Cultural Mix

The Philippines is a blend of many different cultures. The Spanish ruled the P.I .for 400 years. There are still signs of this influence all over. Many churches, monuments, buildings, and styles still reflect the Spanish era. Numerous very old missions still exist all over. Many families still have spanish heritage and names. Part of the influence that is still around is the siesta, or, as it is called here, merienda (evening break). It is normal to offer anyone who is working for you or with you, merienda, where you will take a break, eat some finger foods or snacks, and enjoy a cold drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Of course, the rest of Asia if very close by, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, and others.  Each have added touches of their own culture through the years.There are Chinatowns, Korean areas, and Japanese style restaurants, bars and social life. There are also many Hindu's here. This Indian culture is also obvious. Many of these "foreigners" can speak the local language as well as the locals can. Many cannot. There are, of course, a lot of Americans, both visiting and living here. Some are retirees who come here to help stretch out their pension, or are looking to relax and live a bit longer (one of the main reasons I am here!). There is not as many as there were before, but there are still thousands. Local changes, the rise in the economy, and politics (the current President does not really like Americans) have driven many of them away.
Many of the locals still call us (Americans) friends because of the war, but at the same time, many of them do not want foreign military bases here. Many do, as they offer thousands of jobs to locals. It has been an issue of debate here for years.
But, for the most part, the P.I. is Catholic in background. Of course there are many religions, just like any other country, but they are the vast majority. Everyone here addresses others as "kuya" (older brother), for the guys who are older than you, and "ate" (aunt), for the ladies older than you.  This applies to everyone whether you know them or not. It is a form of respect, especially since you may not know their real name. If they are older senior citizens, then they are addressed as "lolo" (grandpa), and "lola" (grandma). This is country wide. I will give you a few quick examples; Let's say YOU are buying something at an outdoor fruit stand. You see a bunch of bananas that look good, and want to buy them. But you don't know how to ask the price. The question you ask, if it's a woman, would be "Magcano ate?".  Magcano means how much, with "ate" added to address her with respect. They will smile at you because you spoke some Tagalog (it's the name of the universal language here), and tell you the price. Another would be, if you saw something and you didn't quite know what it was. Something you have never seen before and want to know. If it's a man, you would say "Ano yon, kuya?". "Ano yon" means "what is that?", with "kuya" added to show respect.
Please remember that the culture is definitely not the same as where you come from. There are different customs and traditions.  You may or may not agree with all of them. Remember that this is "their" country, not yours. There is one thing that I personally dislike the most, and that is their disregard for lines. In the U.S., when you go in a business, or go to the market, you will stand in a line, awaiting your turn. That happens rarely here. Waiting your turn is very uncommon here, and people will boldy walk straight in front of you, cut you off in line, rush to the front, and jam everything up, and overall make things run much, much slower. They do not care. They were raised that you better go get yours while you can, or there may not be any left. Even after so many years of living here, it is one thing that still drives me crazy. It's flat maddening. After my many years of military discipline and U.S. lifestyle, it gets me upset when somebody walks right in front of me when I have been waiting for a while. I want to grab them and say, "What the hell do you think you're doing?". I have to force myself, every time, to remember that this is their way, right or wrong. They're the same way when driving, too, so watch out.
Overall, tho, if you visit here with an open mind, use good common sense, and try to be friendly, you will have a grreat time, and you will be treated as a guest! And they most certainly do know how to treat a guest!