Towards the end of the 19th century, the Americans came and brought along with them their culture and the English language. Since the Americans’ departure at the end of World War II, strong ties between the Philippines and the United States have been maintained. In the Philippines, one is bound to find a lavish fiesta being celebrated in some part of the country. One will hear proof of the Filipinos’ much vaunted musical abilities and see examples of their highly prized craftsmanship. Above all, one is sure to experience her warm, friendly people whose smiles are as sunny as the climate itself.

Governing System. The country is a democratic republic with a presidential form of government. The Philippine Constitution guarantees the separation of powers of three co-equal branches of government and the basic rights of its citizens. It is one of the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Climate. The Philippines has a tropical climate with relatively high humidity, mild temperature, abundant rainfall and gentle winds. There are 2 distinct seasons: the dry summer months from November up to May, and the rainy moths from June up to October. The coolest months of the year usually fall on the months of November up to February, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, which may rise to as high as 32 degrees Celsius.

People. Population is 94 million. Filipinos are of Indo-Malay, Chinese and Spanish ancestry.

Religion. Predominantly Catholic. Other faiths are Islam and Protestantism.

What To Wear. Light clothing is recommended, with some warmer clothing for visits to the cooler mountain regions. When formal attire is necessary, a coat and tie, or the Philippine barong tagalog, may be worn.

Language. Approximately 111 languages and dialects are spoken in the country, and most Filipinos can speak at least one other language or dialect aside from Filipino, the national language, and English which is the basic language for business, government, schools and everyday communications. The Philippines is the third largest English-speaking nation in the world, while Spanish is still spoken fluently by a great number of Filipinos.

Entry Formalities. All visitors to the islands must have valid passports and are advised to check with the local Philippine embassy or consulate for visa requirements. Generally, foreigners are allowed to enter the country without a visa if they are staying not more than 21 days and can produce a ticket for their onward journey.

Customs. Tourists may bring in the following items free of duty:
1) Personal effects – A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use and a small quantity of perfume.
2) Tobacco and alcoholic beverages – 400 sticks of cigarettes, or 2 tins of smoking tobacco, and 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages of not more than 1 liter each.

Health. Due to the ongoing worldwide H1N1 virus, Avian Influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis, visitors from affected countries (as declared by the World Health Organization) are subject to screening for symptoms such as fever (by thermal cameras), colds and coughing. Persons showing such symptoms are then isolated and further evaluated.

Yellow fever vaccination is required upon arrival of visitors coming from infected areas, except for children under one year of age who are, however, subject to isolation when necessary.

Food. The country offers an endless variety of dining experiences. In Manila and other major cities, most restaurants specialize in international cuisine – Spanish flavors, Chinese delicacies, Japanese sukiyaki, American steak, Italian pasta, Korean bulgogi, Indian curry, etc. But the culinary experience visitors should not miss is Filipino cuisine. There are various restaurants offering regional Philippine food and continental dishes with a witty Filipino twist.

Tipping. The standard tip is 10 percent (10%) of the total amount of your bill. Most hotels and restaurants automatically add on a 10 percent service charge.

Mail. Postage windows are open from 8 AM to 5 PM, Mondays thru Fridays, and from 8 AM to noon on Saturdays. Registered letters, telegrams and parcels are dispatched from post offices situated in various city districts. There are private agencies operating in Manila that deliver express mail and small parcels within the city boundaries. Couriers specializing in express delivery services worldwide are also available in Manila. Some of these are DHL Courier, Fedex, UPS, TNT Skypak, LBC Air Cargo and JRS Express.

Currency. The Philippine peso is made up of 100 centavos. Paper notes are in PhP 1000, PhP 200, PhP 500, PhP 50 and PhP 20. Coins come in denominations of 1, 10, 25, 1-peso, 5-peso and 10-peso. Money changers will be able to give you the official guiding rates and are located at the airport, local banks, and other authorized foreign exchange dealers in commercial establishments.

Unit of Measure. The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.

Electricity. 220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.

TOURISM