Does the Philippines really have the world’s largest banknote? When did Filipinos first see an airplane in their own country, and where did it come from? Where and when were the highest and lowest temperatures in the nation’s history recorded? To many foreigners, the Philippines looks like an exotic tropical paradise – beautiful beaches, smiling…
Tag Archives: Philippines
09
touko
touko
Toward the end of World War II, Japanese soldiers are said to have hidden a vast treasure in the Philippines — one President Ferdinand Marcos allegedly spent years searching for. Many believe he didn’t just search for it, but actually found it. Filipinos are obsessed with buried treasure to such an extent that it has…
05
touko
touko
Scroll through any Facebook group about the Philippines long enough, and you’ll eventually find the same question popping up again and again: “What’s it like to have a Filipina wife?” The answers usually range from “Best decision of my life” to “Bro, you have no idea…” – often followed by a mix of admiration, confusion,…
29
huhti
huhti
Everyone, at some point, experiences a moment that feels almost magical – when a dream suddenly seems real. It may last only a split second, but it stays with you forever. I had mine on an island cloaked in emerald rainforest, when I slipped into a turquoise sea and found myself surrounded by the dazzling…
27
huhti
huhti
In the Philippines, global superstars are treated like visiting royalty, and fans practically worship the air they breathe and the ground they walk on. But when things go wrong, even stars are quickly reduced to mere mortals. Every year, millions of foreigners arrive in the Philippines. Most have a wonderful time, enjoying the beaches and…
21
huhti
huhti
Tourists are back in the Philippines. You can tell from the souvenir shops – business is brisk, and suitcases are swelling with gifts. Alongside the usual trinkets, travelers can also pack a few more… distinctively “only in the Philippines” souvenirs. Like anywhere else, people flying out of the country tend to grab last-minute gifts at…
15
huhti
huhti
Manila is basically a self-improvement program disguised as a city: the endless gridlock builds your patience, natural disasters sharpen your risk assessment skills, karaoke doubles as therapy, and the air-conditioned malls keep your head cool when everything else overheats. When foreigners dream of the Philippines, they picture white sand beaches, swaying coconut palms, turquoise water,…
01
huhti
huhti
Holy Week gives everyone in the Philippines a multi-day break – a curious mix of worldly indulgence and religious traditions that are slowly fading away.The season also highlights just how far Filipino Catholicism has drifted from the more subdued, diluted version practiced in Europe. Today, about 85% of the population, most of whom belong to…
27
maalis
maalis
When the weight of social realities, irritating cultural quirks, and all the other assorted nonsense becomes heavy enough to dull the shine of your new homeland, you inevitably begin to wrestle with fundamental questions about integration. After living long enough outside the enchanted bubble of the Western world, everyone eventually experiences moments of pure frustration…
19
maalis
maalis
Today in the Philippines, people are celebrating with food and drink in earnest. Some are simply celebrating a welcome day off, while the country’s Muslim community marks the end of Ramadan. Both are perfectly valid excuses to celebrate; they also serve as a reminder that the Philippines has a significant Muslim minority. Eid al-Fitr marks…