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July 8, 1998THE PHILIPPINES
LANGUAGE
* The official language of the Philippines is Tagalog, however almost all Filipino officials, civil servants and business people have an excellent command of English.
BUSINESS ATTIRE
* The climate in the Philippines can be very hot so it is advisable to wear lightweight clothing to avoid discomfort.
* For business meetings, men and women should wear a lightweight or tropical suit. At the very least, men should wear a long-sleeved shirt and tie at initial meetings and a jacket and tie when making official calls or attending formal meetings.
INTRODUCTIONS
* As in all Asian countries, it is customary to present business cards when making introductions.
* Filipinos are very sociable people and they like to shake hands when meeting business contacts.
BUSINESS HOURS
* Offices, banks and public authorities work a five-day week. Banks are open between 9am and 3pm and most other offices work between 9am and 5pm.
* Large department stores are usually open until 7pm and smaller, privately-run shops often remain open until 10pm.
TRAFFIC
* The traffic in Manila can be very heavy during rush hours and it is not advisable to schedule too many appointments at this time of the day. Although not quite as heavy as Bangkok, the traffic situation in Manila can seriously disrupt a tight business agenda and care must always be taken to allow for long delays when travelling from one side of the city to the other.
MONEY
* The official unit of currency in the Philippines is the peso, which is divided into 100 centavos.
* In the Philippines, it is best to carry US dollars and American Express travellers cheques, as these are the most easily converted foreign currency.
* In the Philippines, exchange rates vary depending on the size of the bill. Large denomination notes will receive a better rate than small bills.
* Most banks change money, although it is best to attend to all financial transactions in large cities or tourist areas before venturing out into rural areas.
* Manila is obviously the best place to change money in the Philippines. Often better rates can be obtained at private money changers such as those in the Ermita district of Manila.
* Credit cards are gaining acceptance in the Philippines and can be used to obtain cash advances at certain banks and automatic teller machines.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
* Postal services are reasonable in the Philippines, although items sent to overseas destinations can take two weeks or longer. Try to mail packages and important mail from Manila, as the postal service in that city has a better reputation than smaller regional centres.
* The telephone system in the Philippines is far from perfect and can be very frustrating.
* Most reputable hotels operate a business centre from which foreigners can make domestic and international calls and faxes.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
* Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport is located about half an hour from Manila's downtown area.
* A taxi into the centre of town should cost around $US12.
GIFTS
* The Philippines is a very westernised country and Filipinos are fascinated by American culture. American-style clothing, music, food, or American cultural icons all make suitable gifts for Filipino people.
* Red or green are suitable colours for wrapping paper in the Philippines.
GENERAL
* Be prepared for lengthy delays when conducting business in the Philippines. Do not
expect deadlines to be rigorously adhered to.
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July 8, 1998