However, the east coast of Cebu is where most of the expats are, the west coast doesn't see a lot of foreigners. Cebu is free of Abu Saef, New Peoples Army and alligators. It has an international airport, good shopping and very friendly women.

I can only confirm what you say. I spend the most time in Philippines in Cebu City with my Filipina fosterdaughter. The other islands, cities around are fine, but there is not much to do there, it is getting boring after a short while. Most of these places mentioned by the OP can be reached easily by speed boat or bus or small airplane from Cebu for a visit of a few days.