Time Zone: GMT + 8

Geting There: The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premiere gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines which fly to different cities around the world.
Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, links Manila to 14 cities in 8 countries, www.philippineairlines.com

Currrency: Unit of currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Bank notes: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, P1000. Coins: 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5, P10
Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops. Most large stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. Traveller’s cheques preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal cheques drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted.

Climate: The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons. March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool.

Average temperatures: 78 F / 25 C to 90 F / 32 C. Humidity: 77%

What to Wear: Light, casual clothes are recommended. Formal occasions require dinner jackets and ties (or the Philippine Barong Tagalog) for men and cocktail dresses or long gowns for women. Language While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino. English is the business language and spoken widely.

Dining Out: Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American Culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine. Entertainment and Culture: Metro Manila is the center of entertainment and cultural activities. The premiere venue for the performing arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, features worldclass performances by local and international guest artists. Museums located in Manila and in some parts of the country offer a glimpse of Philippine history and culture. Art galleries exhibit the works of the country’s leading and promising visual artists. Manila’s nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Asia, reflecting the Filipino’s love for music.

Getting Around: There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use. Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. In Metro Manila, the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system. Tourrs and Speciiall IIntterrestt Activities Tour packages, from day trips to fiveday programs, are special ways of discovering the Philippines and its wealth of culture. Special interest activities include golfing, gamefishing, diving, whitewater rafting and other aquasports, trekking, spelunking, and safari trips. These activities are accessible to the event venue, a mere 23 hours away from the city.

The People: The Philippines is known not only for the beauty of its natural environment, but also for the warmth and charm of its people. Filipinos are generally known for their hospitality.The Philippines’ rich and vibrant culture and tradition reflect a mixture of Malay, Hispanic, and Western influences. Other Information For more info on the Philippines, please visit www.tourism.gov.ph