Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts
University of the Philippines Diliman
Frequently Asked Questions About the Philippines
Our country, the Philippines is called the Pearl of the Orient in the Southeast Asian Region for the richness of its culture and the beauty of its landscape. Centuries old baroque churches, turn of the century mansions, ancient fortresses, and modern museums can be found anywhere in the archipelago. We have more than 7,600 islands. With its extensive coastline, we are proud of our beaches, white sand, crystal clear water teeming with marine life, corals and lush foliage. We are also blessed with a moderate climate making it an ideal sun holiday destination.
The Philippines is home to a warm, hospitable, largely English speaking population. The legendary Filipino hospitality has become our trademark. This, plus the unique Spanish and American cultural influences make the country one of the more convenient travel destinations in Asia. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
On Luzon Island, the biggest island in the archipelago, is Metropolitan Manila, the nation’s capital city and the main gateway to the Philippines. Manila offers world class restaurants, an exciting nightlife, modern shopping malls, exotic spas and fabulous scenery. It has grown to be one of the modern cities in Asia, but it still throbs with its rich historical and cultural heritage and its exquisite natural beauty.
Photo credit: Adobo Magazine
Our country, the Philippines is called the Pearl of the Orient in the Southeast Asian Region for the richness of its culture and the beauty of its landscape. Centuries old baroque churches, turn of the century mansions, ancient fortresses, and modern museums can be found anywhere in the archipelago. We have more than 7,600 islands. With its extensive coastline, we are proud of our beaches, white sand, crystal clear water teeming with marine life, corals and lush foliage. We are also blessed with a moderate climate making it an ideal sun holiday destination.
The Philippines is home to a warm, hospitable, largely English speaking population. The legendary Filipino hospitality has become our trademark. This, plus the unique Spanish and American cultural influences make the country one of the more convenient travel destinations in Asia. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
On Luzon Island, the biggest island in the archipelago, is Metropolitan Manila, the nation’s capital city and the main gateway to the Philippines. Manila offers world class restaurants, an exciting nightlife, modern shopping malls, exotic spas and fabulous scenery. It has grown to be one of the modern cities in Asia, but it still throbs with its rich historical and cultural heritage and its exquisite natural beauty.
Take a scenic drive to the South of Manila to view the picturesque Taal Volcano (the smallest active volcano in the world), or cruise to Corregidor and travel back in time to World War II as dramatized through lights and sounds, or simply relax by the beach front under the golden sun.
At the heart of Metropolitan Manila’s history is Intramuros. It features the grand Manila Cathedral with its detailed stone carvings and stained glass mosaics; Fort Santiago, the site of torture chambers and dungeons; and the favorite wedding spot, the San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Metropolitan Manila is made up of 11 cities and 5 towns. Quezon City, where the University of the Philippines Diliman is located, is 25 kms away from Manila International Airport, which is also known as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Quezon City is also an entertainment hub as well as a government center.
Photo credit: mypilipinas.com
Languages
We have two official languages in the Philippines—Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is our national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education. There are also eight (8) major languages spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Kapampangan, and Pangasinense.
Climate
The first half of the year, from January to May, is the best time to visit our country. November to February is cool, while March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, with the months between July and September characterized by typhoons. Average temperature is 78 degrees F/25 degrees C; average humidity is 77%. Some parts of the country such as Cebu, are warm and comfortable in all seasons and can be visited throughout the year.
Please wear comfortable clothes and bring your umbrella when you arrive in July. We are expecting a very wet and humid week during the conference.
Time Zone
The local time in the Philippines is GMT +8 hours. The country has only one time zone–Philippine Time (PHT)–which is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Currency
Our official currency is the Philippine Peso (sign: ₱; code: PHP). A peso is equivalent to 100 centavos or sentimos. Our establishments prefer Philippine Peso. Foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport, at your hotel, in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced. We recommend to buy Philippine Peso from the airport before exiting the terminal.
Most large stores, restaurants, hotels, and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express, Visas, and MasterCard. Traveler's Checks preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted.
Unit of Measurement
We use the metric system in most trade and legal transactions. We understand kilometers more than miles in measuring distance. Inches, feet and yards (for textiles) are common in our everyday use for measuring things.
Electricity
Our voltage supply is 220 volts. 110 volts alternating current is also used especially in major hotels. If the appliance is single voltage rated, it will need to operate on the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country e.g. 220 volts.
Water
Water supply in Metro Manila and in all the other major cities are considered potable. Bottled purified water, spring water or mineral water is often supplied by hotels and resorts, and sold in all grocery stores.
Business Hours
Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Friday and 8:00 AM until noon on Saturdays. Banks are open from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM from Mondays through Fridays. When doing your bank transaction, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification. No employee in the Philippines must work for over 8 hours a day. An employee is worthy of a 1-hour lunch break daily, without fail. However, a worker is only required to work for a maximum of 8 hours per day from the office. There are no laws that mandate his working hours from home. Post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays only. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail. NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is from 12 noon to 1:00 PM.
For more information: https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/about-the-philippines/