The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world.

Currency: Peso (Php). 

Notes are issued in denominations of P10, P20, P50, P100, P500, and P1000.

Coins are issued for:  5c (centavos), 10c, 25c, 50c, P1, P5, P10

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized exchange dealers. 

Major Traveler Checks are widely accepted

Major Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club) can be used to pay for most goods and services.  Please note that Discover Card is generally not accepted.

Security Note:  It is best to limit credit card usage to hotels and restaurants.  It is also a good idea to notify your credit card company ahead of your visit to let them know you will be traveling to the Philippines.  This will avoid them stopping the use of your card due to irregular activity.

Bank Hours  :  Banks are open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri (except public holidays).

Shop Hours :  Most shops operate are open from 10:00am-7.30pm daily (except public holidays)

 

Time: Local time is GMT plus 8 hours, or 12 hours ahead of EST during Daylight Savings Time and 13 hours ahead of EST during non-Daylight Savings Time

 

Upon Arrival:   Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol.   You may bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency.

It is recommended that you schedule a pick up through your hotel before your arrival.  Be sure to confirm where the driver will meet you.  Most will be waiting for you after you retrieve your luggage and clear customs.

If you do not have a prearranged ride to your hotel, use the taxi stand at the airport to get a certified taxi.

 

Upon Departure: a certificate from the National Museum may be required for antiques purchased.   Be prepared to pay an Exit Fee of Php 750.00 (subject to change, please check with your travel agent).

Be sure to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours (recommend 2.5-3 hrs) prior to your flight.  Security at the Manila airport is very restrictive; you will go through several different search areas, which tend to bottleneck.  Before boarding flight all carry on luggage will be searched thoroughly and any sealed boxes will be opened and searched.

 

WEATHER

The Philippines is tropical country with just two seasons -- hot and dry from November to June (91-93 F average), and rainy from July to October (84-87 F average).  Filipinos will tell you that it is cool from December through February and they wear jackets.  Visitors from colder climates do not find jackets necessary.  Sweaters for air-conditioned buildings may be advisable.

 

UTILITIES

Electricity:  The standard voltage of electricity used by most business centers and residents in the Philippines is 220 volts AC, 60 cycles. However, some major hotels also have the US-style 110 volts capability.  (if 110 is required, recommend bringing own adaptors)

 

Water:  The water in Metro Manila and the other major cities is considered potable. However, for foreign visitors unaccustomed to Philippine water, we strongly recommend bottled spring water or mineral water only.  This is readily available in hotels, resorts, restaurants and sold in all grocery stores.  Recommended brand is “Absolut”. 

Never accept any drinks from a stranger for any reason.

Be sure bottled water is sealed.  Be careful in consuming public [water cooler] water, as it may not have been properly distilled.

If requesting soda or other cold drinks, please request “NO ICE”.  If possible, avoid frozen drinks with ice.

 

Phone:  Telephone service is modern and you can direct dial anywhere in the world.   Public phones are plentiful. Some public phones only accept coins while some can only be used with a phone card. 

 

BANKS AND SERVICES 

Maestro/Cirrus – if your ATM card has a Maestro or Cirrus logo, withdrawals can be made from any Metrobank branches (Note:  Philippine Peso equivalent amount).

 

Western Union – 

o        Money transfers may be paid out in: PH Peso and US Dollar

o        Maximum principal payout amount is $5,000 US Dollars or local equivalent per transaction. Maximum principal send amount is $7,500 US Dollars or local equivalent per transaction. For US Dollar payout locations, payees should contact the Agent's Customer Service Center. All Senders and Payees must present valid photo identification

 

Bank ATM Cards - cannot be used as Debit Cards.  Generally debit cards are not accepted.

Bank Credit Cards -

Most shops require a picture identification card when you use major credit cards (visa/mastercard) to pay for purchases/services.  When using credit cards, make sure that the card is always within your sight.  Do not allow cashiers to take your card ‘somewhere else’ for card verification.

 

WHERE TO SHOP – Some fun places….

 

Green Hills Mall, Manila – Famous for it’s Pearl Market, considered one of the best in the far east.  Green Hills is an eclectic mix of vendors selling everything you can imagine - purses, jewelry, shoes, clothing, artwork and gifts galore for those back home.  No trip to Green Hills would be complete without someone offering you DVD’s.  These are generally not legal copies that can be purchased for around PHP75 – 80 (about $1.65 USD)   If you purchase these, be sure to look at the actual DVD quality first – the vendor will put it in the machine to show you several scenes before purchase.

BE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE! – On any purchase do not take the first price offered to you by vendors.

 

Rustan’s Makati, Manila

There are several major malls in Manila and Rustan’s is one of the jewels.  In the area of Makati Shangri-La there are 2 major malls that almost make you feel like you are in NYC.

SECURITY:  Do not accept any gift of food or drink from any person, no matter the reason.  Even sealed bottles may have been tampered with. Do NOT accept any offers outside the hotel to show you where to shop.  If you wish to have someone accompany you on your shopping trip please request from the hotel that the driver accompany you.

TRANSPORTATION

We strongly advise you not to take taxis that are loitering around.  Instead it is recommend that you always request hotel transportation or use the taxi stand where available.

 

LANGUAGE

While there are over 100 regional dialects in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino (aka, Tagalog) , with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English.

 

Clark Special Economic Zone, Clarkfield Pampanga

83 km North of Metro Manila

For decades, Clark (where CCT is located) was known as the Clark US Air Force Base (the largest American Base outside USA) -- home to American pilots serving in the Pacific Region.

Today, with the pilots long gone, the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) is setting out to become the hub for business, industry, aviation, and tourism in the Philippines as well as the entertainment and gaming center of Asia.

Just outside Clark is Angeles City, known as the "entertainment city" of Central Luzon where bars and restaurants abound.

HOLIDAY INN RESORT – approximately 1.5 km from Cyber City and Clark International Airport (now known as the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport). 

The resort offers all the charm of Pampanga in an international setting.  Pampanga is renowned for its delicately seasoned cuisine, and the artistic talent of the Pampanguenos who create the Philippine's finest crafts, woodcarving and hand carved furniture.

The hotel is nestled within beautifully residential grounds with a golf course and country club included.

If you need to exchange money while in Clark be advised that local changers offer a substantially better rate than the hotel.  Talk to your AE as he/she can help facilitate this for you.

WHERE TO DINE

Once inside Clark, there are a number of dining places to go to for a break:   Holiday Inn Hotel has 2 nice restaurants (1 Buffet and 1 Brazillian Barbque Rooftop), Red Crab (seafood and steak restaurant), the Wine Club and many more.

Outside Clark in the Angeles area we highly recommend ‘C Fine Italian Dining on Clark Perimeter road, Sunset Garden for nice open garden dining (breakfast excellent) and Oasis to mention just a few.

Of course, CyberCity has its own canteen serving authentic Filipino dishes 24-hours a day.  Our staff can prepare special food for you, please discuss any dietary needs with your AE.

Philippine food is generally meat with rice staple.  Beef, pork, chicken and fish are main courses.  Spices are very mild to sweet with chilies always available to spice things up.  There are many different kinds of food and finding something is generally easy for all Westerners.

THINGS TO DO

Downtime is an absolute pleasure in the Clark area.  Be sure to indulge in any one of the many spa treatments available.  The Hotels offer great massage and lower priced spa treatments await just outside Clark base.  Several spas in the SM Mall offer various massage and body treatments.  Prices vary depending on length and type of service but generally the most expensive offerings are not more than Php1,200 ($25).  Other services such as manicure, pedicure, hair treatment and facials are well priced and give you a day of luxury.  The new Marquee Mall has opened near Clark and has some excellent shops and services as well.

 

There are 2 water parks, one on Clark at the Fontana Resort and one right outside the base.

Play golf?  There are several courses and driving ranges on base and outside, catering to every type of player and price range.  The Mimosa course is second to none with the honor of actually having Tiger Woods play there once. (rates are similar to US) Then there is the local course at Mabalacat where a round of golf is roughly PhP 300 ($6.25)

We have 3 casinos on base and 1 in Angeles. 

There are beautiful pools at the hotels to lounge beside after a hard day’s night in the call center.

Clark and the surrounding area also provides lots of options for your fitness requirements.  There are bikes that can be rented from Holiday Inn for a beautiful ride around Clark.  You can take up tennis lessons at the local court – see the Holiday Inn for details.  There is a 1.25 mi walking path around the parade grounds right next to the hotel and Cyber for a wonderful refreshing walk.  There are many gyms in the area catering to all types from hard-core body building gyms to air-conditioned aerobic studios.  Most charge a daily fee of 50PhP ($1.01).  The Holiday Inn offers a limited gym.

WHERE TO SHOP

Clark is a haven of US duty-free shops where you can get all your shopping needs – from canned goods, toiletries, liquors, etc.  In duty free shops, you can pay in US dollars or it’s equivalent in Philippine Peso.

SECURITY: These stores are very safe.  However, there are many local people that congregate outside to sell fruit, whistles and other items and to ask for money.                   If you decide to purchase or give we suggest waiting until you are in your car ready to depart.  This will save you from the mobbing affect that can occur.

Philippine made items can be purchased in the malls and local markets/stores just outside Clark.

Most popular gifts to bring home are DVD’s, wicker, wooden items and artwork from the local craftsman.

SM Mall right at the main gate of Clark is a fun place to visit if shopping is on your list of to-dos.