Philippines Books

Culture Shock! Philippines: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

Alfredo Roces, Grace Roces

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Extemely valuable for anyone interested in the Philippines 5 out of 5 stars.
31 of 31 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be extremely informative. It is centered on western ex-pats living in the Philippines, but it is highly useful for anyone traveling there. It is nicely written and also includes some Tagalog phrases/translations that are not well known among non-Filipino. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a general overview of Filipino culture, society, and history.

This book is an excellent reference if you are going to visit the Philippines and a MUST read if you are going to live there.

Editorial Review:

CultureShock! Philippines is a survival guide for anyone living, working, or wanting to discover life in the Philippines. Settling into a foreign land is never easy but with this book, you will learn to understand the importance of amor-propio, appreciate the Filipino ways, and learn about the history and culture of this diverse country. Find out the importance of family to the FIlipinos, how to communicate with the locals, and learn the appropriate business etiquette. Packed with a resource guide, glossary, contact numbers, and useful advice, CultureShock! Philippines is essential for anyone wanting to fit in and enjoy life in the Philippines.

Philippines (Country Guide)

Chris Rowthorn, Greg Bloom, Michael Grosberg, Ryan Ver Berkmoes

Amazon Price: $17.81 List Price: $26.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $14.85

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

The best option for those planning a first trip to the Philippines 4 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I have read lots of criticism of the Lonely Planet Philippines guidebook but I feel much of it should be disregarded by the first-time visitor to the Philippines. When one is planning a trip to the Philippines, especially if the traveler has not been there before, what one needs is qualitative advice, help in figuring out where it's worth going and where not to bother with. In this, Lonely Planet is excellent, perhaps the best of all the guidebooks. It will give you good advice about which places are worth visiting and which are not of much interest. If you've never been to the Philippines, you need frank advice about these things. As you spend time in the Philippines (I live there full-time) you may make your own judgments, but I have found Lonely Planet's advice to be quite good.

There is no question that Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide offers far, far more detail than does Lonely Planet; many more detailed maps, more complete listings of accommodations, transportation details and so forth. No other guidebook comes close.

I live in Iloilo City. I believe Lonely Planet's well-written Iloilo City narrative conveys the spirit, paints a true picture of the place in a way that allows the trip planner to decide if he or she should even include a visit to Iloilo City. For the trip planner this is more important content than extensive details about bus terminals, ferry links and so forth. Once you're here you may wish for the detailed information that Jens Peters' book gives.

That's why, in my opinion, there really is no single best Philippine guidebook. For the person on their first trip, Lonely Planet offers plenty of information and advice in a compact format. It is in need of an update.

I'm an American and have read complaints of my fellow citizens that the Lonely Planet guide is "anti-American". I suspect it may seem so only to those who are not familiar with some of the sadder episodes in the history of American involvement in the Philippines; the brutal crushing of Philippine independence, imposition of decades of unfair trade rules, our unwavering support for the Marcos regime so we could keep our Philippine bases and so forth. It would be better if the Lonely Planet's jabs should inspire some reading and soul searching rather than flag-waving. Stanley Karnow's "In our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines" would be a good start.

Editorial Review:

Escape to the Philippines! An archipelago of natural wonders, the Philippines boasts a string of coral-fringed islands, white-sand beaches and pristine strands of virgin rainforest. From connecting with the friendly locals to diving into clear, blue waters, Lonely Planet will help you unlock the adventures to be enjoyed in this island haven

o BE INSPIRED by awe-inspiring natural beauty - the best coverage available, from the rice terraces in the north to the fertile volcanic plateaus in the south
o ASK THE EXPERT - from getting started to finding the best dive sites, our special diving chapter shows you the ropes
o REST EASY - accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets, from back-to-nature nipa huts to luxury resorts
o GET AROUND with the help of 100 maps to cities, islands, and everywhere in between
o TALK THE TALK - make sure you get what you ordered with our handy food glossary and Language chapter

Philippines Travel Pack (Globetrotter Travel Packs)

Nigel Hicks

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. By: Globetrotter Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $10.17

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The handy pocket-size guide is packed with useful information, tips and recommendations, accompanied by colour photographs, charts and maps for the first-time traveller who wants to experience the major highlights that the Philippines has to offer. This travel book surpasses other guides in that it incorporates essential information in an easy-to-carry and easy-to-read format that is attractive and useful at the same time. It provides a visitor with an invaluable introduction to the Philippines by concisely highlighting the country’s ‘must see’ areas in a practical and user-friendly format, thus encouraging the tourist to make the most of his/her available time. All the essential information you need to get around an unfamiliar country is compacted into useful and practical ‘At-a-Glance’ sections at the end of each chapter. The fold-out map of the Philippines is ideal for tourists and visitors. In addition to the main map of the Philippines, it features 7 detailed area maps and 6 town plans.

The Rough Guide to The Philippines 2 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Rough Guides

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Outdated Information 2 out of 5 stars.
24 of 30 people found this review helpful.

This edition came out a few days before my September-October 2007 trip to The Philippines. I found a copy at my local travel bookstore, and thought I had lucked out by getting the very latest freshest information possible. I was wrong. The book kept letting me down, and at the worst moments possible. A couple examples:
A) Manila - Hobbit House has a new location on Del Pilar street, some 20 blocks away from the previous location on Mabini. It moved on March 14, 2007, over 6 months before the book came out. If the book updated its research, I wouldn't have had to navigate through all the hustlers in Ermita on a Saturday night who wanted to charge me to give directions.
B) Manila - the national museums aren't open Tuesday, when I tried to visit. They haven't been in many years, according to staff. Ignore the schedule Rough Guide shows!
C) In Cebu City, the Persian Palate restaurant is nowhere near the location they show. Also, they neglect to mention that it's not a single restaurant. It's a a full blown chain of restaurants, with locations in every mall. It seems very doubtful all these restaurants got built so quickly that the book researchers couldn't have found out.
D) Also in Cebu, the "Great Han Palace" they describe doesn't seem to exist. The building itself seems to be called the "Great Han Palace", but the restaurant inside is called something else.
E) Airport - Departure tax is 750 pesos, not 550.

I could have saved myself time, taxi fares, and a lot of aggravation by finding a better book. Don't make my mistake when buying a travel book! Just because it's recently published doesn't mean the info is updated.

Editorial Review:

The Rough Guide to The Philippines is the ultimate companion for exploring this stunning Southeast Asian archipelago. From the sun-kissed islands of the Visaya to the lagoons of Palawan and the tribal villages of the northern Cordilleras, the full- colour section introduces the best the Phillippines has to offer. This revised 2nd edition includes detailed and opinionated listings and essential information on where to stay, eat, drink, dance, surf, trek, kayak and sail plus a brand-new diving section packed with practical advice on world-class dive sites and operators. You’ll find improved in-depth coverage of major destinations such as Boracay and emerging destinations such as Palawan. The guide features informative background on Filipino history, culture, society, music and politics, and comes complete with new maps and plans for every area.

The Rough Guide to The Philippines is like having a local friend plan your trip.

Philippines Travel Map: 2005/2006 Edition (Periplus Travel Maps)

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Periplus Editions Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $5.61

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Best Travel Map 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.

This is the best travel map I've seen for the Philippines. Very detailed, lots of information and great quality paper. It is much better than the Globetrotter map I bought earlier. Globetrotter doesn't even show the provinces of the Philippines on the map...

An excellent map 4 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I had a hard time deciding on giving it 4 or 5 stars, it is an excellent map and is worth it's weight in gold while traveling in the Philippines, but it is some what out-dated and would like to see a new one for 2003. Don't get me wrong, it's a very concise and accurate map, also when you unfold it...the thick creases make it permanent, so it easily folds back up with out any confusion that the usual fold up maps can give us. All in all, this is an excellent map that is a must for you to take on any trip to the Philippines.

Editorial Review:

Periplus is a pioneer in mapping the cities and countries of Asia. Among its many "firsts" are maps of Phnom Penh and Angkor in Cambodia, Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia, as well as the first map to cover all the major cities and tourist destinations in Vietnam. A dozen new titles are produced annually, and our goal is to publish accurate maps of every city and travel destination in the Asia Pacific region. An extensive team of field editors in every country updates these maps regularly.

Philippines - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette

Graham Colin-Jones, Yvonne Colin-Jones

Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Kuperard Amazon Marketplace: 36 new & used starting at $5.24

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times

Diving Southeast Asia: A Guide to the Best Dive Sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand (Periplus Action Guides)

David Espinosa, Heneage Mitchell, Kal Muller, John B Williams

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Lots of detailed info & resources. Sloppy editing. 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This book is Pre -tsunami. & Pre-enviromental-ban for Sipadan

CONS:
1) This edition is basically the same as the 2nd edition. If you have #2 then you don't really need #3. Just call ahead and make sure the LDS info is correct.

2) Although some of the information may have been updated since the 2nd edition, sloppy editing ruins the book. Maps are not on the page indexed and are not on the page referred to in the paragraph. You'd really expect better editing and not just #2 regurgitated with add-on info.

3) Many of the contributors also have their own Dive Guide/Book published, so you may find some duplicate info.

4) Doesn't list all major dive shops in the area, (but it comes pretty close). Doesn't list dive shops on the smaller islands (not even reputable ones).

5) Publishing company extremely rude (Periplus Singapore) and unhelpful to the public when called at the number listed.

PROS:
1) Maps of the entire region are very helpful especially if you want to be sure whether you are diving island 3 or island 4a. & your dive guide doesn't know - unfortunately happens more than you think since everyone wants to do their divemaster/instructor training course here. Just show the boat captain the map and he'll tell you.

2) This book packs a lot of detailed info on each and every area and dive site. All you need is a Guide that knows where the fish are and how to get back to the boat.

3) This book often contains more pertinent and detailed info than many "single area" books out there.

4) All the contributors are highly respected and very well-known in their own areas and beyond. Most are regular contributors to dive magazines and have their own guides published. Some still take groups out despite owning their own dive shop, travel agency, internet cafe, Tshirt stand, satay and fruit juice stall.

5) Good quality photos and paper.

6) Nice map of the region inside the front cover.

Overall one of the better dive books out there. You will find this one really helpful for:
*Planning dive trips in S.E. Asia
*Knowing where you are
*What to look out for at a site/area
*Alternative dive resources for S.E. Asia (Lists of websites diving & otherwise).

Philippines Travel Guide

Jens Peters

List Price: $25.00 By: Jens Peters Publications Amazon Marketplace: 1 new & used starting at $25.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

I don't know why so many people are giving such positive reviews! 2 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I really don't know why everyone is giving this book five stars. I purchased this book based on the recommendations I saw here, despite the fact it is a year older than the latest Lonely Planet. I do have the Lonely Planet guide that Jens Peters wrote from years ago, so I figured I'd go with his latest. I was wrong. I found his suggestions and assessments incomplete compared to the recent LP and the book is peppered with advertisements, which make me question whether or not these ads influence his writing. I have returned this book and purchased the latest LP Philippines. I'm very happy with my decision. With a dearth of updated Philippines travel guides in the first place, I'd go with LP... at least until Moon Guides update their version!

Editorial Review:

ThePhilippines Travel Guide includes a varied selection of pre-planned travel routes and useful information on transportation, loads of good-value accommodation, selected local and international restaurants, comprehensive language chapter (Filipino and Cebuano), illustrated sections on flora, fauna and culture, schedules of festivals and special events, details on outdoor activities including cycling, diving, hiking and surfing, e-mail directory and maps.

Exciting Philippines: A Visual Journey (Exciting Series)

Elizabeth V. Reyes

Amazon Price: $13.56 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Periplus Editions Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $4.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The best choice... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I like to use Periplus Maps when i'm traveling around Asia... and i can confirm that this kind of maps is very usefull... complete...
The best choice for prepare my adventure trips... Just next to the map u will find the Lonely Planet Guide... With boths of them i spent months and months around the world...

Editorial Review:

An extensive nation of islands in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is as diverse as it is beautiful. With over 100 full-color photographs of its people, festivals, and architecture, Exciting Philippines captures the visual splendor of this uniquely exotic country and reveals the humor and style of its people. In true Exciting Series style, Exciting Philippines is a fascinating affordable primer for globe-trotters and armchair explorers alike.

Passport Philippines: Your Pocket Guide to Filipino Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World)

World Trade Press

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Good Quick Referance Guide 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is not what I was looking for. I give it a 4 of 5 stars because it give me some insite to the 'Pilipina' (as the call them selves) at work and why they seem to be a polite people. I was looking for is dealing with the Philippina people on a personal basis. For the business person working or visiting the Philippines it is a highly recomended book. Thanks Amazon.com

Excellent! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book helped me know what to expect during my recent trip to the Philippines.

Editorial Review:

Comprehensive guide to the culture, etiquette and communication of the Philippines.