USEFUL INFORMATION
TIME ZONE: GMT plus 8 hours
GETTING THERE
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premiere gateway. It is served by more than 30 international airlines. Manila is also served by the Centennial Airport-Terminal II which is 0.5 km. from NAIA. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MIA) in Cebu services both regular and chartered flights from Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea. Davao International Airport in Davao City handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. Subic and Clark Airfields in Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Taiwan, Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, links Manila to 14 cities in eight countries.
The seaports bustle with the comings and goings of major cruise liners.
ENTRY REGULATIONS
Visitors with valid passports may enter the country and stay for a maximum of 21 days without visas provided thet have tickets for their onward journey, However, stateless persons, nationals of the People's Republic of China, Cambodia, India, North Korea, Tonga, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, Palestinians, and holders of Belize passports need to secure appropriate visas.
Likewise, Chinese nationals who are holders of Hongkong certificates of identity, and holders of Taiwanese passports need special entry permits. Travellers to the Philippines may check with the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate dor more information.
AIRPORT FACILITIES
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is &km. from the city center. Manila is also served by the Centennial Airport-Terminal II which is 0.5 km. from NAIA. The Mactan-Cebu International Airpory in Cebu, on the other hand, is 45 minutes from the city center.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
By air, Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific provide daily services to major towns and cities. Asian Spirit services the missionary routes. There are also scheduled chartered flights to major domestic destinations serviced by smaller commuter airplanes.
LANGUAGE
Filipino is the national language. the Philippines is also the third largest english speaking country in the world. Thus, english is widely spoken and is extensively used in business and goverment.
GEOGRAPHY
The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 square meters (229,764 square kilometers). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. capital is Manila. The time zone is GMT plus 8 hours.
PEOPLE
Population is 76 million. Filipinos are typically of Indo-Malay, Chinese and Spanish ancestry.
RELIGION
Predominantly Catholic. Other faiths are Islam and Protestantism.
GOVERMENT
Democratic Republic.
CLIMATE
The Philippines is a tropical country with an average temperature of 32 C (80 F). March to June are hot and dry (36 C); rains and typhoons abound from July to October; November to February are pleasantly cool (around 23 C) and dry. In mountainous regions, temperatures dip to about 15 C. Light casual clothing is recommended for daily wear and Barong Tagalog or coat-and-tie for bisiness and formal functions.
CUSTOMS
The following items are allowed duty-free entry into the Philippines: reasonable quantity of clothes, jewelry and toiletries, 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco, two bottles of wine or spirits of no more than one liter each.
ELECTRICITY AND WATER
Electric current is 220 volts, 60 cycles, AC. Most hotels have 110 volts electric current. Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is distilled and boiled.
CURRENCY/CRDIT CARDS
The monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Authorized foreign exchange dealers (at airports, hotels, major commercial establishments and all banks) posts official exchange rates for most international currencies.Non-residents may bring any ammount of currency, but ammounts over US$3,000.00 should be declared upon entry if such is to be taken out again upon departure. International credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Diner's Club, Bank Americard and American Express are accepted in major establishments.
TIPPING
It is generally accepted that tipping is expected for good services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. However, most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge, making additional tipping optional.
SHOPPING
The Philippines is fast becoming a shopping haven, if you know what to look for and where. The secret to a satisfying shopping expedition is to go where the locals go, whether it be to the world-class malls, the obiquitous sidewalk stalls or the so-called "holes in the wall". As you make your rounds of the malls, don't forget to check out the kiosks scattered all over the place as well. Some of them sell interesting curios you may want to carry home - from household bric-a-brac, to children's toys, to native delicacies, and even the must-buy souvenir T-shirt.
NIGHTLIFE
Metropolitan Manila is considered a pleasure-seeker's paradise, with an array of night time activities, from th soothing to the sinful. No wonder it has been consistently voted as Asia's number one destination for entertainment and relaxation by expatriates. You can listen to whatever music you fancy from the country's popular bands and singers. Take advantage of "happy hour" drink promos at bars and pubs, dance up a storm at clubs and street parties, or cap an exhilarating night with a calming cappuccino at the corner cafe. Hotspots not to be missed are bohemian Malate in Manila, upscale Ayala and Rockwell centers in Makati, and the trendy Libis and Timog districts in Quezon City.
FOOD
Filipino food may puzlle the first time eater. Philippine history is largely responsible for this complex cuisine: a melange of native dishes, akin to the rest of Southeast Asia, as well ancient Chinese trader's culinary culture, Spanish colonizers added touches of Castillian and Mexican cooking, and US colonization brought in convinience and fast food meals. Eating in the Philippines therefore can be an outstanding experience at all budget levels.
BUSINESS HOURS
Banks are open from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. While most commercial firms are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monady through Friday and from 9 a.m. yo noon on Saturdays. Goverment offices are open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Department Stores are open from 10 a.m. 9 p.m.