Geography & Climate

The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands east of Vietnam and north of Indonesia, divided into three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It’s a tiny country of just under 2,000 kilometers in length, yet it boasts extensive mountain ranges, underwater landscapes, cave systems, plains, waterfalls, rock faces, rivers, lakes, and over 15,500 km. worth of beaches. In contrast to this abundance of natural wonder—the Philippines is home to some of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet—the bigger cities are quite cosmopolitan, with robust industry and infrastructure, notably Davao in Mindanao, Cebu in the Visayas, and the capital city of Manila in Luzon.

The Philippines tends to be warm and humid year-round—wet during the rainy season from June to August, and merely damp during the brilliant tropical glory of summer, from March to May. The months from November to February are a touch cooler—though probably not by the standards of visitors hailing from colder climes—although some places, like Cebu and Davao, remain sunny and bright regardless of the season.

Arts & Culture

Filipinos love to express themselves—you’ll see this right on the street, in the form of the colorful, outrageously-painted jeepneys and tricycles that ply the roads of practically every Philippine city, not to mention the grand spectacle of fiestas, in which people parade in vibrant costumes, singing, dancing, playing music, and more. There’s a fiestahappening somewhere almost every day, like Bacolod’s Masskara, Quezon’s Pahiyas, Cebu’s Sinulog, Davao’s Kadayawan, and Baguio’s Panagbenga, to name just a few.

The song and dance isn’t confined to festivals, either. International acts fly in constantly, the local performance scene is no less active, and karaoke is a popular pastime. On the more sober front, museums, art galleries, and theaters offer a glimpse of both ancient and modern culture. If you’re more adventurous, you might visit some of the indigenous villages that still practice age-old traditional arts and crafts. You could also try the more daring local delicacies such as dinuguan (pig’s blood stew), as the culinary arts are likewise thriving, with both local and a plethora of international cuisines served up in a dazzling array, by five-star gourmet chefs as well as street vendors.

Source: pagasa.dost.gov.ph; smxconventioncenter.com;

1. Stay indoors as much as possible, if air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.
2. Wear lightweight and light colored clothing. Light colors will reflect the sun's energy.
3. Drink plenty of water regularly. The body needs water to keep cool.
4. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinking liquor because it dehydrates the body.
5. Eat small meals however eat more often. Avoid eating foods of high in protein which can increase metabolic heat.

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