Facts for the Traveler
Full country name: Republic of the Philippines
Area: 299,000 sq km
Population: 84.61 million
Capital City: Manila (pop: 10 million)
People: Predominantly descendants of Malays, Chinese and Muslim
minorities and a number of mestizos (Filipino-Spanish or Filipino-Americans)
Language: Pilipino (Tagalog), English
Religion: 82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Health risks: cholera, hepatitis, rabies, malaria, typhus
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8
Dialling Code: 63
Electricity: 220V ,60Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Visas:
All visitors to the country must hold a passport that is valid for at
least six months beyond the period they plan to stay. Everyone, except for
the stateless persons, nationals from restricted countries and those
originating from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic ties
are allowed into the country without visas. They are permitted to stay for
up to 21 days provided they hold tickets for onward or return journeys.
Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies or
consular offices overseas.
Extensions of Stay Visitors intending to extend their stay from 21 days
to 59 days should contact the Immigration Office (Commission on Immigration
and Deportation; CID), Magallenes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, and its offices
in Angeles, Cebu City and San Fernando (La Union).
Upon arrival at the Immigration Office, all you have to do is present
your extension application and passport to the various immigration officials
with which these documents will remain with the Immigration Office (Regular
Service) for processing. Fees for a 38-days visa extension range from P1,000
to P2,000 depending on whether the application for extension by the visitor
was filed before or after the 21 days limit. If you are planning to apply
for a visa extension, do remember not to dress in shorts and flip-flops
(thongs) or else you can expect to be refused service.
When to Go
The best time to make a trip to the Philippines is from the middle of
December to the middle of May because that is off-season for typhoons. Any
travelers to the country in December (Christmas) or April (Easter) are
advised against traveling more than necessary as the entire country is on
the move, making it difficult to get a seat on any type of transport.
January, May and December are the best months to visit the Philippines if
colorful celebrations and fiestas are on your list of 'purpose for making
the trip'. If your itinerary includes visits to the rice terraces in North
Luzon, the best time to do this would be in March and April as the weather
is pleasantly warm. Apart from that, these warm summer months are also ideal
for island hopping. Do be advised that for those who can't take the heat,
the month of May can be quite an experience of warm discomfort. |
Events
Feast of San Roque 12 May 2009 - Valenzuela
The Feast of San Roque street festival dates back to the 18th century, when the people of Valenzuela (Philippines) first gave thanks to their patron saint, San Roque. Women from the various barangays (neighbourhoods) of the town come together to ...
New Year's Day is celebrated with great
vigour and plenty of fireworks. On 9 January, the Black Nazarene
Procession, the largest procession in the country, carries a life-size,
blackwood statue of Jesus through the streets of Quiapo in Manila, and the
procession happens again during Passion Week (the week following Palm Sunday
at Easter). The Filipino version of Mardi Gras is the three-day
Ati-Atihan, celebrated in Kalibo on Panay in the third week in January.
On Good Friday, there are many scourges throughout the country, which have
become popular attractions, especially those at San Fernando (Pampanga),
near Manila. Independence Day is celebrated on 12 June with military
parades. During the week leading up to 1 November (All Saints' Day)
Christian cemeteries throughout the archipelago are spruced up and given a
fresh coat of whitewash; if you happen to be in Manila on All Saints' Day
don't miss the huge party at the Chinese cemetery. There are local festivals
taking place just about every week of the year somewhere in the Philippines. |
