“What is the Philippines like…”

Philippine culture is similar to its Asian neighbors but it is westernized at the same time. It is beautiful yet it does have an ugly side. Each nation’s culture is unique and different, it is neither right nor wrong but we view different cultures based on our own opinions and biases.

Our knowledge of the Philippines is mostly one-sided and incomplete. In some developed countries, we see Filipino workers as second class citizens. Western media always negatively portray the country as a generally third world with news involving drugs, and lack of security; while tourists only briefly stay with good memories of beautiful beaches and islands. We owe the Philippines a fair realistic portrayal.

Jc Ting is a Taiwanese national currently based in the Philippines. He writes this book to capture his Philippine experiences. He is a cultural ambassador with traits molded through the social influences of his Taiwanese roots and his degree in Cultural Management.

Jc captures his observations and learnings by diligently writing notes as they come. He would also document these moments in the most proactive way. His works are essentially a representation of his personal growth and journey that would make us laugh, cry and rationalize.

This is a book written from an Asian expat’s viewpoint instead of a Western perspective. We will discuss topics ranging from relationships to the working environment, society and culture to food, and fashion to healthcare. If you are visiting the Philippines for business, leisure, study or meeting friends, this book is suitable for you to understand Filipino culture instantly. Don’t misunderstand though, this is definitely not a travel guidebook!

Primarily this book is for everyone. A personal story that every individual can identify with as it deals with the basic essence of life, love, health, and survival.