Travel Stories

Planning a Filipino adventure and need ideas on where to go to meet the locals? Look no further than this list of the top Filipino pastimes! Check out these below venues and you’ll be sure to have good times, get good vibes and blend in like the locals. As they say, when in Rome!

Basketball

Yes, you read that right, the number one pastime for locals in the Philippines is basketball. Whether they’re playing it or watching it , everyone gets involved. Why? It starts at school. The school system teaches youngsters the game and the sport follows these children all the way through high school.

You’ll also see teens playing the sport all over the Philippines whether in alleyways, street corners or in gyms. This is because the game doesn’t require any expensive equipment making it easily accessible for young people from all levels of society; as such, it’s hard to find a Filipino who doesn’t partake in the sport.

Fun fact: Nike says that the Philippines is its third largest market after USA and China. Now that’s a big number!

The sport has become such a cultural phenomena that even local elections are postponed if they happen to be scheduled during the NBA Finals.

photo by Deortiz via Flickr

Hanging Out in the Mall

Bumming around the mall may bring back ‘80s and ‘90s flashbacks to classics like Clueless and even Never Been Kissed, but in the Philippines, people go to malls for a whole different reason. Although the weather is nice and warm all year, sometimes the sun can be a bit much when paired with the humidity so teens and adults alike will pack up and head to the mall for the day to cool down. No need to buy anything, the point is to nab that free air conditioning and of course do some window shopping while you’re there. Just make sure to look your best because odds are you’ll run into someone you know as it’s a known thing for locals to flee to huge shopping malls on a particularly muggy day.

Karaoke

Notably a very Asian pastime, karaoke reigns supreme in the Philippines. Just like in Japan, there are several karaoke arcades and venues that line the streets and shopping malls where many singers good and bad congregate for a good night out.

No worries if you’re not the next power ballad talent, your friends and strangers alike will cheer you on as it’s the confidence to get out and sing that matters, not necessarily the trained or untrained pipes you may or may not possess. If you’re visiting the Philippines, make sure to pop into a karaoke bar for a truly local experience.

photo by Bing Ramos (via Creative Commons)

Eating Out

The western world treats eating out as a special occasion or a celebration for a job well done. Filipinos, like many other Asians, eat out all of the time whether they are celebrating or just grabbing their midday snack. With food stalls lined across the streets and local vendors calling out their daily specials, it’s almost harder not to eat out than it is to eat out.

For instance, certain dishes may actually cost more to make at home than just to pick up. Many vendors make a big batch in the morning and only offer that one item for sale all day, selling it at a very low price. Eating out is also a great way to meet new people so if you visit the Philippines, you’ll be sure to run into locals at every eatery since it’s a cultural thing to enjoy dining experiences however casual or couture..

Join in on the Fun

Ready to join the crowd at the mall or in a karaoke bar? Pack your bags and reach out to Uncharted Philippines to help you create your custom adventure or join one of their many exciting adventure tours.