One Step at a Time

Into the Burial Caves

cobsilicious — Thu, 15 May 2014 00:35:10 GMT

The cold soaks into my bones as I inch my way into the mouth of Lumiang Burial Cave. I keep close to the ground, afraid of tumbling down into the darkness. Our guide raises an eyebrow but politely refrains from smirking. Can I blame him? He is doing the six-hour trek barefoot.

He points and says, “You might want to not grip the ground so much."

I follow his gaze, and barely stifle a yell as I pull back sharply. A real human skull stares back at me.

The people of Sagada have preserved their old burial sites for hundreds of years. Moss-covered coffins are piled up near the mouth of the cave so that the light can guide the souls to heaven. Outside, other coffins hang on stakes stuck into the cliffside so that the souls of the dead lie as close to heaven as possible. Chairs, which the dead sat on during their wakes, accompany some of the coffins.

I follow the wall of coffins into the dark. I shiver, as much from the damp cold as from the weight of history. While most of my peers enjoy our beautiful Philippine beaches, or shop in Hong Kong or Singapore, I am in the mountains learning about our indigenous culture. The Philippine Cordilleras boast gorgeous mountains and magnificent rice terraces; their isolation also makes them a bastion of heritage relatively untouched by Spanish and American influences.

I pause as I stare at our next path: a small hole that sits about waist-high. My heart flutters; my greatest fear is being buried alive. I remind myself that I endured a bumpy six-hour van ride and have already spent 800 pesos on guide fees, and that a large group of fifty just passed through without incident. Soon it's my turn; I gawk at our guide's small frame as he tells me to step on his outstretched leg. “I can hold you,” he smiles, though I’m at least 20 pounds heavier. I try to place my feet exactly where he tells me to, and after a tense few minutes I finally make it. "We have at least 5 more like that," he smiles. I'm glad I didn't drink any fruit wine.

After hours of rappelling, crawling and wading through waist-deep water, we finally make it to the connecting Sumaguing Cave. We enter a large chamber full of limestone formations. One is a turtle, another a scoop of ice cream. We sit down and enjoy the wonderland as our guide tells of soldiers hiding here during World War II. I listen intently as another layer of the cave reveals itself, and say a silent thank you to it for helping me appreciate its importance to the people of Sagada.

Photos: Passport & Plate - Asian Simmered Fish

cobsilicious — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 03:15:00 GMT

Ingredients
¼ kg fish fillet (I’ve used both cream dory and pangasius with good results)

Poaching liquid:

1 small piece ginger

2 teaspoons (tsp) oyster sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp vinegar

1 tsp rice wine

1 tsp brown sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 pinch black pepper

Juice of 2 calamondin/Philippine limes (locally, calamansi). For a more “western” taste, you can use lime, lemon or even orange juice. Or be eclectic and mix all four, or any combination of the four!

1 bell pepper (any combination of red, green, yellow or orange, depending on how sweet you want the sauce to be), sliced

(optional) 1 tsp honey

How to prepare this recipe
I usually buy frozen fish fillets, so for preparation all I need to do is defrost it overnight in a bowl of milk. I use milk because it supposedly keeps the fish fresh. The fillets are very thin, less than 1/4 of an inch thick.

Before cooking, make some shallow diagonal cuts on the fish (not all the way through!). This should help prevent the fish from curling while it's being poached.

To prepare the poaching liquid, chop the bell pepper and ginger into small pieces. Mix all the other ingredients thoroughly in a separate bowl. Add the sliced bell pepper and ginger.

Heat the poaching liquid in a saucepan. Make sure it is large enough for the fish to fit in without being folded. Once the liquid is at 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (about 71 to 82 degrees Celsius), gently place the fish in the pan. Keep the temperature at that level and don't let the sauce boil.

Cook for about five minutes, or until the fish is just about done. Monitor it closely to prevent overcooking - you want fish, not rubber. Once done, transfer the fish gently to your serving platter.

If you want to use the poaching liquid as a sauce, you can boil it through and sweeten with extra brown sugar or oyster sauce, or thicken with flour. Feel free to experiment! I just pour the sauce over the fish as it is; everyone says it goes great with rice.

The story behind this recipe
My chest heaved as I ran back to the house we were renting. The sound of fireworks had long since died down. I gave thanks for the dry air; back home in humid Manila I would have been sweating buckets. As soon as I entered, my housemates and co-workers knew. "Didn't make it, huh?" I shook my head, trying to hide my disappointment. I was in Los Angeles on the 4th of July, and I'd missed the festivities because I had spent the night working with my Manila-based teammates. "You'll get used to it," my teammate said as he signed out of Skype. "A couple more months and you'll just wish you were back home." I bit my tongue; I was hoping I'd get to use up the 6 months I'd been granted at immigration. When would I next get the chance to explore a different country for that long? Their wistful glances at their gadgets made me decide against saying that out loud. It takes a certain personality to embrace long-term trips abroad.

Still, I could sympathize. I loved the authentic Mexican food, the multicultural neighborhoods and wide open spaces of southern California, but I also things from home like cheap beer and warm sunny beaches. Maybe there was something I could do to cheer them up, and take my mind off the awesome Independence Day celebrations I had just missed. I rummaged through our groceries; I'd chosen foods that were difficult to find back home, like limes and yellow peppers. They had picked up familiar Asian choices like soy sauce. As my tummy growled, a light bulb went off in my head. "Who wants fish?" I grinned.

Less than an hour later, I was pouring sweet sauce on a piping hot cup of rice. Tender fish fillets mixed with bits of bell pepper, as did the tastes of home and the Western world. My friend licked his lips. "Some food should only be eaten with rice." I didn't answer; I was busy contemplating what other "local" ingredients I could try out next time. Maybe some gumbo powder or pumpkin? I couldn't help but smile. The night hadn't been such a waste after all.

What it means to be Filipino

cobsilicious — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:52:00 GMT

What It Means to be Filipino

Above: a sea of happy faces at the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2011 - Bantayan Island, Cebu

One thing that a lot of people love to complain about in the Philippines is that we are a country without a culture. Indeed, regionalism is somewhat strong in the Philippines; some of our southernmost regions keep pushing for secession, many regions have stronger loyalty to their ethnic groups than to the Philippines as a whole; and Manila’s reach is somewhat hard to feel in some of the farther-off areas, especially due to the Philippines being an archipelago.

It’s a big challenge trying to sum up what it means to be a Filipino in just one article. Yet, there are some things that stand out about us as a people. Hopefully, this blog post will be able to articulate them somewhat.

To be a Filipino is to adapt, endure, and somehow find happiness.

Filipinos have to embrace duality in many aspects of life. Having gone through three different occupations that lasted hundreds of years, we have learned to adapt and mold different cultures. For example, most Filipinos are Catholic, yet we also grew up with many decidedly pagan beliefs. As children we were taught to be good and to fear God; yet we were also quieted by our mothers and maids with threats of being carried away by dwarves or tikbalang (a sort of half-man half-horse creature; think a reverse centaur). We pray the rosary and visit churches to ask for favors; yet sometimes we also call in the local albularyo or folk healer. My grandmother makes us go to mass at dawn on Christmas, but she also practices feng shui and has us burn paper money to send to our ancestors.

Many Filipinos have had to deal with this duality since birth. A lot are Filipino mestizos, or a mix of Filipino and foreign ancestry. I myself am a Chinese-Filipino, and grew up with learning a mix of Chinese and Filipino practices. There are many mestizos who make it a point to celebrate their foreign heritages while also working towards the betterment of the Philippines as its citizens. The Kaisa para sa Kaunlaran Inc. Foundation, of which I am a member, is one such group of like-minded Chinese-Filipinos. Our credo sums up our sentiments nicely The Philippines is our country, It is the land of our birth, The home of our people: “Our blood may be Chinese, but our roots grow deep in Philippine soil, Our bonds are with the Filipino people.”

Filipinos are also known for being able to adapt easily to life abroad. There are significant numbers of Filipinos in the United States, Middle East, East Asia, Western Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia. Remittances from these Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) totaled about 10-12% of Philippine GDP in 2010. OFWs know that their earnings are a boon to the nation’s economy; but they know even more that it is this money that allows their families to live better lives. That’s why they do it – it’s a big sacrifice to be away from family and friends for so long, but this is a small sacrifice to pay for a better life. Yes, it’s also an adventure and a chance to grow, but you have to understand how important family is for us Filipinos. To leave for a foreign land with no guarantee of returning to the Philippines for good is one of the hardest things to deal with. Technology eases the sting somewhat, but consider that Filipinos have been doing this for decades before Internet use became widespread. Filipinos before would cope by forming their own communities, and by bringing over what things they could of home, such as food (Filipino restaurants like Jollibee, Red Ribbon and Max’s have gained footholds in LA, for example), and by writing back home every so often.

Let’s look back earlier in time. History shows that when the Spanish, Americans and Japanese all came to conquer the Philippines; we did resist. Yet, we had to surrender when it became clear there was no way to resist. By all accounts, most of our leaders and our people were able to adjust remarkably well by cooperating with the new leadership. Some would call it cowardice; but most would agree that it was merely practical survival. Several revolts did spring up throughout the years, but sadly, most didn’t get very far.

Towards the end of the Spanish era, the members of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization devoted to achieving independence, would split. Some would advocate seeking independence through armed revolution; some would argue for using the strategy of propaganda and institutional reform. Again, neither group quite succeeded. During the American era, Filipino politicians were also split: some were quite aggressive towards the Americans, while some wanted to work with them and prove that the Philippines was ready for self-governance. During World War II, under the Japanese, some Filipinos took to the hills to wage guerilla warfare, while others stayed in their posts to act as a buffer between the Japanese and the Filipinos.

There were two widely different strategies, yet both had the same aims.

This is because we Filipinos do our best to endure. Yes, there comes a time when we have had enough, and we do fight – the EDSA Revolution of 1986 played a key role in forcing an ailing Ferdinand Marcos from office, for example. However, as long as things can be endured, we will find a way. Some argue that this is a bad thing – that if we had not been so patient, we would years ago have risen up and taken power away from the rich few in Manila who influence the way the country is run. On the other hand, it is a testament to the hardiness of our people that we somehow make the most of what little we have, and slowly, we grow.

Are Filipinos really among the happiest people in the world? Dozens of websites claiming that we are popped up when I did a Google search. Perhaps we are; I had the good fortune to join the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2011, and found a lot of positive energy even among the people whose houses we were building. Gawad Kalinga, or GK, is a movement aimed at ending poverty by helping the poor help themselves. It seems cliché, but it does work. Instead of donating built houses, GK looks for supplies to build houses, and calls on volunteers to work alongside the communities being targeted to build said houses. Instead of raising money to give directly to the poor, GK helps the poor establish their own businesses.

GK attracts many Filipinos now living abroad to return for a few days and help out. GK also attracts many foreigners who see this as a great way to learn about the Philippines. The most recent Bayani Challenge had representatives from almost every province in the Philippines, as well as citizens of France, Singapore, Australia, the USA and many more. A lot of the foreigners say they were attracted because of the chance to help, and because we Filipinos just seemed to have so much fun while doing all that heavy lifting out in the hot, hot sun.

Maybe it’s because, as Filipinos, we manage to find happiness in togetherness. We thrive on these feelings of community, of unity. We know life is hard; but if our sacrifices can make those we care about happy, and have better lives, we will gladly endure all that comes with it. That’s one reason social networking sites are so big in the Philippines – they help us keep connected with one another, wherever we may be.

5 Must Do Things in Manila

cobsilicious — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:49:00 GMT

5 Must Do Things in Manila

When Filipinos say come to Manila, we really mean come to Metro Manila, the term for the bustling megacity of 16 cities and 1 municipality that serves as our capitol region.

Being the most populous area in the Philippines, and the 11^th most populous metropolitan area in the world, you can expect that there is a lot to do here. The best approach to enjoying Manila isn’t to let it shock or astound you – it is to take a few days to just let it soak into you and absorb the atmospher

e. It’s also a great way to begin your journey through the Philippines, as it provides a good introduction to the rest of the country, while being urbanized enough to allow visitors to transition fairly comfortably.

1. Eat

Filipinos love food, and whatever your income class, you can find something here. Restaurants and food carts pop up everywhere. Instead of recommending some specific ones, let’s start with some areas.

Filipino street food may not be as famous as Singapore’s or Thailand’s, but it’s just as good. One major problem is hygiene, which can be circumvented by buying such food only in malls. Some street food items are also served by more traditional restaurants. This article gives a full list of them, http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Philippine_street_food, but some particularly common and popular ones are pork and chicken barbecue (try some at Aristocrat Restaurant http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/, with its famous peanut-based “java” sauce); banana cue, fishballs and squidballs, and kikiam. For the adventurous, go for betamax (dried chicken blood that is grilled), kwek-kwek (deep-fried quail or chicken eggs), or adidas (grilled chicken feet). Or, of course, the now-famous balut (boiled fertilized duck eggs), popularized by shows such as Fear Factor and the Amazing Race.

Chinese food may be common the world over, but each region has its specialty. This is no less true than for our very own Chinatown. I’ve sampled food in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and I can honestly say that our food here is different. For a treat, head over to Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world. Good restaurants to try are Wai Ying (white chicken in ginger sauce and the hakaw or shrimp dumplings are a must) and Lanzhou La Mien (pretty much any noodle dish is excellent), both known for their large servings at relatively low prices. They can both be found side-by-side on Benavidez Street, so be sure to pace yourselves before you burst!

For those willing to spend, we have several high-end buffets to offer you. There’s Spiral at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila; entrance costs upwards of Php2000 (around 50 dollars), but the variety is worth it. You can sample dishes such as the Philippines’ own kare-kare (oxtail and tripe in peanut stew) or prawn sinigang (prawns and vegetables in sour soup), to Asian dishes like beef bulgogi, tandoori lamb and chicken teriyaki, to Western delights such as steak, wood-fired pizza and plenty of pasta. Other notable buffets are Circles in the Makati Shangri-La; Heat in the EDSA Shangri-La; Yakimix, which offers both prepared food and food which you can grill at your table; and the newly-opened Vikings buffet near SM Mall of Asia, which offers almost as wide a variety as Spiral for less than half the cost.

For those who want variety of choice and a lower bill, try the food markets. These are a collection of food stalls that offer anything from pizza and pasta to Filipino street food to hotdogs to tacos. There’s Branchetto in the Ortigas area, and Mercato Centrale in the Bonifacio Global City. I’ve heard the featured booths change from time to time, so Google before you go.

For a special kind of treat, also try to eat dampa style. These are rows of restaurants wherein one can buy fresh seafood right outside, then proceed to a restaurant and have them cooked. You can specify the cooking style. There are several areas with clusters of these restaurants, and it’s one of those experiences that is very Filipino.

2. Shop (or at least window shop)

I’ve been to malls in Los Angeles, and I can say that while they’re good, they’re not quite as complete as Philippine malls. In my experience, few American malls have bowling alleys, billiard rooms, cinemas, dance clubs, skating rinks, museums, wall climbing and laser tag facilities, small theme parks, concert grounds and even adjoining hotels in one shopping center.

In 2007, Forbes listed the 10 largest malls in the world. Three of them can be found in Metro Manila – SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia. All three of them are also belong to the same chain: SM Supermalls. To think that this empire started from a humble shoe store.

Enough of the history lesson, though. Suffice to say that if you’re in dire need of supplies, or are just finding the weather oppressive, a trip to one of these malls is just the thing. Even if you don’t actually buy anything, you will find yourself highly entertained.

For those who want to really mix with the locals, why not head for one of the market districts in Manila? You can find wet markets for fresh meat and vegetables, or dry markets which sell everything from cloth to trinkets. Haggling is the norm on these areas, and if you strike up a friendship with a stall owner you can become suki, or a loyal customer, and enjoy discounts, freebies and other favors. Of course, not everything sold in these areas is strictly legal (such as pirated DVDs) or of the best quality (such as fake designer shoes and bags). But you can find surprisingly good deals if you look hard enough.

Do beware that the large crowds can become suffocating, and hold on to your valuables! Many an unwary shopper has suddenly found themselves a wallet lighter. If you’re ready to take the plunge, the Divisoria district in Manila is the perfect stop for you.

There are also numerous other malls and shopping areas around the metropolis that fall in size between the two extremes listed above. One thing is for sure – you can buy almost anything you need in Manila.

3. Learn

Some travelers use Manila simply as a station on to more “interesting” or “untouched” areas in the Philippines. Yet, Manila has some hidden gems of its own.

Intramuros, the Walled City, is probably the only area left in Manila that you can visit to get the old Spanish-era feel. It does make a good substitute for Vigan, which is an 8-hour drive to the north. The Church of San Agustin (one of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines on the UNESCO World Heritage List) was completed in 1607 and is the oldest church in the Philippines. Sadly, it is virtually the only structure that survived World War II, and its history makes it a popular choice for weddings.

Luckily, Intramuros was restored after the war and still retains its Spanish feel. The remnants of Fort Santiago, where national hero Jose Rizal was once imprisoned, serve as a museum and shrine. Calesa (horse-drawn carriage) rides are a popular way to explore the area, as are the walking tours by Carlos Celdran http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/. Another must-see is the Bahay Tsinoy Museum, which celebrates Chinese-Filipino history. The emphasis is on the word “Filipino” as the noun; the organization behind it, the Kaisa Heritage Foundation, firmly believes that the Chinese-Filipinos in the Philippines have a duty to treat the Philippines as their home. The museum gives a great view of the Chinese-Filipino contributions to the Philippines, and also gives great snapshots of some of the most interesting parts of Philippine history.

Unfortunately, a lot of the other educational spots in Manila aren’t quite as good as their foreign counterparts. Manila Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Asia, but it has definitely seen better days. Manila Ocean Park is decent, has some nice exhibits, and has a nice little fish spa where fish can nibble at your feet; however, it is outclassed by the aquarium in Hong Kong.

The Ayala Museum is more well-maintained, and has good art exhibits. There are also dioramas on Philippine history. Watch out for special events and exhibits. As an added bonus, the museum is right beside the sprawling Greenbelt complex, and is very near the Glorietta malls.

History buffs will appreciate a trip to the Philippine National Museum. I’ve been there once, and the exhibits are decently arranged and very educational.

For a more exciting field trip, take a cruise over to Corregidor Island. It’s about two hours away, and features cannons, old army buildings, the somewhat creepy Malinta tunnel, and even an aviary and park. Visitors can choose to take a day tour or stay the night; the only downside is that you pretty much have to book a tour just to get on the ferry and visit. However, the island’s history does make it worthy of spending a few extra bucks; its location means that it has played a significant role in many battles. The Battle of Corregidor in World War II was probably what spelled doom for the Philippines’ defenders, and what gave the Japanese the final push they needed to subjugate the Philippines. Add in the ruins on the island, and you can see why the place is a favorite of ghost hunters.

4. Gimik

Gimik in Philippine English has evolved to mea

n a doing fun things with friends. It usually means going out and partying on a weekend, but really, it can be used for any activity that one shares with their barkada or group of close friends.

Still, the most common gimiks involve meeting up for dinner and drinks, and maybe dancing. It isn’t terribly difficult to find establishments in Manila that stay open until dawn, so young Filipinos don’t have to wait until their parents are out of town to party the night away.

If you are the dancing type, the best party hotspots are in Resorts World (the renowned Republiq and the even pricier Opus); the Bonifacio Global City, A.Venue in Makati, and Eastwood. There is normally a door charge, but if you know a promoter, you can get yourself on the guest list and come in for free. As always, come early to ensure you can get in; dress appropriately (clubs here usually have a strict dress code) and bring enough money (bills are often settled in cash, and club drinks can be pricey).

For those who just want to kick back and relax, there are tons of bars everywhere. You’ll usually find many establishments clustered together; ask your friends and they’ll happily point out the ones near you. Some have pool tables to go along with the drinks, but most just offer tables and loud music. Groups usually order beer by the bucket and cocktails by the pitcher, and they throw in some pulutan to munch on. Pulutan is food, usually finger food, eaten while drinking to help the group last longer before getting drunk. Its other purpose is to prolong the night so friends can catch up for longer.

If you do find yourself finishing late into the night, take precautions when going home. If you’re coming from a posh location like Resorts World, your best bet is to take a cab. There have been horror stories of cabbies attempting to kidnap their passengers or otherwise acting strangely, so ask a friend to accompany you. If coming from most other areas, you can easily catch a jeepney even late at night; just make sure to tell the driver clearly where you’re going to get off. For shorter distances, take a tricycle instead. If you’re really not feeling up to it, crawl on over to a nearby coffee shop, convenience store or fast food joint to sober up; most establishments will happily let you and sober up stay as long as you buy a drink or a snack first.

5. Relax

After all the tiring activity, take some time to just rest and stroll around. Admittedly, Manila is a bustling, crowded city, but relaxation can be found.

While some spas are actually just covers for paid sex, there are also many reputable ones that offer clean facilities and talented masseurs. Do some quick research on Google to find one near you, if your hotel does not have one.

There are also some nice outdoor hangout spots – Rizal Park, named after our national hero, boasts a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden, an orchidarium and butterfly pavilion, and monuments to heroes Jose Rizal and Lapu-Lapu. You can find many hawkers and food stands, and you can watch martial artists practicing their craft. There’s also an open field across the park that is ideal for kite flying and picnicking.

The park is also very near Manila Ocean Park and Manila Bay. The latter stretches out over a long portion of the city; the best spots to hang around are at Manila Ocean Park itself, which offers a gorgeous sunset view; the Harbor Square area just across the Cultural Center of the Philippines; and the bayside area beside SM Mall of Asia, which includes numerous establishments and attractions such as a small zipline.

Farther up north is the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City. It includes a saltwater swimming pool, fishing wharf, biking and hiking trails, picnic grounds, paintball field and boating areas. It’s a great place to spend a free afternoon farther away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

Manila may not have the most unique breathtaking sights, extreme activities or the most exotic experiences, but it does have its own unique charm and identity. You will not regret at least spending a night here; and who knows, it may charm you enough to stay longer.

Best and Worst of the Philippines

cobsilicious — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:50:00 GMT

Best and Worst of the Philippines

Let’s be realistic here. Every country has its good and its bad points; nobody’s perfect. That is also why each country has its own unique “flavor” for visitors to discover and enjoy! Here are some things to look forward to, and some things to prepare for, in the Philippines.

Best

1. Food (can also be bad…)

The Philippines has some of the most sinful food in the world. We put sugar in our spaghetti and in our iced tea; we fry our leftover rice and our fish; and we eat almost everything with rich sauces. We pair our beers with deep-fried finger foods; we load our pastries with butter, glazed sugar and cream; we love to snack all day and our gatherings overflow with food all over.

Eating in the Philippines is horrible for your diet, but really, if you’re only here for a visit, why wouldn’t you cheat a little? There are just that many dishes to try; not only does each region have its own specialties, but we Filipinos have our own versions of many dishes found elsewhere in the world. The Wikipedia article on Philippine cuisine gives just a hint of the rich variety visitors can encounter in our country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_cuisine. So come on over and whet your appetites, because there is just nothing in the world quite like Filipino food.

2. Booze

Drinking is a major part of Filipino culture, and the country has plenty of local alcohol that’s worth a try.

The famous local beer is San Miguel; most establishments offer buckets of beer at Php200 for five or six bottles. That’s just about a dollar a drink. There’s also the much stronger Red Horse, also produced by the same corporation, a favorite of those who want to get drunk hard and fast. A popular local vodka brand is The Bar, which has green apple, orange and strawberry flavors and is used in many cocktails. Another popular brand is Tanduay Rhum, which also produces gin, vodka and brandy. All these brands are quite tasty and inexpensive.

For more unique drinks, try lambanog, which is commonly made from coconut, sugar cane or rice. Lambanog is proudly touted as an all-natural drink made from completely natural sources and no chemical ingredients. It is a very inexpensive drink commonly found in Quezon province. Locals drink it in a practice called tagayan, in which one glass is passed around the table for everyone to drink from.

The Philippines also produces a lot of fruit wines. Mijiah Tropical Fruit Wines is a multi-award winning wine exporter which has made a name for itself in the US and Europe. The wines were chosen as one of Best 15 Products of the World during National Food Week 2005 in Utrecht, Netherlands. The wines are exclusively distributed at SM Kultura, making them easily accessible anywhere in Metro Manila and in most major Philippine cities. Flavors include wild berry, mango, soursop and plum.

As with any good thing though, indulging too much can be bad. Stay away from seedy neighborhoods where loitering drunks can sometimes get violent. There have been cases of family members and drinking buddies getting stabbed by an enraged drunk, and people have even been killed for choosing the wrong song to sing during karaoke night. Drinking in restaurants is often safer, but if you really want to get wasted, it’s best to stay at a friend’s house or in your hotel room. You don’t want to fall asleep in a taxi or a jeepney and wake up to find your wallet gone.

3. Blend of cultures

The Philippines has always been a melting pot of races. Spanish and American influences are rampant due to both nations having occupied the Philippines at some point. Over 90% of the population can speak English well enough to communicate with tourists, and American food is a favorite. Spanish influences can be seen in the devout Catholicism of the majority of the population; the Philippines is dotted with churches and all its greatest festivals have roots in the Catholic religion. Chinese influences are also strong and can be seen in the Chinese-Filipino population, and in the popularity of Chinese-inspired food. Filipinos are an adaptive people and happily embrace aspects of culture from many nations: there are traces of Indian, Arabic and Japanese. Korean TV shows and pop music are favorites among many of the youth.

The Philippines also enjoys widespread diversity among its native ethnic populations. There are over 160 ethnic groups and tribes in the country; however, ethnicity is very fluid here. Go to almost any major city in Metro Manila, and you can still easily find people whose parents came from far-flung provinces in the archipelago. What this brings to the Philippines is an interesting mix of culture, cuisine, festivals and practices, and traveling anywhere in the Philippines is sure to bring with it new things to discover and appreciate.

4. Celebrations

The Philippines has one of the longest Christmas celebrations in the world. The festivities begin on December 16 and end on the first Sunday of January – a three-week long stretch of church celebrations, family reunions, gatherings with friends and lots of eating. This is the season for Filipinos to celebrate the gifts of family and friends in their lives; that it also includes New Year is all the more reason to celebrate. Families often fly many miles to spend the days from Christmas Day up to New Year’s Eve under one roof. A Filipino Christmas also isn’t complete without caroling and the Simbang Gabi, a series of 9 masses held at dawn.

Filipinos also have some truly epic religious festivals. Cebu’s Sinulog; Bacolod’s Masskara; Iloilo’s Dinagyang; Baguio’s Panagbenga are just some of the numerous festivals that go on in the country. In fact, it is said that there is always at least one barrio somewhere in the Philippines that is celebrating a festival right now. The majority of these festivals have Catholic roots, and those that don’t are usually tied to other belief systems. Yet, most of these are categorized by parades, dances, colorful decorations, extremely large crushing crowds and plenty of food and partying. It’s not uncommon for young people to gather their friends and head to one of the big festivals for a weekend of fun. There are also more sober festivals where the devout head out on pilgrimages to different churches around the country. Whether you’re looking for a wild party or a solemn moment with your deity, you will definitely find at least one festival to your liking.

Filipinos also know how to throw a bash. Birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduations, promotions, migrations – almost any major occasion is worth a pakain. Filipinos will invite family and friends (and sometimes even friends of friends) for a feast to toast their good fortune. In fact, it is far more common for birthday celebrants to treat their friends to a meal, than it is for friends to give gifts! Some people take it to a fault; it is common for even the most humble families to draw from their savings and splurge on food for a celebration. Filipinos just really believe that happiness and good fortune should be shared.

One should never travel to the Philippines without attending at least one such event. I haven’t been to many parties abroad, but I’m pretty sure that the Philippines, with its friendly and welcoming people and wonderful food, can match celebrations thrown anywhere else in the world.

5. Natural Beauty

Yes, beaches can be found everywhere in the tropics, I’ll grant you that. But Philippine beaches can stand there among the best of them. Many of my friends and I share the same sentiments – why go to Phuket or Bali when you have so many to choose from here?

Probably the best part about Philippine beaches is that there are so many to choose from. If you want to party all night long in mixed crowds of locals and foreigners, hop on over to Boracay, Mactan or Puerto Galera. If you want luxury and pampering, there are high-class resorts in Panglao and Davao. Saving up? Camp out in the Hundred Islands or in Anawangin. Want some world-class snorkeling and diving? Head over to Palawan, Donsol or Anilao. Want seclusion? Several areas such as Batanes, Guimaras, Pagudpud and Camiguin still receive relatively few visitors. Always wanted to learn how to surf? Baler and La Union receive a lot of waves. Love the water but are afraid of the ocean? Check out the water sports facilities in Camarines Sur. Up for a relaxing cruise? Many ferry companies offer just such that.

We have more than just beaches too. Spelunkers can enjoy the caves in Sagada or at Biak-na-Bato Park. Cagayan de Oro offers white-water rafting; Mounts Apo and Pulag, among others, offer breathtaking views at their tops; Palawan’s Subterranean River is on the UNESCO World Heritage List; the La Paz san dunes let you take out a spin on a 4x4. Several areas offer waterfalls or cliffs that you can jump off; Subic and Bohol, among other spots, allow you to try ziplining or swinging among the treetops.

With the rise of the middle classes and the advent of low-cost airlines, more and more Filipinos are looking to travel for leisure. Tourism within the country has never been better, and now is a perfect time for travelers to experience the best that these islands have to offer.

Worst

1. Disregard for the rules

Many hypotheses are posited for why Filipinos have such a disregard for rules. Is it the lack of clear and swift consequences? Is it because we are just such a free-spirited people? Is it a holdover from times past when the normal citizen had to have a little coin to protect themselves from corrupt officials?

Whatever the reason, it is a sad reality that Filipinos have a pakiusap mentality. From a young age, we learn to be polite and nice to authority figures like teachers, bosses and policemen, so that when we need favors, they may be more inclined to grant them to us. Sadly, bribery is quite common; if you ever get caught by a cop for a traffic violation, you may be able to escape after parting with a couple hundred pesos. That is one reason why traffic jams are so awful; public transport operators often get away with their horrible driving practices because of bribes. Traffic enforcement is also quite poor, and you can often find buses occupying two or three lanes on a four-lane highway. Once you get past the bus stops, you’ll be delighted (or exasperated) to find that the rest of the way is clear. It is a common joke among locals and visitors alike that if you’ve learned to drive in Metro Manila, you can drive well anywhere else in the world. Filipino drivers are just that much more crazy and unpredictable.

This is another reason why the country has such a pollution problem. The once proud Pasig River that runs through Metro Manila is now a dead river due to waste from people living on its banks. In many areas of the capital, you’ll see numerous signs telling people that littering, peeing or vandalism is not allowed – yet you can still spot the occasional violator. One government agency even installed little sheds for males to pee in, yet the plumbing isn’t exactly all that.

I’ve ridden on trains in Singapore and Hong Kong, and I can tell you that they have it much better. Our trains here are cramped, and passengers have to be reminded often to let alighting passengers depart first. Once, an unfortunate woman was about to get off when she was met with a literal wave of people rushing in. She was forced to get off at the next stop instead.

Still, this problem is not quite so bad in the provinces – although you do have to be careful of jeepney and tricycle drivers who will try to overcharge you. That said, if you have some patience and a good sense of humor, and make sure to exercise caution, you can still enjoy your travels in the Philippines.

2. Filipino time

Perhaps it is a tribute to our laid-back vibe, but Filipinos are famous for Filipino time. While I know some people who are very strict about time, for most, there is an unspoken 15-minute grace period for attendees.

It’s also common for friends to reply to an invitation with “I’ll try”, or “Go ahead and I’ll catch up”. This is especially true for large groups, and is unspoken shorthand for “I have no idea if I can make it, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised if I do show up!”

Don’t fret, though, as travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and other people you’d normally come into contact with as a tourist are professional enough to be strict about time. And with acquaintances… for best results, don’t schedule too much in one day. Just take your time and savor the time spent with good company.

3. Rains and flooding

Being an archipelago and being located in the tropics, typhoons have come to be a way of life for us Filipinos.

However, what makes it worse is that even a simple cloudburst wreaks havoc. City streets are littered with potholes that can’t be seen under the flood water. This, coupled with Metro Manila’s legendary traffic, makes getting around a challenge worthy of any obstacle course.

Visitors can avoid this by visiting during the summer months. Traffic will still be bad, but at least your feet will be dry! In fact, unless you’re after a certain festival or event, it is much, much better to visit during the summer. Visitors during the rainy season won’t be able to enjoy our lovely beaches or mountains due to the threats of large waves, landslides, and blocked roads. Most sports and activities will have to be put on hold as well. Besides, the Philippines is so much more beautiful in the summer.

4. Heat and humidity

A visit to tropical Philippines means soaking up plenty of sunlight, and breathing in heavy air. Even a short stroll outside can cause you to sweat any time of the year, even during December. Most Filipinos would wear shorts and tank tops if we could get away with it, but dressing too casually in public places is frowned upon. Luckily, foreigners get a free pass to dress down, so feel free to stroll about in your slippers and board shorts.

Of course, the heat isn’t nearly as noticeable at the beach. The cool sea breezes and the inviting water make it much less noticeable; just make sure to visit during summer.

Visitors looking for a change of scenery can head for higher ground and visit Tagaytay or the Cordillera region. The latter, especially, boasts an almost ancient vibe; the people of the Cordillera mountains were among the few to escape being subjugated by the Spaniards, and later on the Americans. As such, they retain many of their original practices, such as burying their dead in hanging coffins. These areas also offer spelunking, trekking, and breathtaking views of the hand-carved rice terraces and golden sunrises piercing the mountains. The best part is that you’ll hardly remember what the heat in the lower-lying areas is like.

Photos: Mabuhay: Welcome to the Philippines

cobsilicious — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 10:34:00 GMT

Home is where the heart is.

Do's and Don'ts in the Philippines

cobsilicious — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 10:27:00 GMT

Foreigners I've met list the same few reasons for heading on over to the Philippines: amazing beaches; relatively low cost of travel; deliciously sinful and artery-hardening food; inexpensive liquor; and friendly people who can speak English.

All the above combine to make the Philippines an attractive destination for backpackers other travelers who manage their own itineraries. I've met American, French, Indonesian, Korean, Singaporean, Israeli and Australian travelers who've arranged their own travels. Locals, particularly the young and single, do the same. After all, it should be perfectly safe to travel around this friendly island nation of friendly people, right?

Wrong. Like any other country, the Philippines has its own unique identity. There are some practices that you should observe to make your stay go much more smoothly.

Do's in the Philippines

1) Do your research beforehand

The Philippines is an archipelago, and for those used to living on the mainland, that means travel between islands can be difficult. Philippine boats aren't always safe, and while inexpensive flights are available, they still cost much more than land travel would.

It's important to do your research then. It's not easy to hit multiple islands on one trip to the Philippines. Instead, pick two or three that you'd like to visit and plan on soaking up the culture in these spots. Pick a city as a base, and spend the next three or four days exploring the area around it, before moving on. Often, there will be nearby cities that you can move on to.

For example, you could use Baguio City as a base for the Cordillera Mountains. The City of Pines is known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines for its cool weather (by Philippine standards) and its relative urbanization. From there, it’s a six-hour trip to Sagada, known for maintaining its pre-Spanish culture. Sagada boasts unique hanging coffins, an extensive cave network, and magnificent sunrises wreathed in clouds. Excellent food and inexpensive, homey lodging are bonuses. From there, it’s another 3 hours to the Ifugao Rice Terraces, which are touted as the 8^th Wonder of the World.

For another example, take the Visayas group of islands. The Visayas covers about 24,00 square miles, which is like 12 Californias lumped together – except California has an excellent highway system, while travel in the Visayas is mostly by fragile wooden boat. Luckily, the Visayas is split up into smaller regions. Cebu City, for example, provides enough fun to easily last 2 or 3 days; and when you’re done, Bohol (worth another three days) is just an hour’s flight away. Or you could start from Bacolod City (famous for its chicken inasal, a type of barbecued chicken), take a one hour boat to Iloilo City to sample the inexpensive and delicious seafood, then take another 15-minute boat ride to Guimaras for its delectable mangoes.

You really can’t cover the entire Philippines in a month. And why would you want to, when you can savor it section by section?

2) Use honorifics and familial terms

It may seem surprising, but the people we Filipinos address as "Sir" and "Ma'am" in the workplace are also often our drinking buddies. Filipinos place high regard on titles of respect, and it is considered rude to address anyone older, or with a higher rank, by just their first name. Yet, besides the honorifics, we can be surprisingly casual once we're comfortable with one another. Superiors and elders often join in on some tame shenanigans.

For safety's sake, use "Tita" (Aunt), "Tito" (Uncle), "Kuya" (older brother) and "Ate" (older sister) when you address anyone who seems older than you. When in doubt about a person's age, it is better to be safe than sorry - it's not like anyone will check your own age anyway. This holds true for taxi drivers, waitresses, and even the lady selling candy on the streets. This also applies for the rather sizable Chinese-Filipino community in and around the capital, though I recommend using "Auntie" and "Uncle" instead for the older ones.

Adding in a "po" after will gain you some smiles too. For example, "Hello po Tita, do you sell any phone cards?" will usually have the nice lady give you much better service.

3) Have some humility

Filipinos are an odd sort. We dislike arrogance and pretention; just look at what happened to recent Youtube sensation Christopher Lao, who became famous for trying to drive through a flooded street. After he was rescued he launched into an irritated rant about his not being informed about the floods. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-zpTYh4Mn8

Now, whatever your opinion on this (personally, I believe we should give him a pass for being in a frustrating position), the fact is a lot of people found his rant incredibly arrogant. Facebook groups sprang up ridiculing him and his actions.

Filipinos love making fun of one another, and it is normal for friends to engage in verbal sparring until one side gives. But it is also poor form to lose your temper and not accept your own faults. In a “fun” word war, the proper “attack” is to hit your opponent’s faults instead of vehemently defending your own. A sense of humor and humility will help you get along well with the locals.

4) Look up your local friends

Filipinos are a hospitable people. If you've kept in touch with any local acquaintances and let them know you're coming, they'll do everything they can to help you. They probably won't let you crash on their couch (Filipino homes are sacred places), they will happily help you find hotels, drive you around town, treat you to meals and play tour guide for you. Filipinos love company, and most of us have enough national pride to want to show our guests the best we have.

Never impose, though. Filipinos usually prefer to offer to help instead of feeling like they are obligated to. Ask for help in planning your itinerary, and graciously accept whatever is offered. It is considered fairly rude to refuse unless you have other appointments to keep. If you feel shy or uncomfortable, decline graciously with a profuse thank you and say that you have to head somewhere else.

5) Keep an open mind

There are tons of other practices, beliefs and habits comprising Filipino culture that this post does not have the space to tackle. To name some, we have the infamous Filipino time; Filipino religious and superstitious beliefs; our preference for being indirect with people in order to be polite; extreme hospitality; respect for elders; very close family ties; and so on.

We know that some of these beliefs are impractical; yet, they are still ours. We would not like it if foreigners came and rudely disrespected them, as we also try to respect the practices of others when we go abroad.

Also, as a traveler, you won’t be able to change our entire way of thinking by yourself. Instead of fighting against this current of Filipino identity, why not embrace it? After all, part of the fun of traveling is really immersing yourself in a foreign culture and getting to know the people and way of life. It would be a shame to come here just for the sights.

Keep an open mind; who knows what you might learn? You might even find some of these worthy of adapting into your own life.

Don'ts in the Philippines

1) Go on a diet

Filipino food is an experience, for sure. We put sugar and condensed milk in our spaghetti; we eat deep-fried finer food with our beer; and each of our regions has its own specialties. Our cuisine is also unique with its myriad of influences. Eating in the Philippines means getting used to bold, sweet flavors and rich sauces – KFC is big over here because of its gravy, which people pour over rice and drown their chicken in. McDonald’s still has a hard time dominating over local fast food chain Jollibee, with its Filipino-style taste.

My other blog post on things to do in Manila will expound on this more, but for now I leave you with a link to the Wikipedia article on Philippine cuisine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_cuisine. To further whet your appetites, I point you to the section on regional cuisine – yes, virtually every region has its own specialty. Some of these dishes may have diffused around the archipelago, but the sisig in Pampanga may be different from the sisig in Manila. Regional nuances are quite strong. Eating in the Philippines means a never-ending journey of discovery.

2) Display wealth

Friendly though we may be, there are still numerous scams in the Philippines. Pickpockets, muggers, "taxi" drivers who rob their passengers, and even the occasional kidnapping do happen. Fortunately, a little common sense will keep you safe.

Walk at a steady pace
Keep your bags close to your body and in front of you
Do not bring out cellphones or IPods while walking
Put your wallet in your front pocket
Lock your door while asleep or out for the day
Walk in groups at night
Always keep someone informed of your whereabouts
Avoid confrontation

Filipinos are friendly, and many do want to make an honest living. But even if you believe in the natural goodness of human beings… just don’t toss in any temptation.

3) Just stick to the "popular" spots

A lot of tourists head for the popular destinations like Boracay, Baguio City, Tagaytay and Cebu, lounge around for a week or two and then head home happy and contented. Yet, that is the problem with these spots for some: they're too popular. Some travelers prefer relative solitude, and a chance to get off the beaten path.

Boracay has fine beaches, to be sure. But if you were given the chance to head for a place with beaches almost as beautiful and with less than a fourth of the people present in Boracay, would you go?

In just the past year, I've been to three such beaches.

Bantayan Island, Cebu
Nagsasa Cove, Zambales
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

And this is just in the past year. You don't need a lot of money or a lot of time to head there. For example, Nagsasa Cove is easily about 3 hours away from Manila. And even though I covered all my own expenses for Nagsasa Cove, I only spent about Php 1,200 (around 30 USD!) all in all. Pagudpud is just about a couple of hours away from Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte, while Bantayan Island is roughly a four hour trip from Cebu City. A bit too long for a normal weekend, but come on, you wouldn’t head to Bantayan Island and just stay for a night would you?

4) Be aloof with acquaintances

I’ve known some foreigners, and even some Filipinos of foreign descent, who are surprised by the common Filipino greeting of “Kumain ka na ba?” or “Have you eaten?” I used to always wonder why people are so concerned about my diet, but I soon realized this is the equivalent of a friendly “How are you?”

Small talk in the Philippines is funny. We rarely talk to strangers, or to anyone we do not need to; many of us are surprised by the American practice of chatting up people in a long line or greeting neighbors we don’t really know. On the other hand, when we do make small talk with acquaintances or people we’re introduced to, we like to get to know the person. It is considered polite to ask about the other party’s family, job or school. Asking about these shows that you value that person; you want to get to know them better, and you wish them well.

It’s also not uncommon for an acquaintance to introduce you to his or her barkada, which is basically their little “group”, much like the main cast of Friends. Often, they’ll invite you to tag along to dinner, a movie, or a drinking session, especially if you’re all by your lonesome.

On one hand, I know some foreign cultures consider it intrusive. On the other hand, it is also very sincere, in the sense that we only do this with people we actually would care to befriend. It doesn’t mean that we’re close friends already, or that we definitely will be, or that we’ll even invite you to our future birthday parties or weddings. It does mean that, as of the moment, we’re opening the door to you.

Doesn’t that make it much easier to make new friends?

5) Be in a rush

The tropical climate of the Philippines lends itself to a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere in the islands. Our national hero Jose Rizal even said so in his essay, The Indolence of the Filipinos. http://www.filipiniana.net/publication/the-indolence-of-the-filipino/12791881584668. The heat and humidity in these lovely islands can be oppressive even when it rains, and even a short stroll in direct silent can be tiring.

Even the Spaniards who conquered us found themselves becoming more relaxed. There’s the concept of merienda, a simple afternoon snack between lunch and dinner roughly equivalent to the British afternoon tea, although merienda may take a bit longer.

When the weather is cool and there is a light rain outside, we often turn to each other and comment on how nice it would be to just sleep in. Filipino gatherings often start with some small talk between parties. Important matters are often discussed over relaxed meals; and people can often be up to 15 minutes late to appointments without really incurring any loss of social capital. I know many people who actually pencil in a 15 minute allowance in their schedules just because it is so common!

Now, we Filipinos can be very hardworking. It’s just that we do like to relax a bit when

Rizal’s essay gave many reasons for this laid-back attitude, but that is really

beyond the scope of this post to discuss. The main point here is, if you’re going to be in the Philippines, take some time off. There is little point in rushing around while you’re on vacation; leave that to the workforce. Part of the Philippine experience is plopping down in a café with a coffee or beer, with some reading material or a couple of close friends, and just lazing the afternoon away. Whether you’ll be going to work the next day, or embarking on the next leg of your Philippine adventure, you’ll definitely appreciate the rec

harge.