I Will Survive: Tips on How to Live and Work in Manila, and Live to Talk About it (Part 1)

1. NEVER SUCCUMB TO THE POWER OF TAXI DRIVERS.
During my first few trips to Manila from my hometown, I would go to the airport taxi service booth and get a ride there, which was very, very expensive. They have rates to follow, depending on the area you want to go to. Until I learned that from the arrival area, I could take the escalator or elevator to the second floor departure area, where metered taxis usually drop off departing passengers. There you can take these taxis and pay what's on the meter. Beware though, because there are cab drivers who will insist on negotiating with you to give them a fixed amount that is way beyond what will be on the meter. Stick to the meter and pay it. If the cab driver is nice enough, I may even give an extra twenty peso tip.
When in the city and you want to take a cab somewhere, hail one, then open the door, and immediately (and I mean really quickly) get in the cab, settle, and tell the driver where you want to go. Most drivers have areas in the city where they don't want to go due to a number of reasons: the traffic, the distance, and God knows what else they can think of. So it is very usual that when you stand there outside the cab and tell a driver where you want to go, he will refuse. I suggest don't give him a chance. Get in the car, put all your things down on the seat beside you and tell him, very firmly, where you want to go.