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Food & Drink: Unlike a lot of Asian cooking, Filipino cuisine is distinguished by its moderate use of spices. Chinese, Malay, Spanish, Japanese and American influences have all left their mark in a subtle blending of cultures and flavours. Naturally, seafoods feature strongly, freshly harvested and often simply grilled, boiled, fried or steamed and served with kalamansi (the local lemon), bagoong (a fish paste) or vinegar with labuyo (the fiery native pepper). Restaurants specialising in seafood abound, offering crabs, lobsters, prawns, oysters, tuna, freshwater fish, bangus (the bony but prized milkfish) and the sweet maliputo, found in deep-water lakes. The lechon (roasted whole pig) is prepared for fiestas and family celebrations. Other delightful specialities include kare-kare (an oxtail stew in peanut sauce served with bagoong), sinigang (meat or fish in a pleasantly sour broth) and adobo (braised pork and chicken, in tangy soy sauce, vinegar and garlic). Among the regional dishes, the Ilocos region’s pinakbet (vegetables sautéed with pork and bagoong), Central Luzon’s relleno (boned and stuffed chicken or fish) and the Visayas’ kinilaw (raw fish marinated in a spicy vinegar dressing) top the list. Rice is a staple of Filipino cuisine. Fruit is plentiful with mangoes, papayas, bananas, chicos, lanzones, guavas and rambutans. Philippine preserves like atsara (a chutney-like vegetable preserve) and the numerous native desserts like the pili nut brittle (a crunchy sweet made with the luscious pili nuts found only in the Bicol region) can be purchased in local markets. All the regional dishes are available in Manila’s excellent restaurants, which, like the restaurants of all the main towns, offer a varied cuisine. For the less adventurous, there are also European-style restaurants and American fast food. Restaurants are generally informal, with table service.
Alcoholic drinks include locally brewed beer, of which San Miguel is the best known, and the delicious Philippine rum. Waiter service is common in bars and there are no strict regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.
Nightlife: The choice of entertainment in Manila displays the Filipinos’ affinity for music. Five-star hotels offer everything from high-tech discos to lavish cultural songs and dances, as well as superb pop singers and performers, trios, show bands and classical string ensembles. On most evenings there are cultural performances by local artists or foreign groups at the many other venues for the performing arts. Free concerts are offered by several parks every week, and occasionally by banks and other corporations. The Philippines also have some unusual musical groups like the Pangwat Kawayan bamboo orchestra, which uses bamboo musical instruments, and the Rondalla group which uses tiny guitars like the ukelele. Casinos are located in Manila, Ilocos Norte, Pampanga, Cebu, Zamboanga, Iloilo and Davao.
Shopping: The Philippines is a haven for shoppers. Countless bargain opportunities for the handicrafts of the different regions are found in the numerous shopping complexes, which range from sleek air-conditioned department stores and malls to open-air bazaars. The chain stores offer everything from the famous barong tagalog (hand-embroidered dress shirts for men in delicate jusi material) to Tiffany lamps made with capiz shells. For local colour there’s nothing like the flea markets where visitors can buy all kinds of cloth weaves, brassware from the south, woodcarvings and other local crafts, as well as rare seashells and souvenirs, like the painted papier-maché horses of Laguna. Some particularly good buys are the silver jewellery from Baguio, coral trinket boxes, rattan furniture, baskets in different designs, woven grass mats (banig), antique wooden figurines of saints, ready-to-wear clothes, garments embroidered with the traditional callado, Filipino dresses for women (usually made from banana and pineapple fibres), cigars and abaca placemats. Handicraft stores are found everywhere in the country, especially in cities. Large department stores sell both local and foreign manufactured goods. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0930-2000, but these can vary. Most department stores and supermarkets are open Sunday.
Special Events: Dozens of colourful festivals are celebrated in the Philippines each year. A comprehensive listing, including all important Muslim festivals and Catholic feast days in honour of patron saints etc, may be obtained from the Department of Tourism. The following is a list of some of the major events in the Philippines during 2003:
Jan Philippine Game Fishing Tournament and International Billfish Tournament, Sta Ana, Cagayan. Jan 6-10 Kuraldal (residents of Sasmuan, Pampanga dance to honour St Lucia). Feb 14-16 International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta & Air Show 2003, Angeles City, Pampanga. Mar 70th Anniversary Celebrations of Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Pampanga. Apr Moriones (re-enacting of the beheading of Longinus), Boac, Mogpog, Gasan and Marinduque; Turumba, Pakil and Laguna; Holy Week Lenten Rituals, nationwide. May Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo Festival, nationwide; Carabao Festival, Pulilan and Bulacanl; Pahiyas (parades and flower decorations), Lucban and Sariaya; Obando Fertility Rites, Obando, Bulacan. Jun 12 Independence Day Celebrations, nationwide, focusing on Manila’s Luneta Park. Jun 24 Parada Ng Lechon (roast pig feast), Balayan, Batangas. Jul Pagoda Sa Wawa, Balayan, Batangas; Sandugo Festival, Bohol. Aug Aurora Festival, Tanjay, Negros Oriental; Kalibongan Festival, Kidapawan City; Tuguegarao City Fiesta Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Aug 22-25 Kadayawan Sa Dabaw, Davao City. Sep Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia, Naga City. Oct Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, Zamboanga City; Masskara Festival, Bacolod City; Lanzones Festival, Camiguin Island. Nov Feast of San Clemente/Gigantes, Angono and Rizal. Nov 2 All Saints’ Day, nationwide. Dec Giant Lantern Festival, San Fernando and Pampanga; Binirayan, San José, Antique. Dec 25 Christmas Festival, Laoag. Dec 30 Rizal Day (festivities at Luneta Park).
Social Conventions: Government officials are addressed by their titles such as Senator, Congressman or Director. Otherwise, usual modes of address and levels of politeness are expected. Casual dress is acceptable in most places, but in Muslim areas the visitor should cover up. Filipino men may wear an embroidered long-sleeved shirt or a plain white barong tagalog with black trousers for formal occasions. The Philippines are, in many respects, more westernised than any other Asian country, but there is a rich underlay of Malay culture. Tipping: Usually ten per cent of the bill. Hotels generally add a 15 per cent service charge, but it is customary to leave small change.
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