Why are motels so popular in the Philippines?

Elias (not his real name), 25, has been a regular at motels since he was a teenager. He says he visits these establishments once every week, often with different partners.

In an episode of I Juander, Elias estimates he has gone to motels about 300 times since he was 18.

"Tingin ko dapat hindi siya kinakahiyan dahil it's normal, it's natural. Wala nang mas natural pa sa sex," he says.

For Elias, motels provide privacy for couples compared to homes which they share with parents.

Sociologist Virgel Binghay says many Pinoys choose to go to motels for this very same reason.

"Sa atin kasi, 'yung privacy na iyan ay nagiging perfect avenue to do the 'thing' away from the eyes of those they would like to evade from," Binghay says.

In motels along Sta. Mesa, guests do not have to go to the front desk to register. They also have parking garages directly attached to the rooms.

Unlike hotels where guests have to provide their real names, those who wish to stay at a motel can give fake names. Sometimes, the people at the front desk won't even ask for clients' names at all.

Motels also offer low rates, at P300 for a short stay and P500 for a longer stay.

Aside from the benefit of privacy, motels also provide good 'logistics' for spouses or couples who don't want to disturb their children or parents, respectively, said sex therapist and educator Rica Cruz.

"There's an element of excitement and fun kasi pag pumunta ka sa motel, ang connotation nun is sex," Cruz says.

In the Philippines, motels are associated with sex, and talking about them are often considered taboo. Motels are viewed differently in other countries such as the United States.

The concept of "motel", a combination of the words "motor" and "hotel", originated in America in the 1940s.

"'Yung motel kasi, sa Amerika talaga iyon dahil may interstate highway system. Sa haba kasi ng biyahe mo, saan ka kakain, saan ka magpapahinga, so naimbento 'yung motel para sa may kotse. Hindi ka lang papark, may tutulugan ka," historian Bernie Karganilla says.

In the 1950s, motels gained popularity in the Philippines because of the proliferation of night clubs and cabarets.

Karganilla quotes writer Nick Joaquin in describing Manila as a "Sin City." The historian adds that going to a cabaret was seen as akin to dancing with a girl and going all the way.

Despite the stigma, vloggers and couple Christian Merck Gray and Caffey Namindang are open to talking about talking their experience at motels. They both admitted to checking in at some motels during their staycations.

"Para sa akin kasi, pag nahihiya ka, ang ibig sabihin may gagawin ka... hindi naman kasi lahat nag-che-check sa ganito, may ginagawa. 'Yung iba, ang gusto lang magpahinga," Gray says.

Some motels are trying to reinvent themselves, while bringing up their amenities and concepts by a notch. Others have themed rooms, such as the Red Room inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey, as well as an art-themed room.

"[Motel owners] can market [themselves] differently. They can have different modalities or themes. They can make it family-oriented. They can make it different from what they have been accustomed to," Binghay says. —Angelica Y. Yang/JST, GMA News