http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines An entire Lightstalkers thread via RSS/XML. en-us Hi All, There's a good chance that I'll be headed to the Philippines( do to a story for an NGO) in a month. I'll probably be travelling no farther than 200 miles ( south, east or north ) from Manila -for the work. Any tips about culture,social conventions, health, what not to miss, etc. would be appreciated. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:54:32 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines If you can, skip Manila and explore the countryside. Not only are the air and scenery a lot fresher there, the people are nicer too. Avoid a district in Manila called Quiapo, for one, where foreign tourists are to pickpockets like exposed skin is to mosquitos. Say "Salamat" if you want to thank somebody. I'd leave to your local NGO contacts to teach you the cusswords, hehe. Our food is rather salty (the better to mix with tasteless white rice), just as Indian food is spicy. To scoop rice better, we eat with the spoon on the right hand and fork on the left. The spoon doubles as a knife sometimes. Another oddity to foreign visitors is the fact that Filipinos, country folk and otherwise, like to eat without utensils at all, with bare hands. You will be aghast at how common and indiscriminate hocking and spitting is, which is not uniquely Filipino just to put things in perspective. I hate to end in an eeewww note, but I think this post of mine is long enough. But one more thing: it's very hot there around this time. You'll drown in your own sweat in the heat and humidity (98F+) in the middle of what we Filipinos came to call "summer" (there are really only two seasons there, the dry and the wet). Good luck. Sun, 07 May 2006 20:53:31 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines#25594 chip,contrary to what max said--please visit quiapo because it is a very interesting place to shoot in manila really.it has nearby chinatown as well.you can shoot there and be safe. but it's a highly congested urban district with all sorts of people --the religious, market vendors,etc. so, make sure you watch your stuff,of course. btw,the streetkids will call you "hey,joe" :) black and white film is getting a bit rare so better to have your own stock, if you're shooting bw.no problem about digital printing here.i also think your NGO will take care of you so, that should make things easy for you.we have an interesting country with many things going on.i hope you will have fun here.and great pictures too. Sun, 07 May 2006 21:23:41 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines#25598 Well, Kat, its absolutely true that Quiapo is interesting photographically and otherwise. I should know, I made a lot of very good photos there. It's just that its teeming with pickpockets among other criminal elements which prompted me to advise against our LS pal visiting it. In any case, Chip, just keep your stuff secure wherever in the Philippines should you decide to go, especially in the Quiapo area, or Cubao or Divisoria .... Sun, 07 May 2006 21:39:47 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines#25602 Hey Chip, we have an artist community here in the philipines (Cubao Quezon City area) old marikina shoe expo in cubao quezon city near the historical araneta coliseum you can visit us here look for blacksoup artist project or future prospects and we can give you some tips on travelling here in the philippines..junsabayton Mon, 08 May 2006 05:06:41 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines#25658 Hey Chip, we have an artist community here in the philipines (Cubao Quezon City area) old marikina shoe expo in cubao quezon city near the historical araneta coliseum you can visit us here look for blacksoup artist project or future prospects and we can give you some tips on travelling here in the philippines..junsabayton Mon, 08 May 2006 05:07:20 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines#25659 Thanks everyone for your tips and suggestions. I'm looking forward to visiting an exploring the areas/places that you all mentioned. Jun, I'll try and look you up when I arrive. Thanks again! Mon, 08 May 2006 10:47:45 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/philippines#25742