About Country
Life Style Of The Country
(Climate, About the Country, Living Style, Religion, Culture, Language)
The Philippine Islands are an archipelago of over 7,000 islands lying about 805 km off the southeast coast of Asia. The Philippines have numerous rivers, volcanoes, streams, narrow coastal plains and beautiful sandy beaches which foreign and local tourist enjoy. The country has a total of 36,289 kilometers of coastline. The Philippines is a place of natural wonders – a string of coral-fringed islands strewn across a vast expanse of the western Pacific. Below sea level, the Philippines boasts some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling. Above sea level, it has a fantastic landscape with wonders enough to stagger even the most jaded traveler: long underground rivers, soaring karsts (limestone tower formations), incredible caves, some pristine stands of virgin rainforest, and in the case of Palawan, islands that shoot out of the sea like jagged spearheads.
Climate
The Philippines has two seasons: dry and wet. Generally, the dry season is from November to May and the wet season is from June to September, though weather patterns have become much less predictable. By far the hottest month in lowland regions is May, when temperatures hover as high as 38°C. The cooler months are December and January. Rainfall typically comes in sudden, heavy bursts, and flash flooding is now more common than it should be due to widespread deforestation and soil erosion.
Language
The official languages in the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino, which is based on the Tagalog dialect (the dialect of national capital region), is the national language of Philippines. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education in the Philippines. There are also 76 major local languages and more than 500 different minor dialects throughout the archipelago. - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan.
Religions
Roman Catholic 81%, Evangelical 3%, Iglesias ni Kristo 2%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 5%, Islam 5%
Accommodation
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On-Campus Housing: Living accommodations for students are provided in the University’s residence halls. Foreign students can also stay in the dormitories managed by the HEIs (Higher Education Institutes).
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Off-Campus Housing: They can also stay in approved privately-owned housing units.
Transportation System
(Buses, trains, trams etc.)
Buses: Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila.
Jeepneys: Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares.
The LRT: It's a fast, cheap way to go to downtown Manila.
The MRT: This is definitely the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis.
Taxis: Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 (Rs25) on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 (Rs2) is added for every 200 meters to the final cost.
Currency
The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100 centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5. Bill denominations are: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in the Philippines can vary widely.
Cost of rent in the Philippines can range from P10, 000 (Rs10, 000) per month in regional cities to upwards in excess of P50, 000 (Rs50, 000) per month in Manila. For P15, 000 (Rs15, 000) a month you will be able to find something pretty decent.
All up for all utilities (electricity, water and telephone) the cost per month will be around P7, 000 to P10, 000. (Rs7, 000 to Rs10,000)
For transportation you should budget about P3, 000 (Rs3, 000) per month.
Food and groceries will cost in between P25, 000 (Rs25, 000) to P40, 000 (Rs40,000) per month.
Bottled water will cost about P1000 (Rs1000) a month.
Domestic help will cost you roughly P2000 (Rs2000) per month.
Scholarship
State Scholarship Program
National Integration Study Grant Program
Selected Ethnic Group Educational Assistance Program
Expanded College Study Grant for National Program for Unification and Development
Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) takes care of two programs:
Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program (PESFA)
The College Faculty Development Fund (CFF)
CHED Special Study Grant Program for Congressional Districts
CHED-DND-NPUDC Study Grant Program for MNLF-Officer Integrees
Post Baccalaureate Scholarship Program for College Faculty Members from Undeserved Islands off Luzon
Visa Requirements
Student Visa- applicant submits the following to any Philippine HEI (Higher Education Institute) authorized to accept foreign students:
Five (5) copies of the Student's Personal History Statement (PHS) as required by the accepting school duly signed by him, both in English and in his national alphabet accompanied by his personal seal if any, containing among others, his left and right thumb-prints and a 2 x 2 inch photograph on plain white background taken not more than six months prior to submission;
Transcript of Records/Scholastic Records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post (PFSP) located in the student-applicant's country of origin or legal residence;
A notarized Affidavit of Support including bank statements or notarized grant for institutional scholars, to cover expenses for the student's accommodation and subsistence, as well as school dues and other incidental expenses.
Photocopy of the student's passport showing date and place of birth and birth certificate or its equivalent duly authenticated by the PFSP.
Types Of Visas
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Tourist Visa
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Student Visa
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Treaty Traders / Investors Visa
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Pre-Arranged Employment Visa
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Immigrant Visa
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Special Resident Retiree Visa
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Special Investor’s Resident Visa
