Travel Tips
General: Filipinos often use their eyes, lips, and hands to convey a widerangeofmessages. Raised eyebrows and a smile indicate a silent "hello" or a"yes"inanswer to a question. Fixed eye contact between men is consideredanaggressivegesture. The proper method to summon somebody is with a downwardwave. Filipinos place great emphasis on polite language and gentleconversation.Voicetone is always soft and gentle, and direct questions should beavoided. Filipinos value their self-esteem, so never criticize or argue withthempublicly.Most men, when so provoked, will fight for the preservation oftheirpride orself-esteem. Avoid topics such as politics, religion, corruption and foreignaid.Filipinosenjoy conversations about their families. Business: English is the language used to conduct business. Punctuality isexpectedformeetings, it is better to arrive a little late for a dinnerinvitation. Greet business people with a handshake. Women feel comfortable conducting business here, as sexual equalityismorewidespread in the Philipines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have your business cards, as Filipinos like to know whotheyaredealing with. Currency The unit of currency in the Philippines is the peso (P). Notes are issuedbytheCentral Bank in denominations of P5, P10, P20, P50, P100, P500 andP1,000.Coinsare issued for 5c (centavos), 10c, 25c, 50c, P1, P2 and P5. Most foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels andauthorizedforeignexchange dealers. Outside of Manila, the use of the Philippinepesosforpayments is preferred. Travelers checks issued by American Express, Bank of Tokyo, BankofAmerica,Barclays and Citibank are widely accepted. Major credit cards suchasVisa,MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club can be used to pay formostgoodsand services. Visas and Passports For most foreigners staying up to 21 days, visas are not requireduponenteringthe country, provided visitors have valid passports and tickets toleavethePhilippines. Visas are required only for stateless persons andcitizensofcountries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations.Forvisitorswho are planning to stay up to 59 days, a temporary visitors visaisrequired,and registration with the Commission on Immigration andDeportationisnecessary. Foreigners arriving from an area infected by plague,typhus oryellowfever are required to have valid vaccination andimmunizationcertificates.Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports need specialentrypermits. Visas andpermits may be obtained from Philippine embassiesandconsulates. Customs Regulations Visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage and Currency DeclarationFormbeforearrival to facilitate customs examination. For those with no currencyorarticleto declare, BC Form 117, signed by the custom officer serves as agatepass. Foreign currency more than US$3,000 must be declared at the Central BankofthePhilippines counter situated behind the customs examinationarea.Departingpassengers are not allowed to take out foreign currency more thantheamountthat was brought in and declared. Local currency not exceeding P1,000canbetaken out of the country. Imported items brought in, and not to betakenoutagain upon leaving, are taxable. Duty-Free Items: Two bottles (1 liter each) of alcoholic beverages, tworeams(400sticks) of cigarettes and two tins of smoking tobacco are allowed tobebroughtduty-free into the country. Traveling in the Philippines Here are only a few thing to do and places to see while you are intheIslands. MANILA MANILA It is hard to imagine that the Manila we know today began as a smalltribalsettlement at the mouth of a natural harbor. Today it is the busy andlargelypopulated metropolis that is the center for business, commerce,government, andeducation. Manila is of course the ideal base for exploring the Philippines. There aremanywonderful and exciting sites as well as many fabulous places to relax andenjoydelicious filipino food. Manila has many old traditions and attractions as well as modern day ones. Forexample, a major tourist attraction is the old walled city of Intramuros,whichis near the heart of Manila. This was rebuilt by Spanish conquistadors inthe16th century from ruins of ancient Muslim settlements. Intramurosremainedintact until W.W.II when bombing and fires destroyed most of the city. FortSantiago is a major attraction of the Intramuros. In the past, this fortheldthe same awe as the Bastille and the Tower of London. It is now a park withanopen air theater and a shrine honoring Jose Rizal, the country's nationalhero. Another attraction is the Manila Cathedral which was built in 1571, itsoriginalstructure was made out of bamboo. The church was rebuilt in 1958 andstands asone of the largest churches in the country. BANAUE The rice terraces of Banaue are what make this little provinceenormouslypopular. These rice terraces have been coined as "the eighth wonderof theworld" and rightfully so. They were carved our of the hillside by Ifugaotribespeople around 3000 years ago. The picturesque terraces look like steppingstonesgoing to heaven... some terraces look like they almost reach the gatesofheaven. BOHOL Bohol has several things to do and see but the most fascinating attractionarethe Chocolate Hills. These hills look like inverted kettles or chocolate bon bons. Theyarepractically bare, like a shaved head, without trees or bushes on top. Thehillsare made of limestone. They can be reached from Tubigon town andfromTagbilaran City. TAGAYTAY Tagaytay has a large variety of exotic fruits such as, jackfruit, caimito,chico,atis, and santol. Tagatay is famous for its unusual volcano, Taal. Thisis inthe middle of Taal Lake. The volcano holds another lake inside its craterand ithas erupted several times in recent years. |
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