Greetings from the Philippines! This is a beautiful country full of beautiful people! I have been overwhelmed by the warm hospitality I have been shown during my stay. The people here are always smiling, always wiling to help, always willing to make up directions, always willing to sit and talk, always willing to lend a hand, always willing to share what they have (even the mice and roaches 
), always willing to give up their own comforts for the sake fo someone else. They are Inspiring!
While the people would do anything, and have done much to make our stay as comfortable as possible, the "countryside culture" has not been so welcloming . . . Or maybe it is more accurate to say, the "countryside culture" has been more difficult forme to embrace – at least when it comes to sleeping. THis place never sleeps. So my advice to anyone who will be traveling to the Philippines, the REAL Philippines, nota resort somewhere – DON'T FORGET THE EARPLUGS!
The roosters here are unaware that crowing is only supposed to occur at daybreak. They squack and crow all night long.
There are contaantly people traveling from place to place by trike and jeepneys, and their ridiculously loud and obnoxious horns can be heard blaring long into the evening hours.
Many of the jeepney drivers have taken horn honking to a whole new level. Instead of the tradition car horn, you will often hear songs, high pitches, yodel, and other strange sounds coming from the vehicles in order to gain attention of passers by.
Crazy as it seems, babies, kids, teenagers, and adults alike are up playing and gathering in the streets well after dark and into the morning hours.
Dogs, both wild and domestichave learned the art of barking, howling and squealing – yes, squealing – all night long at absolutely nothing in particular.
Cats can be heard fighting, meowing, and rapping from rooftop to rooftop while you're desperately trying to get some much needed rest.
And if all of that isn't quite enough, random dance parties and Karaoke sing alongs are frequently boisterous, all-night events here in the Philippines.
So, I encourage you to come and enjoy the beautiful people and their warm hospitality, but whatever you do, don't forget the earplugs 
