Philippines is located in Southeastern Asia as an archipelago between the

Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. It consists of 7,641 islands, which are
divided into three major island groups, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Generally speaking, this country enjoys a tropical climate year round. November
through April marks the most comfortable time of year, as humidity is at its lowest
and cooler days and sunny skies prevail.
The Philippines has a mixed economic system, which includes a variety of
private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government
regulation. The economy of the Philippines is mostly based on food processing;
production of cement, iron, and steel, and telecommunications. The Philippines’
economic dynamism is rooted in strong consumer demand supported by a vibrant
labor market and robust remittances. Philippines’ business etiquette and practices
grow through personal relations and connection. Filipinos are keen, initiative, and
friendly, which is why many foreign countries and tycoons take advantage of putting
up their trade here. Filipinos place a high value on trust and ascribe to the belief that
good things come to those who practice patience. When it comes to business
etiquette, target the middle people for they have the power to fuel your chance and
boost your deal. Also, keep your word and commit to your promises. Filipinos are
indirect and avoid conflicts in possible ways. Perhaps, they want to keep things light
to avoid conflicts. Giving gifts is a business etiquette you should learn. If you're
going to give a gift to a Filipino colleague, keep in mind that a lot of weight is given
to how beautifully it is packaged. This is a direct reflection of the amount of thought
and time you have put into the gesture. Gifts such as books, small electronics and
items unique to your own country are appropriate business gifts.
The government system is a republic; the chief of state and head of
government is the president. The power is equally divided among its three
branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The government seeks to act in the best
interests of its citizens through this system of check and balance. The Legislative
branch make laws, alter, and repeal them through the power vested in the
Philippine Congress. The Executive branch carries out and enforces the laws. Lastly,
Judicial branch holds the power to settle controversies involving rights that are
legally demandable and enforceable.
The Philippines prides itself in its rich cultural history, influenced
most notably by Spanish and American colonialism. Spanish influences on
Philippine culture are most evident when it comes to religion and religious
practices. Philippines is the only pre-dominantly Christian country in Asia. Religious
festivals are celebrated year-round, mostly in honor of their respective patron
saints. Fiesta celebrations involve whole communities, with locals decking the
exteriors of their houses in crops and decorations and opening their homes to
neighbors and tourists alike to partake in sumptuous feasts. In the urban areas,
American impact is prevalent on Philippine culture, with the imported fast food
chains and brands. It has also permeated Filipino pop culture, and younger
generations are quite familiar with Western trends and ideals.
Historically, education in the Philippines has been plagued with high dropout
and illiteracy rates. However, recently, legislation extended the required number of
years in formal education from 10 to 13, adopting the K-12 model that’s relatively
standard around the world. This added a mandatory year of kindergarten and two
mandatory years of senior high school, both of which were previously non-
compulsory and were often not attended. Students are likely find great academic
success working through 13 years of mandatory schooling, and many go on to study
at any of the Philippines’ prestigious universities. Regarding the type of schools,
public schools don’t pick their students; they’re open to all students in the direct
region, while secondary schools are often highly competitive and students must do
well on their entrance examination score in order to be offered a spot. Thus,
compared from before, students are likely to find great academic success working
through 13 years of mandatory schooling, and many go on to study at any of the
Philippines’ prestigious universities.
The official languages in the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino is
widely referred to as “Tagalog”, as this used to be the country’s national language,
being spoken by over half of the population. English is used as the medium of
instruction in the educational system and professional works. Filipinos are fond of
non-verbal communications. They use hand gestures, pursing of lips, rising of
eyebrows and their eyes to communicate. They are less dependent on spoken
words. They have a sharp intuitive sense for what is implied and not stated. A
respectful way of addressing an elder is to say “po” or “ho” at the end of the
sentence. Parents and other elders are never addressed on a first name basis.
Handshake is acceptable for both male and female except for Muslim women, so, do
not be offended if women do not accept your handshake because they may just
smile or vow their head as an acknowledgement. The use of cell phone is the
number one means of communication in the Philippines. It is not uncommon to see
someone texting while in meetings, which is why, is it required to turn off the
cellphones during meetings.
Filipino cuisines composed of the cuisines of more than a hundred distinct
ethno-linguistic groups and tribes of the archipelago. The style of food making and
the food associated with it came from Austronesian to a mixed cuisine of Indian,
Chinese, Spanish and American influences, in line with the major waves of influence
that had enriched the cultures of the archipelago, as well as others adapted to
indigenous ingredients and the local palate. Filipino cuisine is multi-faceted and is
the most representative in the culinary world for food where "east meets west".
Filipino cuisine centers on the combination of sweet, sour, and salty. For
entertainment, Filipinos encourage everyone to sing, they love to party, to celebrate,
and they love festivals. When Filipino goes out with their friends, it is easier to go to
places because transportation is accessible and cheap. Aside from the usual cabs and
buses, they have colorful jeepneys and different types of tricycles to choose from.
Wherever you are there’s a means of transportation ready to take you to your
destination. There are a lot of destinations because Philippines is home to some of
the wonders of the world.