10 Real Things About Life in the Philippines That Japanese People Don't Know

There are countless things that surprised me after I started living in the Philippines.

Here are 10 realities of life in the Philippines that you only notice once you actually live there, not just visit. Knowing these before studying abroad should greatly reduce the culture shock you'll feel on the ground.

1. Shopping malls are the center of life

In the Philippines, malls aren't just places to shop. Eating, studying, meeting friends, exchanging currency, even paying utility bills — almost all of daily life's errands can be done at the mall.

The reason is simple: you can escape the heat and rain, and security is stable. It's not unusual for people to spend a whole day at the mall on weekends. For international students too, it's an easy place to use as a study spot after class.

2. English and the local language get mixed together

The Philippines is famous as a country where English is widely understood, but in reality, many people mix English with Tagalog (or Visayan, etc.) when speaking. This is what's known as "Taglish."

That said, classes at school, government documents, signs, and the news are all basically in English, so you won't have any trouble living using only English. At first the unfamiliar mixing may confuse you, but your ears will get used to it within one to two weeks.

3. Sari-sari stores instead of convenience stores

On street corners, you'll find lots of small, privately owned shops called "sari-sari stores."

A distinctive feature is the culture of selling items individually. You can buy just one bottle of water, a single-use portion of shampoo, one cigarette, a small packet of seasoning, and so on — only as much as you need. Many households don't own a refrigerator, so the habit of buying only what's needed for the day is deeply rooted.

4. Roads turn into rivers when it rains

When a squall hits, the roads can flood in a short amount of time. Drainage often can't keep up, and it's not unusual for water to pool anywhere from ankle-deep to below-the-knee deep.

During the rainy season (roughly June to November), waterproof sandals and a folding umbrella are essential. There are also a few times a year when heavy rain (typhoons) is severe enough to cancel classes.

5. People keep less distance with each other

Many people will casually strike up a conversation even with someone they've just met, which feels quite different from the culture in Japan. From cashiers to Grab drivers to security guards, starting with small talk is completely normal.

You'll never run short of people to practice speaking English with. Ironically, this environment is especially helpful for people who say they're "not good at talking to strangers."

6. Time moves at a relaxed pace ("Philippine time")

Being 30 minutes late to an appointment often isn't seen as much of a problem. This is the sense known as "Philippine time."

That said, official schedules — like classes at language schools or visa procedures — do run on time. The looseness mainly applies to private appointments. The trick is not to get frustrated and to move with some room to spare.

7. Payments are mainly cash and GCash

Credit cards can generally only be used at malls and large stores; local shops, jeepneys, and street stalls run mainly on cash.

In recent years, a mobile payment service called "GCash" has spread rapidly, and it now covers utility bill payments, money transfers, and even payments at convenience stores. You can sign up as long as you have a local SIM card, so if you're staying long-term, it's convenient to set it up early.

8. Power outages and water outages happen occasionally

In regional cities, planned power outages and sudden blackouts can occur. They're usually restored within tens of minutes, but sometimes they can last for several hours.

As countermeasures, it helps to keep a mobile battery charged at all times and to keep a small stock of drinking water. Many schools and condominiums are equipped with generators in case of outages, so it's reassuring to check on this in advance.

9. Christmas starts in September

The Philippines is said to be "the country with the world's longest Christmas season." Once September arrives (the months ending in "-ber"), Christmas songs start playing in malls and decorations begin to appear.

In December, there's a rush of people heading home for the holidays, so domestic flights and ferries get crowded and prices rise. If you're planning to travel or return home during this period, it's safer to book your flight tickets early.

10. Healthcare mainly means private hospitals

When you feel unwell, it's common to go to a private hospital. You can be seen in English, and the facilities are well equipped.

Since there's no system like Japan's health insurance, the general rule is that costs are fully out of pocket. Be sure to take out overseas study insurance, and check in advance which hospitals accept cashless payment — that way you won't be caught off guard in an emergency. At many language schools, staff will arrange to accompany you to the hospital.

Summary

The Philippines has many charms you simply can't discover through sightseeing alone. Once you actually live there, every day brings a new discovery.

The 10 points introduced here are all things that, once you know them, won't catch you off guard. Just keeping them in mind before you travel will make a huge difference in how comfortably you settle in during your first week.

For more on what the environment is like in Iloilo as a study destination, and what a typical day at school looks like, please check out these articles as well.

See the full list of language study abroad blog articles

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