Philippines Local Customs

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

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

The New Queens and Princess

by edwinic

In the Philippines, religious procession is a big event everywhere. These usually take place around the festive month of May. In many instances it is a community-wide activity. Its success matters most to the organizers. They would remember it lovingly for many years to come.These gala is the time of the year when the loveliest and most attractive Filipino women participate by becoming queen, princess, dames and damsels of the parade. It is the time for parents to display the beauties of their daughters. Recently, homosexuals have made their own version of the parade in a more riotous and multicolored display of femininity and glitter.

Tourist on Motorcycle?

by edwinic

If you are in Manila and its outlying areas, you may happen to become aware of a numbers of Indian nationals plying the street on a motorcycle. No, Manila is not a popular target for Indian tourists. They come here for the business of lending money at a very expensive profit.While loan sharking is unlawful in the Philippines, the authorities appear not to lift a finger. Surprisingly, small Filipino entrepreneur patronizes these Indians and respect business dealings with them (Indians).

The Authentic Filipino Time

by edwinic

Many observed that Filipinos are infamous when it comes to punctuality. 30-60 minute lateness in a meeting is usual and tolerable. This attitude was brought about by the outlook “everyone else will be late, why should I be early?”(Show of) keenness is a manner not commonly appreciated in the Philippines. It is almost/always equated to stinginess.It is, however, a different affair when attending job interviews, watching parades of movie stars, and queuing for calamity dole-outs. If you are a visitor/tourist in this country, it helps to be direct on your time prerequisite. Express your desire that both party to be on time. More often than not, most Filipinos will act in accordance with your wish. You will find that most will come on time; while those who are late will blame the perennially-pestering vehicular traffic.

"I Lost My Face!!"

by edwinic

If you are in Manila and lost while looking for a particular place, do not ask from the next man on the street.Most Filipinos do not want to lose face, so much so that if you ask him for a direction, he will try his best to come up with an answer, even if he has no exact idea of what you are looking for.Not many will reply, "Sorry, I dont know" Not knowing is losing face (Napahiya-in local term)

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Splurge!

by edwinic

Filipinos just love to eat. To many locals, eating is sacred and a way of life. They enjoy heavy breakfast, buffet lunch and diner.They also have what they call meriendas (equivalent to snacks), taken between meals. In between regular meals and meriendas, they chew peanuts or munch candies.When they stay late at night, they do not miss their midnight snack.

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"Hey, you look like......."

by edwinic

Most Filipinos almost-always remember celebrities/popular faces once they look at you. “My brother looks like Brad Pitt” or “My girlfriend dances like Madonna” While this attitude is not welcome among Westerners, Filipinos do it with good intention: to admire or to make you feel good. Never be offended, many of us do the comparing in good spirit.A VT friend’s picture is posted on the right side. Click “other picture” to see her look-alike.

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So, you think balut is yuckie?

by edwinic

I often read about Filipinos eating the famous ‘Balut’, but I never saw a write-up on Burong Isda and (at worst) dog meat.In Baguio City native restaurant, around 1980.Joe (tourist): What type of meat is this?Waitress: It is goat, as you ordered.Joe: It doesn’t taste like one.Waitress: How does it taste?Joe: It tastes like a dog!Waitress: Kung aso yan, di yan ganyan kamura! (loosely translated: if it’s a dog meat, it will be 3 times the price of what you are having!)

Fate Believer

by edwinic

Most Filipinos believe in Fate and Destiny. They believe that the future is 'written' and no amount of effort will change it. Funny, many believe in god and sub-gods, including gods of the underworlds.

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Native Dress

by high_d

The Philippines has some of the most elegant native wear. The Barong Tagalog is known as the formal menswear in the Philippines for centuries. The intricate, elegant embroidery on each dress shirt may differ, but the tradition remained, that it's thin and transparent (a plain white shirt is worn underneath). It is always worn tucked out. The Barong Tagalog is worn at important events and other ceremonies. It has been a custom for bridegrooms to wear Barong Tagalog on their wedding day.Meaning of Barong Tagalog:Baro = 'dress'Barong = 'dress of'Barong Tagalog = 'dress of the Tagalog'

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Just be with Kids

by namiewa

Kids in my coutry are funny enough to talk to strangers specially if they think that your holding a camera. They love camera so much, that you dont need to say something to let them understand what you gonna do. Here's a li'l boy in the party. Like other kids he is playing with them, saw me taking pictures with them he run and asked me what is it? i said a camera, he replied can u take me a picture?hahaha i was SURE! why not. Here he pose and with a hand on?haha really silly boy. Anyway you expect kids here to say Hi to foreigners even not a foreigner. So just smile them back they will love it.

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Questions and Answers

Just- profile photo

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

lhablhet profile photo

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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