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Manila Hotels: 2094 Reviews - 3970 Photos
Tagaytay Hotels: 280 Reviews - 790 Photos
Boracay Island Hotels: 1903 Reviews - 4303 Photos
Baguio Hotels: 376 Reviews - 775 Photos
Makati Hotels: 537 Reviews - 1851 Photos
Cebu City Hotels: 428 Reviews - 993 Photos
Vigan Hotels: 441 Reviews - 1148 Photos
Cebu Island Hotels: 175 Reviews - 420 Photos
Davao Hotels: 259 Reviews - 683 Photos
Panglao Island Hotels: 249 Reviews - 750 Photos
Pagudpud Hotels: 396 Reviews - 947 Photos
Puerto Princesa Hotels: 88 Reviews - 259 Photos
Puerto Galera Hotels: 449 Reviews - 951 Photos
Bohol Hotels: 541 Reviews - 1481 Photos
Coron Hotels: 222 Reviews - 488 Photos

Philippines Local Customs

Elaborate headdresses

by berenices

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Elaborate headdresses
by berenices
Ati-Atihan festival.
by cachaseiro
Ati-Atihan festival.
by cachaseiro
Ati-Atihan festival.
by cachaseiro
Rice by the side of the road in the...
by cachaseiro

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Greetings in the Philippines

by Penelope4

Filipinos like it very much if foreigners greet them in their language. You'll have a great time if you try to say the following:Magandang umaga - good morningMagandang hapon - good afternoonMagandang tanghali - good noonMagandang gabi - good eveningMaganda actually means beautiful but is translated as good above.When you leave the place (shop, hotel, restaurant), Filipinos will laugh or smile when you saySige - which can not be translated in one word but is used quite often by locals..

Shopping in the barrios - as a tourist

by Penelope4

If you happen to be visiting the barrios (rural areas in the provinces), please bear in mind that the Filipinos treat the foreigners kindly. If you bargain half the price like you would do in other countries, they will be offended or will find it ridiculous.Of course you can try your bargaining power in the cities. But not in the barrios please.

A few Filipino words

by jumpingnorman

To say How are you?/hello, jusy say "Kamusta?" You can add the word for friend "Kaibigan" to say, How are you friend? ==== Kamusta, Kaibigan?Most Filipinos will know some English and some will talk with you in "broken" English, which is English with poor grammar but you can still understand the message."Mabuhay" is sort of like "Cheers", and is also considered a formal term.Maganda is beautifulI love you is MAHAL KITA (interesting that the word for "expensive" is also MAHAL)Salamat PO is Thank You (adding the PO at the end is a show of respoect and mostly used for older people)Yes is OPO, and No is HINDI (but when alking with a younger person, just say OH-OH for Yes)How much is Magkano Po? And when giving your payment, just say BAYAD PO...SALAMATShouting for help ---- SAKLOLO!

Christmas Season in the Philippines

by joiwatani

Like Jumpingnorman, I will attend the VT meet virtually, too. We will surely come next time...Di ba (right), Norman? Ililibre raw ako ni Norman pag nanalo nang lotto! Seriously, you guys are great! Christmas is always nice in the Philippines. The last time I had one was 20 years ago...There is nothing like Filipino Christmas party- tons for food! Non-stop eating!!!

Sorry

by Perucha

Thanks, Juds, for inviting me.Oh.. I missed VT Xmas party last year when I was in Manila. Now I'm already in Indonesia and I'm afraid I can't attend either. I'm so sorry guys :(Have fun to all of you! I'm sure you'll have a blast!

At 18 - Celebrate Your Debut

by freddie18

Yes, Debutante Balls are widely celebrated in this part of the world. When a girl turns 18, more often she would be celebrating a lavish debutante ball/party. She is introduced to the society as a young woman. Those days, a Debutante belongs to a well-off or upper class family. These days, anyone have the right to have one as long as they can afford a once in a lifetime experience. To give you an idea on the sequence of the celebration, it would start with the Introduction of the Cotillion Court, her Family, her Escort , and the Debutante herself. It is followed with the Toast in honour of the Debutante. Then the parents will have to Welcome or Present their daughter to the society as a Woman. Invocation is never missed. It should always be part of the celebration. And now the main program starts with: Dinner Time, Father & Daughter Dance, Grand Cotillion Waltz Dance, 18 Roses Dance, 18...

Fear from Within, Phillippines

by bulldogtwo

Most of you have proven my theory(s) correct. Have you heard of many other countries that take it to this extent? What is most bothersome is to hear some of the comments that the fear is from their own countrymen. I know this is true as I have seen it myself, but still sad! People (locals) are also afraid of gossip, should one be seen talking to a foreigner, something nasty may be said about that person! And this is only the tip of the problems and it extends to many other issues that the PI Govt and the people seems to not want to deal with. It may sound as if I do not like the Phillippines, quite the contrary, it's a great country and has some great people, but it and they do not want to realize that they have to deal with some issues if they want to join the rest of asia socially and economically. This is not meant to offend anyone, but it is my perspective, and my experience, not...

Of Coffins, Cards, and Chicks

by birgitte

Filipino mourning and funeral customs can be very baffling to foreigners. For one thing, each region or province seems to have different norms that they follow. What may be the standard in one area may be considered a no-no in another. I can only attempt to enlighten you on some of the customs we have – at least the Tagalog practices I have seen so far. First the “Lamay” or wake. Viewings in the Philippines usually last twenty four hours a day and lasts for several days (sometimes even lasting more than a week) to give the family and relatives time to mourn and give respect to the dead. The long period is sometimes used to allow family members who are abroad to go home and be with their loved ones before they get buried. Most of the time, the wake is done in the home setting. An area in the house is dressed for the occasion with the usual fancy draperies, candles and candelabras...

Extending your stay in the Philippines

by GenuinelyCurious

Most foreign nationals receive a 21 day visa upon arriaval in the islands. But if that's just not enough time, you can extend to 59 days by going to the Bureau of Immigration office and pay a whopping 3000 pesos including a mandatory 1000 peso expedite fee no matter how far in advance you do it.In Manila, the office is in Intramuros and a morning drop-off should get you out in the afternoon. You can also pay a travel agency a fee, which may include another fee (bribe??) to an immigration agent to avoid the multi-hour sitting around.I've heard this is easier/faster in the Provincial Field Offices

the religion...?

by missmarianne

Around 92 percent of the Filipinos are Christians making it the world's third-largest Christian nation. Among the Christians, 83 percent belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 2 percent to the Philippine Independent Church, and 10 percent to various Protestant denominations. Some 5 percent of the Filipinos are Muslim and live primarily in parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.

Top 3 Hotels in Philippines

Makati Shangri-La Manila Manila

17 Reviews and 410 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 452 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

Rock Inn Sagada

4 Reviews and 24 Opinions When we went to Sagada, we tried looking for accomodation in the town proper but had really a hard...

Hotels in Sagada

990 Hotels in Philippines

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The Place

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

Experience Philippines

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Local Customs: Cities in Philippines

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Questions and Answers

Q: Hi There I'm going backpacking with 3 other friends for 5 days in the Philippines and was wondering if anyone has any...

A: Some suggestion of mine: Shooting the rapid at pagsanjan falls then spend the night at tagaytay. 2nd day, taal trek, a bit of city tour and then a 45 drive to Lago de...

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