Answer:
Dog meat is normally eaten
No, they do not sell dog meat alongside pork, beef, and chicken in Filipino supermarkets. Asking anyone off the street about this matter will guarantee horrified looks as eating dog in the Philippines is generally taboo.
All Filipinos share the same culture and traditions
Being an archipelago, historically, there was no “Philippines” to speak off. The different groups of islands, being separated by large bodies of water, possessed their own distinct culture, language, and traditions, and hence, were very regionalistic (a characteristic still rather evident today). A movement for a united Philippines didn’t come until the arrival of the Spanish later on. So while the country’s people are known nowadays for being very “proudly Filipino”, with keen observation, some disparities and interestingly unique characteristics can still be noticed among them and their various regions.
If you’ve seen one island, you’ve seen them all
Another misconception of first-time Philippine visitors is that all islands in the country are more or less the same, therefore, going to a few is enough to “experience the whole country”. This could not be more wrong. Aside from over 7,000 islands making up the country with their varying languages, cuisines, groups of indigenous peoples, cultures, and traditions, these islands are also stunning in their own ways and they offer varying activities to travellers. Party in Boracay; surf in Siargao; dive in Anilao; snorkel in Palawan — they all have their own gems so a little research before a trip will go a long way.
The Philippines is a dangerous country
Many travellers avoid the Philippines due to the idea that it’s one big danger zone. But it should be understood that most things shown on the news are sensationalized. The media always tends to focus on news of tragedy and misfortune. Basically, just like most other countries, basic caution should be practiced to avoid personally experiencing mishaps.
Filipinos are always late
Some Filipinos may not like this stereotype, but they won’t tell you it’s completely untrue either. A rather accurate joke among Filipinos is that they run on “Filipino time”, wherein an agreed upon time for a meeting or an event is, more often than not, 10 to 30 minutes earlier than when it will actually take place. This is usually understood among Filipinos so while it’s not the best practice, especially with unknowing foreigners, it’s an unwritten rule many recognize.
