If you haven't visited some of the beautiful spots in the Philippines, here are a couple of reminders that you would have to consider first before you get dead serious about it.
Number ONE. Filipinos are very hospitable people so please make sure you bring your best and warmest smiles as well. We will greet you anywhere and anytime because that's who we are, and that's how we were raised by our loving parents, most especially if you come to visit our beautiful places like Cebu, Bicol, Vigan, Iloilo, and I would say in almost all parts of the country. BEWARE of our generous hospitality as you will be seriously wanting to come back soon.
Number TWO. Make sure you try our death defying, life threatening, most dreadful "balut". To most of my co-Pinoys who grew up abroad, this thing is a sure fear factor. No Worries! It's not poisonous at all. In fact it's one of the most nutritious and delicious street food you will surely enjoy.
Number THREE. Ride the JEEPNEY. This is very unique to our country and if you haven't tried it, you will miss half of your travel to the Philippines.
Number FOUR. If you are total food geek and would like to try different delicacies, there's a lot of unique and authentic food you can only taste here in the Philippines. We have "adobong palaka" which is a local food in the northern part of the country. Or you can try "Uok", which are very delicious wood worms you can eat in raw. You can also try "coconut crabs" that is cooked in special gata. I'm sure you'll love it once you taste it. Try "alamang" or "bagoong" too which has a very lasting aroma. Now don't forget to include "tuyo" or dried fish in your breakfast and serve it with "kamatis" or tomato and salted egg, just try the "mantikado" one as it taste much better than regular salted egg. I would also recommend for you to try "daing na bangus", "empanadang Iloco", "loming Batangas", "bulalo", "bagnet", "litson Cebu", "pancit habhab", "suman", and our "inihaw" delicacies.
Number FIVE. Learn some famous Filipino expressions and ways of gratitude like "salamat po", "magandang umaga, tanghali, gabi or hapon", "maayong buntag" if you're planning to go to Cebu (click here for more Cebuano words and expressions), or learn some common "kapampangan" terms like "alang nanu naman", (click here for more kapampangan words and expressions), or some Ilokano words like "kablaaw" or hello, (click here for more Ilokano words and expressions).
Number SIX. If you are planning to go to town festivity or fiesta, make sure to keep some coins as you'll get caught up by a number of stop-points with a number of people who will ask you for some contribution to their fiesta, which is pretty common in the barrio or rural areas.
Number SEVEN. Keep a hungry stomach especially when you are traveling to places celebrating festive events like town fiestas as people will surely invite you to take a bite of their feast as sign of gratitude to their local "nino's" or "nina's".
Number EIGHT. In the Philippines, you won't need to bring a physical map as you are surely welcomed by the locals. Again, just always keep a friendly smiling face.
Number NINE. Don't forget your swim wears. The Philippines is literally surrounded by different forms of water from the lovely beaches of Luzon, going to the beautiful beaches of Visayas like the famous Boracay, and the untouched beaches in Mindanao.
Number TEN. And last but not the least, don't forget to enjoy! The Philippines is such a great country with many elements of beauty from people to land and surroundings. Don't forget to bring your friends and your lovely camera to take a keepsake of your wonderful journey to the Philippines.
No comments:
Post a Comment