Because of its location in between so many other the civilizations of South Asia, the Philippines have always been the center of seaborne trade India, Arabia, and China. The Europeans arrived in 1521, when a small fleet from Spain, led by Ferdinand Magellan, landed on the island of Cebu. Today you can see the cross that marks Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan, near Cebu City, one of the many burgeoning new centers of tourism and beach vacations in the Philippines. The Spaniards successfully settled the island and converted most of the population to Catholicism, though the Muslims of the Southern Islands resisted them throughout the history of the country. Every visitor to the area was quickly enraptured by the beautiful tropical climate. In the inland mountains of Luzon and Mindanao Islands, cool breezes could be enjoyed in the summer, and the coastline in the winter was always warm and rich with tropical marine life. The beaches and resorts of the Philippine still offer some of the best surfing and diving in the world today!

After 300 years of Spanish rule, the United States took control of the islands. The fortress island of Corregidor remains a monument to the Filipino and American alliance of World War II. If you visit the capital, Manila, be sure to visit Corregidor Island and see the ruins of the U.S. Barracks there. There are also many other attractions in the city – the old town is a beautiful example of Spanish Colonial architecture! Just south of Manila, the dormant Taal Volcano and Taal Lake offer beautiful vistas and scenery in the inland jungles.

In 1992, when the U.S. returned the area around Subic Naval Base at Zambales and Clark Air Base to the Philippines, several huge development projects were begun that created a vacation wonderland around the area. Today Angeles City and the Subic/Olongapo City area number among the finest family attraction centers anywhere in the world. The eruption of nearby Mount Pinatubo left behind an amazing natural attraction visible by plane and touring safaris. Angeles City is famous for its casinos, and the Subic/Olongapo area now offers several water parks, zoos and other family vacation attractions.

Filipinos are famous for their hospitality. It is customary to treat guests like royalty. During the numerous joyful festivals occurring in many towns throughout the year, many families will incur debt as they prepare amazing feasts for friends and visitors. Tourists may notice the powerful Latin influence on Filipino mores and manners, and yet conclude that Southeast Asia is still the source of most of the area’s culture.

When they enter the Philippines, most visitors automatically are issued a free three-week tourist visa. If you plan to stay for longer than that, apply for a visa extension. The first visa extension is valid for 38 days and each extension after that is good for 59 days.

APO GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Bago, Davao City, Davao
Tel.: (632) 297-2150 / 297-2090
Par 72 18 Holes
Guest must be accompanied/sponsored by member.

BACOLOD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Hacienda Binitin, Murcia, Negros, Occidental
Tel.: (632) 034-29-945 Fax: (632) 034-25-995
Guest must be accompanied/sponsored by member.

BAGUIO COUNTRY CLUB
South Drive, Baguio City
Tel.: (632) 442-5060 - 69 Fax: (632) 442-6501
Par 61 18 Holes
Private Club. Guest must be accompanied/sponsored by member.

CALATAGAN GOLF CLUB, INC.
Calatagan, Batangas
Tel.: (632) 815-9436 (Makati Office) Fax: (632) 895-2657
Par 71 18 Holes
Private Club. Guest must be accompanied/introduced by a member. Unaccompanied players can make arrangements through the Makati office.

CAMP AGUINALDO GOLF CLUB
Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, EDSA, Quezon City
Tel.: (632) 911-6536 Fax: (632) 911-9299
Par 68 18 Holes
Open to the public. Reserve one week ahead.

CANLUBANG GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, INC.
Canlubang Sugar Estate, Laguna
Tel.: (632) 092-467-7201 Fax: (632) 092-467-7202
Par 72 36 Hole complex (North and South Course)
Private Club. Unaccompanied quests can make arrangements and are only permitted to play on weekdays.

CAPITOL HILLS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Old Balara, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Tel.: (632) 931-3050 to 55 Fax: (632) 931-9343
Championship Tee 18 Holes Par 72
Guest must be accompanied by a member. reserve one week before play date.

CEBU COUNTRY CLUB
Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu, P.O. Box 698, Cebu
Tel.: (632) 032-310-345/311802 Fax: (632) 032-314096
18 holes Par 71
Private proprietary club but open to guests and tourists.

CEBU GREEN ISLAND CLUB
Barangay Lambug, Badian, Cebu
Tel.: (632) 032-95935 Fax: (632) 032-311269
18 Holes Par 72
Private club for members and guests staying at the Green Island Beach Resort.

CLUB INTRAMUROS MANILA GOLF COURSE
Bonifacio Dr. corner Aduana Street, Port Area, Intramuros, Manila
Tel.: (632) 527-6613
Open to the public. Reserve 1 to 2 days before play date.

CLUB JOHN HAY
Baguio City
Tel.: (632) 074-4422101 to 03 (local 7143) Fax: (632) 074-4426798, 442-5782
18 Holes Par 68
Open to the public.

EASTRIDGE GOLF CLUB
M.L. Quezon Avenue, Angono, Rizal
Tel.: (632) 648-7720 - 25
18 Holes Par 72
Private club. guest must be accompanied by member.

EVERCREST GOLF CLUB & RESORT
Kilometer 72, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas
Tel.: (632) 7129293 to 98 Fax: (632) 712-9299
Championship Tee 18 Holes Par 72
Private proprietary club. Guest must be accompanied / sponsored by member. hotel guests can make arrangements with the club or the Manila office.

ILOILO GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, INC.
Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
Tel./Fax: 033-3351243
Par 70 18 Holes
Private club but tourist are welcome.

LANANG COUNTRY CLUB
Kilometer 6, Davao City
Tel.: (632) 082-2341764 / 2275171
Par 72 18 Holes
Proprietary club but open to the public.

LUISITA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac, Tarlac
Makati Office: Tel.: (632) 818-3911 Fax: (632) 817-9309
Par 72 18 Holes
Guest must be accompanied by member. Open to registered guests of Inn on the Park.

MANILA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Harvard Road, Forbes Park, Makati City, Metro Manila
Tel.: (632) 815-2641 / 817-4948 Fax: (632) 816-0162
Par 71 18 Holes
Guest must be accompanied/sponsored by member.

MANILA SOUTHWOODS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Southwoods Boulevard, Carmona, Cavite
Tel.: (632) 096-4300261 / 0268
Par 71 18 Holes
Guest must be accompanied by a member.

MIMOSA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Clark Airbase, Angeles City, 2009, Pampanga
Tel.: (632) 845-2493 / 818-1506 Fax: (632) 045-599-2304 - 06
Par 72 18 Holes
Guest must be accompanied by a member.

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Bata Subdivision, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Tel.: (632) 034-28257 / 21086 / 23012
18 holes Par 70
Guests must be accompanied by a member. Reserve one week before play date.

THE ORCHARD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Km. 26, E. Aguinaldo highway, Dasmariñas, Cavite
Tel.: (632) 843-8344Fax: (632) 843-8355
Two 18 Holes Champioship courses. Each course Par 72
Guest must be accompanied by a member. Reservation required for weekends and holidays.

PHILIPPINE NAVY GOLF CLUB
Bonifacio Naval Station (BNS), Fort Bonifacio, Makati, Metro Manila
Tel.: (632) 819-2780 / 819-2785
18 Holes Par 67
Open tot he public.

PUERTO AZUL BEACH AND COUNTRY CLUB
Ternate, Cavite
Tel.: (632) 574-731 / 574036 / 574041 Fax: (632) 5361579
Championship course 18 Holes Par 72
Private club but open to hotel guests.

STA. ELENA GOLF COURSE
Bo. Malitlit, Sta. Rosa, Laguan
Tel.: (632) 893-3494 Fax: (632) 049+5491028 / 1277 / 1278
27 Hole Championship course Par 72
Private Club. Guest must be accompanied by a member. Reservation required for holidays and weekends.

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, INC.
Tagaytay Highlands, Tagaytay City
Tel.: (632) 046+413-0888 Fax: (632) 046+4130830
18 Holes Par 72
Private club. Guest must be accompanied by members. Make reservations when playing on weekends or holidays.

TAT FILIPIPNAS GOLF CLUB
Narra Road, San Antonio, San Pedro, Laguna
Tel.: (632) 846-0694 Fax: (632) 846-1601
18 Holes Par 72
Guest must be accompanied by member.

VALLEY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Don Celso S. Tuazon Avenue, Antipolo, Rizal
Tel.: (632) 658-1901 Fax: (632) 658-4918
Championship Tee 18 Holes Par 72 - North Course 9 Holes Par 36
Guest must be accompanied by a member.

VETERANS GOLF COURSE
VMCC Compound, Gate 2, Mindanao Avenue, Project 6, Quezon City
Tel./Fax: (632) 920-1190
18 Holes Par 70
Open to the public.

VILLAMOR GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
Tel.: (632) 833-8360 / 831-2041 Fax: (632) 833-8631
18 Holes Par 72
Open to the public.

WACK WACK GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Shaw Boulevard,Mandaluyong City
Tel.: (632) 723-0665 / 0672 Fax: (632) 723-8556
East Course 18 Holes Par 72 - West Course 18 Holes Par 71/73
Guests must be accompanied by members. reserve at least one day before the tee-off.

ZAMBOANGA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City
Tel.: (632) 062+991-6817 Fax: (632) 062+991-1796
18 Holes Par 72
Open to he public.

ATI-ATIHAN
January 16-22 - Kalibo, Aklan
One of the most popular of the Philippine festivals, the Ati-atihan is a celebration in honor of the Sto. Niño. Revelers don colorful costumes and paint their bodies black and dance to the distictive beat of “Hala bira!” around the town.

PASUNGAY
Every 2nd Saturday of January - San Joaquin, Iloilo
A festival of bulls on the hillsides of San Joaquin. Prized bulls from the town and neighboring areas fight amidst wild cheering from spectators.

SINULOG
Every third weeken of January - Cebu City, Cebu
The Feast of the Sto. Niño is celebrated in Cebu with a procession, street dancing competition and a fluvial parade. Much like the Ati-atihan, the Sinulog Festival is marked by frenzied reverly to the chant of “Pit Senor!”

DINAGYANG
Every fourth weekend of January - Iloilo City, Iloilo
Spectacle characterized by a frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night.

ZAMBULAWAN
Every third Sunday of January - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The founding of Pagadian City showcases the Subanon tribe’s rich cultural heritage by way of songs, dances and exhibits of musical instruments.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES
February 2 - Jara, Iloilo City
The biggest and most opulent religiuos pageanty in Western Visayas. The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and her court which highlights the celebration.

PARAW REGATTA
First Sunday of March - Iloilo City
An exciting race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. This is an activity every summer hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers.

EID-EL-FITR
March 9 - Region XII
A worldwide Muslim festival celebrating the end of the month-long fasting period of the Holy Month of Ramadam by the Muslims.

VIA CRUSIS
April 1 - Cebu City
A lenten activity where devotees from Cebu City and its neighboring cities and towns do their penitential procession through cities the Station of the Cross built on 12 hectares of rolling hills. the life-size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross have been patterned after the Way of the Cross in Lourdes, France.

PAK’KAAT KALLO
Holy Week - Magpet, Cotabato
An anuual feast of the Manobo tribal community of Magpet in celebration of a bountiful harvest.

MORIONES FESTIVAL
Holy Week - Boac,Magpoc, Marinduque
One of the most famous of Philippine festivals. Colorfully garbed and masked as Roman soldiers and centurions, locals reenact the life of Longinus culminating in his beheading. The entire towns of Boac, Morpog and Gasan are virtually converted into huge stages as the story as Longinus unfolds.

TURUMBA
Good Friday - Pakil, Laguna
A procession of the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary through the streets, procession, singing and dancing to the Turumba.

ANG PAGTALTAL SA GUIMARAS
Good Friday - Jordan, Guimaras
Lenten presentation on the hillside of Jordan with locals as actors. This ala-Oberrammergou event has been attracting hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists: Local devotees’ visit usually culminates in the trek to “Balaan Bukid” or Holy Mountain where a huge cross is planted by the chapel overlooking Guimaras Strait and Iloilo City.

LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL
2nd or 3rd Week of april - Lamitan, Basilan
A yearly festival coinciding with the founding of Lamitan Municipality; showcases the traditional Yakan customs and traditions, music and dances, and traditional crafts.

MANAOAG PILGRIMAGE
2nd Week of April - Pangasinan
Annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. Known to local pilgrims / tourists as miraculous, the Virgin’s image has become one of Manaoag’s main attractions. Pilgrims’ vehicles are blessed every Saturday.

PISTA’Y DAYAT
May 1 - Lingayen, Pangasinan
A day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and abundant fishing observed all over Pangasinan traditional with mass offering on beautiful beaches and fluvial parade.

SANTACRUZAN
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Nationwide
The Santacruzan is a procession commemmorating St. Helena’s finding the “True Cross”; preceded bya nine-day Novena in honor of the Holy Cross. On the ninth day, usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan is held. The Reina Elena, accompanied by a little boy representing King Constantine, and the other sagalas representing biblical characters and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin, walk under gaily decorated arches.

CARABAO FESTIVAL
May 14 - Angono, Rizal
Farmers pay tribute to their patron saints; a procession of carabao carts bearing a myriad local produce is held; prizes are awarded to the strongest and most beautifully decorated carabaos.

PULILAN CARABAO
May 14 - Pulilan, Bulacan
Hundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by theis farmer-owners on the street leading to the church; there they are made to kneel down homage to San Isidro de Labrado, the patron saint of farmers.

PAHIYAS SA QUEZON
May 15 - Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, Quezon
Homes are decked with kiping (multi-colored paper thin, leaf-shaped rice kropeck) and harvested vegetables; trade fair; civic parades, procession and other activities.

OBANDO FERTILITY RITES
May 17 to 19 - Obando, Bulacan
A three day fiesta celebration in honor of San Pascual, Baylon, Sta. Clara and Nuestra Senora de Salambao. Childless couples, thankful parents, grateful farmers and fishermen dance along the streets together with colorfully customed women to pray for children and a good harvest.

TAPUSAN SA KAWIT
May 30 - Kawit, Cavite
A procession of gaily decorated floats decked with flowers of Maytime honors the Blessed Virgin. The participation of the town’s most beautiful young ladies symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother.

ANTIPOLO PILGRIMAGE
May - Antipolo, Rizal
A month-long celebration that brings devotees and pilgrims to venerate the Lady of Peace and Good Voyage enshrined in Antipolo Church and afterwards, picnic to nearby Hinulugang Taktak.

INDEPENDENCE DAY
June 12 - Kawit, Cavite
Independence Day Celebration, marked by a flag raising ceremony on the balcony of the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, where the first Philippine flag was unfurled.

PARADA NG LECHON
June 24 - Balayan, Batangas
The parading on the Feast of St. John the Baptist of “dressed” and decorated “lechons” (roasted pigs) around town. Revelers partake of the lechons after the parade.

PINTADOS FESTIVAL
June 29 - Tacloban City
Street pageantry and contest focusing on the Leyteños’ old custom of tattooing that signifies courage and status in the community.

PAAWAY SA KABAYO (Horsefight)
July 25 and December 25 - Tanjay, Negros Orriental
An exciting, thrilling and oftentimes bloody fight among studs for supremacy over a female horse. More than 100 horses have been trained solely for this twice a year event.

BOCAUE RIVER FESTIVAL
First Sunday of July - Bocaue, Bulacan
A famous river festival held in honor of the miraculous Cross of Bocaue (Krus ng Wawa). During the fluvial procession, devotees ride in the “pagoda” and douse each other with water.

RAJAH BAGUINDA FESTIVAL
2nd Week of August - Jolo, Sulu
A three-day cultural show and festivites commemorating the arrival of Rajah Baguinda who was responsible for the spread of Islam and reinforcing the Sultanate Government in the Sulu Archipelago.

KADAYAWAN SA DABAW
3rd Week of August - Davao City
A celebration of the bountiful harvests of fruits and orchids during the season. Activities include fruit and flower show, trade fair, tribal/civic/military parade, traditional sports activities, horsefight, Search for B’yaneng Kadayawan and street dancing.

LEMLUNAY (T’BOLI TRIBAL FESTIVAL)
Septermber 16-18 - Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
An annual authentic T’boli tribal festival staged at Lake Sebu. Features tribal rituals that start at early down amidst sounds of gongs and native music, culminating at the town plaza where cultural dances and ethic sports like horsefight are held.

FEAST OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PEÑAFRANCIA
3rd Saturday of September - Naga City, Camarines Sur
A religious festival held in hornor of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Bicol’s most revered patrones highlighted by the fluvial procession of the Lady’s image down the Bicol river. The week-long-celebration includes civic-military parade, sportsfests, exhibits, cultural shows, beauty pageants and colorful competitions.

MASSKARA FESTIVAL
October 19 - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The biggest annual event that reflects the Bacoleños love for fun and gaiety. Coinciding with Bacolod City’s charter day celebration, the festival features sports competitions, cultural programs, carnivals, beauty contest and a long Mardi grasstyle costumed and masked street dancers.

IBALONG FESTIVAL
October 19-22 - Legaspi City
A celebration depicting Bicol’s early beginnings as portrayed in the “Ibalong” epic that tells of super heroes Handiong, Batlog and Oryol and villains and wild animals that roamed in the ancient times. In music and dances, revelers parade on the main streets wearing masks of these heroes and villains. Festival activities include tours, trade fairs, exhibits and beauty pageants.

LA NAVAL DE MANILA
2nd Sunday of October - Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
A festival revolving around the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La Naval carved in 1533 and given as a gift to the Dominican Fathers. Borne on an elaborately decorated and well-lit carriage in the form of a ship, the venerated image is brought out of the church preceded by a dozen or so images of Dominican saints. The procession goes around the main streets of Sto. Domingo parish and then returns to the church amidst applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.

FEAST OF SAN CLEMENTE / HIGANTES FESTIVAL
November 22-23 - Angono, Rizal
Angono’s joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal vestment, is borne by male devotees during a procession accompanied by “pahadores (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles) and higantes” (giant paper mache effigies) The street event culminates in a fluvial procession in Laguna de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image is brought back to its sanctuary.

GRAND CORDILLERA FESTIVAL
November - Baguio City
One of the region’s major events held annualy featuring the gathering of tribes in a week-long event to “celebrate life” marked by tribal dancing and performances of thanksgiving rituals.

MARIAN PROCESSION
December 8 - Intramuros, Manila
A revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from various parishes and provinces paraded.

PAGDIDIWATA
December 8 - Puerto Princessa, Palawan
A thanks giving celebration by the Tagbanua natives of Palawan in ritual dances and food offerings to their deities and souls of departed kin

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION
December 8 - Intramuros, Manila
An Eucharistic celebrabration of the Feast Day of the La Immaculada, patroness of Intramuros, capped by a grand procession of more than 50 Marian images from all over the country and participated in by thousands of devotees.

BIKOL PASTORES
December 18 - Legazpi City, Albay
A unique Christmas celebration believed to have originated in the province where “pastores” - young men and women dressed in colorful shepherd costumes - joyfully dance and sing “Pastores a Belen” through the city streets.

SAN FERNANDO GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL
December - Ermita, Manila
A fiesta in honor of one of the oldest Marian images in the country (it was found by Legazpi’s soldiers amidst the foliage of a pandan shrub on the shores of Ermita in 1571) - the La Nuestra Señora de Guia, patroness of seafarers and also known as Our Lady of Expectations. The main event of the fiesta is the Bota de Flores, a reenactment of a select group of young ladies and their escorts in sailor costumes of the procession returning the La Nuestra Señora de Guia to its reconstructed shrine in 1918.

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL
December 28-30 - San Jose, Antique
A festive commemoration of an episode in the history of the Filipino race through colorful pageants acted on the beaches of Maybato in San Jose and Malandog in Hamtik. Particularly interesting is the drama of the first Malay settlement at malandog which runs for several days and nights. Binirayan is also an occasion of reunion with families, relatives and friends of homecoming Antiqueno expatriates.

Language:Tagalog (Filipino dialect) is the National Language.

The American occupation was responsible for teaching the English Language.

The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world.

Currency: Peso (Php).

Notes are issued in denominations of P5, P10, P20, P50, P100, P500, and P1000.

Coins are issued for (centavos), 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, p1, p5.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchanged dealers.

Outside of Manila payments are preferably made in pesos.

Major Travelers Checks is widely accepted.

Major Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services.

Bank Hours Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays).

Shop Hours Most shops operate 10am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays)

Time: Local time is GMT plus 8 hours.

Business English is the language used.

Sexual equality is more widespread in the Philippines than in other Asian countries.

Make sure you have business cards.

Wet Season:
June- October (monsoon)
November -February (coolest) 29-31C

Coastline: 334,539km

Terrain:Many of the islands in the Philippines are extinct volcanoes and atolls.

On the larger islands many mountains, rainforests, and rich valleys and swamp regions.

The Philippines still does have thermal activity consisting of active volcanoes and hot springs.

Either airplane or ferryboat provides inter island transportation. Philippine Airlines services 43 major provincial airports. Aerolift Philippines and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street

The LRT: It’s the fastest, cheapest way to go. P10 takes you from Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) to Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked.

Taxis: Air-conditioned taxis cost P20.00 on the meter and additional P1 is added for every 500 meters to the final cost. No Regular taxis. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected.

Car Rentals: Car rentals, with or without driver is readily available at airports, hotels and local independent services. If you know the city, driving yourself is fine but you have to deal with some traffic and parking problems.

Taxis: Air-conditioned taxis cost P20.00 on the meter and additional P1 is added for every 500 meters to the final cost. No Regular taxis. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected.

Public Transport: Air-conditioned and regular buses or Tamaraw FX, usually ply the major routes such as EDSA. Other convenient choices for transport include the unique and colorful, Filipino-built local jeepneys, the (LRT) Light Rail Transit, public utility tricycles (motorcyle-run side cars) and pedicabs (pedal-pushed side car)

The picturesque horsedrawn carriages called Kalesa or Karitela, could also be an interesting way of going around Manila’s historical landmarks such as the Intramuros, Luneta Park, Chinatown (Binondo, Ongpin) and Divisoria, where the hub of night markets and bargain can be found.

Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification.

The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Local postage is P4 for a standard letter and P16 for letters to America and Europe. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail.

NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Almost all businesses and government offices are closed.

Television is “on the air” from about noon to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. Channel 9 and 23 are now on 24 hours a day. The other standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7 and 13. In some areas it is possible to receive Channel 21 which carries CNN News and ABC current events broadcasting. Channel 21 is a new station and its programming scope is constantly being enlarged. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are on the STAR Satellite System bringing in TV programs from all over the world.

There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM.