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Location
South-East Asia.
Area
300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).
Population
91.1 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density
303.6 per sq km.
Capital
Manila.
Population: 9.9 million (2005 metropolitan area).
Government
Republic since 1935. Gained independence from the USA in 1946.
Language
Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; up to 988 languages have been recorded.
Religion
Roman Catholic 80.9%; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.
Time
GMT + 8.
Electricity
220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.
The Philippines is composed of 7107 islands (7108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA. The warm tropical waters offer the attractions of sunbathing and swimming, while divers and snorkelers can explore coral gardens with beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed. Charter planes can be hired for reaching some of the more remote islands. Inland, the rich history and culture of the Filipino people, the dramatic landscapes and thriving cities will fascinate the visitor. For the purposes of this guide, this section has been divided into three areas, with the main tourist attractions listed under Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao and the South.
Manila & Area
Capital and hub of the nation, Manila is situated on the east coast of Luzon. Founded in 1571 on the ruins of a Muslim settlement, Manila has been a port for hundreds of years. The oldest part of the city, the Intramuros (Walled City), was protected by a massive wall, some of which still remains today despite savage fighting staged here in World War II. Places of interest include San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, from which there is an excellent view of the 2072 sq km (800 sq miles) of the harbor, and the ruins of Fort Santiago. Outside the Intramuros is Chinatown, a market in the district of Binondo, crowded with shops, stalls and restaurants. Luneta Park contains the Rizal Monument, a memorial to the execution of this great Filipino intellectual of the late 19th century. Other places of interest are the American Cemetery and Coconut Palace.
Excursions
Manila is a good base from which to make excursions, for instance to Las Piñas, situated a little way outside the city, where the famous Bamboo Organ is located and the Sarao Jeepney factory, where people are allowed to wander around free of charge.
About one hour’s drive away from Manila through coconut plantations, Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite overlooks a lake that contains Taal Volcano, which itself holds another lake. Tagaytay is a popular destination in summer, when all kinds of festivities are celebrated and roadside stalls overflow with flowering plants and fruits in season.
The series of mineral springs of Hidden Valley lie secreted in a 90m- (300ft-) deep crater in Alaminos, enclosed by rich forests. The pools vary in temperature from warm to cold, and the lush trails end up at a gorge with a waterfall. Villa Escudero, an 800-hectare coconut plantation in Quezon Province, less than two hours by road from Manila, is part of a working plantation, yielding rare glimpses into rural life. Guests are taken on a tour of a typical village on a cart drawn by a carabao, or water buffalo.
Corregidor Island, ‘The Rock’, has a famous memorial to those who were killed during the Japanese invasion, and is accessible by hydrofoil. Day tours include refreshments and guide. A day trip to the town of Pagsanjan, 63km (39 miles) southeast of Manila, includes dug-out canoe rides down the jungle-bordered river to the Pagsanjan Falls. This was a location for the filming of Apocalypse Now, and is a popular excursion.
Laguna, a short distance from Manila, is a province famous for hot sulphur springs. The ‘Towns of Baths’, Cuyab, Los Baños and Pansol are situated here.
Luzon
Luzon is the largest and most northerly of the main islands. Its spectacular landscape is made up of mountainous regions in the north, the flat vistas of the central plain, lakes and volcanoes in the southern peninsula, and a coastline dotted with caves and sandy-beached islands. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, lies on the island’s east coast (see Manila & Area).
Baguio
250km (150 miles) north of Manila is Baguio, 1525m (5000ft) above sea level, a cool haven from the summer heat. It is accessible both by air and land, though the drive up the zigzagging Kennon Road is more popular as it offers spectacular views of the countryside. Baguio has a good variety of restaurants, mountain views and walking excursions. Main attractions include The Mansion, summer residence of the Philippine president; Bell Church; Baguio Cathedral; and the Crystal Caves, composed of crystalline metamorphic rocks and once an ancient burial site.
Banaue
Banaue is an eight hour bus ride north of Baguio. A remote mountain community lives here, and tourists can visit their settlements. The beautiful rice terraces are the main attraction of this area. A breathtaking sight, they rise majestically to an altitude of 1525m (5000ft), and encompass an area of 10,360 sq km (4000 sq miles). The terraces were hand-carved some 2000 years ago using crude tools cutting into once barren rock, each ledge completely encompassing the mountain. Now listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, they offer an unforgettable sight to tourists and trekkers in the area (see also Activities). Banaue has a tourist hotel and many good pensions.
Hundred Islands
Lying off the coast of Pangasinan, the Hundred Islands group is made up of 400 islets surrounded by coral gardens and white sand beaches. This area is ideal for swimming and fishing. Hundred Islands is the second-largest marine reservation in the world, teeming with over 2000 species of aquatic life. The caves and domes of Marcos Island and the Devil’s Kitchen are worth exploring.
The entire province of Palawan is a remarkable terrain for adventure and exploration, with its primeval rainforests, St Paul’s Underground River and Tubattaha Reef. Inter-island cruises around northern Palawan are now available.
Elsewhere
Mindoro island, reached by ferry from Batangas pier and south of Manila, is a place where the stunning scenery includes Mount Halcon, 2695m (8841ft) high, Naujan Lake and Tamaraw Falls.
La Union, situated on the northwest coast of Luzon, has some of the best beach resort facilities on the island. There are regular buses to La Union from Baguio and Manila.
Bicol Region, situated in the east, is developing as a tourist destination and offers beaches, hotels and sights such as the Mayon Volcano, a nearly perfect cone, and the Kalayukay Beach Resort.
Davao province is the industrial center of Mindanao, renowned for its pearl and banana exports. Davao City is one of the most progressive industrial cities in the country. The province is the site of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, while the Apo Range has spectacular waterfalls, rapids, forests, springs and mountain lakes.
On the northern coast of Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro is the gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. By way of contrast, in Bukidnon there are huge cattle ranches and the famous Del Monte pineapple fields, and Iligan City is the site of the hydroelectric complex driven by the Maria Cristina Falls.
The province of Lanao del Sur is characterized by its Muslim community, which has settled along the shores of Lake Lanao. Besides the lake, other attractions include Signal Hill; Sacred Mountain; the native market, Torongan; homes of the Maranao royalty; the various Muslim mosques on the shores of the lake; and examples of the famous brassware industry centered in Tugaua.
The Visayas
The Visayas is a group of islands between Luzon and Mindanao. The main islands are Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Panay and Samar, the latter famous as the island first sighted by the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century and as the landing point for the American liberation forces in 1944. Samar and Leyte are linked by the San Juanico Bridge, the longest in the country.
Cebu
Cebu City is the main resort of the Visayas. Cebu is the most densely populated island, a commercial center with an international harbor, and the Philippines’ second city. Sights include Magellan’s Cross, a wooden cross planted by Magellan himself over 450 years ago to commemorate the baptism into the Christian faith of Rajah Humabon and his wife Juana with 800 followers, and Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the country, which was built on the orders of Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565.
Carcar town, south of Cebu City, has many preserved Castillian houses, gardens and churches. The Chapel of the Last Supper in Mandaue City features hand-carved life-size statues of Christ and his apostles dating back to Spanish times. The Magellan Monument on Mactan Island was raised in 1886 to mark the spot where Magellan died, felled by the fierce chieftain, Datu Lapu-Lapu, who refused to submit to the Spanish conquerors. There is also a monument to Datu Lapu-Lapu honoring him as the first Filipino patriot. Maribago is the center of the region’s guitar-making industry. As well as many historical sites there are popular hotels, beach clubs and resorts.
Panay
Iloilo on Panay is an agricultural province producing root crops, vegetables, cocoa, coffee and numerous tropical fruits. The attractions include beach resorts and, in Iloilo City (reached by air), the 18th-century Miagao Church, a unique piece of Baroque colonial architecture with a facade decorated with impressions of coconut and papaya trees. Sicogon Island is a haven for scuba divers, and has mountains and virgin forests to explore. Boracay Island is another such island paradise, accessible by air via Kalibo, followed by a bus or jeepney ride to Malay, and finally by ferry or pumpboat to Caticlan. A survey considered its powdery-fine white-sand beach to be amongst the best in the world.
Bohol
Bohol Island, just across the straits from Cebu in Central Visayas, is the site of some of the country’s most fascinating natural wonders; hundreds of limestone hills, some 30m (100ft) high, that in summer look like oversized chocolate drops, earning them the name ‘Chocolate Hills’. Covered by thin grass that dries and turns brown in the summer sun, they are a strange spectacle with mounds rising up from the flatlands, and are situated about 55km (34 miles) northeast of Tagbilaran City, the island’s capital. Bohol also offers handsome white sand beaches and pretty secluded coves, accessible via good roads. The island is a coconut-growing area and its local handicrafts are mostly of woven materials: grass mats, hats and baskets. Baclayon Church merits a visit, as it is probably the oldest stone church in the Philippines, dating back to 1595. The island can be reached by plane or ferry. The air journey from Cebu to Tagbilaran takes 40 minutes. Ferries go from Cebu to Tagbilaran or Tubigon, another port north of the capital.
Mindanao & the South
Mindanao is the second-largest and the most southerly island, with a very different feel from the rest of the country. A variety of Muslim ethnic groups live here.
Zamboanga City
In the southwestern tip of Mindanao is Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines and a favorite resort amongst tourists. The city is noted for its seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Zamboanga was founded by the Spanish, and the 17th-century walls of Fort Pilar, built to protect the Spanish and Christian Filipinos from Muslim onslaughts, are still standing. The city has a number of hotels, cars for hire, good public transport and vintas (small boats), often with colorful sails, available to take visitors round the city bay.
The flea market sells Muslim pottery, clothes and brassware. About 2km (1.2 miles) from Fort Pilar are the houses of the Badjaos, which are stilted constructions on the water. Water gypsies live in boats in this area, moving to wherever the fishing is best. Plaza Pershing and Pasonanca Park are worth visiting. Nearby Santa Cruz Island has a sand beach which turns pink when the corals from the sea are washed ashore, and is ideal for bathing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Telephone
Country code: 63. International calls to the smaller towns must be booked through the operator.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mostly limited to Manila and other main urban areas, but this is improving.
Internet
Internet cafes are available across the country
Media
The media is controlled by powerful commercial interests. There is a busy TV scene, which is dominated by free-to-air networks ABS-CBN and GMA. Many radio networks are also run by TV broadcasters. Freedom of the press is guaranteed under the 1987 constitution.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes at least five days.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700.
Press
• There are about 17 daily newspapers.
• English-language daily newspapers include the Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Malaya, Manila Times and the Philippine Star.
Radio
• Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a government-run network operating stations all over the Philippines.
• ABS-CBN, GMA Network, Manila Broadcasting Company and Radio Mindanao Network operate stations nationwide.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
- 2009
- 1 Jan New Year's Day.
- 24 Feb EDSA Revolution Day.
- 9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan)/Maundy Thursday.
- 10 Apr Good Friday.
- 4 May Labor Day.
- 15 Jun Independence Day.
- 30 Aug National Heroes' Day.
- 21 Sep Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
- 1 Nov All Saints' Day.
- 30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
- 25 Dec Christmas Day.
- 30 Dec Rizal Day.
- 31 Dec New Year's Eve.
1 Jan New Year's Day.
24 Feb EDSA Revolution Day.
9 Apr Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan).
1 Apr Maundy Thursday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
3 May Labor Day.
14 Jun Independence Day.
29 Aug National Heroes' Day.
11 Sep Eid Ul Fitr (exact date varies).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
30 Nov Bonifacio Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
30 Dec Rizal Day.
31 Dec New Year's Eve.
Note
Easter is a major holiday in the Philippines and travel may be disrupted.
The earliest inhabitants of the Philippines were the Negritos. Other tribes later arrived from Malaysia and Indonesia. In 1521, the Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, financed by the King of Spain, landed on the islands and named them after Philip II of Spain. Friars converted the inhabitants to Christianity and today the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in South-East Asia. Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established the first Spanish settlement in Cebu in 1565; he moved north and defeated the Muslim Rajah Sulayman and established a Spanish base in Manila in 1571, extending the area under Spanish control. In 1896, a revolution against Spanish rule led to the establishment of the first Filipino Republic in 1898, under General Emilio Aguinaldo. Later, the United States took control of the islands and a constitution was drawn up in 1935, giving the Philippines internal self-government.
The islands were occupied by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945, during World War II, only achieving independence in 1946. During the next two decades, there was a succession of presidents who maintained strong links with the United States. In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos of the Nacionalista party won the presidential elections and began a program of rapid economic development. Before his maximum of two terms in office were over, in 1972, Marcos instituted martial law and suppressed all political opposition. He also set about large-scale looting of the country’s exchequer to fill his and his family’s own foreign bank accounts. Opposition to Marcos evolved in two distinct forms: the ‘constitutional’ opposition, organized around dissenting senators such as Benigno Aquino; and the Communist Party, which, linking with various tribal groups, launched an armed insurgency based in the southern islands, particularly Mindanao.
By the mid-1980s, the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party, was able to sustain a major insurrection right across the country in both rural and urban areas. The turning point for the regime came after the assassination of Benigno Aquino upon his return from exile in 1983. Public opinion rallied behind his widow, Corazon Aquino in a massive campaign of demonstrations and non-violent protest, popularly dubbed ‘People Power’. Then, US President Ronald Reagan withdrew his backing from Marcos. The Filipino military, Marcos’ last bastion of support, followed suit and Marcos left for Hawaiian exile in February 1986. He died there in September 1989.
Lacking any political experience, Corazon Aquino took a while to settle into the presidency. She was constantly threatened by the rump of Marcos supporters in the military who launched repeated but unsuccessful coup attempts, but earned the backing of most of the senior command by maintaining a hard line in the campaign against the NPA.
Military issues also dominated the Philippines’ key foreign relations with the USA. The Americans had maintained two large bases on Luzon Island at Subic Bay (navy) and Clark Air Base. By the end of 1994, both had been vacated: Clark Air Base was badly damaged by the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991; Subic Bay was vacated by mutual agreement. By this time, the presidency had passed to Fidel Ramos, Aquino’s erstwhile Defence Minister. His term lasted until May 1998 when the Asian financial crisis, which hit the Philippines particularly hard, offered an opportunity to new political parties. Joseph Ejercito Estrada, leading the newly-formed Laban ng Masang Pilipino (Struggle of the Filipino Masses, LMP), won the poll by a comfortable margin.
In January 2001 he was formally thrown out of office by the Supreme Court and replaced by his deputy, Gloria Arroyo – daughter of Diosdado Macapagal, the president during the early 1960s.
Arroyo has presided over a steady economic performance. She has also opened negotiations with the two main insurgencies: the NPA, while much diminished from its zenith, remains a potent force in some parts of the archipelago; while the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has grown to become the most potent of a handful of Islamic guerrilla groups. (Since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the USA, much attention has also been focused on the Abu Sayyaf group, which is believed to be affiliated with the al-Qaeda terrorist network.). Arroyo was re-elected in May 2004.
Government
The constitution adopted in 1987 provides for a dual-chamber congress comprising a 24-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a maximum 250 members, of whom 200 are directly elected. The president, who holds executive power, is elected for a six year term.
Economy
The agricultural sector produces rice, corn, coconuts, copra, sugar cane and bananas as the main crops. Production of timber, formerly a major export earner, is suspended due to deforestation. There is a modest mining industry and offshore oil. Most recent economic development has been industrial.
Financial incentives to attract foreign capital and the creation of export processing zones prompted strong growth during the early and mid 1990s. However, it also produced a skewed economy in which the Manila area hosts 15% of the population and accounts for one-third of GDP.
Following a substantial slump in 1997, the economy has since recovered. In 2006, growth was 5.4% and inflation slipped to 6.2%. Unemployment was at 7.9%. Industrial production has picked up and substantial foreign aid has helped the country’s finances. As such, the peso was East Asia’s best performing currency in 2005-06.
The Philippines belong to the Association of South-East Asian Nations and the Asian Development Bank.
Tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September.
Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout most of the year, with warmer clothes useful on cooler evenings. Rainwear or umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season.
Social Conventions
Government officials are addressed by their titles such as senator, congressman or director. Otherwise, usual modes of address and levels of politeness are expected. Casual dress is acceptable in most places, but in Muslim areas the visitor should cover up. Filipino men may wear an embroidered long-sleeved shirt or a plain white barong tagalog with black trousers for formal occasions, women wear cocktail dresses or long gowns. The Philippines are, in many respects, more westernised than any other Asian country, but there is a rich underlay of Malay culture.
International Travel:
Getting There by
Air
The national airline is Philippine Airlines (PR).
Note: The period over Easter, from Good Friday to the following Bank holiday (and sometimes beyond), is a major holiday in the Philippines, as are Christmas and New Year. There may be some difficulty booking a flight during these periods.
Departure Tax
PHP750 for international departures. Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt.
Main Airports
Ninoy Aquino (MNL) is 12km (7 miles) south of Manila. To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services are available to the city (journey time – up to 1 hour 30 minutes by public bus, or 25 minutes by taxi). Facilities: Banks, post office, medical clinic, baggage deposit area, duty-free shops and car hire.
Mactan International Airport (CEB) (Cebu Island) is 45km (28 miles) from the city center. To/from the airport: Hotels and tour operators provide their own coaches; taxis can be hired.
Overview
The following items may be imported into the Philippines without incurring customs duty:
• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 2l of alcoholic beverage of not more than 1l each.
Note: (a) Visitors carrying more than US$3,000 are to declare this at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter at customs. (b) Departing passengers cannot take out more than PHP1,000 out of the country.
Prohibited Imports
Firearms, explosives, pornographic material, seditious or subversive material, narcotics and other internationally prohibited drugs (unless accompanied by a medical prescription), gambling articles and machines and misbranded and adulterated foodstuffs.
Internal Travel:
Getting Around By Air
In addition to Philippine Airlines (PR), there are several other charter airlines, including Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific Air and Laoag International Airlines.
Getting Around by Water
Inter-island ships with first-class accommodation connect the major island ports. Local shipping lines include SuperFerry.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Roads spread among the islands, with highways on the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon island groups. Further roads are currently being constructed. Driving off the main highway at night is dangerous and should be avoided.
Bus: There are bus services between towns and also widely available jeepneys. These are shared taxis using jeep-derived vehicles equipped to carry up to 14 passengers on bench seats. Fares are similar to buses.
Taxi: Taxis are available in cities and in many towns. Make sure meters are used, as some taxi drivers will set an exorbitant and arbitrary rate.
Car hire: Available in Manila and in major cities.
Documentation: International Driving Permit required, together with a national driving license.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
A number of bus routes are operated by Metro Manila Transport using conventional vehicles, including double-deckers. Most journeys, however, are made by jeepneys, of which there are an estimated 30,000 in Manila alone. The Metro Railway Transit (MTR) connects North Avenue in Quezon to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, traveling the length of Epifanio delos Santo Avenue (EDSA). The Light Railway Transit (LRT), a light rail transit link, runs from Baclaran terminal in the south to Caloocan terminal in the north. Tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars) and pedicabs (bicycles with a sidecars) are a cheaper alternative for shorter distances around towns. Calseas (horse-drawn carriages) are popular with tourists and are a common sight in downtown Manila.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Manila to other major cities/towns in the Philippines.
Unlike a lot of Asian cooking, Filipino cuisine is distinguished by its moderate use of spices. American, Chinese, Japanese, Malay and Spanish influences have all left their mark in a subtle blending of cultures and flavors. All the regional dishes are available in Manila’s excellent restaurants, which, like the restaurants of all the main towns, offer a varied cuisine. For the less adventurous, there are also European-style restaurants and American fast food. Restaurants are generally informal, with table service. Rice is a staple of Filipino cuisine. Fruit is plentiful with mangoes, papayas, bananas, chicos, lanzones, guavas and rambutans. Philippine preserves like atsara (a chutney-like vegetable preserve) and numerous native desserts such as Pili nut brittle bangus (a crunchy sweet made with the luscious pili nuts found only in the Bicol region) can be purchased in local markets.
Things to know: Waiter service is common in bars and there are no strict regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.
National specialties:
• Lechon (roasted whole pig) is prepared for fiestas and family celebrations.
• Kare-kare (an oxtail stew in peanut sauce served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).
• Sinigang (meat or fish in a pleasantly sour broth).
• Adobo (braised pork and chicken in a tangy soy sauce with vinegar and garlic).
• Seafoods such as bangus (the bony but prized milkfish), crabs, lobsters, prawns, oysters, tuna, freshwater fish and the sweet maliputo, found in deep-water lakes. It is freshly harvested and often simply grilled, boiled, fried or steamed and served with kalamansi (the local lemon), bagoong (a fish paste) or vinegar with labuyo (the fiery native pepper).
National drinks:
• Locally brewed beer, such as San Miguel.
• Philippine rum.
Tipping: Usually 10% of the bill, unless service charge is included.
Nightlife
The choice of entertainment in Manila displays the Filipino’s affinity for music. Top hotels offer everything from high-tech discos to lavish cultural songs and dances, as well as superb pop singers and performers, trios, show bands and classical string ensembles. On most evenings there are cultural performances by local artists or foreign groups at the many other venues for the performing arts. Free concerts are offered by several parks every week, and occasionally by banks and other corporations. The Philippines also have some unusual musical groups like the Pangkat Kawayan bamboo orchestra, which uses bamboo musical instruments, and the Rondalla group, which uses tiny guitars like the ukelele. Casinos are located in Cebu, Davao, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Manila, Pampanga and Zamboanga.
The Philippines is a haven for shoppers. Countless bargain opportunities for the handicrafts of the different regions are found in the numerous shopping complexes, which range from sleek air-conditioned department stores and malls to open-air bazaars. Duty Free Philippines near NAIA is the largest in the country. The chain stores offer everything from the famous barong tagalog (hand-embroidered dress shirts for men in delicate jusi material) to Tiffany lamps made with capiz shells.
For local color, there is nothing like the flea markets where visitors can buy all kinds of cloth weaves, brassware from the south, woodcarvings and other local crafts and souvenirs, like the painted papier-maché horses of Laguna. Some particularly good buys are south-sea pearls, the silver jewelry from Baguio, coral trinket boxes, coral and pearl accessories, rattan furniture, baskets in different designs, woven grass mats (banig), antique wooden figurines of saints, clothes, garments embroidered with the traditional callado technique, Filipino dresses for women (usually made from banana and pineapple fibers), cigars, terracotta, porcelain and abaca placemats. Handicraft stores are found everywhere in the country, especially in cities. Large department stores sell both local and foreign manufactured goods.
Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 1000-2000, but these can vary. Most department stores and supermarkets are open Sunday and there are some 24-hour convenience stores.
Currency Information:
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP; symbol Php) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of Php1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Php10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Currency Exchange
Cash in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars can be exchanged in banks, hotels and some retail outlets. Always use authorized money-changers or banks in Manila. Outside the capital there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency and rates may get progressively worse as you travel further away from the city. It is advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Philippine pesos when traveling to other provinces.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in major establishments throughout the big cities of the Philippines. ATMs are available.
Traveller's Cheques
Traveller's cheques and major foreign currency may be cashed at most commercial banks and Central Bank dealers. They are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid difficulties, travelers are advised to carry their receipt of purchase with them. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions
Restrictions apply.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1500.
Passports
Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above providing they are:
(a) 1. bona fide foreign tourists (including business travelers) for stays of less than 21 days and holding passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond period of stay, and return or onward tickets (except nationals of 2. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia who do require a visa even if staying less than seven days);
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours provided holding onward or return documentation (some nationals are required to leave by the same or first connecting aircraft; enquire at embassy for details).
Visa Note
(a) All tourists wishing to stay longer than 21 days need a visa. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £22 (single-entry, three months); £43 (multiple-entry, six months); £63 (multiple-entry, one year).
Although composed of 7,107 islands (7,108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA, most of the population of the Philippines lives on just 11 islands. The country offers warm tropical waters, coral gardens with beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed.
Inland, the rich history and culture of the Filipino people, the dramatic landscapes and thriving cities fascinate the visitor. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is also its heart and soul. It sets the rhythm of life in this archipelago and is a pulsating hub that blends the Oriental with the Occidental, the traditional with the modern, the mundane with extraordinary.
The islands were occupied by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945, during WWII, only achieving independence in 1946. The country has suffered from frequent natural disasters, and has pockets of violent rebellion. Poverty and the country’s debt burden are also very high, explaining the high number of Filipinos residing abroad.
Infrastructure projects involving airports, expressways, inter-island transport and even the currently almost non-existent railway system are part of a 10-point development agenda until 2010. Travel and tourism will surely benefit, as airports nationwide are being constructed or renovated to accommodate larger planes and more visitors.
Geography
The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7,107 islands and islets (7,108 at low tide), 2,773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65% of the total land area and contain 60% of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands. |
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