Info4Migrants

THE Country profile

Project number: UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-615 300,000 km2

POPULATION 100,617 mln

GDP per capita $3,256 CURRENCY Peso (₱) (PHP)

Languages FILIPINO (TAGALOG), EN� GLISH, 19 official auxiliary languages, 175 native languages (13 indigenous languages with at least one million native speakers)

2 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES COUNTRY BACKGROUND

THE PHILIPPINES

MALAYSIA

INDONESIA Official name: Republic of the Philippines

Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philip- pine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Climate: either tropical rainforest, tropical savanna, tropical National monsoon, or humid subtropical characterized by relatively high temperature, oppressive humidity and plenty of rainfall. There are two seasons in the country, the wet season and the dry season, based upon the amount of rainfall.

Capital: Manila

Largest city: City

Ethnic Make-up: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%

Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% National emblem

3 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES THE PHILIPPINES FACTS

Languages Filipino (formerly Pilipino) is based on Tagalog, and it is the official language of the Philippines. In spite of being the na- tional language, only about 55 percent of speak the language. In addition to Filipino, there are about 111 dis- tinct indigenous languages and dialects, of which only about 10 are important regionally.

English is generally used for educational, governmental and commercial purposes, and it is widely understood since it is the medium of instruction in schools. The Philippines are the third largest group of English-speaking people in the world, after the and the United Kingdom.

Since English is widely spoken in the Philippines, it is com- mon to hear Filipinos use a mixture of English and Filipino words or phrases, known as “Taglish” (a mixture of English and Tagalog), in their everyday conversations. A steadily dwindling minority speak Spanish, which had at one time been an official language.

Family values The family is the centre of the social structure and in- cludes the nuclear family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and honorary relations, such as godparents, sponsors, and close family friends. People get strength and stability from their family. As such, many children have several godparents. Concern for the extended fam- ily is seen in the patronage provided to family members when they seek employment. It is common for members of the same family to work for the same company. In fact, many collective bargaining agreements state that family members will be preferred in hiring.

4 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES THE PHILIPPINES FACTS

Flag The of the Philippines (Filipino: Pamban- sang Watawat ng Pilipinas), commonly known as the Three Stars and a Sun, is a horizontal bicolor flag with equal bands of royal blue and scarlet red, and with a equilateral triangle at the hoist; in the center of the triangle, there is a golden sun with eight pri- mary rays, which represent the country’s first group of provinces that started the 1896 against ; and at each vertex of the triangle there is a five-pointed golden yellow , each of which represents one of the country’s three main island groups - , Vi- sayas, and . This flag can indicate a state of war if it is displayed with the red side on top.

Hiya Hiya signifies shame, and it is a motivating factor be- hind behaviour. It refers to a sense of social propriety and conforming to societal norms of behaviour. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted standards of behaviour, and if they fail to do so they bring shame not only upon themselves, but also upon their family. One indication of this might be a willingness to spend more than they can afford on a party rather than be shamed by their economic circumstances. If someone is publicly humiliated, criticized, or does not live up to expecta- tions, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.

Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila, commonly known as , the National Capital Region of the Philippines, is the seat of the government and the most populous of the 12 de- fined metropolitan areas in the Philippines, as well as the 11th most populous in the world.

5 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES THE PHILIPPINES FACTS

Typhoons The Philippines sit astride the typhoon belt, and the country suffers an annual onslaught of dangerous storms from July through . These are especially hazardous for northern and eastern Luzon and the Bicol and Eastern regions, but Manila gets devastated periodically as well. Bagyó is the local term to any tropi- cal cyclone in the Philippine Islands. Around an average of 20 storms and/or typhoons per enter the Philip- pine area.

Slums The Philippines have Asia’s fastest-growing economy, but tragically many who live there are being left far behind in abject poverty. These are some of the Philippines’ most desperate people, the thousands of Manila slum and shanty town dwellers forced to live in makeshift homes hastily built from scrap in the areas most at risk of natural disasters. It is believed that around 105,000 of the 580,000 immigrants in the capital have been forced to set up home in disaster-prone areas. The greatest threat is flooding, which occurs most , but they are also vulnerable to powerful tropical storms.

Indigenous People The Philippines consist of a large number of indigenous ethnic groups living in the country. They are the descen- dants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines. They were not absorbed by centuries of Spanish and United States colonization of the Philippines archipelago, and in the process they have retained their customs and tradi- tions. In the 1990s, there were more than 100 highland tribal groups constituting approximately 3% of the pop- ulation.

6 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1 January: New Year’s Day Moveable day during : Moveable day during Celebrates the first day of the autumn: Eidul Adha year in the Gregorian calen- It commemorates the suffer- Celebrates the end of the Hajj dar. ing, crucifixion and death of and the feast of . Christ. Moveable date in spring: 1-2 November: 1 : All Saints’ Day Also known as the Spring International in Filipinos observe this day Festival or Lunar New Year, it the Philippines. by visiting their ancestors’ is mainly celebrated by the graves. Filipino Chinese but has slow- 12 : Independence Day ly received wider exposure in Celebrates the Philippine Dec- 30 November: popular culture. laration of Independence and Commemorates the birth of the establishment of the First national hero Andrés Bonifa- 9 : Day of Valor Philippine Republic in 1898. cio in 1863. Commemorates the Fall of during the Japanese Moveable day during 24-25 : invasion of the Philippines, : Eid’l Fitr and by extension, the courage Celebrates the end of the fast- Celebrates the Nativity of of Filipino and American sol- ing month of ; Christ. Christian families gen- diers at the Fall of Corregidor erally hold an midnight feast during the Second World War. 21 August: called on Christ- mas Eve. Moveable day during spring: Commemorates the unsolved Black Saturday assassination of former Sen- 30 December: Day It remembers the day Christ’s ator and prominent opposi- Commemorates the execution body was lain in the sepul- tionist Benigno “Ninoy” Aqui- of national hero José Rizal by chre, while his soul descend- no, Jr. in 1983, which was a Spanish colonial government ed into the realm of the dead catalyst for the People Power in 1896. to save righteous souls. Revolution in 1986. 31 December:Last day of the Moveable day during spring: Last Monday in August: year National Heroes’ Day On New Year’s Eve, families This holy day commemorates Commemorates all the na- hold another midnight feast the Last Supper of Christ with tion’s heroes throughout called medianoche to greet his twelve apostles. history. the coming year.

7 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES HISTORY IN BRIEF

The history of the Philippines can be divided into four distinct phases: the pre-Spanish period (before 1521), the Spanish period (1521-1898), the American period (1898-1946), and the years since independence (1946-present).

Pre-Spanish Period The first people in the Philippines, the Negritos, are believed to have come to the islands 30,000 years ago from Borneo and Sumatra, making their way across then-existing land bridges. The Malays settled in scattered communities called baranggays, which were ruled by chieftains known as datus. Chinese merchants and traders arrived and settled in the ninth century. In the 14th century, Arabs arrived, introducing and ex- tending some influence even into Luzon. The Malays, however, remained the dominant group until the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.

Spanish Period Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain in 1521, and for the next 377 years, the islands were under Spanish rule. This period was the era of conversion to Roman Ca- tholicism. A Spanish colonial social system was developed, complete with a strong, cen- tralized government and considerable clerical influence. The Filipinos were restless under the Spanish and this long period was marked by numerous uprisings. The most important of these began in 1896 under the leadership of and continued until the Americans defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay on , 1898, during the Span- ish-American War. Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.

American Period Following Admiral Dewey’s defeat of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, the United States occupied the Philippines. Spain ceded the islands to the United States under the terms of the (December 10, 1898) that ended the war.

A war of resistance against U.S. rule, led by Revolutionary President Aguinaldo, broke out in 1899. Although Americans have historically used the term “the Philippine Insurrection,” Filipinos and an increasing number of American historians refer to these hostilities as the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) and in 1999, the U.S. Library of Congress reclassi- fied its references to use this term. In 1901, Aguinaldo was captured and swore allegiance to the United States and resistance gradually died out. The conflict ended with a Peace Proclamation on July 4, 1902.

U.S. administration of the Philippines was always declared to be temporary and aimed to

8 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES HISTORY IN BRIEF

develop institutions that would permit and encourage the eventual establishment of a free and democratic government. Therefore, U.S. officials concentrated on the creation of such practical supports for a democratic government as public education and a sound legal system.

On July 4, 1946, the Philippine Islands became the independent Republic of the Philip- pines, in accordance with the terms of the Tydings-McDuffie Act. In 1962, the official Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12, commemorating the date when independence from Spain was declared by General Aguinaldo in 1898.

Post-Independence Period The early years of independence were dominated by U.S.-assisted post-war reconstruc- tion. A communist-inspired Huk Rebellion (1945-53) complicated recovery efforts before its successful suppression under the leadership of President . The suc- ceeding administrations of Presidents Carlos P. Garcia (1957-61) and (1961-65) sought to expand Philippine ties to its Asian neighbors, implement domestic reform programs and develop and diversify the economy.

Since 1986, when the dictatorship of was toppled, the Philippines has enjoyed relative political stability and steady economic growth.

The Philippine Gov- ernment faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the U.S. Government’s Foreign Terror- ist Organization list. Manila has waged a de- cades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to ongoing peace talks. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People’s Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

9 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES INTERESTING FACTS

• The original of Philippines’ inhabitants, • Erythromycin was invented by Filipino Dr. the Negrito, now number only about Abelardo Aguilar in 1949. He sent a sample 30,000. to Eli Lilly, who promptly patented it. Eryth- romycin is used for people who are allergic • The Philippine islands are mountainous, to penicillin, and it has saved millions of and seismically active. Earthquakes are lives. common, and a number of active volcanoes dot the landscape, such as Mt. Pinatubo, • The Philippines is the world’s leading pro- the Volcano, and the Taal Volcano. ducer of .

• The nation got its name ‘Philippines’ after • According to the 2000 census, 52 million King Philip II of Spain. people in the Philippines speak English, making it the fifth largest English-speaking • “Conus Gloriamaris”, which is the rarest nation after the U.S., , Pakistan, and and most expensive seashell in the world, the U.K. is one of the 12,000 species of seashells found in the Philippines. About 488 coral • The amount of sulfur dioxide expelled by species, out of the 500 coral species known Mount Pinatubo during its eruption on June worldwide, are found in the archipelago. 15, 1991, created a two-year haze of sulfu- ric acid all over the world. It caused global • The yoyo was invented as a hunting weap- temperatures to drop by 0.5 °C (0.9 °F). on by ancient Filipinos, probably in the Visayas. • A Filipino named Roberto del Rosario made the karaoke in 1975, but a • The Philippines is known as the ‘text Japanese musician invented it four years capital of the world’ due to the large num- earlier. Del Rosario, however, was the first ber of text messages sent to-and-fro by the to patent the product, which makes him the people in one day. On average, about 35 first patented producer of the karaoke. million mobile subscribers in the country send about 450 million short text messages • The positioning of the colors in the Phil- (SMS) every day. ippine flag indicate a message. If it is flown with the red stripe on top, the nation is in a • Manila, the Philippine capital, is the most state of war. Otherwise, during peacetime, densely populated city in the world. the blue is on top.

• The Philippines is the largest supplier of • The University of San Carlos in City nurses in the world. was founded by Spanish Jesuits in 1595, making it the oldest school in the Philip- 10 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES INTERESTING FACTS

pines.Then in 1611, the University of San- about fifty thousand years ago. to Tomas (or, lovingly, “Usté”) was found- ed in Manila by the Dominican Order. It is • Filipinos are the world’s largest network the world’s largest Catholic university in of diasporas, which covers more than 11 terms of population. Both universities are million people. older than Harvard, which was not found- ed until 1636. • The world’s deepest ocean trenches are located in the area, at the bottom of the • Manila, the capital city of the country, Pacific Ocean. Mindanao Trench, which is takes its name from a white flower that near the Philippines, reaches the depth of grew on , locally known six and a half miles. as nilad. ‘May nilad’ can be translated to mean ‘there are nilad there.’ • There are only two seasons – a warm wet season and cool dry season in the • The rice terraces of the Philippine Cor- Philippines. The dry season lasts from Oc- dilleras are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. tober to June, and wet – for the remainder The terraces were built about 2,000 years of the year. ago and — thanks to the rough terrain keeping settlers out — remain as they • A video camera with a single chip was would have been in pre-colonial times. first created by Marc Loinaz – a Filipino inventor from New Jersey. • About 25 years before the first book was printed in the United States, the Tagala, • The fluorescent lamp was invented by the first Filipino-Spanish dictionary, was Agapito Flores Filipino scientists from the printed in 1613. island of Cebu.

•The Philippines welcomed its 100-mil- lionth citizen on July 27, 2014, making the country the seventh most populated coun- try in Asia and the 12th in the world.

• The Philippines has more than 200 vol- canoes, although only some of them are active.

• In the Philippine cave complex Tabone, fossils of Homo sapiens were found. Ac- cording to studies, this area was inhabited 11 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES CUISINE

Philippine cuisine has evolved over several centuries from its Malayo-Polynesian origins to become a mixed cuisine with many Hispanic, Chinese, American, and other Asian influences that have been adapted to local ingredients and the Filipi- no palate to create distinctively Filipino dishes. Dishes range from the very simple, like a meal of fried salted fish and rice, to the elaborate, such as the paellas and cocidos created for fiestas.

Unlike many of their Asian counterparts, Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks; they use Western cutlery. However, possibly due to rice being the primary staple food and the popularity of a large number of and main dishes with broth in Phil- ippine cuisine, the main pairing of utensils seen at the Filipino dining table is that of spoon and fork, not knife and fork.

Kaldereta is an authentic and popular dish in the Philippines, especially in Luzon. Its com- mon ingredients are cuts of pork, beef or goat with tomato paste or tomato sauce with added to it.

Sisig refers to Sizzling , a Filipino dish made from parts of pig’s head and liver, usually seasoned with kalamansi and chili peppers.

Morcon is a Filipino meat roll stuffed with sausage or hotdogs, carrots, pickles, cheese, and egg. This is considered as a holiday dish and is usually served during Noche Buena () and Media Noche (New Year’s Eve).

Crispy pata is a Filipino dish consisting of deep fried pig trotter or knuckles served with sawsawan, a soy- sauce. It can be served as a festive or everyday dish. Many restaurants serve boneless pata as a specialty.

Lumpia are pastries of Chinese origin similar to spring rolls popular in Indonesia. There are different versions of it: (fried spring rolls), Lumpiang Sariwa (fresh spring rolls), (spring rolls made with julienne or ) and a lot more.

Sinigang is a Filipino soup or characterized by its sour flavor, most often associated with tamarind. Meat varies from fish, pork, shrimp and beef.

Pancit or pansit is the term for noodles in . Palabok is made from 12 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES CUISINE

rice flour noodles topped with crab sauce, eggs, shrimps, squid, , chicharon, and veg- etable seasoned with lemon juice.

Kare-kare is a stew made from peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables, stewed oxtail, beef, and occasionally offal or tripe. Meat variants may include or (rarely) chick- en. It is often eaten with (), sometimes spiced with chili, and sprin- kled with juice. It is comfort food for Filipinos, and a perennial family favorite in both local and overseas Filipino households. This is an authentic Filipino dish.

Lechón is a pork dish in several regions of the world, particularly in Spain and its former colonies throughout the world. The word lechón originated from the Spanish term leche (milk); thus lechón refers to a that is roasted. Lechón is a popular dish in the Philippines, usually served during fiestas.

Adobo is Spanish for sauce, seasoning, or marinade. The Philippines was colonized by Spaniards for over 300 years, so it is not surprising that many of the dishes have Spanish or international influences. Adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines. This dish consists of chunks of chicken or pork or both cooked in , vinegar, , lots of garlic and whole peppercorns.

Drinks

There is a wide variety of alcoholic drinks manufactured by local breweries and distilleries: • or serbesa is the most preferred in the Philippines. San Miguel Pale Pilsen is the most popular beer, and the widely known brand Beer na Beer is a close sec- ond. • Tuba (toddy) is a type of hard made from fresh drippings extracted from a cut young stem of palm. • is an alcoholic beverage most commonly described as coconut wine or co- conut . The drink is distilled from the sap of the unopened coconut flower, and is known for its high alcohol content (80 and 90 proof). • is a traditional Philippine alcoholic drink made from fermented . It is a clear wine of luxurious alcoholic taste, moderate sweetness and lingering finish. Its aver- age alcohol content is 14% or 28%, and it does not contain any preservatives or sugar.

Chilled drinks are popular due to the tropical climate. Stands selling cold fruit drinks and fruit shakes are common in many of the city areas. The drinks are based on green manda- rin orange, pomelo, pineapple, banana, and soursop. 13 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

Located in the easternmost One of the top tourist attractions in the Philip- part of Asia, the Philippines pines, The Chocolate Hills are unusual geological are home to more than 7,000 formations that consists of at least 1,268 indi- vidual mounds scattered throughout the interior islands, which are inhabited by of the island of Bohol. The almost symmetrical friendly locals and many in- formations with similar size range from 98 to digenous tribes. From pristine 164 feet (30 to 50 meters) high and are cov- beaches and marvelous natural ered in green grass. During the dry season, the wonders to interesting historic grass turns brown, hence the name. There is no sites and once-in-a-lifetime ex- consensus on how these giant mole hills were periences, the Philippines pack formed. One theory holds that the Chocolate Hills are the weathered rock formations of a kind of many exciting things to see and marine limestone on top of an impermeable layer do. of clay.

No trip to the Philippines could be complete without the spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces. Carved without modern tools by the tribes from the mountain ranges about 2,000 years ago , these magnificent farm terraces resemble giant steps reaching up to the sky. To this day, locals still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, although more and more younger do not find farming appealing and emigrate to the cities.

The Tubbataha Reef in the Sea is a marine sanctuary protected as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is made up of two atolls, North Atoll and South Atoll, separated by a deep channel of approximately 5 miles (8 km) wide. It has become one of the most popular dive sites in the Philippines because of its coral walls where the shal- low coral reef abruptly ends, giving way to great depths. The marine park is open to live- aboard diving excursions between the months of April and June when the waves are most calm.

Rising more than 2,400 meters above sea level, Mayon Volcano is significant for its per- fectly symmetrical cone shape. Visitors can enjoy a number of activities here, such as camping, climbing, hiking, bird watching and photography. A picturesque spot in which to admire Mayon Volcano is from the nearby Cagsawa ruins. Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 49 times in the past 400 years. The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1 in 1814, bombarding the nearby towns with volcanic rocks. The belfry and what is left of the baroque church that was de- stroyed in the 1814 eruption can still be seen.

14 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

A small island made up of quiet fishing villages,Malapascua Island is popular for its ideal diving spots and for being the only place in the world where you can see thresher sharks on a regular basis, as well as manta rays and hammerheads. The other hidden gems here are the beautiful, sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees and colorful coral gardens.

Just south of Manila is the charming coastal town of Puerto Galera, well-favored for its gorgeous beaches, excellent diving spots and wide diversity of marine species. The most popular beaches are White Beach and Sabang Beach, which also offer nearby shopping, dining, nightlife and hotel accommodation. Another popular attraction is the natural -har bor of Muelle Bay with its rows of shops, restaurants and bars. Visitors can also go snor- kelling to see some of Asia’s best coral reefs or dive among old shipwrecks and hundreds of fish species.

Located on the northern coast of the island of Palawa, Puerto Princesa is a nature lover’s paradise. Home to unspoiled landscapes rich in wildlife, this lovely town also lays claim to one of the world’s most unique natural phenomena, an underground river known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Protected within a national park, this natural wonder is the world’s longest navigable underground riv- er. Guided paddle boat tours show intriguing rock formations and fluttering bats.

Located in the province of , a place of pristine beaches, stunning waterfalls and unexplored caves, the sleepy fishing village of Donsol is the place in the Philippines to see whale sharks. The ocean’s gentle giants can be seen between November and June, with the numbers peaking between February and May. Tourists can also take a boat cruise along the Donsol River through mangrove and palm trees, and watch the night light up with millions of sparkling fireflies. If that is not enough, a traditional shrimp-catching expedition with bamboos and nets, followed by a tasty dinner of the cooked catch, is also available.

15 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES IMPORTANT TIPS

Meeting Etiquette utensils. • Initial greetings are formal and follow a • Hold the fork in the left hand, and use it to set protocol of greeting the eldest or most guide food to the spoon in your right hand. important person first. • It is polite to decline the first offer of seat- • A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is ing, food, drink, etc. Accept the second offer. the standard greeting. • Leave a small amount of food on your • Close female friends may hug and kiss plate when you are finished eating. When when they meet. finished eating, place your fork and spoon • Use academic, professional, or honorific on your plate. titles and the person’s surname until you are invited to use their first name, or even more frequently, their nickname. Gift Giving Etiquette • If you are invited to a Filipino home for Dining Etiquette dinner bring sweets or flowers to the hosts. If you are invited to a Filipino’s house: • If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums • It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later and white lilies. than invited for a large party. • You may send a fruit basket after the event • Never refer to your host’s wife as the as a thank you but not before or at the hostess. This has a different meaning in the event, as it could be interpreted as meaning Philippines. you do not think that the host will provide • Dress well. Appearances matter and you sufficient hospitality. will be judged on how you dress. • Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is im- • Compliment the hostess on the house. portant. There are no colour restrictions as • Send a handwritten thank you note to the to wrapping paper. hosts in the week following the dinner or • Gifts are not opened when received. party. It shows you have class.

Table manners • Wait to be asked several times before moving into the dining room or helping yourself to food. • Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan. • Do not start eating until the host invites you to do so. • Meals are often served family-style or are buffets where you serve yourself. • A fork and spoon are the typical eating 16 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES IMPORTANT TIPS

Dress Filipinos may view a dinner/ Filipinos are some of the smart- party invitation as just a pass- est dressers in Asia. Dress well ing thought. They may answer for most occasions. “yes,” but not take an invitation seriously. Phone to re-invite and Men should wear a jacket and remind. An R.S.V.P. may not be tie for initial meetings. Women answered. It must be reiterated should wear western dresses, to be taken seriously. Don’t ac- skirts and blouses. cept an invitation unless repeat- ed at least three times. Helpful Hints Speak softly and control your People who have not been invit- emotions in public. Make re- ed may turn up at dinner. They quests, not demands. should be included graciously.

Don’t be offended by personal The person who invites pays the questions. These are asked to bill. show interest. Feel free to ask the same questions in return, Punctuality is appreciated but especially about family. not demanded when attending social affairs. Verbal assault is a crime for which you can be charged. Getting drunk is considered rude. Dining and Entertainment Most business entertaining is It is polite to decline the first done in restaurants or clubs, offer of seating, food, drink, etc. preferably a good restaurant in Accept the second offer. an international hotel. During business entertaining, you may Leave a small amount of food be asked to sing. Try to join in. on your plate when you are fin- ished eating. When finished eat- A dinner invitation to coun- ing, place your fork and spoon terparts and their spouses is on your plate. appreciated before you leave the country. Don’t bring your Never directly criticize anyone, spouse to a business lunch. especially in public. Never offer Lunches are generally for busi- insincere comments or compli- ness discussions. ments.

17 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES IMPORTANT TIPS

Business Tips Filipinos are relaxed about time. Meetings and appointments often begin late. For- eigners are expected to be on time.

A personal introduction by a mutual friend or business associate makes business ar- rangements much smoother.

Establishing a personal relationship is im- portant for the success of a business rela- tionship. Trust and loyalty are central to de- veloping relationships. Insincerity is easily detected and can ruin the relationship.

Filipinos often have a “take it or leave it” at- titude when it comes to selling prices. They cially when a superior is involved. Expect may also place less stress on the absolute an ambiguous or indirect answer -- not to selling price and place more emphasis on deceive, but rather to please and avoid percentages, unit cost or rounded figures. confrontation.

Casual conversation may precede business Face-to-face meetings are preferred. discussions during meetings. Negotia- Written communications might not be tions and business deals advance slowly. A answered. Communication by mail or tele- third-party go-between may be a good idea phone is unreliable at best. to relieve tension or provide criticism. Do not allow meetings to go on for too long. Especially for Women Filipinos love to eat and their enthusiasm Foreign women will have little problem wanes when they are hungry. doing business in the Philippines.

Communication is indirect, truth is diplo- Men may make comments about women matically presented, the manner is gentle, walking on the street. These should be and the perception of the recipient is con- ignored. sidered in all communications. All commu- nication should be courteous, regardless of A foreign woman should not pay a bill for a its content. Filipino businessman. It would embarrass him and might harm the business relation- Filipinos find it difficult to say “no,” to dis- ship. agree, reject or be confrontational, espe-

18 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES ETIQUETTE

‘Small talk’ is an important part of estab- time, you probably won’t be subjected to lishing business relationships with Filipinos. an overly long wait. You’ll find that Filipinos can be enthusiastic conversationalists. Although there are many social in- equalities in the Philippines, Filipinos Expect to be asked personal questions re- believe that everyone must be treated garding your marital status, income, reli- with respect. They are expected to be- gion, and other sensitive subjects. If you do have modestly and graciously, espe- not wish to answer, side-step these ques- cially in their dealings with the poor tions as graciously as possible. or less fortunate. Embarrassing someone, or reprimanding Producing “instant results” is not a part of them in front of others, can cause them to Filipino business culture. Consequently, “lose face” or loss of reputation, which has you will have to adjust your expectations very negative consequences in this culture. regarding deadlines and efficiency when working with them. Maintaining cordial relationships is essen- tial in the Philippines. Keep your comments In order to reach the decision-maker, you as positive as possible, because negativity will likely have to meet with subordinates can inadvertently cause “loss of face”. first, and also adapt to the business proto- col at the different levels of the organiza- It is best not to be too direct when commu- tion. nicating with Filipinos. They will usually be more receptive to a rather indirect ap- When meeting a new customer, letters of proach. introduction from friends and business associates can often be helpful in opening Because of the years of U.S. military pres- doors. ence in the Philippines, most North Ameri- can gestures and communication styles are Businessmen should expect to shake hands recognized and understood. firmly with other Filipino men, both upon introduction and subsequent meetings English is the language of most business however, it’s best to wait for a Filipino transactions and nearly all government woman to offer her hand first. Close female bodies in the Philippines. friends may greet each other with a hug Business travelers are expected to be on and kiss. Similarly, close male friends may time for all appointments, and although the have close physical contact, such as hold- Filipinos may not always arrive exactly on ing hands or walking arm in arm around a friend’s shoulder.

19 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES ETIQUETTE

Some Filipinos may greet each other by 5 Key Conversation Tips: making eye contact, then raising and lower- · Filipino culture and customs ing their eyebrows. When someone raises · Family is usually a good topic their eyebrows at you, it is often a way of · Filipinos love fiestas, so asking indicating that you have been understood. about these occasions will create a Raising one’s voice is unacceptable in the lively conversation Filipino business culture. It’s important to · All types of sports, especially bas- maintain a low, controlled tone of voice at ketball all times. · Food and the local specialties

Don’t assume that a smile is an indication 5 Key Conversation Taboos: of amusement or approval. At times, smil- ing is used to mask embarrassment, ner- · Politics and religion in general, un- vousness, and other feelings of discomfort. less they bring it up first · Corruption, terrorism, or drug traf- Pointing at someone or something can be ficking – even though it may be in the perceived as an insulting gesture. Filipinos news typically point at objects using an open · Foreign aid and related policies hand. For giving directions, they may use a · Anything that could potentially glance with a slight nod, or purse their lips to signify which way. cause embarrassment or “loss of face” To beckon someone, hold your hand out, palm downward, and make a scratching motion with the fingers. Beckoning some- one with the palm up and moving one finger can be interpreted as an insult.

Indicating ‘two’ with the fingers is done by holding up the ring and little finger, not the forefinger and middle finger. The thumb is not used to count numbers in the Philip- pines.

Don’t put your hands on your hips when conversing. This gesture can be misinter- preted as a challenge to another person.

20 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES CULTURAL TIPS

Hospitality Body Language

If you are trying to establish a conversation • Don’t stare or point your finger, it is with someone and you are not certain how considered rude if you stare or point your he will react to your question, try starting finger when addressing someone. the question with “Is it true…” or “Do you think…” • Don’t swear, swearing is regarded impo- lite, and for conservative, religious Filipinos If your question is something serious that it is a despicable manner influenced by evil. you think will get you into trouble (even if it concerns you), try using “Someone I met • Non-verbal language is a key element in in…”, “An author in the book I read…” or communication. One greets friends by lift- “In the news I watched….”. So when he gets ing the eyebrows. A longer lift can be used agitated, you are safe. to ask a question.

Do not use “My friend said…” or “My fami- • Filipinos walk hand in hand or arm in arm ly told me…” because if any of your friends with relatives and friends of either sex as a or relatives decided to visit or join you on sign of affection or friendship. Women are your next trip, “your friend” or “your fam- expected not to cross their legs or drink al- ily” may be marked as the one who bad- cohol in public. Shorts are not usually worn mouthed or defamed the country. There- by women. fore you would only get them into trouble.

On the other hand, most Filipinos do not mind being asked about their religion, and consequently presume that you won’t mind them asking about yours, especially if you will be part of their family. Don’t be offended, as it is a part of the culture of knowing what to expect and what to dis- cuss in front of you. They won’t talk about their religion unless you are open to it, or you are of the same denomination and willing to talk about it.

21 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES DOS AND DON’TS

Inside the Filipino Home General Dos and Don’ts Do expect to be invited to the homes of Do take the time to smile. Filipinos like to Filipinos. They will invite you to help your- say hi, and they appreciate it when visitors self to everything and anything on their reciprocate. Handshakes are the usual way dining table, and they would appreciate it to greet people, but kissing on the cheek is if you have the food offered. If you happen also common, especially among ladies. to show up during meal time, an extra chair will be made available to you. In short, do Do come in appropriate clothes when the eat when you are offered food. Don’t of- occasion calls. Not all places would wel- fend your hosts by refusing outright. come you in your flip-flops and shorts. Churches, government institutions and Do be sensitive to household customs, for some restaurants require proper attire. example, you may be asked to leave you footwear outside. They will offer you slip- Don’t forget to laugh. Laughter is used very pers, or if they don’t, the house floor is frequently in the Philippines: to break ten- most likely clean. sion, to relieve moments of awkwardness, and to put people at ease. A good sense of Doing Business humor is definitely an asset in the Philip- Do use honorific titles, such as Mister or pines. Miss. Titles are very important and it is best to use them when addressing people and Don’t lose your temper. It’s easier to get business partners. Filipinos on your side if you approach situ- ations in a calm and composed manner. Fil- Do help your partners save face. Filipinos ipinos are more willing to help if you don’t place a premium on harmonious interper- embarrass them in public. sonal relationships. Do show respect to anyone regard- Do keep in mind that time is viewed flexi- less of their social class or age. Say- bly in the Philippines; many Filipinos place ing “sorry” and “excuse me” is ap- less of an emphasis on strict adherence to schedules. preciated. In Philippine culture, the elderly are given particular respect. Do wear appropriate clothing for business, Using the proper words (such as the especially during initial meetings. Denim polite ”po” and “opo” when speaking jeans or business casual attire are not rec- to elders) is a sure way of endearing ommended. yourself to Filipinos.

22 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES Filipinos are casual, fun loving, sensitive and hospitable people. Personal and family honor are stressed, as well as dignity and pride. Education is highly valued and families make great sacrifices to educate their children.

Relative Status of Women and Men Gender Roles and Statuses While families desire male children, fe- Traditional roles prevail in rural areas, males are welcomed to supply help in the where men cultivate the land but the en- house and provide a home in the parents’ tire family is involved in planting and har- old age. Women’s rights to equality and vesting the crops. Women work in gardens to share the family inheritance with male and care for the house and children as well siblings are firmly established and are not as barnyard animals. In urban areas, men questioned. The oldest daughter is expect- work in construction and machine up- ed to provide money for the education keep, and as drivers of passenger vehicles. of younger siblings and for the needs of Women work as teachers, clerks, owners aging family members. Women are the of sari-sari stores, marketers of produce managers of family finances. The wedding and healthcare providers. Occupational ceremony can include a gift of a coin from gender lines are blurred, since men also the groom to the bride to acknowledge work as nurses and teachers. In the pro- this role. Since personal relationships and fessions, gender lines are less important. wealth are considered the road to success, Women attorneys, doctors and lawyers are women have an equal opportunity to be found in the provinces as well as in urban successful. Winners of beauty pageants areas. are likely to succeed in the business and professional world. 23 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES SOCIETY

Marriage Marriage is a civil ceremony that is conducted in city offices. A religious ceremony is also performed. The ceremony is similar to those in the United States, with the addition of sponsors. Principal sponsors are friends and relatives who have positions of influence in the community. The number of principal sponsors attests to the popularity and potential success of a couple. It also reduces the couple’s expenses, since each principal sponsor is expected to contribute a substantial amount of cash. Members of the wedding party are secondary sponsors who do not have to provide funds.

Arranged marriages have not been part of Filipino life. However, men are expected to marry and if a man has not married by his late twenties, female relatives begin introduc- ing him to potential brides. The median age for marriage is twenty-two. Young profes- sionals wait until their late twenties to marry, and engagements of five to seven years are not uncommon. During this period, the couple becomes established in jobs, pays for the education of younger siblings, and acquires household items. A woman who reaches the age of thirty-two without marrying is considered past the age for marriage. Women believe that marriage to a wealthy man or a foreigner will guarantee happiness. Divorce is illegal, but annulment is available for the dissolution of a marriage. Reasons for annul- ment include physical incapacity, physical violence, or pressure to change one’s religious or political beliefs. Interfaith marriages are rare.

Domestic Unit The extended family is the most important societal unit, especially for women. Women’s closest friendships come from within the family. Mothers and daughters who share a home make decisions concerning the home without conferring with male family mem- bers. One child remains in the family home to care for the parents and grandparents. This child, usually a daughter, is not necessarily unmarried. The home may include assorted children from the extended family, and single aunts and uncles. Several houses may be erected on the same lot to keep the family together. Childcare is shared. Fathers carry and play with children, but are unlikely to change diapers. Grandparents who live in the home are the primary care-givers for the children since both parents generally work. Preschool grandchildren who live in other communities may be brought home for their grandparents to raise. Indigent relatives live in the family circle and provide household and childcare help. Young people may work their way through college by exchanging work for room and board. Family bonds are so close that nieces and nephews are referred to as one’s own children and cousins are referred to as sisters and brothers. Unmarried adult women may legally adopt one of their sibling’s children.

24 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES CORPORATE CULTURE

Business relationships are personal relationships, which means you may be asked to do favours for colleagues, and they will fully expect you to ask them for favours in return.

Business Meeting Etiquette colleagues lose face. • Appointments are required and should be • It is important to stay for the period of so- made 3 to 4 weeks in advance. cial conversation at the end of the meeting. • It is a good idea to reconfirm a few days prior to the meeting, as situations may Relationships & Communication change. • Filipinos thrive on interpersonal relation- • Avoid scheduling meetings the week be- ships, so it is advisable to be introduced by a fore . third party. • Punctuality is expected. For the most part, • It is crucial to network and build up a cad- your Filipino colleagues will be punctual as re of business associates you can call upon well. for assistance in the future. • Face-to-face meetings are preferred to • A relationship is developed with you per- other, more impersonal methods, such as sonally, not necessarily with the company the telephone, fax, letter or email. you represent. • Send an agenda and materials in advance • Therefore, if you leave the company, your of the meeting so your colleagues may pre- replacement will need to build their own pare for the discussion. relationship. • The actual decision-maker may not be at • An appropriate image will facilitate build- the meeting. ing business relationships. Dress conserva- • Avoid making exaggerated claims. tively and look presentable at all times. • Always accept any offer of food or drink. If you turn down offers of hospitality, your

25 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES BUSINESS CULTURE

The Filipino business culture is a confluence of East and West. Although geographically part of Southeast Asia, the country has strong European and American ties that extend into everyday social interactions and business culture.

Filipino and English are the two main languages of business in the country, and although many business practices may be Westernised, Eastern traditions and cultural norms still play a central role.

Family is important in Filipino culture and many businesses are family-owned, with a number of family members often working for the same company. Business relationships therefore equate to personal relationships, and it is important to network and build close interpersonal relationships with Filipino counterparts. Business structures in the Philip- pines are hierarchical and decisions are made mostly by the top-level executives. Howev- er, the group’s input is very important and it is possible that initial negotiations and agree- ments may be concluded without even meeting the actual decision-makers.

Filipinos are known for their friendliness and hospitality. This extends to the business environment. Filipinos place great emphasis on polite language and gentle conversation. When speaking, one’s tone should remain neutral and direct questions should be avoid- ed. Business is best dealt with face –to-face. Only once polite conversation has been concluded should one negotiate business. Filipinos enjoy conversation about their friends and family, but topics such as politics, religion and corruption are best avoided.

Business communications can often be indirect, and expats should be aware of this to avoid miscommunication. A “yes” may not necessarily mean an agreement has been made. Moreover, physical gestures and their meanings are important. Fixed eye contact between men is considered aggressive. Summoning someone should be done with a downward wave. To Filipinos, the concept of saving face and maintaining self-esteem is important. Self-es- teem should be preserved, and one should never criticise or argue with a Filipino associ- ate publically. When in an embarrassing situation, the Filipino may laugh or try to change the subject to hide the awkwardness.

Expats should not be surprised if Filipino colleagues or friends ask very personal ques- tions about their age, salary or how much something cost them to buy, or make frank comments regarding weight and appearance. Such questions come from curiosity and the comments are generally meant in a light-hearted manner. Expats should not be offended.

26 Learnmera Oy www.thelanguagemenu.com Country profileTHE PHILIPPINES