How to Make Friends in the Philippines
by: F.C. Irorita
The Philippines is full of very friendly and hospitable people. Interestingly, they are also very approachable and always ready to help people who are in need. Don’t be afraid to make friends with Filipinos!
The best way to meet Filipinos is to learn their mother tongue, Tagalog. Most Filipinos speak Tagalog and not a lot speak English fluently, so it is going to be easier for you to make friends if you know how to speak Tagalog. There are also a lot of other dialects in the Philippines for those living in the provinces, and you might want to learn them as well.
Making friends is as simple as walking up to a person and introducing yourself properly, and talking to them about your stay in the Philippines. They will appreciate it when you also show interest on what they’re doing. Exchanging phone numbers or e-mails or even Facebook pages are good ways to keep in touch with your new-found friend.
Filipinos are also known for being one of the top consumers of beer in the Philippines. Many Filipinos get together and talk over glasses of beer and while eating snacks we call pulutan, which could be anything from chicharon to peanuts. Joining your friends over cups of beer is a good way to get acquainted with Filipinos.
Filipinos also like going to karaokes and singing their hearts out. This is one way of showing that they’re not afraid of their talents (or mostly, the lack thereof). Going to karaokes is also a good way of meeting new Filipino friends.
If you are looking for places to stay in the Philippines, you could also try looking for boarding houses kept by families. They are hospitable and will let you use part of their homes for your temporary housing and you will really know a lot of people by the time you end your stay in the Philippines.
If you’re staying long term, you could also choose to rent a two-bedroom furnished apartment or a five-bedroom furnished apartment with other people.
It is a very common thing to do here in the Philippines, and also a nice way to meet new people. You might even become best buds with your neighbors!
Making small talk with people you sit with in the bus or in the jeepney is also a sure-fire way to make friends. Just find a common interest between the two of you and keep up with the conversation.
Even a simple asking for directions could lead to connection, or sharing a seat when the restaurant’s full. Every single thing that could lead you to having a conversation with a Filipino could help you in making friends with them!
So keep talking with them and soon enough, you’ll be hanging out with the most fun and friendly people you would ever hang out with.
A note of caution, when you visit the Philippines, it is best to have a friend from the Philippines, a relative, or a school mate in the university accompanying, especially if its your first time. Your long time known friends and relatives will guide who are the best people to make friends with.
The Philippines is full of very friendly and hospitable people. Interestingly, they are also very approachable and always ready to help people who are in need. Don’t be afraid to make friends with Filipinos!
The best way to meet Filipinos is to learn their mother tongue, Tagalog. Most Filipinos speak Tagalog and not a lot speak English fluently, so it is going to be easier for you to make friends if you know how to speak Tagalog. There are also a lot of other dialects in the Philippines for those living in the provinces, and you might want to learn them as well.
Making friends is as simple as walking up to a person and introducing yourself properly, and talking to them about your stay in the Philippines. They will appreciate it when you also show interest on what they’re doing. Exchanging phone numbers or e-mails or even Facebook pages are good ways to keep in touch with your new-found friend.
Filipinos are also known for being one of the top consumers of beer in the Philippines. Many Filipinos get together and talk over glasses of beer and while eating snacks we call pulutan, which could be anything from chicharon to peanuts. Joining your friends over cups of beer is a good way to get acquainted with Filipinos.
Filipinos also like going to karaokes and singing their hearts out. This is one way of showing that they’re not afraid of their talents (or mostly, the lack thereof). Going to karaokes is also a good way of meeting new Filipino friends.
If you are looking for places to stay in the Philippines, you could also try looking for boarding houses kept by families. They are hospitable and will let you use part of their homes for your temporary housing and you will really know a lot of people by the time you end your stay in the Philippines.
If you’re staying long term, you could also choose to rent a two-bedroom furnished apartment or a five-bedroom furnished apartment with other people.
It is a very common thing to do here in the Philippines, and also a nice way to meet new people. You might even become best buds with your neighbors!
Making small talk with people you sit with in the bus or in the jeepney is also a sure-fire way to make friends. Just find a common interest between the two of you and keep up with the conversation.
Even a simple asking for directions could lead to connection, or sharing a seat when the restaurant’s full. Every single thing that could lead you to having a conversation with a Filipino could help you in making friends with them!
So keep talking with them and soon enough, you’ll be hanging out with the most fun and friendly people you would ever hang out with.
A note of caution, when you visit the Philippines, it is best to have a friend from the Philippines, a relative, or a school mate in the university accompanying, especially if its your first time. Your long time known friends and relatives will guide who are the best people to make friends with.
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