Pristine beaches, exotic food, historical landmarks, Manny Pacquiao, and did I mention the beaches? That's what you'll usually hear when someone talks about the Philippines. You may also hear about corruption, prostitution, poverty, and an awful lot of other things. But that's not what I'm gonna be writing about.
Let me take you on a virtual tour. Not the usual "beaches, food and tourist spots" one. But a deeper look from someone who actually lives in the country.
People in the Philippines are generally nice. We take pride in our hospitality which has been a Filipino trait that has been passed on from generation to generation. You'll probably notice that some Filipinos just smile and laugh when you try and talk to them. Don't be offended though, that's likely because they can't understand English well. But you'll have no shortage of Filipinos who have a good command of the English language. Also, be wary of people who might take advantage of you (especially cab drivers.)
The first thing you might notice when you step outside the airport is the weather. You might feel sticky since it is very humid here and it is highly advisable that you wear light clothing especially if you are used to cool weather. The Philippines is a tropical country which means that we only have two seasons, the wet season and the dry season. It is warmest during March until October and coolest between November to February. It also rains the most usually from May through October. Floods are also common occurrences in some areas.
It is relatively easy to commute here because we have different modes of transportation. We have taxis, buses, jeepneys, tricycles and a train system. We have Uber here as well and an app called Grab™ which is pretty much similar to Uber. Traffic jams are the absolute worst during the rush hour (5-9 PM). A 30 minute drive can take up to 2 hours during rush hour. Buses and trains are in full capacity. Uber & Grab prices go way up and cabs seem to disappear. Traffic is worst along EDSA Avenue which passes through several cities in Metro Manila.
The Philippines has a wide variety of cuisine. Our dishes are infused with Spanish, American, and Chinese influences mainly due to the effects of hundreds of years of colonization. We do have a dish which is widely popular to tourists: The Chicken Adobo. The Chicken Adobo is chicken cuts marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, laurel leaves and pepper. Carinderias or small stalls that sell home-cooked meals are the most widely patronized way of getting food around here. Also, rice is a staple in every Filipino meal as with most Asian countries. Fast food restaurants like McDonald's and KFC, etc. and are also frequented to.
Telenovelas or local TV dramas are widely popular. Filipinos are also very much into sports, mainly basketball. We have our own local basketball league but the NBA is pretty much the biggest thing sports-wise along with boxing (Manny Pacquiao, right?). Shopping malls are also popular in the Philippines. Most people go to malls or hopping centers during the weekends (everyday, really). Filipinos are naturally musically inclined. The masses idolize local pop stars and bands. Don't be surprised if you see someone belting out tunes on a karaoke machine in the streets to the dismay of his/her neighbors. Karaokes or Videokes are a must for every Filipino occasion. Lastly, we have fiestas. Fiestas are yearly feasts in remembrance of various patron saints of the catholic church (the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country).
So there you go. The Philippines in a short, 500-word post. :)