[Breeze] to what extent has the Philippines developed, take you to see the real, Filipino life
Located in the western Pacific Ocean, southeastern Asia, the Philippines is an island nation of more than 7,000 islands. Historically a colony of Spain and the United States, it has been heavily influenced by Western culture, while retaining a wealth of indigenous culture and traditions.
The natural landscape of the Philippines is equally diverse, from lush jungles to azure seas, from spectacular volcanoes to tranquil beaches, providing visitors with endless space to explore.
In the Philippines, a smile is the most common expression in communication. Whether it's a mall security guard, a waiter at a restaurant, or a student on the street, they always have a friendly smile on their face, and they usually show respect and kindness with body language such as nodding, waving, or hugging.
Family and kinship play an extremely important role in Filipino society, and family includes not only parents and children, but also grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other relatives.
Politeness and respect have a special meaning in Filipino society, where people show respect for others through words and actions, such as using the honorific title "Sir" or "Ma'am" in conversation, or adding polite words like "Excuse me po" when asking for help.
Filipinos have a relatively relaxed sense of time and are often late. This phenomenon is jokingly referred to as "Philippine time", which means that the actual arrival time will be later than the agreed time, and when dating a Filipino, you need to take this into account and advance the time appropriately.
In terms of numbers, "13" is considered unlucky in the Philippines, and many people shy away from it. This may stem from the ominous perception of "13" in Western culture, and gradually develop a cultural taboo locally.
Singing and dancing is one of the favorite pastimes of Filipinos. Whether at home or in public, they always find an opportunity to show off their talents, and their music is diverse, from pop to religious, and there is something for everyone.
Filipinos are also known for their sense of humor, and they are good at finding a laugh in a relaxed atmosphere, whether it is politics, social topics or trivial matters of daily life. Their jokes are often full of wit and can easily defuse the tense atmosphere.
As for the diet, rice is a major component of the daily diet, and meat is also a common staple food on the table.
One of the national dishes, "roast suckling pig", plays an important role in the Philippines, and it will appear on the table of every family on major festivals. It is marinated in seasonings such as bay, pepper, spices, and lemongrass, and then slow-roasted over a charcoal fire for hours until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and fragrant.
Another specialty dish is "Apodo". This dish is made by marinating chicken in soy sauce, vinegar, and various spices, and then simmering over low heat. The addition of vinegar makes this dish suitable for daily consumption even in tropical climates for a long time.
Despite the country's natural environment, more than 4 million people in the capital, Manila, live in slums and face a range of social problems such as poverty, unemployment and crime, with many people living in difficult conditions and relying on food from garbage heaps.
This economic disparity not only affects the quality of life of individuals, but also poses a threat to social stability, so improving the living conditions of the people at the bottom and raising their income levels is crucial for the long-term development of the Philippines.
