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FOR THE TRAVELLER, the Philippines is favourable located, with relatively short distances to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Despite this, it has never drawn such enormous masses of tourists as for example Thailand, and the greater part of the country is still virginal and unexploited. This is naturally reflected in the warmth and friendliness of the local people, and you may practically find your own paradise island where no tourist ever has even left a footprint in the sand. If you're looking for a country to explore, you really should try the Philippines.
GEOGRAPHICALLY, the country is divided in to three main regions; Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the centre, and Mindanao in the south. The capital Manila is located in the north on the island of Luzon. The population is estimated to be around 77 million people. The Philippines is 8 hours ahead of GMT (= Greenwich Mean Time)
THE POLITICAL SITUATION in the Philippines was a bit worried after the election of the new president Gloria Arroyo Macapagal in January 2001, who replaced the former president Joseph Estrada. There have also been trouble with rebel groups on the islands close to Malaysia (the Mindanao-area). The Philippines is still a safe place for tourists, if you avoid the troubled regions in the south, near Malaysia. The situation is similar to the one in India, where the state of Kashmir is the subject of battles between the state and rebels. And still, India is considered to be a safe place to travel, as long as one avoids Kashmir; both India and the Philippines are very large countries.
THERE ARE ONLY TWO SEASONS in the Philippines, the wet and the dry. The dry season lasts from October until June, and the wet season during the rest of the year. Depending on where you are, the wet season is different. The north-western part of the country is during this period visited by the monsoon that south-east Asia is well-known for, while the climate on the south-eastern islands is practically the same during the entire year. Temperatures are quite steady around 30°C (= 86°F) all year, with a slight peak in May.
HISTORICALLY, THE PHILIPPINES had early contact with China, some of the Arab countries, and Cambodia, but didn't get known to the western world until the 17:th of March 1521, when Magellan landed on the island of Samar. Since then, Spain, Portugal, the United States and Japan have had colonies in the country, leaving traces of their cultures behind.
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES are English and Pilipino (also known as Tagalog), but there are over 100 diffrent languages around the country. Catholicism is the dominating religion, practiced by about 90% of the population, and it has been coloured by the local traditions and myths, much like it has been in the Carribean. In the south, around Mindanao, Islam is the largest religion, and one can notice it in the handicrafts, which is richly ornamented in muslim tradition. During Easter the largest religious festival takes place, and thousands of enthustiastic devotees gather in the cities all over the country. It's good to know that on the major holidays, such as Christmas Day and Easter, local traffic (including domestic flights) may not be available.
THE CURRENCY HERE is called Peso (P. for short), which is divided into 100 centavos (c). This is how the peso related to some other currencies in August 2003:
Australia 1 AUD = 36 Pesos
Canada 1 CAD = 34 Pesos
Denmark 1 DEM = 8 Pesos
Europe 1 EUR = 62 Pesos
Japan 2,1 YEN = 1 Peso
Norway 1 NOK = 7,5 Pesos
Singapore 1 SGD = 31 Pesos
South Korea 21 KRW = 1 Peso
Sweden 1 SEK = 7 Pesos
the U.K. 1 Pound = 88 Pesos
USA 1 US $ = 55 Pesos
Most of the banks have ATM's for credit cards. If you're using traveller's cheques, US$ is the most reliable currency to use around the country.
VISAS: Citizens from all countries, Taiwan and China excepted, are free to visit the Philippines for visits up to 21 days.
THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM in this country may not be the best in the world as the lines are often dodgy, and many locals prefer to use cellphones. The country code for the Philippines is 63.
FESTIVALS
GIVE A FILIPINO A REASON TO CELEBRATE, and soon you'll have a fiesta in the making. Almost every town has it's own annual fiesta, some have several.
Here follows a selection of festivals in the Visayan region:
The ATI-ATIHAN festival in Kalibo, Panay island, is the festival in the Philippines, the biggest and it's also considered to be the best. A sort of mardi-gras event that lasts for one week, with people dancing in the street wearing colourful costumes. It's believed to have existed since the 13:th century, so it's surely a tradition by now. The neighbouring towns have similar fiestas at this time too, but noone can possibly compete with the original.
The DINAGYANG festival, Iloilo city, Panay, is a fiesta similar to Ati-Athan (above) that kicks off in the end of January and lasts for three days.
The TAWO-TAWO fiesta is held in February in Bayawan, Negros, to honour the scarecrows that guards the ricefields.
The REGATTA from Iloilo city, Panay island, to Guimaras starts at the 3:rd Sunday in February. Traditional vessels is used, and the annual race has been held for a very long time.
EASTER is a turbulent time, and is celebrated all over the country with spectacular events, from carnevals to actual crusifixion of devoted christians that want to share the pains of Christ.
In April-May there is a five day RODEO in Masbate town, Masbate island.
The well-known BOHOL fiesta starts on May 1 in Tagibilaran, Bohol island, and lasts thoughout the month all over the island.
The PANAAD festival is held in April-May at the stadium of Bacolod, Negros, and shows handicrafts & art from the province.
The CALBAYOG fiesta in Calbayog, Samar, includes parades and markets. September 7 & 8.
In the middle of October starts the MASS-KARA festival in Bacolod, Negros, when people in fantastic face-masks gather in the streets to dance and celebrate.
The SILAY festival at Negros starts November 5, and lasts for 2 weeks.
In early December, the SINADYA fiesta at Panay starts, and lasts 4 days.
If you are in or around Manila close to Christmas, you shouldn't miss the CHRISTMAS LANTERN festival. It is held in San Fernando, Luzon. On the closest Sunday to christmas people build giant lanterns and parade through the streets.
LUZON:
The Luzon region is in the north of the country, dominated by the large island of Luzon, where the capital Manila is.
MANILA is (as mentioned above) the capital of the Philippines, with a lot of things to see and do.
MOUNT MAYON rises 2420 metres above sea-level, and is a very popular destination for tourists. Still it's not entirely safe visiting this mountain, as it's one of the world's most active volcanoes, and it had an eruption as soon as July 26 2001. Mt Mayon is located on south-east Luzon (in northern Philippines).
BANAUE's rice terraces has been called "the Eighth wonder of the world", and is a very popular destination among trekkers.
THE VISAYAS:
The Visayas is the country's mid-region, together with Cebu island where you'll find the second international airport of the Philippines.
MINDANAO:
This region is the southernmost part of the country, and the population is mainly muslim. Unfortunately, rebel groups in this area has given the Philippines a somewhat bad reputation, and we would advice you not to go travelling in this area without carefully checking reports about rebel activities first. The troubled regions are mainly in the south towards Malaysia.
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