Hey there! With this reception booklet, we hope to help introduce you to our very warm and friendly country. You will be able to jump into a pool of opportunities and adventure that the country brings, and more importantly, contributing to the development of the country through your project or internship.
We in AIESEC Philippines welcome you to our country, and we are committed to enabling you in gaining the best international volunteer experience that we and our partners can provide. We hope that you would feel at home during your stay, as Filipinos are the most accommodating and friendly English speakers within the region. As you browse through this reception booklet and when you finally land in the country, I hope you can explore the uniqueness and the beauty of the Philippines. May you discover how fun it really is in the Philippines. Sincerely yours, Zim Kho Member Committee President AIESEC in the Philippines
The Philippines is comprised of 7, 107 islands located in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is divided into three major regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Philippines has a tropical climate with an average temperature in the Philippines is 26.6o C
The coolest month is January, with an average temperature of 25.5o C The warmest month is May with an average temperature of 28.3o C.
Remember to be mindful of weather conditions, even before arriving in the country. Bring appropriate clothes and other materials, such as raincoats during the rainy season, and mosquito repellents during the warm season.
Keep in mind as well that weather conditions might affect your internship. During and after storms, for example, most schools cancel classes. Your OC will brief you on contingency plans for your project. Rest assured that the LCs and the OCs are prepared for such situations. If you have questions and concerns, feel free to bring them up with your host entity or the MC.
Other languages spoken in the Philippines:
Spanish: The use of Spanish has
The Philippines has over 100 local languages, but it has two official languages:
Filipino This is the native language. It is a mixture of languages found in the Philippines, mostly coming from Tagalog with English, Spanish and Chinese loan words.
English The language was adopted when the Philippines was colonized by the United States. Most Filipinos are native speakers of the language.
declined, and it is no longer an official language, but there remain some FilipinoSpanish families mostly in Metro Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu that speak Spanish, and in a few universities it is still required to learn Spanish.
Chinese: The Philippines has a significant Chinese population, and in Chinese schools Mandarin Chinese is often used as the medium of instruction. Other Chinese languages spoken in the Philippines are Lan-nang (Philippine variant of Hokkien) and Cantonese.
Arabic: Primarily used in religious instruction in Muslim schools, and was once the common language spoken by Muslim traders around the Malay islands.
Japanese: There are significant Japanese communities in Laguna, Baguio, Davao, and Metro Manila.
25 Centavos
5 Philippine pesos
1 Philippine peso 10 Philippine pesos
OLD
NEW
A new design for Philippines was released in 2010, but both set of bills are still honoured.
OLD
NEW
A new design for Philippines was released in 2010, but both set of bills are still honoured.
Taxi ride Php40 for the first 500 meters, and additional Php3.50 for every 300 meters or two minutes waiting time. Movie Php150-200 depending on cinema type and location. Lunch or Dinner Depending on where you eat, you can spend as much as Php50 to Php200 per meal. Most meals have one rice and one viand. SIM Card Local SIM cards are usually Php60-90. Those sold in the airport are more expensive. Check with your host LC which network provider they prefer you to have. Mobile credit (Load/Top up) You can buy from sari-sari and convenience stores. They range from Php10 to Php500. They can be directly sent to your phone or you can buy them as cards. Restaurant tip Tipping is not required, but it is highly appreciated. Some restaurants charge a service charge. You can tip from Php20-Php100, depending on the restaurant and their service. Ride in a‌ Jeepney? Base fare is Php8, but prices go higher the farther the destination is. Bus? Base fare is Php10, but prices go higher the farther the destination is.
As of 06 December 2012: 1 US Dollar
40.95 Philippine Peso (PHP)
1 Euro
53.42 PHP
1 Japan Yen
0.50 PHP
1 Great British Pound
65.75 PHP
1 Hong Kong Dollar
5.27 PHP
1 Canadian Dollar
41.21 PHP
1 Singapore Dollar
33.53 PHP
1 Australian Dollar
42.71 PHP
1 Indonesia Rupiah
0.0042 PHP
1 Thailand Baht
1.33 PHP
1 China Yuan
6.56 PHP
English
Filipino
Good morning/afternoon/evening!
Magandang umaga/hapon/gabi!
How are you?
Kamusta ka?
Thank you (so much)!
(Maraming) salamat!
Yes
Oo (polite form: Opo)
No
Hindi
My name is ______.
Ako ay si _____.
I am from ______.
Ako ay galing sa _______.
Let’s eat!
Kain na!
How do I get to (place)?
Paano pumunta sa (place)?
(literally, “here’s the fare”. Used when riding a jeepney)
Bayad po!
(“Stop,” used when riding a jeepney or tricycle)
Para po!
“Po” is inserted in phrases and sentences to denote politeness, especially to older folks and authority.
English
Filipino
English
Filipino
One
Isa
Twenty
Dalawampu
Two
Dalawa
Thirty
Tatlumpu
Three
Tatlo
Forty
Apatnapu
Four
Apat
Fifty
Limampu
Five
Lima
Sixty
Animnapu
Six
Anim
Seventy
Pitumpu
Seven
Pito
Eighty
Walumpu
Eight
Walo
Ninety
Siyampu
Nine
Siyam
One Hundred
Isang daan
Ten
Sampu
One Thousand
Isang libo
Numbers in Spanish are also often used, such as in age and price. Most Filipinos use numbers in English as well.
- Local time is GMT +8 - Beware that certain areas in the country strictly forbid smoking in public - Prepare for terminal fees, estimated at around Php650-Php750 - Keep an umbrella with you. You’ll find it handy! - Keep an insect repellent handy as well! - Check your appliances! Electrical outlets are 220 V. Adaptors for the prongs are available in the country for Php50.
A tricycle is a motorcycle with a sidecar, while a pedicab is a bicycle with a sidecar. These forms of public transportation are usually for shorter distances in the Metro. However, they are also a more convenient choice for passing through routes too narrow for cars or jeepneys. They can have up to 4 passengers, and they cost from Php20-40 depending on the distance of the destination.
These colourful and iconic jeepneys can be found anywhere! A jeepney can usually hold 14-20 passengers facing each other, and two more beside the driver. Passengers are expected to pass the fares to the driver. Just say “Bayad po!” And say “Para po!” to signal your stop!
The Philippines is an archipelago, so you can expect to travel by boat when you’re travelling. Try the rollon-roll-off (RORO) ships between Manila and other major ports. Here are the two major shipping lines: http://www.2go.com.ph/ or http://www.montenegrolines.com.ph/. And a helpful blog: http://cebuboattrips.com/
Most of our local airlines fly to nearby countries. Watch out for their promo fares! Note that there fees and taxes at the airport, so bring extra Philippine pesos. Cebu Pacific – www.cebupacificair.com Interisland Airlines – www.interislandairlines.com Philippine Airlines (PAL) – www.philippineairlines.com Air Philippines – www.airphils.com SeaAir - http://flyseair.com/ Zest Airlines – www.zestair.com.ph Source: itsmorefuninthephilippines.com
The trains are one of the quickest ways around Metro Manila. They are cheap and convenient, with prices ranging from Php10 to Php14. However, avoid them during the morning and late afternoon rush hours as they are almost always packed with people. Make sure to secure your belongings with you, and never leave them unattended. All three lines are interconnected. The yellow line is LRT-1, purple is LRT-2, and the blue is MRT. All the LCs in Metro Manila are accessible through these trains.
Philippine cuisine is a mix of Spanish, Chinese, and Malay influences, so our plates are a delightful combination of east and west! Our staple food is rice, and a meal isn’t a meal without rice! We usually eat rice with an “ulam,” or viands. These can have pork, beef, fish, or vegetables. Our choice of cutlery is spoon and fork. (Tip: Use the fork to push food into the spoon.) We don’t usually use our hands to eat, but some restaurants, like Kamayan, do offer that. Don’t worry, hand washing is a common practice as well.
Filipinos have a sweet tooth, so every meal must have a sweet ending! Choose from a wide range of desserts and sugary pastries.
Here are some dishes your host AIESECers recommend to every EP visiting our country. Make sure you try to try everything at least once! Sinigang is a sour soup native to the Philippines. It has leafy vegetables combined with a main ingredient. This can be pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, or fish. One of the signature dishes from the Philippines! It can be pork or chicken with the basic ingredients: vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns, and dried bay leaves. A popular appetizer from Pampanga! Sisig can be made of either parts of the pig, or even with healthier seafood.
Source: panlasangpinoy.com
Here are some famous desserts you should try!
This dessert is composed of several ingredients, including sugar palm, flat rice crisps, coconut gel, ripe jackfruit, colored gelatin, tapioca pearls, sweetened plantains, and macapuno, all mixed together with shaved ice and evaporated milk.
“Buko” means coconut, while “pandan” are Screwpine leaves. This dessert is mixed with green gelatin, and sometimes topped with vanilla ice cream. Did you know that the sweetest mangoes are from the Philippines? Enjoy these and more tropical fruits on our shores! (For fairly low prices too!)
Source: panlasangpinoy.com
We also recommend our street food! Try them first, then we’ll tell you what they’re called ;) (Don’t worry, they’re good and safe. We eat these too!)
October 26 – Friday – Aidul Adha November 1 – Thursday – All Saints Day November 2 – Friday – Special non-working holiday November 30 – Friday – Bonifacio Day December 24 – Monday – Special non-working holiday December 25 – Tuesday – Christmas Day December 30 – Sunday – Rizal Day December 31 – Monday – New Year’s Eve
January 1 – Tuesday – New Year’s Day February 25 – Monday – EDSA Revolution anniversary (special holiday for schools) March 28 – Maundy Thursday March 29 – Good Friday March 30 – Holy Saturday April 9 – Tuesday - Araw ng Kagitingan May 1 – Wednesday – Labor Day June 12 – Wednesdsay – Independence Day August 21 – Wednesday - Ninoy Aquino Day August 26 – Monday – National Heroes Day November 1 – Friday – All Saints’ Day November 2 – Saturday – Special non-working holiday November 30 – Saturday – Bonifacio Day December 25 – Wednesday – Christmas Day December 30 – Monday - Rizal Day December 31 – Tuesday – New Year’s Eve The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos shall inform the Office of the President when the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be for 2013.
With its historical sites, commercial centers, and lively nightlife, you’ll always have something to do in Metro Manila
Intramuros, or the walled city, was the seat of the Spanish government during the colonial era. Now, you can see structures and memorials from the Spanish to the contemporary times. The Bureau of Immigration is also located here.
One of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world. Indeed, watching the sunset here is breathtaking.
The Manila Chinatown was founded in 1594 after the Spaniards settled in the Philippines. Now, Chinatown is famous for its retails stores, restaurants, traditional Chinese institutions, and festivals.
The Fort in Taguig City is famous for its clubs and thriving nightlife. It also houses several tea and coffee shops for your after-party or early morning lounging.
There are hundreds of places to visit in the Philippines, but here are some to get you started.
The city capital of the Philippines! Manila is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It is a cosmopolitan and complicated city, influenced by its crosscultural heritage and modern commercial centers.
Vigan was recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site. You can see how the Philippines looked like during the Spanish era. Also try the Vigan longganisa!
Famous for its very fine white sands and gleaming white puka shells, Boracay was declared the 2012 world’s best island. The quickest way to get there is by air.
Camarines Sur is the Bicol region in Luzon. This province is becoming more famous for the CamSur Water Complex. You can get there by land.
Palawan is considered the Philippines’ last ecological frontier. It is home to two UNESCO Heritage Sites: the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and the Puerto Prinsesa Subterranean River. You can fly directly to Palawan.
Siargao is well-known as the “Surfing Capital,” and holds its annual Siargao Cup competition in “Cloud 9” every September. You can visit this island in Mindanao by either taking a flight to Surigao then riding a boat, or fly directly to Siargao Island.
Located in the Visayas group of islands, Cebu is the Seat of Christianity and the oldest city in the country. You can find also the cross from the King of Spain given by the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu. Drop by the AIESEC LC in Cebu!
Davao is the center of commerce in the Mindanao group of islands. Davao is famous for the exotic fruit Durian, the tallest peak in the country, Mt. Apo, and the national animal, Philippine Eagle. Visit the AIESEC LC here as well!
Here are ways to obtain a visa for your stay in the Philippines:
A
Apply for a visa partially or fully covering your stay in the Philippine embassy in your home country. Refer to <http://www.pcoo.gov.ph/embassies_phil-dir.htm> for a directory of the PH embassies.
B
Have your visa extended here in the Philippines. Passport holders from certain countries are granted a 21-day visa upon arriving. Check if your country is one of them: <http://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/consular-services/visa>. Holders of Brazil and Israel passports are granted a 59-day visa upon arriving. We advise our EPs to avail of either 9a or 47a2 visa.
9a 47a2
For temporary visitors coming for business, pleasure, or reasons of health
Special non-immigrant visa granted to, but not limited to, locally and internationally recognized organizations and institutions (including AIESEC)
Tourists given a 21-day visa can extend for another 38 days (free 21 days + 38 day waiver Php3030 = 59-day visa) Php4300 for one month Tourist visa extension after first 59 days: Php4800 for two months At this point, you will also be required to get an US$50 + express fee of i-Card worth US$50 + express free of Php500 Php500 You can extend your visa every two months for total stay of 16 months.. After regular extension of 2 months:
Php1830 + Php500 for every month of extension
Extension fee after 6 months of stay (to be charged on the 7th month of stay)
Php3240 + Php500 for every month of extension
Upon filing in the Department of Justice
Php3020
Upon implementation of visa One year Two years +Express Lane Fee
Php4600 Php6620 Php500
You may apply for a 47a2 from your country. Consult with the nearest Philippine embassy for more information.
The Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card Project is an accreditation card issued by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration for foreigners to stay in the Philippines. This is required for a foreigner to open a bank account in the country. Other benefits include online payment of immigration fees, faster processing time at the ports of entry and exit, among others. This is also the government’s way of eliminating illegal middlemen and “fixers”. You are required to get this upon extending after the first 59 days. Reference: Bureau of Immigration website
1. Which visa should I avail? You can decide based on duration and overall cost. EPs staying for 6-8 weeks usually extend using the 9a visa. The 47a2 might seem more practical than the 9a, but consider that processing can take 2-3 weeks. 2. What if the last day of my visa falls on a holiday or a weekend? You must extend on or before the last business/working day immediately preceding the expiry date. Otherwise, penalties and motions will apply. 3. What if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay in the Philippines for more than 59 days but less than a month after that? The Bureau of Immigration doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give partial visas, so you would have to pay for the whole month. Alternatively, some EPs choose to fly to a neighbouring country. Upon arriving back to the Philippines, they are issued another 21-day visa.
4. I need to visit another countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s embassy while Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in the Philippines. How can I get in touch with them? You can find a directory here: <http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/Philippines> 5. What if I get employed by the TN after my internship? You still no longer be an AIESEC Exchange Participant once an organization hires you as an employee. Therefore, you would have to avail of the 9g working visa. More details from the Bureau of Immigration website: <http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&t ask=view&id=25&Itemid=36>
• While calling out someone, one should refrain from pointing the finger. Also avoiding too much of eye contact is preferred. One should also be knowledgeable of the non verbal expressions practiced in Philippines. • If Filipinos don't understand a question, they open their mouths. Raised eyebrows signify recognition and agreement. • Laughter may convey pleasure or embarrassment; it is commonly used to relieve tension. • "Yes" is signified by a jerk of the head upward. "No" is signified by a jerk of the head down. Since the Filipinos rarely say no, the non-verbal sign for "no" is sometimes accompanied by a verbal yes, which would still indicate "no." • Staring is considered rude and could be misinterpreted as a challenge, but Filipinos may stare or even touch foreigners, especially in areas where foreigners are rarely seen.
• To Filipinos, standing with your hands on your hips means you are angry. • Never curl your index finger back and forth (to beckon). This is an insult. • To indicate two of something, raise your ring and pinkie fingers. • To beckon, extend arm, palm down, moving fingers in scratching motion. Touch someone's elbow lightly to attract attention. Do not tap on the shoulder. • "Eyebrow flash" -- a quick lifting of eyebrows -- is a Filipino greeting.
• Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first. • A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the standard greeting. • Men and women shake hands with everyone present at a business meeting or social occasion and when saying "goodbye." Handshakes should be friendly and informal, but limp. Men should wait for women to extend their hand. • Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet. • Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and the person's surname until you are invited to use their first name, or even more frequently, their nickname.
• • • •
Dress well for most occasions. Men should wear a jacket and tie for initial meetings. Women should wear western dresses, skirts and blouses. Don't be offended by personal questions. These are asked to show interest. Feel free to ask the same questions in return, especially about family. • Speak softly and control your emotions in public. Make requests, not demands. • Never bring shame to a person. This reflects on his family. Personal goals are sacrificed for the good of the family. • Never directly criticize anyone, especially in public. Never offer insincere comments or compliments.
In 1967, Eric de Guia brought AIESEC back from his MBA at Wharton with Alfonso â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jingâ&#x20AC;? Puyat. Before then, there had been two attempts to start an AIESEC entity in the Philippines. AIESEC Philippines started at University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD) and became officially recognized at the Istanbul Congress in 1968. The first official AIESEC National Committee President (NCP) was Tony Cailao (1967). The first Study Tour was sent to Japan under NCP Eric Mondragon. It was in 1968-1969 that AIESEC in the Philippines first sent trainees out.
Sources: AIESEC Pamana, myaiesec.net
LC Ateneo De Manila University became recognized in 1970. Other local committees were formed in De La Salle University, Maryknoll College (now Miriam College), University of San Carlos in Cebu, and Ateneo de Davao in 1973. Since then, AIESEC has expanded to 6 full member LCs, 4 extension LCs, and 1 applying LC. In 2011-2012, AIESEC Philippines has engaged 500 team members, 275 team leaders, 406 incoming trainees, and 166 outgoing trainees.
Sources: AIESEC Pamana, myaiesec.net
Sent your EP AN and received your TN AN? Signed the indemnity form and EP agreement form? Been officially matched in myaiesec.net? Gotten the contact details of who will you up and the guidelines for the pick-up itself? Gotten your travel insurance? Had expectation setting with your host LC? Settled internship-related matters, such as accommodation, housing, and costs involved?
Copies of AIESEC documents TN Acceptance Note EP Agreement Indemnity form Valid passport, photocopies of your passport and other documents Visa (unless you’re going to have it extended in the Philippines) Pocket money (international ATM card if you have one) Travel insurance
Clothes appropriate to the weather (shorts and slippers are okay for summer, jackets and hoodies are okay for the rainy season) Toiletries Medicines Cultural materials – food, flag, costume, souvenirs, whatever you want to showcase to Filipinos! Gadgets such as Camera, laptop, chargers, mobile phone (make sure your phone can accept foreign/Philippine SIM cards) Other internship-specific materials
Check out the Davao reception booklet: <http://issuu.com/enarosaroso/docs/davaoreceptionbooklet> We highly recommend the Department of Tourismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: itsmorefuninthephilippines.com. This website is aimed at tourists, so you will find a lot of useful information there about going around the country. If you want to know how to get around without riding a cab or private vehicles, then you might find ph-commute.com useful as well.
If you want to learn how to cook Filipino food, some good recipes are in panlasangpinoy.com For more general information, travel.wiki.com/philippines is a good site for foreigners in the country as well.
In case of emergency: METRO MANILA: 117 DAVAO: 911
MCP MCVP ICX
Maximilian “Zim” Kho Cellphone: 09178441407 e-mail: maximilian.kho@aiesec.net Diosa Quinones Cellphone: 09178334672 e-mail: diosa.quinones@aiesec.net
NST for ICX SERVICING
Kim Lumibao Cellphone: 09202674939 e-mail: kim1.lumibao@aiesec.net
Sources: AIESEC UPD reception booklet (2011-2012), myaiesec.net, itsmorefuninthephilippines.com, travel.wiki.com/philippines, panlasangpinoy.com, foreignerinthephilippines.com, davaotourism.com, cebutourism.com Images from the internet. None belong to the authors of this booklet. Š Diosa Quinones, Kim Lumibao, Emma Dooc. December 2012.