Been back to the Philippines last year and coming from the UK, things have changed and I would just like to share a few tips on how to enjoy your visit in my native country.
Airport
Pretty crowded. People will ask to take your bag for some fee. If you can carry your bag then just hold on to it.
Security-
There is no substitute to common sense. Don't go out alone in areas that you don't know. Go out with groups of people or only with people that you know.
Read the British advisory on areas that you should stay away from.
Money
Foreigners are seen as someone carrying money. For us here it may not be too much but a few pounds is a lot for some people.
Carry a spare change.
Put your money or wallet in front. Don't bring money bag It is like shouting out loud this is where my money is.
NO fancy jewelries.
Food
There is a wide variety of food. Enjoy it while it last.
If you want stomach bugs, go to street foods...plenty out there but I'm immunised already. Don't drink water in routine tap water.
You may not like "balut" but Filipinos don't care...they will shove it in your mouth if they have to.
It is not courteous to ask what you are eating but I know you will find a finer way of asking exactly what a food is made of. Sometimes they will find it funny to make you eat something and tell it afterwards...think about snake..
Talking about immunizatio
Have your immunization up to date
all hep vaccines, TB (very common) and everything else
Places to go
If you want pollution, vices, alcohol, girls, stay in Manila. Don't stay too late at night or wander in no man's land, thieves sleep on day and strike at night.
Go to provinces, mostly it is safer and energizing. Bring only a cheap camera.
Transport
Bring a change. Taxis mostly don't have change and expecting tips. They will negotiate but ask for the meters to be used. LRT and MRT is a nice experience, just don't stand near the edge as people tend to push one another even before the train comes. Literally, there is only a few inches away between the train and yourselves...a little bit of push and your next drop will be orthopaedics.
Public toilet
this is where your loose change will make sense. They don't have one so pay for it
Bring your own toilet paper
Hospitality
Filipino are very hospitable. They will give you the best food around. If you visit a poor family, hold back on your appetite as your left over will be given to their children.
Family
Unusually close family network. No privacy...can be good or bad depending on how you see it.
Money changer
Only inside the mall. Full stop
Gambling
Filipinos like to gamble. I played blackjack when I was 3. Played chess for money from 6-12 y.o
Lottery is big in Philippines and I have the same habit here. I operate online UK's best lottery syndicate. Don't need money much but habits are hard to die.
The point is we have a gambling culture and we hate to lose. It is not the best way to make friends especially if you play with big money (and many of them have only spare change to play)
If you have to gamble, choose something such as cockfighting for experience or just play for fun, and think that you are just giving them lose money.
Courtesy
Filipinos are not raised to answer back to elders. This leads to inability to reason out whilst keeping our emotion checked. Don't argue too much as they will think about it, not sleep well, analyze all scenarios and come back the next day to talk about it.
Just like what they say, people who can't think, they fight. Can't remember which sci-fi film I watched this.
Cock-fighting or sabong.
did I talk about gambling? Barbaric I know. But more than ethics, make sure you have a proper BCG vaccine working as tuberculosis is endemic in Philippines and this is a crowded area to be.
Women
women are just the same everywhere. Some are not good, some are fantastic but one quality that many filipinos have is that Filipino women can be a lifetime commitment.
No return no exchange. Till death do you part.
If you got the wrong one, it's a life sentence.
Sorry my ipad is running low on battery...I'll write again some other day.
Originally Posted by webclinician
