PHILIPPINE CULTURE

Discover the Country Behind the People. When you meet someone from another country, you don't just meet a person. You also discover a different way of life.

• 💗 Different traditions.
• 💗 Different food.
• 💗 Different family values.
• 💗 Different celebrations.
• 💗 Different ways of looking at the world.

And that is one of the wonderful things about meeting someone from the Philippines.

• 🌺 Getting to know Filipino culture can make getting to know a Filipina even more interesting.

👪 FAMILY COMES FIRST

• 💗 Family is at the heart of Filipino life.
• 💗 Parents, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins and extended family can all play an important role.
• 💗 Family gatherings can be lively.
• 💗 Birthdays can become big celebrations.
• 💗 Christmas can bring entire families together.
• 💗 And looking after parents and relatives is often considered an important responsibility.
• 💗 If you are getting to know a Filipina, don't be surprised if family becomes part of the conversation quite early.
• 💗 It is often simply part of life in the Philippines.

🤝 FILIPINO HOSPITALITY

Filipinos are well known for their hospitality. A visitor may quickly be offered something to eat or drink. A guest can be made to feel at home. And a simple visit can sometimes turn into hours of conversation, food and laughter.

😊 You may arrive expecting a short visit... And leave several hours later with a full stomach and new friends.

🍜 FOOD BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

Food is an important part of Filipino culture. And there is plenty to discover.

• 🍗 Adobo
• 🍜 Pancit
• 🥣 Sinigang
• 🥩 Lechon
• 🍚 Rice — an essential part of many Filipino meals
• 🥭 Mangoes and other tropical fruits

And of course, there are countless regional dishes and family recipes. Don't be afraid to try something you've never eaten before. Your first Filipino meal could become one of your favourite memories.

🎉 FIESTAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The Philippines loves a celebration. Throughout the country you will find fiestas, festivals, parades, music, dancing and community events. Some celebrations are deeply connected with local history and traditions. Others are religious. And some are simply an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy themselves. If you ever have the opportunity to experience a Filipino fiesta, take it. It is something you will remember.

🎵 MUSIC, DANCE AND KARAOKE

Music is everywhere. Filipinos love singing, dancing and entertaining one another. And there is one Filipino tradition you may discover very quickly: Karaoke. 🎤

• 😊 You might think you are simply visiting someone's home for dinner. Then suddenly someone hands you a microphone. Don't worry about being a great singer. Just enjoy yourself. In the Philippines, participation can be more important than perfection.

🌴 THE PHILIPPINES IS NOT ONE PLACE

The Philippines is an enormous collection of more than one thousand islands and communities.

• 💗 That means there isn't one single Filipino experience.
• 💗 People in Manila may have a very different daily life from people living in a small provincial town.
• 💗 Northern Luzon is different from the Visayas.
• 💗 The Visayas are different from Mindanao.
• 💗 Languages, food, traditions and local customs can vary from one region to another.
• 💗 That's part of what makes discovering the Philippines so fascinating.

💬 LEARN THE LANGUAGE

Filipino and English are widely used, but the Philippines is home to many languages and regional varieties. You may hear Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon and many others. You don't need to become fluent before visiting. But learning a few Filipino words can be a wonderful gesture.

• 💗 Salamat — Thank you.
• 💗 Kumusta? — How are you?
• 💗 Magandang araw — Good day.
• ❤️ And perhaps the most important word of all: Mahal kita.

🌏 RESPECT THE DIFFERENCES

Culture isn't about deciding that one way of doing things is right and another is wrong. It's about understanding that people can live differently.

• 💗 Ask questions.
• 💗 Listen.
• 💗 Be curious.
• 💗 Respect traditions.
• 💗 And don't assume that everyone in the Philippines thinks or lives in exactly the same way.
• 💗 Every person is an individual.
• 💗 Every family is different.
• 💗 Every region has its own character.

❤️ GET TO KNOW THE PERSON — NOT JUST THE COUNTRY

Learning about Filipino culture can help you understand the environment in which someone grew up. But culture never tells you everything about a person.

• 💗 Your Filipina friend has her own personality.
• 💗 Her own dreams.
• 💗 Her own experiences.
• 💗 Her own ambitions.
• 💗 Her own story.
• 💗 The best way to discover those things is simple:
• 💗 Talk to her. Listen to her. Get to know her.

🌹 DISCOVERY CAN BE PART OF THE ADVENTURE

Perhaps your interest in the Philippines started because you wanted to meet someone. But along the way you may discover much more.

• 💗 A country with thousands of islands.
• 💗 A rich mixture of cultures.
• 💗 Wonderful food.
• 💗 Beautiful landscapes.
• 💗 Family traditions.
• 💗 Music and celebrations.
• 💗 And people with stories of their own.
• 💗 The more you discover, the more interesting the journey becomes.

🇵🇭 WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES

Don't just visit the Philippines. Experience it.

• 💗 Taste the food.
• 💗 Listen to the music.
• 💗 Join the celebration.
• 💗 Explore the islands.
• 💗 Talk to the people.
• 💗 Learn the traditions.
• ❤️ And most importantly... keep an open mind and an open heart. Because when you discover the culture, you may discover a whole new side of the person you've come to know. Discover the Philippines. Discover its culture.
• 🧭 And perhaps discover your 'Love A Filipina'.