aiesec philippines reception booklet 1314
DESCRIPTION
Reception booklet for Exchange ParticipantsTRANSCRIPT
Mabuhay! Congratulations for stepping foot on one out of the 7,107 glorious islands of the Philippines! On behalf of AIESEC here, I warmly welcome you to a place you will soon call your second home. It must be very exciting yet admittedly a bit scary to be in a strange place with people you know very little of. However, amongst all this country’s wonderful qualities – its beaches and scrumptious food which I am sure you’ve already heard of – you could call its people the best the country has to offer. No one leaves the Philippines without making a new friend for life, and as you conclude your internship, you will bring with you the smiles and optimism of people whose lives you will have changed for the better.
But apart from this, I hope this booklet will also come in handy for you. This is especially prepared by Filipino AIESECers to help make your stay as seamless as possible so you can focus on your volunteer experience, or simply exploring the unique beauty of our country. At the end of the day though, it can only do so much and is just barely scratching the surface. Should you need assistance in anything, or simply in need of some good company, feel free to contact any AIESECer and we’ll be sure to help you out. Enjoy your stay and may you discover how it truly is more fun in the Philippines. All the best, Audrey Elumba Member Committee President AIESEC in the Philippines
The Philippines has a tropical climate
with an average temperature in the
Philippines is 26.6o C
The coolest month is January,
with an average temperature of 25.5o C
The warmest month is May with an
average temperature of 28.3o C.
The Philippines is comprised of 7, 107
islands located in Southeast Asia in the
western Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is
divided into three major regions: Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao.
Remember to be mindful of weather conditions, even before
arriving in the country. Bring appropriate clothes and other
materials, such as raincoats during the rainy season, and
mosquito repellents during the warm season.
Keep in mind as well that weather conditions might affect
your internship. During and after storms, for example, most
schools cancel classes. Your OC will brief you on contingency
plans for your project.
Rest assured that the LCs and the OCs are prepared for such
situations. If you have questions and concerns, feel free to
bring them up with your host entity or the MC.
The Philippines has over 100
local languages, but it has two
official languages:
This is the native language. It is a
mixture of languages found in the
Philippines, mostly coming from
Tagalog with English, Spanish and
Chinese loan words.
Filipino
The language was adopted when
the Philippines was colonized by the
United States. Most Filipinos are
native speakers of the language.
English
Other languages spoken in the
Philippines:
Spanish: The use of Spanish has
declined, and it is no longer an official
language, but there remain some Filipino-
Spanish families mostly in Metro Manila,
Iloilo, and Cebu that speak Spanish, and in
a few universities it is still required to learn
Spanish.
Chinese: The Philippines has a
significant Chinese population, and in
Chinese schools Mandarin Chinese is often
used as the medium of instruction. Other
Chinese languages spoken in the
Philippines are Lan-nang (Philippine variant
of Hokkien) and Cantonese.
Arabic: Primarily used in religious
instruction in Muslim schools, and was
once the common language spoken by
Muslim traders around the Malay islands.
Japanese: There are significant
Japanese communities in Laguna, Baguio,
Davao, and Metro Manila.
A new design for Philippines was released in
2010, but both set of bills are still honoured.
OLD
NEW
OLD
NEW
A new design for Philippines was released in
2010, but both set of bills are still honoured.
Taxi ride Php40 for the first 500 meters, and additional Php3.50 for every 300 meters or two minutes waiting time. Movie Php150-200 depending on cinema type and location. Lunch or Dinner Depending on where you eat, you can spend as much as Php50 to Php200 per meal. Most meals have one rice and one viand. SIM Card Local SIM cards are usually Php60-90. Those sold in the airport are more expensive. Check with your host LC which network provider they prefer you to have. Mobile credit (Load/Top up) You can buy from sari-sari and convenience stores. They range from Php10 to Php500. They can be directly sent to your phone or you can buy them as cards. Restaurant tip Tipping is not required, but it is highly appreciated. Some restaurants charge a service charge. You can tip from Php20-Php100, depending on the restaurant and their service. Ride in a… Jeepney? Base fare is Php8, but prices go higher the farther the destination is. Bus? Base fare is Php10, but prices go higher the farther the destination is.
As of 06 December 2012:
1 US Dollar 40.95 Philippine Peso (PHP)
1 Euro 53.42 PHP
1 Japan Yen 0.50 PHP
1 Great British Pound 65.75 PHP
1 Hong Kong Dollar 5.27 PHP
1 Canadian Dollar 41.21 PHP
1 Singapore Dollar 33.53 PHP
1 Australian Dollar 42.71 PHP
1 Indonesia Rupiah 0.0042 PHP
1 Thailand Baht 1.33 PHP
1 China Yuan 6.56 PHP
English Filipino
Good morning/afternoon/evening! Magandang umaga/hapon/gabi!
How are you? Kamusta ka?
Thank you (so much)! (Maraming) salamat!
Yes Oo (polite form: Opo)
No Hindi
My name is ______. Ako ay si _____.
I am from ______. Ako ay galing sa _______.
Let’s eat! Kain na!
How do I get to (place)? Paano pumunta sa (place)?
(literally, “here’s the fare”. Used
when riding a jeepney)
Bayad po!
(“Stop,” used when riding a
jeepney or tricycle)
Para po!
“Po” is inserted in phrases and sentences to denote politeness, especially to older folks and authority.
Numbers in Spanish are also often used, such as in age and price.
Most Filipinos use numbers in English as well.
English Filipino English Filipino
One Isa Twenty Dalawampu
Two Dalawa Thirty Tatlumpu
Three Tatlo Forty Apatnapu
Four Apat Fifty Limampu
Five Lima Sixty Animnapu
Six Anim Seventy Pitumpu
Seven Pito Eighty Walumpu
Eight Walo Ninety Siyampu
Nine Siyam One Hundred Isang daan
Ten Sampu One Thousand Isang libo
- Local time is GMT +8
- Beware that certain areas in the country strictly
forbid smoking in public
- Prepare for terminal fees, estimated at around
Php650-Php750
- Keep an umbrella with you. You’ll find it handy!
- Keep an insect repellent handy as well!
- Check your appliances!
Electrical outlets are 220 V.
Adaptors for the prongs are
available in the country
for Php50.
These colourful and iconic jeepneys can be
found anywhere! A jeepney can usually hold
14-20 passengers facing each other, and two
more beside the driver. Passengers are
expected to pass the fares to the driver. Just
say “Bayad po!” And say “Para po!” to signal
your stop!
A tricycle is a motorcycle with a sidecar, while
a pedicab is a bicycle with a sidecar. These forms
of public transportation are usually for shorter
distances in the Metro. However, they are also a
more convenient choice for passing through
routes too narrow for cars or jeepneys.
They can have up to 4 passengers, and they cost
from Php20-40 depending on the distance of the
destination.
Most of our local airlines fly to nearby countries. Watch
out for their promo fares! Note that there fees and taxes
at the airport, so bring extra Philippine pesos.
Cebu Pacific – www.cebupacificair.com
Interisland Airlines – www.interislandairlines.com
Philippine Airlines (PAL) – www.philippineairlines.com
Air Philippines – www.airphils.com
SeaAir - http://flyseair.com/
Zest Airlines – www.zestair.com.ph
The Philippines is an archipelago, so you can expect
to travel by boat when you’re travelling. Try the roll-
on-roll-off (RORO) ships between Manila and other
major ports.
Here are the two major shipping
lines: http://www.2go.com.ph/ or
http://www.montenegrolines.com.ph/.
And a helpful blog: http://cebuboattrips.com/
Source: itsmorefuninthephilippines.com
The trains are one of the quickest ways
around Metro Manila. They are cheap
and convenient, with prices ranging
from Php10 to Php14. However, avoid
them during the morning and late
afternoon rush hours as they are almost
always packed with people. Make sure
to secure your belongings with you,
and never leave them unattended.
All three lines are interconnected.
The yellow line is LRT-1, purple is
LRT-2, and the blue is MRT. All the
LCs in Metro Manila are accessible
through these trains.
Philippine cuisine is a mix of Spanish,
Chinese, and Malay influences, so our
plates are a delightful combination of east
and west!
Our staple food is rice, and a meal isn’t a meal
without rice! We usually eat rice with an “ulam,”
or viands. These can have pork, beef, fish,
or vegetables.
Our choice of cutlery is spoon and fork.
(Tip: Use the fork to push food into the spoon.)
We don’t usually use our hands to eat, but some
restaurants, like Kamayan, do offer that. Don’t
worry, hand washing is a common practice as well.
Filipinos have a sweet tooth, so every meal must
have a sweet ending! Choose from a wide range
of desserts and sugary pastries.
Here are some dishes your host AIESECers
recommend to every EP visiting our country.
Make sure you try to try everything at least once!
Source: panlasangpinoy.com
One of the signature dishes from the Philippines!
It can be pork or chicken with the basic
ingredients: vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns,
and dried bay leaves.
A popular appetizer from Pampanga! Sisig can
be made of either parts of the pig, or even with
healthier seafood.
Sinigang is a sour soup native to the Philippines. It
has leafy vegetables combined with a main
ingredient. This can be pork, chicken, beef,
shrimp, or fish.
This dessert is composed of several ingredients,
including sugar palm, flat rice crisps, coconut gel,
ripe jackfruit, colored gelatin, tapioca pearls,
sweetened plantains, and macapuno, all mixed
together with shaved ice and evaporated milk.
Source: panlasangpinoy.com
“Buko” means coconut, while “pandan” are
Screwpine leaves. This dessert is mixed with green
gelatin, and sometimes topped with vanilla ice
cream.
Here are some famous desserts you should try!
Did you know that the sweetest mangoes are from
the Philippines? Enjoy these and more tropical fruits
on our shores! (For fairly low prices too!)
We also recommend our street food! Try them first, then we’ll tell
you what they’re called ;) (Don’t worry, they’re good and safe. We
eat these too!)
October 26 – Friday – Aidul Adha
November 1 – Thursday – All Saints Day
November 2 – Friday – Special non-working holiday
November 30 – Friday – Bonifacio Day
December 24 – Monday – Special non-working holiday
December 25 – Tuesday – Christmas Day
December 30 – Sunday – Rizal Day
December 31 – Monday – New Year’s Eve
January 1 – Tuesday – New Year’s Day
February 25 – Monday – EDSA Revolution anniversary
(special holiday for schools)
March 28 – Maundy Thursday
March 29 – Good Friday
March 30 – Holy Saturday
April 9 – Tuesday - Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 – Wednesday – Labor Day
June 12 – Wednesdsay – Independence Day
August 21 – Wednesday - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 26 – Monday – National Heroes Day
November 1 – Friday – All Saints’ Day
November 2 – Saturday – Special non-working holiday
November 30 – Saturday – Bonifacio Day
December 25 – Wednesday – Christmas Day
December 30 – Monday - Rizal Day
December 31 – Tuesday – New Year’s Eve
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos shall inform the Office of the President
when the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be for 2013.
With its historical sites, commercial centers,
and lively nightlife, you’ll always have
something to do in Metro Manila
Intramuros, or the walled city, was the seat
of the Spanish government during the
colonial era. Now, you can see structures
and memorials from the Spanish to the
contemporary times. The Bureau of
Immigration is also located here.
One of the best natural harbors in
Southeast Asia and one of the finest in
the world. Indeed, watching the sunset
here is breathtaking.
The Manila Chinatown was founded in
1594 after the Spaniards settled in the
Philippines. Now, Chinatown is famous for
its retails stores, restaurants, traditional
Chinese institutions, and festivals.
The Fort in Taguig City is famous for its
clubs and thriving nightlife. It also
houses several tea and coffee shops for
your after-party or early morning
lounging.
The city capital of the Philippines! Manila
is one of the most densely populated cities
in the world. It is a cosmopolitan and
complicated city, influenced by its cross-
cultural heritage and modern commercial
centers.
Vigan was recognized as a UNESCO
Heritage Site. You can see how the
Philippines looked like during the
Spanish era. Also try the Vigan
longganisa!
There are hundreds of places to visit in
the Philippines, but here are some to get
you started.
Famous for its very fine white sands and
gleaming white puka shells, Boracay was
declared the 2012 world’s best island. The
quickest way to get there is by air.
Camarines Sur is the Bicol region in
Luzon. This province is becoming
more famous for the CamSur Water
Complex. You can get there by land.
Palawan is considered the Philippines’ last
ecological frontier. It is home to two
UNESCO Heritage Sites: the Tubbataha
Reef National Marine Park and the Puerto
Prinsesa Subterranean River. You can fly
directly to Palawan.
Siargao is well-known as the “Surfing
Capital,” and holds its annual Siargao
Cup competition in “Cloud 9” every
September. You can visit this island in
Mindanao by either taking a flight to
Surigao then riding a boat, or fly
directly to Siargao Island.
Located in the Visayas group of islands,
Cebu is the Seat of Christianity and the
oldest city in the country. You can find also
the cross from the King of Spain given by
the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan in
Cebu. Drop by the AIESEC LC in Cebu!
Davao is the center of commerce in
the Mindanao group of islands. Davao
is famous for the exotic fruit Durian,
the tallest peak in the country, Mt. Apo,
and the national animal, Philippine
Eagle. Visit the AIESEC LC here as
well!
Here are ways to obtain a visa for your stay in the Philippines:
A Apply for a visa partially or fully covering your stay in the
Philippine embassy in your home country. Refer to
<http://www.pcoo.gov.ph/embassies_phil-dir.htm> for a
directory of the PH embassies.
B Have your visa extended here in the Philippines. Passport
holders from certain countries are granted a 21-day visa
upon arriving. Check if your country is one of them:
<http://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/consular-services/visa>.
Holders of Brazil and Israel passports are granted a 59-day
visa upon arriving.
We advise our EPs to avail of either 9a or 47a2 visa.
For temporary visitors coming for business,
pleasure, or reasons of health 9a
47a2
Special non-immigrant visa granted to, but
not limited to, locally and internationally
recognized organizations and institutions
(including AIESEC)
Tourists given a 21-day visa can extend for
another 38 days (free 21 days + 38 day waiver
= 59-day visa)
Tourist visa extension after first 59 days:
At this point, you will also be required to get an
i-Card worth US$50 + express free of Php500
You can extend your visa every two months
for total stay of 16 months..
After regular extension of 2 months:
Extension fee after 6 months of stay (to be
charged on the 7th month of stay)
Php3030
Php4300 for one month
Php4800 for two months
US$50 + express fee of
Php500
Php1830 + Php500 for
every month of extension
Php3240 + Php500 for
every month of extension
Upon filing in the Department of Justice
Upon implementation of visa
One year
Two years
+Express Lane Fee
Php3020
Php4600
Php6620
Php500
You may apply for a 47a2 from your country.
Consult with the nearest Philippine embassy
for more information.
The Alien Certificate of Registration
(ACR) I-Card Project is an
accreditation card issued by the
Philippines Bureau of Immigration for
foreigners to stay in the Philippines.
This is required for a foreigner to
open a bank account in the country.
Other benefits include online
payment of immigration fees, faster
processing time at the ports of entry
and exit, among others. This is also
the government’s way of eliminating
illegal middlemen and “fixers”.
You are required to get this upon
extending after the first 59 days. Reference: Bureau of Immigration website
1. Which visa should I avail?
You can decide based on duration and overall cost. EPs
staying for 6-8 weeks usually extend using the 9a visa. The
47a2 might seem more practical than the 9a, but consider
that processing can take 2-3 weeks.
2. What if the last day of my visa falls on a holiday or a weekend?
You must extend on or before the last business/working day
immediately preceding the expiry date. Otherwise, penalties
and motions will apply.
3. What if I’ll stay in the Philippines for more than 59 days but less
than a month after that?
The Bureau of Immigration doesn’t give partial visas, so you
would have to pay for the whole month. Alternatively, some
EPs choose to fly to a neighbouring country. Upon arriving
back to the Philippines, they are issued another 21-day visa.
4. I need to visit another country’s embassy while I’m in the
Philippines. How can I get in touch with them?
You can find a directory here:
<http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/Philippines>
5. What if I get employed by the TN after my internship?
You are no longer be an AIESEC Exchange Participant once
an organization hires you as an employee. Therefore, you
would have to avail of the 9g working visa. More details from
the Bureau of Immigration website:
<http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&t
ask=view&id=25&Itemid=36>
6. Do you need to have a return flight when entering the Philippines?
You need to have an “on-going” flight when you enter the
Philippines. It can be a return flight or a flight going to another
country. The flight date doesn’t have to be before the expiration
of your visa.
• While calling out someone, one should refrain from pointing
the finger. Also avoiding too much of eye contact is preferred.
One should also be knowledgeable of the non verbal
expressions practiced in Philippines.
• If Filipinos don't understand a question, they open their
mouths. Raised eyebrows signify recognition and agreement.
• Laughter may convey pleasure or embarrassment; it is
commonly used to relieve tension.
• "Yes" is signified by a jerk of the head upward. "No" is signified
by a jerk of the head down. Since the Filipinos rarely say no,
the non-verbal sign for "no" is sometimes accompanied by a
verbal yes, which would still indicate "no."
• Staring is considered rude and could be misinterpreted as a
challenge, but Filipinos may stare or even touch foreigners,
especially in areas where foreigners are rarely seen.
• To Filipinos, standing with your hands on your hips means you
are angry.
• Never curl your index finger back and forth (to beckon). This is
an insult.
• To indicate two of something, raise your ring and pinkie
fingers.
• To beckon, extend arm, palm down, moving fingers in
scratching motion. Touch someone's elbow lightly to attract
attention. Do not tap on the shoulder.
• "Eyebrow flash" -- a quick lifting of eyebrows -- is a Filipino
greeting.
• Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting
the eldest or most important person first.
• A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the standard greeting.
• Men and women shake hands with everyone present at a business
meeting or social occasion and when saying "goodbye."
Handshakes should be friendly and informal, but limp. Men should
wait for women to extend their hand.
• Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet.
• Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and the
person's surname until you are invited to use their first name, or
even more frequently, their nickname.
• Dress well for most occasions.
• Men should wear a jacket and tie for initial meetings.
• Women should wear western dresses, skirts and blouses.
• Don't be offended by personal questions. These are asked to show
interest. Feel free to ask the same questions in return, especially
about family.
• Speak softly and control your emotions in public. Make requests,
not demands.
• Never bring shame to a person. This reflects on his family. Personal
goals are sacrificed for the good of the family.
• Never directly criticize anyone, especially in public. Never offer
insincere comments or compliments.
In 1967, Eric de Guia brought AIESEC back from his MBA at
Wharton with Alfonso “Jing” Puyat. Before then, there had
been two attempts to start an AIESEC entity in the
Philippines. AIESEC Philippines started at University of the
Philippines-Diliman (UPD) and became officially recognized
at the Istanbul Congress in 1968.
The first official AIESEC National Committee President
(NCP) was Tony Cailao (1967). The first Study Tour was sent
to Japan under NCP Eric Mondragon. It was in 1968-1969
that AIESEC in the Philippines first sent trainees out.
Sources: AIESEC Pamana, myaiesec.net
LC Ateneo De Manila University became recognized in 1970.
Other local committees were formed in De La Salle
University, Maryknoll College (now Miriam College),
University of San Carlos in Cebu, and Ateneo de Davao in
1973.
Since then, AIESEC has expanded to 6 full member LCs, 4
extension LCs, and 1 applying LC. In 2011-2012, AIESEC
Philippines has engaged 500 team members, 275 team
leaders, 406 incoming trainees, and 166 outgoing trainees.
Sources: AIESEC Pamana, myaiesec.net
Sent your EP AN and received your TN AN?
Signed the indemnity form and EP agreement form?
Been officially matched in myaiesec.net?
Gotten the contact details of who will you up and the
guidelines for the pick-up itself?
Gotten your travel insurance?
Had expectation setting with your host LC?
Settled internship-related matters, such as accommodation,
housing, and costs involved?
Copies of AIESEC documents
TN Acceptance Note
EP Agreement
Indemnity form
Valid passport, photocopies of your passport and other documents
Visa (unless you’re going to have it extended in the Philippines)
Pocket money (international ATM card if you have one)
Travel insurance
Clothes appropriate to the weather (shorts and slippers are okay
for summer, jackets and hoodies are okay for the rainy season)
Toiletries
Medicines
Cultural materials – food, flag, costume, souvenirs, whatever you
want to showcase to Filipinos!
Gadgets such as Camera, laptop, chargers, mobile phone (make
sure your phone can accept foreign/Philippine SIM cards)
Other internship-specific materials
Check out the Davao reception booklet:
<http://issuu.com/enarosaroso/docs/davaoreceptionbooklet>
We highly recommend the Department of Tourism’s website:
itsmorefuninthephilippines.com. This website is aimed at
tourists, so you will find a lot of useful information there
about going around the country.
If you want to know how to get around without riding a cab or
private vehicles, then you might find ph-commute.com
useful as well.
If you want to learn how to cook Filipino food, some good
recipes are in panlasangpinoy.com
For more general information, travel.wiki.com/philippines
is a good site for foreigners in the country as well.
MCP Audrey Elumba
Cellphone: 09062794413
e-mail: [email protected]
In case of emergency: METRO MANILA: 117
DAVAO: 911
MCVP
Projects
Margery “Marge” Bumagat
Cellphone: 09176308774
e-mail: [email protected]
MCVP
IGCDP
Kazumi “KC” Shiroma
Cellphone: 09175959981
e-mail: [email protected]
Sources: AIESEC UPD reception booklet (2011-2012), myaiesec.net, itsmorefuninthephilippines.com, travel.wiki.com/philippines, panlasangpinoy.com,
foreignerinthephilippines.com, davaotourism.com, cebutourism.com Images from the internet. None belong to the authors of this booklet.
© Diosa Quinones, Kim Lumibao, Emma Dooc. December 2012.