Philippines at a Glance
Stretching 1,839 kms, north-to-south off the southeast coast of Asia, the
Republic of the Philippines has a total land area of 300,000 sq. kms. Its
7,107 islands comprise one of the largest groups in the world.
The Philippines is the world's third largest English-speaking country.
Pilipino is the national language; English is used for commercial and legal
transactions. Literacy rate is a high 94%.
Food
Filipino food may puzzle the first-time eater, Phil. history is largely
responsible for this complex cuisine: on a matrix of native dishes akin to
those in the rest of Southeast Asia, Chinese traders input their culinary
culture, Spanish colonizers added touches of Castillan and Mexican cooking
and U.S. colonization brought in convenience and fast-food meals.
Check out these
great views:
Nightlife
Metro
Manila is considered a pleasure-seeker's paradise, with an array of
nighttime activities, from the soothing to the sinful. One can listen
to whatever music he desires, from bands and singers, taking advantage of
"happy hour" drink promos at bars and clubs.
Hotspots not be missed
are the SM and Ayala Malls, all over the archipelago, together with the
Rockwell Center and Glorietta in Makati. These malls carry
international designer brands with prices comparable to those in Hong Kong
or Singapore.