Jo Jones asked:




The Philippines is a collection of thousands of Islands in Asia. The main religion is Christianity and there are roots from Spain and USA. This means that the culture is quite similar to the west and this brings us onto the first reason why living in the Philippines is so good.

1. The people in the Philippines speak excellent English. The Catholic religion is similar to Europe and America. The previous ties to Spain and more recently USA mean that it is very easy to get along with people. Other countries in Asia like India and Thailand have very different cultures and English is not widely spoken you you feel very out of place.

2. The country has a warm climate and countless places to take a short vacation if you are living in one of the large cities. There is plenty of rain in the rainy season between June and September but the general weather is hot and tropical. You are never more than a few hours away from a nice beach or more mountainous destinations like volcanoes or the rice terraces of somewhere like Banaue.

3. The price of living in the Philippines is very cheap compared to western countries. A small place could cost as little as $200 a month, but there are also high class condos available for expats. Food can cost next to nothing or if you live somewhere like Makati City in Manila there are many top class international restaurants with every cuisine imaginable available.

4. The low costs of living make it a great place to work in. The facilities offered to people working in international companies are excellent throughout the country. If you are self employed then of course the lower expenses will really help. The Philippines has an excellent education system so if you want to start a business it is a perfect place to do so to take advantage of the low salaries.

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Marvin Salazar asked:




The Philippines is a country that has rich and amazing places to visit. The country offers dynamic tourist attractions for all types of travelers with its 7,107 islands. Festivals and events are present all year-round from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that draw and captivate local and foreign visitors. Surely, a year is not enough to discover and experience the country’s pristine beauty so there is no proper time to travel than NOW!

As a traveler, it is important that you travel wisely. The main purpose of traveling is to have fun. To spare yourself the hassle and make it to an unforgettable trip, a systematic preparation must be done. Take it from a traveler like myself. Here are 5 tips for a hassle-free travel:

Know Your Destinations

Before you pack your belongings and book your trip, it is very important to know where you plan to go. Do your research first about the destination you want to visit. Get some knowledge about the location, climate, food, available accommodations, accommodation rates, dialect spoken, culture and values. Bring a map if you’re not familiar with the place. Although you can always ask the locals for directions, there is still a certain thrill of finding your own way out of the maze. It is also handy that you know something about the history of the place because it will give you a deeper appreciation. Believe me, it all works!

Book Early and Save Money

Early booker catches the best travel packages and promotions! Your travel need not be expensive. Cut down on travel expenses and save money by searching and availing of cheap flight deals. Hotels and inns also give out great discounts to group accommodations when the booking is done ahead of time.

Prepare Your Itineraries

When traveling, it is important that your activities are plotted earlier on. You don’t only budget your money but your time as well. Scheduled itineraries allow a maximum experience on a given place at a give time. You not only have time to enjoy the beauty of the place but you also can avoid rushing from one place to another.

Pack Light and Wise

Bring only the essentials! Don’t bring your house with you! Just bring the basic necessities. When it comes to clothes, bring only those that are generally wearable, comfortable and appropriate. If you’re going to a cool place like Baguio or Tagaytay, bring jackets and thick clothes. But, if you’ll be visiting the beaches, just bring your **** swimsuits and some light clothes.

Travel Safely

Be sure to bring a first aid kit. Accidents might happen on your travel so it’s better to be prepared than sorry. Bring your medications with you if you have allergies or common diseases. You don’t want to spoil your trip by experiencing asthma attacks in remote areas where no hospital/clinic nearby.

Always…

Remember: Expect the unexpected. Sometimes no matter how much you prepare, there are things that can still get out of control.

Bear in mind: Bring an open-heart when you travel. Do not be afraid to take risks and try new things. Traveling is not only about visiting a certain place. You travel to enjoy, learn, and gather travel stories to tell back home. By having a free-spirited heart, your travel will still turn out to be memorable no matter what happens.

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Claire Ortega asked:




The Philippines is a country of diversity – brimming with colorful people living in colorful places. But not when it comes to the weather. There are only two seasons in the Philippines: wet and dry. But don’t let bad weather keep you from having fun on your trip! A little Philippines travel guide will go a long way.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has affected the weather in tropical Philippines, too. There used to be a clear point when the seasons started and ended. Today though, Filipinos (and their visitors) experience unexpected weather changes: the sun could be shining warmly one moment, and heavy rain could be pelting down the next. But generally, the country experiences its warmest from April to October. The rest of the year is relatively colder because of the monsoon winds. On average, twenty typhoons enter the country yearly; the majority of which occur during the latter half of the year.

LOCAL WEATHER

Some places in the Philippines are known to have their own weather system – specially in mountainous areas. Weather could also be magnified in places near beaches or other bodies of water. It is best to keep updated with weather changes from local and international news. PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration) is the government weather bureau. They publish hourly reports whenever a typhoon hits the country.

BE PREPARED

During your stay in the Philippines, always bring around your weapons against the elements. Sun block is good for preventing painful sunburns (specially for those with sensitive skin). Umbrellas can shield you from both the harsh sun and the pelting rain. Hats with wide brims or visors protect your hair and eyes. Sunglasses can help prevent the sun from damaging your vision. And fans can help keep you cool through the humid days.

Keep these Philippines travel information in mind, and you will enjoy your stay in the Philippines come rain or come shine.

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Pierre Smith asked:




The Philippines is a majestic place to visit. The country has so much to offer to its millions of visitors each year. Because of the diversity of the things a tourist can do in the Philippines, it has been such a popular place to unwind, relax, and genuinely have a great time. There are many popular vacation spots in the Philippines and if you have all the time to spend exploring the country’s 7,107 islands, then by all means do so and have a grand time. However, if you only have a limited time to spend in this beautiful country, here are the top 5 Philippine vacation destinations to visit.

The top 5 Philippine vacation destinations mentioned here are not arranged in a particular order but rather chosen because of its wonderful attractions. These top 5 Philippine vacation destinations are also the places that have an increasing number of tourists recorded to visit each year, which just shows that these are the areas which cater very well to them.

The first place on the list is Baguio City, a mountainous place in Northern Luzon, which is approximately six hours from the Manila, the country’s capital. Baguio is known for its climate which can be very cold even during summer. Locals and tourists alike enjoy going to there during the Christmas season to unwind. Much greenery can be found in Baguio. It is also known for its strawberries which are at par with the strawberries grown abroad. There are lots of things to do in Baguio like strawberry picking, horse-back riding, and golf, among others.

When in the Philippines, one should not miss the chance to see the Chocolate Hills located in the province of Bohol. The Chocolate Hills is on its way to become one of the new Seven Wonders of the World as per online voting. Not only are the Hills amazing, but the entire province as well. Bohol is known all over the world for being the habitat of the world’s smallest primate – the tarsier. Not only that, Bohol is also known for its white sand beaches and excellent dive spots in Panglao. It also has the Loboc River and a Man-Made Forest to add to its fare.

Next on the list is Boracay. Boracay is a haven for tourist for its pristine white sand beaches. There is so much to do in Boracay which can range from a relaxing dip in the pool, a quiet time on the porch, a swim in the beach, or a party during the night. Locals love going to Boracay to have a good time. It is Philippine’s very own Miami.

Fourth on the list is the Queen City of the South, Cebu. Cebu is just an hour away by plane from Manila, and it is known for being a place that offers diverse options for the tourists. Like Bohol, Cebu also has fine white sand beaches in its northern part, particularly in Bantayan Island. Cebu is also known to have very good diving spots in Moalboal and Mactan.

Lastly, you should not forget to pay Palawan a visit. The place has a wonderful biodiversity and is rich in natural resources. Palawan also boasts of its beaches and its beautiful underground caves. Visiting Palawan will truly be a pleasant experience because it is nature at its best.

These are the top 5 Philippine vacation destinations that you can visit. For sure, these places will not be on the top of the list if they fail to give the much needed break that most people want.

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Muhammad Suhail asked:




Manila is city in the Philippines and is located near the west of the island of Luzon. It is known as the cosmopolitan hub of the Philippines. Manila is a city that is one in total of 17 cities and municipal towns in an area that is called as the national capital region or metro manila in Philippines. The city of Manila which is more historically remembered is located between the manila bay and Pasig River.

Climate
Manila is city of tropical climate with two very obvious seasons. The climate here remains wet with constant rains or dry spells of sunlight. Tropical storms are common in the city and occur from May till November after which the climate remains dry till April. Temperature hover around 20 to late 30s during summer months. The winters remain cool with the temperature going down to 10 degrees.

Getting Here
If you have decided to spend your holiday here then you should make all your travel and accommodation plans early as hotels here are full in the peak seasons. Most of the foreign visitors arrive by plane and land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. From here, you can take taxis and reach at your hotel. Once settled, you can take buses or ferries for inter island travel as manila is connected to the various other islands in the Philippines. You can also take jeepneys to get around the city. They are the fastest and the least expensive. You can roam around with just 7-8 pesos per trip. Other means include water taxis and water buses which flow with the Pasig River.

Major Attractions
Some of the major tourist’s attractions in Manila are situated along the Manila bay. First up, is the Baywalk, which is a linear park along the Manila bay. You can also visit the Bonifacio Shrine built to honor the memory of Andreas Bonifacio, who fought against the Spanish. You can also visit the Chinatown, a very famous place for Chinese food. Then there is the Intramuros, which houses some of the old collections of the city. It also has a museum and Manila cathedral.

People
The people in Manila are from various different communities. English and Filipino are the widely spoken languages here. As there are many Chinese here, mandarin is also widely spoken in the Chinese areas of the cities. People are generally friendly and hospitable and you should enjoy the social life in the city.

Food
The city offers many eating out places and provides a vibrant and diverse taste. The city has all the common international food chains. Coffee shops and cafes are also quite common. But, the traditional street food is most famous among tourists. The variety of dishes on the streets is enormous and would certainly tantalize your taste buds. Some of the most famous dishes include the Chicharon, the Balut, banana Cue, silog, Nanay Q and Balut Eggspress. Overall, the food is cheap and quite tasty but you should be aware that there are many street foods that may not be as clean as you might think so should always eat with precaution.

Security
During your stay in the city you should move around with precaution as street and other kinds of crimes are common in certain areas. Theft and pick pocketing is normal and you are advised to blend in with the crowd when on the streets.

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Jason Martin asked:




If you’ve traveled at all, you know that packing for a trip can be time consumer and perhaps a worrisome ordeal. If you’re traveling a far distance, to some exotic land, the pressure really cranks up.

But, fear not. Today, I’ll give you a list of items you should think about packing for your next excursion to the Philippines. The last thing anyone wants is to being a vacation on a bad note. One pre-visit tip is to check the climate for the area(s) you’ll be visiting. The Philippines is a tropical paradise, but the climate changes from region to region.

Here’s a quick list of some good items to bring on your Philippines vacation:

1. Lightweight cotton shirts (to be comfortable).

2. Tank tops (again, comfort is key).

3. Shorts & jeans (mixture for climate and activity changes).

4. Camera with extra memory cards (capture everything).

5. Power adapter

6. Insect repellant (especially if you require a specific type/brand).

7. Sunglasses

8. Tagalog phrase book or cheat sheet.

I’d also recommend brining an extra suitcase, so you have plenty of room for souvenirs. You’ll definitely want to bring stuff home with you. In the Philippines, they call gift items “pasalubongs.”

While most Filipinos speak English (less in the more remote parts), knowing just a handful of key phrases in Tagalog (their language) will help you blend in more (they’ll appreciate it) and you’ll be able to navigate better. There’s no need to learn the whole language, but bring at least a sheet with 15-20 phrases/words on it.

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Bercle George asked:


The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands. The Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world, after Indonesia, and enjoys a healthy tropical climate. There are many islands located in the Philippines, and one of them is the Boracay, which covers three kilometers of white beach.

The charm and beauty of the Philippines has always mesmerized travelers and vacationers. The Philippines also boasts as one of the top three best diving destinations as well aside from Palau and the Maldives.

Palawan has natural gas fields on the northeastern part of the island but the beautiful beaches around the island are still maintained. There are so many types of places to visit in the Philippines that it’s hard to enumerate each and every one of them. A luxury resort will, however, normally be characterized by a high level of luxury, sophistication and, of course, price.

Famous Destinations in the Philippines:

-Manila, Cebu and Boracay are the ground zero for parties – pool parties, yacht parties, rave and fashion events.

-Everyone head for the nearest beach so if you don’t want to feel crowded when you’re sunbathing, set your travel date for another time of the year.

-Bohol is also blessed with a numerous white sand beaches, and Panglao Island is one of the famous destinations, having powdery sand.

Foods:

-Filipino dishes very frequently include coconut, and, hence, meat, and other vegetables are cooked using coconut milk.

-Rice is served with almost all meals, as it is their staple food. Countryside folks eat their main meal at noon, while city inhabitants place emphasize on the evening meal.

- Apart from fish, the Filipinos also like other seafood such as crabs, shellfish, and shrimps.

-The Filipinos consider food to be the most important aspect of their culture since it is an integral part of their communal existence.

Events:

-Xmas Eve is the time when you can raise toasts and drinks to celebrate this festival.

-Surfing in the Philippines is comparable to the best in the world – with the world-famous cloud 9s off the island of Siargao facing the Philippine Trench in the Western Pacific as well as the surfing destinations of La Union and Zambales (facing South China Sea).

-The beauty pageant Miss Earth is the 4th largest beauty competition in the world and it is held in the Philippines every year.

Shopping:

If you would like to find Philippine items that you miss, start shopping online now. Shopping is one of the things tourists love about the Philippines. This will give you a large selection of sites that offer the products you desire.