Philippines: Things to Know

Language:
Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) is the National Language. The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language. The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world.

Currency:
Peso(PhP).
Notes are issued in denominations of:
PhP 10, PhP 20, PhP 50, PhP 100, PhP 500, and PhP 1000.

Coins are issued for 25c, PhP 1, PhP 5.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers.

Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos.

Major Travellers Cheques are widely accepted.

Major Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services.

Bank Hours:
Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays).

Shop Hours:
Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays).

Time:
Local time is GMT plus 8 hours.

Business English is the language used. Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. Make sure you have business cards.

Travel Quotes:

Traveling, you realize that differences are lost: each city takes to resembling all cities, places exchange their form, order, distances, a shapeless dust cloud invades the continents. Italo Calvino

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. Aldous Huxley

Desserts Food, Philippine Cuisine

As a tropical oriental country it should come as no surprise there are many treats made from rice and coconuts. One often seen dessert is bibingka, a hot rice cake optionally topped with a pat of butter, slices of kesong puti (white cheese), itlog na maalat (salted duck eggs), and sometimes grated coconut. There are also glutinous rice sweets called biko made with sugar, butter, and coconut milk.

More details at Desserts Food, Philippine Cuisine

Main Dishes Philippine Cuisine

Adobo is one of the most popular Filipino dishes and is considered unofficially by many as the national dish. It usually consists of pork or chicken, sometimes both, stewed or braised in a sauce usually made from vinegar, cooking oil, garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns, and soy sauce. It can also be prepared "dry" by cooking out the liquid and concentrating the flavor. Bistek, also known as "Filipino beef steak," consists of thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce and calamansi and then fried in a skillet that is typically served with onions.

More details at Main Dishes Philippine Cuisine