Cuisine

Filipino cuisine was predominantly influence by Spanish but as time went by it was fused with an Asian touch. Usually Filipino foods are cooked by boiling, grilling, roasting and steaming. Filipinos are also known for eating everything with rice. We can't live without any rice. One of the famous and traditional food that is loved by every Filipino is called Adobo Chicken or Pork. "Adobo" means marinade in Spanish. The chicken or pork is marinated in soy sauce and vinegar. If you up are up for a challenge you should try balut or isaw. This two are one of the famous street food in  the Philippines and it can be found almost anywhere in the Philippines. Balut is an egg that is cooked with a duck embryo that is 17 days old. Balut it is great to eat with beer or with vinegar. Isaw another famous street food in the Philippines it is made out of chicken intestine and it taste really good when it is deep in spicy vinegar.

One of the unique drink in the Philippines is called "lambanog". Lambanog is a coconut vodka that the sap is from an unopened coconut flower. Tuba is another "alcoholic" drink in the Philippines it is the same as lambanog but it has additional fermentation. If your just not into those "alcoholic" drinks Filipinos also offer hot drinks that is great way to start your morning or that could help you warm up in a cold weather. Kapeng Barako and Salabat can do that for you. Kapeng Barako is a type of coffee that only grows in the Philippines. Barako is a word that is used in the Philippines to describe a man that is tough as a wild boar and Kapeng Barako is just like that it has a strong taste and strong smell that Filipinos love. Salabat is another hot drink that Filipinos like it's a drink that is made of fresh ginger with a little bit of brown sugar for a little bit of sweetness. During Christmas season Salabat is people's favorite especially when its cold and it is usually serve during a funeral wake to the visitors.

Religious Beliefs

The well known religion in the Philippines is Catholics. There are at least 80 million people in the Philippines that are Catholics. Philippines is the 3rd largest Catholic population in the world.

In September, Christmas carols are already playing in radio stations, malls and other public places. During this time also Filipinos decorate their houses with Christmas trees, Christmas lights and/or stables that shows how Jesus was born and they won't take this decorations down until the 2nd week of January. Catholics also do what is called Simbang Gabi. For nine straight days before Christmas Filipinos goes to church before sunrises and attend the masses that serve as a special preparation for Christmas. If you attended the Simbang Gabi 9 days straight it is believed that your wish will come true. The Christmas just doesn't end on December 25 it continues until January 6 when the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated and it officially ends the Christmas season in the Philippines. It's the time of feasting, visiting and gift giving. In one particular city they celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings by 3 men dresses as the 3 kings each wearing royal robes and riding horses and parade around the town going to church.

During the Holy Week, Filipinos celebrate Holy week by taking a week off from work. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays and during this days television and radio stations are all turn to religious programming instead of there regular shows. In San Fernando Pampangga Holy Week is observed by male devotees by whipping themselves until they are bloody or tied or nailed themselves to the cross to manifest the suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion.

As we can see Filipinos are really religious because there are a lot of festival that Filipinos celebrates this are just the two that revolves around Jesus Christ. Filipino celebrates the Feast of the Black Nazarene, El Shaddai,Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion and etc. This are just the few the Filipinos religious celebration.

Souvenirs

" Pasalubong " in Tagalog

Philippines is a country the is full of culture, history and beautiful attractions. If you want to take something back home to remember your stay in the Philippines here are the things you should bring back home. Banig should be one of the things you should bring home. Banig is a woven mats that are traditionally made in the Philippines it is usually used for sleeping or sitting but you also used it as a mat during your picnics in the park. Depending where you are banigs are made from palm, pandan, buri, tikog or reed leaves.

Another great pasalubong for your friends and family is dried mangoes. Philippines has the sweetest mangoes. It is hard carrying fresh mangoes in your baggage so the best solution you have is just to bring dried mangoes. Dried mangoes is one of the favorite fruit snacks of the Filipinos here or abroad. It only cost 64.75 PHP (1.63 CAD) for 100g to 125.75 PHP (3.17 CAD) for 250 grams.

Jeepney toy is a great souvenir for little kids or you just want it for a display. Jeepney is a popular of transportation in the Philippines. Bringing this back home is a unique way to remember your stay in the Philippines.

If your looking for something traditional to be a souvenir bring back home a Barong Tagalog or a Filipiniana. Both of this are the national clothing for men and women. It is made from pineapple fibers.You could also buy a tribal design clothing. Depending what region you are visiting there's a story behind each pattern and it's intricate and colorful.

In everywhere we go we always wanted to bring something back home that would remember the trip and Philippines has a lot to offer. What I mentioned above are just some of the unique souvenirs that you could get in the Philippines for your trip.