Philippines Overview Country Overview The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide). The warm waters offer the attractions of sunbathing, swimming and diving through a dramatic display of coral gardens and spectacular marine life. Luzon is the largest and most northerly of the main islands. The spectacular landscape is made up of the mountainous north, the flat vistas of the central plain and lakes and volcanoes in the southern pensinsula. Manila, capital and hub of the nation, has been a port for hundreds of years. Places of interest include San Augustin Church and Manila Cathedral, which offers an excellent view of the harbour. Hundred Islands, lying off the coast of Pangasinan, are made up of 400 islets surrounded by coral gardens and white sand beaches. This area is ideal for swimming and fishing. Mindanao, the most southerly island, has a very different feel from the rest of the country. In the southwestern tip is Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines and a favourite resort amongst tourists. The city is noted for its seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Local dishes include kare-kare (an oxtail stew in peanut sauce served with bagoong) and sinigang (meat or fish in a pleasantly sour broth). On most evenings there are cultural performances by local artists in the many performing arts venues. Many of the top hotels offer lavish music spectacles ranging from string quartets to show bands. General Information Area: 300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles). Population: 76,498,735 (2000). Population Density: 255 per sq km. Capital: Manila. Population: 1,654,761 (2000). GEOGRAPHY: The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide), 2773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65 per cent of the total land area and contain 60 per cent of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands. Government: Republic since 1987. Gained independence from the USA in 1946. Head of State and Government: President Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001. Language: Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; in 1990 there were 988 languages. Religion: Roman Catholic 84 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists. Time: GMT + 8. Electricity: 220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use. Telephone IDD is available to main towns. Country code: 63. International calls to the smaller towns must be booked through the operator. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800 network. Operators include Digitel (website: www.digitelone.com), Smart Gold GSM (website: www.smart.com.ph) and Globe Telecom (website: www.globe.com.ph). Coverage is limited to Manila and other main urban areas. Fax All 3- to 5-star hotels, most government offices and most businesses have facsimile services. Telegram Telegrams can be sent from Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Incorporated offices. Internet ISPs include Internet Manila (website: www.i-manila.com.ph), Philworld Online (website: www.pworld.net.ph) and Cyber Space (website: www.cyberspace.com.ph). Visitors can access their e-mail from Internet cafes across the country. Post Airmail to Europe takes at least five days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700. Press There are about 17 daily newspapers. English-language daily newspapers include the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star and the Manila Times. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.36 9.740 6.195 3.915 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 17.74 11.71 9.645 6.110 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 1 Yes Australian Yes 1 Yes Canadian Yes 1 Yes USA Yes 1 Yes OtherEU Yes 1 Yes Japanese Yes 1 Yes PASSPORTS: Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended length of stay required by all except holders of a Hong Kong or Taiwan Certificate of Identity. Note: (a) Holders of Certificates of Identity do require visas. (b) All children of Filipino nationality must hold individual passports. (c) Children of other nationalities up to the age of 15 and not accompanied by a parent are only permitted entry if they secure a visa based on an approved Waiver Exclusion Ground (WEG) granted by the Bureau of Immigration. Applicants should apply at the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) at least two weeks in advance. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 1. bona fide foreign tourists (including business travellers) for stays of less than 21 days provided holding passports valid for a minimum of six months and return or onward tickets (except nationals of Afghanistan*, Albania, Algeria*, Armenia, Azerbajan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina, China (PR), Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Estonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, India*, Iran*, Iraq*, Jordan*, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea (Dem Rep), Latvia, Lebanon, Libya*, Lithuania, Moldova, Nigeria*, Pakistan*, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Sri Lanka*, Sudan*, Syria*, Tajikistan, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and holders of Palestinian* passports who do require a visa even if staying less than 21 days); (b) holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports, British National Overseas (BNO) passports and holders of Macau-Portuguese and Macau (SAR) passports for stays of up to seven days; (c) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours provided holding onward or return documentation (some nationals are required to leave by the same or first connecting aircraft; enquire at Embassy for details). Note: * Nationals of these countries must apply for a Temporary Visitor Visa in their country of residence. Note: (a) All tourists wishing to stay longer than 21 days need a visa. Types of visa and cost: Temporary Visitor: £22 (three-month single-entry); £43 (six-month multiple-entry); £65 (one-year multiple-entry); payable by cash or postal order only. Validity: Single-entry (59 days from date of issue); Multiple-entry (between six months and one year from date of issue). Visas normally allow stays of up to 59 days. Extensions are possible at the discretion of the Bureau of Immigration. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) One application form. (b) One passport-size photo signed on the back. (c) Passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay. (d) Proof of means of support during stay, either by bank statement or letter of employment. (e) Fee in cash or postal order only. (f) If applying by post a registered, stamped, self-addressed envelope is required and the application should be signed by a notary or commissioner of oaths. (g) Onward or return tickets. (h) Business travellers also require a letter from the sponsoring Filipino company or from their employer, stating the purpose of the visit. Application for a non-immigrant visa should be made in person. Working days required: Two. Visas can be collected between 1600 and 1700. Money Currency: Philippine Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of P1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25 and 10 centavos. Currency exchange: Always use authorised money-changers or banks in Manila. Outside the capital there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency and rates may get progressively worse the further one goes from the city. It is advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Philippine pesos when travelling to other provinces. Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in major establishments throughout the big cities of the Philippines. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques and major foreign currency may be cashed in all commercial banks and Central Bank dealers. They are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to P10,000; any amount above this must be authorised by the Central Bank of the Philippines. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, but must be declared over P10,000. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Philippine Peso against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 73.38 79.66 85.12 86.39 $1.00= 50.35 52.37 53.83 54.25 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600. Duty Free The following items may be imported into the Philippines without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2l of alcoholic beverage of not more than 1l each. Prohibited items: Firearms, explosives, pornographic material, seditious or subversive material, narcotics and other internationally prohibited drugs (unless accompanied by a medical prescription), gambling articles and machines and misbranded and adulterated foodstuffs. Public Holidays Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 30 Rizal Day. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Bank Holiday. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 9 Bataan Day. Apr 17 Maundy Thursday. Apr 18 Good Friday. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 12 Independence Day. Aug 31 National Heroes’ Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 30 Bonifacio Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 30 Rizal Day. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Bank Holiday. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 8 Maundy Thursday. Apr 9 Good Friday and Bataan Day. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 12 Independence Day. Aug 31 National Heroes’ Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 30 Bonifacio Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 30 Rizal Day. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Bank Holiday. Note: Easter is a major holiday in the Philippines and travel may be disrupted. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera 2 No Typhoid and Polio 3 1 Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever or typhus vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within six days from infected areas. A certificate is also required by those arriving from small pox or plague infected areas. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Philippines, unless travellers arrive from infected areas. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information. 3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised. 4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year in areas below 600m, except in the Provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila. No risk is considered to exist in urban areas or in the plains. The malignant falciparum strain is present and is reported to be resistant to chloroquine. Food & drink: Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the south. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant fresh water. Swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Dengue and filariasis occur and plague is carried by insects. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Hepatitis A may occur. Japanese Encephalitis occurs rarely in western Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan from April to November and throughout the year in other areas, with the highest risk from April to January. Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central islands, such as Manila. Gonorrhoea resistant to penicilin is common in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and Cebu City. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK and health insurance is, therefore, essential. Approximately three-quarters of the hospitals are private. Travel - International Note: Foreign travellers are strongly advised not to visit central Mindanao, parts of Mindanao south or west of (and including) Davao City and the Sulu archipelago. For further information, consult a government travel advice department. AIR: The Philippines’ national airline is Philippine Airlines (PR). Other airlines serving the Philippines include Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Northwest Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Silk Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. Note: The period over Easter, from Good Friday to the following Bank holiday (and sometimes beyond), is a major holiday in the Philippines as are Christmas and New Year. There may be some difficulty booking a flight during these periods. Approximate flight times: From Manila to London is 20 hours; to Paris is 16 hours 30 minutes; to Los Angeles is 14 hours 25 minutes; to New York is 17 hours 30 minutes; to Singapore is 3 hours 40 minutes; to Hong Kong is 2 hours 35 minutes; to Bangkok is 2 hours 30 minutes; to Tokyo is 4 hours 50 minutes and to Sydney is 8 hours. International airports: Ninoy Aquino (MNL) is 12km (7 miles) south of Manila. Airport facilities include banks, post office, medical clinic, baggage deposit area, duty-free shops and car hire. Bus and taxi services are available to the city (travel time – 60-90 minutes by public bus or 25 minutes by taxi). Mactan International Airport (CEB) (Cebu Island) is 45km (28 miles) from the city centre. Hotels and tour operators provide their own coaches; taxis can be hired. Departure tax: P550 for international departures. Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt. SEA: Manila is a major seaport, a crossroads of trade in the Asia-Pacific region. Shipping lines which call at Manila include American President Lines, Far Eastern Shipping Lines, Premier Shipping Lines, Lloyd Triestino and Evergreen Lines. Schedules and rates are listed in the shipping pages of daily newspapers. Travel - Internal AIR: In addition to Philippine Airlines (PR), there are several other charter airlines, including Air Soriano Aviation, Air Ads, Air Philippines Corporation, Asian Spirit Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Grand Air, Laoag International Airlines, Mindanao Express and Pacific Airways. Departure tax: P100 for internal flights from Manila. Children under two years and passengers in transit remaining in the airport are exempt. SEA: Inter-island ships with first-class accommodation connect the major island ports. For details, contact local shipping lines (Aleson Shipping, tel: (2) 712 0507 or WG&A Super Ferry, tel: (2) 528 7979 or 7171). RAIL: The only railway is on Luzon Island, from San Fernando, Pampagna in the north to Legazpi city, Albay in the south (operated by Philippine National Railways). This network runs three trains daily to and from Manila. There is also some air-conditioned accommodation. ROAD: There are 161,168 km (100,148 miles) of roads spread among the islands, with highways on the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon island groups. Further roads are currently being constructed. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: There are bus services between the towns and also widely available jeepneys. These are shared taxis using jeep-derived vehicles equipped to carry up to 14 passengers on bench seats. Fares are similar to buses. Taxi: Taxis are available in the cities and in many towns. Make sure meters are used, as some taxi drivers will set an exorbitant and arbitrary rate. Car hire: Car rentals are available in Manila and in major cities. The minimum age is 18. Documentation: International Driving Permit required, together with a national driving licence. URBAN: A number of bus routes are operated by Metro Manila Transport using conventional vehicles, including double-deckers. Most journeys, however, are made by jeepneys, of which there are an estimated 30,000 in Manila alone. The metro-rail, a light rail transit link, runs from Baclaran terminal in the south to Caloocan terminal in the north. Tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars) and trishaws are a cheaper alternative for shorter distances around towns. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Manila to other major cities/towns in the Philippines. Air Road Sea Baguio 0.50 4.00 - Banaue 0.50* 12.00 - Batangas - 2.00 - Cebu 1.10 - 24.00 Cagayan de Oro 1.25 - 48.00 Davao 1.30 - 48.00 Iloilo 1.00 - 24.00 Laoag 1.25 7.00 - Palawan 1.10 - 24.00 Note: *As far as Baguio City and then another eight hours by road. Accommodation HOTELS: In Manila there are 11,745 first-class hotel rooms. There are numerous smaller hotels, inns, hostels and pensions. Prices are often quoted both in Philippine Pesos and US Dollars. A complete directory of hotels is available from the Department of Tourism. The majority of establishments belong to the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), Suite 200, Hotel Intramuros de Manila, Plaza San Luis complex, Cor. Cabildo and Ordante Sts, Intramuros, Manila (tel: (2) 527 5113; fax: (2) 527 9927; e-mail: hrap@info.com.ph). In addition, most regions have their own associations. Grading: Hotels are graded in the following categories based on standards set by the Office of Tourism Services, Department of Tourism, Manila: Economy (43 per cent of all establishments are in this grade), Standard (39 per cent), First Class (9 per cent) and Deluxe (9 per cent). SELF-CATERING: ‘Apartels’ are available for minimum stays of a week, and palm nipa huts can be rented on some islands. CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Offered only in a very limited number of places. Introduction The Philippines are composed of 7107 islands (7108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA. The warm tropical waters offer the attractions of sunbathing and swimming, while divers and snorkellers can explore coral gardens with beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed. Charter planes can be hired for reaching some of the more remote islands. Inland, the rich history and culture of the Filipino people, the dramatic landscapes and thriving cities will fascinate the visitor. For the purposes of this guide, this section has been divided into three areas, with the main tourist attractions listed under Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao and the South. Manila & Area Capital and hub of the nation, Manila is situated on the east coast of Luzon. Founded in 1571 on the ruins of a Muslim settlement, Manila has been a port for hundreds of years. The oldest part of the city, the Intramuros (Walled City), was protected by a massive wall, some of which still remains today despite savage fighting staged here in World War II. Places of interest include San Augustin Church and Manila Cathedral, from which there is an excellent view of the 2072 sq km (800 sq miles) of the harbour, and the ruins of Fort Santiago. Outside the Intramuros is Chinatown, a market in the district of Binondo, crowded with shops, stalls and restaurants. Luneta Park contains the Rizal Monument, a memorial to the execution of this great Filipino intellectual of the late 19th century. Other places of interest are the American Cemetery and Coconut Palace. EXCURSIONS: Manila is a good base from which to make excursions, for instance to Las Piñas, situated a little way outside the city, where the famous Bamboo Organ is located and the Sarao Jeepney factory, where people are allowed to wander around free of charge. About an hour’s drive away from Manila through coconut plantations, Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite overlooks a lake that contains Taal Volcano, which itself holds another lake. Tagaytay is a popular destination in summer, when all kinds of festivities are celebrated and roadside stalls overflow with flowering plants and fruits in season. The series of mineral springs of Hidden Valley lie secreted in a 90m (300ft) deep crater in Alaminos, enclosed by rich forests. The pools vary in temperature from warm to cold, and the lush trails end up at a gorge with a waterfall. Villa Escudero, an 800-hectare coconut plantation in Quezon Province, less than two hours by road from Manila, is part of a working plantation, yielding rare glimpses into rural life. Guests are taken on a tour of a typical village on a cart drawn by a carabao, or water buffalo. Corregidor Island, ‘The Rock’, has a famous memorial to those who were killed during the Japanese invasion, and is accessible by hydrofoil. Day tours include refreshments and guide. A day trip to the town of Pagsanjan, 63km (39 miles) southeast of Manila, includes dug-out canoe rides down the jungle-bordered river to the Pagsanjan Falls. This was a location for the filming of Apocalypse Now, and is a popular excursion. Laguna, a short distance from Manila, is a province famous for hot sulphur springs. The ‘Towns of Baths’, Pansol, Los Baños and Cuyab are situated here. Luzon Luzon is the largest and most northerly of the main islands. Its spectacular landscape is made up of mountainous regions in the north, the flat vistas of the central plain, lakes and volcanoes in the southern peninsula, and a coastline dotted with caves and sandy-beached islands. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, lies on the island's east coast (see Manila & Area). BAGUIO: 250km (150 miles) north of Manila is Baguio, 1525m (5000ft) above sea level, a cool haven from the summer heat. It is accessible both by air and land, though the drive up the zigzagging Kennon Road is more popular as it offers spectacular views of the countryside. Baguio has a good variety of restaurants, mountain views and walking excursions. Main attractions include The Mansion, summer residence of the Philippine president; Bell Church; Baguio Cathedral; and the Crystal Caves, composed of crystalline metamorphic rocks and once an ancient burial site. BANAUE: Banaue is eight hours’ bus ride north of Baguio. A remote mountain community lives here, and tourists can visit their settlements. The beautiful rice terraces are the main attraction of this area. A breathtaking sight, they rise majestically to an altitude of 1525m (5000ft), and encompass an area of 10,360 sq km (4000 sq miles). The terraces were hand-carved some 2000 years ago using crude tools cutting into once barren rock, each ledge completely encompassing the mountain. Now listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, they offer an unforgettable sight to tourists and trekkers in the area (see also Sport & Activities ). Banaue has a tourist hotel and many good pensions. HUNDRED ISLANDS: Lying off the coast of Pangasinan, the Hundred Islands group is made up of 400 islets surrounded by coral gardens and white sand beaches. This area is ideal for swimming and fishing. Hundred Islands is the second-largest marine reservation in the world, teeming with over 2000 species of aquatic life. The caves and domes of Marcos Island and the Devil’s Kitchen are worth exploring. The entire province of Palawan is a remarkable terrain for adventure and exploration, with its primeval rainforests, St Paul’s Underground River and Tubattaha Reef. Inter-island cruises around northern Palawan are now available. ELSEWHERE: Mindoro island, reached by ferry from Batangas pier and south of Manila, is a place where the stunning scenery includes Mount Halcon, 2695m (8841ft) high, Naujan Lake and Tamaraw Falls. La Union, situated on the northwest coast of Luzon, has some of the best beach resort facilities on the island. There are regular buses to La Union from Manila and Baguio. Bicol Region, situated in the east, is developing as a tourist destination and offers beaches, hotels and sights such as the Mayon Volcano, a nearly perfect cone, and the Kalayukay Beach Resort. The Visayas The Visayas is a group of islands between Luzon and Mindanao. The main islands are Samar, Panay, Negros, Cebu and Leyte, the latter famous as the island first sighted by the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century and as the landing point for the American liberation forces in 1944. Samar and Leyte are linked by the San Juanico Bridge, the longest in the country. CEBU: Cebu City is the main resort of the Visayas. Cebu is the most densely populated island, a commercial centre with an international harbour, and the Philippines’ second city. Sights include Magellan’s Cross, a wooden cross planted by Magellan himself over 450 years ago to commemorate the baptism into the Christian faith of Rajah Humabon and his wife Juana with 800 followers, and Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest Spanish fort in the country, which was built on the orders of Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. Carcar town, south of Cebu City, has many preserved Castillian houses, gardens and churches. The Chapel of the Last Supper in Mandaue City features hand-carved life-size statues of Christ and his apostles dating back to Spanish times. The Magellan Monument on Mactan Island was raised in 1886 to mark the spot where Magellan died, felled by the fierce chieftain, Datu Lapu-Lapu, who refused to submit to the Spanish conquerors. There is also a monument to Datu Lapu-Lapu honouring him as the first Filipino patriot. Maribago is the centre of the region’s guitar-making industry. As well as many historical sites there are popular hotels, beach clubs and resorts. PANAY: Iloilo on Panay is an agricultural province producing root crops, vegetables, cocoa, coffee and numerous tropical fruits. The attractions include beach resorts and, in Iloilo City (reached by air), the 18th-century Miagao Church, a unique piece of Baroque colonial architecture with a facade decorated with impressions of coconut and papaya trees. Sicogon Island is a haven for scuba divers, and has mountains and virgin forests to explore. Boracay Island is another such island paradise, accessible by air via Kalibo, followed by a bus or jeepney ride to Malay, and finally by ferry or pumpboat to Cataclan. A survey considered its powdery-fine white-sand beach to be amongst the best in the world. BOHOL: Bohol Island, just across the straits from Cebu in Central Visayas, is the site of some of the country’s most fascinating natural wonders; hundreds of limestone hills, some 30m (100ft) high, that in summer look like oversized chocolate drops, earning them the name ‘Chocolate Hills’. Covered by thin grass that dries and turns brown in the summer sun, they are a strange spectacle with mounds rising up from the flatlands, and are situated about 55km (34 miles) northeast of Tagbilaran City, the island’s capital. Bohol also offers handsome white sand beaches and pretty secluded coves, accessible via good roads. The island is a coconut-growing area and its local handicrafts are mostly of woven materials: grass mats, hats and baskets. Baclayon Church merits a visit, as it is probably the oldest stone church in the Philippines, dating back to 1595. The island can be reached by plane or ferry. The air journey from Cebu to Tagbilaran takes 40 minutes. Ferries go from Cebu to Tagbilaran or Tubigon, another port north of the capital. Mindanao & the South Mindanao is the second-largest and the most southerly island, with a very different feel from the rest of the country. A variety of Muslim ethnic groups live here. ZAMBOANGA CITY: In the southwestern tip of Mindanao is Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most romantic place in the Philippines and a favourite resort amongst tourists. The city is noted for its seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and magnificent flowers. Zamboanga was founded by the Spanish, and the 17th-century walls of Fort Pilar, built to protect the Spanish and Christian Filipinos from Muslim onslaughts, are still standing. The city has a number of hotels, cars for hire, good public transport and vintas (small boats), often with colourful sails, available to take visitors round the city bay. The flea market sells Muslim pottery, clothes and brassware. About 2km (1.2 miles) from Fort Pilar are the houses of the Badjaos, which are stilted constructions on the water. Water gypsies live in boats in this area, moving to wherever the fishing is best. Plaza Pershing and Pasonanca Park are worth visiting. Nearby Santa Cruz Island has a sand beach which turns pink when the corals from the sea are washed ashore, and is ideal for bathing, snorkelling and scuba diving. There is also an old Muslim burial ground here. ELSEWHERE: Davao province is the industrial centre of Mindanao, renowned for its pearl and banana exports. Davao City is one of the most progressive industrial cities in the country. The province is the site of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, while the Apo Range has spectacular waterfalls, rapids, forests, springs and mountain lakes. On the northern coast of Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro is the gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. By way of contrast, in Bukidnon there are huge cattle ranches and the famous Del Monte pineapple fields, and Iligan City is the site of the hydroelectric complex driven by the Maria Cristina Falls. The province of Lanao del Sur is characterised by its Muslim community, which has settled along the shores of Lake Lanao. Besides the lake, other attractions include Signal Hill; Sacred Mountain; the native market, Torongan; homes of the Maranao royalty; the various Muslim mosques on the shores of the lake; and examples of the famous brassware industry centred in Tugaua. Sport & Activities Watersports: The Philippines’ clear waters, tropical climate, abundant coral reefs and varied marine life make them an excellent location for scuba diving and snorkelling, with options ranging from resort-based diving to extended trips to unexplored areas. White sandy beaches are ubiquitous. The islands of Batangas, Mindoro (particularly Apo Reef Marine Park) Bohol and Palawan offer some of the country’s best dive sites. The detailed and informative pocket map ‘A Diver’s Paradise’ is available from the Philippine Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). Boating enthusiasts can rent traditional canoes (bancas) on most beaches. Surfing and windsurfing are also popular. Kayaking and some rafting are available in the wet season in the interiors of Mindanao and Luzon. Fishing: The Philippines’ warm waters, incorporating almost 2,000,000 sq km (772,200 sq miles) of fishing grounds, rank 12th in worldwide fish production. These grounds are inhabited by some 2400 fish species, including many game fish such as giant tuna, tanguingue, king mackerel, great barracuda, swordfish and marlin. Local tour operators in Manila will help arrange trips. Game fishing is best from December to August. Golf: There are approximately 70 courses, but only a handful of these conform to championship specifications. Unfortunately, good golf courses can be difficult to access: all private clubs have armed guards with instructions to refuse entry to non-members. Courses that admit visitors tend to be expensive. Some of the best courses open to non-members include: El Club Intramuros (at the Grand Boulevard Hotel, central Manila); Forbes Park (in southeastern Manila, where two of three courses are open to visitors); Canlubang (one of many spectacular courses in southern Luzon and the only one open to non-members); and Camp John Hay (near the Baguio hill resort, in the mountains, where golfers can rent private bungalows). Further courses are on the islands of Mindanao and Visayas (at Bacolod, Cebu and Davao), which can be reached by ferry or on an internal flight. Non-members may sometimes be allowed to play at private clubs on a personal invitation; hotels can also make arrangements. For further information, or to request the brochure ‘Golf in the Philippines’, contact the Philippine Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section) or the Federation of Golf Clubs (Philippines) (website: www.federationgolf.com). Ecotourism: Various commercial operators offer package adventure tours with an ecological slant, including activities such as canopy walking (participants are lifted by pulleys to the canopy on the Phillippine rainforest near Cagayan de Oro). The best areas for trekking and mountaineering include the region around Matulid River, Mount Pulog and Mount Halcon as well as the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed rice terraces in the Cordillera mountain range in northern Luzon (see also Resorts & Excursions). Whale and dolphin watching is popular in the Tanon Strait near Bohol Island. Other: A traditional game is Sipa, played with a small wicker ball, which visitors can watch in Manila at the Rizal Court. Social Profile 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. Business Profile Economy: The agricultural sector produces rice, corn, coconuts, copra, sugar cane and bananas as the main crops. Production of timber, formerly a major export earner, has been suspended due to the effects of deforestation. There is a moderately sized mining industry producing copper, gold, silver, nickel and coal. Offshore oil production is due to begin in the next few years. Most of the Philippines’ recent economic development has been industrial, with food processing, oil refining, and the production of chemicals, electrical machinery, metal goods and textiles all having been established during the last 20 years. Broad financial incentives aimed at attracting foreign investment capital and the creation of five export processing zones (EPZ), with concessionary tax rates and tariffs, prompted strong growth during the early- and mid-1990s. The economic growth came to a shuddering halt in late 1997 when the collapse of the region’s currencies produced a stock-market crash, high inflation, the cessation of foreign investment and a large budget deficit. El Niño, the climatic system which wreaks periodic havoc upon the Philippines, then worsened the situation still further. Although the Philippines was one of the countries most affected by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, it has since recovered fairly well. Current annual growth is 4.5 per cent, while industrial production has picked up by six per cent after several years of decline. Foreign aid, including a US$100 million subvention from the USA in 2002, has helped the country’s finances – a blessing at a time when the budget deficit has been growing quickly. The main blackspot is unemployment, which has grown steadily during the last few years and now stands at 11 per cent. The Philippines’ longer term economic prospects will depend on the Government’s vigour in pursuing essential and overdue reforms to the tax and banking systems, and improvements to the country’s shaky infrastructure. The Philippines belong to the Association of South East Asian Nations (the anti-Communist bloc which is now assuming an important economic role) and the Asian Development Bank. The country has a trade surplus with most of its major trading partners, including the USA, the UK and The Netherlands. Business: The weather is almost uniformly warm and humid and so short-sleeved shirts, preferably with a tie, can be worn for business visits. However, with most offices being air-conditioned, it is best to wear safari suits or a long-sleeved Filipino barong tagalog when visiting top business officials and executives. Prior appointments are necessary and it is customary to exchange business cards. Filipinos have an American business style and English is widely spoken. Best months for business visits are October to November and January to May. Unless one has urgent business matters to attend to, business visits around Christmas and Easter are not recommended as delays tend to be unavoidable. Office hours: These vary. Usually Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1700. Some private sector offices are open Sat 0800-1200. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Philippine Trade and Investment Promotion Centre, 1a Cumberland House, Kensington Court, London W8 5NX, UK (tel: (020) 7937 1898; fax: (020) 7937 2747; e-mail: dtilondon1@aol.com); or Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 14th Floor Multinational Bancorporation Centre, 6805 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines (tel: (2) 844 5713; fax: (2) 843 4102; email: pcci@philcham.com; website: www.philcham.com). Conferences/Conventions: Many establishments belong to the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC). It has offices in New York, Sydney and Tokyo. For further general information, contact the PCVC (see Contact Addresses section). Climate Tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout most of the year, with warmer clothes useful on cooler evenings. Rainwear or umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season. History and Government History: The earliest inhabitants of the Philippines were the Negritos. Other tribes later arrived from Malaysia and Indonesia. In 1521, the Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, financed by the King of Spain, landed on the islands and named them after Philip II of Spain. Friars converted the inhabitants to Christianity and today the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in South-East Asia. Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established the first Spanish settlement in Cebu in 1565; he moved north and defeated the Muslim Rajah Sulayman and established a Spanish base in Manila in 1571, extending the area under Spanish control. In 1896, a revolution against Spanish rule led to the establishment of the first Filipino Republic in 1898, under General Emilio Aguinaldo. Later, the United States took control of the islands and a constitution was drawn up in 1935, giving the Philippines internal self-government. The islands were occupied by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945, during World War II, only achieving independence in 1946. During the next two decades, there was a succession of presidents who maintained strong links with the United States. In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos of the Nacionalista party won the presidential elections and began a programme of rapid economic development. Before his maximum of two terms in office were over, in 1972, Marcos instituted martial law and suppressed all political opposition. He also set about large-scale looting of the country’s exchequer to fill his and his family’s own foreign bank accounts. Opposition to Marcos evolved in two distinct forms: the ‘constitutional’ opposition, organised around dissenting senators such as Benigno Aquino; and the Communist Party, which, linking with various tribal groups, launched an armed insurgency based in the southern islands, particularly Mindanao. By the mid-1980s, the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party, was able to sustain a major insurrection right across the country in both rural and urban areas. The turning point for the regime came after the assassination of Benigno Aquino upon his return from exile in 1983. Public opinion rallied behind his widow, Corazon Aquino. A massive campaign of demonstrations and non-violent protest, popularly dubbed ‘People Power’, confronted Marcos. Equally important, President Reagan faced a groundswell of American public opinion in favour of Aquino and withdrew his backing from Marcos. The Filipino military, Marcos’ last bastion of support, followed suit and Marcos left for Hawaiian exile in February 1986. He died there in September 1989. His widow, Imelda, has since been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for ‘political graft’, although she remains at liberty pending appeal. Lacking any political experience whatever, Corazon Aquino took a while to settle into the presidency. Relations between the new government and the military were the most pressing problem. The army sheltered an influential rump of support for Marcos, which busied itself plotting against Aquino and had, by the end of 1989, made no less than six coup attempts. All were put down and Aquino kept the bulk of the military on her side, not least by supporting a hard line in the counter-insurgency campaign against the NPA, whose campaign has since all but fizzled out. Military issues also dominated the Philippines’ key foreign relations with the USA. The Americans had maintained two large bases on Luzon Island at Subic Bay (navy) and Clark Air Base, plus a handful of smaller facilities, since the end of World War II. However, the agreement permitting their use was due to expire in 1991. The problem was partly solved by the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, dormant for 600 years, in the summer of 1991. Clark Air Base, situated 16km (ten miles) from the volcano, was damaged so badly that the Americans decided to abandon it. In 1994, after an agreement negotiated between the two governments, they also pulled out of Subic Bay. In October 1991, the Philippines senate accepted a deal carved out between the government and the USA, allowing for a total pull-out by 1994. By this time, the presidency had passed to Fidel Ramos, Aquino’s erstwhile Defence Minister and a key figure in recent Filipino politics. Although the NPA threat had all but vanished, there were continuing problems with smaller Islamic insurgent groups, notably the Moro National Liberation Front. Negotiations proved more successful this time and the conflict was settled in 1996. In November 2001, serious fighting broke out between Islamic guerrillas and army units on Jolo. Since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the USA, much attention has been focused on the Abu Sayyaf group, based and mainly active in the southern part of the archipelago, which is believed to be affiliated with Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda (The Base) terrorist network. The economy continued to perform reasonably well until the closing months of 1997, when the Philippines was one of the main victims of the Asian currency crisis (see Business Profile section). The crisis hit just months before the scheduled presidential election in May 1998, giving opposition candidates a significant potential advantage. And it was one of these opponents, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, leading a new political party, Laban ng Masang Pilipino (Struggle of the Filipino Masses, LMP), who won the poll by a comfortable margin. Estrada enjoyed massive support among the urban poor but proved to be an incompetent and corrupt leader. In January 2001, he was formally thrown out of office by the Supreme Court and replaced by his deputy, Gloria Arroyo – daughter of Diosdado Macapagal, the president during the early 1960s. Arroyo has presided over a steady economic improvement but, to general surprise, declared that she will not seek re-election in 2004. Government: The constitution adopted in 1987 provides for a dual-chamber congress comprising a 24-member Senate and a House of Representatives with a maximum 250 members, of whom 200 are directly elected. The president, who holds executive power, is elected for a six year term. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.