General information about the Philippines.
The Philippines is one of the best tourist destinations in Asia because of its many attractions and spots to visit. Not only does the Philippines have beautiful beaches to swim in, mountains to climb to, but also different museums and festivals that show the country’s history and culture. Apart from the tourism sector that the Philippines can offer, the country also is also one of the top countries providing English education to students around Asia and its neighboring continents. Due to this matter, a lot of ESL schools in the Philippines have been established.
This information below is intended to be a mini guide to foreign students who will be travelling and studying in different ESL schools in the Philippines.
Official Name: Republic of the Philippines
Currency: The currency is PHP (Philippine Peso). Paper notes come in P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1000 denominations, while we also have coins in 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5 and P10.
Exchange rate: 50.00 PHP (As of September, 2017)
Population: 103.3 million (As of 2016)
International dialing code: 0063
Capital City: Metro Manila
Islands: 7641
Highest point: Mount Apo, 2954m
Geography divided into: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
Form of government: Presidential system
Head of the State: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (term: 2016- 2022)
National Language: Filipino, English
The official language is Filipino. But the Philippines uses English as its second language.
How to Get Here:
International flights enter the Philippines through Manila, Clark or Cebu. It has sea ports for major international carriers and cruise liners. There are regular flights from Japan, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and the United States etc.
What to Wear:
If you just want to go around the city, light casual clothes with cotton and tropical clothing is advisable. If you plan to visit mountain regions, you should wear warmer garments. In attending formal occasions, the Philippine barong Tagalog can be worn or a tie and suit would be fine.
Religion:
Majority of Filipinos are predominantly Catholic followed by Islam and Protestantism etc. The number of Christianity is 92%, Islam is 5.57%, while 2.43% is the rest.