At a glance
The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago consisting of some 7,100 islands and islets lying about 800 km off the southeast coast of Asia and stretching 1850 km from north to south. It is bounded by the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, and the South China Sea to the west and north. The Philippines takes its name from Philip II, who was king of Spain during the Spanish colonization of the islands in the 16th century. Manila is the biggest city and the national capital. It is located on Luzon, the largest island. Only about two-fifths of the islands and islets have names, and only 350 are larger than one square mile.
The Philippines is home to about 77 million people. Filipinos comprise 111 cultural and linguistic groups of Malayo-Polynesian origin, with varying degrees of Chinese, Spanish and American influences. About 90 per cent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, with smaller numbers of Protestants and Moslems. The national language is Pilipino, although English is the language of commerce and politics.
Because it was ruled by Spain for 333 years and the United States for a further 48 years, the Philippines has many cultural affinities with the West. It is the fourth most populous country in which English is an official language and the only Christian country in Asia. Educationally, it is among the most advanced of Asian countries.
Food
Filipino food reflects the country's varied history. Over the centuries, Chinese traders brought their culinary culture, Spanish colonizers added healthy touches of Castillan cooking, and U.S. colonization contributed convenience and fast food. Eating in the Philippines can therefore be an outstanding experience regardless of the traveler's budget. In recent years, a profusion of restaurants has emerged, many catering to continental European or exotic Asian tastes. There are some good Japanese restaurants, plus a smattering of Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and other establishments.
Nightlife
Metropolitan Manila is considered a pleasure-seekers' paradise, consistently voted Asia's number one destination for entertainment and night life. You can listen to a wide variety of popular bands and singers, take advantage of Happy hour specials, dance up a storm at clubs and street parties, or cap an exhilarating night with a cappuccino at a corner cafe. Hotspots not to be missed are bohemian Malate in Manila, upscale Ayala Rockwell in Makati, and the trendy Libis and Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
Shopping
The Philippines is fast becoming a shopper's haven, yielding great bargains if you know what to look for and where. There are handicrafts stores all over the country, usually near the public market in small to medium sized cities and towns, and in sprawling shopping malls in such large urban areas as Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. Rattan baskets and hand-woven fabrics from Northern Luzon, Panay Island and southern Mindanao; shell craft from Cebu and Zamboanga; wood and bamboo furniture from Cental Luzon; jewelry from Baguio City and Bulacan Province; and cigars from Ilocos region. Most Metro Manila malls carry international designer brands with prices comparable to those in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Transportation
Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier, operates flights from Manila to cities and towns throughout the country. In Metro Manila, public transportation is provided by taxis, buses, jeepneys (modified jeeps) and Light Rail Transit (LRT). In certain areas such as Binondo (Manila's Chinatown) and the old walled city of Intramuros, horse-drawn carriages are available. International and local car rental companies provide chauffeured or self-driven limousine service. Large groups may hire medium-sized passenger vans or tourist couches. There is only one operating railway line, from Manila to Naga in southern Luzon.
Currency
The monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. As of March 2006, the appproximate exchange rate was 44 Philippine pesos to the Canadian dollar. (For the latest exchange rates, see the Bank of Canada's official online calculator.) The central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, supervises authorized foreign exchange dealers at airports, hotels, major commercial establishments and all bank branches, and posts official exchange rates for most international currencies. Non-residents may bring any amount of currency into the country, but amounts over US$3,000 (approximately C$4,000) should be declared upon entry if you intend to take that amount with you when you leave the Philippines. Automated teller machines abound and accept both Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Climate
The Philippines is a tropical country with an average annual temperature of 25°C (77°F). The cool dry season extends from December to February and is followed by the hot dry season from March to May. The rainy season begins in June and continues to November. In mountainous regions temperatures often dip to 15°C. In May, temperatures of 40°C are not unusual. Depending on the region, the mean annual rainfall varies from less than 40 inches to more than 120 inches.