Time
Zone UCT (Universal Co-ordinated
Time - formerly known as GMT) plus 8 hours.
Language Filipino is the national language. English is
widely spoken and is extensively used in business and government.
Getting
There Manila and Cebu are international gateway cities.
Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, links Manila to 26 cities in 20
countries. Major international carriers and cruise liners serve Manila. Cebu
services chartered flights from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Entry
Regulations Valid passport. Except for stateless person and
those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all
visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided
they have tickets for onward journey.
Health
Regulations A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
is required for travelers coming from an infected area.
Climate March to May is hot and dry. June to October is
rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78 deg.F / 32 deg.C;
humidity: 77%
What to Wear Light, casual clothes are recommended. An umbrella
and a raincoat are must during the rainy season. Warmer garments are needed for
trips to the mountain regions. On formal occasions, a dinner jacket and tie or
the Philippine Barong Tagalog may be worn.
Currency Unit of currency: Pesos (P) = 100 centavos. Bank
notes: P5, P10, P20, P50, P100, P500, P1000. Coins: 1C, 5C, 10C, 25C, P1, P2, P5
Tipping Tipping is expected for many services. The
standard practice is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that
already have a 10% service charge.
Accommodations In Metro Manila and most large provinces, a wide
selection of deluxe, standard and pension-type accommodation is available. There
are 7,708 hotel rooms in Metro Manila and approximately 29,698 hotel rooms
accredited by the Department of Tourism throughout the country.
The Department of Tourism has a homestay program in 15 destinations outside
Manila. This program offers visitors the inexpensive comfort of modest homes and
an insight on Philippine life. There are currently 295 homeowners accredited
under this program. Visitors interested in the homestay program may contact the
Tourist Information Center located at the Gallery Area, Department of Tourism
Building.
Business and
Banking Hours Private and Government offices are open from 08:00
to 17:00 and from 09:00 to 18:00, Mondays to Fridays. Some private companies
hold office on Saturdays from 09:00 to 12:00 noon. Most shopping centers,
department stores, and supermarkets are open from 10:00 to 20:00 daily.
Banks are open from 09:00 to 15:00, Mondays to Fridays.
Credit Cards International credit cards such as Visa,
MasterCard, Bankamericard, Mastercharge, Diners Club and American Express are
accepted in major establishments.
Electricity
and Water The electricity supply is 220 volts, A.C., 60
cycles while most hotels in Metro Manila have 110 volts outlets.
Water in Metro Manila and in most cities and towns is potable and safe for
drinking. Bottled drinking water is available in many hotels, restaurants,
resorts, supermarkets and 24-hour convenience store.
Communication
Facilities International direct dialing, telex, facsimile,
worldwide express delivery, postal and telegram services are available.
Most of the country's newspapers are in English while the rest are in various
dialects. Foreign newspapers and magazines are sold in major hotels and big
supermarkets and bookstores in Metro Manila.
Convention
Facilities Manila, the pioneer convention city in Asia, has
played host to a number of prestigious international events. The Philippine
International Convention Center (PICC) is equipped with modern convention
facilities and services. It can accommodate 4,000 delegates in its Plenary Hall
and 5,700 persons in its Reception Hall. Smaller meetings can be held in hotels
and other establishments. Out-of-Town hotels and resorts are alternative
convention sites.
Medical
Services There are hospitals and clinics in the country
equipped with modern facilities to meet any medical need. Most hotels and
resorts provide medical assistance. Hospitals are listed in the "Yellow
Pages" or local telephone directory.
Shopping Visitors can choose from an exciting selection of
great buys in a country known for export-quality items at reasonable prices:
South Sea Pearls, hand-woven cloths, porcelain, coral and mother-of-pearl home
accessories. Artifacts, pineapple fiber shirts, pre-historic jars, native
handicrafts and footwear are interesting items too. The Philippines also
produces fine basketry, furniture, fresh and processed fruits, exquisitely
crafted jewelry and gifts made of shell, wood and stone.
Dining
Out Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of
Oriental, European, and American culinary influences. There is a wide variety of
fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet
specialties as well as a combination of local and international cuisine.
Tours
and Special Interest Activities Exciting tour packages, from day trips to five-day
programs, provide glimpse of the country's diverse attraction. Special interest
activities include golf, game-fishing, water-skiing, diving, mountain climbing,
and trekking. Fiesta and village tours, cultural and historical tours, and
visits to farms and ancestral houses are special way of discovering the
Philippines and its wealth of culture. Information on tours may be obtained from
travel agents, tour operators or the Department of Tourism.
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