The Philippines is a
tiny group of islands found in the Far East just below Taiwan
and Japan. It comprises of three (3) major islands named: Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao. Manila is located in the island of Luzon
and is the capital and largest city in the Philippines.
Traveling to the Philippines is such a unique experience for
those who are more adventurous. Weather is relatively hot and
humid during the day with some scattered rain-showers towards
the afternoon so it is best to wear light casual clothing and
comfortable walking shoes. The best time to travel to the
Philippines is during the off-typhoon season beginning September
to June.
The fastest way to get to the Philippines is by plane. Manila,
Cebu and Davao Cities are the only major entry points.
There are flights
between the Philippines and many Asian cities, Australia,
Canada, continental Europe, UK, New Zealand and the USA. There
are also flights between Davao in Mindanao to Manado Indonesia,
Malaysia, Brunei and occasional flights to Australia and Hong
Kong.
Most of the Philippines is laidback but relatively safe.
Majority of the tourists stay in Manila for a few days before
moving to the countryside or less populated cities to enjoy the
sceneries, beaches, culture and food. There are 3 major airlines
offering domestic flights between major Philippine cities while
the rest of the places can either be traveled by boat, car or
bus.
The Philippines has
developed a mixed culture from the blending of foreign
influences with native elements. Some of the tribes are isolated
in remote areas but you will be able to experience their
presence during local feast days, usually during foundation days
of each city or place. Visitors are more likely to witness
beauty contests, colorful soap operas, violent and sentimental
Filipino movies, sing-along and local bands perfectly imitating
Western pop tunes.
Filipinos are known to be exceptionally friendly and helpful and
are known to be the happiest people on earth. Food is really
good everywhere, transportation is cheap, accommodation is
plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.
People and Culture The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in
the Philippines, East meets West. The background of the people
is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements
as well. The history of American rule and contact with merchants
and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both
in the appearance and culture of the people of the Filipinos, or
people of the Philippines.
Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these
people legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such
hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western
visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain,
Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that
seems more Latin than Asian.
The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the Roman Catholic faith)
and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of
Filipinos. At least 80% of the total population belongs to the
Roman Catholic faith.
The American occupation was responsible for teaching the
Filipino people the English language. The Philippines is
currently the third-largest English speaking country in the
world.
Ethnic Groups:
91.5% Christian Malay, 4% Muslim Malay ,1.5% Chinese and 3%
other.
Languages:
The national language is Pilipino, which is based on the
language of Tagalog, although there are at least one or two
dialects spoken in every region. English is both spoken and
understood throughout the country, especially in business
negotiations and in the government. Hokkien, Cantonese and
Mandarin are spoken by older members of the Filipino-Chinese
community.
Religion: 83% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim,
3% Buddhist and other.
Food
to Eat
Filipino cuisine has Chinese, Malay and Spanish influences.
Popular morning and afternoon snacks are called merienda, and
pulutan (small morsels) are usually served with alcoholic
drinks. Barbecued sticks of meat, chicken or seafood are popular
evening foods. Standard dishes are always served with rice with
more than 4-5 viands consisting of meat stews, vegetables cooked
with vinegar and garlic, grilled fish and a huge variety of
soups: rice, noodles, sinigang (sour soup). Side dishes include
shredded pickled papaya, fermented fish or shrimp paste and
bite-sized pieces of crispy pig skin called “chicharon”.
Halo-halo is a dessert made from crushed ice mixed with fruit
preserves, sweet corn, young coconut and various tropical
delights, topped with a wad of crème caramel and a scoop of
ice-cream and rise crispies. If you are more adventurous, you
will be able to eat dinuguan (blood stew), balut (18-day old
duck’s egg), papait (beef, intestines with bile), kaldereta
(oxtail stew) and strange tropical fruits such as durian, marang,
mangosteen, lanzones and jackfruit.
Places to Visit
A visit to the Philippines is an interesting experience. You
will see interesting volcanoes from the world’s smallest, to the
world’s perfect and to the world’s most dangerous and enchanted.
Visit famous resorts and white sand beaches in the Visayas. And
if you are a wildlife enthusiast, you will see rare animals like
the Tarsier (smallest primate), whale-sharks, sea turtles or the
second largest eagle (Philippine Eagle). Rare orchids and
flowers can also be seen in the provinces of Davao. Once you
reach your destinations, simply ask any of the locals and they
will be glad to help.
Recommended Cities: Laoag, Pangasinan, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio,
Bohol, Davao, Cebu, Bacolod, Ilo-Ilo, Aklan and Dumaguete.
Medium of Exchange
Piso is the national currency of the Philippines (Pesos). The US
dollar is the most recognized foreign currency in the
Philippines, and is often easier (and cheaper) to change than
travellers' cheques. You should have no trouble changing British
pounds or euros as well. You can go to money changers to have
your currency converted, they may offer you higher exchange
rates but be cautious. It is still best and safer to deal with
the banks. ATMs are also all over the place, particularly in the
big cities, and they operate 24 hours daily and credit cards are
widely used in major cities.
Places To Stay
Most major cities have really nice hotels to choose from. You
may opt to stay in 5-star hotels but generally, the cheaper
hotels are relatively clean, spacious and services are
outstanding. Most hotels have cable TVs, airconditioners and hot
and cold baths.
Transportation
Surprisingly, the Philippines’ transportation system is very
unique. The railway transit can only be found in Manila. The
rest of the country, buses, colorful extended jeepneys and
tricycles are widely used. You will also experience riding in
pedicabs or backriding in motorcycles to transport you to your
destinations. Transportation is very cheap.
Currency
The
unit of currency in the Philippines is the peso (P). Notes are
issued by the Central Bank in denominations of P5, P10, P20,
P50, P100, P500 and P1,000. Coins are issued for 5c (centavos),
10c, 25c, 50c, P1, P2 and P5.
Most foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and
authorized foreign exchange dealers. Outside of Manila, the use
of the Philippine pesos for payments is preferred.
Travelers checks issued by American Express, Bank of Tokyo, Bank
of America, Barclays and Citibank are widely accepted. Major
credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and
Diners Club can be used to pay for most goods and services.
Food
to Eat
Transportation
The
unit of currency in the Philippines is the peso (P). Notes are
issued by the Central Bank in denominations of P5, P10, P20,
P50, P100, P500 and P1,000. Coins are issued for 5c (centavos),
10c, 25c, 50c, P1, P2 and P5. 