Philippines Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of the Philippines

Former Name

NA

Capital City

Manila

Government Type

republic

Area Size

total: 300,000 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +8 hours

Climate

The local climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5°C. There are three recognized seasons: Tag-init or Tag-araw (the hot season or summer from March to May), Tag-ulan (the rainy season from June to November), and Taglamig (the cold season from December to February). The southwest monsoon (May-October) is known as the "habagat" and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the "amihan". The country itself is undergoing desertification in place like Sorsogon, Baguio, Davao and the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Geography

The Philippines constitutes an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometres. Borders the Philippine Sea on the east, on the South China Sea the west, and the Celebes Sea on the south. The island of Borneo lies a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan directly north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are to the south, and Palau is to the east beyond the Philippine Sea. The islands are commonly divided into three island groups: Luzon (Regions I to V, NCR and CAR), Visayas (VI to VIII), and Mindanao (IX to XIII and ARMM). The busy port of Manila, on Luzon, is the national capital and second largest city after its suburb Quezon City.

Languages

two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Culture

Filipino culture is a fusion of pre-Hispanic indigenous Austronesian civilizations of the Philippines mixed with Hispanic and American cultures. It has also been influenced by Chinese and Islamic cultures.Filipinos honor national heroes whose works and deeds contributed to the shaping of the Filipino nation. José Rizal is the most celebrated ilustrado, a Spanish-speaking reformist visionary whose writings contributed greatly in nurturing a sense of national identity and awareness. His novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo originally written in Spanish, are required readings for Filipino students, and provide vignettes of colonial life under the Spanish rule. As with many cultures, music (which includes traditional music) and leisure activities are an important aspect of the Filipino society. Various sports are also enjoyed, including boxing, basketball, badminton, billiards, football (soccer) and ten-pin bowling being popular games in the country. Traditional Filipino Martial Arts, such as Eskrima, had secretly been banned by the Spanish during the three-hundred year colonial period, but have been revived through an interest in learning pre-Hispanic culture. Hence, Filipino Martial Arts had in the twentieth century been made compulsory to learn for all members of the Filipino Armed Forces and the Police and many clubs exist.

History

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separatists in the south.

Travel Information

The national airline is Philippine Airlines (PR). Ninoy Aquino (MNL) is 12km south of Manila. 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). Airport facilities are Banks, post office, medical clinic, baggage deposit area, duty-free shops and car hire. Mactan International Airport (CEB) (Cebu Island) is 45km from the city centre. Hotels and tour operators provide their own coaches; taxis can be hired. Departure Tax PHP550 for international departures. Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt. Main ports: Manila. The port is a crossroads of trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

Accommodation

In Manila, there are over 11,000 first-class hotel rooms. There are numerous smaller hotels, inns, hostels and pensions. Prices are often quoted both in Philippine Pesos and US Dollars. A complete directory of hotels is available from the Department of Tourism. The majority of establishments belong to the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP). In addition, most regions have their own associations.

Visa Requirements

Valid passport. Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey. Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.

Getting Around

Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. In Metro Manila the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system. LRT connects Monumento on the north to Baclaran on the south. MRT traverses the length of EDSA from North Avenue to Taft Avenue.

Health & Safety

No special vaccination certificates are required, except by travellers entering the Philippines from an area infected with yellow fever. Recommended vaccinations include typhoid, hepatitis A and rabies. There is a malaria risk in parts of the Philippines and visitors should seek medical advice before travelling. Dengue fever is a risk throughout the country; the best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites. Tap water is not safe to drink and ice in drinks should be avoided; cholera is a risk in the country and precautions are advised. Sea snakes can be highly venomous; travellers should be cautious in remote coastal waters, lakes and rivers, as anti-venom may not be readily available. Medical care is good in the major cities, although very expensive, however it is limited in the remoter areas. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised. Safety and security should be of paramount concern to any visitor to the Philippines. It is vital to be fully informed of threats and development. The threat of terrorism and kidnapping is greatest in central, southern and western Mindanao, Basilan, Tawi Tawi, Jolo and the Sulu archipelago; the FCO, US Department of State and other governments advise against all travel to these areas, and care should also be taken in Palawan and at coastal resorts and tourist centres throughout. It is advisable to avoid travel off the beaten track, and to leave travel plans with friends, colleagues or relatives.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 9 Apr - Bataan Day. 5 Apr - Maundy Thursday. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 1 May - Labour Day. 12 Jun - Independence Day. 31 Aug - National Heroes’ Day. 13 Oct - 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.

Currency

Philippine Peso (PHP)

Electricity

220v AC

Working Hours

Private and government office hours from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm or from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. Shop hours from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm daily. Banks hours from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours.

Emergency Numbers

166/117