A vast number of Filipinos were travelling to see their relatives in different parts of the country or to spend their vacation on the beach, which coincided with very high rates for flights.
We spent the majority of our time with locals and we were incredibly touched by their stories, their humble yet bright personalities and vivacious energy. Now, we would like to thank them for some lessons that have influenced us.
To do that, we are dedicating this post to all of the dear people of the Philippines whom we met on the road. Many of you do not have the internet, a computer, and some of you have little to no electricity, but the world is small and we do believe these words will find you one day.
If you travel to the Philippines and need to book your hotel, we highly recommend to check out the latest rates on TripAdvisor. We’ve been using the site for many years, and were very happy to find some fantastic deals through the website during our trip to the Philippines. Also you can use now Uber in Manila to save money while moving around the city.
We also use a lot AirBnB to book local apartments. If you have never used AirBnB before, you can have a $40 discount for your first booking through this link.
Always make sure you travel with travel insurance! Be adventurous, but not careless.
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Check out some of the most reliable insurance companies out there: True Traveller if you’re an European and World Nomads if you’re from elsewhere.
If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you useTrustedHousesitters with this link you’ll get $20 discount on annual membership.
Here are our suggestions for the best places to stay in Manila:
Seda Bonifacio Global City
A 4-star hotel featuring a restaurant and a swimming pool. Excellent location with a rooftop bar. All the rooms are with free WiFi and LCD TV with cable channels. There is also a gym and a conference center. Check the latest price on TripAdvisor, Booking.comand HotelsCombined.
New World Makati Hotel
A luxury hotel located in the heart of Makati. With three restaurants, swimming pools and a night club. Every room has bathtub, cable TV, fridge and minibar. Free WiFi is available everywhere. Check the latest price on TripAdvisor, Booking.comand HotelsCombined.
City Garden Grand Hotel
Located in Makati Central Business district this hotel features two restaurants, outdoor swimming pool and fitness center. Free WiFi in all rooms with refrigerator, coffe and tea makers and LED TV. Check the latest price on TripAdvisor, Booking.com andHotelsCombined.
The Beauty of the Philippines and its Wonderful People
Your smiles are charming

We did nothing but smile on the streets, in the hotels, at the markets and in the bistros everyday. The elderly, children, vendors, and fishermen; all of you smiled after the first surprised look crossed your faces.
You welcome foreigners warmly
“Where are you from?” and your other curious questions started many conversations. After we responded, you proudly said, “Welcome to the Philippines!”
You love singing
A luggage porter at the airport sings, a shop assistant sings (at 4 am!), a guy selling tickets for a local bus sings, staff members in hotels sing. Not to mention that karaoke in small villages is as common as a bakery shop. There is even karaoke in the jungle!
You are big basketball lovers


No matter how small or destroyed a town or village is after a typhoon, there is always a court for outdoor basketball. Over 30°C and hot sun? No problem. You still manage to start a game with some friends.
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Your politeness is impressive
“Yes, ma’am”, “Yes, sir” was something we were getting used to for a while. And despite us requesting that you call us by our first names, you kept on with your high standards of politeness.
Heading to South-East Asia? Read more of our articles.
• Where to stay in Bangkok: the Ultimate Guide
• Search koh lanta 15 Things to Do and Best Hotels in Koh Lanta, Thailand
• Things To Do in Kota Kinabalu: a City of Seafood, Beaches and Durian
• Ubud Organic Vegetarian Restaurants: the Ultimate Guide
• How to Visit Halong Bay from Hanoi, Vietnam
Your wild nature is a magnificent experience

Green rice fields in Tibiao.
Lush, wild forests, saturated, green rice fields like those in Banaue, waterfalls and rivers, all in unspoiled beauty. There is much more to admire than just your beaches, especially your hills and hidden gems of small islands that offer spectacular views of the landscape, villages, rivers and unpaved roads, where only a local can manage to ride a motorbike!
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Travelling to Banaue or Tibiao? Check thebest hotels in the area!
Read more about Philippines in this guide of Boracay.
How helpful you are
Where to eat, what to see, how to get somewhere: you suggested tips and insider info without us even asking you.
Your faith in God is profound

Church mass in Pandan.
It was a big visual change for us, to come to the Catholic Philippines from Buddhist Thailand. Buddhist string bracelets were replaced by crosses on necks, temples and altars became churches, chapels and statues of Jesus and Holy Mary.
The churches we visited in Panay and Manilawere full and many young and children attended the masses, compared to some predominantly Catholic European countries.
You are impressively family-oriented
You used to work and live abroad and you’ve come back because of your aging parents or a family you have a strong bond with. No matter how good the job was you had, you prefer to take care of your loved ones until they get better.
Many of you also come back to retire in your homeland or plan to do so in the future.
It was not easy to explain to you that we left our homelands to travel around the world using only phone contact with our families.
Your women are so pretty

Kaylen, 14 years old girl selling fish in Roxas.
Those of you in the countryside and small provinces simply shine with their pure, feminine beauty with no artificial, cosmetic additions. In the cities this changes, but we consider this an inevitable side effect of commercial pressures in all large, global cities.
Check activities and tours to do in the Philippines with Viator
• Day Trip to Bohol from Cebu with Chocolate Hills and Loboc River Cruise
• WWII and Corregidor Island: Historical Sightseeing Tour from Manila
• Manila Old and New: Sightseeing Tour Including Intramuros and Fort Santiago
You love sweet, salty and fat
We had heard so many contrasting opinions about your cuisine and honestly, the food we tasted was very nice. We especially enjoyed the homemade meal we tried at our Couchsurfing host in Manila, but very often the amount of sugar or salt in your dishes was too much for us.
Need a hotel in Manila? Check out Pan Pacific or find more hotels in Manila.
You are great storytellers

Mrs. Victoria talking to Gianni at the street market in Roxas.
Once you see there is someone who is ready to listen to you, you tell your story and you are not at all shy when talking about your private life.
You speak English even in small neighbourhoods
Sometimes it was a simple “good afternoon” that you loudly declared with a smile on your face, other times you started to chat about different countries and our travels. Whether it was kids running on the shore, ladies at the markets or a solitary man living alone in a forest, all of you were happy to share your time with us and made a great effort to have a conversation.
You guys can play with anything!

Kids having fun in the port in Iloilo.
We might have been staring at you too much when you were playing with your flip-flops or with bottle lids. No need for expensive toys here!
You do your best to preserve hidden islands
In some areas, you follow strict ‘carrying capacity’ rules in order to preserve the natural treasures of waterfalls and forests. You restrict the number of tourists who can enter areas during a certain period of time and we think that’s an amazing approach! But we feel you must become more active in keeping trash out of your forest and rivers.
Oh, your jeepney!