Taxi drivers cheat, sometimes it rains for more than a week, the ferry boat is canceled one hour before its departure. Do not expect paradise before you're dead and gone.

But if anything resembles paradise on earth, it's the Philippines. Not because of its cultural richness, not because of its outstanding quality of nature, not because of it having the 'best' climate on the world. It's because of its people, the way they live, love and play. Because of the smile that goes with every mistake they make, and because of their generous and child-like attitude that will never be changed by rules, government or foreigners.   

With Filipinos their family comes first, their fiesta's next. Every opportunity to celebrate is used to organize feasts that, if possible, have all to do with eating and drinking. The 'Lechon-party', where a pig is roasted over a fire and then disappears in five minutes into hungry stomachs, you should not miss. 'Bahalina' or 'Tuba' , the local palm-wine (wine?) mixed with beer or coke make you dizzy after five glasses and then it's dancing time. Somebody knows how to play the guitar and we all can sing, can't we?

The next day fishermen paddle out to see what is to be caught, never mind the hangover. Tourists are greeted by their name, the Filipino has a memory as an elephant where it concerns names. In the Sari-Sari store you can buy everything from candies to T-shirts.  The local policeman is wondering whether he will put on his uniform today and the children play with hand- made toys between the nipa huts. As it becomes hotter during daytime, activities die out, and you can observe that it is possible to sleep in front of a screaming ghetto-blaster while lying on a bamboo-pole.

As a visitor to the Philippines there are a few things to consider:

The biggest problem is to say 'no' to a tourist. 'Is the bus coming?' , Yes...' But if you don't ask when, you might find yourself  waiting until next day! it was coming, wasn't it?

English is spoken everywhere, 'Would you please be so kind as to serve me a beer? 'The mouth falls wide open, as in 'Aah?', meaning 'What was that?' keep it simple! 'Beer, please'. (Usa ka beer, palihug').

Patience and a smile will get you everything you need, irritation causes more irritation, Once you have become familiar with the local habits you will be overwhelmed with the friendliness of the Filipinos, a people that still know how to enjoy life!

 A lot of things that were due today can also be done tomorrow, as life extends endlessly and too much action is bad for the lazy atmosphere.