The first official language is Filipino, derived from Tagalog. The second official language is English. Spanish and Chinese are also common, although less so than English. There are over 100 cultural and ethnic groups, each with their own language. A total of over 988 languages and dialects are registered, including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon and Bicol. Filipino, colloquially referred to as Pinoy, is a vowel-rich language spoken and understood by approximately 80% of the population. Tagalog, which is the source language for Filipino, belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian languages and as such is related to the Indonesian, Malay, Fijian and Hawaiian languages, among others. Numerous Spanish loanwords are used in Tagalog. About 28% of the Filipino population speak Tagalog, and the language is particularly widespread on the island of Luzon.
Idioms
Eight = Waló Eighty = Walumpû Exit = Palabas Goodbye = Adyos Beer = Serbesa Please = Walang anuman Thank You = Salamat Tuesday = Martés Doctor = Doctor Thursday = Huwebes Three = Tatlo Thirty = Tatlumpû Entrance = Pasok One Hundred = Isang daan One = Isá One Thousand = Isáng líbo Friday = Biyérnes Five = Limá Fifty = Limampû Danger = Pangánib Closed = Serado Hallo = Hello Today = Ngayón Hotel = Otél I don’t understand Filipino. = Hindi ako nagsasalita ng Filipino. Yes = Oo Wednesday = Miyerkules Monday = Lunes Tomorrow = Umága No = Hindi Nine = Siyám Ninety = Siyamnapû Open = Bukás, Nganga Restaurant = Restaurán Saturday = Sabado Six = Anim Sixty = Animnapû Seven = Pito Seventy = Pitumpû Sunday = Linggo Toilets = Toilet Four = Apat Forty = Apatnapû Wine = Bino How much is it? = Magkaano ba ito? Where is …? = Saan ay ? Ten = Sampu Twenty = Dalawampu Two = Dalawa
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
02/25/2022 EDSA Revolution Day
04/09/2022 Bataan Day (Araw ng Kagitingan)
04/14/2022 Maundy Thursday
04/15/2022 Good Friday
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
06/12/2022 Independence Day
08/29/2022 Folk Heroes Day
11/01/2022 all saints day
11/30/2022 Bonifacio Day (commemoration of Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro)
The given date for the Islamic holiday Eid Ul Fitr is calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shifts from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid Ul Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be purchased duty-free in the duty-free shops at the international airports in the Philippines and imported into the special trade zones of the Philippines (persons aged 18 and over). Purchases in duty-free shops must be made within 48 hours of arrival in the Philippines: 2 packs of cigarettes; 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages. Items of personal use up to a maximum value of US$ 1000 for persons aged 18 and over. Tax-exempt personal items do not include electronic devices and household appliances, which may be imported by persons over the age of 18 but are subject to import taxes. Persons under the age of 18 may only import consumer goods tax-free. Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to purchase or bring into the Philippines any tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, electronic devices or household appliances in the duty-free shops.
Import Restrictions
For the importation of weapons, weapon parts, ammunition, explosives, slot machines, gambling articles and devices, lottery tickets, medicinal drugs, opium pipes, animal products, aquatic products, plant products, animal products, tobacco products, electrical equipment, mineral products, telecommunications equipment, food, fruit and vegetables and used motorized vehicles, an import permit is required. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
Products in any form made from precious metals with no indication of purity; pornographic, obscene and indecent material; Objects, narcotics and substances that can be used to induce an abortion or media that provide information on inducing an abortion; Media that incites treason, rebellion or insurrection against the government of the Philippines or breaking the law; Media threatening the life and/or physical integrity of citizens of the Philippines, counterfeit food/medicine/products.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
Consulate General in Geneva. Consulates in Lugano and Zurich.
Safari suits or a long-sleeved Barong Tagalog are perfectly acceptable for business visits. Advance notice is required and business cards are encouraged. The business style is American and English is the main language spoken. The best months for business visits are October to November and January to March. Business hours are very different. Many offices are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Business contacts
European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines 19F Philippine AXA Life Centre, Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue cor. Tindalo St., Makati City, Manila 1200, Philippines Tel. +63 (0)2 88 45 13 24/26, +63 (0)2 77 59 66 80. Website: www.eccp.com Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry) 3F Commerce and Industry Plaza, 1030 Campus Ave. cor. Park Ave., McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Manila 1634, Philippines Tel. +63 (0)2 846 81 96. Website: www.philippinechamber.com
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code for the Philippines is 0063. There are hardly any public phone booths in the Philippines anymore.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800, 3G and 4G. Network operators include Smart and Globe. Cellular coverage is good in Manila and other urban and tourist areas. Roaming contracts exist. Nevertheless, it may be worth purchasing a Philippine mobile phone together with a prepaid SIM card.
Internet
Internet cafes are available nationwide. However, for security reasons, banking transactions should not be carried out on public computers. Especially in tourist areas, most shopping centers, parks, hotels, restaurants and bars can use WiFi for a fee.
Post office
Postal items to Europe take at least 5 days to arrive. The Philippine Post Office website has a post office location finder. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-17.00. There are no mailboxes in the Philippines. Postal items must be posted at a post office. Some hotel receptions accept letters and sell postage stamps. The Philippine postal system is supported by international courier services.
