Philippines

Guide for dating in Philippines helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Filipino women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Philippine girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Philippines. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Philippines, Asia.

Hot girls of Philippines at the Ibiza beach club

Girls in Philippines:

Looks of girls: 4 / 5

Attitude of girls: 4 / 5

Loyalty of girls: 3.5 / 5

Education level of girls: 3 / 5

Dating in Philippines:

Chance of arranging dates: 2.5 / 5

Casual dating culture: 3 / 5

Online dating popularity: 2 / 5

Sex in Philippines:

Women's sexual activity: 2.5 / 5

One-night stands: 2.5 / 5

More about Philippines:

Nightlife in general: 3 / 5

Locals' English level: 4 / 5

Budget per day: US$100 - $400

Accommodation: US$40 - $200

Dating

The Philippines is an island country of Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago consisting of some 7,100 islands and islets lying about 800 km off the coast of Vietnam. Manila is the capital, but Quezon City is the country's most populous city. Bounded by the South China Sea on the west, the Philippine Sea on the east and the Celebes Sea on the southwest, the Philippines shares maritime borders with Taiwan to the north, Japan to the northeast, Palau to the east, Indonesia to the south, Malaysia and Brunei to the southwest, Vietnam to the west, and China to the northwest. With well more than 100 million people, it is the eighth-most populated country in Asia and the 13th-most populated country in the world.

Traditionally, before a man could ever date a Filipino lady, he has to ask for her parent's permission first. It is required for her parents to know where you'll take their daughter and even issue a curfew. Though some would demand a chaperone. Filipinas are known to have a great personality. They are bubbly, cheerful positive and they always try to maintain a sunny disposition in life. Sometimes you will even think where they get all their smiles! When you date a Filipina, you won't get bored and you will always feel happy.

Dating Culture

In the Philippines, dating often comes in stages, beginning with courtship. Typically, a man will try to impress a female by courting her. If the woman considers the man to be a good suitor, they will continue dating. Individuals have a significant level of freedom in terms of choosing marriage partners, although the choice of a spouse may be influenced by the preferences of the family. In some families, it is expected for the prospective partner to gain the approval of their potential in-laws. However, in urban areas, dating and marriage practices tend to be less conservative and are becoming more influenced by the West.

Sugar Dating

Sugar dating is one of the best ways to find a date in 2023. Men who are willing to buy gifts for sugar babies, will get physical or emotional pleasure for a return. Take a look of the wide selection of girls from SecretBenefits.

Online Dating

Dating in Philippines can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Philippines and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.

Webcam Dating

Feeling lonely in Philippines? Arrange a virtual date with your favorite webcam girl right now! We have thousands of hot girls online waiting for you. Visit DatingLocalGirlsLive.com!

Women

Women have always enjoyed greater equality in Philippine society than was common in other parts of Southeast Asia. Since pre-Spanish times, Filipinos have traced kinship bilaterally. A woman's rights to legal equality and to inherit family property have not been questioned. Education and literacy levels in 1990 were higher for women than for men. President Aquino often is given as an example of what women can accomplish in Philippine society. The appearance of women in important positions, however, is not new or even unusual in the Philippines. Filipino women, usually called Filipinas, have been senators, cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, administrators, and heads of major business enterprises.

Since the Spanish colonial period, the woman has been the family treasurer, which, at least to some degree, gave her the power of the purse. Nevertheless, the Spanish also established a tradition of subordinating women, which is manifested in women's generally submissive attitudes and a double standard of sexual conduct. The woman's role as family treasurer, along with a woman's maintenance of a generally submissive demeanor, has changed little, but the double standard of sexual morality is being challenged. Male dominance also has been challenged, to some extent, in the 1987 constitution. The constitution contains an equal rights clause--although it lacks specific provisions that might make that clause effective.

Business and industries are still male-dominated fields, but this does not mean that the women in the Philippines are just on the sidelines. Females in business are actually on the rise. Some companies in the Philippines prefer to hire females due to their consistent work ethic and professionalism. There are also top female business executives. A lot of women are now making their way up on the ladder of corporate bureaucracies. This is a shift from the stereotype housewives to an emerging group of professionals.

This is probably one of the areas that women have excelled in the Philippines. Education has been, for a long time, open to all gender since the American Thomasites started their academic institutions, which the Spanish tradition of primarily accepting male students. Not only are the girls in this contemporary period enjoy equality but also outshines their biological counterparts. According to the statistics, the basic and functional literacies of women in the country are 90.4% and 86.3% compared to the 80.6% and 81.9% of that of the males. This shows that the country hosts a sphere of gender equality for a healthy academic competition.

Filipino Girls (age 18 - 29)

Girls within the Philippines are recognized just about everywhere to have credibility and status of being tender, pleasant, caring, respectful and have high market values. Their close family ties as well as typical traditions create virtually every Filipina Feminine family member oriented. They are going to make nurturing partners, great homemakers, caring mommies, and besides persons' other halves. The lifestyle which they originated from their nicely-respected forefathers is what makes all of them perfectly fit for producing a loving property and also a household.

Kids in the Philippines start working at an early age due to the poor economic situation in the nation. Thus, they change into exhausting-working and resilient adults who are always prepared to provide obligatory support in tough situations. Daygame is nice within the Philippines. The ladies are approachable, pleasant, and pleased to speak. That is the best way to meet among the more reserved girls that you will not see on Tinder or in nightclubs, however, remember they are usually very shy.

Philippine Women (age 30 - 45)

Traditionally, rural and tribal women do all the household related chores. Heavy works that require more strength is done by the husband. Now, the chore work is evenly distributed with the men doing just as much work as the women. The scope of their functions includes cooking, cleaning, teaching the children, washing clothes, repairs, budgeting, and helping on the farm. The husband is the one who makes sure the farm would yield quality crops, so he does all the maintenance work. In some cases, where the husband needs help from other men, the wife would make sure that the men are fed, so she cooks food and brings it to the farm. The Filipino woman ensures that everyone is well fed, including any workers, relatives, or visitors.

In general, Filipino women find pride in their work. They do not find themselves alienated from their chores because they work with, around, and for their families. This family-oriented mindset gives them a sense of dignity and responsibility. The family and the children are the primary priority in Filipino women's life. In addition to doing housework, the contemporary role of a Filipino wife today is to provide financial support in the household by seeking employment in higher-earning occupations which then expands the Filipino female work outside the household.

Filipino Ladies (age 45+)

Women in the pre-colonial Philippines enjoyed nearly equal status with men[dubious – discuss]. Before colonization, both men and women could get a divorce for the following reasons: failure to meet family obligations, childlessness, and infidelity. Children, regardless of gender, and properties were equally divided in a divorce. Since a man needed to pay a dowry to the woman's family, she was required to give it back should she be found at fault. If the man was at fault, he then lost the right to get back his dowry.

In the Philippines, society valued offspring regardless of gender. Female children were as valuable as male ones, mainly because they recognized that women are as important as men. Parents provide equal opportunities for their children. Filipino daughters can also go to school like Filipino sons, Filipino daughters can also inherit property like Filipino sons, and Filipino daughters can also become village chiefs like Filipino sons.

In rural areas, the Filipino woman belongs in the home. The children approach her for money and help. She is the family's treasurer. She supports the children’s educational needs. For non-family members who require support, the wife is the person to be approached. However, the wife is neither the person who makes the final decision nor the person who hands out the money.

Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)

Most of the foreign girls in the Philippines are tourists. Tourism is an important sector for the Philippine economy. The country is known for having its rich biodiversity as its main tourist attraction. Its beaches, heritage towns and monuments, mountains, rainforests, islands and diving spots are among the country's most popular tourist destinations. The country's rich historical and cultural heritage, including its festivals and indigenous traditions, is also one of the attractions of the Philippines.

Sex

With its predominantly Catholic background, many Filipino girls are not open to the idea of having sex before marriage. Most of them are brought up with the teaching that sex is only acceptable in a married setup and so many do not freely engage in sex before marriage. However, some of them, especially the young ones, are becoming more open to casual sex.

Sex Culture

As a predominantly Christian country, the Philippines considers that the only sexual behavior morally and legally acceptable and appropriate is heterosexual intercourse within a monogamous marriage, except polygamous marriage as practiced by some Filipino minority groups and by Muslim communities in the Mindanao, southern, and southwestern regions of the Philippines, as long as the men of these population are financially capable of supporting their multiple wives.

One-Night Stands

As mentioned earlier, a majority of Filipinos are devout Christians and so the rate at which they engage in one-night stands is quite low. One-night stands are more common with university students and foreign girls who do not share the same religious conviction.

Best Places to Meet Single Girls

The Philippines is defined by its emerald rice fields, teeming megacities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, smoldering volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo and smiling, happy-go-lucky people. With more than 7100 tropical islands to choose from, the country is a beach bum's delight.

There is an island to suit every taste, from marooned slicks of sand in the middle of the ocean to volcanic fantasy-scapes concealing hidden lagoons, to sprawling mega-islands such as Luzon and Mindanao. Sun worshippers and divers should head straight to the Visayas, where island-hopping opportunities abound and the perfect beach takes many forms. More adventurous travelers can pitch a tent on a deserted stretch of coastline in Palawan and play solo Survivor for a few days.

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

Cubao Expo: A precinct of cool bars, cheap eats and boutiques, Cubao X in Manila is a must for anyone interested in Manila's underground scene. Venues come and go, but boozy Communist-themed bar Fred's Revolución is one constant. It hums with alternative rock and serves a few craft beers.

Ibiza Beach Club: Jutting into the ocean, this is the sleekest beach club in the Visayas, with cool white seating, decking and sail-like canopies drawing Cebu's bright young things. Resident DJs spin electronic sounds and there are hip-hop and Latin parties featuring guest artists. The dining menu won't disappoint either; though pack some pesos as prices are steep.

The Curator: Coffee shop by day and bar by night, The Curator is the second Filipino bar to place in the esteemed 50 Best Bars in Asia list. Tucked into the backroom of the Cyrano Wine Bar, this intimate haunt features a bar framed with 19th-century salvaged wood. The Curator has its own ‘little black book’, which is a list of loyal patrons, their choice of drink and specifications as to how each cocktail is made.

Black Market: This trendy warehouse-style club caters to young partygoers in search of a night filled with music and dancing. It may take a bit of effort to find it inside the La Fuerza compound, but it’s worth the trip. Don’t expect the run of the mill Top 40 hits here – Black Market’s DJs play everything from funk to techno and Afrobeats. You'll be glad to know there are unlimited drinks from midnight to 3 am. If you're spent from all that dancing, a speakeasy lounge bar called Finders Keepers nearby is the perfect place to relax.

Royal Club: Decked with glamorous interiors that live up to its name, Royal in Makati is kitted out with state of the art light and sound systems that make every night here a full-on production. The venue is open seven days a week and keeps people dancing until 5 am, even on Sundays! This club is best enjoyed in groups, offering guests the choice of VIP sections near the dancefloor or overlooking the entire club on the mezzanine level. Make sure to inquire ahead, as there are daily theme nights with some of the best DJs in the country.

Bunk 5021 Hostel: If it’s welcoming vibes and top-notch Filipino food you’re after, Bunk 5021 Hostel is where it’s at. The budget-friendly menu is awesome and if you’re looking for a local beer to wash down your local food, try Beerkada (short for “Beer” and “Barkada,” which is a Filipino slang term meaning “group of friends”). You may be dazzled by the bar’s neon signs but once your eyes adjust you’ll see they’re common Filipino phrases – see, it's education!

Kinabuchs Grill & Bar: Located in Puerto Princesa: This is where a good chunk of Puerto goes at night. It’s a large open-air resto-bar with a billiard table, a giant outdoor TV showing sports, and cheap beer. The extensive menu features many exotic offerings, including tamilok (woodworm), which is said to taste like an oyster.

Tiki Bar: This hopping late-night beach bar offers riotous DJs and live party music, mostly electronic dance music, from its concert stage. Expect a young crowd and weekend tailgates. From 10 pm onwards on Friday and Saturday nights, there's a P100 cover charge; this includes a free drink so it's free.

Alcatraz Penal Bar: Named for the American prison, as well as a defunct '90s Davao bar, but there's little nostalgia. DJs spin the latest club dance tracks, and strobes and laser lights pierce the air. The questionable theme only really materializes in the VIP areas, which resemble detention cells. It is in Davao.

Handlebar Makati: This sports bar is situated right in the middle of Makati, boasting large-screen TVs that play major league games. The bar is a familiar haunt for local motorcycle clubs, and also houses its pool table if you're up for a friendly match. The local beer is relatively cheap, with huge and tasty portions of bar chow. Four nights a week (Wednesdays-Saturdays), there's live music from the best homegrown rock 'n' roll bands in the country.

A group of hot girls enjoying at the Royal club in Philippines

Shopping Malls

Some of the malls in The Philippines include:

Glorietta, Makati

168 Shopping Mall, Manila

Greenhills Mall, San Juan

Century City Mall, Makati

Ayala Mall, Paranaque City

SM Mall of Asia, Pasay

Uptown Mall, Taguig

Festival Supermall, Muntinlupa

Outdoors

Guarding the entrance to the Pasig River is Intramuros' premier tourist attraction: Fort Santiago. Within the fort's grounds is an oasis of lovely manicured gardens, plazas and fountains leading to an arched gate and a pretty lily pond. Within is the beautifully presented Rizal Shrine museum, the building where Dr. José Rizal – the Philippines' national hero – was incarcerated as he awaited execution in 1896. It contains various fascinating displays of Rizal memorabilia and a recreation of his cell and the courtroom trial.

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño: Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child (Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan's time. The church is no stranger to hardship: established in 1565 (the first church in the Philippines), three earlier structures were destroyed by fire before the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the 2013 earthquake but have been restored. Tranquil Limasawa Island, a place of historical and religious significance, is well worth a visit. The island has around 6000 inhabitants and five tiny villages. This is where the Spanish first celebrated Mass on 31 March 1521, thereby starting the Christianisation of the country. A five-minute walk to the left from the pier leads to the original Mass site. Next to it, a set of 450 steps leads up to the commemorative Magellan's cross. From here you can gaze at gorgeous views out across the ocean to Mindanao, Bohol and mainland Leyte. The island also has beautiful small coves that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling and a few guesthouses.

Kuyawyaw Falls: This is a series of three falls cascading into fresh pools 27km north of Taytay. There's a fun little 4m cliff jump at the second falls, which are less than a 15-minute walk from the entrance. These are also the highest falls at close to 10m. To access the peaceful third falls (7m) – which are a steep, rope-assisted, 10-minute climb from the second falls – requires a guide (P200). It's worth it, especially if there are crowds at the second falls. The falls entrance is about 1km off the National Hwy down a dirt access road.

In Canapnapan, a barangay of Corella, you can see saucer-eyed tarsiers in the wild at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. Over 100 of these territorial primates hang out near the center, though only eight are in the viewing area. The guides will bring you right to them via a short jungle trail; no flash photography is permitted. The visitors center includes good information boards and the whole forested sanctuary is well managed and a pleasure to visit. The simultaneously crazy and cuddly looking tarsier can fit in the palm of your hand yet leap 5m, rotate its head almost 360 degrees and move its ears in the direction of the sound.

The Mestizo District, or Kasanglayan ('where the Chinese live'), is a grid of streets hemmed in between Plaza Burgos and Liberation Blvd and bisected by the beautifully preserved Crisologo St. You can wander in a daze among ancestral homes and colonial-era architecture. The mansions here are beautiful and architecturally unique, marrying two great aesthetic styles: Chinese and Spanish. The latter was once Vigan’s colonial masters; the former were merchants who settled, intermarried and, by the 19th century, became the city’s elite.

For an easy day trip out of El Nido, head north by tricycle or motorbike to this incredible, golden-hued, 3km-long beach. Development has arrived in Nacpan and new guesthouses, boutique hotels and upscale tented camps are popping up everywhere. Still, the atmosphere remains mellow – for now. To get here, drive 16km north of El Nido on the National Hwy (paved), then another 4km down a once-rough access road that is now mostly sealed.

Coron Island: This island, only a 20-minute bangka ride from Coron town, has an imposing, mysterious skyline that wouldn’t be out of place in a King Kong film. Flying over Coron, you see that the fortresslike, jungle-clad interior is largely inaccessible terrain pockmarked with lakes, two of which, Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, can be visited. The entire island is the ancestral domain of the Tagbanua indigenous group, who are primarily fishers and gatherers of the very lucrative balinsasayaw (birds' nests).

National Museum of Anthropology: Within a resplendent neoclassical building, this superb museum houses a vast and varied collection, including the skullcap of the Philippines’ earliest known inhabitant, Tabon Man (said by some to be a woman), who lived around 24,000 BC. A large section of the museum is devoted to the wreck of the San Diego, a Spanish galleon that sank off the coast of Luzon in 1600, with salvaged items such as shell-encrusted swords, coins, porcelain plates and jewelry on display.

Universities and Colleges

Some of the universities and colleges found in the country include:

University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Ateneo de Manila University, Manila

De La Salle University, Manila

University of Santo Tomas, Manila

Silliman University, Dumaguete

University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig

Enderun College, Taguig

PATTS College of Aeronautics, Parañaque City

Relationship

Unlike most western cultures, the family is the first concern in the Philippines. This means that if you date a Filipina, you will essentially be dating her family. A large number of things that are done in the Philippines are done for the family. This includes things like sending nephews and nieces to school, sending money to a cousin in the province to help to buy a house, or a hundred other different things. So when you are dating a Filipina realize that you will be spending money on their family.

One of the best things to learn at the beginning of a relationship, especially if you get married, is setting a hard budget for how much money you give their family. Meeting a Filipinas family though does not mean that you're going to get married, but they want to see you ensure that you're a good guy.

The Philippines ' culture is very different from Western culture. Some things may not seem to make any sense at all, but regardless if they make sense or not, you must respect them. The Filipinos are very proud of their culture. So do not make fun of it and respect it, it will take you a very long way. When you travel anywhere you should experience the local culture. You should do this whether you are dating or not.

Holiday Romance

Whether your holiday romance is a fleeting fling or a romantic break away with your other half, there’s just something about the sun, sea, sand and cocktails that creates the perfect setting for a little summer loving. Sun, sand, surf and cocktails — away from the real world, a carefree, tropical holiday can be a breeding ground for romance.

Given the finite number of days you have, holiday romances aren’t about taking things slowly, they’re about having fun. If you have a different idea, it’s always good to be upfront from the start. While taking positive risks should be part and parcel of any trip, it’s important to be sensible and to play it safe. Take precautions and always let your friends know where you are. Remember, until recently, this person was a stranger. Don't do anything you're not comfortable with, keep your wits about you and use common sense.

You should not expect a happily ever after. While your head may be filled with fantasies of a white wedding as you big a teary farewell at the airport, when you’re back at your desk at work reality will soon set in. Yes, there are those stories where holiday flings have worked out, but for every success, there are countless failures.

Tips for Successful Relationship

We all want to have healthy relationships, but most of us were never really taught about what that means. The key is being communicative and proactive.

As the months and years roll on, we tend to slink into our proverbial sweatpants and get lazy in our relationship. We lose our patience, gentleness, thoughtfulness, understanding, and the general effort we once made toward our mate. Think back to the first year of your relationship and write down all the things you used to do for your partner then start doing them again.

Over time, we assume that our partner knows us so well that we don't need to ask for what we want. What happens when we make this assumption? Expectations are set, and just as quickly, they get deflated. Those unmet expectations can leave us questioning the viability of our partnership and connection. Keep in mind that "asking for what you want" extends to everything from emotional to sexual wants.

Create a weekly ritual to check in with each other. This can be short or long, but it begins by asking each other what worked and didn't work about the previous week and what can be done to improve things this coming week. Additionally, use this opportunity to get on the same page with your schedules, plan a date night, and talk about what you would like to see happen in the coming days, weeks, and months in your relationship.

Unless you have committed to an asexual partnership, sex and touch such as kissing, holding hands, and cuddling are vital components of a romantic relationship. How much sex a couple has is, of course, up to the particular pair of individuals, so you must discuss your ideas about it to manage any desire discrepancy.

Life and work distractions can become paramount in our minds, and that leaves little time or energy for our partner. Barring any emergencies or deadlines, we should be fully present when we are with our mate. We truly hear what they are saying (instead of pretending to listen), we leave our distractions behind, and we don't pick them up again until the sun comes up and we walk out the door.

When conflicts inevitably come up, remember to approach them thoughtfully and with a lot of kindness toward your partner and yourself. If you see the stress beginning to escalate during a conversation about a conflict, one or both of you can call a break so that cooler heads can prevail.

In most disagreements, we communicate from the obvious emotions such as anger, annoyance, and the like. Leading from this place can create confusion and defensiveness, and it can ultimately distract from the real issue. Start communicating from the bottom layer which is the feelings that are driving your reactions, such as disappointment, rejection, loneliness, or disrespect.

Conversations quickly turn to arguments when we're invested in hearing our partner admit that we were right or when we are intent on changing their opinion. Choose to approach a conversation as an opportunity to understand your significant other's perspective as opposed to waiting for them to concede. From this perspective, you will have an interesting dialogue and prevent a blowout or lingering frustration.

It's well understood that apologizing is a good thing, but it only makes a real impact when you mean it. Saying things like "I'm sorry you feel that way," "I'm sorry you see it that way," or "I'm sorry if I upset you" are a waste of time and breath. Even if you don't agree that your action was wrong, you will never successfully argue a feeling.

Any issues you avoid, or truths you don’t want to acknowledge, will likely undermine your relationship. It’s better to face the truth squarely in the face right now and address it, rather than let it sabotage your relationship in the long run. Be intentional and figure out the truth about your relationship. Think through all aspects of it—your feelings and thoughts, the other person’s feelings and thoughts, as well as their external context.

Love

The Filipino dating culture is as unique and interesting as the country itself. Dating in the Philippines, especially now, is somewhat a mixture of the traditional and modern Filipino dating culture. Filipinos still follow the traditional dating etiquette which is called Panliligaw or in other words, courting. Now, Panliligaw has a touch of modernity and is fairly influenced by western culture, especially the younger generation.

98% of the time, it's usually the man who makes the first move. Whether if it's just introducing himself or asking them out for a date. That's was how it was usually done in the traditional Filipino dating culture. The women usually just wait until the perfect timing until a man asks them out. Nowadays, most people in the Philippines still follow this tradition especially in the countryside and minor provinces. But there’s a few where the women are more forward with asking guys out for a date.

Some Filipino parents could be quite strict, especially with their daughter’s dating life. Traditionally, before a man could ever date a Filipino lady, he has to ask for her parent's permission first. It is required for her parents to know where you'll take their daughter and even issue a curfew. Though some would demand a chaperone. But it's not that common. But that tradition is not followed by most Filipinos anymore. Though there are still some who follow it. These days, they usually allow the man to meet their parents after they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.

More than 86% of Filipinos are Catholic. That’s a huge number if compared to other the other religious groups in the Philippines. Most Filipinos were brought up with religious values as they were growing up, and that is a good thing. Because that means they put the highest value when it comes to family and relationships.

Pamalae is the term for when a man asks for the woman’s hand in marriage. But instead of asking only the woman if she can marry him or not, he also has to ask for her family’s blessing. A formal Pamalae consists of the couple, both their parents, their siblings, and to some extent, their grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

How to Make Sure She Is the One

While everyone is looking for different traits in their life partners, there are some essential traits you should seek, from empathy to consistency. These traits help you both to understand and love each other.

A healthy, stable relationship focuses on giving rather than taking. Seeing your significant other happy should make you just as happy, and she should treat you in the same way. Your joy should be her joy, too—it can be as simple as asking about your day or looking after you when you are sick. As time passes, the excitement at the beginning of the relationship will pass, but you should both be just as focused on giving each other happiness.

If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you must find that person intellectually challenging. Looks are fleeting but personality is forever—your conversations together should be interesting, insightful and full of depth. Your partner should be able to challenge your opinions, opening up your mind to new ideas and concepts.

An ideal wife is someone who will do good things, not just because other men's wives do them too, but because they are the right things to do. She surpasses other women, not because she competes with them, but because she competes with herself and tries to improve every day a little bit more.

Before marrying a woman, you must be sure that she will always support you in any situation, especially in the presence of other people. If she is very considerate, then you won’t have to worry that she somehow will disgrace you. For example, a tactless woman may make a toxic comment to your relatives or may comment on your shortcomings in front of the guests. It doesn’t mean that she should always agree with you. She just has to know how to gently tell you about your problems.

There is a big difference between a wish and the ability to have children. If your girlfriend shows that she likes children and maybe even persuaded you to have a pet, then you know that her mother's instincts are active. For your children, this means that if you marry her, they will have a nice mother and a happy and healthy family. Look at her reaction when you start talking about children, she may feel afraid, but never disgusted.

In addition to supporting and encouraging you to pursue your own goals and dreams, she will have her own as well. A mature woman has a vision for her future and chases after it with voracity. A mature woman will be someone you can take on the world with. She will be your partner in crime, a teammate in your relationship, and life.

Being consistent is a valuable virtue because it lets your partner know that you are who you are. You haven't sent your "representative" to get to know them during the first couple of months of dating, but then suddenly transform once they've committed themselves to you. Consistency is the opposite of volatility. If someone is unpredictable and volatile, it’s difficult to know how they will be acting towards you on a certain day, and that gets old no matter how aesthetically pleasing she is.

Marriage

Under the Family Code 1988, the legal minimum age of marriage is 18 for both girls and boys. However, girls are eligible to marry as soon as they reach puberty and with permission of the court under the Muslim Law on Personal Status. Individuals must be at least 21 years old to get married in the Philippines without written parental consent. If your parents cannot appear with you before the local civil registrar, a legal affidavit with the signatures of two witnesses may be accepted.

If this is your first marriage, the local civil registrar will ask to see your original birth certificates or your baptismal certificates. Certified copies may be accepted. You need to provide the full name, residence, and citizenship of your parents or guardians. If either of you is not a citizen of the Philippines, you have to provide your passport and a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage. An affidavit instead of the certificate may also be accepted. You need to check with a U.S. consular officer to make sure they are providing the affidavit.

There is a waiting period of 10 consecutive days while the notice of the marriage application is posted on a bulletin board outside the local civil registrar's office. Check with the local civil registrar for the fees charged for a marriage license. Fees for a marriage license may be waived if the couple applying has no visible means of income or has insufficient income.

If either of you is between the ages of 18 and 25, you will need to show proof to the local civil registrar that you have received marriage counseling. If you do not receive marriage counseling, your marriage license will not be issued for three months. If you have been previously married, you will need to provide the death certificate of your deceased spouse or the judicial decree of your absolute divorce or the judicial decree of your annulment or declaration of nullity of your previous marriage.

Members of the local judiciary; priests, rabbis, imams, ministers of registered churches or religious sects; consul generals, consuls, vice-consuls are allowed to officiate the marriage ceremony. Military commanders in the absence of a chaplain and ship captains and airplane chiefs can solemnize a marriage in articulo mortis. If you use a religious officiant, one of you must belong to the officiant's church or religious sect.

Marriages must be solemnized publicly in a church, chapel, temple, judicial chambers or offices of consuls. The only time a wedding can take place elsewhere is if the wedding is articulo mortis, in a remote location, or if the officiant receives a request for a different location.

The Family Code of The Republic of The Philippines states: "No license shall be necessary for the marriage of a man and a woman who have lived together as husband and wife for at least five years and without any legal impediment to marry each other. The contracting parties shall state the foregoing facts in an affidavit before any person authorized by law to administer oaths. The solemnizing officer shall also state under oath that he ascertained the qualifications of the contracting parties are found no legal impediment to the marriage.

Wedding

Filipino weddings are an impressive fusion of modern and historic customs. Traditionally, these cultural weddings are a celebration of two families coming together rather than just the two individuals. The strong family influence; alluring attire like the Barong and Filipiniana; and traditional Tinikling folk dance are just a few unique Filipino wedding customs. Be sure to check out our blog for the latest Filipino nuptials.

There is an assortment of Filipino wedding traditions with a majority of them being drawn from the Catholic religion. With roughly 80% of Filipinos being Catholic, it has become customary for Filipino weddings to be held in a Catholic Church where many rituals and readings take place. Each ritual signifies the important values of marriage and the union of two individuals. This makes it the most intriguing and sentimental part of a Filipino wedding.

Beyond the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the Filipino wedding includes many more significant members that have been a part of the couple’s life. Filipino couples often honor these important guests with the title of Principal Sponsor or Secondary Sponsor. The number of sponsors can vary from a single couple to multiple couples. During the ceremony, sponsors are invited to join the bride and groom in the prayers of blessing. There are four sets of secondary sponsors including Coin Sponsors, Veil Sponsors, Cord Sponsors and Candle Sponsors. These sponsors are aunts, uncles and extended family incorporated throughout the wedding ceremony to partake in the long-established Catholic rituals.

Exactly 13 Arras, or coins, are carried in a pouch and brought to the altar by the coin sponsors. The Arras are then blessed for the groom to gift his bride as he promises the welfare of her and their future family. Traditionally, the promise is made by the groom; however, today’s couples are more mutually supportive than ever before. The coins are an emblem of their future children and before the church, the bride and groom promise their care and love.

Through the Catholic veil ceremony, two individuals are bonded and recognized as one. The veil sponsors drape one side of a white veil over the bride’s head and the other side over the groom’s shoulder as a symbol of unity. This also represents a wish for good health and protection during their life as husband and wife.

Similar to The Veil Ceremony, the Yugal or infinity shaped cord is incorporated as a representation of the couple’s bond and union. Their sponsors will place the Yugal on top of the veil as the couple receives their blessing.

Catholic Candle Ceremony: This is the final ritual symbolizing the bonding of two individuals and in Filipino culture, two families. The two outer candles are a representation of their individual lives before the wedding day. The candles exemplify all that the bride and groom are from their past experiences and represent each individual family. Together, the bride and groom will light the unity candle, blow out the single candles, and figuratively extinguish their past.

The Money Dance is also known as The Dollar Dance or The Apron Dance. No matter what you choose to call it, this tradition is a fun one that many cultures choose to include during their reception. The DJ will ask the men and women to line up in separate lines, grab a pin and wait their turn to dance with the bride and/or groom. The money received during the dances is perceived as a sign of good fortune, while also financial assistance as they begin their journey as husband and wife.

The rich Filipino heritage includes a unique collection of classic dances that pay tribute to Filipino history. It is common to include these traditional dance performances during dinner or at some point throughout the reception. Some of the folk dances include The Itik-Itik, The Sayaw sa Bangko and The Pantomina.

Family Life

Life in the Philippines generally revolves around the extended family, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. The nuclear family is the core family unit, however, bonds are often tight-knit among extended family members. Indeed, people may be encouraged to have a relationship with their aunts and uncles that is just as strong as the relationship with their parents. Close familial relationships often go beyond one's genetic connections or bloodlines to incorporate distant relatives, close neighbors or friends. For example, it is common to hear people refer to distant relatives or non-relatives with familial terms.

Filial piety is an important concept in Filipino culture. It is understood as essential to maintain the collective face of the family and to avoid experiencing hiya (see Social Interactions and Hiya in 'Core Concepts'). Many Filipinos hold the belief that each family member has several duties and responsibilities they must uphold. Observing one's duties and responsibilities is important to correctly respect others and to ensure harmony among family members. For example, family members are required to show respect to their elders at all times. The opinions of younger family members and children's opinions are considered to be secondary to their superior. Moreover, those requiring age care are nearly always taken care of by their children or grandchildren.

In a Filipino household, it is common to find three generations living together. Often, grandparents play a large role in raising their grandchildren. Extended families will often live relatively close to one another and will come together during large celebrations. It is common to find families in the Philippines that have some members who return to their family home during weekends after spending a week in major cities for work or study.

Since the 1970s, the Philippines has been exporting labor abroad, with some members engaging in paid labor abroad while many remain in their home town or village. This means that many Filipino families are spread across the world. Filipino society has widely adapted to the change in family structure. Some parents will leave their children in the Philippines to seek labor abroad to better support their families left behind. In turn, they will send back remittances to their parents or siblings who have been given the duty of caring for the child. It is also common to find aunts, uncles and godparents taking care of their nieces, nephews or godchildren, by sending remittances back to the Philippines to pay for their education.

Regions

The Philippines has 80 provinces categorized into 17 regions containing over 120 cities. Our guide divides it into 3 major island groups:

Regions of the Philippines

Luzon (Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol)
The northernmost island group, center of government, history and economy and home to the capital

Visayas (Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas)
The central island group, heart of the country’s antiquity, nature and biodiversity and the best beaches in the Philippines

Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga Region, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)
the southernmost island group, which showcases the Philippines’ indigenous and rich cultures

Cities

Manila — the national capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world - with all of that implies in terms of pollution, crime, urban poverty and traffic jams - with few parks.