WELCOME from ask JUAN GADI™

Welcome To the Philippines

Our warmest greetings to you! The friendly and gracious force of ask JUAN GADI™ welcomes you to the vast and diverse archipelago of the Philippines.

The Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas [ˌpɪlɪˈpinɐs]), officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam. The Sulu Sea to the southwest lies between the country and the island of Borneo, and to the south the Celebes Sea separates it from other islands of Indonesia. It is bounded on the east by the Philippine Sea. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical climate make the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons but have also endowed the country with natural resources and made it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. An archipelago comprising 7,107 islands, the Philippines is categorized broadly into three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city is Manila.

With an estimated population of about 92 million people, the Philippines is the world’s 12th most populous country. An additional 11 million Filipinos live overseas. Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the islands. In prehistoric times, Negritos were some of the archipelago’s earliest inhabitants. They were followed by successive waves of Austronesian peoples who brought with them influences from Malay, Hindu, and Islamic cultures. Trade introduced Chinese cultural influences.¹ (From Wikipedia)

With that diverse information about the Philippines, the prime purpose of this site is for visitors to have the most honest and clearest view of what to anticipate in the Philippines – may it be a holiday or business travel – we are here to provide all the necessary information for a typical traveler looking for some entertainment, sports & leisure, dining, sights and tours, prime beach destinations, shopping and amazing promos in the Philippines.

What To Expect in the Philippines?

The climate is tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October). You should expect a humid temperature wherever in the Philippines thus, a bottle of ice cold drinking water and refreshments should always be available. Avoid wearing thick clothes to avoid those sweat baths, wear comfortable, light and airy clothing preferably made of 100% Cotton or linen. Wearing of sunscreen is also a must. SPF 30 is the recommended UV Protection from the waving heat of the sun in the Philippines – a higher SPF is upon your own preference. Ball caps, hats, visors and handy umbrellas can also be worn when basking under the sun. We also suggest that you bring an “After Sun” Cooling Spray to quench the heat in your skin. Talc powders and light scented colognes also help in refreshing you when in the Philippines.

Your comfort and convenience is our utmost concern, we want you to enjoy the scenic views and different holiday destinations the Philippines have to offer without compromising your physical comfort. The Filipino people are naturally warm and hospitable. American English is widely spoken aside from Tagalog and their local dialect.  The usual greeting gesture in the Philippines is through a handshake, by hugging or a kiss on the cheek. They rarely bow their heads to anyone as a greeting.

The Philippines is the only Christian country in the South East Asia though Muslims predominantly are in the southern part of the country.

Filipinos value their families as well as, “pakikisama” (smooth interpersonal relationship or fellowship) thus; establishing rapport creates a great relationship with a Filipino. With different exposures to different cultures like the Spanish, Americans, Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Indonesians and Koreans – Filipinos are fast to adapt and readily embraces foreign cultures as long as, it won’t compromise their own beliefs and practices.

The Philippines is a service oriented society. Therefore, banks, transportation and friendly establishments highly recognize the benefits of Senior Citizens as well as, the handicapped.  It would be favorable for you if you can bring your Senior Citizen card and just present it to avail of the benefits and be prioritized first.

Philippine Transportation

From the Philippine Insider

Although the Philippines have mountainous terrains, approximately 14 percent of its 158,810 kilometer roads are paved. Wherever you may be, Philippine transportation is easy because of the different modes of transport at your disposal.

Public Transportation

In Metro Manila as well as in the provinces, air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses are accessible. The cost of fare is much higher with the air-conditioned variety. However, if your destination is located outside of Manila, you can avail of chartered bus lines.


The most popular means of transportation is the jeepney. These vehicles resemble those used by the Americans at the height of the Second World War. Like most buses, they also have a regular route and will stop when flagged down. The minimum fare is P7.00 per 4 kilometers and an additional 50 centavos for the succeeding kilometers.

Air-conditioned taxi cabs are accessible in any part of Manila. If you want to travel by car, not in a taxi, there are car rental services also available but you need to have an international driver’s license. If you are staying in a luxurious hotel, majority of them have limousine services that will take you to your desired destination.

Rail Transit
Cheap and fast is what both the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) would give you. This is the preferred mode of transport especially by commuters who are going to their respective places of work. The MRT, for instance, traverses the commercial centers of Ortigas and Ayala Avenue.

The Philippine National Railways (PNR), which is government-owned, is a viable option if you are traveling outside of Manila. The track stretches across 1,060 kilometers of the country. However, it can only service those going to Luzon provinces so if you are going to the other islands, the best option is to ride a ferry.

Air

Another option for Philippine transportation is through the air since there are more than 40 provincial airports in the country. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is just a kilometer away from the Manila Domestic Airport and is 7 miles from the heart of the city. The NAIA boasts of offering several amenities such as a medical clinic, banks, and postal service along with duty-free shops, among others. The most affordable carrier is Cebu Pacific. You can also try Zest Air, SeAir, Mindanao Express and Philippine Airlines.

Seventy five of the total 262 airports in the country have paved runways.

Water

Waterways and seaports in the country stretch 3,219 kilometers. There are various shipping companies connecting Manila to other major ports in the country like WG&A Superferries. T he busiest seaports are located in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Cebu, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro.

Traveling to your desired location is very easy with these Philippines transportation options.

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