CET +7 hours; GMT +8hours
Money
The unit of currency is the PESO. One peso equals 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 5O, 20, and 10 Pesos. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5 and 1 pesos and 25, 10 and 5 centavos. The current rate of exchange (July 2008) is approximately:
EUR (Euro) = PHP (Philippine Peso) 71.01
GBP (Great Britain Pound) = PHP (Philippine Peso) 89.29
USD (United States Dollar) = PHP (Philippine Peso) 44.61
Automated Teller Machines are plentiful In Metro Manila, as well as in major provincial cities like Cebu and Davao. Most major credit cards are accepted. You are advised to bring US dollar
travelers cheques.
Any pesos acquired from foreign exchange dealers (banks, hotels, some shops) during your visit may be changed back into foreign exchange on departure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Travel
Metro Manila is a megacity of over 10 million people. It stretches over a vast area and has 7 cities, each of which has its own shopping centers, local administration, hotels, etc. Because of the prevailing traffic chaos, getting from one part of Manila to another can be extremely time-consuming. Most people keep to Manila proper, Makati and Ortigas (the main commercial shopping area) since there is nothing distinctive about the other 'towns'.
Buses and jeepneys are only for the youthful or intrepid foreigner. Taxis are not expensive but can be difficult to find at rush hours or in the rainy weather. Most taxis are metered. If a taxi is not metered, be sure to negotiate a price beforehand. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) is a quick and convenient way to travel across the city of Manila. Electronic cards may be bought from booths, with prices varying based on distance. MRT prices go from pesos 9.50 to pesos 14.
The Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Manila is 20 minutes from Manila International Airport. Taxis and city shuttle buses can be found on the ground floor of the domestic and International arrival halls. Taxis are metered and the fare between Manila International Airport and the hotel generally costs around USD 10 per journey.
Language
170 languages are used In the Philippines and all of these languages predominantly belong to the Austronesian language family. Since its establishment in the sixteenth century, Spanish was the original official language of the Philippines. According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino, heavily based on Tagalog, and English are both acknowledged as the official languages. English is widely spoken, especially in business.
Electrical Specifications
Electricity in Philippines is 220 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you tr
avel to the Philippines with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Outlets in Philippines generally accept two types of plug: a two-pronged flat blade plug or a two-pronged round pin plug.
Shopping
Shopping facilities are very good. Clothes and shoes are particularly of good value. Makati has huge shopping centres and department stores - Rustan's, Glorietta, Ayala Center and SM. The Ortigas area likewise has popular shopping destinations - SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, The Podium and Robinson's Galleria. SM malls offer good value for money. Just a short distance from Ortigas Is the Greenhills Shopping Centre and Tiendesitas, which offer bazaar-type facilities suitable for budget shopping.
Tipping
Tipping is general practice in the Philippines. It is normal to tip about 10% on your restaurant bills. However, if the bill already includes a service charge you may leave loose change.
Normally, taxi fares are rounded up to the next 10 pesos. Besides this, a tip of about 20 to 50 pesos may be 10 pesos.
Hotel staff are usually tipped about 5O pesos.
Spare Time
If you have free evenings you may wish to consider any of the following:
Theatre. The Cultural Centre of the Philippines (CCP) on Roxas Boulevard by Manila Bay Is the place to see concerts or the ballet.
Cinemas. There are about 200 In Metro Manila. Most cinemas show foreign and local films, e.g. at the Ayala Center, Makati Cinema Square, Shang Cineplex, SM Megamall, and Robinson's Galleria. For popular films be prepared to queue both to buy a ticket and to find a seat. Ticket prices range from Pesos 60-150, Up-to date information on when and where films are showing can be found in the daily paper.
Eating Out. There are dozens of food restaurants around the metropolis. In Makati, restaurants line the commercial centre along the northern part of Makati Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road). In Ortigas, quite a number of choices can be seen at El Pueblo and Metro Walk. Mabini Street In the Ermita/ Malate area have good eating places, cafes and bars. Greenhills in San Juan also have Rood restaurants.
Drinking. In cafes, beer and soft drinks will cost you 25.35 Pesos. In five-star hotels you can pay anything from 100 Pesos or more for a beer and 75 Pesos for a soft drink.
If you have any spare days, some suggestions for days out are:
Intramuros. This is the old Spanish City almost totally destroyed during the Second World War. The Church of San Agustin which survived is worth a visit, as Is Fort Santiago
and the small Rizal museum located Inside the Fort.
Casa Manila. This is a house which has been restored in the manner of a Spanish period residence. The nearby Silahis Arts and Crafts Building In the same street contains a wide variety of Filipino handicrafts.
Nayong Pilipino. A park near the airport where the different regions of the Philippines have been recreated, for example; rice terraces and a miniature (extinct) volcano. All transport within the park is by jeepney and a good place to buy handicrafts can be found in native houses around the park.
Pagsanjan. A one-day excursion through
open countryside and villages to the town of Pagsanjan, an hour’s journey up-river in a due-out canoe (take a change of clothes). There Is also an opportunity to 10 under a waterfall on a raft and finally, shooting the rapids back to the bus. This can be arranged through a travel agent.
Tagaytay. Half-day excursion to Tagaytay from where on a clear day it Is possible to look down onto the Taal Volcano and lake. Lunch and folk dances are arranged at Taal Vista Lodge with a stop at a jeepney factory and Bamboo Organ on the way back. This tour can be arranged through a travel agent.
Hidden Valley. A natural crater in the ground full of tropical vegetation and natural springs with warm water swimming pools, about 1 1/2 hours drive from Manila. The entry ticket costs approximately
1000 Pesos (but is liable to increase). The cost covers a buffet lunch meal, soft drinks and the use of chanting facilities and pools. The price is on the high side but the location is exotic. It is best to go In company with others If possible.
Your Return Flight
Please confirm your return flight as soon as possible after your arrival. This can be done over the telephone. To be sure, you should request the Computer Locator number and make a note of it. If you fail to re-confirm you may lose your seat. Check-in time is 2 hours before your flight. Retain 750 Pesos for the airport tax.
Telephones
Call from hotel rooms may cost up to 15 to 20 Pesos. For call-boxes you wilt need 5-peso coins: lift the receiver, put the coins In the slot and when you hear the dial tone, dial the number you are calling.
It may be useful to activate your mobile phone's International roaming facility before you travel.
Prepaid International budget call cards from the Philippine lon8 Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) can be purchased In telecoms kiosks In denominations of 300, 500 and 1000 Pesos.
The code for the Philippines is +63, the code for Manila is +2.
The code for calling out of the Philippines Is 00.
Medical
Visitors are also advised to consult their doctor prior to departure for medical advice on vaccinations and medical precautions for the Philippines.
Should you feel ill, please consult one of the EHEF staff. Medical treatment in the Philippines can be expensive. It is therefore essential that adequate insurance cover is taken out. Most proprietary medicines are available at Mercury Drugstores.
Normal health precautions for tropical climates should be observed, e.g., drinking bottled or boiled water rather than tap water, eating cooked rather than raw foods.
Emergency Numbers
General Emergency Number 117
Fire Brigade 911 9009
Ambulance (Makatl Medical Centre) 888 8999
Please note that the code for the Philippines is +63, the code for Manila is +2.
*images taken from Edwin Martinez Photostream
Money
The unit of currency is the PESO. One peso equals 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 5O, 20, and 10 Pesos. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5 and 1 pesos and 25, 10 and 5 centavos. The current rate of exchange (July 2008) is approximately:
EUR (Euro) = PHP (Philippine Peso) 71.01
GBP (Great Britain Pound) = PHP (Philippine Peso) 89.29
USD (United States Dollar) = PHP (Philippine Peso) 44.61
Automated Teller Machines are plentiful In Metro Manila, as well as in major provincial cities like Cebu and Davao. Most major credit cards are accepted. You are advised to bring US dollar
travelers cheques.Any pesos acquired from foreign exchange dealers (banks, hotels, some shops) during your visit may be changed back into foreign exchange on departure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Travel
Metro Manila is a megacity of over 10 million people. It stretches over a vast area and has 7 cities, each of which has its own shopping centers, local administration, hotels, etc. Because of the prevailing traffic chaos, getting from one part of Manila to another can be extremely time-consuming. Most people keep to Manila proper, Makati and Ortigas (the main commercial shopping area) since there is nothing distinctive about the other 'towns'.
Buses and jeepneys are only for the youthful or intrepid foreigner. Taxis are not expensive but can be difficult to find at rush hours or in the rainy weather. Most taxis are metered. If a taxi is not metered, be sure to negotiate a price beforehand. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) is a quick and convenient way to travel across the city of Manila. Electronic cards may be bought from booths, with prices varying based on distance. MRT prices go from pesos 9.50 to pesos 14.The Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Manila is 20 minutes from Manila International Airport. Taxis and city shuttle buses can be found on the ground floor of the domestic and International arrival halls. Taxis are metered and the fare between Manila International Airport and the hotel generally costs around USD 10 per journey.
Language
170 languages are used In the Philippines and all of these languages predominantly belong to the Austronesian language family. Since its establishment in the sixteenth century, Spanish was the original official language of the Philippines. According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino, heavily based on Tagalog, and English are both acknowledged as the official languages. English is widely spoken, especially in business.Electrical Specifications
Electricity in Philippines is 220 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you tr
avel to the Philippines with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Outlets in Philippines generally accept two types of plug: a two-pronged flat blade plug or a two-pronged round pin plug.Shopping
Shopping facilities are very good. Clothes and shoes are particularly of good value. Makati has huge shopping centres and department stores - Rustan's, Glorietta, Ayala Center and SM. The Ortigas area likewise has popular shopping destinations - SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, The Podium and Robinson's Galleria. SM malls offer good value for money. Just a short distance from Ortigas Is the Greenhills Shopping Centre and Tiendesitas, which offer bazaar-type facilities suitable for budget shopping.
Tipping
Tipping is general practice in the Philippines. It is normal to tip about 10% on your restaurant bills. However, if the bill already includes a service charge you may leave loose change.
Normally, taxi fares are rounded up to the next 10 pesos. Besides this, a tip of about 20 to 50 pesos may be 10 pesos.Hotel staff are usually tipped about 5O pesos.
Spare Time
If you have free evenings you may wish to consider any of the following:
Theatre. The Cultural Centre of the Philippines (CCP) on Roxas Boulevard by Manila Bay Is the place to see concerts or the ballet.
Cinemas. There are about 200 In Metro Manila. Most cinemas show foreign and local films, e.g. at the Ayala Center, Makati Cinema Square, Shang Cineplex, SM Megamall, and Robinson's Galleria. For popular films be prepared to queue both to buy a ticket and to find a seat. Ticket prices range from Pesos 60-150, Up-to date information on when and where films are showing can be found in the daily paper.
Eating Out. There are dozens of food restaurants around the metropolis. In Makati, restaurants line the commercial centre along the northern part of Makati Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road). In Ortigas, quite a number of choices can be seen at El Pueblo and Metro Walk. Mabini Street In the Ermita/ Malate area have good eating places, cafes and bars. Greenhills in San Juan also have Rood restaurants.
Drinking. In cafes, beer and soft drinks will cost you 25.35 Pesos. In five-star hotels you can pay anything from 100 Pesos or more for a beer and 75 Pesos for a soft drink.
If you have any spare days, some suggestions for days out are:
Intramuros. This is the old Spanish City almost totally destroyed during the Second World War. The Church of San Agustin which survived is worth a visit, as Is Fort Santiago
and the small Rizal museum located Inside the Fort.Casa Manila. This is a house which has been restored in the manner of a Spanish period residence. The nearby Silahis Arts and Crafts Building In the same street contains a wide variety of Filipino handicrafts.
Nayong Pilipino. A park near the airport where the different regions of the Philippines have been recreated, for example; rice terraces and a miniature (extinct) volcano. All transport within the park is by jeepney and a good place to buy handicrafts can be found in native houses around the park.
Pagsanjan. A one-day excursion through
open countryside and villages to the town of Pagsanjan, an hour’s journey up-river in a due-out canoe (take a change of clothes). There Is also an opportunity to 10 under a waterfall on a raft and finally, shooting the rapids back to the bus. This can be arranged through a travel agent.Tagaytay. Half-day excursion to Tagaytay from where on a clear day it Is possible to look down onto the Taal Volcano and lake. Lunch and folk dances are arranged at Taal Vista Lodge with a stop at a jeepney factory and Bamboo Organ on the way back. This tour can be arranged through a travel agent.
Hidden Valley. A natural crater in the ground full of tropical vegetation and natural springs with warm water swimming pools, about 1 1/2 hours drive from Manila. The entry ticket costs approximately
1000 Pesos (but is liable to increase). The cost covers a buffet lunch meal, soft drinks and the use of chanting facilities and pools. The price is on the high side but the location is exotic. It is best to go In company with others If possible.Your Return Flight
Please confirm your return flight as soon as possible after your arrival. This can be done over the telephone. To be sure, you should request the Computer Locator number and make a note of it. If you fail to re-confirm you may lose your seat. Check-in time is 2 hours before your flight. Retain 750 Pesos for the airport tax.
Telephones
Call from hotel rooms may cost up to 15 to 20 Pesos. For call-boxes you wilt need 5-peso coins: lift the receiver, put the coins In the slot and when you hear the dial tone, dial the number you are calling.
It may be useful to activate your mobile phone's International roaming facility before you travel.
Prepaid International budget call cards from the Philippine lon8 Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) can be purchased In telecoms kiosks In denominations of 300, 500 and 1000 Pesos.
The code for the Philippines is +63, the code for Manila is +2.
The code for calling out of the Philippines Is 00.
Medical
Visitors are also advised to consult their doctor prior to departure for medical advice on vaccinations and medical precautions for the Philippines.
Should you feel ill, please consult one of the EHEF staff. Medical treatment in the Philippines can be expensive. It is therefore essential that adequate insurance cover is taken out. Most proprietary medicines are available at Mercury Drugstores.
Normal health precautions for tropical climates should be observed, e.g., drinking bottled or boiled water rather than tap water, eating cooked rather than raw foods.
Emergency Numbers
General Emergency Number 117
Fire Brigade 911 9009
Ambulance (Makatl Medical Centre) 888 8999
Please note that the code for the Philippines is +63, the code for Manila is +2.
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