Tips to stay safe

Here are a few things you should consider if you visit the Philippines,or any other country of this type, for that matter. Many of them are simply common sense.  A lot of you who have travelled or been to countries like this one, don't need to be told.

1) Dont' wear expensive jewelry. It's a magnet for thiefs. Necklaces are easy to steal.  Rings are even easier.  A cheap watch would be ok. The snatchers here are world class, and you won't notice a thing til it's too late.
2) Don't carry a lot of cash.  Don't pull out big bills, or wads of money.  Again, it's just a magnet to the bad guys. There are lots of ATM's, so just take out what you will use, and get more as you need it. Also keep in mind that there may be people watching to see how much you take out of the ATM, so cover your pin entry, and look around you first.
3) Guys; you should wear shorts or jeans with button pockets. It makes it harder to get to your wallet. Ladies; you should carry a small purse with a strap. If you are in a very public place with too many people, this is the haven for pickpockets. Guys, move your wallet to your front pocket.  Ladies keep that strap around your wrist, and your purse in your hand. If you leave it dangling down, they will just cut the strap and run. 
4) If you want to explore, as I always do, then never go alone.  Take a local if possible because they know what to avoid, and can keep you out of trouble.  Especially with misunderstandings with language. Don't go anywhere alone at night.  Common sense.
5) The local transportation are jeepneys (long extended passenger jeep), and trikes (motorcycles with side cars).  I own a trike myself and drive it every day. There is a picture of it in the pictures section. Jeepneys fares are very low and are a set price. They go to a pre-destined locations, and do not deviate from their routes.  Trikes go everywhere, and are a bit higher (still dirt cheap). Watch out for trikes, as they are known to double or triple the fare for foreigners, since you don't know how much you should pay them. Before you get in a trike, ask them how much is the fare. It should only be around 20 to 50 pesos at the max.
6) If you go to a bar, and come out very drunk, then you just set yourself up as a target. Keep in mind that this doesn't happen everywhere. But it happens enough that you must be careful. Try to drink close to where you are staying if possible. Many hotels will take you to a location and then pick you up at a requested time. If you are sightseeing, and you have an expensive camera, again, just be careful and try not to flash it around.
7) It is easy to walk around and enjoy the sights, if you are careful. There are many more police in the cities than there used to be, and they are in blue uniforms. Just watch out what areas you go to, as some are, of course, much worse than others. Try to stay on main paths or roads, or where you see other foreigners (if you're in the city). Don't take short cuts through alleys if you don't know where you are going. If you are just wandering around, looking at the sights, it's perfectly ok, as long as you stay aware of your surroundings.
8) If you go to a money exchange on the street, and there are many of them in the cities, be careful who is watching you. But mostly be careful that you get the right amount. They have a trick here where they exchange your money and give it to you. But then they will ask if you want to put it in an envelope. Most people will say yes. You will hand the money back to them and they will lay it where you can't see it for a minute. Then they will slide out bills from the pile and give you back the rest. So, if you do take an envelope, be sure to count it all again right in front of them. Don't just accept that they are honest. I am not trying to give you a picture that the regular Filipinos are all thiefs. They are not. But you always have the bad element when there is money involved. This is NOT the States, and you must be doubly careful about such things. It is safer to exchange your money at a bank, but they will give you a much lower rate. Right now the banks will give you 49 pesos to the dollar, while the street exchangers will give you above 51 to the dollar. And don't ever exchange your money at the airport (except maybe a small amount for snacks or souvenirs). The rate is terrible.