Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

I lost a little faith...
I lost a little faith in the veracity of the text when on page 0, the capital, Manila, was placed incorrectly on the map, over 100 miles away on the wrong island_

Other than that, I'm really enjoying this book so far

OK but I'm not crazy about it.
This book does ultimately contain some useful information, a good deal of useful information in fact. But I did not like the style of the writing at all. There seems to be a tendency to use flowery language, obscure words, and and just way too many words to get across ideas that could have been stated much more concisely. I'm a fan of simple, direct English, and that is not what I found in this book. The wordiness made it a bit boring to read, like a sociology textbook where the title somehow had me expecting a lively and practical guide to Filipino manners and customs. Ha, I thought I was pretty good at English, but I had to resort to a dictionary when the author used the word "akimbo."

Very informative book
This book has been updated several times, and seems to be a superb source of general information about the current culture and state of affairs in the Philippines. For those of us with family living there, it is especially useful and interesting. The transaction was excellent, and the price and response time were even better than we expected.

Culture Shock!Philippines:A Survival Guide...
A very good book for people who would like to know more about Filipinos and/or for Filipinos who have been away from the Philippines for a long time.

Comparing Four Books About the Philippines
I hope to visit the Philippines in the near future with an eye towards possible retirement in the Philippines. To educate myself I have ordered and read four books about the Philippines, namely:

Philippines Travel Guide - by Jen Peters
Culture Shock Philippines - by Alfredo Roces
A Long Way to go for a Date - By Henry Makow
A Man's Guide to Life and Love in the Philippines - By Larry Elterman

"Philippines Travel Guide" is just that, a Travel Guide, pure and simple, and an excellent one at that. It will tell you about all the places to go, where to eat, where to stay, where to have fun.However it does not offer a lot of insightor practical information about what it would be like to live or retire in the Philippines.

"Culture Shock Philippines" is a book written by a Filipino, from a Filipino's point of view, describing Filipino culture, customs and history. If this is what you are looking for it is an excellent book. However, it is written from a Filipino's point of view, not a Westerner's point of view. It does not offer a lot of practical advice about what it would be like to live or retire in the Philippines.

"A Long Way to go for a Date" is a short and light weight book about a man's quest to find the perfect Filipina bride to bring back to his home country of Canada. It describes his visit to the Philippines to meet and date his potential bride and his experiences in bringing back and living with his Filipina wife in Canada.Ultimately it describes how it all went wrong and turned into a nightmare. This book is written in the first person by the author, Henry Makow, and although Henry sometimes comes across a bit pompous and selfish, I never-the-less like what he did, which was to "put himself out there".It is a very personal account in which Henry is not afraid to say who he is and what he wants, even if you don't agree with it. This book is very light on practical information, but it will give you some nice insight into the process of finding a Filipina wife. However, it was Henry's goal to find a wife to bring back to Canada, not to live in the Philippines, so it did not correlate perfectly with what I was looking for.

"A Man's Guide to Life and Love in the Philippines"like "A Long Way to go for a Date" is also written in the first person, but unlike "A long Way" the author does not "put himself out there". He describes things from more of a distance, so that you never really get to know who the author is. This is my only criticism of the book. Perhaps it would have been a bit more entertaining if it was a bit more personal. That being said, the book never advertises itself to be a book about the experiences of the author, it claims to be a "Guide" about life and love in the Philippines, and on that level I think it succeeds very well.It contains a great amount of information both about what it's like to live in the Philippines and about the practical side of making a life for yourself in the Philippines. It also describes in much detail the process of how to go about finding a Filipina girl friend or wife. In this regard it is interesting how he doesn't just lump all Filipina together as homogenous. He describes a number of different types of Filipina women and what each of them is like and what they are looking for. In terms of my goal of possibly living and retiring in the Philippines this book was by far the best match.



... Read more

Product Description

Culture and Customs of the Philippines provides the best general overview to the Asian archipelago and to a people with close ties to the United States and a long history of emigration and contributions to this country. The volume emphasizes how the strong indigenous Philippine culture meshes with constant influences from the West. Rodell, a specialist in Philippine history and society, superbly evokes the breadth of the Philippines for students and the general public. The wide variety of Philippine traditions is seen in each topic covered: the land, people, and history; religion and thought; literature and art; architecture; cuisine and fashion; gender, marriage, and family; festivals, media, film, and leisure activities; music and dance; and social customs and lifestyle.

Culture and Customs of the Philippines is crucial to multicultural reference collections today needing authoritative information on contemporary Asia that will capture readers' attention. Interest in the Philippines, a former U.S. colony, is especially high. Some highlights of the volume include discussion of the Tagalog, the principal ethnic group; the amalgamation of Christian, folk, and Muslim beliefs; the bahay kubo, the rural house style; and the all-important Philippine family. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the text.

Product Description
An illustrated overview of the history, geography and culture of the Philippines and the people who inhabit these tropical islands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

wonderful cultures of Asia
This book tells you about the unique religious culture and history of the Philippines, from when the Chinese came from the north to the country, and the Arabs came from the south to the country and introduced Islam in Mindanao, the Sulu Islands, and Luzon in1380, and then the Spanish who came in March of 1521 and Introduced the Roman Catholic branch of Christianity which is now the dominant religion in the Phlippines today with Catholics numbering 83%, Protestants 9%, Muslims 6%, and Taoists and Buddhists 2%. ... Read more

Product Description
Readings on Philippine Culture and Social Life makes it possible for students to sample quickly a wide range of basic literature in Philippine Culture. The authors are educational leaders, historians, scientists, men of letters, and artists of the twentieth century. Topics include the beginnings of Filipino society, land and resources, Filipino family life, Philippine games, music, folk dances, art and architecture, religion, politics and literature. Illustrated with numerous photographs. ... Read more

Product Description
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
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Philippines- Culture Smart! Review
The Philippines- Culture Smart! book is intended for the American or Western business traveler only. It only provides guidance for social and business interactions with a short term visit in mind. I find it amusing that the book attempts to give advice for the expatriate business traveler, but there is no way that this book is sufficient, even for a brief visit. As very quick guide (1 - 2 hour reading) for the first time traveler, on a very short trip, this book may help you avoid any hideous cultural mishap, but as for insight into the Pilipino culture, it is definitely lacking. I would recommend the Culture Shock! Book or the Insight book instead for those seeking the next level. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Most important book to read; to start to understand us!
This is in many ways an update to "Culture Shock Philippines."It is not a travel guide but does describe a number of good places to visit.It gives a good historical overview, then spends much of it's 168 pages explaining daily life, cultural issues, family values and our focus on the family.

It explains common attitudes toward foreigners, and how a foreigner can make a good impression. It includes an excellent discussion about Religion and our many Christian festivals.Descriptions of common housing, shopping, entertaining, family celebrations, and a whole chaper on traveling in The Philippines. I recommend this as the most important book to read to start to understand us.Jean

@^:^@
... Read more

Product Description
History, customs, habits , philosophy, legend and lore about every aspect of food and dining in the Philippines. Recipes too. A must for the Filipino historian! ... Read more

Product Description
Take a tropical vacation to the Philippines. Explore this fascinating nation's history, geography, economics, folklore, art, celebrations, and daily life through its food. Colorful photographs and kid-friendly recipes make this book both beautiful and delicious. What a great and fun way to discover a new culture! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well-meaning but shallow and poorly edited
Picked this up hoping to give my (US) husband and daughter a sense of the richness of Philippine cuisine.Not sure I would bother sharing this with them - this reads like an airline magazine's coverage of a travel destination.It touches lightly on the influence of other cultures (Spanish, Chinese, Malay) on Philippine cooking, but barely gives a sense of the inherent regional differences.And even though the cover shows a woman (presumably) selling fresh produce, there is little or no mention of the fruits and vegetables that are so particular to the Philippines: lanzones, rambutan, chico, atis; ampalaya, okra, gabi, kangkong.(They are certainly not unique to Filipino cuisine, but they are rarely found in such proximity, either.)

For instance, the author devotes a section to the coconut and cooking with coconut milk, but doesn't mention that the Bicol region is known for this style of cooking (and is also distinguished from much of the Philippines for its spicy food).Nor does she talk about the different names for ginataan, a sweet dish ("benignit" in Cebuano, "alpahor" in Chavacano, and "ginettaán" in Ilokano).Dishes of the same name can vary wildly in makeup across the archipelago, and this I think makes for a wonderful variety of tastes and culinary identity within a relatively small country, but you wouldn't know it from this book.

I really wonder if the author has been to the Philippines.Much of the local flavor in the book comes from quotations of other cookbooks or writers, not from her personal account. "Journalist Olivia Wu describes the kitchen of a Filipino grandmother..."Also, many of the phonetic pronunciations (not to mention spellings of names of dishes) offered in the book are pretty far off.(It's bah-NGOOS, not bahn-GOOS.) Plus, she sometimes confuses the method of cooking with the ingredients.For example, paksiw (not pak-i-saw) is a way of cooking with *vinegar* (vinegar is the key ingredient, everything else is variable), and it can be used for vegetables and meat, not just for fish and seafood.Was this ever reviewed by a Tagalog speaker before going to print?

Overall, I think it would be more useful to read a travel guide to the Philippines, covering regional fiestas, history, and notable sites, and then skim various Philippine cookbooks for a more accurate picture of the country and its cuisine. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Explores the relationship between environment and culture in the contemporary Philippines. The book will be of interest to those engaged in relief policy and administration in developing countries. ... Read more

Product Description
Geared toward the business traveler, this guide offers tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up an office in the Philippines. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

book Order
The seller delivered the book promptly and in good condition. The online description matched the books condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Phillipine Gay Culture is a descriptive survey of popular and academic writings on and by Filipino male homosexuals, as well as a genealogy of discourses of male homosexuality and the bakla and/or gay identities that emerged in urban Philippines from the 1960s to the present. This conceptual history engages recent events in the Philippines' sexually self-aware present, but also explores colonial history in showing how modernity implanted a new sexual order of "homo/hetero" and further marginalized the effeminate local identity of bakla. Garcia analyzes several works by bakla writers and artists that narrate hybridity, appropriation, and postcolonial resistance and in their own way, enriched Philippine gay culture and the Philippines as a whole. This book will appeal to scholars of literary history, postcolonial studies, cultural studies, gender studies, and Asian history. ... Read more