Surprises in the Philippines

by: F.C. Irorita

Is it your first time in the Philippines? Don’t know what to do around here? Do not fret because I am here to help you.

Here are my Top Ten Tips for First Timers in the Philippines:

1.) Try Halo-halo! Almost anywhere you go in the Philippines, there would be sold ice-cream sorbets prepared on ice called Halo-halo, which is what we Filipinos eat when it gets too hot.

2.) Go to fiestas! Fiestas are what we call our festivities here. Almost all of our provinces have one of their own and sometimes even municipalities have their own, colorful and fun fiestas.

3.) Go diving! The Philippines is the prime place for scuba diving and even just plain swimming. If you didn’t see a body of crystal-clear water during your stay in the Philippines, then you can’t say that you’ve fully experienced it.

4.) Taste the exotic culinary experience! The Philippines is known for its unique delicacies. From snacks like polvoron, leche flan and lengua de gatos, to meals like lechon, adobo and tinola, all our food is great and a must-try. Great for chefs who wants to stay in the Philippines for a year of two to understand and study Filipino cuisine... The chefs who knows how to cook Filipino food will be a hit...because the Filipinos are all over the world... the reason??? Well we are adventurous by nature...but we always like our Filipino food.

5.) Know people! Filipinos are known for being hospitable to guests and being innately friendly. Even the taxi driver could be a good friend if you try talking to them. Let yourself converse with people and learn the culture of the Philippines through them!

6.) Have a vacation apartment! In the many places to stay in the Philippines, temporary housing is almost always available. To ensure that you will have your best stay in the country, choose two-bedroom furnished apartment when you’re traveling with a friend or a five-bedroom furnished apartment for the whole family.

7.) Learn the language! The Filipino language is not as complicated as English. It’s straightforward and easy to learn, you just have to exert some effort. Knowing the Filipino language will be very useful since not a lot of natives from the provinces know how to speak English.

8.) Take pictures! Share them with your friends when you get home and encourage them to experience the same fun you had in the Philippines. Remember that whenever you go to a tourist destination, you are only allowed to take pictures as souvenirs, but not nature’s bounties.

9.) Drink lots of water! Your body might get tired easily when it’s not used to the warm climate. Many people forget that the easiest way to combat the heat would be to drink lots of water and rehydrate. Keeping your body hydrated will make you feel more energized and less tired.

10.) Wear loose clothes! Don’t wear your coats and jackets here, there’s no use of them here! Savor the heat and let yourself tan a little – but still be protective of your skin and wear sunscreen and mosquito repellents. The best sunscreen is the virgin coconut oil cold pressed, it will give you a golden brown skin without burning. Apply every 2 hours.

If you belong to a family were Mom is a Filipina and Dad is a Caucasian, surely you will get a Tan.
However, most pure Caucasians do not usually get a tan because of the skin type of a Caucasian.
I usually suggest to my Caucasian friends that their being fair is what makes them cool.

But if you really like the sun, it is best to be sunbathing from 6:30 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., then 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Have fun this 2018 Summer!

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