| The Philippines, also known as the pearl of the | | | | bar-hopping, drinking, and go-go dancer |
| orient, is an archipelago located in southeast Asia. | | | | amusements. I would always travel with a buddy |
| It consists of about 7,000 islands; a little more if | | | | or two or three, especially if you're roaming at |
| it's low tide. It's quite hot all year round, and it | | | | night or travelling through Muslim infested regions. |
| seems that the heat only dissipates sometimes | | | | Mindanao is the Muslim hotspot. You should also |
| during the monsoon season or "wet season." | | | | watch out for the NPA (New People's Army) as |
| During this time a series of typhoons slam the | | | | they oppose foreign intervention. NPA members |
| Philippines with strong rains. Apart from typhoons | | | | and affiliates are all over the Philippines, but |
| causing occasional floods, the Philippines also | | | | especially in the rural areas. So those are who you |
| experiences volcanic eruptions every now and | | | | watch out for... the Muslims, the NPA, and the |
| then; Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Mayon, and Mt. Taal are | | | | other NPA (people with no permanent address, |
| some of the more active Philippine volcanoes in | | | | hehe).You should also watch out for who you |
| the past century.Filipinos are some of the | | | | date in the Philippines. STDs are not uncommon, |
| friendliest and most fun-loving bunch of people | | | | and hookers aren't either. And sometimes |
| you'll ever meet. However, some of these same | | | | hookers aren't the gender you expected them to |
| people will not think twice to fool, steal, or take | | | | be either. Homosexuals are all over the place |
| advantage of you in some way if they think they | | | | there, so don't be surprised if you meet several |
| can profit from it. Unfortunately, the Philippines is | | | | and meet some that you thought were women. |
| still a third world country for the most part and | | | | But as far as the real Filipina women goes, don't |
| so the majority of the people are very poor and | | | | be surprised if you fall head over heels for one of |
| struggle in their daily lives. The country also has its | | | | them (this is considering you didn't already fall in |
| fair share of litter and pollution. Top of the line | | | | love with one of the many attractive Chinese |
| sky scrapers can be found in metropolitan areas | | | | flight attendants of China Airlines). Just as |
| such as Manila and Cebu, and straw huts are still | | | | anywhere else in the world, Filipinas can be |
| being used in provincial areas.Food is exceptionally | | | | downright gorgeous, downright butt ugly, or just |
| delicious in the Philippines, but most of these are | | | | the plain medium blah. But it's more than skin |
| high in fat as is usually the case for great tasting | | | | deep, right? Right. You will also have to take into |
| food. Most things in the Philippines are cheaper in | | | | account that many of the Filipinas hide, lie, |
| price than what you will find in more developed | | | | manipulate, and have an overwhelming lust for |
| countries. But Filipino wages are also very cheap.If | | | | wealth. Oh yes, and don't be surprised if their |
| you plan on visiting in the Philippines you will | | | | loyalty to you is overruled by their loyalty to their |
| probably land via the Ninoy Aquino International | | | | family (who, by the way, view you as the golden |
| Airport in Manila, although an airport can also be | | | | rooster who can allow their hen to lay their share |
| found at Clark Air Base and Cebu City. You will | | | | of golden eggs that they've been yearning for all |
| probably want to arrange for ground | | | | their lives).But Filipinas also have a desirable side. |
| transportation beforehand for taking you to your | | | | They hold traditional values and some actually |
| desired location within the Philippines. Otherwise, | | | | really do love you (and will continue to exhibit their |
| you may find yourself getting ripped off by the | | | | love for you endlessly). But those are hard to find |
| taxi drivers. One of the first things you will notice | | | | nowadays anywhere in the world. And please |
| when you step out of the airport is the intense | | | | note that the aforementioned Filipina descriptions |
| heat, the crowds of people and traffic, the | | | | are purely stereotypical; just as anywhere else in |
| manner in which the people drive, the litter and | | | | the world, women come in all shapes, sizes, and |
| pollution, and the humongous billboards. You will | | | | personalities in the Philippines. You just have to |
| also notice how everyone calls you sir, ma'am, or | | | | find one that suits your liking.As far as |
| boss and acts overly polite. Some are being | | | | communication goes, English is widely spoken. You |
| friendly but don't be fooled, most of the time it's | | | | may want to invest in a cell phone as the |
| just a facade to hide their less presentable | | | | Philippines is the txt capital of the world (even the |
| intentions. You will be approached by old beggars, | | | | dirt poor have cell phones).Nursing and IT seems |
| young hustlers, and tugging children, so prepare | | | | to be the boomers for jobs in the Philippines. |
| yourself. Although you may feel sympathetic, I | | | | Registered nurses are sometimes lucky enough to |
| wouldn't recommend giving them anything as they | | | | go abroad, and the IT sector is seeing growth as |
| usually don't spend it as they should.You will see | | | | the US is beginning to realize the profit of |
| sari-sari stores everywhere, which are usually | | | | outsourcing most IT jobs to lower waged Asian |
| small versions of stores you would find in a typical | | | | IT professionals. But for the most part, jobs are |
| gas station that sells general items. I mentioned | | | | scant in the Philippines (especially for foreigners) |
| the traffic, and I must say that I wouldn't want | | | | and are usually not desirable (either because of |
| to maneuver through the mess of traffic they | | | | the pay or the nature of the job itself). Political |
| create in Manila and other urban areas. Even | | | | corruption is rampant, and only the very rich get |
| driving (or walking) down rural roads can be | | | | richer. The rest are left to fend for themselves, |
| dangerous as most drivers make a habit out of | | | | hence starvation, poor health, the homeless, and |
| fearless passing. Stray dogs, cats, and other | | | | theft are also rampant.Holidays and festivals are |
| animals can be found roaming the streets. I | | | | wonderful in the Philippines. Filipinos do know how |
| wouldn't mess with them to avoid getting bitten, | | | | to put on a party. Fiestas are vibrant and the |
| infected, or hassled by their owner.Produce is | | | | food is always plenty. The Christmas holidays are |
| usually fine to buy in the Philippines (always wash | | | | usually the best celebrations of the year. "Chismis" |
| though). Fish is fresh if you go to the open | | | | or gossip is very common. What did you expect? |
| markets early in morning. As far as meat and | | | | Remember that most of the Filipinos are either |
| poultry goes, sanitation isn't that great so I would | | | | homeless, jobless, lazy, or are just plain talkative. |
| just recommend cooking until well done to avoid | | | | So don't go to bed with multiple women who live |
| getting sick. Water doesn't taste that great either | | | | in the same neighborhood, because you may end |
| and you may experience a bad case of traveler's | | | | up with one too many protective fathers chasing |
| diarrhea after a few days from arrival. You can | | | | you with a machete. Tricycles and jeepneys (old |
| boil it, buy bottled water (although it's not | | | | WWII jeeps revamped) are the typical local |
| guaranteed that the bottled is any different from | | | | means of transportation. Always demand your |
| tap), or just let your intestinal flora adapt to the | | | | change, you can't support the whole union.As far |
| tap water (especially if you're staying in the | | | | as sports goes, basketball, billiards, and boxing are |
| country for a while). "Chicheria" (chips, crackers, | | | | the most popular (and probably in that |
| etc.) and other processed foods is abundant. Milk, | | | | order).Showbusiness stars are a hit in the |
| cheese, and other dairy products will be hard to | | | | Philippines. Actors, singers, sports stars, sitcom |
| find.Fast food is readily available as McDonald's, | | | | hosts, and matinee idols are loved by the Filipinos, |
| Jollibee (like McDonald's), Greenwich (like Pizza Hut), | | | | who are fanatic about showbusiness and |
| and Chow King (Chinese fast food) have infested | | | | mainstream entertainment. Filipino movies are not |
| the place. Food is dirt cheap for the typical | | | | that great compared to international standards. |
| foreigner or tourist, even in the local restaurants. | | | | But Filipinos can sing, and karaoke is a popular |
| You may have a hard time finding a five star | | | | past time there. Drugs and alcohol are common, |
| hotel or something that even comes close if | | | | and so are corrupt police officials. I'm sure that if |
| you're staying outside of Manila. Although Filipinos | | | | it were plotted, statistics would show a direct |
| learn quickly and work hard when they need to, a | | | | relationship with average income and moral |
| lot of Filipinos are not very professional and can | | | | standard for the Filipinos. As you can see, the |
| sometimes develop a nasty habit of being lazy. | | | | Philippines has more than enough flaws to make |
| There are lots of beaches in the Philippines, and a | | | | people to want to leave the country, but despite |
| lot of the beaches are dirty (in some cases, very | | | | the detractors, something enchanting about the |
| dirty). Don't be surprised to find cans, plastics, | | | | ambiance of the Pearl of the Orient keeps many |
| diapers, feces, and other types of trash and | | | | coming back, myself included.David Poarch is a |
| debris in the water of a non-resort locale (and | | | | freelance writer, a web developer, an avid learner, |
| sometimes even at the resorts).Boracay, Puerto | | | | a hobbying artist, a nutrition and fitness expert, |
| Galera, Puerto Princesa, and Cebu have more | | | | and a modern nomad/traveller. He left the |
| tourist-oriented beaches and facilities. If you're | | | | comforts and financial security, a full scholarship to |
| more of a party-goer, Boracay and Cebu would | | | | a US Ivy League College, and the whole American |
| be the perfect place. If you're more in need of | | | | Dream to roam the Philippines as a modern |
| some peace, the Puertos would be more your | | | | nomad. His web site features a written and |
| thing. Or why not experience all four yourself and | | | | picture detailed account of himself, a wandering |
| find out? Other tourist hot spots include but are | | | | nomad, as he travels and roams the Philippine |
| not limited to Baguio (cool weather, rice terraces), | | | | countryside and experiences the Filipino culture |
| Manila (urban frolicking), Zambales (Subic Base and | | | | and diaspora. Includes photo galleries, articles, |
| Hundred Islands), Bohol (Chocolate Hills, near Cebu | | | | products, music, and other Philippines related |
| City), and Palawan (spelunking, trekking). Bars are | | | | information. |
| quite common in the Philippines if you're into | | | | |