“There is no night life in Spain. They stay up late but they
get up late. That is not night life. That is delaying the day. Night life is
when you get up with a hangover in the morning. Night life is when everybody
says what the hell and you do not remember who paid the bill. Night life goes
round and round and you look at the wall to make it stop. Night life comes out
of a bottle and goes into a jar. If you think of how much the drinks are it is
not night life” –Ernest Hemingway
The nightlife scene in the Philippines is unlike any other.
Influenced significantly by Western culture, there might be
some aspects in Philippine nightlife that allude to the nightclub scene
commonly found in the United States. However, there are also several aspects
about it that make it so unique. For an instance, the nightlife in each
district is so drastically different than how you would find it in another
city. Makati nightlife
is associated with upscale living insomuch that you can find some of the most
luxurious and exclusive bars and nightclubs here. Other towns are also known
for their distinct brand of nightlife—whether that may be a simple night at the
pub or a speakeasy that is frequently patronized by up-and-coming writers,
singers, artists and poets. Indeed, nightlife in the Philippines is so vibrant
and colorful that everyone needs to experience it—whether they may be a local
and even more so when they are a foreigner. Regardless of what your poison
might be, the Philippine nightlife caters to everyone and you might find
something just for you. Everything is there—from laser light discotheques,
karaoke bars, underground music gastropubs and exclusive VIP clubs. There is
always something for everyone’s fancy and kind of play during the weekend.
So, if you have been looking to hit up some nightclubs or
bars this upcoming weekend, here are some of the things you might want to know
before going on that nocturnal jaunt:
Friendly attitude towards foreigners
Filipinos are known for their hospitality.
In this regard, a foreigner would not have a hard time striking up a
conversation with a local. In fact, they may even expect Filipinos to initiate conversations
with them first. More importantly, Filipinos have an excellent command of the
English language so communication would not be a challenge. Aside from that,
foreigners are basically treated like celebrities in the Philippines insomuch
that most Filipinos would be receptive to accommodating them. Although things
might be relatively different in low-end establishments, you can still expect
Filipinos to be welcoming to foreigners.
English-speaking nation
As stated above, Filipinos have an
excellent grasp of the English language that communication would hardly be a
problem at all. In fact, this is seen as one of the many advantages when it
comes to partying in the Philippines as most of the locals can speak English.
Even the poorest urban communities can speak Basic English and would be able to
accommodate tourists without a hitch. However, even if your trip to the Philippines
does not necessitate the reading of a Filipino phrasebook, knowing a few key
phrases will earn you extra appreciative smiles from the locals—just for
trying!
Unique alcoholic beverages and food
Filipinos love their booze just as much as
they love to eat. For this reason, most of their alcoholic beverages have food
matches to further improve the taste and the drinking experience. A local drink
that is a must-try to beer drinkers is the Filipino local staple for libation,
the San Miguel Beer or simply called San Mig. This beer variety comes in a
variety of forms from the classic pale pilsen offering to the super dry variant.
Apart from alcoholic beverages and spirits, there is quite a number of
recognizable American fast food establishments in the Philippines. Recently,
there has also been a growth of Japanese, Chinese and Korean cuisines inside
shopping malls. However, if you truly
want to experience the diversity of Filipino cuisine, take a stroll in one of
the Sunday food night markets and food bazaars. There you can find a range of
unique food offerings and flavors all in a single place. Have a taste of the
local street food as well as Filipino “pulutan” or finger food and beer matches
said to enhance the taste of your alcohol.
Love for KTV
Filipinos love to song—that much is evident
from the series of KTV bars you can find in almost every nook and cranny in a
major city. In fact, you might even find a standalone one in a local store with
a singing patron to match. Indeed, a Filipino’s love for singing has no match
and it is something you have to witness for yourself should you ever find
yourself in the Philippines. Even those without the gift of vocal prowess can
be found singing and belting out tunes in karaoke machines. After all, it is
more about your performance rather than the song. So, do not be afraid to try
your hand at karaoke too. Let go of your inhibitions by belting out your
favorite songs.
