The Pearl of The Orient and Everything in Between
Above: The Philippines has a lot to of scenic spots that flaunts the beauty and splendor of the country.
Get acquainted with the “Pearl of the Orient “even before you set your foot on its soil. If you are traveling to the Philippines for work, leisure or mere mixing play and work, read on. Be acquainted with the capital city of the Philippine Archipelago — Manila. You will find helpful tips for a carefree and informed stay.
PHILIPPINES AT A GLANCE
Before you get to know the city capital, try reading these facts and quirks of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Republic of the Philippines has a total land area of 300,000 square kilometers. The Philippines stretches 1,839 kilometers, from north to south off the Southeast coast of Asia. This country has enough sights and places to offer foreign and local visitors with their vast and highly diversified flora and fauna. With 7,107 islands, the Philippines comprise one of the largest island groups in the world. The Major island groups of the country are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The population of the Philippines as of July 2007 was 91,077,287 , 55% of whom occupy the largest island of Luzon. With the islands separated by a large body of water, the Philippines developed various dialects and cultures. Filipinos have 111 cultural and linguistics groups of Malayo-Polynesian origin. Throughout the history of the Philippines it has a varying degree of Chinese, American and Spanish influences which are apparent in the architectural designs, language , educational and social systems. Majority are Roman Catholics though a significant number of Moslems and Protestants do exist.
Above: Filipinos are intellectual people who are equipped with right education and skills, ready to take on globalization
The Philippines is the world’s third largest English speaking country after the United States of America and the United Kingdom. So, tourists and visitors will not have a hard time speaking with Filipinos since the major second language of the country is English. This is maybe due to the fact that Filipinos were educated through the American based and patterned curriculums and the teaching medium is the English language itself. The national language of the Philippines is Pilipino (but often they call the language as Tagalog). When doing commercial and legal transactions the language used is English. The Filipinos are highly educated people with a literacy rate as high as 94%.
Being the only Christian country in Asia, a number of churches such as the San Agustin Church above, can be found in almost every region.
CLIMATE and CLOTHING
The Philippines is a tropical island paradise with an average temperature of 32 degrees Centigrade or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The months March to June are hot and dry times of the year which averages at 36 degrees Centigrade. July and October the rains and typhoons abound. The months November to February are pleasant times of the year in the Philippines where in the weather is cool around 23 degrees Centigrade and it is dry. In mountainous regions the temperature drops at 15 degrees centigrade.
Above :The summer heat in the Philippines will make you go skinny-dipping in the blue waters
With this kind of climate condition in the Philippines it is best to wear light casual clothing for daily wear. If you are attending formal and business functions you have to wear the traditional Barong Tagalog or coat-and-tie. Ladies can wear their long gowns during formal functions or perhaps wear the Filipiniana costume.
Above: The Barong Tagalog, a cultural heritage
CURRENCY USED IN MANILA
The monetary unit is the Philippine Peso, divided into 100 centavos. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is the one which is responsible to supervise the authorized foreign exchange dealers at the Airport, hotels, and major commercial establishments and bank branches in the country. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) posts the exchange rates for most international currencies. Non- residents may bring any amount of currency, but amounts more than US$3,000 should be declared upon entry if such is to be taken out again upon departure.
Above: The Philippine currency is Peso.
TRANSPORTATION MEANS IN MANILA
The flag carrier of the country is the Philippine Airlines which flies from Manila to 17 cities throughout the country. In Metro Manila, taxis, buses and jeepneys (an extended minibus where in the passengers sits shoulder to shoulder) are the major form of public transportations. The jeepney has no side or rear doors but one entrance alone opposite or at the back of the drivers sit). Metro Manila has a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system which provides public transport to most key places of the metro.
Above: The Jeepney is the major public transportation in the Philippines.
In certain areas of the Metro, there are unique means of transportation. Like the Binondo which is dubbed to be the Chinatown in Manila, the old walled city of Intramuros, calesas or the horse-drawn carriage s can ply short routes. Believe me; you will enjoy the ride like a Spanish señorita strolling around the villa.
Above: Calesa a horse-driven carriage often used in Bnondo and Vigan in Ilocos Norte.
You can also find international and local car rental companies which can provide chauffeured or self-driven limousine service. If you are coming over the place in large groups you may hire a medium- sized passenger vans or tourist coaches to bring you from one point to the other without the hassles of getting off and up vehicles which will truly take time and not to mention tiring.
SHOPPING IN MANILA
The Philippines is a fast becoming a shopping haven. It yields great bargains if you know where to find what to look for and where. The secret to a satisfying shopping expedition is to go where the locals go, whether it to be world-class malls and ubiquitous side walk malls or stalls or the so-called “holes in the wall.”
There are handicraft stores all over the country which do sell some handicrafts and novelty items. These are almost near the public market in small to medium-sized cities and towns and sprawling shopping malls in such large urban areas such as Cebu, Manila, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. One thing to keep in mind is that, when you are visiting certain regions in the country, you have to focus on handicrafts special for the region: For Northern Luzon, you can look for rattan baskets and handwoven fabrics, Central Luzon for wood and bamboo furniture, Panay island and southern Mindanao; Cebu and Zamboanga for shellcraft, old and silver jewelry from Bagiuo City and Bulacan province, tobacco cigar from Ilocos.
Metro Manila malls carry international designers’ brands with prices almost comparable to Singapore and Hong Kong. These malls cater to the “upscale” crowd although these are all open to for the public.
Above: Kiosk in malls selling various novelty items you may want to carry back home.
While strolling around malls, you will bump into kiosks which sell some of interesting curio items you may want to carry home- from household ornaments, accessories, toys, native delicacies and the must-have souvenir T-shirts.
NIGHTLIFE in the METRO
Metropolitan Manila is dubbed to be a paradise for pleasure-seeking visitors. One will find a wide array of choices for night time activities ranging from soothing to a little bit indulging. No doubt, Manila has been noted by expatriates to be Asia’s number one destination for entertainment and leisure. Hotspots not to be missed while you are in the Metro are the bohemian and the jumpy Malate in Manila, the posh Ayala and Rockwell centers in Makati, and the trendy Timog Districts and Libis in Quezon City.
Above: Dancing the night away in the Metro
Relax and unwind with the entertaining performances of the country’s most popular bands and singers. If you love beer, you must take advantage of the “Happy Hours” drink promos at pubs and beer gardens. Dance up a storm at clubs and street parties or cap an exhilarating night with a calming cappuccino at a café.
FOOD TRIP IN MANILA
The Filipino cuisine is puzzling for those who eat Filipino foods the first time. The primary reason for this distinct taste is the complex history of the Philippines. The dishes are akin to the rest of Southeast Asian, United States colonization brought in the convenience and fast-food meals, Spanish influences left a distinct mark in the Filipino food which has touches of Castillan and Mexican cooking.
If you are in for some food tripping, the Philippines can therefore be an outstanding experience at more affordable prices. An increasing number of restaurants are sprawling around the metro to cater contintental European or exotic tastes of the Filipino food. You will find good Japanese restaurants, and Korean as well as Thai and Vietnamese resto are available to treat one’s tastebuds.
Above: The Philippine cuisine is a total replica of its rich and complex history.
FILIPINO PHRASEBOOK: Talking things out in Manila
English is widely spoken in the entire country. Below are some of the few Filipino words and expressions to facilitate conversing with the Filipino locals.
BASIC GREETINGS
Hello!———————————- Mabuhay!
How are you?————————- Kamusta ka?
Thank you————————– Salamat!
Goodbye—————————– Paalam
Good Morning————————-Magandang umaga
Good Afternoon———————- Magandang Hapon
Good Evening————————-Magandang Gabi
OFTEN USED PHRASES
I cannot speak Filipino—————Hindi ako marunong mag- Tagalog.
Do you speak English?————— Marunong ka bang mag-Ingles?
Do you understand?——————Naintindihan mo ba?
I do not understand.—————– Hindi ko maintindihan
Please speak slowly——————Paki dahan dahan lang ang pagsalita
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY
Where is the restroom?——- Saan ang CR?
May I use the telephone?———-Puwedeng makigamit ng telepono?
I need a doctor.——————Tumawag kayo ng doctor.
BARGAIN HUNTING
What is this?————- Ano ito?
How much is this?————-Magkano ito?
Any discount? —————Wala nang tawad?
Expensive——————–Mahal
Cheap ——————–Mura
