The Philippines is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, boasting a rich history and culture… but what really makes people love coming to the Philippines are the people, who are often described to be welcoming and friendly.
And today, I want to focus on the “people” part of this wonderful country – mainly the women and girls you can meet in the Philippines. We’ll learn what makes Filipino women tick, where to meet them and what to expect from a relationship with one.
And if you want to get a head start and see who you’re competing against, I have already written a guide about men in the Philippines. Make sure to read it once you’re done reading this article.
With all these in mind, let’s dive in and learn everything one should know about the beautiful women in the Philippines.
Where to meet Filipino women?
While girls from the Philippines are always friendly and generally easy to approach, I recommend going the safest route and choosing a website dedicated to helping you find a relationship: Filipino Cupid.
This way, you reduce the risks of finding a woman who’s not interested in a relationship, but you also reduce the competition to a minimum since it’s a premium service that not everybody wants to use.
I can happily say that I have met plenty of great women with the help of this website, which is chock-full of beautiful Filipinas who speak great English and are openly looking for a relationship. So at least give it a try!
Click here to check the website out!
What do Filipino Girls Look Like?
When it comes to physical appearance, Filipino women are usually very feminine, which can be traced to the image of a “dalagang Pilipina”, a refined woman who exemplifies the grace and the warmth all Filipinos have.
It is not uncommon to see Filipino women who have Spanish genes in them, which accentuates their large eyes, small mouth, high nose and slightly colored skin.
A really beautiful mixture that makes them look more like a Colombian girl than a Thai girl (which was one of the main things that surprised me when I visited the Philippines, as I was expecting it to be the other way around.)
Either way, when it comes to their looks, women from the Philippines can be described easily with just one word: stunning!
In terms of height, Filipino women are not that tall compared to their Western counterparts. Their stature tends to be petite, and they often possess delicate facial features.
For somebody who likes this in a woman, this is heaven on earth. It’s true that some of these ladies do try to appear taller by wearing heels and platforms, but they are at their happiest when they are not wearing heels. And in my opinion, they look better too!
It is also not common to see overweight Filipino women as they do their best to keep their shape by exercising or watching out for their food intake.
Filipino women also take their time in grooming themselves daily, especially when they go out.
They take their time sorting their make-up and hair, plus match it with their clothes and accessories. For most Filipinas nowadays, even if they are not going out, they must be presentable, which in turn is a great treat for the male population.
Dating Culture in the Philippines
I have to say that the dating culture in the Philippines might seem surprising for somebody used with the Western ways.
It’s important to know these things though if you want to increase your chances of having your Filipino woman say “Yes” to being in a relationship with you.
Although the country is a melting pot of various ethnicities and influences a majority of Filipinos still adhere to the traditional dating culture known as “Panliligaw” or courting.
In other words, don’t expect them to say yes after a few minutes, as it might be the case with a woman from Denmark, for example (or basically any Western country).
Here are the basics of the dating etiquette followed in the Philippines:
1. Men make the first move
If you want to date a Filipina, you have to be ready to make the first move. It doesn’t matter how much she’s into you – she will never be the one to ask you out or introduce herself if you don’t know each other.
Women will wait patiently for the men to move, especially if they are from the provinces where this practice is still being followed.
They might try to send signals your way – but don’t always expect that either. If you like her – just go for it. They are really nice girls and if they have to refuse, they will do so in a very polite way.
2. Men must get the parents’ permission to court the woman
While fortunately this practice is no longer as popular as it used to be, there are still some cases where you will need to get the approval of her parents if you want to court her.
Some Filipino parents will need to be updated regarding the whereabouts of their daughter at all times and even require a curfew.
There are even a few parents who will ask someone to serve as their daughter’s chaperone during the date – in the early stages of the relationship, at least.
Even if this is not a practice that she follows or cares about, you will still score solid points if you get permission from her parents (or at least talk to them and make a good impression).
As we’ll see below, people in the Philippines are very family-oriented, so it’s always a good idea to be in a good relationship with all the relatives, especially the parents.
3. PDA has limits
In the Philippines, PDA is not very open like in the Western cultures. It’s not as bad as it is with Indonesian women where PDA is basically prohibited, but generally it is frowned upon.
4. Religion pays an important role here
It might come as a surprise, but most of the Filipinos are Catholics and this influences their mindset regarding relationships and family.
When dating in the Philippines, be mindful about their values and don’t disrespect them. Some Filipinos take their religion very seriously and it will affect how they will see you.
5. Men must meet the woman’s entire family
Even if you don’t need permission from her parents to date her, meeting the family is a must.
This does not just involve their direct family but also their relatives. Filipinos value their family and your relationship will take a dive if they don’t give you their approval.
Plus, with people from the Philippines being so great, it will really be a joy to be part of the group. I really appreciate that and I am sure you will too.
6. Pamalae before marriage
If things are getting serious and you’re planning to pop the big question to your beloved Filipina, you must also do the Pamalae.
Pamalaye or Pamanhikan is the time when the man asks for the blessing of the woman’s family for their wedding.
The man will bring his entire family to go to the woman’s house and introduce each family together then formalize the engagement. It is also the time the family starts making preparations for your big day.
The Personality of Filipino Women: Unraveling the Charm
I’m really happy now to share some of the most enchanting characteristics of Filipino women that have captured the hearts of men worldwide.
Because, as you will see below, Filipinas look great both on the inside and outside.
1. Family First: The Cornerstone of Filipina’s Values
In the Filipino culture, family ties run deep, and they always hold their loved ones close to their hearts, no matter where they are.
I think this no longer comes as a mystery, as we’ve discussed already how important families are in the Philippines.
But what does this mean for your relationship? Simply put, winning the approval of her family can pave the way for a smoother, more harmonious journey together.
When you’re invited to visit her family, it’s essential to put your best foot forward. Be respectful and make a genuine effort to impress her loved ones.
After all, isn’t it good to know that the woman you love treasures family so much?
2. Thoughtfulness: A Surprising Filipino Trait
One of the most touching aspects of Filipino women is their thoughtfulness. It will sometimes leave you speechless, trust me!
They go the extra mile to make you feel special on important occasions like anniversaries or other milestones in your life.
Who wouldn’t appreciate being surprised with heartfelt gestures and thoughtful gifts from the one they love?
3. They’re Very Sentimental
When dating a Filipino woman, you’ll quickly discover her sentimental side. They cherish the memories you create together, saving trinkets from your dates and reminiscing about them on random days.
While it’s not a must for you to be the same, it definitely is a bonus as women from the Philippines appreciate men who are also sentimental, who are not afraid to show them and tell them about their feelings and especially who are loyal.
Do girls in the Philippines speak good English?
If you are wondering whether or not Filipino girls can speak good English, don’t! Most of the Filipinos I have met in the countries – including many from smaller provinces – will speak at least some English.
Those living in the larger cities usually speak great English – or at least handle conversational English well – so you don’t have to worry about meeting a girl who won’t be able to understand you.
However, it is a plus if you learn a little bit of their dialect, especially if you will be dating those from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
There are 8 major dialects in the country and 100+ other languages in certain areas of the Philippines, so that might seem like a daunting task. Up to you.
If not, there are plenty of apps that can easily translate text and make understanding each other a lot easier. But generally, don’t worry too much about this as women in the Philippines speak good English.
Expert Tips for Dating a Filipino Woman
Here are a few things that might appear as common sense for some – but which will always score you extra points when it comes to Filipinas.
Always court them, especially if you get into a fight
If you are dating a Filipino woman, you need to always make them special or “suyo”.
“Suyo”, in English, refers to showing one extra attention. Show that you love them and you are sincerely sorry if you get into a disagreement with them.
In other words, don’t lose your interest in her – it’s one of the biggest offences you can bring. Fortunately, it’s very easy to always feel like it’s your first date because women here are beautiful and amazing, as we’ve seen already.
Make an effort to get to their heart
Filipinas can be hard to get and you will need to make an effort to get their trust and love.
It may take a while but once you put them under your spell, it will be a love like no other. Of course, as mentioned above, you have to keep courting them to show that you really care.
They are Feisty
Remember those Spanish roots I was talking about earlier? Well, you’ll find on your own skin that there’s some feisty Latin blood flowing through their veins!
Although Filipino women are refined and feminine, do not underestimate them. They are also very feisty, especially if they are fighting for what they believe in. If you challenge them, be ready for a fight!
Wrapping up
Many have recognized the beauty of Filipino women and it is not surprising to see foreigners picking the Philippines as their home because of the women here. Sure, the low cost of living helps too – check it out in my previous article about the cost of living in Cebu.
But, before you consider dating one, you need to understand their culture because it will affect the quality of your relationship with them. Failure to do so may affect your chances in getting the perfect Filipino love.
And if you have additional comments to make in regards to women and girls from the Philippines, make sure to do so in the dedicated section below.
Hmmm, so you’re the expert. From my experience, your dating etiquette is way off. I have been married to a Filipina for years and never did step 1,2,5,6. ( my wife is from a village away from the big cities and foreigners too.)
Never got permission to date or for marriage. she asked me first. Some years after being married I did meet her entire family. I feel the getting along with family is more important with Americans girls I dated more than Filipinos.
Most Filipina I know or meet including my wife would place their husband over their own family. Where did you get your stereotype list from anyway, a cracker jack box?
Well, a man is not “The husband” from the beginning, right? Once you become the husband, you are family, and family is important to people in the Philippines. Makes sense to put you above the second grade cousin she doesn’t even like too much.
As for the steps for dating a Filipina, there are obviously exceptions to the rule. You will never be able to find a dating guide that fits 100% of the population. A smart person can take the golden nuggets from the tips and adapt based on the situation. If they can skip a few steps like you did, it’s even better. 🙂
That’s my experience also! My Filipina wife while she loves her family and is deeply devoted to her family will always put me and our marriage first above that of her family. However, that said, I’d never ask her to choose and her family is actually one of the most lovely families I’ve ever met. They are indeed part of my extended family now! I, like you, didn’t really feel the above article reflected my experience either. We are very lucky men!