Filipinos are well known for their flavorful and tasty cuisines. Their cooking methods are influenced by the Spaniards and the Malayo-Polynesian origins. Filipino cuisines are known to be delicious and savory making it very mouth watering. There are so many choices of Filipino cuisines that are being cooked in the Philippines. Each of the many provinces in the Philippines has their own unique varieties of foods.

The northern parts of Luzon are fond of foods that are cooked with their very own anchovies. Different vegetables are mixed together in a pot and boiled with anchovies and other spices to make it more flavorful. The Bicolanos on the other hand loves to cook with coconut milk and chilies. Others cook noodles that are made into soup dishes or just sautéed together with vegetables. The Filipinos, together with the other Asian countries makes rice their staple food. The rice is boiled and cooked then served together with the other Filipino dishes.

One of the most famous Philippine dishes are the “adobo” which is either chicken meat or pork, or can even be both, cooked with soy sauce and vinegar. It is a very well known dish in the Philippines and people from around the world love the pleasant taste of this native dish.

Another famous dish in the Philippines is the “sinigang” which is a sour soup dish. The dish can be cooked with any kinds of fish, and even meat then cooked with tamarind and vegetables. It is found in a typical Filipino meal together with the adobo.

The “kilawin” dish is also famous in the Philippines which the ingredients are mixed and marinated with kalamansi or vinegar together with salt, pepper, onions, and garlic. This is a well known dish ideal to join with alcohol drinks. The Filipinos call these foods as “pulutan”.

Another is the so called “pinakbet” which is a mixture of different vegetables such as eggplants, sweet potato, ampalaya, okra, tomatoes, string beans and others. It is then flavored with anchovies and then put altogether in a pot and cooked. It is a famous dish especially for people living in the barrios or the rural areas of the Philippines.

Filipinos are some of the most good-natured and friendly people in the world. Whether they deserve it or not, tourists in the Phillippines are regarded by most as honoured guests. Although few will expect you to return the favour, it would be nice if you did. Whatever the purpose of your trip, it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with some of their customs before you go. Greetings first impressions are very important in Filipino culture, and this impression is usually made upon first meeting a person.

Thoughtfulness is next to godliness: A Filipino woman, whether she’s a friend, employee, co-worker, or lover, will greatly appreciate you remembering her birthday, anniversary, or an important promise. The fact that you do not appear to be taking her for granted will be rewarded a thousand times over in kind.

Patience is a virtue: The Filipinos are a very thoughtful and laid back people. These are admirable traits, but if you’re not the most patient person in the world, then this might be frustrating for you at first.

However, if you stick around, you’ll start to see the wisdom in this custom. If you were to hustle and bustle like a typical New Yorker, for example, you’d be in hospital within a week. So, especially when you’re first over there, be prepared to be very patient indeed. If you’re meeting a business associate, be sure to take something to occupy yourself in the likely event that you have to wait around for a while, and don’t be offended by a lack of punctuality, as this will demonstrate that you do not in any way understand their culture and customs.

How to greet a Filipino: All you need to do is say ”hello” or ”hi”, with a simple smile or a wave. Whatever you do, don’t take too long over it, or they may think you are hitting on them. Although some locals will greet you instantly, the majority will wait for you to do the first move.

A little thanks goes a long way: Filipinos find it particularly impressive and respectful when anyone, particularly a foreigner, says ”Thank You” or ”Salamat po” for anything, even if it is not necessary.

Don’t be afraid to say ”excuse me” : As a people, the Filipinos aren’t in that much of a rush. It’s a hot country, and you can’t expect people to rush around like they do in New York or London. It is common for Filipinos to stop in the middle of the street to look at something or talk to a friend, and none of them are likely to mind when someone asks to get by.