Capital:Manila. Time: GMT + 8 . Tel. Code: 00 63 . Official Language: Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so.
There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; in 1990 there were 988 recorded languages. Currency: Philippine Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of P1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25 and 10 centavos. Electricity: 220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels.
Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use. Religion: Roman Catholic 84 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists
Climate
Climate:Tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout most of the year, with warmer clothes useful on cooler evenings. Rainwear or umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season.
Airports
Ninoy Aquino (MNL) is 12km (7 miles) south of Manila. Airport facilities include banks, post office, medical clinic, baggage deposit area, duty-free shops and car hire. Bus and taxi services are available to the city (travel time – 60-90 minutes by public bus or 25 minutes by taxi). Mactan International Airport (CEB) (Cebu Island) is 45km (28 miles) from the city centre. Hotels and tour operators provide their own coaches; taxis can be hired.
Departure tax: P550 for international departures. Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt.