Etiquette in Philippines

Proper Social Behavior in the Philippines

Etiquette in The Philippines

Never call anyone over to you by saying "Psst."

Never beckon someone by using your index finger in a raised 'come to me' fashion.

From "Top 10 Hand Gestures You'd Better Get Right."

The “Dog Call”

"Curling your index finger towards you in a summoning motion is a gesture generally linked with seductive temptresses in Hollywood movies, beckoning for their targeted men to follow them into another room.

Calling a dog.

Beware, however, of using this gesture. 

In the Philippines – it’s a method of communication considered worthy only to use on dogs and is actually punishable by arrest. Worst of all, they’ll break your index finger in order to prevent you from committing the same crime again!"

Emma, the author of the article about hand gestures concludes the article with "So, there you have it – ten of the most popular (and most globally misunderstood) hand gestures, in all their glory.  .... the best idea when travelling abroad is probably to keep both hands pinned to your sides. Permanently."

Filipinos are very gracious people, but never insult Anyone!

"Never Insult a Filipino – It may be the last thing you do.  Insults are taken very seriously and if you cause a Filipino to lose face, expect to be shunned by them and their family. Losing face is taken very seriously here and sometimes, if the offense is bad, the knives will come out. It’s best to be respectful and complimentary to anyone you talk to."

Business Etiquette in the Philippines (an article in USA Today.)

Manners while riding in jeepneys.

Manners when riding in tricycles.

Commuter etiquette Jeepney, Bus, Train

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Trains In Philippines

Trains in the Philippines

Trains in the greater Manila area

Fastest way to travel in Metro Manila. Clean and attractive rail cars. Polite passengers. Seats designated in each car for elderly, disabled and pregnant women.

To use the train system one must be in good physical condition since there are many stairs to climb and descend. Number of stair flights differ at different stations. Some stations have elevators, (Libertad, Magallanes, and Ayala (possibly others).

The US State Department web site advises Americans not to ride trains, buses, jeepneys or tricycles.
I have ridden all of them many times in 5 years. Have never had a bad experience in the stations or on the trains.

Near the front of the train there are usually two cars for female passengers. They may be accompanied by a child or children and a male friend or relative. There is a guard at their boarding area on the platform.

Click on map to enlarge this train route map for Metro Manila area.

See a large map of the LRTA rail system at the official site of the Light Rail Transit Authority.

See the LRTA fare schedule.

Visit the Facebook page of the Philippine National Railway for fare schedules, more information and pictures.

I plan to include video of a train approaching the Edsa station.

Near Taft Avenue MRT train station at Edsa in Metro Manila.
Travel West on Edsa by bus or taxi from here to the Mall of Asia.
Ask anyone where to stand to get a bus or taxi to Mall of Asia.

According to an article in the news on Dec.29, 2013, it looks like the re-opening of the Bicol Express is delayed again. It runs from Manila to Legazpi.

Update from Wikipedia: 

"As of September 2013, operations to the Bicol Region have been suspended.^[1] This is primarily because of typhoon damage to bridges. The PNR hoped to reopen the Bicol Express Service by about September 2014;^[16] however, as of April 2015 services had still not been resumed."

Update January 2024: 

Bicol PNR Naga-Legazpi train route: Schedules, fares, and more

From Naga to Legaspi

Update March 2024:

See PNR shutdown schedule.

Shutting down for 3 months in 2024.

Update April 3, 2024

PNR trains on halted Metro line moving to S. Luzon, Bicol routes.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about trains, Naga to Legaspi train, LRT, MRT and Bicol Express trains in Metro Manila, Philippines. This page last updated April 3, 2024.