Along with social media, basketball, boxing and pageants, Filipinos’ love for travelling is simply indestructible. More so when it comes to international destinations. But undying passion is not the only ‘asset’ we bring when we set foot in another country. Do any of the following things ring a bell to you?
Disclaimer: This post is entirely for fun and does not intend to offend anyone. Good vibes lang!
Also read: 14 Things You Typically Hear When You Bump Into A Fellow Pinoy Abroad
1. Proudly photogenic
Whenever there’s an opportunity to travel, there’s an opportunity to take photos. It doesn’t matter if it’s for your own memorabilia or updating your followers — we have ways to make every shot look good, or at the very least, viral-worthy.
2. Craving all the time
Food is life, as most of us would say. And by doing so, we’re willing to taste just about everything that comes our way. For us, breakfast should be just as heavy as lunch and dinner. And there’s very little room for exemptions.
3. Still family-oriented
Most Filipinos grow up being family-oriented. To us, the concept of moving out by the age of 18 or 21 is completely alien. And during our trips, it’s paramount that we stay in touch with our loved ones, no matter how many miles away they are from us.
4. Strategic or madiskarte as always
Notice I wrote strategic instead of prudent. Yes, many of us may have budget as our primary concern when planning a trip, but some Filipino travellers do survive overseas without choosing the dodgiest budget hostels or airlines.
5. Semi to fully prepared
Extra snacks, extra shawl, extra charger. Even the most spontaneous of us comes out looking prepared with outwardly useless items, which actually end up being our salvation at some point on a trip.
6. Always comparing
Like many others, our country isn’t perfect. This is why it’s in our character to compare most of what we see and experience abroad to their counterpart in our homeland. Wider sidewalks, more public parks, friendlier locals — you name it.
7. On the lookout for bargains
Even with the number of shopping malls we have in the Philippines, we often believe that we can get the same products for a better price in another country. Even if it means being too pushy and inconsiderate with the local sellers, unfortunately.
8. Ready to converse
English is practically our second native language. And most of us usually can’t wait to speak the language with fellow English speakers or a local, without the pressure of being too pasikat or mayabang.
9. A little too analytical
Like it or not, basic math always comes in handy for us when purchasing something. If it’s specifically cheap in peso terms, then we know it’s worth the buy.
10. Also a little too friendly
When we see a fellow Filipino abroad, it’s almost crucial that we utter a brief hi or kumusta, sometimes without even asking names anymore. If it comes to other nationalities, we try to put in a little more effort, just because we feel like we’re representing the entire Philippines.
Also read: 15 Things Abroad That Shookt Me as a Pinoy Traveller
So, which one of these can you most relate to?
