You step off the plane and see airport personnel lined up, holding signs for disembarking passengers who’ve requested “assistance” upon arrival.

You see a passenger bypassing the immigration queue, lead by one airport official.

You see the big boxes sealed tight by packaging tape and tied with a rope.

You see somebody slipping a guard something that looks suspiciously like a tightly folded 100 peso bill.

Ah yes, I have landed in Manila indeed.