Behaviour rules
The so-called Filipinos – the typical inhabitants of the Philippine Islands – are very hospitable and especially in the country very helpful and courteous to their guests. Europeans, especially Germans, are welcome. Almost everyone speaks the English language, so it is no problem for visitors to get into conversation and communicate. If you are invited to a local family, it is important to bring a gift. This is common and is expected by the guest. Depending on the financial situation of the host family, it is advisable to bring fruit, small treats or alcoholic drinks.
Filipinos attach great importance to their honor. Avoid boasting about exuberant party favors, luxury or careers, or offering pity to strangers out of pity. Despite the sometimes prevailing poverty, it prohibits them from accepting help or asking for help from strangers. If you are friends with a Filipino, you should know that every help comes with a return. This is very important in the Philippines. This should always be borne in mind, since it is sometimes known differently by various aid organizations and help is often seen as a good work, especially in Germany.
Talks and conversations with Filipinos should always be conducted respectfully. Family, home, culture and art are good topics. If you are not so proficient in the English language, you should avoid political discussions. A misunderstood word could lead to a dispute and you should and should avoid it after all.
Safety
If you are traveling abroad, you should inform yourself about the respective security risks and regulations before starting your trip, so that the planned vacation becomes a surprising adventure. The same applies to the Philippine Islands.
In general, the Philippines is considered a travel-safe country. The vast majority of the population is hospitable and courteous to their guests. Crime like theft or fraud is more or less common in every city. Victims often include the weak, the careless, and tourists. General information on how to look after your luggage or keep it safe on your wallet should also go without saying for the Philippines. But it doesn’t exceed the risks of any other holiday destination.
The tricks that ignorant foreign visitors keep falling for are very interesting. As already described in the code of conduct, the Filipinos are honorable citizens and would never ask a stranger for financial help despite poverty. If this happens anyway, caution is advised. Experience has shown that these are fraudsters who want to take advantage of other people’s good faith and weakness. There are reports that the tourists were ambushed and then robbed.
Don’t be tempted if you are approached by an unknown Filipino on the street or in a cafe who claims you know each other from the airport. Caution is also required here. Invitations to visit home can also be a sneaky pretext. If you get into such a situation anyway, those affected should think about their health, not play the hero and let the fraudsters allow themselves. However, this should not deter you, since even Germany poses security risks and the known cases do not occur more frequently than in any other holiday destination.
There are certain security warnings for the Philippines. Political conditions do not allow the country to calm down in some places. Especially in the south, but also in the recent past in Manila, there have been repeated bloody clashes between rival groups in the past. The majority of the victims and attacks are the civilian population. In general, tourist centers and public facilities are safe because in many places they are well protected by public and private security services.
Public holidays
According to findjobdescriptions, Easter and Christmas are among the most important festive days in the Philippines. The reason for this is the Christian influence from the history of the Philippine Islands and the importance of the Catholic Church in modern times. The New Year and Labor Day on May 1st are also traditional.
An important national holiday is June 12th, the day of independence from Spain in 1898. Another equally important holiday to be considered is the heroic day on August 27th, All Saints’ Day on December 1st and the Rizal day on December 30th and the big festival “Flores de Mayo” at the end of the dry season.
In addition, there are other regional holidays and festivals and several national and regional memorial days on the Philippine Islands, which are not always directly accessible to the visitor.
Shop
Large cities like Manila or Cebu are real shopping paradises for tourists. Many large air-conditioned shopping centers but also small, individual shops invite you to go shopping.
You can buy cheaper where the locals shop. In Manila this is in Baclaran, Quiapo or Tutoban. There are many small shops lined up like bazaars, where you can buy almost anything. Shoes, T-shirts, pants, but especially children’s clothing is unbeatably cheap there. Services such as small repairs, photo service or a visit to the hairdresser are also inexpensive.
Huge shopping centers such as Robinsons or SM offer not only a wide variety of goods, but also comprehensive, amusing entertainment and various catering options. Payment can be made with standard credit cards or in cash.
The Philippine peso is the official currency. Tourists get souvenirs and small gifts on every corner. So it’s not a problem to stock up on it at home. However, if you are looking for local, local products, you will soon find something in the rural areas and can go shopping there accordingly.
