Mabuhay!

Welcome to the Philippines!

 About the A. Welcome (Philippines)

Philippines
B. Geography
C. Climate
D. The Filipino Culture
 A. Welcome! (Maligayang Pagdating!)

Welcome to the Pearl of the Orient Sea! Kindly read through this booklet before
and during your stay in the Philippines. The contents of this booklet are subject to
change without prior notice and therefore AIESEC in the University of the
Philippines Los Baños may not be held responsible for the changes in information..
Feel free to search about the Philippines or the University of the Philippines, Los
Baños to equip yourself more before your travel in the country. We hope that you
would have a lot of fun while learning during your stay the Philippines! Mabuhay!
 B. Geography

Lying 14° 11’ North and 121° 15’ East, the town of Los Baños is located between
the biggest lake in the Philippines, Laguna de Bay, and the mystical Mt. Makiling
and is comprised of 14 barangays and 85 sitios. It is 63 kilometers away from the
capital of the Philippines, Manila. The shape of the town also resembles a fist.
 C. Climate

The Philippines is a tropical, maritime country with two types of seasons and four
types of climate in the different regions of the country. The two seasons are the
rainy season and dry season. The four distinct climate types are: type I - two
pronounced season of wet and dry, type II - no dry season with maximum rain, type
III - no pronounced maximum rain with a dry period of one to three months, and
lastly, type IV - evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year.
 D. The Filipino Culture

“It’s more fun in the Philippines” is the tourist tagline of the country due the
friendly nature of the Filipinos. Being hospitable and family oriented is heavily
embedded in the culture of the Filipinos. Most of the Filipinos are religious people
and are people of art, fashion, and music which is evident in the different festivals
practiced all over the country. However, the culture in the Philippines is also
influenced by different countries such as Spain, America, and other Asian countries
due to its long history and relationship with them.
 About Los
Baños, Laguna
A. University of the Philippines,
Los Baños, Laguna
B. Language
C. Basic terms
D. Map of UP Los Baños
 A. University of the Philippines, Los Baños

Having Honor and Excellence as its motto; the University of the Philippines (UP) is
one of the prestigious schools in the country. UP Los Baños (UPLB) is stands at the
foot of Mount Makiling in Laguna and is one of the campuses of the UP system.
UPLB is a home to diverse animals and plants. Unlike in the city, there are less
shopping malls and no high rise buildings; instead, there are more places to explore
such as lakes, waterfalls, hotsprings, and of course, the famous Mount Makiling
where one of the rarest flowers in the Philippines is located.
 B. Language

The official language in the Philippines is Filipino (Tagalog) with English as the
second most prominent language. In Los Baños, majority of the language spoken is
in Filipino and English. However, there are different languages and dialects spoken
in the town due to the people of different ethnicity coming from different places in
and out of the country to study in the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.
 C. Basic Terms
● Magandang umaga. [Good morning]
● Magandang hapon. [Good afternoon]
● Magandang gabi. [Good evening]
● Salamat. [Thank you]
● Patawad/ Pasensiya na. [Sorry]
● Walang anuman. [You’re welcome!]
● Oo. [Yes]
● Hindi. [No]
● Magkano po ito? [How much is this]
E. Basic Terms C. Basic Terms
● Para po! [Used to signal a jeepney to stop or drop you off]
● Bayad po. [You say this to the driver paying your fare]
● Pabili po. [Used when buying in a store]
● Ingat! [Take care]
● Paalam. [Goodbye]
● Ano? [What?]
● Saan? [Where?]
● Paano? [How?]
● Bakit? [Why?]
● Kailan? [When?]
D. UP Los Baños
Map
 Rice and meat are the staple food of
Food and majority of Filipinos. However, there
Delicacies are dishes which consists of purely
vegetables and alternatives to rice.
Adobo Lechon Laing
Balut Isaw Chicharon
Buko Pie Suman Bibingka
 Basic Needs

A. Currency
B. Living costs
C. Communications
D. Internet
E. Visa (check if needed)
F. Outfits
G. Hygiene
H. Transportation
I. Emergency Hotline
 A. Currency

The official currency used in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso. It comes in 6
different colored bills:
 A. Currency

Similar to other countries, coins are also present in the Philippines.

 B. Living Costs

Commodities

● Daily Food 300/day

● Bread 60/pack
● Mineral Water 20/bottle
● Accommodation 2500/month
● Local SIM Card 40/piece
● Transportation depends on the distance
 B. Living Costs

Other Living Costs

● Shirts 250/piece
● Soap 30/box
● Shampoo 60/bottle
● Instant Noodles 25/piece
● Toothbrush 50/piece
● Toothpaste 40/tube
 C. Communications

Philippine phone numbers starts with (+639) followed by nine different numbers.
Communications in the Philippines is handled by different telecommunication
companies which are:
 D. Internet

There are a lot of free Wi-Fi networks present in different establishments in the
Philippines however, the internet in the Philippines is relatively slow compared to
other countries. Telecommunication companies also offer surfing promos enabling
you to use the internet anywhere. In University of the Philippines, Los Baños, some
dorms have their own internet but to be ensured, it is better to have your own
mobile data.
 E. Visa

Generally, foreign nationals travelling to the Philippines require a visa unless:

- He/she is a citizen of the state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN)
- He/she is a citizen of a non-ASEAN member state whose nationals are allowed
to enter the Philippines visa-free.
- He/she is a and is only returning to the Philippines temporarily.
 E. Visa
Listed below are the following requirements when applying for a visa:

1. Passport/Travel Document valid for at least six (6) months beyond the
intended period of stay in the Philippines.
2. Duly accomplished Visa application forms.
3. Passport photos (2 pieces)
4. Invitation letter (if applicable).
5. Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of
destination.
6. Payment of Visa fees.

For exchange, we recommend a Section 9(F) or Student Visa. However, a 9(A) or

Tourist Visa is also acceptable.
 F. Outfit

Due to the tropical conditions in the Philippines it is advisable to wear light and
loose clothing like sando, shorts, etc. However, during the rainy season, it is better
to prepare raincoats, sweaters, jackets, and even umbrellas to protect you from the
rain.

In the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, people do not care in what type of
outfit you wear, so wear what you want to wear! But be sure to be comfortable!
 G. Hygiene

Due to the usual hot weather in the Philippines, it is actually suggested to take a
bath everyday to prevent heat exhaustion and overheating of the body. It also
makes you feel refreshed every time!
 H. Transportation

In the Philippines the most commonly used transportation vehicles are the
jeepneys and at the same time it also represent a part of the Filipino culture. There
are also buses in the Philippines for longer distances but they usually cost more
than jeepneys. And lastly, the tricycles which are used when going to a more
specific place.

In the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, jeepneys are the most commonly
used to travel the whole university.
 I. Emergency Hotlines

● National Emergency Hotline 911

● Public Complaint Hotline 8888
● Red Cross 143
● Bureau of Fire Protection (02) 426-0219 / (02) 426-3812 / (02)426-0246
● Metro Manila Development
Authority 136
Tourists Attractions

There are a lot of tourists spots in

the Philippines. From mountains to
forests and lakes to beaches that
leads to the open seas.
Boracay Chocolate Hills
Tubbataha Reef Banaue Rice Terraces
7 Lakes of San Pablo Mount Makiling
El Nido, Palawan Siargao Islands
 Tips To
Remember
✓ Always be careful of your
belongings.
✓ Have a travel insurance.
✓ Always bring your list of
emergency contact in case of
emergency.
✓ Follow the 12 MN curfew /
liquor ban.
Checklist
Airport / Immigration

❏ TN Acceptance Note
❏ Visa (if applicable)
❏ Address of temporary residence
❏ Printed tickets (round trip)
❏ EP buddy phone number
Checklist Philippine tourist must-haves

❏ Jacket
❏ Umbrella
❏ Sunglasses
❏ Camera
❏ Wanderlust
❏ Hunger for new experiences
❏ Adventurous spirit
❏ Heart of an adventurer
Bucketlist UPLB Bucketlist (Prize if Achieved)

Upload on instagram or
facebook then tag AIESEC in
UPLB accounts with hashtags
#itsmorefunwithaiesecinuplb.
 Bucketlist

Take a photo with the famous landmarks in UPLB! ❏ Explore the one of the Seven Lakes of San
Pablo
❏ Oblation ❏ Go to Taytay Falls, Majayjay, Laguna
❏ Pegaraw
❏ Kwek-kwek tower Try our street food!
❏ Mariang Banga
❏ Torii Steps ❏ Balut
❏ Proven
Explore Los Baños ❏ Kwek-kwek
❏ Isaw, betamax
❏ Hike Aguila Base in Makiling ❏ Fishballs, kikiiam, squid balls, chicken balls