: Philippines
Many wonderful beaches are just part of one of the world's longest coastlines and it takes about 20 years to spend a day on every island. Since Spanish colonial times, the country has been Asia's largest Catholic country. Over a hundred ethnic groups, a mixture of foreign influences and a fusion of culture and arts have enhanced the uniqueness of the Filipino identity and the wonder that is the Philippines. Understand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Although Filipinos have to endure corrupt and avaricious politicians, teeming and polluted cities, crumbling infrastructure, earthquakes, tropical diseases, and cyclones they keep on smiling throughout and give many visitors a silent lesson in gracious humility, fortitude and resourcefulness.
History
First steps
Several thousand years ago, the first settlers in the Philippines crossed shallow seas and land bridges from mainland Asia to arrive in this group of islands. These were the Negritos or Aetas related to Melanesians, Australian Aborigines and Papuans. Direct descendants of these people can still be found, especially in Negros Oriental.Several thousand years later, Austronesian settlers travelled the same route as the Negritos - but this time over sea in their impressive Balangay boats. (This word is where the basic form of the political institution, the baranggay, came from.) The Austronesians are thought to have come from Taiwan and travelled south to the Philippines and then ever onwards, as far away as Hawaii, Easter island, New Zealand and Madagascar.
Pre-Spanish era
The early Austronesians of the Philippines simultaneously traded with each other in present-day Malaysia, Indonesia and Micronesia as well as with the Chinese, Japanese, Okinawans, Indians, Thais and Arabs. An interesting mix of cultures developed in the islands and a writing system called baybayin [the wordalibata is a misnomer for the Baybayin writing system; it is the informal term for the arabic alphabet (alif-ba-ta, the first three letters of the said alphabet) whereas baybayin comes from the Filipino word 'baybay' which literally means 'to spell', owing to the syllabic nature of the writing system--different from the Indo-European English-Latin alphabet]. A social structure also developed quickly, some of the traders stayed and married the natives. Hinduism and Buddhism was introduced by traders from India, Sumatra and Java. These two religions syncretized with the various indigenous animistic beliefs. Later, Arab, Malay and Javanese traders converted the natives in the island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago to Islam. The archipelago became a mix of the indigenous Austronesian and Melanesian people with some foreign influence from Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.
Under Spanish rule
When the explorer Ferdinand Magellan set foot on Maharlika (not Philippines yet) soil through the island of Homonhon in 1521, the Philippines was predominantly animist, with some Muslim and Hindu inhabitants mainly in the southern part of the country. Famished, Magellan's crew were treated to a feast by the welcoming islanders who wore elaborate tattoos. Magellan was Portuguese but it was a Spanish Expedition which he led to the islands which were eventually claimed by Spain as its colony. Lapu-Lapu a native chief of Mactan island was against the Christianization of the natives, he then fought a battle with Magellan where Lapu-Lapu won while Magellan was killed. The Philippines was later on named for Crown Prince Philip II of Spain and most of the natives converted to Catholicism. Some Muslims in the south and various animistic mountain tribes, however, resisted Spanish conquest and Catholic conversion.
The road to independence
Filipinos declared independence from Spain on 12 June 1898 after defeating their Spanish occupiers, only to see Spain purport to give to the United States of America what was not theirs to give.The struggle continued against their new US occupiers. Filipinos now fought American colonization for seven long years of the utmost barbarism with inventive tortures, sadistic and racist war crimes featuring in British newspapers. After the Filipinos had been out-gunned, relations between the US and their new Philippine colony continued relatively uneventfully and the Philippines were granted commonwealth status in 1935. Any time after this point (years or decades - or never), the Philippines could have become a US state or been given independence but the US prevaricated.
Japan invaded the Philippines and the even more sadistic Japanese occupation lasted from 1941 until 1945 when US General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise and liberated the US territory from the Japanese, with Americans and Filipinos fighting side by side against the Japanese.
In 1946, a year after World War II ended with a victory by the Allies, the Philippines were at last granted independence.
Pre-Modern era
Up until the 1960's, the Philippines were second only to Japan in terms of development in Asia. Two decades of rule by Ferdinand Marcos plunged the country into deep debt. Poverty was widespread and infrastructure for development was severely lacking. In 1986, the People Power uprising finally overthrew the Marcos government. (The EDSA Revolution - the majority of the demonstrations took place on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, EDSA.) He was replaced by Corazon Aquino, widow of slain opposition leader, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.Modern era
Prior to the 21st century, corruption became one of the main problems of the country. The country suffered slightly in the 1997 Asian Financial crisis but led to a second EDSA which overthrew Pres. Joseph Estrada, the then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (daughter of one of the former presidents) took his place. After her term ended in 2010, Benigno Aquino III (nicknamed "Noynoy" and "Pnoy"), son of Corazon and Benigno Aquino, Jr was elected President. Thankfully due to the hard work of the Filipinos and the Philippines being a suitable work environment for foreigners due to a large English speaking population, growth in the Philippines was fast and caught up with its neighbors.People
Needless to say, the characteristic Filipino traits are a confluence of many cultures put together. Filipinos are famous for the bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie taken from Austronesian forefathers. They observe very close family ties which is said to have been passed on by the Chinese. Religion comes from the Spaniards who were responsible for spreading the Christian faith across the archipelago. The Spaniards introduced Roman Catholicism and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population belongs to their Roman Catholic faith. The Philippines is one of only two countries in Asia with a majority Roman Catholic population (the other being East Timor)
The genuine and pure expression of hospitality is an inherent trait in Filipinos, especially those who reside in the countryside who may appear very shy at first, but have a generous spirit, as seen in their smiles. Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Guests will often be treated like royalty in Philippine households. This is most evident during fiestas when even virtual strangers are welcomed and allowed to partake in the feast that most, if not all, households have during the occasion. At times, this hospitality is taken to a fault. Some households spend their entire savings on their fiesta offerings and sometimes even run into debt just to have lavish food on their table. They spend the next year paying for these debts and preparing for the next fiesta. At any rate, seldom can you find such hospitable people who enjoy the company of their visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.
Filipinos lead the bunch of English-proficient Asian people today and English is considered as a second language. When it was an American territory, English was largely taught to the Filipino people. While the official language is Filipino (which is basically the Tagalog dialect) and whereas 76-78 languages and 170 dialects exist in this archipelago, English is the second most widely spoken language in the country. Many business establishments and schools also speak in English and many signs around the country are in English. American culture such as movies, television, music, electronic accessories and such are extremely popular in the country.
The geographical and cultural grouping of Filipinos is defined by region, where each group has a set of distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal Ilocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the loving and sweet Visayans from the central islands, and the colourful tribesmen and religious Muslims of Mindanao. Tribal communities or minorities are likewise scattered across the archipelago.
Also, it may seem peculiar for tourists to notice a somewhat latin flair in Filipino culture. About 3 million people, often the very oldest in the country, speak some Spanish. Mainstream Philippine culture, compared to the rest of Asia, is quite Hispanic and westernized at the surface level. But still, Filipinos are essentially Austronesian and many indigenous and pre-Hispanic attitudes and ways of thinking are still noticeable underneath an American veneer. Indigenous groups, who have retained a fully Malayo-Polynesian culture unaffected by Spanish influence, are also visible in cities like Manila, Baguio, Davao or Cebu, and can remind a visitor of the amazing diversity and multiculturalism present in the country.
Politics
The government of the Philippines was largely based on the United States model. The President of the Philippines is elected directly by the people, and serves as both the Head of State and Head of Government.The legislature is a bicameral congress consisting of a lower house, known as the Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan (House of Representatives) and an upper house, known as the Senado (Senate). Both houses are elected directly by the people, though the country is divided into districts for the election of the lower house, while the upper house is elected by the country as a whole. Philippine elections are famously expensive and colourful spectacles and both the successful and unsuccessful politicos cripple the economy with corrupt practices designed to recoup their expenses for months if not years afterwards.
Religion
The biggest religious minority are Muslim Filipinos who primarily live in Mindanao and ARMM, but also increasingly in cities such as Manila, Baguio or Cebu in the north and central parts of the country. They account for around 5% of the population. Islam is the oldest continually practised organized religion in the Philippines, with the first conversions made in the 12th century AD. Islam became such an important force that Manila at the time of the Spanish arrival in the 16th century was a Muslim city. Many aspects of this Islamic past are seen in certain cultural traits many mainstream Christian Filipinos still exhibit (such as eating and hygiene etiquette) and has added to the melting pot of Filipino culture in general. Sadly, Terrorist attacks and violent confrontations between the Filipino army and splinter militant Islamic organizations such as the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have strained relations between Muslim and the non-Muslim Filipinos in rural areas in the south. Yet, the Muslim Filipinos are much more liberal in their interpretations of Islam, and like the Muslims of Indonesia, are generally more relaxed regarding such topics as gender-segregation or the hijab (veil) than South Asians or Middle Eastern Muslims.
Indian Filipinos, Chinese Filipinos, and Japanese Filipinos are mostly Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist which all account 3% of the population of the Philippines. These populations have been in the country for centuries preceding Spanish rule, and many aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism are seen in the mainstream culture of Christian or Muslim Filipinos. As with many things in the Philippines, religion statistics are never clear-cut and defined, and many Christians and Muslims also practice and believe in indigenous spiritual aspects (such as honouring natural deities and ancestor-worship, as well as the existence of magic and healers) that may in some cases contradict the orthodox rules of their religions.
Atheists and Agnostics form a minority in the Philippines, around 0.8% of Filipinos are irreligious.
Climate
The climate is tropical, with March to May (summer) being the hottest months. The rainy season starts in June and extends through October with strong typhoons possible. The coolest months are from November to February, with mid-January to end of February considered the best for cooler and dryer weather. Locations exposed directly to the Pacific Ocean have frequent rainfall all year. This includes the popular Pagsanjan Falls southeast of Manila (though the falls will get you wet regardless). The average temperatures range from 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C, and humidity is around 77 percent. Baguio, which is branded as the summer capital of the Philippines, tends to be cooler due to its being located in mountainous regions with temperatures at night going below 20°C (68°F). During summer, the country experience droughts, sometimes at extreme conditions.Typhoons frequently cause great destruction and loss of life.
Holidays
Christmas: The Filipino Way Go and have Noche Buena with a Filipino family; Filipinos don't mind strangers eating with them at their dining table as this is customary during Fiestas Try out Hamon (ham) and Keso De Bola. Carolling is widely practiced by the youth around the Philippines, they'll appreciate if you give them at least ₱5-10. Don't miss the Misa Del Gallo; Early Mass or Simbang Gabi in Tagalog meaning Night Mass, this tradition was passed down from the Spanish, masses usually are held either on Midnight or before dawn, after this Filipinos eat Kakanin or rice cakes and Bibingka that are sold outside churches and also drink Tsokolate; hot chocolate or eat Champurado; hot chocolate porridge. Parols; Star of Bethlehem lanterns are hanged in front of houses, commercial establishments and streets, a Giant Lantern Festival is held in Pampanga. Belens or Nativities are displayed in city halls and commercial establishments. This is an experience not to be missed! |
The Philippines is a multicultural country having Christian, Muslim and Chinese holidays aside from secular holidays. The year is welcomed by New Year's Day on January 1, being a predominantly Catholic country means observing the traditional Catholic holidays of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday during Lent or months around April or May, Araw ng pagkabuhay or Easter Sunday is celebrated 3 days after Good Friday. Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor, Boy scouts re-enact the march every 2 years in honor of this day that is also known as Bataan Day. The Bataan Death March was a 60 km march and the people who participated in this march were captured, tortured and murdered. All Saints Day is on 1 November and All Souls Day on 2 November. In recognition of the Muslim Filipinos, the Islamic feast of Eid-Al-Fitr (known in the Philippines as Hari Raya Puasa), held after Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, is also a national holiday. This day changes year by year, as it follows the Lunar Calendar. Chinese New Year is also celebrated by the Chinese Community but dates vary according to the lunar calendar. Secular holidays include Labor Day (May 1) and Independence Day (June 12). August 30 is declared National Heroes Day. Some holidays also commemorate national heroes such as Jose Rizal (Dec. 30) and Andres Bonifacio (Nov. 30) as well as Ninoy Aquino (August 21). Metro Manila is less congested during Holy Week as people tend to go to their hometowns to spend the holidays there. Holy week is also considered part of the super peak season for most beach resorts such as Boracay and the most popular ones tend to get overcrowded at this time. Due to its cool mountain weather, Baguio is also where a lot of people spend the Holy Week break. Christmas is widely celebrated on December 25.
Dates
- New Year's Day - January 1
- Maundy Thursday - Varies
- Good Friday - Varies
- Easter Sunday - Varies
- Araw Ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) - April 9
- Labor Day - May 1
- Independence Day - June 12
- Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21
- National Heroes Day - Last Monday of August
- All Saints Day - November 1
- All Souls Day - November 2
- Eid Ul Fitr (Hari Raya Puasa) - Varies according to lunar calendar
- Eid Ul Adha - Varies according to lunar calendar
- Bonifacio Day - November 30
- Christmas Day - December 25
- Rizal Day - December 30
- Last Day of the Year - December 31
Festivals
| Month | Festival | Place | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ati-Atihan | Kalibo, Aklan | |||
| Sinulog | Cebu | ||||
| Dinagyang | Iloilo | ||||
| Philippine International Hot Air Balloon | Clark, Pampanga | ||||
| February | Panagbenga | Baguio | |||
| Ibon Ebon Festival | Pampanga | ||||
| Kaamulan | Bukidnon | ||||
| Guling Guling | Paoay, Ilocos Norte | ||||
| March | Paraw Regatta | Iloilo City and Guimaras | |||
| Pintados de Passi | Passi City, Iloilo | ||||
| Araw ng Dabaw | Davao | ||||
| April | Moriones | Marinduque | |||
| Bangus | Dagupan City,Pangasinan | ||||
| Cutud Cruxifiction Rites | Pampanga | ||||
| May | Magayon | Albay | |||
| Pahiyas | Lucban, Quezon | ||||
| Sanduguan | Calapan, Oriental Mindoro | ||||
| June | Pintados | Tacloban City, Leyte | Apung Iru Fluvial | Pampanga | |
| August | Kadayawan | Davao | |||
| Kagayanun | Cagayan de Oro | ||||
| September | Peñafrancia | Naga, Bicol | |||
| October | MassKara | Bacolod | |||
| Zamboanga Hermosa (Fiesta Pilar) | Zamboanga | ||||
| December | Giant Lantern Festival | Pampanga | |||
| Sinukuan Festival | Pampanga |
Culture
The culture of the Philippines is very diverse. There is the native Melanesian and Austronesian culture, which is most evident in language, ethnicity, native architecture, food and dances. There is also some influence from Japan, China, India, Arabia, and Borneo. On top of that there is a heavy colonial Hispanic influence from Mexico and Spain, such as in religion, food, dance, language, festivals, architecture and ethnicity. Later influence from the US can also be seen in the culture.Philippine laws and court decisions, with extremely rare exceptions, are written solely in US English.
Books
Filipino literature is a mix of Indian sagas, folktales, and traces of Western influence. Classical books are written in Spanish as well as in Tagalog, to this day most of Filipino literature is written in English. The Philippines thus is a Multi-cultural country with its roots stretching from Asia to Europe and to the Americas.History, Documentary
- Red Revolution by Gregg R. Jones (ISBN 0813306442) - Documentary about the guerilla movement; New People's Army (NPA), in the Philippines.
- In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines by Stanley Karnow (ISBN 0345328167) - Shares the story of European and American colonization in the archipelago as well as the restoration of democracy after the overthrew of Marcos.
- Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal
- El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal
- Dekada '70 by Lualhati Bautista (ISBN 9711790238) - A story about a middle class Filipino family that struggled to fight with other Filipinos during the martial law during the time of Marcos.
- The Day the Dancers Came by Bienvenido Santos
- Amazing Archipelago by John-Eric Taburada
Cinema and music
The Filipino film industry is suffering because of its main rival; the Western film industry, since the 21st century every year only 40 films are produced; down from 200-300 films a year in the 1990s. Western culture has also permeated the music industry in the Philippines. Many songs are in English. American Rock-n-Roll and, recently, rap and hip-hop are heard and performed. Traditional Filipino songs such as Kundiman (nostalgic/poetic songs) are still held dearly by the population but are, unfortunately, slowly losing influence among the younger generations.Address
In the Philippines, Barangays which is somewhat the equivalent of a typical western sub-urban, the term refers to the lowest government unit of administration. Barangay is abbreviated as Brgy.. Although the word Barangay is conceived to have come from the word Balangay which is a term used to refer to a boatload of settlers in the old days in Mindanao, the term linguistically originated from the Spanish term Barrio commonly used in the Visayas, which refers to a cluster of settlements in villages, until the term was legally adopted and used as a term in Philippine laws on local governments in the late 70s. A Barangay contains usually not less than 100 families. Barangays are then further divided into sitios, a term used to refer to a community (sub-village) especially in rural areas where settlements are scattered in far flung communities. In urban cities, most barangays no longer have sitios but contiguous residential subdivisions or communities. Basically, every street address in the Philippines belongs to a barangay or two or more opposite barangays where boundaries are delineated by streets cutting across. By comparison, a barangay in urban cities is somewhat different from barangays in rural towns. A barangay in urban cities such as capital Manila and neighboring Quezon City, could differ in terms of population density and territorial size when compared to barangays in Paracelis, which is a rural town. Imagine Manila with a population of 1,660,714 living in 38.55 km2 distributed in 897 barangays compared to Quezon City with a population of 2,679,450 distributed in 142 barangays in 166.20 km2. as compared to Paracelis with a population of 24,705 living in just 9 barangays over a land area of 553.25 km2. The biggest barangay in Paracelis is even bigger than the entire Manila.While getting a taxi or jeepney, Filipinos don't give the street's name, they give the address of a popular landmark instead which is near to their destination, so when you get a taxi or jeepney just give the popular landmark near your destination. In rural areas, it is not much harder to get to destinations since everybody almost knows everybody and you get to your destination by knowing the name of the barangay, and then the sitio.
Regions
The Philippines has 80 provinces categorized into 17 regions containing over 120 cities. Our guide divides it into 3 major island groups:
| Luzon (Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol) The northernmost island group, center of government, history and economy and home to the capital |
| Visayas (Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas) The central island group, heart of the country’s antiquity, nature and biodiversity and the best beaches in the Philippines |
| Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga Region, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) the southernmost island group, which showcases the Philippines’ indigenous and rich cultures |
Cities
With seven thousand islands, the Philippines has many cities. Listed below are the nine most important cities for visitors, some of which are provincial capitals and centres of commerce and finance, as well as culture and history.- Manila - the national capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world - with all of that implies in terms of pollution, crime, urban poverty and traffic jams - with few parks. However, the smiling, stoical and resourceful people themselves are its saving grace, rather than the relatively few surviving monuments, historical landmarks and sights widely scattered around the city and its surrounding metropolitan area of Metro Manila!
- Bacolod - known as the "City of Smiles" because of the MassKara Festival (Máscara in Spanish), a festival held annually on October 19, it is the gateway to Negros Island and the home of the famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal.
- Baguio - the country's summer capital because of its cool weather, it boasts well-maintained parks and scenic areas, as well as being the home of the "Igorot", the indigenous peoples of the Cordilleras.
- Cebu - the "Queen City of the South", it is the first city founded by the West in the Philippines and is a major center for commerce, industry, culture and tourism.
- Cagayan de Oro - known as the "City of Golden Friendship", it is popular for whitewater rafting and is the gateway to Northern Mindanao.
- Davao - one of the largest cities in the world in terms of land area, it is known for its durian and for being the home of Mount Apo, the Philippines' tallest mountain.
- Tagbilaran - known as the site of the Sandugo (blood compact) between Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi and Rajah Sikatuna representing the people of Bohol.
- Vigan - the capital of Ilocos Sur and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its well-preserved city center is the finest example of Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines. Declared as one of the new 7 wonders (cities)
- Zamboanga- known as "La Ciudad Latina de Asia" (Asia's Latin City), it is the melting pot between the Philippines' Christian and Muslim cultures, boasting old mosques, grand churches and historic colonial structures.
Other destinations
- Banaue, home to the 2000 year old Rice terraces. People are fascinated at how the Igorots have made this, hence the Filipinos calling it as the 8th wonder of the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Batangas, home to the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines boasting of world class dive sites and famous for its beaches. It's accessibility by land about 2 hours from the Manila airport makes it a popular destination. It is home to Taal Volcano and the Taal heritage town.
- Boracay is 10km island featuring white sands.
- Camarines Sur has beautiful coral reefs, and shorelines of Black and white sands. Visit the Camarines Sur Watersport complex and go water skiing.
- Coron is the place for wreck diving in the Philippines. Several Japanese ships were sunk here during World War II. Other dive attractions include nice reefs, good macro life, and a very unique geothermal lake dive. Island hopping is another popular activity here.
- Donsol is the Whale Shark Capital of the world, dive and see whale sharks.
- Malapascua Island just like other islands in the Philippines, the island features a beautiful white sand shoreline and coral gardens.
- Palawan offers beautiful beaches that are often inhabited and waters which have coral reefs that are home to a large variety of fishes, not only coral reefs but also animals such as dugongs and manta rays. Not only white beaches and tranquil water but see the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park, a cave with beautiful rock formations as well as an underground river.
- Puerto Galera, a favourite getaway for people during Holy Week because of its white sand shorelines and it's amazing flora.
- Sabang is a municipality in Puerto Galera, dive its beautiful waters and be amazed at the fauna that you will see.
- Sagada is a small town in the mountain province of Luzon in the Philippines, famed for its cool and refreshing climate, beautiful caves, hanging coffins, and serene mountains.
- Tagaytay, tired of the old scene of the noisy metropolis of Manila? or missing the cool weather? Head to Tagaytay, it provides a view of Taal Volcano, the weather is cool and often a getaway for Filipinos tired of warm tropical weather during the Holy Week.
Get in
| Beware of airlines usurping the role of Immigration Officers Technically you are supposed to have at least six months remaining on your passport on the date you are scheduled to leave the Philippines, even if you qualify for visa free entry. However, it's almost unheard of for Philippines Immigration Officers at ports of entry to actually enforce this requirement (unless fishing for a bribe); indeed alien children of returning balikbayan have been known to have been granted permission to stay for the usual 12 months when only 4 months remained at entry on their passports. However, since airlines are subject to heavy fines if one of their passengers are refused entry, many of them are far more vigilant in enforcement than the actual immigration officers! (This is known to be a particular problem when flying Cebu Pacific from SYDney to Manila, with a few passengers left behind in floods of tears on almost every flight.) |
| What to pay when leaving the Philippines? When leaving the Philippines, departing passengers have to pay a passenger service charge, more commonly known as the terminal fee. This ₱550 fee is either already integrated into the ticket price (if departing from Manila), or is collected at other airports before entering immigration and is payable in Philippine pesos or US dollars. A stub is attached to your boarding pass to indicate that you have paid the fee. In addition, most Filipinos and resident aliens leaving the country are required to pay a travel tax of either ₱2,700 (around US$60) if flying first class or ₱1620 (around US$36) if flying in business or economy class. This tax is collected at a designated counter before check-in if the ticket was purchased outside the Philippines or, in most cases, on-line. If the ticket was purchased at an airline ticket office or travel agency in the Philippines, the travel tax is most likely included in the ticket price; check first and ask before paying. Foreign nationals and balikbayans (former Filipino citizens) who are staying in the Philippines for less than one year are exempt from paying the travel tax, as are overseas Filipino workers, Filipino students studying abroad, infants of 2 years or less and employees of government or international agencies on official business. Reduced rates are available for minors (under 12 years), dependants (under 21 years) of Overseas Foreign Workers and journalists on assignment. |
Nationals of countries which are required to obtain a visa to enter the Philippines may obtain one upon arrival under the Bureau of Immigration's Visa Upon Arrival Program (VUAP) {<<<Broken link}. However, Visas must be pre-arranged with the Bureau of Immigration prior to arriving in the Philippines.
If intending to stay beyond the duration of the 30-day visa, you may apply for a visa extension at the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Each visa extension is valid for 59 days except for the first one that exceeds your original visa to 59 days. As the rules have changed on 1st August 2013 contact your local embassy for up-to-date information. Extensions are granted only up to a maximum of six months, after which foreign nationals wishing to stay longer must obtain an alien certificate of registration (ACR). To avoid going to the BI to renew a tourist visa, it is also possible to apply for a tourist visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate, although nationals of visa-exempt countries who have a visa must present the visa to the immigration officer to avoid being stamped with the wrong visa.
If you overstay, you must pay on departure a fine of ₱1,000 per month of overstay plus a ₱2,020 processing fee.
Airlines may refuse to let you check in if you only have a one-way ticket to the Philippines due to immigration requirements. Cebu Pacific Air will require a printed copy of an onwards "itinerary receipt" at check in. If you want to risk not having an onwards ticket, try to check in early to allow yourself time to buy a ticket at an Internet cafe or ticket desk in the airport if the airline refuses to check you in.
By plane
Although the Philippines is an archipelago, most visitors arrive by plane. International airports are located in Cebu, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, Davao, Kalibo, Laoag, Manila and Zamboanga.A much more congenial airport to arrive at is Mactan-Cebu International Airport or Kalibo International Airport , which are both at the centre of the Philippine archipelago and outside the Typhoon belt.
Passengers departing the Philippines have to pay a terminal fee (in addition to the Philippine travel tax levied on locals). This fee is included in airfare if flying from Manila. Otherwise, this ₱550 fee (USD15 if paid in US dollars, Clark is now also ₱550) is paid before entering the immigration and pre-departure "air-side" area of the terminals.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) [1], Cebu Pacific [2], PAL Express [3], Air Asia [4] Tiger Airways (Tiger Air) [5] are among the national carriers.
If you plan to travel around the various islands, it is best to get an open jaw ticket. This can save much time back-tracking. Most common open-jaw ticket combinations fly into Manila and out of Cebu. Local airlines also have regular "seat sales", advertising cheap fares for flights to domestic destinations. However, be aware of travel dates: some tickets booked during a seat sale may only be used on dates well after the duration of the sale (sometimes up to a year after the sale), and advertised fares usually exclude government taxes and fuel surcharges.
If you live in an area with a large Filipino population (such as London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei or Tokyo), check out travel agencies catering to overseas Filipinos which often have fares keener than those generally advertised.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) [6] (IATA: MNL | ICAO: RPLL is divided into four terminals: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Domestic Terminal (also known as Terminal 4). All airlines use Terminal 1 with a few exceptions: Philippine Airlines uses Terminal 2, while Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express and All Nippon Airways use Terminal 3. Air Asia and Tiger Airways use the Domestic Terminal.Terminal 1, long regarded as one of Asia's worst airport terminals, is currently undergoing renovation and several areas of the terminal have been renovated. The newer Terminals 2 and 3 are regarded as being far nicer than Terminal 1, with more amenities to boot.
Airlines and routes
Several airlines fly in and out of Manila, servicing various destinations.Philippine Flight Network provides updated information on all of the latest airline news, routes, and destinations.- North America: Delta Air Lines serves Manila from Detroit (via Nagoya) and Tokyo. Passengers transit in Japan to other Delta flights to other east Asian or US cities. Philippine Airlines serves Manila from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and Honolulu. A popular option for passengers flying to the Philippines from North America is to fly via Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Hong Kong or Taipei.
- Australia and Southwest Pacific: Philippine Airlines offers direct flights to Manila from Sydney, Melbourne as well as flies to Darwin and Brisbane, while Qantas flies direct to Manila from Sydney from Brisbane. Air Niugini serves Manila from Port Moresby, while Jetstar Airways serves Manila from Darwin and Perth. Philippine Airlines also has flights between Manila and Guam, while United Airlines serves Manila from Guam and Koror (Palau). Cebu Pacific Airlines has direct flights from Sydney to Manila. Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines provide connections to Manila from New Zealand.
- East Asia: Air China [7] and China Southern Airlines[8] serve Manila from Beijing, while China Southern Airlines also serves Manila from Guangzhou and Xiamen. Cathay Pacific [9], Dragonair [10] and Hong Kong Express Airways [11] have several flights between Manila and Hong Kong. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines also have direct flights between Manila and Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, Xiamen and Taipei. China Airlines [12] and EVA Air [13] serves Manila from Taipei, while China Airlines also flies to Manila from Kaohsiung. Korean Air [14], Asiana Airlines [15], Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific serve Manila from Seoul and Busan, while Jeju Air [16] serves Manila from Seoul. Several airlines fly between the Philippines and points in Japan. All Nippon Airways [17] flies direct to Manila from Tokyo-Narita, and is notably the only foreign airline to currently use Terminal 3. Japan Airlines [18] also flies to Manila from Tokyo. Philippine Airlines serves Manila from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, and Cebu Pacific serves Manila from Osaka. Delta Air Lines also operates daily flights from Nagoya and Tokyo-Narita.
- Southeast Asia: Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have extensive Southeast Asian networks. PAL and Cebu Pacific both serve Manila from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta (PAL has both direct flights and flights via Singapore) and Singapore, while Cebu Pacific also serves Manila from Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Airphil Express and Tiger Airways [19] fly to Manila daily from Singapore. Jetstar Asia Airways [20] and Singapore Airlines [21] have multiple daily flights to Manila from Singapore, while Thai Airways [22] has multiple daily flights from Bangkok. Malaysia Airlines [23] has a double-daily service between Manila and Kuala Lumpur, and Royal Brunei Airlines [24] flies to Manila from Bandar Seri Begawan.
- Europe: Philippine Airlines provides nonstop service between London (Heathrow) and Manila five times a week, and it is expected to add more flights between the Philippines and Europe in 2014. KLM has flights to and from Amsterdam with a stop in Taipei.
- South Asia: Passengers flying to the Philippines from South Asian Countries frequently fly via Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong
- Middle East: Philippine Airlines [25] serves Riyadh, Dammam, Abu Dhabi and Dubai from Manila. Emirates [26] and Cebu Pacific [27] serves Manila from Dubai, while Etihad Airways [28] serves Manila from Abu Dhabi. Gulf Air[29] serves Manila from Manama (Bahrain), while Qatar Airways [30] serves Manila from Doha. Kuwait Airways [31] serves Manila from Kuwait City via Bangkok. Saudi Arabian Airlines [32] serves Manila from Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh.
Transit
NAIA is famously known for being difficult to transit through, especially if your flight leaves from a different terminal and is a national embarrassment. However, airport shuttle buses now transport passengers between terminals. The fare is ₱20 and runs every fifteen minutes. Shuttle buses depart from the arrival area of all terminals and use main airport access roads, so make sure you have a visa if you require one to enter or transit the Philippines as you will be entering the Philippines if you will be connecting onto a flight departing from another terminal.Passengers who are connecting to an Airphil Express flight from a Philippine Airlines flight and vice-versa may avail of a free airside shuttle service between Terminals 2 and 3.
If your flight departs from the same terminal, transfer counters are available before immigration at all terminals. Passengers who transit through Manila and do not transfer terminals do not need to undergo entry procedures and are exempt from paying the terminal fee.
NAIA transport
NAIA is accessible by bus, taxi, train, jeepney and shuttle bus.- Taxi: Yellow airport taxis have a stand at the arrival area of all terminals. The flag down rate is ₱70, with an additional ₱4.00 surcharge for every 250 meters. At Terminal 3, you can hail a white city taxi from the departure area: just take the escalator or elevator up to the departures hall and exit to the departure ramp. Coupon taxis are special taxis with fixed rates according to the destination: inquire at the information desk for rates. Taxis taken from the airport are usually a lot more expensive than those hailed outside. If money is more important to you than time, walk to a public road and hail one there instead (and make sure they know where you want to go and that they will use a meter before you get in).
- Bus: Four city bus routes connect Terminals 1 and 2 with the rest of Metro Manila: Grotto-NAIA, NAIA-Malanday, Bagong Silang-NAIA and NAIA-Lagro. There are also two city bus routes between the airport and Bulacan: NAIA-San Jose del Monte and Norzagaray-Sapang Palay-NAIA. These buses have a "MIA/6-11/Tambo" signboard posted on the dashboard, and generally serve points along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and Commonwealth Avenue. Fares usually start at ₱10.
- Train: The airport is served by two train stations: Baclaran LRT station near the Domestic Terminal, and Nichols railway (PNR) station near Terminal 3. Both stations however are 2-3 kilometers away from the airport proper. Jeeps which serve Terminal 3 and Villamor Airbase stop near Nichols station.
- Shuttle bus: A shuttle bus connects Terminal 3 to the Taft Avenue MRT station. The fare is ₱20 and departs every 15 minutes.
- Jeepney: Jeepneys which serve Terminal 3 will have "NAIA Terminal 3" or something similar written on the side route panel. Jeepneys which serve Terminals 1 and 2 will have "MIA" written on the route panel.
- Hotel transportation: Major hotel representatives are available on arrival and have chauffeur services which you can book on advance. The cost is around ₱750-₱950.
Other airports
Some visitors who enter the Philippines choose to avoid flying through Manila, instead using other airports throughout the country which have international flights.- Diosdado Macapagal (Clark) International Airport [33] (IATA: CRK | ICAO: RPLC) in Angeles City, Pampanga is 85km north of Manila and is a popular hub for low-cost carriers serving Manila. AirAsia [34] (flies from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, plus Hong Kong and Macau through it's local subsidiary AirAsia Philippines) and Jin Air [35] (Seoul) are foreign low-cost carriers serving Clark. Cebu Pacific treats Clark as a hub, with flights to Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau. Tiger Airways [36] flies to Clark from Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and Bangkok, while Spirit of Manila Airlines [37] serves Clark from Taipei. The only legacy carrier which flies to Clark is Asiana Airlines, flying to Seoul but Emirates, which serves Dubai will be flying here soon.
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport [38] (IATA: CEB | ICAO: RPVM) in Cebu is the Philippines' second-busiest airport and a major hub for visitors headed to points in the Visayas and Mindanao. Several of the airlines which serve Manila also serve Cebu.
- Francisco Bangoy International Airport (IATA: DVO | ICAO: RPMD) in Davao is served by SilkAir [39] with daily flights to Singapore. There are also seasonal charter flights between Davao and Manado, Indonesia.
- Kalibo International Airport (IATA: KLO | ICAO: RPVK) in Kalibo, Aklan (near Boracay) is a Air Asia hub, with flights to Seoul, Shanghai and Taipei. Other airlines also have scheduled charter flights to Kalibo from points in South Korea, China and Taiwan.
- Laoag International Airport (IATA: LAO | ICAO: RPLI) in Laoag, Ilocos Norte is served by Air Macau [40] with regular charter flights to Macau.
- Iloilo International Airport (IATA: ILO | ICAO: RPVI) in Iloilo will be served by Cebu Pacific, with flights to Hong Kong and Singapore, starting November 2012.
By boat
Weesam Express [41] operates a regular ferry service which connects Zamboanga City, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi with Sandakan, Malaysia.Get around
By plane
Since the Philippines is an archipelago, the easiest way to move between islands is by plane. Philippine Airlines (including sister carrier PAL Express), Cebu Pacific have significant domestic operations, linking many major towns and cities with Manila and Cebu, while Air Asia and TigerAirways also serve secondary destinations. There are also several smaller carriers which serve resort destinations (such as Amanpulo in Palawan), as well as more remote destinations. While larger cities are served by jet aircraft, many destinations and less busy routes are served by propeller-driven planes.Unlike most other countries, the terminal building is reserved only for passengers (as well as airport and airline staff). In order to enter, you need to present a print-out of the flight reservation. Security screening may be performed at the entrance to the terminal in addition to after check-in.
The route networks of most local airlines are heavily centered around Manila, Clark and Cebu: flying between two domestic points usually entails having to transit through at least one of these airports, and there are few direct flights between other major cities. Reaching Sulu and Tawi-Tawi by air is a special case: travelers must fly through Zamboanga City.
A significant majority of domestic flights in the Philippines are operated by low-cost carriers and are consequently economy-only: PAL is the only airline to offer business class on domestic flights. This does not mean however that fares are affordable: domestic seat sales are a common feature throughout the year, and all major airlines regularly offer promo fares on their websites. However, fares increase significantly during major peak travel seasons (particularly during Christmas, Holy Week and the last two weeks of October), and in places served by only one airline (such as Vigan or Marinduque), fares also increase during major provincial or town fiestas. Flights are frequently full during peak travel season, so it is advisable to book well in advance.
Passengers departing on domestic flights must pay a terminal fee prior to entering the pre-departure area, although the fee will be integrated into the ticket price starting August 1, 2012 (tickets issued before that date do not include the terminal fee and the fee must be paid at the airport). Fees vary, with most major cities charging ₱200, and smaller cities charging between ₱30 and ₱100. Fees are only payable in Philippine pesos except in Manila and Cebu, where U.S. dollars are accepted.
By train
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) [42] currently operates two overnight intercity services: the Bicol Express between Manila and Naga, Camarines Sur, which resumed on June 29, 2011 after a five-year absence, and the Mayon Limited between Manila and Ligao in Albay. Additional services are expected in the future as the rehabilitation of the PNR network progresses. Train service is comparable to (or slower than, due to delays) buses in terms of speed, but is more comfortable owing to the use of donated Japanese coaches for the service.The Bicol Express and Mayon Limited are NOT non-stop services: from Tutuban, Manila's main train station, the train calls at several points in Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon and Camarines Sur before arriving in Naga (and Albay before arriving in Ligao for the Mayon Limited). It is possible to travel between any two points served by the services, and fares are distance-based. Children under three feet may travel for free.
There are currently four classes of service on the Bicol Express:
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