One of the most beautiful tropical Island in Southeast Asia, PHILIPPINES!

You might say I am loving my own because I was born and raise there, but that is not the point why I am writing this guide. Yes, I want to introduce my home country but I also want to help foreigners what to do if they really are thinking of going there.

Every place no matter how rich or poor the country is, whether is still the third world country or the most high technology one, you can still encounter many undesirable experiences.

Now, first thing you do if you decided on having a little vacation in the Philippines is to consider if you can handle on taking the flight from the US to there for almost 24 hours. Yes folks, that long. Overall time covered for the flight is around 18 hours not including the waiting time for changing aircraft, which is sometimes would take 3-5 hours. But then, most of your time is just relaxing in the plane anyways and sleep, unless you don't feel well. Don't worry though, everything is worth it when you land there.

Oh, did I mention how much you have to pay for the ticket and all? If you are not the citizen of the Philippines, you must have a return ticket to the US or whichever country you come from, because the Philippine Immigration won't let you get out of the Airport if you don't have any. But anyway, the thing is, you will spent more than a thousand bucks one way and if you want to be in the business class or first class, it would raise up to five grand. Only one way folks, so, times two, that would be almost three grand for an ordinary fare. But never to worry when you got there in the Philippines. The dollar is worth more than the Philippine Money. So, if you have an extra thousand dollars, you are a king in the Philippines. The equivalent rate as of July 6, 2007 is $1= Php 45.00. So, see how you can get more out of your extra bucks? The thing is you can get a hotel room there, a 5 star hotel, for only an equivalent of less than $70. Can you believe that? I don't think you do, but I'll tell you it's true. I lived there.

Well, now that you figured out how much money you will have to bring with you and the ticket stuff and the length of hours of your flight, you are ready to land. Yes, land in the country of the Philippines.

Tip no. 1:

Don't take a taxi where the drivers are following you all over because they would definitely charge you more than you are supposed to just because they thought you have a LOT of money coz you are a foreigner. Go to the taxi information that is part of the Airport facility and they will not overcharge you and they would help you in anyway that's for sure. No ripoffs ladies and gentlemen. When you are in the Philippines, don't act foreigner coz they'll take advantage of you. No matter how lovely is the Philippines, bad people is everywhere still.

Tip no. 2:

I'll teach you some short paragraphs that I think is very helpful when you go to the Philippines.

Hello, how are you? = Hello, kumusta ka?

I am ok and you? = Mabuti, ikaw?

How much is this? = Magkano ito?

One = isa

Two = dalawa

Three = tatlo

Four = Apat

Five = Lima

Six = Anim

Seven = Pito

Eight = Walo

Nine = Siyam

Ten = Sampu

Where is the bathroom? = Nasaan ang comfort room? (in the Philippines, bathroom to us is either Restroom or Comfort Room, also refer as CR)

Thank you = Salamat

Thank you very much =  Maraming Salamat

You're Welcome = Walang Anuman

Tip no. 3:

Okay, so when you are able to speak some of it to some Filipinos, they will hesitate on treating you like you don't know anything. Next, when you are already in your hotel (which you can also booked from where you got your taxi, if you haven't done the booking stuff before you decided to go), try to search immediately where are the emergency exits and all, just for security purposes. IMPORTANT: When you go out, don't, I repeat, DO NOT leave any money, credit cards, or anything that is VERY important in your hotel room. It's not that Filipinos are theft, but just to make sure and be safe. You'll never know!

Tip no. 4:

When you are in the Philippines, I recommend you try ALL seafoods and ALL fruits. You'll never regret it. :-) And also, try to go to all the Tourist Spots in the Philippines. We are pretty historical since we were part of the World War II. And aside from that, in early 16 centruy, the Spaniards colonized the Philippines for over 400 years. So here and there, you can see old houses from the Spanish era still standing. It's worth the visit. Aside from being historical, we have all the nice beaches everywhere since we have 7, 107 islands. :-) And don't be surprise that when you go to another town, they don't speak the same dialect as the others. The Philippines has over 80 dialects aside from the dialect that I gave a sample up there. That's our national language, Tagalog/Filipino.

So, I hope you will still consider going to my home country. It sounds tiring but when you will see the exotic animals and the different trees, the oceans, the food, ahhh it is just perfect. You might not want to go back to the US anymore.

But hey, who knows, let me know if you will go there, okay! :-) Have Fun!