What is the best thing you can do in the Philippines?

David Tomlinson

The best thing about the Philippines is the people. Do whatever you can do to meet, talk, drink, eat with Filipinos. Even if you don’t speak Tagalog or Cebuano or any of the other Philippines languages, many times they will speak or at least understand English. The further you get out into the provinces, the more important it is to have someone who understands both to help translate.

The people are resilient, funny, usually kind to us poor foreigners. That is if you make an effort to treat them like people. Get out and eat and drink with people, dance and sing karaokke… don’t hang out with only your fellow countrymen, make an effort. I’ve been to more funerals, weddings, christenings, and birthdays in the last 10 years than in the first 50 in the States. Gatherings of friends and family are a very important part of social life here.

Oh, and, as long as you are living in a tropical paradise, with over 7000 islands and beaches, enjoy swimming, scuba, snorkeling, eating seafood, drinking cheap beer. Go to some of the clubs and music venues and enjoy the local music. Get out and golf at the dozen golf courses within 100 km of central Manila. And the dozens more in Cebu, Davao and elsewhere. Go up into the mountain provinces and enjoy the forests, cool air, different food and the coffee that’s grown there.

Marry a Filipina, grow a family, build a house on a hill overlooking the sea. Enjoy life.