Country profile - The Philippines

Info4Migrants
THE PHILIPPINESCountry profile
Project number: UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-615

300,000km2
100,617 mln
POPULATION
GDPper capita
CURRENCY
$3,256
Languages FILIPINO (TAGALOG), EN�
GLISH, 19 official auxiliary languages,
175 native languages (13 indigenous
languages with at least one million
native speakers)
Peso (₱) (PHP)
2 Country profile THE PHILIPPINESLearnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com

COUNTRY BACKGROUND
Official name: Republic of the Philippines
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philip-
pine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Climate: either tropical rainforest, tropical savanna, tropical
monsoon, or humid subtropical characterized by relatively high
temperature, oppressive humidity and plenty of rainfall. There
are two seasons in the country, the wet season and the dry
season, based upon the amount of rainfall.
Capital: Manila
Largest city: Quezon City
Ethnic Make-up: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%,
Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%,
Buddhist and other 3%
National Flag
National emblem
Manila
MALAYSIA
INDONESIA
THE
PHILIPPINES

THE PHILIPPINES FACTS
Family values
The family is the centre of the social structure and in-
cludes the nuclear family, aunts, uncles, grandparents,
cousins and honorary relations, such as godparents,
sponsors, and close family friends. People get strength
and stability from their family. As such, many children
have several godparents. Concern for the extended fam-
ily is seen in the patronage provided to family members
when they seek employment. It is common for members
of the same family to work for the same company. In
fact, many collective bargaining agreements state that
family members will be preferred in hiring.
Languages
Filipino (formerly Pilipino) is based on Tagalog, and it is the
official language of the Philippines. In spite of being the na-
tional language, only about 55 percent of Filipinos speak the
language. In addition to Filipino, there are about 111 dis-
tinct indigenous languages and dialects, of which only about
10 are important regionally.
English is generally used for educational, governmental and
commercial purposes, and it is widely understood since it is
the medium of instruction in schools. The Philippines are
the third largest group of English-speaking people in the
world, after the United States and the United Kingdom.
Since English is widely spoken in the Philippines, it is com-
mon to hear Filipinos use a mixture of English and Filipino
words or phrases, known as “Taglish” (a mixture of English
and Tagalog), in their everyday conversations. A steadily
dwindling minority still speak Spanish, which had at one
time been an official language.

Hiya
Hiya signifies shame, and it is a motivating factor be-
hind behaviour. It refers to a sense of social propriety
and conforming to societal norms of behaviour. Filipinos
believe they must live up to the accepted standards of
behaviour, and if they fail to do so they bring shame not
only upon themselves, but also upon their family. One
indication of this might be a willingness to spend more
than they can afford on a party rather than be shamed
by their economic circumstances. If someone is publicly
humiliated, criticized, or does not live up to expecta-
tions, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila, commonly known as Metro Manila,
the National Capital Region of the Philippines, is the seat
of the government and the most populous of the 12 de-
fined metropolitan areas in the Philippines, as well as the
11th most populous in the world.
Flag
The National Flag of the Philippines (Filipino: Pamban-
sang Watawat ng Pilipinas), commonly known as the
Three Stars and a Sun, is a horizontal bicolor flag with
equal bands of royal blue and scarlet red, and with a
white equilateral triangle at the hoist; in the center of
the triangle, there is a golden yellow sun with eight pri-
mary rays, which represent the country’s first group of
provinces that started the 1896 Philippine Revolution
against Spain; and at each vertex of the triangle there is a
five-pointed golden yellow star, each of which represents
one of the country’s three main island groups - Luzon, Vi-
sayas, and Mindanao. This flag can indicate a state of war
if it is displayed with the red side on top.

Typhoons
The Philippines sit astride the typhoon belt, and the
country suffers an annual onslaught of dangerous
storms from July through October. These are especially
hazardous for northern and eastern Luzon and the Bicol
and Eastern Visayas regions, but Manila gets devastated
periodically as well. Bagyó is the local term to any tropi-
cal cyclone in the Philippine Islands. Around an average
of 20 storms and/or typhoons per year enter the Philip-
pine area.
Slums
The Philippines have Asia’s fastest-growing economy, but
tragically many who live there are being left far behind
in abject poverty. These are some of the Philippines’
most desperate people, the thousands of Manila slum
and shanty town dwellers forced to live in makeshift
homes hastily built from scrap in the areas most at risk
of natural disasters. It is believed that around 105,000 of
the 580,000 immigrants in the capital have been forced
to set up home in disaster-prone areas. The greatest
threat is flooding, which occurs most years, but they are
also vulnerable to powerful tropical storms.
Indigenous People
The Philippines consist of a large number of indigenous
ethnic groups living in the country. They are the descen-
dants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines. They
were not absorbed by centuries of Spanish and United
States colonization of the Philippines archipelago, and in
the process they have retained their customs and tradi-
tions. In the 1990s, there were more than 100 highland
tribal groups constituting approximately 3% of the pop-
ulation.

1 January:
New Year’s Day
Celebrates the first day of the
year in the Gregorian calen-
dar.
Moveable date in spring:
Chinese New Year
Also known as the Spring
Festival or Lunar New Year, it
is mainly celebrated by the
Filipino Chinese but has slow-
ly received wider exposure in
popular culture.
9 April: Day of Valor
Commemorates the Fall of
Bataan during the Japanese
invasion of the Philippines,
and by extension, the courage
of Filipino and American sol-
diers at the Fall of Corregidor
during the Second World War.
Moveable day during spring:
Black Saturday
It remembers the day Christ’s
body was lain in the sepul-
chre, while his soul descend-
ed into the realm of the dead
to save righteous souls.
Maundy Thursday
This holy day commemorates
the Last Supper of Christ with
his twelve apostles.
Good Friday
It commemorates the suffer-
ing, crucifixion and death of
Christ.
1 May: May Day
International Labour day in
the Philippines.
12 June: Independence Day
Celebrates the Philippine Dec-
laration of Independence and
the establishment of the First
Philippine Republic in 1898.
Moveable day during
summer: Eid’l Fitr
Celebrates the end of the fast-
ing month of Ramadan;
21 August:
Ninoy Aquino Day
Commemorates the unsolved
assassination of former Sen-
ator and prominent opposi-
tionist Benigno “Ninoy” Aqui-
no, Jr. in 1983, which was a
catalyst for the People Power
Revolution in 1986.
Last Monday in August:
National Heroes’ Day
Commemorates all the na-
tion’s heroes throughout
history.
Moveable day during
autumn: Eidul Adha
Celebrates the end of the Hajj
and the feast of the sacrifice.
1-2 November:
All Saints’ Day
Filipinos observe this day
by visiting their ancestors’
graves.
30 November: Bonifacio Day
Commemorates the birth of
national hero Andrés Bonifa-
cio in 1863.
24-25 December:
Christmas
Celebrates the Nativity of
Christ. Christian families gen-
erally hold an midnight feast
called nochebuena on Christ-
mas Eve.
30 December: Rizal Day
Commemorates the execution
of national hero José Rizal by
Spanish colonial government
in 1896.
31 December:Last day of the
year
On New Year’s Eve, families
hold another midnight feast
called medianoche to greet
the coming year.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

The history of the Philippines can be divided into four distinct phases: the pre-Spanish
period (before 1521), the Spanish period (1521-1898), the American period (1898-1946),
and the years since independence (1946-present).
Pre-Spanish Period
The first people in the Philippines, the Negritos, are believed to have come to the islands
30,000 years ago from Borneo and Sumatra, making their way across then-existing land
bridges. The Malays settled in scattered communities called baranggays, which were ruled
by chieftains known as datus. Chinese merchants and traders arrived and settled in the
ninth century. In the 14th century, Arabs arrived, introducing Islam in the south and ex-
tending some influence even into Luzon. The Malays, however, remained the dominant
group until the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.
Spanish Period
Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain in 1521, and for the next 377 years,
the islands were under Spanish rule. This period was the era of conversion to Roman Ca-
tholicism. A Spanish colonial social system was developed, complete with a strong, cen-
tralized government and considerable clerical influence. The Filipinos were restless under
the Spanish and this long period was marked by numerous uprisings. The most important
of these began in 1896 under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo and continued until the
Americans defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, during the Span-
ish-American War. Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.
American Period
Following Admiral Dewey’s defeat of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, the United States
occupied the Philippines. Spain ceded the islands to the United States under the terms of
the Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898) that ended the war.
A war of resistance against U.S. rule, led by Revolutionary President Aguinaldo, broke out
in 1899. Although Americans have historically used the term “the Philippine Insurrection,”
Filipinos and an increasing number of American historians refer to these hostilities as the
Philippine-American War (1899-1902) and in 1999, the U.S. Library of Congress reclassi-
fied its references to use this term. In 1901, Aguinaldo was captured and swore allegiance
to the United States and resistance gradually died out. The conflict ended with a Peace
Proclamation on July 4, 1902.
U.S. administration of the Philippines was always declared to be temporary and aimed to
HISTORY IN BRIEF

develop institutions that would permit and encourage the eventual establishment of a
free and democratic government. Therefore, U.S. officials concentrated on the creation
of such practical supports for a democratic government as public education and a sound
legal system.
On July 4, 1946, the Philippine Islands became the independent Republic of the Philip-
pines, in accordance with the terms of the Tydings-McDuffie Act. In 1962, the official
Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12, commemorating the date when
independence from Spain was declared by General Aguinaldo in 1898.
Post-Independence Period
The early years of independence were dominated by U.S.-assisted post-war reconstruc-
tion. A communist-inspired Huk Rebellion (1945-53) complicated recovery efforts before
its successful suppression under the leadership of President Ramon Magsaysay. The suc-
ceeding administrations of Presidents Carlos P. Garcia (1957-61) and Diosdado Macapagal
(1961-65) sought to expand Philippine ties to its Asian neighbors, implement domestic
reform programs and develop and diversify the economy.
Since 1986, when the dictatorship
of Ferdinand Marcos was
toppled, the Philippines
has enjoyed relative
political stability and
steady economic
growth.
The Philippine Gov-
ernment faces threats
from several groups,
some of which are on the
U.S. Government’s Foreign Terror-
ist Organization list. Manila has waged a de-
cades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which
has led to ongoing peace talks. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People’s Army
insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased
tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
HISTORY IN BRIEF

INTERESTING FACTS
• The original of Philippines’ inhabitants,
the Negrito, now number only about
30,000.
• The Philippine islands are mountainous,
and seismically active. Earthquakes are
common, and a number of active volcanoes
dot the landscape, such as Mt. Pinatubo,
the Mayon Volcano, and the Taal Volcano.
• The nation got its name ‘Philippines’ after
King Philip II of Spain.
• “Conus Gloriamaris”, which is the rarest
and most expensive seashell in the world,
is one of the 12,000 species of seashells
found in the Philippines. About 488 coral
species, out of the 500 coral species known
worldwide, are found in the archipelago.
• The yoyo was invented as a hunting weap-
on by ancient Filipinos, probably in the
Visayas.
• The Philippines is known as the ‘text
capital of the world’ due to the large num-
ber of text messages sent to-and-fro by the
people in one day. On average, about 35
million mobile subscribers in the country
send about 450 million short text messages
(SMS) every day.
• Manila, the Philippine capital, is the most
densely populated city in the world.
• The Philippines is the largest supplier of
nurses in the world.
• Erythromycin was invented by Filipino Dr.
Abelardo Aguilar in 1949. He sent a sample
to Eli Lilly, who promptly patented it. Eryth-
romycin is used for people who are allergic
to penicillin, and it has saved millions of
lives.
• The Philippines is the world’s leading pro-
ducer of coconuts.
• According to the 2000 census, 52 million
people in the Philippines speak English,
making it the fifth largest English-speaking
nation after the U.S., India, Pakistan, and
the U.K.
• The amount of sulfur dioxide expelled by
Mount Pinatubo during its eruption on June
15, 1991, created a two-year haze of sulfu-
ric acid all over the world. It caused global
temperatures to drop by 0.5 °C (0.9 °F).
• A Filipino named Roberto del Rosario
made the karaoke machine in 1975, but a
Japanese musician invented it four years
earlier. Del Rosario, however, was the first
to patent the product, which makes him the
first patented producer of the karaoke.
• The positioning of the colors in the Phil-
ippine flag indicate a message. If it is flown
with the red stripe on top, the nation is in a
state of war. Otherwise, during peacetime,
the blue is on top.
• The University of San Carlos in Cebu City
was founded by Spanish Jesuits in 1595,
making it the oldest school in the Philip-

INTERESTING FACTS
pines.Then in 1611, the University of San-
to Tomas (or, lovingly, “Usté”) was found-
ed in Manila by the Dominican Order. It is
the world’s largest Catholic university in
terms of population. Both universities are
older than Harvard, which was not found-
ed until 1636.
• Manila, the capital city of the country,
takes its name from a white flower that
grew on mangrove trees, locally known
as nilad. ‘May nilad’ can be translated to
mean ‘there are nilad there.’
• The rice terraces of the Philippine Cor-
dilleras are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The terraces were built about 2,000 years
ago and — thanks to the rough terrain
keeping settlers out — remain as they
would have been in pre-colonial times.
• About 25 years before the first book was
printed in the United States, the Tagala,
the first Filipino-Spanish dictionary, was
printed in 1613.
•The Philippines welcomed its 100-mil-
lionth citizen on July 27, 2014, making the
country the seventh most populated coun-
try in Asia and the 12th in the world.
• The Philippines has more than 200 vol-
canoes, although only some of them are
active.
• In the Philippine cave complex Tabone,
fossils of Homo sapiens were found. Ac-
cording to studies, this area was inhabited
about fifty thousand years ago.
• Filipinos are the world’s largest network
of diasporas, which covers more than 11
million people.
• The world’s deepest ocean trenches are
located in the area, at the bottom of the
Pacific Ocean. Mindanao Trench, which is
near the Philippines, reaches the depth of
six and a half miles.
• There are only two seasons – a warm
wet season and cool dry season in the
Philippines. The dry season lasts from Oc-
tober to June, and wet – for the remainder
of the year.
• A video camera with a single chip was
first created by Marc Loinaz – a Filipino
inventor from New Jersey.
• The fluorescent lamp was invented by
Agapito Flores Filipino scientists from the
island of Cebu.

Philippine cuisine has evolved over several centuries from its Malayo-Polynesian
origins to become a mixed cuisine with many Hispanic, Chinese, American, and
other Asian influences that have been adapted to local ingredients and the Filipi-
no palate to create distinctively Filipino dishes. Dishes range from the very simple,
like a meal of fried salted fish and rice, to the elaborate, such as the paellas and
cocidos created for fiestas.
Unlike many of their Asian counterparts, Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks; they
use Western cutlery. However, possibly due to rice being the primary staple food
and the popularity of a large number of stews and main dishes with broth in Phil-
ippine cuisine, the main pairing of utensils seen at the Filipino dining table is that
of spoon and fork, not knife and fork.
Kaldereta is an authentic and popular dish in the Philippines, especially in Luzon. Its com-
mon ingredients are cuts of pork, beef or goat with tomato paste or tomato sauce with
liver spread added to it.
Sisig refers to Sizzling sisig, a Filipino dish made from parts of pig’s head and liver, usually
seasoned with kalamansi and chili peppers.
Morcon is a Filipino meat roll stuffed with sausage or hotdogs, carrots, pickles, cheese,
and egg. This is considered as a holiday dish and is usually served during Noche Buena
(Christmas Eve) and Media Noche (New Year’s Eve).
Crispy pata is a Filipino dish consisting of deep fried pig trotter or knuckles served with
sawsawan, a soy-vinegar sauce. It can be served as a festive or everyday dish. Many
restaurants serve boneless pata as a specialty.
Lumpia are pastries of Chinese origin similar to spring rolls popular in Indonesia. There
are different versions of it: Lumpiang Shanghai (fried spring rolls), Lumpiang Sariwa (fresh
spring rolls), Lumpiang Ubod (spring rolls made with coconut julienne or heart of palm)
and a lot more.
Sinigang is a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour flavor, most often associated
with tamarind. Meat varies from fish, pork, shrimp and beef.
Pancit or pansit is the term for noodles in Filipino cuisine. Pancit Palabok is made from
CUISINE

rice flour noodles topped with crab sauce, eggs, shrimps, squid, garlic, chicharon, and veg-
etable seasoned with lemon juice.
Kare-kare is a stew made from peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables, stewed oxtail,
beef, and occasionally offal or tripe. Meat variants may include goat meat or (rarely) chick-
en. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili, and sprin-
kled with calamansi juice. It is comfort food for Filipinos, and a perennial family favorite in
both local and overseas Filipino households. This is an authentic Filipino dish.
Lechón is a pork dish in several regions of the world, particularly in Spain and its former
colonies throughout the world. The word lechón originated from the Spanish term leche
(milk); thus lechón refers to a suckling pig that is roasted. Lechón is a popular dish in the
Philippines, usually served during fiestas.
Adobo is Spanish for sauce, seasoning, or marinade. The Philippines was colonized by
Spaniards for over 300 years, so it is not surprising that many of the dishes have Spanish
or international influences. Adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines. This
dish consists of chunks of chicken or pork or both cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaf,
lots of garlic and whole peppercorns.
Drinks
There is a wide variety of alcoholic drinks manufactured by local breweries and distilleries:
• Beer or serbesa is the most preferred alcoholic drink in the Philippines. San Miguel Pale
Pilsen is the most popular beer, and the widely known brand Beer na Beer is a close sec-
ond.
• Tuba (toddy) is a type of hard liquor made from fresh drippings extracted from a cut
young stem of palm.
• Lambanog is an alcoholic beverage most commonly described as coconut wine or co-
conut vodka. The drink is distilled from the sap of the unopened coconut flower, and is
known for its high alcohol content (80 and 90 proof).
• Tapuy is a traditional Philippine alcoholic drink made from fermented glutinous rice. It is
a clear wine of luxurious alcoholic taste, moderate sweetness and lingering finish. Its aver-
age alcohol content is 14% or 28%, and it does not contain any preservatives or sugar.
Chilled drinks are popular due to the tropical climate. Stands selling cold fruit drinks and
fruit shakes are common in many of the city areas. The drinks are based on green manda-
rin orange, pomelo, pineapple, banana, and soursop.
CUISINE

One of the top tourist attractions in the Philip-
pines, The Chocolate Hills are unusual geological
formations that consists of at least 1,268 indi-
vidual mounds scattered throughout the interior
of the island of Bohol. The almost symmetrical
formations with similar size range from 98 to
164 feet (30 to 50 meters) high and are cov-
ered in green grass. During the dry season, the
grass turns brown, hence the name. There is no
consensus on how these giant mole hills were
formed. One theory holds that the Chocolate Hills
are the weathered rock formations of a kind of
marine limestone on top of an impermeable layer
of clay.
No trip to the Philippines could be complete without seeing the spectacular Banaue Rice
Terraces. Carved without modern tools by the Ifugao tribes from the mountain ranges
about 2,000 years ago , these magnificent farm terraces resemble giant steps reaching up
to the sky. To this day, locals still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, although more
and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing and emigrate to the cities.
The Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea is a marine sanctuary protected as the Tubbataha
Reef National Marine Park. The reef is made up of two atolls, North Atoll and South Atoll,
separated by a deep channel of approximately 5 miles (8 km) wide. It has become one of
the most popular dive sites in the Philippines because of its coral walls where the shal-
low coral reef abruptly ends, giving way to great depths. The marine park is open to live-
aboard diving excursions between the months of April and June when the waves are most
calm.
Rising more than 2,400 meters above sea level, Mayon Volcano is significant for its per-
fectly symmetrical cone shape. Visitors can enjoy a number of activities here, such as
camping, climbing, hiking, bird watching and photography. A picturesque spot in which
to admire Mayon Volcano is from the nearby Cagsawa ruins. Mayon is the most active
volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 49 times in the past 400 years. The most
destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1 in 1814, bombarding the nearby
towns with volcanic rocks. The belfry and what is left of the baroque church that was de-
stroyed in the 1814 eruption can still be seen.
Located in the easternmost
part of Asia, the Philippines
are home to more than 7,000
islands, which are inhabited by
friendly locals and many in-
digenous tribes. From pristine
beaches and marvelous natural
wonders to interesting historic
sites and once-in-a-lifetime ex-
periences, the Philippines pack
many exciting things to see and
do.
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

A small island made up of quiet fishing villages, Malapascua Island is popular for its ideal
diving spots and for being the only place in the world where you can see thresher sharks
on a regular basis, as well as manta rays and hammerheads. The other hidden gems here
are the beautiful, sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees
and colorful coral gardens.
Just south of Manila is the charming coastal town of Puerto Galera, well-favored for its
gorgeous beaches, excellent diving spots and wide diversity of marine species. The most
popular beaches are White Beach and Sabang Beach, which also offer nearby shopping,
dining, nightlife and hotel accommodation. Another popular attraction is the natural har-
bor of Muelle Bay with its rows of shops, restaurants and bars. Visitors can also go snor-
kelling to see some of Asia’s best coral reefs or dive among old shipwrecks and hundreds
of fish species.
Located on the northern coast of the island of Palawa, Puerto
Princesa is a nature lover’s paradise. Home to unspoiled
landscapes rich in wildlife, this lovely town also lays
claim to one of the world’s most unique natural
phenomena, an underground river known as the
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Protected
within a national park, this natural wonder is
the world’s longest navigable underground riv-
er. Guided paddle boat tours show intriguing
rock formations and fluttering bats.
Located in the province of Sorsogon, a place
of pristine beaches, stunning waterfalls and
unexplored caves, the sleepy fishing village
of Donsol is the place in the Philippines to
see whale sharks. The ocean’s gentle giants
can be seen between November and June, with
the numbers peaking between February and May.
Tourists can also take a boat cruise along the Donsol
River through mangrove and palm trees, and watch the
night light up with millions of sparkling fireflies. If that is not
enough, a traditional shrimp-catching expedition with bamboos and
nets, followed by a tasty dinner of the cooked catch, is also available.
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

Meeting Etiquette
• Initial greetings are formal and follow a
set protocol of greeting the eldest or most
important person first.
• A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is
the standard greeting.
• Close female friends may hug and kiss
when they meet.
• Use academic, professional, or honorific
titles and the person’s surname until you are
invited to use their first name, or even more
frequently, their nickname.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Filipino’s house:
• It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later
than invited for a large party.
• Never refer to your host’s wife as the
hostess. This has a different meaning in the
Philippines.
• Dress well. Appearances matter and you
will be judged on how you dress.
• Compliment the hostess on the house.
• Send a handwritten thank you note to the
hosts in the week following the dinner or
party. It shows you have class.
Table manners
• Wait to be asked several times before
moving into the dining room or helping
yourself to food.
• Wait to be told where to sit. There may be
a seating plan.
• Do not start eating until the host invites
you to do so.
• Meals are often served family-style or are
buffets where you serve yourself.
• A fork and spoon are the typical eating
utensils.
• Hold the fork in the left hand, and use it to
guide food to the spoon in your right hand.
• It is polite to decline the first offer of seat-
ing, food, drink, etc. Accept the second offer.
• Leave a small amount of food on your
plate when you are finished eating. When
finished eating, place your fork and spoon
on your plate.
Gift Giving Etiquette
• If you are invited to a Filipino home for
dinner bring sweets or flowers to the hosts.
• If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums
and white lilies.
• You may send a fruit basket after the event
as a thank you but not before or at the
event, as it could be interpreted as meaning
you do not think that the host will provide
sufficient hospitality.
• Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is im-
portant. There are no colour restrictions as
to wrapping paper.
• Gifts are not opened when received.
IMPORTANT TIPS

IMPORTANT TIPS
Dress
Filipinos are some of the smart-
est dressers in Asia. Dress well
for most occasions.
Men should wear a jacket and
tie for initial meetings. Women
should wear western dresses,
skirts and blouses.
Helpful Hints
Speak softly and control your
emotions in public. Make re-
quests, not demands.
Don’t be offended by personal
questions. These are asked to
show interest. Feel free to ask
the same questions in return,
especially about family.
Verbal assault is a crime for
which you can be charged.
Dining and Entertainment
Most business entertaining is
done in restaurants or clubs,
preferably a good restaurant in
an international hotel. During
business entertaining, you may
be asked to sing. Try to join in.
A dinner invitation to coun-
terparts and their spouses is
appreciated before you leave
the country. Don’t bring your
spouse to a business lunch.
Lunches are generally for busi-
ness discussions.
Filipinos may view a dinner/
party invitation as just a pass-
ing thought. They may answer
“yes,” but not take an invitation
seriously. Phone to re-invite and
remind. An R.S.V.P. may not be
answered. It must be reiterated
to be taken seriously. Don’t ac-
cept an invitation unless repeat-
ed at least three times.
People who have not been invit-
ed may turn up at dinner. They
should be included graciously.
The person who invites pays the
bill.
Punctuality is appreciated but
not demanded when attending
social affairs.
Getting drunk is considered
rude.
It is polite to decline the first
offer of seating, food, drink, etc.
Accept the second offer.
Leave a small amount of food
on your plate when you are fin-
ished eating. When finished eat-
ing, place your fork and spoon
on your plate.
Never directly criticize anyone,
especially in public. Never offer
insincere comments or compli-
ments.

IMPORTANT TIPS
Business Tips
Filipinos are relaxed about time. Meetings
and appointments often begin late. For-
eigners are expected to be on time.
A personal introduction by a mutual friend
or business associate makes business ar-
rangements much smoother.
Establishing a personal relationship is im-
portant for the success of a business rela-
tionship. Trust and loyalty are central to de-
veloping relationships. Insincerity is easily
detected and can ruin the relationship.
Filipinos often have a “take it or leave it” at-
titude when it comes to selling prices. They
may also place less stress on the absolute
selling price and place more emphasis on
percentages, unit cost or rounded figures.
Casual conversation may precede business
discussions during meetings. Negotia-
tions and business deals advance slowly. A
third-party go-between may be a good idea
to relieve tension or provide criticism. Do
not allow meetings to go on for too long.
Filipinos love to eat and their enthusiasm
wanes when they are hungry.
Communication is indirect, truth is diplo-
matically presented, the manner is gentle,
and the perception of the recipient is con-
sidered in all communications. All commu-
nication should be courteous, regardless of
its content.
Filipinos find it difficult to say “no,” to dis-
agree, reject or be confrontational, espe-
cially when a superior is involved. Expect
an ambiguous or indirect answer -- not to
deceive, but rather to please and avoid
confrontation.
Face-to-face meetings are preferred.
Written communications might not be
answered. Communication by mail or tele-
phone is unreliable at best.
Especially for Women
Foreign women will have little problem
doing business in the Philippines.
Men may make comments about women
walking on the street. These should be
ignored.
A foreign woman should not pay a bill for a
Filipino businessman. It would embarrass
him and might harm the business relation-
ship.

ETIQUETTE
‘Small talk’ is an important part of estab-
lishing business relationships with Filipinos.
You’ll find that Filipinos can be enthusiastic
conversationalists.
Expect to be asked personal questions re-
garding your marital status, income, reli-
gion, and other sensitive subjects. If you do
not wish to answer, side-step these ques-
tions as graciously as possible.
Embarrassing someone, or reprimanding
them in front of others, can cause them to
“lose face” or loss of reputation, which has
very negative consequences in this culture.
Maintaining cordial relationships is essen-
tial in the Philippines. Keep your comments
as positive as possible, because negativity
can inadvertently cause “loss of face”.
It is best not to be too direct when commu-
nicating with Filipinos. They will usually be
more receptive to a rather indirect ap-
proach.
Because of the years of U.S. military pres-
ence in the Philippines, most North Ameri-
can gestures and communication styles are
recognized and understood.
English is the language of most business
transactions and nearly all government
bodies in the Philippines.
Business travelers are expected to be on
time for all appointments, and although the
Filipinos may not always arrive exactly on
time, you probably won’t be subjected to
an overly long wait.
Producing “instant results” is not a part of
Filipino business culture. Consequently,
you will have to adjust your expectations
regarding deadlines and efficiency when
working with them.
In order to reach the decision-maker, you
will likely have to meet with subordinates
first, and also adapt to the business proto-
col at the different levels of the organiza-
tion.
When meeting a new customer, letters of
introduction from friends and business
associates can often be helpful in opening
doors.
Businessmen should expect to shake hands
firmly with other Filipino men, both upon
introduction and subsequent meetings
however, it’s best to wait for a Filipino
woman to offer her hand first. Close female
friends may greet each other with a hug
and kiss. Similarly, close male friends may
have close physical contact, such as hold-
ing hands or walking arm in arm around a
friend’s shoulder.
Although there are many social in-
equalities in the Philippines, Filipinos
believe that everyone must be treated
with respect. They are expected to be-
have modestly and graciously, espe-
cially in their dealings with the poor
or less fortunate.

Some Filipinos may greet each other by
making eye contact, then raising and lower-
ing their eyebrows. When someone raises
their eyebrows at you, it is often a way of
indicating that you have been understood.
Raising one’s voice is unacceptable in the
Filipino business culture. It’s important to
maintain a low, controlled tone of voice at
all times.
Don’t assume that a smile is an indication
of amusement or approval. At times, smil-
ing is used to mask embarrassment, ner-
vousness, and other feelings of discomfort.
Pointing at someone or something can be
perceived as an insulting gesture. Filipinos
typically point at objects using an open
hand. For giving directions, they may use a
glance with a slight nod, or purse their lips
to signify which way.
To beckon someone, hold your hand out,
palm downward, and make a scratching
motion with the fingers. Beckoning some-
one with the palm up and moving one
finger can be interpreted as an insult.
Indicating ‘two’ with the fingers is done by
holding up the ring and little finger, not the
forefinger and middle finger. The thumb is
not used to count numbers in the Philip-
pines.
Don’t put your hands on your hips when
conversing. This gesture can be misinter-
preted as a challenge to another person.
5 Key Conversation Tips:
· Filipino culture and customs
· Family is usually a good topic
· Filipinos love fiestas, so asking
about these occasions will create a
lively conversation
· All types of sports, especially bas-
ketball
· Food and the local specialties
5 Key Conversation Taboos:
· Politics and religion in general, un-
less they bring it up first
· Corruption, terrorism, or drug traf-
ficking – even though it may be in the
news
· Foreign aid and related policies
· Anything that could potentially
cause embarrassment or “loss of
face”
ETIQUETTE

Hospitality
If you are trying to establish a conversation
with someone and you are not certain how
he will react to your question, try starting
the question with “Is it true…” or “Do you
think…”
If your question is something serious that
you think will get you into trouble (even if
it concerns you), try using “Someone I met
in…”, “An author in the book I read…” or
“In the news I watched….”. So when he gets
agitated, you are safe.
Do not use “My friend said…” or “My fami-
ly told me…” because if any of your friends
or relatives decided to visit or join you on
your next trip, “your friend” or “your fam-
ily” may be marked as the one who bad-
mouthed or defamed the country. There-
fore you would only get them into trouble.
On the other hand, most Filipinos do not
mind being asked about their religion,
and consequently presume that you won’t
mind them asking about yours, especially
if you will be part of their family. Don’t be
offended, as it is a part of the culture of
knowing what to expect and what to dis-
cuss in front of you. They won’t talk about
their religion unless you are open to it, or
you are of the same denomination and
willing to talk about it.
Body Language
• Don’t stare or point your finger, it is
considered rude if you stare or point your
finger when addressing someone.
• Don’t swear, swearing is regarded impo-
lite, and for conservative, religious Filipinos
it is a despicable manner influenced by evil.
• Non-verbal language is a key element in
communication. One greets friends by lift-
ing the eyebrows. A longer lift can be used
to ask a question.
• Filipinos walk hand in hand or arm in arm
with relatives and friends of either sex as a
sign of affection or friendship. Women are
expected not to cross their legs or drink al-
cohol in public. Shorts are not usually worn
by women.
CULTURAL TIPS

Inside the Filipino Home
Do expect to be invited to the homes of
Filipinos. They will invite you to help your-
self to everything and anything on their
dining table, and they would appreciate it
if you have the food offered. If you happen
to show up during meal time, an extra chair
will be made available to you. In short, do
eat when you are offered food. Don’t of-
fend your hosts by refusing outright.
Do be sensitive to household customs, for
example, you may be asked to leave you
footwear outside. They will offer you slip-
pers, or if they don’t, the house floor is
most likely clean.
Doing Business
Do use honorific titles, such as Mister or
Miss. Titles are very important and it is best
to use them when addressing people and
business partners.
Do help your partners save face. Filipinos
place a premium on harmonious interper-
sonal relationships.
Do keep in mind that time is viewed flexi-
bly in the Philippines; many Filipinos place
less of an emphasis on strict adherence to
schedules.
Do wear appropriate clothing for business,
especially during initial meetings. Denim
jeans or business casual attire are not rec-
ommended.
General Dos and Don’ts
Do take the time to smile. Filipinos like to
say hi, and they appreciate it when visitors
reciprocate. Handshakes are the usual way
to greet people, but kissing on the cheek is
also common, especially among ladies.
Do come in appropriate clothes when the
occasion calls. Not all places would wel-
come you in your flip-flops and shorts.
Churches, government institutions and
some restaurants require proper attire.
Don’t forget to laugh. Laughter is used very
frequently in the Philippines: to break ten-
sion, to relieve moments of awkwardness,
and to put people at ease. A good sense of
humor is definitely an asset in the Philip-
pines.
Don’t lose your temper. It’s easier to get
Filipinos on your side if you approach situ-
ations in a calm and composed manner. Fil-
ipinos are more willing to help if you don’t
embarrass them in public.
Do show respect to anyone regard-
less of their social class or age. Say-
ing “sorry” and “excuse me” is ap-
preciated. In Philippine culture, the
elderly are given particular respect.
Using the proper words (such as the
polite ”po” and “opo” when speaking
to elders) is a sure way of endearing
yourself to Filipinos.
DOS AND DON’TS

Filipinos are casual, fun loving, sensitive and hospitable people. Personal and family
honor are stressed, as well as dignity and pride. Education is highly valued and families
make great sacrifices to educate their children.
Relative Status of Women and Men
While families desire male children, fe-
males are welcomed to supply help in the
house and provide a home in the parents’
old age. Women’s rights to equality and
to share the family inheritance with male
siblings are firmly established and are not
questioned. The oldest daughter is expect-
ed to provide money for the education
of younger siblings and for the needs of
aging family members. Women are the
managers of family finances. The wedding
ceremony can include a gift of a coin from
the groom to the bride to acknowledge
this role. Since personal relationships and
wealth are considered the road to success,
women have an equal opportunity to be
successful. Winners of beauty pageants
are likely to succeed in the business and
professional world.
Gender Roles and Statuses
Traditional roles prevail in rural areas,
where men cultivate the land but the en-
tire family is involved in planting and har-
vesting the crops. Women work in gardens
and care for the house and children as well
as barnyard animals. In urban areas, men
work in construction and machine up-
keep, and as drivers of passenger vehicles.
Women work as teachers, clerks, owners
of sari-sari stores, marketers of produce
and healthcare providers. Occupational
gender lines are blurred, since men also
work as nurses and teachers. In the pro-
fessions, gender lines are less important.
Women attorneys, doctors and lawyers are
found in the provinces as well as in urban
areas.
PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES

SOCIETY
Marriage
Marriage is a civil ceremony that is conducted in city offices. A religious ceremony is also
performed. The ceremony is similar to those in the United States, with the addition of
sponsors. Principal sponsors are friends and relatives who have positions of influence in
the community. The number of principal sponsors attests to the popularity and potential
success of a couple. It also reduces the couple’s expenses, since each principal sponsor is
expected to contribute a substantial amount of cash. Members of the wedding party are
secondary sponsors who do not have to provide funds.
Arranged marriages have not been part of Filipino life. However, men are expected to
marry and if a man has not married by his late twenties, female relatives begin introduc-
ing him to potential brides. The median age for marriage is twenty-two. Young profes-
sionals wait until their late twenties to marry, and engagements of five to seven years
are not uncommon. During this period, the couple becomes established in jobs, pays for
the education of younger siblings, and acquires household items. A woman who reaches
the age of thirty-two without marrying is considered past the age for marriage. Women
believe that marriage to a wealthy man or a foreigner will guarantee happiness. Divorce
is illegal, but annulment is available for the dissolution of a marriage. Reasons for annul-
ment include physical incapacity, physical violence, or pressure to change one’s religious
or political beliefs. Interfaith marriages are rare.
Domestic Unit
The extended family is the most important societal unit, especially for women. Women’s
closest friendships come from within the family. Mothers and daughters who share a
home make decisions concerning the home without conferring with male family mem-
bers. One child remains in the family home to care for the parents and grandparents. This
child, usually a daughter, is not necessarily unmarried. The home may include assorted
children from the extended family, and single aunts and uncles. Several houses may be
erected on the same lot to keep the family together. Childcare is shared. Fathers carry
and play with children, but are unlikely to change diapers. Grandparents who live in the
home are the primary care-givers for the children since both parents generally work.
Preschool grandchildren who live in other communities may be brought home for their
grandparents to raise. Indigent relatives live in the family circle and provide household
and childcare help. Young people may work their way through college by exchanging work
for room and board. Family bonds are so close that nieces and nephews are referred to as
one’s own children and cousins are referred to as sisters and brothers. Unmarried adult
women may legally adopt one of their sibling’s children.

CORPORATE CULTURE
Business Meeting Etiquette
• Appointments are required and should be
made 3 to 4 weeks in advance.
• It is a good idea to reconfirm a few days
prior to the meeting, as situations may
change.
• Avoid scheduling meetings the week be-
fore Easter.
• Punctuality is expected. For the most part,
your Filipino colleagues will be punctual as
well.
• Face-to-face meetings are preferred to
other, more impersonal methods, such as
the telephone, fax, letter or email.
• Send an agenda and materials in advance
of the meeting so your colleagues may pre-
pare for the discussion.
• The actual decision-maker may not be at
the meeting.
• Avoid making exaggerated claims.
• Always accept any offer of food or drink.
If you turn down offers of hospitality, your
colleagues lose face.
• It is important to stay for the period of so-
cial conversation at the end of the meeting.
Relationships & Communication
• Filipinos thrive on interpersonal relation-
ships, so it is advisable to be introduced by a
third party.
• It is crucial to network and build up a cad-
re of business associates you can call upon
for assistance in the future.
• A relationship is developed with you per-
sonally, not necessarily with the company
you represent.
• Therefore, if you leave the company, your
replacement will need to build their own
relationship.
• An appropriate image will facilitate build-
ing business relationships. Dress conserva-
tively and look presentable at all times.
Business relationships are
personal relationships, which
means you may be asked to
do favours for colleagues,
and they will fully expect you
to ask them for favours in
return.

The Filipino business culture is a confluence of East and West. Although geographically
part of Southeast Asia, the country has strong European and American ties that extend
into everyday social interactions and business culture.
Filipino and English are the two main languages of business in the country, and although
many business practices may be Westernised, Eastern traditions and cultural norms still
play a central role.
Family is important in Filipino culture and many businesses are family-owned, with a
number of family members often working for the same company. Business relationships
therefore equate to personal relationships, and it is important to network and build close
interpersonal relationships with Filipino counterparts. Business structures in the Philip-
pines are hierarchical and decisions are made mostly by the top-level executives. Howev-
er, the group’s input is very important and it is possible that initial negotiations and agree-
ments may be concluded without even meeting the actual decision-makers.
Filipinos are known for their friendliness and hospitality. This extends to the business
environment. Filipinos place great emphasis on polite language and gentle conversation.
When speaking, one’s tone should remain neutral and direct questions should be avoid-
ed. Business is best dealt with face –to-face. Only once polite conversation has been
concluded should one negotiate business. Filipinos enjoy conversation about their friends
and family, but topics such as politics, religion and corruption are best avoided.
Business communications can often be indirect, and expats should be aware of this to
avoid miscommunication. A “yes” may not necessarily mean an agreement has been
made. Moreover, physical gestures and their meanings are important. Fixed eye contact
between men is considered aggressive. Summoning someone should be done with a
downward wave.
To Filipinos, the concept of saving face and maintaining self-esteem is important. Self-es-
teem should be preserved, and one should never criticise or argue with a Filipino associ-
ate publically. When in an embarrassing situation, the Filipino may laugh or try to change
the subject to hide the awkwardness.
Expats should not be surprised if Filipino colleagues or friends ask very personal ques-
tions about their age, salary or how much something cost them to buy, or make frank
comments regarding weight and appearance. Such questions come from curiosity and the
comments are generally meant in a light-hearted manner. Expats should not be offended.
BUSINESS CULTURE

Country profile - The Philippines

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