The Philippine archipelago lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is bordered by the Philippine Sea on the east, the South China Sea on the west while the Celebes Sea washes its shores on the south. The island of Borneo lies a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan directly north. The Indonesian islands of Moloccas or Maluku and Sulawesi are to the south, and Palau is to the east beyond the Philippine Sea. The national language is Filipino but English is widely spoken throughout the country and the standard time zone in the Philippines is: UTC/GMT +8 hours.
The capital of the Philippines is Manila, located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on Luzon, the country's largest island. Manila is the hub of a thriving metropolitan area that is home to over 10 million people. The
Metro Manila area also known as the National Capital Region (NCR), of which the City of Manila is a part, is a much bigger metropolis consisting of 17 cities and municipalities.
LTTP is located inside the Philippines’ largest air force base, the Villamor Air Base, and next to the international airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). LTTP is also a 30-minute ride away from Makati City, the central business district.
Getting AroundA wide range of public transportation crosses the metro area every day. The most uniquely Philippine mode of travel is the jeepney. Each of these jeep-minivan hybrids is uniquely painted and decorated by its owner. Jeepneys provide cheap transportation for the short haul, while buses might be more comfortable for longer trips across town. Motorcycles and bicycles with sidecars (called "tricycles" and "pedicabs," respectively) carry passengers on narrow city streets and alleyways for a charge of a few pesos. But the easiest way of getting around is by taking a taxi. But make sure that you insist on using the meter.
Climate
The weather in the Philippines is tropical. The country has only two seasons, the dry season (November to June) and the rainy season (July to October). Temperatures range between 25°C and 35 °C. Generally, light cotton clothing is recommended for visitors. The average humidity year-round is about 77%.
Entry Regulations
Visitors with a valid passport, except from countries with which the Philippines have no diplomatic relations, can enter the Philippines without visas and are allowed to stay 21 days provided they have tickets for onward travel. For more information, visit the Philippines’
Consular Services website.
The official currency of the Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP). One Peso equals 100 centavos. Most hotels, stores and restaurants accept credit cards, e.g. American Express, MasterCard and Visa. Some hotels as well as large stores may accept traveler’s checks.
