Philippines Local Customs

  Elaborate headdresses
by berenices
 
  • Elaborate headdresses
      Elaborate headdresses
    by berenices
  • Caramoan Islands
      Caramoan Islands
    by theguardianangel
  • buying them in supermarkets
      buying them in supermarkets
    by machomikemd
  • The Tourism Pavilion
      The Tourism Pavilion
    by jayjayc
  •   Local Customs
    by jayjayc
 
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates
Book now for big savings!
hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.

Sponsored Links

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

KARAOKE

by davidjo

Locals love singing, as they seem to do in most S.E.A. countries, but here everybody learns to sing as soon as they know how to talk. In fact many Filipino singers are very good and you will find Filipino entertainers in Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, to name a few. At Filipino parties, after a few drinks the Karaoke and the Microphone comes out and they will take turns singing, and all will enjoy the festivities that may not end until the early hours of the morning. Be careful when selecting your accommodation, make sure there is no Karaoke bar downstairs or next door as they will play the music at the highest volume, it even can be heard 100's of metres away.

DIVORCE

by davidjo

Divorce, no such thing in the Philippines!!! or is there? There is an annulment if you can afford it! Divorce in Western countries now can cost the equivalent of the salary for a morning's work if both parties agree, but here the cost could be in the region of 100,000 pesos, more than a year's salary to some, so most people just don't bother! Many teenagers find themselves pregnant but find true love some years later, change partners and settle down to spend the rest of their life in bliss.

DEATH

by davidjo

When someone dies here the person is displayed in the coffin either at the funeral home or their own home for 6 or 7 days before burial. This is not such a sad event but a reason to come pay your respects and sit all night long with food being offered, card games and drinking. Most families will spend a fortune entertaining the mourners by offering food and drink, and once the burial is over quite often the mourners are invited to eat again, sometimes a whole roast pig. On the day of the funeral the hearse will pick up the deceased, and the whole procession of mourners will drive slowly to the cemetery. On the front of the hearse will be a large poster of the deceased while the deceased favourite music blares out from the vehicle. Recently one guy passed away and heavy rock music was accompanying him on his last journey.

FAMILY

by davidjo

The most important things for a Filipino is the family who stick together when a crisis looms. The families help each other out, especially when trying to get someone educated when two or three brothers will work to support a younger daughter or brother to gain an education with the hope that they will graduate in to a good profession and be able to help support the family members, because without an education there is not much hope in escaping the poverty that so man people find themselves in. Should one of the family be a doctor or lawyer it is common that family members will repeatedly ask for financial help and usually get it. More importantly should a family member find himself in trouble with the neighbourhood or the police, the whole family will stick together to support him whether he is right or wrong. The family members may argue amongst themselves now and again but if you...

COCKFIGHTING

by davidjo

Cockfighting is to the Filipinos as what baseball is to the Americans and every sunday local men will flock to their local cockpit to gamble away their salary. In each village you will see men holding their cocks with care and stroking them (ha ha), spending their hard earned money on the best feed, hoping one day that they will have produced a champion. Good cocks exchange hands for 1000's of $s. Each cock will have a 3 inch blade attached to one of their feet, and are shown to the spectators before the fight, who have a chance to make bets by signalling to others in the arena. Then the fight will begin, usually the owners have to encourage their cocks to fight, then a flurry of activity will last for a few seconds or a little longer until one cock drops to the ground. He will quickly be inspected for injuries and possibly stitched back together again while the other one heads for the...

DWENDE

by davidjo

I first found out about the "dwende" when i instructed my workers to dig holes for my concrete fence posts, but upon returning the next day all the posts had been erected in a perfect neat line except for one. Where the post was meant to be was a termite hill 3 feet high, and upon questioning my workers as to why they never removed the termite hill, this reply was given. Sir, a dwende lives in the termite hill, it's his home. What's a dwende i asked my wife. Well i learnt that a dwende was a small elf pixie like creature that makes its home in termite hills, rocks, old trees and caves. The workers didn't want to upset the dwende and refused to demolish its home so to their surprise and horror i proceeded to destroy the termite hill myself. So be careful not to upset the dwendes while you are in the Philippines.

ASWANG

by davidjo

Locals believe in "aswang", a mythical, evil creature with vampire like qualities that flies during the night often stealing young children and sucking their blood. Also the Aswang can smell the dead and eats their livers. Mothers control their children by frightening them, saying the aswang will come and get you. Aswang are blamed for miscarriages and any unexplained or unusual bad thing that may happen.

RESPECT FOR ELDERS

by davidjo

When a younger person, especially a child, meets an older person they hold their hand out towards the older persons forehead as a sign of respect. Also younger people address older people, especially members of the family they address the female as Manang and the male as Kuyo, also as a mark of respect.

avoid shouting

by davidjo

If you get angry with a local don't shout, just talk things over quietly and smile while you do it. It is real bad if you go to someone's house to complain (this should never be done on someone else's property) and start shouting and if you do so be prepared for trouble.

invited to eat

by davidjo

Should you call upon a Filipino friend and you arrive when they are eating, they might invite you to join them, but you should politely refuse with the excuse you have just eaten, or you not feeling so good, or you are invited somewhere else later. This is because the locals are just being polite but may not have enough to feed you. Obviously this depends if your friend is wealthy

Local traditions and culture in Philippines

Top 3 Hotels in Philippines

Makati Shangri-La Manila  Manila

 17 Reviews and 429 Opinions  This is my Makati Shangrila Tips with the Newer Pictures. The Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is a... 

 Hotels in Manila

Dave's Straw Hat Inn  Boracay Island

 10 Reviews and 467 Opinions  Let me start this by saying Dave's is amazing, really. The staff was friendly, Always had a smile on... 

 Hotels in Boracay Island

George Guest House  Sagada

 20 Reviews and 24 Opinions  The place was clean and well maintained. It has a nice view of the rural Sagada village. Its the... 

 Hotels in Sagada

991 Hotels in Philippines
 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations

The Place

Reviews and photos of Philippines attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Philippines sightseeing.

Experience Philippines
Local Customs: Cities in Philippines
  1. Manila Local Customs
  2. Boracay Island Local Customs
  3. Cebu City Local Customs
  4. Baguio Local Customs
  5. Tagaytay Local Customs
  6. Makati Local Customs
  7. Puerto Galera Local Customs
  8. Subic Local Customs
  9. Bohol Local Customs
  10. Davao Local Customs
  11. Cebu Island Local Customs
  12. Pagudpud Local Customs
  13. Coron Local Customs
  14. Puerto Princesa Local Customs
  15. Vigan Local Customs
  16. Panglao Island Local Customs
  17. Sagada Local Customs
  18. El Nido Local Customs
  19. Caramoan Local Customs
  20. Corregidor Island Local Customs
  21. Baler Local Customs
  22. Lucban Local Customs
  23. Paranaque Local Customs
  24. Nasugbu Local Customs
  25. Malapascua Island Local Customs
  26. Banaue Local Customs
  27. Antipolo Local Customs
  28. Alabang Local Customs
  29. Guimaras Island Local Customs
  30. Bacolod Local Customs
  31. Bantayan Island Local Customs
  32. Samal Island Local Customs
  33. Laiya Local Customs
  34. Kalibo Local Customs
  35. Alaminos Local Customs
  36. Coron Island Local Customs
  37. Donsol Local Customs

More Cities in Philippines

 

Popular Regions in Philippines

City of Manila Local Customs  Province of Aklan Local Customs  Province of Palawan Local Customs  Province of Rizal Local Customs  Province of Bohol Local Customs  Baguio City Local Customs  Province of Zambales Local Customs  Province of Batangas Local Customs  Province of Laguna Local Customs  Province of Quezon Local Customs  Province of Cebu Local Customs  Province of Cebu Local Customs  Tagaytay City Local Customs  Davao City Local Customs  Province of Ilocos Norte Local Customs  Province of Pangasinan Local Customs  Province of Mindoro Oriental Local Customs  Quezon City Local Customs  Puerto Princesa City Local Customs  Province of Cavite Local Customs  Province of Ilocos Sur Local Customs  Bacolod City Local Customs  Cagayan de Oro City Local Customs  Province of Bataan Local Customs  Province of Camarines Sur Local Customs  Mountain Province Local Customs  Province of Cagayan Local Customs  Iloilo City Local Customs  Angeles City Local Customs 

More Regions in Philippines

Questions and Answers

analex27 profile photo

Q:  Hi everyone, I have visited the Philippines many times, but never in August. I'm just wondering if it's the typhoon season? If so,... 

thital27 profile photo

A: Hi Alex!Late August usually is typhoon season, so expect unpredictable weather by that time and hopefully no typhoon. Why not take a direct flight from Manila to Cebu... 

Read 4 Replies

postQuestion_button

Click here for best deals for Philippines

Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Plenty of choices
agoda.com Save up to 75%, Don't miss! Live support, Instant confirmation.
Book now for big savings!
hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates

Sponsored Links