Tag Archives: Philippines

Best dog breeds for your home in the Philippines

09/24/2021 PhilLife 1 Comment

Are you looking for a dog to live in the Philippines with you? The Philippines is a hot country, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees fahrenheit year round. This means that many dogs bred to survive in cold weather won’t do well in the Philippines. Instead, you’ll want to find a dog that is tolerant of hot weather.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at ten wonderful dog breeds that make perfect family companions, and will thrive in the hot, humid climate of the Philippines.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most classic dog breeds out there. These gentle giants are so calm and trainable that they’re commonly used as therapy and service dogs. Golden Retrievers do require daily exercise and a large, fenced-in yard where they can stretch their legs, but after a long day of playing and working hard, these giant teddy bears love to cuddle with you on the couch!

Golden Retrievers are all-around family dogs that get along perfectly well with children and other dogs. Golden Retrievers also have a puppy-like love of play well into their adult years, and remind their owners of the joys of youth.

Despite their long, silky coat, Golden Retrievers are surprisingly heat tolerant, and thrive in the hot temperatures of the Philippines.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a toy dog breed that is famous for its love of heat, which means that the warm climate of the Philippines is perfect for this breed! Due to their small size, they also work well in small apartments, although they do require daily walks. No matter how small the breed, however, every single dog needs to be properly trained at a young age. Without training, the Chihuahua’s huge personality will soon rule your entire household!

These tiny dogs don’t do well in families with young children, as they are fragile and can be easily injured. They also need their personal space to be well-respected, and if they are harassed or teased, they can become aggressive out of self-defense. So long as they are treated kindly, however, these dogs love to cuddle with their owners.

Pug

Pugs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the Philippines. These adorable, compact dogs are famous for their flat, wrinkly faces and short, curly tails. They are also very low maintenance dogs, and they prefer cuddling and watching TV with their owners to going on long walks around the neighborhood.

Pugs are also brachycephalic, which means that their faces and airways are shorter and more constricted than normal dogs. This results in their adorable flat faces, but it does come with a few problems. The distinctive snuffling is caused by their flattened airways, and they have a much more difficult time breathing than other breeds. This means that they can’t be outside during hot days, and they shouldn’t be exercised too vigorously.

Despite a few extra health problems, pugs are still one of the most popular dog breeds out there. They’re famous for their adaptable, easygoing nature. They’re also famously calm, peaceful creatures that get along well with everyone.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a wonderful choice for novice pet owners. These small, easygoing dogs are also perfect for apartment-dwellers, as they can thrive in small living spaces, provided they are given enough exercise. This is a highly affectionate breed that loves to play, but is also known for cuddling up on the couch after a long day.

The Bichon Frise is a highly intelligent dog that is easy to train. They do require plenty of playtime and exercise, or else they can become destructive. Daily walks and a session or two of playtime every day should be enough to keep this dog happy.

This happy, go-lucky dog breed also makes a wonderful family companion. Not only do they get along great with other dogs, but they are also good playmates for children. Overall, this is a loving and affectionate dog breed that can fit right in to just about any home!

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is an ancient dog breed that was first developed in China centuries ago. These little dogs were bred for emperors and nobility, and they were prized for their long, silky fur and sweet temperament. Even though the Shih Tzu isn’t just for royalty these days, its noble origins are still apparent in its confident bearing and long, luxurious coat.

When it comes to grooming, you’ll need to make sure to give it a good brush a couple times a week. Thankfully, though, the Shih Tzu is a low shedding dog, so you can enjoy its beautiful fur without any of the hassle.

Shih Tzus are lap dogs through and through. They’re one of the most affectionate dog breeds out there, preferring long cuddle sessions to lots of exercise. This is also a surprisingly mischievous dog breed that loves to entertain and play tricks on their owners. The Shih Tzu is best for owners with a sense of humor who can appreciate this breed’s adorable antics.

Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier was bred to be an expert at hunting down rats and other vermin. As a result, these dogs have a high prey drive, and don’t do well in families with small pets like rodents or birds. They also have the classic terrier attitude, and need lots of firm training, or else they can end up ruling the household! This means they might not be the best choice for novice pet owners.

Despite their stubborn nature, Rat Terriers are highly affectionate, and get along famously with their family members, including children and other dogs. This is a compact, sturdy dog that makes a great playmate for children and can withstand a decent amount of roughhousing. They need plenty of stimulation to keep from getting bored, so lots of playtime and exercise is a must for this breed!

Border Collie

The Border Collie is believed to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. These herding dogs are highly trainable, but like all herding dogs, they need to feel like they’ve worked hard in order to be truly satisfied. As such, it’s important to give them jobs to do, like agility training or teaching them tricks. They are also a wonderful choice if you want a competitive dog who will do well in obedience or agility competitions.

Despite their hard-working nature, the Border Collie always makes time for family, and they get along great with children and other dogs, as well. They are also very hardy dogs that can withstand heat well, making them a favorite in the Philippines.

Beagle

The Beagle is a classic hunting dog with a famous black, tan, and brown coat. This dog has an adorable expression and large, pleading eyes. They are also described as being funny and merry. These dogs have a great sense of humor, and will endlessly entertain you with their silly antics.

Because they were also bred as hunting dogs, however, Beagles know when it’s time to play and when it’s time to work. They were originally bred to hunt in groups, so they do best with other dogs. Otherwise, they can suffer from loneliness.

Beagles are athletic, energetic dogs that need lots of exercise and playtime. They do well in a family with children who can give them lots of playtime, or in an outdoorsy family that enjoys long walks, hiking, and camping.

Poodle

With their luxurious, thick fur, you might not think that the Poodle is a particularly heat tolerant breed. However, these graceful yet athletic dogs can withstand hot temperatures well, which makes them an excellent choice for dog owners in the Philippines.

Famous for their fluffy coats, a lot of people mistake poodles for being snooty and pampered pets. In reality, however, this is an intelligent, trainable breed that excels in athletics such as agility courses. These dogs also come in three different sizes: Standard, miniature, and toy, so you can bring home a dog that will fit right into your home!

While the poodle’s beautiful coat does require daily grooming, they are a low shedding dog. They require daily exercise, and do best with a large, fenced-in yard that they can run around in. While they’re not recommended for couch potatoes, poodles make wonderful family companions, and are a popular choice in the Philippines.

Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a dignified dog known for its intelligence and focus. They are highly protective of their family members, and tend to be wary around strangers, which means they make excellent watchdogs. They take their job as protectors very seriously, and while they are loyal and affectionate to their owners, they are aloof around others.

However, the Chow Chow is better for more experienced owners, who can train them properly from a young age and make sure they’re well socialized. Despite their intelligence, they can be a bit stubborn, so they require patient owners who can provide firm training.

Click here for more tips on living life in the Philippines!

Culture

Show me the money: The prevalence of poverty in the Philippines

06/19/2020 PhilLife Leave a comment

More than a quarter of the entire Philippines population lives in poverty. That’s right, 26.5% of Filipinos lack the income to simply meet their most basic needs.

There are several reasons behind this, such as rapid population growth, inaccessibility to credit, poor social infrastructure, and the stagnation of rural productivity.

Even though the state has made great progress in developing the country, a significant percentage of Filipinos are still struggling with their day to day realities. They often run small informal businesses, selling food and other goods out on the streets. Despite their hardship, they are still rarely acknowledged by the state, but still, work tirelessly to earn a living.

So, let’s now have a look at the main causes of poverty in the Philippines.

Public schools are notoriously inefficient when it comes to educating children. The overcrowded classrooms, coupled with a lack of resources almost guarantees students will not reach their potential.

Education must improve!

Education is often linked to social mobility across generations.

An individuals education allows them to increase their earnings across their lifetime. This then allows them to invest more in their children’s education. In a basic sense, this creates a cycle of upward social mobility.

So how does the Philippines compare to others when it comes to the quality of education?

Well, it’s getting better, but it is still not where it should be. Over the years the Philippines has been rising different ranking systems when it comes to education. Although it still finds itself too close to the bottom, especially when you compare it to the scores of ASEAN nations.

Investing in future generations

When compared to the neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. The Philippines tends to lag behind not just in the quality of education, but also the financial resources injected into the sector.

The Philippine government does make a conscious effort to allocate a high proportion of its budget to education. But what is being allocated still does not measure up to the investments into education made by other ASEAN countries.

The Philippine government instigated the formation of higher education task force to evaluate the performance of college graduates in various professional board examinations. They found that too many graduates were performing poorly and that many universities and colleges in the country lacked legitimacy when it came to their quality of education.

So where are we now?

Well, the Philippines is currently stuck in a system where those who have access to more wealth are able to enrol in the more exclusive schools and receive a quality education. While the others are left behind, especially those needing to enrol in the subpar public schooling system.

Although elementary schooling is mandatory, the task force found that many Filipinos of the relevant age group regularly skip the school program. This is due to lack of schools in their locality, education being offered in non-native languages only or financial difficulties.

(Many Filipinos resort to informal means of employment such as selling goods out on the street. Photo by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

Rampant Unemployment

This may not come as a surprise to many readers but, the Philippine labour market is short of well-paying jobs.

Which means for many – even highly qualified – Filipinos, working a low-paying job is the only option. This again hinders their social mobility as their salary is enough to just cover basic needs.

Some household’s incomes are so low that it becomes quite disturbing. Some may make only P50-P100, barely enough to meet their daily needs leaving them with little to save for things such as their children’s education.

There is a need for the government to make growth more comprehensive. To make it easy for Filipinos to attain higher and stable income via productive employment.

Off late, the Philippine government has instigated several measures to combat poverty in the country, such as the extension of monthly cash grants to families living in absolute poverty. This has significantly reduced the cases of children dropping out of schools.

Also, these funds have made it possible for parents to access health care services, especially the elderly. It’s now over a decade since the program was launched. Other programs include entrepreneurial income, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), remittance from local and international sources, and more.

For instance, the 4Ps program is estimated to have helped 25% of Filipinos to graduate from dire poverty through its monthly cash grants.

It is not uncommon for Filipino politicians such as Joseph Estrada to engage in unscrupulous activities. Exploiting the country for their own financial gain.

Rampant Corruption

Corruption in the Philippines is pervasive. Filipinos know it’s there, and they are tired of it.

The government is often being tainted by corrupt individuals whose objective is to enrich themselves, their families, and close allies during their tenure.

They endeavour to have their close allies succeed them in their respective positions during elections, as this will impede them from facing corruption charges.

This is a situation Filipinos have seen manifest itself ad nauseam, within all levels of government. Corruption on a local level is as widespread as corruption on a national level.

An example of this is seen with government tenders. They are often awarded illegally without following the set legal procedures. To stand a chance to win a tender, you have to bribe the government officials; otherwise, the tender will be awarded to someone else. This comes into the public domain when various bidders went to the media houses and claimed that there were lots of anomalies involved in awarding government tenders.

Since the tenders are not awarded on merits, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Misappropriation of funds has denied Filipinos access to quality education, appropriate infrastructure, among other poverty problems.

Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated cities with a population density of 42,857 people per square kilometre or 111,002 people per square mile.

The problem of overpopulation

The rapid growth of the population in the Philippines coupled with a less than robust economy is a prime breeding ground for poverty.

Many Filipinos flock to urban centres like Manila, hoping to find opportunities to improve their situations. But the majority walk into a city with an oversupplied labour force and very unaffordable housing in comparison to the provinces.

Many make the journey to cities like Manila, hoping to enjoy better living conditions – this dream is often shortlived.

The local governments often struggle to provide even the most basic levels of health care, schooling, water/power supplies, and sanitization. These public services are just not enough to meet the growing demand in areas suffering from overpopulation.

Lack of planning, and providing opportunities in rural areas have contributed to this issue. If opportunities for meaningful employment were available outside of urban centres, there would be no need to make the pilgrimage to the countries more prominent cities.

Religion is one of the major reasons why the poorest families have more children than they can manage. As the Philippines is a majority Catholic country, many of the members are inclined to refuse to use contraception.

This means many Filipino families become larger than what the income of the family can effectively handle. Though steps are being taken to educate and assist families in planning for the future.

Inequality in Income Distribution

The Philippines has been labelled a “rising tiger” by some institutions. The country continues to become increasingly prosperous in certain regions, while others seem to have been left behind.

This is because the Philippines has an income distribution issue.

The wealthiest segment of society seems to exclusively benefit from this increased prosperity. This leaves the rest of the population still struggling to even cover the cost of the most basic needs.

Since the 1980s the country has made a noticeable improvement and shown bu the countries growing middle class. But there is yet to be any sort of significant change in the living standards of the majority of Filipino families.

Many politicians prefer to serve the business interests of prominent families, over the people they were elected to serve. This creates a cycle of well-connected families and politicians mutually benefitting each other.

The politicians maintain their power while those prom intent families grow their wealth through the hoarding of government contracts. Leaving what’s left to trickle down to the not so well connected.

A country plagued by natural calamities

Natural disasters are so frequent it has almost become a way of life in the Philippines.

The country is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is a zone circling the Pacific Ocean, known for its frequent and intense volcanic activity as a direct result of plate tectonics.

Due to its position, the Philippines is also subject to frequent earthquakes, strong typhoons, flooding, and tidal waves or storm surges. In recent years the country has been devastated by several of these events.

This includes the landing of the massive typhoon Yolanda. This flattened many cities, and killed countless people during the initial event, and then a storm surges which also cost many people their lives. In recent years there has also been the eruption of the Taal, and Mayon volcanoes which shutdown many cities leaving people homeless for a period of time.

These natural disasters are not taken lightly. They are very hazardous to human life, they often cause millions of dollars in property damage, and are often very difficult to avoid with evacuations.

The Philippine government still has a lot of work to do in creating the proper infrastructure to mitigate the effects of natural disasters leaving larges parts of the population vulnerable.

Floods are still common on city streets. The infrastructure in place in cities like Manila is still not enough to handle the volume of water the typhoons bring each season. This flooding leaves families homeless, struggling to raise funds to build new or repair their homes.

The agricultural sector is also often heavily affected by these events. Strong winds and flooding can easily damage crops, leaving farmers without an income for that season.

Even though most of the Philippians depend heavily on agriculture, these farmers often have very little support, leaving a large number of them living in poverty.

A shortage of affordable housing

Although this is not directly a cause of poverty in the country, it is still a chronic issue faced by many Filipinos.

Limited employment opportunities have left many Filipinos unable to afford proper housing. When there is no affordable housing, often, the only other option is for families to live out on the streets.

Most people in this group survive on an average of $1.25 a day, making it almost impossible to get out of poverty and find cost-effective housing for their families. The high cost of housing leaves them with little money to save and spend on their basic needs. The government has done little to help persons languishing in extreme poverty to get out of it.

This tends to create a cycle of poverty as children prioritise begging on the streets to make money for the family. Meaning a lot of them miss out on receiving an education. This is why the situation needs an intervention to prevent that cycle from repeating itself.

Child Labour

Due to extreme levels of poverty in the Philippines, most parents encourage their children to drop out of school to help them to raise money to cater to their families.

The Philippines is one of the prominent countries in the world plagued by the practice. Children undertaking hazardous, menial work instead of proceeding with their education is the beginning of poverty now and into the future.

The government should adopt measures to curb this behaviour; otherwise, poverty will continue to be a chronic issue within the nation. According to labour relations, only persons aged 18 years and above should be allowed to work in any industry.

Yet, some people still tolerate it. Underage workers are still found working in factories and farms. Some families even have children working as full-time domestic workers in their homes.

Addressing the social issues holding the nation back

There are many reasons why many citizens of the Philippines still seem to be suffering. Although I have summarised some of the major cause, the issue is still very deep and complex.

Regardless of this, we do know all of these issues do need to be addressed. There are many intelligent, sincere individuals and organisations who are willing to help the country to make this progress.

It is not on the citizens to find these organisations and support them however you can, whether it may be voting for pro-active politicians or donating to NGOs who are carrying out effective work in the area.

History

The mystery of Pre-Colonial Philippines

05/02/2018 PhilLife 1 Comment

When someone talks about the history of the Philippines, the conversation generally begins with the arrival of the Spanish. Few people recognise the nation even existed, let alone had a system of governance and was even quite prosperous before the coming of the Spanish and other colonizers.

The land had a rich culture with a people who had established themselves in rather unbelievable ways. Pre-colonial Philippines has been quoted by some historians and other rather influential people as being one of the most progressive societies to ever exist to this moment.

A brief look at the history books reveals a land where there was a very rich culture of agriculturalists, innovators and empowerment beyond comparison. So, what was the culture like before the Spanish colonized this land? It is vital to note that the name Philippine is attributed to Dominican Priest and Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos who named the Philippine Islands after Phillip II in 1543. The name was automatically adopted henceforth.

This piece is, however, about the rich culture the country had before colonization. Here are a few points to note, therefore, about pre-colonial Philippines.

Their women were very powerful

A look at the pre-colonial Philippines reveals a society where there was a lot of equality when it comes to gender. Women were just as powerful as men in terms of family hierarchy, societal placement, leadership and even professionalism. The women had a lot of say on how the family unit operated from making key decisions such as the number of kids to have and their spacing. They also solely decided the names of their kids.

In certain instances, women were even thoroughly revered by men because of the power and influence they yielded. It was a common sign to see men walking behind women as a show of respect. As well, just like men, women owned and inherited property, had equal opportunity in almost all professions and craftsmanship and also led their respective territories.

They had good foreign relations especially with the Chinese

Pre-colonial Philippines generally had very good relations with foreigners. They traded with the Arabs, Chinese and even Indians. History reveals that the trading expertise of native Filipinos gave them a name halfway across the world. Their trade was, however, not outstanding with the Chinese. People could consider them trade buddies because of the level of trust between the two.

It is said that the honesty of the Philippines greatly surprised the Chinese and improved their trade relations. So much was the trust that at times the Chinese would leave their goods at the ocean shore and come back for their traded items late on whereupon the Filipinos would surrender the returns without question. This made the Chinese the greatest trade partners of the ancient Philippines.

Their tribes were either highlanders or lowlanders.

The indigenous Filipinos include several tribes that existed way before the coming of the modern Filipinos. These tribes have been traced almost 50,000 years back according to archaeological evidence. It is important to notice that there are 2 major subdivisions for the 134 indigenous Filipino tribes. They were either highlanders or lowlanders. After colonization, the lowlanders were majorly influenced in terms of culture erosion by the colonizers. The highlanders, however, maintained the majority of their culture even during and after colonization. This was majorly influenced by the inaccessibility of the highlands that discouraged the colonizers.

The majority of the indigenous people of northern Philippines are referred to as Igorot while those found within the mainland Mindanao are called the Lumad. The tribes co-existed peacefully and engaged in many activities amongst themselves which strengthened their relations as well as that of foreigners. The tribes and sub-tribes also intermarried and visited each other to ensure they correlated well.

Their differences were more of a strength than a weakness which helped them in improving their general operations and life as a whole. While there were 134 ethnic groups in the Philippines, 135 languages still exist till now and one is known by the majority, if not all of the Philippines population. This common language is Tagalog and is currently used as the national language.

Several professions already existed

The ancient Filipinos were a predominantly an agricultural society with large tracts of land having both animal and crops. This made them self-sufficient in terms of food. Do not, however, be fooled that they were only agriculturalists. They had very many other professions that saw them create a well-rounded society. These professions included mining, seafaring, hunting, weapon making, smithing and even textiles.

This made them produce a lot of items that they could use and trade in. This as well made them one of the richest and most-skilled pre-colonial settlements known to man. Many foreigners came to settle within the Filipinos because of their skill-set and their friendly and honest lifestyle.

Islam was the major religion

Islam is said to be the oldest single religion to ever exist in the pre-colonial Philippines. This is attributed to the trade relations between the ancient Filipinos and Muslim traders from The Persian Gulf and other surrounding areas. This happened in the 14th century and quickly spread to the rest of Philippines with a major concentration of Muslims
in the southern region of Mindanao.

The greatest warriors in terms of fighting against the west and general colonization were the Muslims with most of their clerics such as Rajah Sulayman who was the Muslim Rajah (leader) of Maynila, staging fights that have gone down history as some of the longest resistance against colonizers. Islam is currently a religion practised by 6% of the Philippine population in the modern day, with Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism taking a big chunk of the current Philippine population.

It is evident that the average ancient pre-colonial Filipino was a person with a strong and rich culture, well-endowed intellect with a high level of professionalism and skill. With such large tracts of well-endowed land, an honest society with equality, religion, and diversity that was embraced rather than shunned, one could argue that life must have been better during pre-colonial time than now, but that is just an issue up for debate.

Culture

The Love For Christmas In The Philippines

12/20/2017 PhilLife Leave a comment

It amazes me how Christmas celebrations – simply the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ – can come in so many different forms on the international stage. My first experience of “Pasko Sa Pilipinas” or Christmas in the Philippines opened my eyes to the varying degrees of cultural significance the celebration can take across different nations.

For many Filipinos, the Christmas season is one of the most important times of the year. This is due to approximately 80% of the countries population being Catholic. Christmas has become an integral pillar of the Christian faith of many Filipinos.

The Christmas countdown in the Philippines

Now, when I say Christmas is one of the most important times of the year in the Philippines, I mean it. Often I will find myself walking through a mall and hear Christmas carols playing. This is followed by the realisation that it is only mid-September.

Enthusiasm for Christmas is what the Philippines is known for. It is often quoted as having the worlds most extended Christmas season. Carols can begin as early as September 1, the day Filipinos around the world mark the beginning of the countdown to Christmas. The festive season can then continue as far as the third Sunday of January, the day of the Feast of the Santo Niño.

The official observance of Christmas in The Philippines

The Catholic Church begin their Christmas formalities on December 16. This is the beginning of ‘Simbang Gabi’ or the ‘Misa de Gallo’; these are the early morning masses held on the lead up to Christmas. “Simbang Gabi” literally translates to “NIght Worship”, this is due to Filipinos waking up at four o’clock in the morning to attend mass.

Attending the nine masses leading up to Christmas is seen as quite an accomplishment. Often you will have breakfast together after the mass; often enjoying a warm ginger tea called ‘salabatand’ along with a flat but thick yellow rice cake called ‘bibingka’.

Many Filipinos attend the ‘Simbang Gabi” as a way to build anticipation for December 25ths celebration of the birth of the Christ. It is also a folk belief that if you attend all nine masses, any wish you have may become true.

After the reaching December 25, the Christmas season continues for the Catholic church up until the Feast of the Epiphany, occurring on the first Sunday of the year.

Beautiful lighting displays are seen in business districts and malls around the Philippines during the festive season.

What to expect on Christmas Eve in the Philippines

Celebrating Christmas Eve in the Philippines is so much more than what I had experienced anywhere else. The city had come to life with families out in the city heading to restaurants for their Christmas feasts. Every restaurant I passed by was filled to capacity with long lines of guests waiting for tables.

This hints at the importance of Christmas Eve for Filipinos. Christians will first go to church to attend the final ‘Simbang Gabi’ or the Christmas Eve mass. This is immediately followed by what I was witnessing on the streets of Manila on Christmas Eve – Noche Buena or the midnight feast.

Noche Buena is a grand family dinner and comprised of delicious traditional Filipino food such as lechon, pancit, ham, queso de bola, fruit salad, rice cakes (bibingka and puto bumbong) and a lot more.

When Christmas day arrives

On Christmas day Filipinos will meet together with their relatives. Children will often dress neatly in their best clothes when they go to see their extended family.

When Children meet with older relatives, they ensure they practice ‘mano’ or to bless, which is a show of respect for their elders. When greeting the elder, the children will take the hand of the elder and gently press it to their forehead.

The children then receive gifts of money and toys from their relatives or godparents as a reward.

During this time it is not uncommon to be visited by carolers. Groups visit houses with tambourines and guitars singing Christmas carols to the householder.

Often carolers will use unique handmade instruments such as tambourines made from bottle tops, or drums made from milk cans.

After singing their songs, the householder will often reward the carolers with handfull of coins; this is then followed by the carolers singing words of thanks to the householder.

Schools and business embrace the spirit of Christmas in the Philippines

During Christmas parties schools and offices often enjoy their adaption of Secret Santa called “Monito Monita”. It is the same concept of Secret Santa in which all the participants will receive their anonymous gift. The gift is often purchased according to certain conditions and cost restrictions laid out at the beginning of the event.

These social events hosted by schools and businesses are often held a week before the Christmas holidays. This is usually around the time many private and public companies and agencies issue their bonuses along with other gifts to their employees.

So, although the Philippines doesn’t fit the traditional wintry setting of Christmas, we can see that the tradition is still alive and well in the country.

Culture

The unique animals of The Philippines

12/04/2017 PhilLife Leave a comment

The Philippines is one of the most vibrant countries in the world when it comes to wildlife. The Philippines has become a sanctuary for a wide variety of flora and fauna species unique to the region. From the thriving coral reefs to the untouched jungles and rainforests, The Philippines houses one of the most biodiverse environments in the world.

The waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding the island nation are filled with striking coral reefs, home to over 2,000 different species of fish. These reefs have become well known within dive communities, subsequently drawing in a large flow of tourists from all over the world.

Here we will take a closer look at some of the more unique examples of the kind of wildlife you can expect to find in the Philippines.

The rare and endangered animals of The Philippines

The Palawan Bearcat (Binturong)

The Palawan Bearcat is a truly unique animal when it comes to its physical appearance. It has a large heavyset body with paws like a bear, growing to as long as 1.4 metres (4.6 ft). In addition to this, it has a long bushy tail – which it can use to hang from trees – coupled with a face similar to a cat.

Despite the docile nature of The Palawan Binturong, it still has long sharp claws and teeth. These could quite easily tear through flesh. Though it’s generally not a concern for those handling the creature.

Philippines Crocodile (Mindoro Crocodile)

The Philippines Crocodile is a relatively small crocodile which gained popularity due to its critically endangered status. Previously, the Philippine crocodile was found across the nation but is now primarily found on Luzon. The drop in population was initially due to commercial exploitation of the crocodile, though it is now primarily due to the destruction of its habitat.

Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagles reputation of being a monkey eating bird hints at the sheer power of the animal. Being the largest eagle in the world means the Philippine eagle tends to prey on larger animals. It is known to hunt palm civets, flying lemurs and even monkeys.

Like the Mindoro Crocodile, the Philippine Eagle used to be found across the nation. Due to loss of habitat the eagle is now primarily found on the island of Mindanao.

Tarsier

The Tarsier is noted in the Guinness Book of Records for being the animal with the largest eyes in proportion to its body. Their eyes are actually unable to rotate inside their sockets; to compensate for this the Tarsier is able to rotate its neck 180 degrees.

Tarsiers are nocturnal creatures, sleeping through the day, then becoming very active at night. They use their ability to jump up to 10 feet to travel forests, hunting small creatures like insects and lizards.

*The Philippines Tarsier is a small primate found in the Visayas region of the Philippines.*

Philippine Mouse-Deer

The Philippine Mouse-Deer also known as the Pilandok is local to the island of Palawan. It can often be seen roaming around the resorts of El Nido. The Mouse-Deer runs around the island at night feeding on fruits, leaves, buds and grasses.

An interesting trait of the Mouse-Deer is its suicidal tendencies. While under stress the Mouse-Deer is known to hit its head on trees and run off cliffs, possibly to relieve itself from the stress.

Animal conservation in the Philippines

Within the Philippines, many of the country’s biologically rich areas are still unprotected from extractive activities. Forest areas are still facing destruction due to indiscriminate logging, increasing population, mining, infrastructure development and conflicting land uses.

As mentioned, many animals unique to this country are facing extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitat.

The Philippine government is enacting environmental laws which are strictly implemented and monitored with the help of the communities and the local government to ensure that the plants and animals are secured from invasive and disruptive practices. Various regions of the country home to these endangered species are now protected against these destructive practices by law. Allowing for the population of these endangered species to improve.

Culture

What To Wear On Your Trip To The Philippines

11/19/2017 PhilLife Leave a comment

For those visiting The Philippines for the first time, deciding what clothing to pack can be quite a challenge. The Philippines contains such a diverse range of environments – Cities, vast jungles, mountain ranges, and the tropical beaches – so deciding what to bring can become quite overwhelming.

Attire to suit the climate

It is important to remember that The Philippines is a tropical climate; meaning the weather ranges between hot and very hot. So wearing heavy materials is generally not an option if you want to have a comfortable stay.

Even if the temperature does drop, experiencing a day in the Philippines which doesn’t feel humid is rare. So, the density of the fabrics you wear makes a very noticeable difference. I feel this is an important point to keep in mind when packing for the Philippines.

The Philippines can also be a very wet destination. Between the months of June through to October, you can expect a decent amount of heavy rainfall. Despite this, the weather still generally remains hot and humid, so it should not change much. Although it is a good idea to keep a compact umbrella in your bag when you’re out and about as the weather can change quite quickly.

What to wear in the Philippines major cities

Most of you travelling here for the first time will be most likely be arriving in either Manila or Cebu. For the most part, the cities – especially around the business districts – are what you would typically expect from larger western cities.

The city blocks are filled with high rise offices and apartments. These are surrounded by streets filled with traffic as well as a sea of white-collar workers, college students and young BPO employees lining the sidewalk.

When I find myself in the city I will always wear long pants as well as enclosed shoes. I usually avoid shorts and light coloured fabrics as the city can be quite dirty sometimes depending on where you are.

I always wear enclosed shoes while in the city due to the terrain you may encounter. The Philippines is notorious for having some neglected infrastructure, including their sidewalks. It is common to find holes in the sidewalk as well as pieces of damaged concrete laying about; so enclosed footwear guarantees your feet stay safe.

I also recommend bringing a small towel with you when you are out and about in the city. It is quite common to see people cleaning their face due to sweat as well as the dust and fumes from city traffic.

So are there situations were you will need formal attire?

When visiting cities such as Cebu or Manila, you will notice that Filipino’s do dress quite well, although this really depends on which area in the city you are staying, in some areas dressing up may draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

When experiencing the nightlife it is best to dress up a little, some of the clubs do have dress codes, so you may be refused entry if you are not dressed to standard.
A lot of the churches and temples around the country have strict dress codes. The general rule to go by is to wear clothing which will cover your shoulders and knees

Locals on the streets in Manila wearing, this is a good example of typical street wear seen in Manila.

What to wear when travelling to the beaches of The Philippines

It is common for people to talk about the conservative nature of The Philippines. I have read many articles which talk about it being unusual for women to be seen wearing bikinis on The Philippines beaches. From my experience, this has rarely, if ever been the case.

For women, the dress code is almost identical to what you would see in most other western nations. Young women will generally wear a bikini or a bikini top with shorts. The older women will generally something a little less revealing.

For men the usual swim shorts are fine. It is common for men to wear rash vests while swimming as the sun can be quite intense at times.

When visiting beach destinations it is also highly likely you will end up going island hoping. This means it would be a good idea to bring a waterproof bag with you to avoid damaging your belongings.

Its also a good idea to bring sturdy footwear for navigating around the boat, and walking different trails around the beaches.

The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Apo Island, found in the Visayas region of the Philippines.

What to wear when travelling to the mountains of Northern Luzon

Often the first thing associated with the mountains of The Philippines is the cold weather. When compared to the weather experienced by the rest of the country, this seems justified.

For those travelling to The Philippines internationally – especially from colder climates – you may not feel the same way. Temperatures in the mountains may range from the high teens to the low twenties. This is cold relative to the rest of the countries, but for some visitors, this temperature range may seem completely normal.

For the Philippine locals or tourists unfamiliar with the colder weather it is recommended to pack at least some colder weather attire. This means you may want to pack a sweater or a light jacket. Though nothing too heavy is really necessary.

What if I forget something?

The Philippines is famous for its mall culture. Whether you are within the major cities or out in the provinces you will be able to find a mall.

So if you feel the clothing you have packed is not suitable for the environment, then there are plenty of affordable destinations where you can find a wide range of clothing options to suit your needs.

It is also not worth loading your suitcase full of clothing, as every city has a launderette. A lot of the hotels also have a cleaning service for your clothing, so its really not worth bringing excessive amounts f clothing when those services are widely available throughout the country.

Culture

Carabao, The Philippines Greatest Ally

09/08/2017 PhilLife 3 Comments

What is The Philippines national animal? I was recently in discussion with a friend, for a second we were both adamant that the national animal was the Philippine Eagle. Though, I was also conflicted as the eagle was more widely known to be representative of the USA.

A countries national animal is said to be something unique to that region, something with an admirable nature, representative of the country in which it dwells. That is why after a quick Google search I felt ashamed that it took us so long to realize what the animal was.

Of course, it is the Carabao, also widely known as Water Buffalo. Once you venture from the countries metropolis, you will find these animals adorning the countries picturesque landscapes. They have graced these regions of The Philippines for centuries, believed to have moved into the region with the Malays.

How the Carabao helped build the nation

These majestic animals are also seen to represent the deep cultural roots of the country. As well as the nature of the people in modern times. They have been assisting farmers since the dawn of the nation; playing an integral role in the production of the countries food supply for generations – even up until modern times.

They represent the hardworking and patient nature Filipinos have become known for on the international stage. The Carabao has always remained by the side of the Filipino. Even during the many revolutions and wars to hit the country the carabao suffered mass casualties.

The Carabao has also continually assisted in the process of producing the countries cash crops for export – rice, corn, and sugarcane – which, in turn, contribute to the nation’s prosperity.

History shows that the Carabao has gone above and beyond in proving itself an ally of the Filipino people. The myriad of benefits brought by the creature has shown the creature to really be a “Beast of Fortune”.

Culture

Dengue Fever And Its Prevalence In The Philippines

04/28/2017 PhilLife Leave a comment

Recently I was having a casual conversation with a friend. It was a stock standard conversation, we talked about all the usual things like work and family life. Then she mentioned she had been to the hospital that morning to visit a friend. He had been struck down by dengue fever, so he was administered to the hospital for treatment.

As I am not native to the country, I was not familiar with the extent of the issue at the time. Though, it turns out the spread of dengue in the Philippines has caused some serious concerns. In 2015 there were over 200,000 reported cases of dengue fever, and it seems to be on the rise. There is at present no vaccine to prevent the transmission of this disease, the only solution, therefore, is to take precautions against the problem.

Dengue is caused by a family of viruses transmitted by the bite of striped Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes multiply during rainy weather, but they can breed in any water-filled container the entire year-round. One mosquito bite is enough to cause the disease. And Dengue is an acute illness that typically follows a course of several painful symptoms and discomfort.

Once a person is bitten by the mosquito carrying the virus, the period for the development of the disease ranges from 5 to 8 days, but it can also happen over a period of 2 weeks. The signs of dengue start to appear in stages. In the beginning, these are in the form of chills, headache, pain in eyes, loss of appetite and a general feeling of uneasiness. There may be the pain in lower back.

The initial symptoms are followed by hurting pain in legs and joints. The body temperature can rise to 104 F(40 C), and heart rate along with blood pressure can decrease severely. Eyes can become reddened, and a flushing rash comes over the face and then disappears. Even the lymph nodes in neck and groin can become swollen.

The high fever and other signs of dengue as mentioned above last for a few days. This is typically proceeded by a sudden drop in body temperature – this is called defervescence. There is profuse sweating at this stage. Once again there is a small period of normal temperature, then the person may begin to feel better, but without any ongoing treatment, this is just temporary. Within a day or two, there is another rise in temperature, in which characteristic itchy rashes start to appear on the body. Then there is more fever which spreads to extremities to affect the whole body. The palms of hand and the feet can get swollen.

This fever is diagnosed when the patient complains of typical symptoms like a headache, eye redness, and heaviness, nausea, severe muscle ache and rashes. If someone has returned from an area where dengue fever had spread epidemically, he or she should consult a doctor even if the symptoms appear mild.

In many cases, it is not easy to diagnose dengue fever as its symptoms overlap with those of many other viral problems like West Nile virus.

Due to many painful symptoms affecting the body, the treatment for dengue is a long process; but as this is caused by a virus, there is no specific antibiotic to kill it. Hence the treatment largely comprises providing relief from the symptoms and signs of this fever. Plenty of rest and adequate hydration are prescribed.

To prevent the spread of dengue fever and being affected by its irksome and rather dangerous symptoms, it is important to safeguard your surroundings and keep them free of mosquitoes. Professionally provided treatments help here. Consult a pest control service in your area to take the measures.

There are no antiviral drugs to treat dengue. However, vaccines for Treatment are intended for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body and granting relief from the symptoms. Oral or intravenous rehydration is mostly used to sustain proper fluid balance. Blood transfusion is mostly prescribed to stabilize hematocrit.

There are no confirmed vaccines for dengue. However, work is in progress on a vaccine and for medications that target the dengue virus directly. Paracetamol is prescribed to control fever and reduce discomfort.

Prevention is sought by decreasing mosquito populace by eliminating the breeding ground and using pesticides and limiting vulnerability to bites using mosquito repellents and protective clothing.

Culture

How I Budget My Money While In The Philippines

03/20/2017 PhilLife Leave a comment

One thing I have always said about The Philippines is that it’s an easy place to spend no money at all but it’s just as easy to spend a lot.

The Philippines still carries a reputation as being one of the best budget holiday destinations in the world. Due to it’s reputation I often find my self having this false sense of security thinking that I don’t need to think about my spending habits while I’m there.

Everything is so reasonably priced, what do I need to worry about?

This is until I check my bank statement, I’m quickly reminded that all those small purchases add up to something more substantial.

Once you account for dining out for meals, multiple taxi rides each day, maybe even sampling the local street food for a snack in between meals – It all adds up to a significant amount of money. Especially for those wishing to travel on a budget.

So in the article, I will talk you through some of the lessons I’ve learnt from my years spent travelling throughout the Philippines.

Manila is a sprawling urban environment which may be intimidating to commute through for the uninitiated tourist.

Budget transport in the Philippines

Jeepneys

For public transport, I usually try to avoid jeepneys as they are extremely uncomfortable due to me being almost a foot taller than your average Filipino. But if I want to make my money go further I don’t think twice about using a Jeepney.

When you could potentially be paying hundreds of pesos for a taxi ride around the city; paying a handful of pesos for a Jeepney ride seems like a fantastic deal for the budget traveller.

A word of warning – if you’re going to try jeepneys make sure you know where you are going, and ensure you’re taking the correct jeepney. Personally I feel if you are an inexperienced traveller in the Philippines I would stick to taxis or rideshare but if you want to save some cash jeepneys are always an option.

Click here to read about the origins of jeepneys in the Philippines

Taxis or rideshare

A habit I developed was always checking the local ride-share provider Grab before using any taxis. After being in a certain city for a while, you become familiar with what certain taxi rides should cost. You can then check Grab to see of the prices are more competitive, as Grabs prices do rise with demand, they can sometimes be more expensive than taxis.

Though, from personal experience, I have found their prices are significantly lower than what you would expect in a standard taxi ride. Also, Grab offers promos and referral bonuses, which can make your rides even cheaper.

Although now that Grab has a monopoly in the country, it is still good to have an alternative to using taxis. Having a variety of services to choose from is always a bonus for the consumer.

Another trade off with taking taxis is that you lose the security of using ride-share. With Grab you have a fixed price, and your journey is also recorded. When using a taxi, it is a good practice to note the details of the vehicle and ensure you decide on how you will be paying before the journey begins.

Domestic Airlines

Travelling domestically in the Philippines is generally quite affordable. There are flights between all the countries major cities throughout the day all at reasonable prices.

For those flying domestically you have the choice between the countries two main airlines – Philippines Airlines or Cebu Pacific. Cebu Pacific is seen as the more affordable airline but both airlines are usually quite affordable for economy travellers.

All in all air travel in the Philippines is quite straightforward. If you’re someone travelling on a budget I would suggest to look at Cebu Pacific. Although the airline does have a reputation for having significant delays which I have experienced first hand quite a few times.

Ferrys

For travellers serious about sticking to a budget, there is another alternative to travel the country. Ferrys are an extremely common means used by the locals to travel between the major islands.

There are ferries leaving daily from various major ports within the country which can take you to all the tourists hot spots, and at a fraction of the price of a plane ticket.

The major trade off with ferries is the time. Most flights within the country last ~1 hour whereas a ferry ride can take as long as 24 hours depending on where you are going. So for thoe visiting the country for a limited amount of time planes may be the better option.

Click here to book a ferry ride with 2Go Travel.

This is a traditional Filipino food – Shrimp Sinigang. Filipino food is often quite simple but often very healthy and also tasty.

Budget for food in the Philippines

When it comes to buying food I can get a bit crazy, as I love to eat. I usually prioritize buying healthy food when dining out somewhere, which so far hasn’t really been a challenge. Traditional Filipino food is extremely healthy, and it is widely available at many different price points across the country.

The fact is the Philippines is full of so many cheap food options which won’t break your budget. The streets are filled with bakeries and BBQ stands where you can buy products for a few pesos. There are also lots of markets and srestaurants offering good quality food at a reasonable price.

Then you have the local favourite, the carinderia. This is a small eatery often ran out of somebodies home. Here you can find delicious, affordable filipino food, and BBQ. When visiting the Philippines dining at a Carinderia is an essential part of experiencing the local culture.

A warning about cheap FIlipino food

Although it may be tempting to always seek out the cheapest option you have to be aware that sometimes you’re getting exactly what you pay for. Occasionally food can be burnt or served in a very simple manner.

Some of the food may also be dangerous to eat, as some food is being sold out on the street you can not guarantee that the vendor has been meeting safe standards for handling their food.

Sometimes it may be safer to pay a little bit extra and go to the larger more wekll known restaurants where you can have a bit more faith that the food is safe to eat.

Budget accomodation in the Philippines

When it comes to accommodation I tend to gravitate towards mid-range hotels. I think a lot of people assume hotels in The Philippines cost a lot more than what they actually do. I tried renting a condo but when you factor in all the work to maintain it, plus buying all the products normally supplied by a hotel; it ends up costing about the same amount as staying in a hotel except it requires a lot more upkeep.

Really the Philippines has accomodation to suit every price point, it just depends on how comfortable you want to be. The Philippines is also completely covered by hotels, especially in the larger cities.

Due to the amount of hotels, it is quite easy for you to shop around for good deals. In some smaller cities you can turn up and negotiate a rate. Though, I recommend booking online in advance, especially in cities such as Manila, and Cebu. The Philippines is quite popular these days so to get accomodation in a good location you need to plan ahead.

So what should a budget traveller aim for?

If you really want to avoid breaking the bank your best option would be some of the new hostels popping up around Manila. Places such as Z Hostel offer clean, spacious accomodation, and all the modern ammenities you have come to expect such as hot water, wifi, 24 hours cafe, co-working space.

Click here to book at Z Hostel

Z Hostel is very much suited to the more sociable, party going travellers. For a more relaxed stay I would look at Lub D in Makati. Lub D offers something for every kind of traveller, with modern, private rooms located in the heart of Makati.

The hostel has many different spacces to accomodate its guests. Theres a cafe where guests can relax with a coffee and something to eat. It also features a coworking space for the digital nomads, and a rooftop bar where you can socialise with locals and other guests while enjoying the amazing view over Makati.

Click here to book at Lub D Makati

Personally I love to book at the mid-tier hotels around Manila. A quick search on sites like Agoda.com will show you hundreds of quality, affordable hotels around the major cities of the Philippines.

I feel like the mid-tier hotels are still extremely affordable for your average traveller, but they still offer a comfortable experiencce for there guests in good quality rooms. I feel as if this suites travellers who still like their privacy and their own space.

I think as long as you avoid the older, extremely cheap places you cant go wrong. Older budget hotels and hostels tend to be unclean, you may find cockroaches and mosquitoes in your room etc. It really does pay to go for the better quality accomodation when visiting the Philippines.

Accessing your money in the Philippines

The Philippines is still very much a cashed based society. When you are in major cities such as Manila or Cebu you can get away with paying for things by card but once you leave these cities, you need cash.

Fortunately this isn’t very difficult as there are literally money changers, atms, and banks everywhere. You will not struggle to access your cash in the Philippines. My only advice would be to limit the amount of withdrawals you make as the fees can add up fast,

If you plan on visiting any isolated locations, you need to plan ahead. You will not have access to any banks so you will need to plan for how much cash you need and stick to a budget.

So the key message is – hunting around for better prices and negotiating is the key to living on a budget in The Philippines. There are so many bargains and cheap alternatives to your day to day expenses. It’s just a matter of putting in a bit of effort to find them.

Read on about what you should pack when visiting the Philippines

Read on about my favourite holiday destination in the Philippines

Culture

Is The Philippines safe for travellers?

03/13/2017 PhilLife Leave a comment

Is the Philippines safe? A question which has no doubt been on the mind of many foreigners planning on visiting The Philippines. They are drawn by the beauty and culture this country has to offer but may remain hesitant due to the very real risks present in some areas of the country.

There have been many highly publicized cases involving foreigners getting in trouble while travelling The Philippines. Unsurprisingly this can deter tourists from wanting to spend time in the country due to concerns for their own safety.

Further to this, a quick google search will also bring up plenty of news articles covering the frequent terrorist beheadings, vigilante murders, and the rampant corruption throughout the country.

Safety in the Philippines: My personal experience

I remember the very first time I travelled to The Philippines. I had no idea of what I should be expecting. The majority of the travel websites I visited would only show me the picturesque beach and jungles scenes which lure so many tourists to the country.

The thing is if you’re visiting as a tourist, that is all you really have to experience, there really isn’t much of a reason to go outside of these areas. Generally speaking, if you stick to those “touristy” areas, you’ll never have a problem.

Personally, I can’t say I have ever had an issue in The Philippines. The most trouble I have had was dealing with people trying to scam me out of ridiculous amounts of money.

So maybe the country is safe or maybe I am just lucky?

After all, a lot of my close friends have had negative experiences where people have pulled out knives of them, another has been robbed at gunpoint and others have been victims of snatchers.

The Philippines is full of friendly, welcoming people who will always greet you with a smile and a wave.

So how safe am I in the Philippines?

For me, it all comes back to is common sense.

Don’t put yourself in situations where you become vulnerable – walking the streets alone late at night, carrying valuable items out in the open such as jewellery or your mobile phone.

It requires a mindset of vigilance, keeping points in mind such as –

be aware of your surroundings when you’re out and about, and try not to draw too much attention to yourself.
Try to avoid crowded areas.
Do not acknowledge, or get too involved with beggars, although they are not bad people they can be opportunistic due to their circumstances.
Limit the amount of cash you carry on you during days out, always try to leave cash and valuables at your accommodation, ideally locked away.

So is The Philippines safe? Well, it is as safe as most other cities in the world, it is certainly not a hotbed for criminals. For me putting off a visit to The Philippines due to safety concerns is definitely not warranted. The country has so much to offer in beauty and its unique culture. Remaining safe is as simple as using your common sense and always remaining alert. As long as you stick to that you will have one of the most unique, memorable holidays of your life.

Thinking of visiting the Philippines? Click here for amazing deals on accommodation in the Philippines!