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Friends, Family and Fulfillment in the Philippines
December 27, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Nicci Hawkins asked:
What makes us interested in international travel? For some it might be the lure of an exotic country, a recommendation from a friend or the need to flee the rain in the summer (as is often the case in the UK). For me, it was disillusionment with my degree and the need to get out of London, so I looked to travel and in particular to volunteering as a form of escapism. I had the idea that I could go somewhere and impart some of my knowledge, some of my time, and hopefully give back to someone along the way. I had the vision that I could the world, albeit in a very small way.
Altruistic? In part, but I also wanted to get out of my situation and this seemed like a way of feeling better about it, as well as making 11-month orphans in the Philippines smile. This trip was my first solo experience, and to say that I was nervous is an understatement! Arriving into Tacloban Airport though, opened my eyes to another world. The air was light and fresh and there were luscious green palm trees and banana plantations everywhere. I was stunned at the beauty but also confronted by the fact that the reality of life here was not as I knew it. The Filipino standard of living in this area is incredibly low and I finally realized that I was about to experience an extremely different way of life.
Throughout my time in the Philippines, I was pointed at, stared and laughed at (especially when I attempted to go for a run round the block, but I have since learned that Filipinos rarely walk long distances, let alone run). But the longer I was there, the more I enjoyed my freedom. The pointing, staring and laughing happened because the people weren’t use to me, and in the beginning I wasn’t used to them either and although this was really hard at one point, it soon became easier to handle. Over time, I learned to love the smells, the sounds, and the hustle and bustle of a city that wasn’t London. I loved commuting on pedicabs and jeepneys (Google them-they are like old school American school buses, painted and decorated to the nines!) and started to get a real flavor for the country and more importantly, the people.
Never in my life have I received such hospitality, and such unusual reactions! As a Westerner, my co-workers at the orphanage saw me as a gateway to the south for their sons or daughters, and many thought that I may be able to find them a husband or wife back home! At the orphanage I was poked, squeezed and pinched and I soon realized that this was their expression of acceptance and interest. I learned that ‘joking only’ was part of the Filipino alphabet (nothing is to be taken seriously, that’s for sure) and that to be English automatically equated me with ‘cups of tea’ and Hermione Granger from Harry Potter (though I look absolutely nothing like her), and that at 1m 75 (about 5’9), I am actually head and shoulders above the rest of the population!
My days were spent working in the orphanage and providing caregivers with help and support. Outside of the orphanage, my life was filled with exploring the surrounding islands with fellow volunteers but it was also enriched by the love and support of my home stay family. I was truly welcomed in as one of them, and was introduced to their extended and extended-extended family throughout my five weeks in the country.
I remember at the end of my time there when I was complaining about going back home to London, the older brother of the family said to me, “You have to go back, Nicci. Your life isn’t here. This isn’t your reality.” As hard as it was to hear, he was right. I had the most incredible time traveling and volunteering, making new international friends and bonding with the most beautiful and giving family but my life was still back in London and I still hadn’t figured out who the ‘real’ me was.
Four years later, and I’m now working for the same volunteering abroad organization that I volunteered with – Kaya Responsible Travel, and I am heading out to live in the Philippines in November for a year. I won’t lie and say that heading off by oneself, especially as a lone female traveler, is easy, but it was certainly the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. I experienced so much on my own, and I saw and learned more than a regular ‘tourist,’ who just scratches a country’s surface.
My advice to fellow travelers seeking a challenge and a change is to just do it. Forget about where you’ve come from, and truly embrace the country that you are visiting. Get to know the local people, learn the language and embrace change. As soon as I returned to London, I started planning my next trip, and I’ve had itchy feet ever since. Now instead of bawling my eyes out when I get to the airport, I get that nervous, excited feeling in my stomach: of adventure and the unknown. We have been given the gift of living in ‘the era of easy travel’ so it would just be rude not to take up the offer!
Caffeinated Content
What makes us interested in international travel? For some it might be the lure of an exotic country, a recommendation from a friend or the need to flee the rain in the summer (as is often the case in the UK). For me, it was disillusionment with my degree and the need to get out of London, so I looked to travel and in particular to volunteering as a form of escapism. I had the idea that I could go somewhere and impart some of my knowledge, some of my time, and hopefully give back to someone along the way. I had the vision that I could the world, albeit in a very small way.
Altruistic? In part, but I also wanted to get out of my situation and this seemed like a way of feeling better about it, as well as making 11-month orphans in the Philippines smile. This trip was my first solo experience, and to say that I was nervous is an understatement! Arriving into Tacloban Airport though, opened my eyes to another world. The air was light and fresh and there were luscious green palm trees and banana plantations everywhere. I was stunned at the beauty but also confronted by the fact that the reality of life here was not as I knew it. The Filipino standard of living in this area is incredibly low and I finally realized that I was about to experience an extremely different way of life.
Throughout my time in the Philippines, I was pointed at, stared and laughed at (especially when I attempted to go for a run round the block, but I have since learned that Filipinos rarely walk long distances, let alone run). But the longer I was there, the more I enjoyed my freedom. The pointing, staring and laughing happened because the people weren’t use to me, and in the beginning I wasn’t used to them either and although this was really hard at one point, it soon became easier to handle. Over time, I learned to love the smells, the sounds, and the hustle and bustle of a city that wasn’t London. I loved commuting on pedicabs and jeepneys (Google them-they are like old school American school buses, painted and decorated to the nines!) and started to get a real flavor for the country and more importantly, the people.
Never in my life have I received such hospitality, and such unusual reactions! As a Westerner, my co-workers at the orphanage saw me as a gateway to the south for their sons or daughters, and many thought that I may be able to find them a husband or wife back home! At the orphanage I was poked, squeezed and pinched and I soon realized that this was their expression of acceptance and interest. I learned that ‘joking only’ was part of the Filipino alphabet (nothing is to be taken seriously, that’s for sure) and that to be English automatically equated me with ‘cups of tea’ and Hermione Granger from Harry Potter (though I look absolutely nothing like her), and that at 1m 75 (about 5’9), I am actually head and shoulders above the rest of the population!
My days were spent working in the orphanage and providing caregivers with help and support. Outside of the orphanage, my life was filled with exploring the surrounding islands with fellow volunteers but it was also enriched by the love and support of my home stay family. I was truly welcomed in as one of them, and was introduced to their extended and extended-extended family throughout my five weeks in the country.
I remember at the end of my time there when I was complaining about going back home to London, the older brother of the family said to me, “You have to go back, Nicci. Your life isn’t here. This isn’t your reality.” As hard as it was to hear, he was right. I had the most incredible time traveling and volunteering, making new international friends and bonding with the most beautiful and giving family but my life was still back in London and I still hadn’t figured out who the ‘real’ me was.
Four years later, and I’m now working for the same volunteering abroad organization that I volunteered with – Kaya Responsible Travel, and I am heading out to live in the Philippines in November for a year. I won’t lie and say that heading off by oneself, especially as a lone female traveler, is easy, but it was certainly the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. I experienced so much on my own, and I saw and learned more than a regular ‘tourist,’ who just scratches a country’s surface.
My advice to fellow travelers seeking a challenge and a change is to just do it. Forget about where you’ve come from, and truly embrace the country that you are visiting. Get to know the local people, learn the language and embrace change. As soon as I returned to London, I started planning my next trip, and I’ve had itchy feet ever since. Now instead of bawling my eyes out when I get to the airport, I get that nervous, excited feeling in my stomach: of adventure and the unknown. We have been given the gift of living in ‘the era of easy travel’ so it would just be rude not to take up the offer!
Caffeinated Content
A Paradise Called the Philippines
August 12, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Greg Pierce asked:
The Philippines is considered one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. It is composed of 7,107 islands and has a tropical environment that can be enjoyed by any tourist. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy all of its panoramic views, whether natural or man-made. It is known to the whole world that the country has some of the best tourist destinations. Some of these places may not be that grand or majestic, but they will be spectacular, nevertheless, even for local folks.
Enjoying the different destinations in the Philippines is easy and may be due to the fact that English is considered to be the second tongue. Considering that the country has over 180 languages, many people do speak English, even in the rural areas. Some foreigners may wonder why this is so. It’s actually because Americans were the country’s last conquerors. The country also has strong ties with English-speaking countries. When you tour the country, you will find your vacation more enjoyable because it’s easy to understand why things are the way they are. It’s also easy to understand the Filipino culture because they will know how to converse to you.
If you’re planning to spend a holiday in this tropical haven, it would be great to know a little about it. the Philippines is an archipelago where islands are united by seas and divided by mountains. Geographically speaking, since the country is a composition of many different islands, people tend to share their sub-cultures to each other and everything will still be united as the larger Filipino culture that all regions will be known for. Because of this geographical nature of the country, Filipinos can be so diverse yet one in a unique way.
Today, the Philippines has risen as one of the most fabulous destinations in Asia. There are many spectacular views that any tourist can enjoy. If you go to mountains, you can see the man-made rice terraces in Banquet which were made by the natives of the mountains as a way of sustaining their livelihood. The Banawe Rice Terraces are actually counted as one of the eight wonders of the world, and so are the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Those who love the underwater will also marvel at the rich marine life in the country’s many diving sites.
Most of all, tourists will often leave the country thinking of it not only as a land of beautiful views and beaches but also as a place where warm and spirited hosts will effortlessly go out of their way to accommodate an eager tourist. Immediately after arriving in the Philippines, most foreigners would see how friendly and hospitable Filipinos are. In fact, some actually come back because they have found love in the Philippines. This love does not always mean romantic love. It can also be a fascination for the country’s fabulous attractions, including its culture.
Caffeinated Content
The Philippines is considered one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. It is composed of 7,107 islands and has a tropical environment that can be enjoyed by any tourist. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy all of its panoramic views, whether natural or man-made. It is known to the whole world that the country has some of the best tourist destinations. Some of these places may not be that grand or majestic, but they will be spectacular, nevertheless, even for local folks.
Enjoying the different destinations in the Philippines is easy and may be due to the fact that English is considered to be the second tongue. Considering that the country has over 180 languages, many people do speak English, even in the rural areas. Some foreigners may wonder why this is so. It’s actually because Americans were the country’s last conquerors. The country also has strong ties with English-speaking countries. When you tour the country, you will find your vacation more enjoyable because it’s easy to understand why things are the way they are. It’s also easy to understand the Filipino culture because they will know how to converse to you.
If you’re planning to spend a holiday in this tropical haven, it would be great to know a little about it. the Philippines is an archipelago where islands are united by seas and divided by mountains. Geographically speaking, since the country is a composition of many different islands, people tend to share their sub-cultures to each other and everything will still be united as the larger Filipino culture that all regions will be known for. Because of this geographical nature of the country, Filipinos can be so diverse yet one in a unique way.
Today, the Philippines has risen as one of the most fabulous destinations in Asia. There are many spectacular views that any tourist can enjoy. If you go to mountains, you can see the man-made rice terraces in Banquet which were made by the natives of the mountains as a way of sustaining their livelihood. The Banawe Rice Terraces are actually counted as one of the eight wonders of the world, and so are the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Those who love the underwater will also marvel at the rich marine life in the country’s many diving sites.
Most of all, tourists will often leave the country thinking of it not only as a land of beautiful views and beaches but also as a place where warm and spirited hosts will effortlessly go out of their way to accommodate an eager tourist. Immediately after arriving in the Philippines, most foreigners would see how friendly and hospitable Filipinos are. In fact, some actually come back because they have found love in the Philippines. This love does not always mean romantic love. It can also be a fascination for the country’s fabulous attractions, including its culture.
Caffeinated Content
Top Ten Beautiful Sights that the Philippines has to Offer
August 9, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Jonathan Williams asked:
The Philippines is an archipelago made up of about 7,100 islands. This archipelago country is located in Southeast Asia. In Asia, it is also one of the popular countries that get visited yearly by tourists, and here are the top ten places that they love going back to.
1.) Intramuros
This walled “city” is located in Manila. It served as a walled settlement of the Spaniards during their occupation of the country and, as such, has its own museums as well as churches and wonderful ruins. Today, this well-preserved Intramuros is one of the visited places in the Philippines.
2.) Rizal Park
Also called Luneta, this is a very good place if you want a leisurely walk. This park is dedicated to the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, who was not only a poet but a very good writer during the Spanish era, and this was also the place where he was executed. Now, this is a popular place for picnics.
3.) Baywalk
This is a walking distance from the Rizal Park. You can find here numerous restaurants and bars offering wonderful foods and drinks. This is also a nice place to stroll along as well as listen to the many bands that play at night.
4.) Mount Pinatubo
This majestic volcano that wreaked havoc in the lives of Filipinos during the early 1990s is located in Pampanga. Here, you can take guided hikes on some parts of its slope. You can also take a refreshing dip in Pinatubo’s crater lake.
5.) Nayong Pilipino
If you want to tour famous destinations of the Philippines in one spot, then visit Nayong Pilipino. This cultural park has a miniature Philippine Islands including some of the beautiful spots of the country. You can also buy here some native foods as well as souvenirs.
6.) Camp John Hay
When you visit Baguio, the country’s summer capital, be sure to visit also Camp John Hay. This used to be an American Military area but was later given to the Philippine government. Now, it is a recreational center with golf club, and it also offers horseback riding as well as camping.
7.) Boracay
Boracay Island is located in the Visayas Region. What this beautiful island offers is its majestic white sand beaches. This is a popular tourist destination of not only the locals but the foreigners as well, and there are a lot of activities here like the usual water sports as well as trendy bars and discos during summertime.
8.) Mount Apo
This magnificent mountain can be found in Davao. Here, you can go nature tripping as well as hiking. You will also see here the Philippine Eagle, which is said to be one of the biggest eagles of the world.
9.) Mayon Volcano
This wonderful and perfectly cone-shaped volcano can be found in Bicol. What makes this a major tourist spot is that you will find here the bell tower of an old church that was buried when it erupted during the early 1800s, and also, with that major eruption, it buried the Cagsawa town. Now, this is a must-see when you visit the Philippines, and you can also buy your souvenirs here as well as the famous pili nut candy.
10.) Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex
Located in Pili, Camarines Sur in Bicol, this is fast becoming a must-visit place whenever you visit the Philippines. If you love cable wakeboarding, then this is the place to be as it boasts of a wonderful cable wakeboarding experience as well as modern amenities. You can also find quaint cabanas here where you can spend your summer or vacation, plus, the services here are excellent.
Caffeinated Content
The Philippines is an archipelago made up of about 7,100 islands. This archipelago country is located in Southeast Asia. In Asia, it is also one of the popular countries that get visited yearly by tourists, and here are the top ten places that they love going back to.
1.) Intramuros
This walled “city” is located in Manila. It served as a walled settlement of the Spaniards during their occupation of the country and, as such, has its own museums as well as churches and wonderful ruins. Today, this well-preserved Intramuros is one of the visited places in the Philippines.
2.) Rizal Park
Also called Luneta, this is a very good place if you want a leisurely walk. This park is dedicated to the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, who was not only a poet but a very good writer during the Spanish era, and this was also the place where he was executed. Now, this is a popular place for picnics.
3.) Baywalk
This is a walking distance from the Rizal Park. You can find here numerous restaurants and bars offering wonderful foods and drinks. This is also a nice place to stroll along as well as listen to the many bands that play at night.
4.) Mount Pinatubo
This majestic volcano that wreaked havoc in the lives of Filipinos during the early 1990s is located in Pampanga. Here, you can take guided hikes on some parts of its slope. You can also take a refreshing dip in Pinatubo’s crater lake.
5.) Nayong Pilipino
If you want to tour famous destinations of the Philippines in one spot, then visit Nayong Pilipino. This cultural park has a miniature Philippine Islands including some of the beautiful spots of the country. You can also buy here some native foods as well as souvenirs.
6.) Camp John Hay
When you visit Baguio, the country’s summer capital, be sure to visit also Camp John Hay. This used to be an American Military area but was later given to the Philippine government. Now, it is a recreational center with golf club, and it also offers horseback riding as well as camping.
7.) Boracay
Boracay Island is located in the Visayas Region. What this beautiful island offers is its majestic white sand beaches. This is a popular tourist destination of not only the locals but the foreigners as well, and there are a lot of activities here like the usual water sports as well as trendy bars and discos during summertime.
8.) Mount Apo
This magnificent mountain can be found in Davao. Here, you can go nature tripping as well as hiking. You will also see here the Philippine Eagle, which is said to be one of the biggest eagles of the world.
9.) Mayon Volcano
This wonderful and perfectly cone-shaped volcano can be found in Bicol. What makes this a major tourist spot is that you will find here the bell tower of an old church that was buried when it erupted during the early 1800s, and also, with that major eruption, it buried the Cagsawa town. Now, this is a must-see when you visit the Philippines, and you can also buy your souvenirs here as well as the famous pili nut candy.
10.) Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex
Located in Pili, Camarines Sur in Bicol, this is fast becoming a must-visit place whenever you visit the Philippines. If you love cable wakeboarding, then this is the place to be as it boasts of a wonderful cable wakeboarding experience as well as modern amenities. You can also find quaint cabanas here where you can spend your summer or vacation, plus, the services here are excellent.
Caffeinated Content
Philippine Destinations
July 16, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
John Grant asked:
If you have travelled to a great deal of places and all over the world already then you probably have noticed that each city you visit is in some ways distinctly different from all others. You found out how each city has its own essential characteristic: the sophistication of New York, the glamour of Hollywood, the romantic atmosphere of Milan, the artistic flavor of Paris, the old charm of London, the liveliness of Tokyo…but if you decide to travel to the Philippines, there’s one quality that you’d notice all its cities have – and that’s warmth.
Below are several great spots to visit when you travel to Philippines. I assure you that there’s no need to fear getting lost or being treated in an unfriendly manner because the country is quite known as a tourist-friendly place.
Boracay – In recent years, Boracay, found in Aklan, Philippines, became very popular as a beach paradise to tourists all over the world. White sand, sparkling sea water, luxurious accommodation, great food and great company – you’ll find all of those and more when you travel to Boracay.
Intramuros – Fondly known as the Walled City because of its historic significance to the Philippines, traveling to the country wouldn’t be complete without a tour to Intramuros. There, you can check out the museums of the country and get to know a little bit more about the history and culture of the Philippines. Enjoy the beautiful wildlife that Luneta Park offers.
Malaca?ang Palace – I’m sure you’re aware of the legend of Ms. Imelda Marcos and her shoes. If you want to see where she lived when she was still the First Lady of the country, do try to travel to the deeper part of Manila and drop by at Malaca?ang Palace.
Ongpin – This is the Chinatown that everyone’s very proud of. If you travel to the Philippines and want to see a different side of Filipinos, perhaps you should travel to Binondo, Manila, where Ongpin is located and get to know the Filipino-Chinese communities. During holidays and festivities, you’d see that the streets of Ongpin would be decorated in authentic Chinese decors and everyone would be wearing red to honor the occasion they’re celebrating.
Banawe Rice Terraces – Located in the northern part of the Philippines, travel to Banawe to see for yourself what’s described as the eighth wonder of the world.
Wherever great spot you may find yourself in the Philippines, you’re sure to be welcomed by the natives with friendly smiles and warm hospitality.
Caffeinated Content
If you have travelled to a great deal of places and all over the world already then you probably have noticed that each city you visit is in some ways distinctly different from all others. You found out how each city has its own essential characteristic: the sophistication of New York, the glamour of Hollywood, the romantic atmosphere of Milan, the artistic flavor of Paris, the old charm of London, the liveliness of Tokyo…but if you decide to travel to the Philippines, there’s one quality that you’d notice all its cities have – and that’s warmth.
Below are several great spots to visit when you travel to Philippines. I assure you that there’s no need to fear getting lost or being treated in an unfriendly manner because the country is quite known as a tourist-friendly place.
Boracay – In recent years, Boracay, found in Aklan, Philippines, became very popular as a beach paradise to tourists all over the world. White sand, sparkling sea water, luxurious accommodation, great food and great company – you’ll find all of those and more when you travel to Boracay.
Intramuros – Fondly known as the Walled City because of its historic significance to the Philippines, traveling to the country wouldn’t be complete without a tour to Intramuros. There, you can check out the museums of the country and get to know a little bit more about the history and culture of the Philippines. Enjoy the beautiful wildlife that Luneta Park offers.
Malaca?ang Palace – I’m sure you’re aware of the legend of Ms. Imelda Marcos and her shoes. If you want to see where she lived when she was still the First Lady of the country, do try to travel to the deeper part of Manila and drop by at Malaca?ang Palace.
Ongpin – This is the Chinatown that everyone’s very proud of. If you travel to the Philippines and want to see a different side of Filipinos, perhaps you should travel to Binondo, Manila, where Ongpin is located and get to know the Filipino-Chinese communities. During holidays and festivities, you’d see that the streets of Ongpin would be decorated in authentic Chinese decors and everyone would be wearing red to honor the occasion they’re celebrating.
Banawe Rice Terraces – Located in the northern part of the Philippines, travel to Banawe to see for yourself what’s described as the eighth wonder of the world.
Wherever great spot you may find yourself in the Philippines, you’re sure to be welcomed by the natives with friendly smiles and warm hospitality.
Caffeinated Content
Philippines’ Pamalican Island
May 27, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Cedric Canierro asked:
Whenever we hear Philippines, we think of luscious forests, warm smiles of Filipinos and white sand beaches. Speaking of beaches, Boracay always comes to your mind as a beach-freak. Aside from the infamous Boracay, there are other white sand beaches in the tropics. Pamalican Island, apart from Boracay, is a small island that belongs in Cuyo Group of Islands located at the heart of Palawan and Panay. It is also the home of the high-end Amanpulo Island Resort.
Having the name Amanpulo (which means peaceful) spells it’s true meaning and added to that feature is it’s alluring beauty and tranquility. However, to transport tourists from Manila to the island, there is always an airplane standing by. It is also used to transport goods and supplies to the island. The island can accommodate less than 100 people to stay. That is an assurance that the place is not that crowded compared to Boracay and Puerto Galera. The fact that it’s so small you can tour the whole island in 3-5 hours walk.
If you think walking around the island is boring, think again. The island has so many activities to offer just like diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and beach combing. If you feel the romantic ambiance, try to arrange a barbecue night out with your date or simply grab your picnic basket and do your picnicking on the neighbor island. You can also indulge yourself in the island’s casitas (bungalow) that goes with a personal buggy. So if vacation is what you have in mind, always include Pamalican Island in your list of travel destinations in Asia.
Caffeinated Content
Whenever we hear Philippines, we think of luscious forests, warm smiles of Filipinos and white sand beaches. Speaking of beaches, Boracay always comes to your mind as a beach-freak. Aside from the infamous Boracay, there are other white sand beaches in the tropics. Pamalican Island, apart from Boracay, is a small island that belongs in Cuyo Group of Islands located at the heart of Palawan and Panay. It is also the home of the high-end Amanpulo Island Resort.
Having the name Amanpulo (which means peaceful) spells it’s true meaning and added to that feature is it’s alluring beauty and tranquility. However, to transport tourists from Manila to the island, there is always an airplane standing by. It is also used to transport goods and supplies to the island. The island can accommodate less than 100 people to stay. That is an assurance that the place is not that crowded compared to Boracay and Puerto Galera. The fact that it’s so small you can tour the whole island in 3-5 hours walk.
If you think walking around the island is boring, think again. The island has so many activities to offer just like diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and beach combing. If you feel the romantic ambiance, try to arrange a barbecue night out with your date or simply grab your picnic basket and do your picnicking on the neighbor island. You can also indulge yourself in the island’s casitas (bungalow) that goes with a personal buggy. So if vacation is what you have in mind, always include Pamalican Island in your list of travel destinations in Asia.
Caffeinated Content
Philippine Culture Uniquely Distinct From the Rest of the World
March 28, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Jose Abada asked:
The Philippine culture defines the unique distinctiveness of Filipinos from the rest of the world. Its richness in culture makes it highly different and more prominent from other countries. The Philippines have diverse cultural heritage, arts, traditions and spoken languages. The country has innumerable museums that take account to the wide historical and cultural evolution of its nation with churches, museums and galleries available throughout the Philippine Islands and are found in the different key cities of its provinces.
Each province has its own cultural folk dances showcasing the elegant styles of Filipino dances and the beauty of its people. They also follow their own unique traditions and have a way of celebrating their cultural practices through fiestas and events. The Filipinos naturally love arts and they can depict certain historical events through paintings, poems, songs and writings.
Historical Influence to the Philippine Culture
The culture of the Philippines is highly influenced by history and the blending of foreign influences and its indigenous civilization. The Philippines has been colonized by Spain for over three centuries. Hispanic influences are dominant in the Philippine’s folk music, foods, art, religion, language and folk dances.
The Malayo-Polynesian has influences to the Philippines during its pre-Hispanic and non-Christian era. It influenced the country’s mythology and indigenous culture along with the Buddhism, Hinduism, Islamic and Christianity traditions.
The United States also has an influence to the Philippine culture signified by the love of the Filipinos to contemporary pop music, film, basketball, music and fast foods. The Chinese and Japanese introduced martial arts, mahjong and other gambling forms. They also influenced the people’s natural preference to Asian cuisines.
The Philippine Cultural Heritage
The culture of the Philippine is diverse. About 90% of the Filipinos are Christians and 5% are Muslims. The rest practice other religions and others do not seem to have any religion at all. Despite the westernization of the country and foreign influences, many of its people remain to believe in superstitions. This cultural belief came from their ancient ancestors.
The country has beautiful traditional folk dances that showcase the elegance, beauty and grace of the Filipinos. They use flaunting Filipino dress and play Filipino music. The dances showcase the Filipino culture.
The Philippines is also a land of artists. Filipino artists are renowned in the world in the fields of music and art. They are highly respectable in these fields and brought honor and glory to their country. The Filipino people are great optimists. They always see light in the midst of darkness and always keep a positive point of view. This makes them endure the various challenges that arise in the economic, political, socio-cultural, religious and other aspects of their way of life.
There are several dialects that Filipinos can speak. They rank high as the country with most dialects spoken. The country has the most traditions to follow which continues to prevail despite its westernization. Most of these traditions are handed down in generations and continue to be practiced by majority of the Filipinos.
The diverse cultures and traditions in the Philippines make the country shine throughout the world. It has solicited fame and uniqueness to the country and its people. There is no wonder that the Filipinos are known for their warm hospitality and innumerable cultural traditions and heritage. The blend of foreign and ancient influences in Philippine culture makes the country uniquely distinct from the rest of the world.
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The Philippine culture defines the unique distinctiveness of Filipinos from the rest of the world. Its richness in culture makes it highly different and more prominent from other countries. The Philippines have diverse cultural heritage, arts, traditions and spoken languages. The country has innumerable museums that take account to the wide historical and cultural evolution of its nation with churches, museums and galleries available throughout the Philippine Islands and are found in the different key cities of its provinces.
Each province has its own cultural folk dances showcasing the elegant styles of Filipino dances and the beauty of its people. They also follow their own unique traditions and have a way of celebrating their cultural practices through fiestas and events. The Filipinos naturally love arts and they can depict certain historical events through paintings, poems, songs and writings.
Historical Influence to the Philippine Culture
The culture of the Philippines is highly influenced by history and the blending of foreign influences and its indigenous civilization. The Philippines has been colonized by Spain for over three centuries. Hispanic influences are dominant in the Philippine’s folk music, foods, art, religion, language and folk dances.
The Malayo-Polynesian has influences to the Philippines during its pre-Hispanic and non-Christian era. It influenced the country’s mythology and indigenous culture along with the Buddhism, Hinduism, Islamic and Christianity traditions.
The United States also has an influence to the Philippine culture signified by the love of the Filipinos to contemporary pop music, film, basketball, music and fast foods. The Chinese and Japanese introduced martial arts, mahjong and other gambling forms. They also influenced the people’s natural preference to Asian cuisines.
The Philippine Cultural Heritage
The culture of the Philippine is diverse. About 90% of the Filipinos are Christians and 5% are Muslims. The rest practice other religions and others do not seem to have any religion at all. Despite the westernization of the country and foreign influences, many of its people remain to believe in superstitions. This cultural belief came from their ancient ancestors.
The country has beautiful traditional folk dances that showcase the elegance, beauty and grace of the Filipinos. They use flaunting Filipino dress and play Filipino music. The dances showcase the Filipino culture.
The Philippines is also a land of artists. Filipino artists are renowned in the world in the fields of music and art. They are highly respectable in these fields and brought honor and glory to their country. The Filipino people are great optimists. They always see light in the midst of darkness and always keep a positive point of view. This makes them endure the various challenges that arise in the economic, political, socio-cultural, religious and other aspects of their way of life.
There are several dialects that Filipinos can speak. They rank high as the country with most dialects spoken. The country has the most traditions to follow which continues to prevail despite its westernization. Most of these traditions are handed down in generations and continue to be practiced by majority of the Filipinos.
The diverse cultures and traditions in the Philippines make the country shine throughout the world. It has solicited fame and uniqueness to the country and its people. There is no wonder that the Filipinos are known for their warm hospitality and innumerable cultural traditions and heritage. The blend of foreign and ancient influences in Philippine culture makes the country uniquely distinct from the rest of the world.
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Filipinos Do Speak Spanish
March 20, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Teresita Herrera asked:
When you travel to the Philippines, it’s good to have a basic knowledge of English and Spanish, because even among Filipinos who don’t speak Spanish fluently, there are thousands of Spanish loan words in the indigenous Malay languages of the Philippines.
Many people are mistaken in assuming that the Filipino culture is intermixed with influences from the Spanish culture, but that’s actually a mistake, since the national Filipino culture didn’t exist until the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s, and neither did the word Filipino. The Filipino culture is a result of the cultural mix of the indigenous Malay cultures, Spanish influences which are inescapable in the names, the languages, and in the ancestry of the Filipino people, and also a strong Chinese influence.
I always go to forum and message boards and have a good read, and common sentences are “If Filipinos spoke Spanish…”, “Filipinos don’t speak Spanish” “If Filipinos spoke Spanish today…” “Only old Filipinos speak Spanish.” “The only kind of Spanish in the Philippines is Chabacano…”
I’m 24 years old. When I was in Manila two years ago, I visited my great aunt, who I was told was becoming senile, so I assumed that she probably wouldn’t recognize me since it’s been 13 years since she had seen me, but I was amazed that the moment I arrived, walked up the steps to our old Spanish colonial style home, and entered the sala, she called me by my first name and began telling me about how tall I became and how I look so “mestizo” with my brown hair combined with my ****** features. I told my great aunt, “No, you look mestiza!” And she laughed and said, “No, I’m an indio!”, the irony being of course that these words were coming out of my great aunt standing there with her porcelain white skin, striking green eyes, sharp pointed nose, and wavy hair that used to be black but is now a beautiful snow white.
Of course, we’re just using the word mestizo in Philippine vernacular referring to appearance. Referring to my previous articles on our blog about the word mestizo, far be it for me to give a lecture to my great aunt about how the word mestizo is being used in a different way in the Philippines and is spreading miseducation among Filipinos about our actual racial ancestry as a country, especially when she’s the one who speaks perfect Spanish and learned it as her first language. But at the same time, it’s also understandable that words change meanings in different countries, and it’s just a natural part of language evolution.
I never thought that I looked Spanish or Latin, but it seems everybody else I ever met that wasn’t a family member or family friend in my entire life always did. But that same thing always happens to my mom and my aunts and uncles, since we don’t have features that are typically Malay. My Filipino friends always told me, “You know you don’t look Filipino…” a comment which is intended to praise you, but at the same time, also made makes one feel excluded. And I always thought it was ironic because I’m not that white looking, there are a lot of Filipinos especially celebrities that have a lot more and stronger European features than I do, compared to the rest of my family, I’m practically an Aeta, hehe. But of course, that’s okay, because Aetas are beautiful people.
I remember I worked for Fuji, the Japanese photo company in New York, and I’d speak in my broken Tagalog to our Filipino clients, “Oh! You’re Filipino!” And a funny thing is because I was used to speaking with my Spanish speaking clients and they always greeted me with “?Como esta?” whenever they entered my office, so I was used to saying “Bien!”. Well, one day, I was busy doing some work, a woman walked in and she said “?Como esta?” and I said, “Bien, gracias!”, and I looked up from my work, and realized that it was that nice Filipina woman I knew who was our repeat client, so I scrambled and said, “I mean, mabuti!” Hehe. It was when I looked up at her face I realized that she had said “Kumusta?” not “?Como esta?”, since to the discerning ear, the way Filipinos and Latinos say this common greeting in our culture is indistinguishable, and it certainly was for me that day and I’ll never forget it, hehe.
So I’m at my great aunt’s house, which is actually the former house of my grandfather, which she inherited when he died. One time, I visited by myself, and after merienda, she sat me down at the window, and we had a long talk in Spanish, about a lot of things, and I kept thinking to myself, why is everybody saying she’s becoming senile when her memory is still there? And in Spanish, I asked her about her life growing up, because I realized that since I hardly visit the Philippines and this is my last connection to my grandparents and to my family history, I have to soak up everything, and I have to find out as much as possible before the inevitable happens. She would speak to our maids in Tagalog, and speak to me in Tagalog and English also, and I’d reply in my broken Tagalog, but mostly in English since my Tagalog is so broken, hehe. But when I switched to Spanish, she spoke only in Spanish to me, and proceeded to scold me in Spanish, saying that I need to do good in school, and do something good with my life, and work hard, etc. which became really irritating since she began to say the same things over and over again. And then I asked her about her childhood, and she told me all kinds of stories, still in Spanish since it was her first language, about World War II, and how my great uncle died in the war, and all kinds of great things that I scrambled to write in a piece of newspaper so I could save it for later.
The thing I noticed was that she seemed okay but a little exasperated when she would conversate with her maids in Tagalog, and it was nice, but when I spoke to her in Spanish, it’s like an entire section of her memories just flooded back to her, and her eyes lit up, and I soon realized that it was because a great portion of her entire childhood and youth was lived in the Spanish language, and to have someone awaken that in her now, it was just an amazing thing to feel. It felt like when I looked into her green eyes and she told me all these stories about her childhood and her university life and the war and about my grandparents, I was literally stepping back in time to a Manila that no longer exists today, I was stepping back in time to my family’s own history, and it was just surreal.
My uncle also visited the house, and we had a short chat in Spanish also. And my aunt, who works in Canada for IBM,. There are also many Filipinos in this world that are highly educated and entered the U.S. or Canada through scholarships, and that proudly includes my mom and my aunts, anyway, she always tells me how this Spanish woman always likes to chat with her during lunch, because my aunt and uncles also grew up with Spanish (not Chabacano) as their first language, before they learned Tagalog or English.
My family is from Manila (and has been for generations ever since our family history has been recorded), not from Zamboanga or Ermita and certainly not from Cavite, although those are beautiful places, and and we have family members that speak Spanish, not Chabacano. There are Spanish speakers that are Filipinos that are not from those two provinces, but the miseducation about this topic seems to be deep among Filipinos.
But Chabacano is a beautiful creole language, and I love hearing it being spoken since it’s extremely easy to understand, at least for me, since it’s a mix of Tagalog and other local dialects with Spanish, and I understand Spanish and Tagalog fluently, so put it all together, it’s Chabacano, and I love it, I love hearing it.
It is absolutely true that Spanish is no longer widely spoken in the Philippines, and one step out of the airplane, it doesn’t take long for anybody to realize that, however, the Philippines does have it’s own unique version and accent of Spanish that is not Chabacano, it’s proper Spanish meaning that it’s not a creole, but it’s a Spanish that has it’s own influences from Tagalog, including dental stops between vowels that are influenced from the Malay languages. However, the only people that seem to be researching this very important and endangered part of our heritage are not Filipinos, but are American university scholars, and while Filipinos speaking Spanish today might seem like a grand myth to many young Filipinos, especially those overseas many of whom seem to be completely clueless about it among other things related to Filipino culture, it is in fact real. And it’s real in my own family.
So, the point is, always take everything you read on Filipino forums and message boards with a grain of salt, because all the statements above that I’ve read before, and I’ve heard repeated over and over before, I certainly know for a fact aren’t true considering that I am living proof of it, and so is my family, and I experience it and see it with my own eyes, and I live it everyday.
And don’t forget about the Filipinos celebrities in the public eye who do speak Spanish: Pilita Corrales, Junior, Isabel Preysler, Enrique Iglesias, Julio Iglesias Jr., Shaila Durcal, Tamara Falco, Ana Boyer, Chabeli Iglesias, Carmen Morales, German Moreno, Jaime Fabregas, and many many more.
Caffeinated Content
When you travel to the Philippines, it’s good to have a basic knowledge of English and Spanish, because even among Filipinos who don’t speak Spanish fluently, there are thousands of Spanish loan words in the indigenous Malay languages of the Philippines.
Many people are mistaken in assuming that the Filipino culture is intermixed with influences from the Spanish culture, but that’s actually a mistake, since the national Filipino culture didn’t exist until the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s, and neither did the word Filipino. The Filipino culture is a result of the cultural mix of the indigenous Malay cultures, Spanish influences which are inescapable in the names, the languages, and in the ancestry of the Filipino people, and also a strong Chinese influence.
I always go to forum and message boards and have a good read, and common sentences are “If Filipinos spoke Spanish…”, “Filipinos don’t speak Spanish” “If Filipinos spoke Spanish today…” “Only old Filipinos speak Spanish.” “The only kind of Spanish in the Philippines is Chabacano…”
I’m 24 years old. When I was in Manila two years ago, I visited my great aunt, who I was told was becoming senile, so I assumed that she probably wouldn’t recognize me since it’s been 13 years since she had seen me, but I was amazed that the moment I arrived, walked up the steps to our old Spanish colonial style home, and entered the sala, she called me by my first name and began telling me about how tall I became and how I look so “mestizo” with my brown hair combined with my ****** features. I told my great aunt, “No, you look mestiza!” And she laughed and said, “No, I’m an indio!”, the irony being of course that these words were coming out of my great aunt standing there with her porcelain white skin, striking green eyes, sharp pointed nose, and wavy hair that used to be black but is now a beautiful snow white.
Of course, we’re just using the word mestizo in Philippine vernacular referring to appearance. Referring to my previous articles on our blog about the word mestizo, far be it for me to give a lecture to my great aunt about how the word mestizo is being used in a different way in the Philippines and is spreading miseducation among Filipinos about our actual racial ancestry as a country, especially when she’s the one who speaks perfect Spanish and learned it as her first language. But at the same time, it’s also understandable that words change meanings in different countries, and it’s just a natural part of language evolution.
I never thought that I looked Spanish or Latin, but it seems everybody else I ever met that wasn’t a family member or family friend in my entire life always did. But that same thing always happens to my mom and my aunts and uncles, since we don’t have features that are typically Malay. My Filipino friends always told me, “You know you don’t look Filipino…” a comment which is intended to praise you, but at the same time, also made makes one feel excluded. And I always thought it was ironic because I’m not that white looking, there are a lot of Filipinos especially celebrities that have a lot more and stronger European features than I do, compared to the rest of my family, I’m practically an Aeta, hehe. But of course, that’s okay, because Aetas are beautiful people.
I remember I worked for Fuji, the Japanese photo company in New York, and I’d speak in my broken Tagalog to our Filipino clients, “Oh! You’re Filipino!” And a funny thing is because I was used to speaking with my Spanish speaking clients and they always greeted me with “?Como esta?” whenever they entered my office, so I was used to saying “Bien!”. Well, one day, I was busy doing some work, a woman walked in and she said “?Como esta?” and I said, “Bien, gracias!”, and I looked up from my work, and realized that it was that nice Filipina woman I knew who was our repeat client, so I scrambled and said, “I mean, mabuti!” Hehe. It was when I looked up at her face I realized that she had said “Kumusta?” not “?Como esta?”, since to the discerning ear, the way Filipinos and Latinos say this common greeting in our culture is indistinguishable, and it certainly was for me that day and I’ll never forget it, hehe.
So I’m at my great aunt’s house, which is actually the former house of my grandfather, which she inherited when he died. One time, I visited by myself, and after merienda, she sat me down at the window, and we had a long talk in Spanish, about a lot of things, and I kept thinking to myself, why is everybody saying she’s becoming senile when her memory is still there? And in Spanish, I asked her about her life growing up, because I realized that since I hardly visit the Philippines and this is my last connection to my grandparents and to my family history, I have to soak up everything, and I have to find out as much as possible before the inevitable happens. She would speak to our maids in Tagalog, and speak to me in Tagalog and English also, and I’d reply in my broken Tagalog, but mostly in English since my Tagalog is so broken, hehe. But when I switched to Spanish, she spoke only in Spanish to me, and proceeded to scold me in Spanish, saying that I need to do good in school, and do something good with my life, and work hard, etc. which became really irritating since she began to say the same things over and over again. And then I asked her about her childhood, and she told me all kinds of stories, still in Spanish since it was her first language, about World War II, and how my great uncle died in the war, and all kinds of great things that I scrambled to write in a piece of newspaper so I could save it for later.
The thing I noticed was that she seemed okay but a little exasperated when she would conversate with her maids in Tagalog, and it was nice, but when I spoke to her in Spanish, it’s like an entire section of her memories just flooded back to her, and her eyes lit up, and I soon realized that it was because a great portion of her entire childhood and youth was lived in the Spanish language, and to have someone awaken that in her now, it was just an amazing thing to feel. It felt like when I looked into her green eyes and she told me all these stories about her childhood and her university life and the war and about my grandparents, I was literally stepping back in time to a Manila that no longer exists today, I was stepping back in time to my family’s own history, and it was just surreal.
My uncle also visited the house, and we had a short chat in Spanish also. And my aunt, who works in Canada for IBM,. There are also many Filipinos in this world that are highly educated and entered the U.S. or Canada through scholarships, and that proudly includes my mom and my aunts, anyway, she always tells me how this Spanish woman always likes to chat with her during lunch, because my aunt and uncles also grew up with Spanish (not Chabacano) as their first language, before they learned Tagalog or English.
My family is from Manila (and has been for generations ever since our family history has been recorded), not from Zamboanga or Ermita and certainly not from Cavite, although those are beautiful places, and and we have family members that speak Spanish, not Chabacano. There are Spanish speakers that are Filipinos that are not from those two provinces, but the miseducation about this topic seems to be deep among Filipinos.
But Chabacano is a beautiful creole language, and I love hearing it being spoken since it’s extremely easy to understand, at least for me, since it’s a mix of Tagalog and other local dialects with Spanish, and I understand Spanish and Tagalog fluently, so put it all together, it’s Chabacano, and I love it, I love hearing it.
It is absolutely true that Spanish is no longer widely spoken in the Philippines, and one step out of the airplane, it doesn’t take long for anybody to realize that, however, the Philippines does have it’s own unique version and accent of Spanish that is not Chabacano, it’s proper Spanish meaning that it’s not a creole, but it’s a Spanish that has it’s own influences from Tagalog, including dental stops between vowels that are influenced from the Malay languages. However, the only people that seem to be researching this very important and endangered part of our heritage are not Filipinos, but are American university scholars, and while Filipinos speaking Spanish today might seem like a grand myth to many young Filipinos, especially those overseas many of whom seem to be completely clueless about it among other things related to Filipino culture, it is in fact real. And it’s real in my own family.
So, the point is, always take everything you read on Filipino forums and message boards with a grain of salt, because all the statements above that I’ve read before, and I’ve heard repeated over and over before, I certainly know for a fact aren’t true considering that I am living proof of it, and so is my family, and I experience it and see it with my own eyes, and I live it everyday.
And don’t forget about the Filipinos celebrities in the public eye who do speak Spanish: Pilita Corrales, Junior, Isabel Preysler, Enrique Iglesias, Julio Iglesias Jr., Shaila Durcal, Tamara Falco, Ana Boyer, Chabeli Iglesias, Carmen Morales, German Moreno, Jaime Fabregas, and many many more.
Caffeinated Content
The 7,107 Islands of Philippines Beckon You to Explore the Richness of Nature and Their Culture!
March 4, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Lopa Bhattacharya asked:
Philippines History:
From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, the 7,107 islands of Philippines today has evolved as a unique blend of the east and the west, both in appearance and culture. Today regarded as the third largest English speaking country in the world, the country has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences.
The Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese before the landmark event, Spanish colonization in 1521 altered the destiny of the island country. The Spanish colonization being a strong denominator in the history of Philippines, it brought about the construction of Intramuros, a “Walled City” comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. A series of political rebellions then continued for as long as 350 years, at the end of which in 1898, the Filipinos succeeded in winning their independence. It is worth mentioning over here that this independence of the nation was fuelled by leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo.
1898 became a landmark year in the history of Philippines as in this year; Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. However, The U.S. refused to recognize any Philippine right to self-government. As a result, Aguinaldo declared war against the United States for denying them independence on February 4, 1899. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. However, the country was able to regain its independence in 1946. In this way, the freedom-loving Filipinos have waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes, resulting in the vibrant democracy of today’s Philippines. Today, there are as many as 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations in Philippines, which ensures that democracy is restored to the country.
Philippines Economy:
Based on the agriculture industry, Philippines has gradually evolved today as one of the fastest growing economies in the whole of South East Asia. The service sector in Philippines is growing at a steady pace, keeping in tandem with the country’s phenomenal productivity in agriculture and industry.
Pimarily an agricultural region producing copra, maize, hemp, rice, sugar, and tobacco, the land of Philippines was also notable for mining activities as researches have found out that the mountains of the islands contain substantial amounts of chrome, copper, gold, iron, lead, manganese, and silver. Fishing, centered in Manila Bay and the Sulu Archipelago, has been yet another significant occupation, especially for the tribesmen scattered across the archipelago. However, the prospects of fishing as an industry like that of the agricultural and mining industry in Philippines is quite bleak, due to expensive funds and equipments. Important sectors of the Philippine economy, apart from agriculture, mining and fishing, include food processing, textiles and garments, and electronics and automobile parts.
While most industries of Philippines are concentrated in the urban areas around metropolitan Manila, natural gas resources have been discovered in recent times off the islands of Palawan, which are sure to add to the country’s substantial geothermal, hydro, and coal energy reserves.
Basically an agricultural economy with commerce, trade, and industry contributing to its growth and development, farming with the primary crops “palay” and “corn” and also minor crops like rootcrops, vegetables and fruits as well as cattle and swine raising are considered among the other major economic activities. Besides, the country’s oranges and mangoes are now major crops being exported fresh to Asian countries.
Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbouring south-east asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia etc. This was possible because there were the annual remittances of $7-8 billion from overseas workers. Besides, no sustained runup in asset prices or foreign borrowing happened over here, prior to the crisis. Therefore, from a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000. By the end of 2001, however, the country showed an economic slump in face of a global economic slowdown, but it soon recovered in the successive years, as GDP growth accelerated to 4.3% in 2002, 4.7% in 2003, and about 6% in 2004, reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and a much improved exports and agricultural output.
Despite all these facts and figures, Philippines’ high annual population growth rate and unequal distribution of income, its higher oil prices, higher interest rates on dollar borrowings, and higher inflation happen to be solid roadblocks to its consistent economic progress. Keeping these in mind, the government has to take a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress of the economy.
Philippines Culture/Religion:
A true blend of culture where east synergizes with the west, Philippines has acquired a cultural character with a little bit of all the cultures put together. Divided geographically and culturally into regions, each regional group of the Filipinos is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects. The sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao, all speak distinct dialects of their own. In this way, Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups. Housing Indonesian Malay people as well as some Chinese and Spanish elements, the country has been famous for its “Bayanihan” or spirit of kinship and camaraderie and hospitality that the Filipinos are said to acquire from their forefathers. The influence of the Chinese has incorporated in them the concept of close family relations, while the characteristic piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Regarded amongst the English-proficient Oriental people, they have Pilipino as the official national language, while English is considered the country’s unofficial one. As a matter-of-fact, Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world.
An integral part of the culture of the Filipinos, the “fiesta” is quite a cultural denominator of Philippines. The culture of the Filipinos indicates that good times or bad times, come what may, the fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio having at least one local festival of its own, (usually celebrating the feast of its patron saint), there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. The most pompous and elaborate among all these is Christmas, a season which the fun-loving Filipinos celebrate with all pomp and pageantry one can imagine.
Speaking about religion, the Filipinos have historically embraced two of the great religions of the world – Islam and Christianity. Introduced during the 14th century, shortly after the expansion of Arab commercial ventures in Southeast Asia, today Islam in Philippines is limited to the southern region of the country. On the other hand, Christianity, which was introduced in the 16th century with the coming of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, remains a predominant religion in the country with a large chunk of Catholics (82.9%) and a small number of Protestants (5.4%). Protestantism was introduced to the Philippines history much later (1889) by the first Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries arriving with American soldiers in the country.
The churches of Philippines, with their unique towering architecture, are landmarks in almost all important towns, provincial capitals, and major cities. As an important fact, two of the much prominent Filipino independent churches were organized at the turn of the century, namely, the ‘Aglipay Independent Church’ (founded in 1902) and the Iglesia Ni Kristo’ or ‘Church of Christ’ (founded in 1914). While the Aglipay has recently signed a covenant with the Anglican Church, the Iglesia ni Kristo has expanded its membership considerably.
Philippines Travel/Tourism:
With exotic beach destinations in Philippines like Boracay, Pagudpud, Mactan Island, Panglao, Camiguin and more, with a rare and exotic marine life adorned by flora and fauna, with an exciting range of water sports ranging from scuba-diving and snorkeling to sea kayaking and white water rafting, Philippines, along with its other neighbouring South-east Asian countries, happens to be a treasure trove for foreign tourists. As a matter-of-fact, the islands of the Philippines is said to be the most sought after wedding destination where traditional meets exotic, modern meets mythical and above all, east meets west.
Foreign tourists all over the globe vie with each other to experience the fabulous wedding packages at Shangri-la’s Mactan Island resorts. The Pansukian Tropical Resorts, on the other hand, are sought after every year with their offerings of enchanting honeymoon packages. And why not, for 7,107 islands, a coastline twice the length of that of the United States, the warm crystal blue waters of both the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the long, white sand beaches and a variety of marine life would be tempting enough for anyone in the world!
Philippines can also boast of a fascinating wildlife with a huge array of endangered endemic Philippine animals, including 108 African animals, man-eating Philippine crocodiles and the endangered “dugong”, or sea cow. The country can also boast of a spectacular marine life as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park of Philippines teems with coral species, coral genera, seagrass species, large marine life, dolphins, marine turtles; and seabirds. “The Bird Island of Central Philippines” is a critical stopover of up to 50,000 migrating water birds flying the East Asian migratory flyway yearly. Speaking of the distinctive beauty of the flora, there is the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Nature Center in Quezon Avenue, Philippines, that boasts of about 38 species of trees and shrubs, representing 2,443 trees commonly found in Philippine forests.
Besides, the idyllic settings of the Philippines’ make it a remarkable golfing destination for the elite and up market crowd. Gifted with unique golfing enclaves, from lush valleys to mountaintops, seaside resorts, or just within the cityscapes, Philippines can boast of proud sites of some of the world’s most prestigious international and local tournaments. These include the Johnnie Walker Classic, the World Amateur Golf Championships, the World Cup, The Asian PGA, and the Philippines Open. With all these attributes and much more, the country can very well be Asia’s Beach Capital in the true sense of the term.
Caffeinated Content
Philippines History:
From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, the 7,107 islands of Philippines today has evolved as a unique blend of the east and the west, both in appearance and culture. Today regarded as the third largest English speaking country in the world, the country has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences.
The Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese before the landmark event, Spanish colonization in 1521 altered the destiny of the island country. The Spanish colonization being a strong denominator in the history of Philippines, it brought about the construction of Intramuros, a “Walled City” comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. A series of political rebellions then continued for as long as 350 years, at the end of which in 1898, the Filipinos succeeded in winning their independence. It is worth mentioning over here that this independence of the nation was fuelled by leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo.
1898 became a landmark year in the history of Philippines as in this year; Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. However, The U.S. refused to recognize any Philippine right to self-government. As a result, Aguinaldo declared war against the United States for denying them independence on February 4, 1899. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. However, the country was able to regain its independence in 1946. In this way, the freedom-loving Filipinos have waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes, resulting in the vibrant democracy of today’s Philippines. Today, there are as many as 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations in Philippines, which ensures that democracy is restored to the country.
Philippines Economy:
Based on the agriculture industry, Philippines has gradually evolved today as one of the fastest growing economies in the whole of South East Asia. The service sector in Philippines is growing at a steady pace, keeping in tandem with the country’s phenomenal productivity in agriculture and industry.
Pimarily an agricultural region producing copra, maize, hemp, rice, sugar, and tobacco, the land of Philippines was also notable for mining activities as researches have found out that the mountains of the islands contain substantial amounts of chrome, copper, gold, iron, lead, manganese, and silver. Fishing, centered in Manila Bay and the Sulu Archipelago, has been yet another significant occupation, especially for the tribesmen scattered across the archipelago. However, the prospects of fishing as an industry like that of the agricultural and mining industry in Philippines is quite bleak, due to expensive funds and equipments. Important sectors of the Philippine economy, apart from agriculture, mining and fishing, include food processing, textiles and garments, and electronics and automobile parts.
While most industries of Philippines are concentrated in the urban areas around metropolitan Manila, natural gas resources have been discovered in recent times off the islands of Palawan, which are sure to add to the country’s substantial geothermal, hydro, and coal energy reserves.
Basically an agricultural economy with commerce, trade, and industry contributing to its growth and development, farming with the primary crops “palay” and “corn” and also minor crops like rootcrops, vegetables and fruits as well as cattle and swine raising are considered among the other major economic activities. Besides, the country’s oranges and mangoes are now major crops being exported fresh to Asian countries.
Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbouring south-east asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia etc. This was possible because there were the annual remittances of $7-8 billion from overseas workers. Besides, no sustained runup in asset prices or foreign borrowing happened over here, prior to the crisis. Therefore, from a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000. By the end of 2001, however, the country showed an economic slump in face of a global economic slowdown, but it soon recovered in the successive years, as GDP growth accelerated to 4.3% in 2002, 4.7% in 2003, and about 6% in 2004, reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and a much improved exports and agricultural output.
Despite all these facts and figures, Philippines’ high annual population growth rate and unequal distribution of income, its higher oil prices, higher interest rates on dollar borrowings, and higher inflation happen to be solid roadblocks to its consistent economic progress. Keeping these in mind, the government has to take a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress of the economy.
Philippines Culture/Religion:
A true blend of culture where east synergizes with the west, Philippines has acquired a cultural character with a little bit of all the cultures put together. Divided geographically and culturally into regions, each regional group of the Filipinos is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects. The sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao, all speak distinct dialects of their own. In this way, Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups. Housing Indonesian Malay people as well as some Chinese and Spanish elements, the country has been famous for its “Bayanihan” or spirit of kinship and camaraderie and hospitality that the Filipinos are said to acquire from their forefathers. The influence of the Chinese has incorporated in them the concept of close family relations, while the characteristic piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Regarded amongst the English-proficient Oriental people, they have Pilipino as the official national language, while English is considered the country’s unofficial one. As a matter-of-fact, Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world.
An integral part of the culture of the Filipinos, the “fiesta” is quite a cultural denominator of Philippines. The culture of the Filipinos indicates that good times or bad times, come what may, the fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio having at least one local festival of its own, (usually celebrating the feast of its patron saint), there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. The most pompous and elaborate among all these is Christmas, a season which the fun-loving Filipinos celebrate with all pomp and pageantry one can imagine.
Speaking about religion, the Filipinos have historically embraced two of the great religions of the world – Islam and Christianity. Introduced during the 14th century, shortly after the expansion of Arab commercial ventures in Southeast Asia, today Islam in Philippines is limited to the southern region of the country. On the other hand, Christianity, which was introduced in the 16th century with the coming of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, remains a predominant religion in the country with a large chunk of Catholics (82.9%) and a small number of Protestants (5.4%). Protestantism was introduced to the Philippines history much later (1889) by the first Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries arriving with American soldiers in the country.
The churches of Philippines, with their unique towering architecture, are landmarks in almost all important towns, provincial capitals, and major cities. As an important fact, two of the much prominent Filipino independent churches were organized at the turn of the century, namely, the ‘Aglipay Independent Church’ (founded in 1902) and the Iglesia Ni Kristo’ or ‘Church of Christ’ (founded in 1914). While the Aglipay has recently signed a covenant with the Anglican Church, the Iglesia ni Kristo has expanded its membership considerably.
Philippines Travel/Tourism:
With exotic beach destinations in Philippines like Boracay, Pagudpud, Mactan Island, Panglao, Camiguin and more, with a rare and exotic marine life adorned by flora and fauna, with an exciting range of water sports ranging from scuba-diving and snorkeling to sea kayaking and white water rafting, Philippines, along with its other neighbouring South-east Asian countries, happens to be a treasure trove for foreign tourists. As a matter-of-fact, the islands of the Philippines is said to be the most sought after wedding destination where traditional meets exotic, modern meets mythical and above all, east meets west.
Foreign tourists all over the globe vie with each other to experience the fabulous wedding packages at Shangri-la’s Mactan Island resorts. The Pansukian Tropical Resorts, on the other hand, are sought after every year with their offerings of enchanting honeymoon packages. And why not, for 7,107 islands, a coastline twice the length of that of the United States, the warm crystal blue waters of both the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the long, white sand beaches and a variety of marine life would be tempting enough for anyone in the world!
Philippines can also boast of a fascinating wildlife with a huge array of endangered endemic Philippine animals, including 108 African animals, man-eating Philippine crocodiles and the endangered “dugong”, or sea cow. The country can also boast of a spectacular marine life as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park of Philippines teems with coral species, coral genera, seagrass species, large marine life, dolphins, marine turtles; and seabirds. “The Bird Island of Central Philippines” is a critical stopover of up to 50,000 migrating water birds flying the East Asian migratory flyway yearly. Speaking of the distinctive beauty of the flora, there is the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Nature Center in Quezon Avenue, Philippines, that boasts of about 38 species of trees and shrubs, representing 2,443 trees commonly found in Philippine forests.
Besides, the idyllic settings of the Philippines’ make it a remarkable golfing destination for the elite and up market crowd. Gifted with unique golfing enclaves, from lush valleys to mountaintops, seaside resorts, or just within the cityscapes, Philippines can boast of proud sites of some of the world’s most prestigious international and local tournaments. These include the Johnnie Walker Classic, the World Amateur Golf Championships, the World Cup, The Asian PGA, and the Philippines Open. With all these attributes and much more, the country can very well be Asia’s Beach Capital in the true sense of the term.
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Philippines Packing Tips
March 2, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
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.
Caffeinated Content
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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Nightlife in the Philippines
February 17, 2011 by Anita
Filed under Travel And Leisure
Allan Merin asked:
For many years, the Philippines has been known as a first-class travel getaway in Asia. Its fascinating beaches, colorful events and festivals, and premier attractions make the country one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the region.
One way to make your visit to the Philippines memorable is to explore the country’s night time offerings. Nightlife in the archipelago of 7,107 islands is truly a big bash, considering how fun-loving and good-natured the Filipinos are. Bars and clubs have been mushrooming everywhere, especially in urban and metropolitan areas. Even hotels and resorts are hosting various gatherings to cater to the needs of the growing number of party animals in the country. Even during weeknights or an ordinary working day, Filipinos are always finding ways to relax and unwind.
Here is a guide to the best places where you can enjoy, sing, and dance all night long.
Manila
Manila is not only the capital of the Philippines but also the center of non-stop night time festivities. A famous nightlife venue in the city is Malate. This district is known for its bars and clubs along the portion of M.H. del Pilar, Mabini, and Adriatico streets. Restaurants and café have also been sprouting in the area. A visit to gimmick areas along Roxas Blvd and Manila Bay is also recommended.
Makati
Known as the financial capital of the Philippines, Makati is another perfect place to unwind after a day’s work. The city, which is home to dizzying skyscrapers and luxurious accommodations, also hosts upscale restaurants and bars where you can party all night. The Makati Commercial Center, Greenbelt, and The Fort are some of the most sought-after evening sites in the city. You can also hang out in Jupiter and J.P. Rizal streets.
Quezon City
Quezon City, the most populous city in the country, also offers a variety of entertainment at night. Affordable bar chows and beers make the city a favorite among partygoers. Clubs are located close to each other that you can literally bar hop. Timog Ave, Libis, and Cubao are some of the must-visit nightlife venues in Quezon City.
Boracay Island
Nightlife in the Philippines is not only confined in the city centers. Aside from its white sand beaches, Boracay Island is also home to bars and other night spots where you can drink, dance, sing, and unwind. Hotels and resorts are also ideal venues to enjoy your nocturnal life in Boracay.
Subic
A wide selection of nightlife adventure can be found in Subic. From live band to disco, the city is known for its lively party atmosphere. Out in this first-class municipality are foreigners and expatriates that make Subic their second home. The Magsaysay Blvd is akin to exciting night time offerings.
Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the
mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.
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For many years, the Philippines has been known as a first-class travel getaway in Asia. Its fascinating beaches, colorful events and festivals, and premier attractions make the country one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the region.
One way to make your visit to the Philippines memorable is to explore the country’s night time offerings. Nightlife in the archipelago of 7,107 islands is truly a big bash, considering how fun-loving and good-natured the Filipinos are. Bars and clubs have been mushrooming everywhere, especially in urban and metropolitan areas. Even hotels and resorts are hosting various gatherings to cater to the needs of the growing number of party animals in the country. Even during weeknights or an ordinary working day, Filipinos are always finding ways to relax and unwind.
Here is a guide to the best places where you can enjoy, sing, and dance all night long.
Manila
Manila is not only the capital of the Philippines but also the center of non-stop night time festivities. A famous nightlife venue in the city is Malate. This district is known for its bars and clubs along the portion of M.H. del Pilar, Mabini, and Adriatico streets. Restaurants and café have also been sprouting in the area. A visit to gimmick areas along Roxas Blvd and Manila Bay is also recommended.
Makati
Known as the financial capital of the Philippines, Makati is another perfect place to unwind after a day’s work. The city, which is home to dizzying skyscrapers and luxurious accommodations, also hosts upscale restaurants and bars where you can party all night. The Makati Commercial Center, Greenbelt, and The Fort are some of the most sought-after evening sites in the city. You can also hang out in Jupiter and J.P. Rizal streets.
Quezon City
Quezon City, the most populous city in the country, also offers a variety of entertainment at night. Affordable bar chows and beers make the city a favorite among partygoers. Clubs are located close to each other that you can literally bar hop. Timog Ave, Libis, and Cubao are some of the must-visit nightlife venues in Quezon City.
Boracay Island
Nightlife in the Philippines is not only confined in the city centers. Aside from its white sand beaches, Boracay Island is also home to bars and other night spots where you can drink, dance, sing, and unwind. Hotels and resorts are also ideal venues to enjoy your nocturnal life in Boracay.
Subic
A wide selection of nightlife adventure can be found in Subic. From live band to disco, the city is known for its lively party atmosphere. Out in this first-class municipality are foreigners and expatriates that make Subic their second home. The Magsaysay Blvd is akin to exciting night time offerings.
Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the
mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.
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