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PHILIPPINES > FACTS ABOUT THE VISITORS
GETTING THERE
Manila and Cebu are the only major entry points to the Philippines. There are
also flights between Davao in Mindanao and Manado on the Indonesian island of
Sulawesi.
PLANNING
Casual wear in lightweight cotton is worn most of the year, although warmer
clothes may be useful on cooler evenings. Light sweaters are recommended for
mountain trips. Umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season. Bring shorts,
hat, sunglasses, swimwear, insect repellants, flashlights, sun block lotion
and sandals. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not allowed for most bars and restaurants
and should never be worn when visiting churches, mosques or temples. Carry tissue
paper because public toilets almost never have any. Generally, the best time
to travel is from the middle of December to the middle of May, this time is
off-season for the typhoons. During the Christmas and Easter breaks, however,
it is difficult to get a seat on any form of transport because everyone is traveling
at this time. The most colorful festivals are in January and May. The rice terraces
of Luzon are at their best in March and April, and this is also the best time
for island hopping.
VISA AND DOCUMENTS
Foreign nationals visiting the Philippines must hold a valid passport and an
onward plane ticket. Visitors’ visas are not needed for stays of less
than 21 days and visitors from countries with diplomatic ties to the Philippines
will automatically receive a 21-day stay visa upon arrival. Three-month visas
can be obtained in advance. Multiple-entry visas (lasting six and twelve months)
are also available but are expensive and only allow for stays of 59 days at
a time. Visa extensions are possible and generally faster to obtain in regional
areas.
CUSTOMS
The following items may be imported into the Philippines without incurring customs
duty: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 liters of alcoholic
beverage of not more than 1ltr each; clothing, jewelry and perfume for personal
use up to a total value of US$1000. Prohibited items: Firearms, explosives,
pornographic material, seditious or subversive material, narcotics and other
internationally prohibited drugs (unless accompanied by a medical prescription).
Customs Regulations ~ Visitors must complete a Baggage and Currency Declaration
Form before disembarking. Currency Regulation ~ Visitors carrying more than
US$3,000 are requested to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines
counter situated at the customs area. Foreign currency taken out of the country
at the time of departure must not exceed the amount brought in. It is therefore
necessary to keep all exchange receipts for record purposes. Departing passengers
should not take out more than P 1,000 in local currency.
MONEY
The Philippine currency is known as the PESO and is divided into 100 centavos.
Most foreign currencies can easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized
dealers. The US dollar is the most recognized currency in the Philippines, and
is often easier to change than travelers' checks. Large denomination US bills
will get a better rate, but only clean banknotes are acceptable. Cash commands
a higher exchange rate than travelers checks Major credit cards are accepted
at major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants but visitors are advised to
bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins. ATMs are widespread
in Metro Manila and in all the major cities of the country, and accept Cirrus,
Plus, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Global Access Cards. Moneychangers often
offer higher exchange rates as compared to banks, hotels and most tourist establishments
but they are not always honest.
POST AND COMMUNICATIONS
All of the major cities and major tourist destinations have telephones, international
direct dial, fax, telex, courier and telegram services. Internet services are
available in major cities.
BOOKS
A Short History of the Philippines by Teodoro Agoncillo; The Philippines and
Readings in Philippine History by Horacio de la Costa; For Every Tear A Victory
by Hartzell Spence; America’s Boy by James Hamilton-Paterson; Corazon
Aquino and the Brushfire Revolution by Robert Reid and Eileen Guerrero; Brownout
on Breadfruit Boulevard by Timothy Mo.
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
The Philippines has over 25 daily newspapers, many are written in English,
including The Manila Times.
TIME AND ELECTRICITY
Time: GMT plus 8 hours. The Philippines shares the same time zone as Hong Kong,
Taiwan and Malaysia. Electricity: 220V, 60 Hz, the usual plugs have 2 flat parallel
prongs. Most major hotels in Manila have outlets for 220 and 110. Baguio City
is 110.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Metric
HEALTH
A yellow fever or typhus vaccination certificate is required from
travelers over one year of age arriving within six days from infected areas.
Those arriving from smallpox-infected areas also require a certificate. Cholera
is a risk and precautions are essential. Malaria risk exists throughout the
year in many areas below 600 meters. No risk is considered to exist in urban
areas. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the south, avoid swimming and
paddling in stagnant fresh water. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Hepatitis A
and E may occur. Japanese Encephalitis occurs with the highest risk from April
to January. Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central
islands, such as Manila. Strains of Gonorrhea that are resistant to penicillin
are common in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and Cebu City. Rabies
is also present. Health insurance is essential.
DANGERS AND ANNOYANCE
When traveling around the Philippines it is essential to be alert and aware,
as there will always be thieves and swindlers who target naïve, careless
or unprepared tourists. Keep valuables in the hotel safe, and try to keep money
in front pockets and hold on to shoulder bags especially in crowded places.
Avoid wearing much jewelry. In general, most of the Philippines is safe for
travelers, but there are a few isolated areas that it is recommended to stay
away from that include some of the southern islands of Sulu and Jolo, and some
remote areas of Mindanao
BUSINESS HOURS
Most businesses are generally open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and some are
open on Saturdays from 8am until 12noon. Banks are open from 9am until 3pm (or
occasionally 4pm) from Mondays to Fridays. Post offices are open from 9am to
5pm on weekdays. Supermarkets, Department Stores and Shopping Malls are open
from 10am until 9pm.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm and lots of fireworks. The
huge Black Nazarene Procession takes place on 9th January, when a life-size,
Blackwood statue of Jesus is carried through the streets of Quiapo. The three-day
Ati-Atihan, celebrated in Kalibo on Panay in the third week in January is the
Filipino version of the Mardi Gras. On Good Friday, there are many processions
throughout the country, and more in May, to honor the Virgin Mary in Flores
de Mayo. Military parades take place to celebrate Independence Day on 12 June.
Jan 1:New Year's Day. Apr 9:Bataan Day. Mar/Apr:Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
May 1:Labor Day. Jun 12:Independence Day. Aug:National Heroes' Day. Nov 1:All
Saints' Day. Nov 30:Bonifacio Day. Dec 25:Christmas Day. Dec 30:Rizal Day. Dec
31:Special Public Holiday.
FOOD
Filipino cuisine is influenced by Chinese, Malay and Spanish cooking.
Local dishes include a large variety of stews and soups, in particular an oxtail
stew in peanut sauce known as kare-kare, and meat or fish in a sour broth known
as sinigang, these dishes are always served with rice. Morning and afternoon
snacks are called merienda and pulutan, and are served with alcoholic drinks.
Barbecued meat or seafood is a popular evening snack. Side dishes include green
papaya, fermented fish or shrimp paste, and crispy pigskin. Halo-halo is a sweet
dessert made from crushed ice, jellies, fruits and evaporated milk.
SHOPPING
There are numerous department stores and plenty of shopping malls in Metro Manila
and the major cities. Weekdays are less busy than at weekends and the malls
are open everyday usually from 10 am till 9 pm. In addition to this, the market
stalls and bazaars may attract shoppers. Be sure to haggle for best prices and
do not be afraid to shop around and compare prices. Souvenirs include antiques,
baskets, woodcarvings and other handicrafts. |
