Philippines
Local time: GMT +8hrs
Capital:Manila.
Language: English, Filipino and Spanish.
Electricity: 110V/220AC 60Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 63.
Driving: international driving permit required.
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP 1 = 100 Centavos).
Notes: PHP: 5; 10; 20; 50; 100; 500; 1,000.
Coins:PHP: 1; 2; 5. Centavos: 5; 10; 25; 50.
Business hours
Banks:9am-4pm Monday-Friday.
Offices:8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm Monday-Friday.
Shops:9.30am-8pm.
Emergency Services
Police: 59 90 11. Fire: 58 11 76 (Manila)
Clothing
Lightweights or tropical throughout the year with warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Rainwear essential for the rainy season.
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving within six days from infected areas. Infants under one year are exempt.
Business/social hints
Appointments: made in advance.
Attire for business meetings: men and women should wear lightweight suits or equivalent.
Etiquette: it is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. Business cards are exchanged after introduction. Visitors should be perceptive to unfamiliar local customs.
Language:business is mostly conducted in English.
Laws:minimum drinking age is 18.
Invitations: punctuality is appreciated. A service charge is normally added to bills and gratuities are not necessary. Weather
The climate is typically tropical all year with relatively high humidity and abundant rainfall. There are three pronounced seasons, rainy from June-October, cool to dry from November-February and hot and dry from March-May. The coolest month is January and the hottest is May.
Manila Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max/Min am pm (mm)
January 30 25 76 – 25
February 33 17 74 – 25
March 35 18 70 – 25
April 36 19 70 – 25
May 36 21 75 – 127
June 36 22 80 – 254
July 33 27 83 – 432
August 33 22 83 – 432
September 33 22 83 – 356
October 33 21 82 – 203
November 33 19 80 – 152
December 33 18 79 – 76