Area: 115, 880 square miles

Population: 58,000,000

Time: + 12 hours from New York

Language: English and Spanish. Spanish is disappearing and Tagalog is rising as the national language.

Electricity: 220 volts AC / 60 Hz.

Geography: The Philippines is made up aof a collection of 7, 000 islands. The main islands are: Luzon, Mindano, Cebu, Panay, Mindoro, and Leyte.

Tipping: A 10% tip is expected. However, check to see if it has been already included in the bill. If it has just leave small change to acknowledge the service. Taxis fares should be rounded up to give the driver a little extra.

Shopping: Shops are open by 8 in the morning and close as late as 10 in the evening. Saturday closings range from 1pm to 9pm. Crafts are plentiful here. Most interesting items tend to be weaving, carving and clothing. Larger stores have merchandise from all over the world at good prices.

Food and Drink: All sorts of foods are available here including US fast food emporiums. International restaurants are good and so is the selection. Chinese food is very popular. The "national dish" is called "Abobo" which is a stewed concoction of chicken parts and vegetables. Sometimes squid is included. A coconut wine called "Tuba" is very strong. "Halo Halo" is a crushed ice with fruit and flavoring mixed together. Also available are a number of local beers and a few wines.

Social: There are a lot of foreign influences here which can be seen everywhere except in the Muslim area ( even this area has basketball hoops). Filipinos have a very different set of expectations about social interaction. If invited to someone's home, never be on time as it is considered very rude. Always show up about 20-30 minutes late. If in a small group which includes someone who is elderly, always make a verbal note of their presence. At meal tables take a little of everything. If you leave food on the plate the host will assume that you are full. If in a small group always be part of the conversation or be animated. If you are not, it may be misunderstood that you are unhappy or dislike someone. Best to excuse yourself if you can not be part if a conversation.

Money and Banks

Banks: Banks are open from 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon weekdays.

Currency: The Peso (P)

Exchange: US$ is the best currency to have to exchange and can be easily done anywhere. Travelers checks are al little harder to exchange. American Express Travelers Checks are the best to have in the Philippines.

Climate

It is hot and humid all year. From May to November the chance are high for typhoons. The rainy season is July to December. January to June is the dry time. January to March is the best time for agreeable weather.