They say the city of Cebu in the Philippines is one of the best places in the world to find true love. If you’re interested in Filipina dating, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.

But knowing where to go is only one part of your dating journey. You also have to figure out who to look for and what to do. You’ll need a firm grasp of your goals and preferences, along with what you have to prepare to get what you want.

Dating in the Philippines isn’t all that complicated, and Filipinas aren’t complicated lovers. They want long-term and committed relationships.They want someone to share a home and raise a family with. Lately, they’ve been more and more willing to step outside of their comfort zone and look beyond their country to search for that someone.

It’s one of the reasons why a lot of men from all over the world now find themselves meeting and falling in love with women in the Philippines.

Dating in Filipino Culture

Cultural values and traditional behaviors influence how people express and experience love (Karandashev 2015).

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, approximately 78% of Filipinos are Catholic. This is why compared to most Western societies, Filipina dating is considered more subdued and indirect. Men are encouraged to be subtle at the beginning in order to avoid coming across as aggressive or presumptuous. Women, on the other hand, are often modest and coy.

Though this premise has evolved over the years thanks to modern technology and influence from other countries, it remains a core characteristic of Filipino dating culture.

To understand how Filipinas approach relationships and decide what kind of partner they want in life, it helps to learn about some of the oldest dating customs in the country.

Brief Background

Courtship in the Philippines (called panliligaw or ligawan in Tagalog) is usually a family affair. Parents, siblings, and even friends and neighbors can participate.

Traditionally, a man performs several tasks to gain the approval of the woman’s family. This practice is called paninilbihan (service).The tasks often involve physical labor, like chopping wood or fetching water. This is done to prove that he is a capable partner who can provide for his future family.

Between the would-be couple, the courtship is slow and chaste. Their interactions are usually in the presence of a chaperone to make sure their conduct remains proper.

Classic courtship practices also include harana or the act of serenading the woman with a guitar while she listens by her window, writing love letters or performing romantic poetry, and giving gifts like flowers or food.

Even if some of these customs are no longer practiced today, the spirit of traditional Filipino dating culture is still embodied by most men pursuing or dating Filipino women.

Aside from common gender roles that put men as the ones doing the courting and women as the ones being courted, most Filipinas today are still particular about the intentions of the men pursuing them. They may not ask you to move furniture or tend to farm animals anymore, but they will still need reassurance that your commitment is sincere.

Family is also one other factor that remains vital in modern Filipino dating culture. To be loved by a Filipina is to gain another family. The opinion of her parents, siblings, and friends will have a huge bearing on your Filipina dating experience.

Qualities of Filipino Women

According to Northern Illinois University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies, a traditional Filipina maiden is shy and secretive about her feelings. Even if she likes someone, she may not admit it right away.

Since courtship in the Philippines involves both traditional customs and modern practices, dating a Filipino woman means understanding that even if her culture shaped the kind of partner she is, a modern Filipina can also have modern dating expectations.

She may no longer be as conservative and traditional, but she will still possess the core traits that make women in the Philippines ideal partners.

• Passionate

There's nothing quite like being loved by a Filipina.

People in the Philippines have a reputation for having big feelings and being expressive with their love and affection, and Filipinas are exactly that. Because of this, it’s often easy to bond and build a connection with Filipino women .

• Loyal

Filipinos also place great importance on fidelity and commitment. Women, in particular, are steadfast in their obligations to their families and friends.

In relationships, this translates to Filipinas being loyal and devoted partners to the men they choose to spend the rest of their lives with.

• Hardworking

If you want a responsible partner you can trust with your dreams in life and future family, then a Filipina is who you need to look for.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone more willing to put in the work, not just in everyday things like chores and bills, but also in ensuring you have a healthy and happy relationship.

• Family-oriented

Like many in Asian countries, the culture in the Philippines promotes tight-knit familial connections.

As such, most of Filipina dating is focused on finding a man who will be a good husband and father. Filipinas take their duties to their families seriously — as daughters, sisters, and partners.

How to Get Started

The first step in dating a Filpina is, of course, meeting her. And the best place to meet Filipinas is in their home country, the Philippines.

But traveling halfway across the world is not something that everyone can do at the drop of a hat. You’ll need to check if you have the right resources and find the best time to actually make the trip.

Sometimes, your Filipina dating journey can even start without the two of you actually meeting. With so many people connecting online before getting a chance to be introduced in person, there are plenty of ways to get in touch.

Whichever way your story starts, it's always best to be prepared for a higher chance of success.

Filipino Online Dating

Filipinos dating online is not new.

In a 2017 survey conducted by British data company YouGov, it was found that half of Filipinos have tried internet dating, with 71% saying they know of at least one couple who met online.

If you’re not yet comfortable with the idea of flying to another country to meet single women in the Philippines, then this is a convenient way to test the waters. Since many Filipinas are dating online, you won’t have a hard time meeting someone special who may just be looking for the exact kind of relationship you want.

To get started, you first need to identify the best online dating resources that are suitable to your goals and preferences. Just because there are plenty of websites and apps out there doesn’t mean you can just pick one at random.

If you want something that’s tailored for online Filipina dating, then look for sites that offer international dating services featuring women in the Philippines. If you want committed, long-term relationships, you should also go for platforms that offer opportunities for you to get to know Filipinas on a deeper level instead of the fast-paced, algorithmic system of most dating apps today.

After finding the right website, you can then optimize your online dating presence and make sure your dating profile will capture the interest of Filipino women.

Meeting Filipinas in Person

Since traditional courtship in the Philippines is conservative, it’s not as common for a woman to be asked out by a stranger as it might be in other countries.

Even with modern dating practices, you’re still expected to find the right place and time before it’s considered appropriate to express romantic intent. The best Filipina dating spaces are those where socialization is a given, like parties and get-togethers. You can also meet a lot of women in local clubs and festivals.

If you join a dating site in the Philippines and decide to meet up with the Filipina you connect with, you can go to cafés, shopping malls, and even the beach.

However, unless you’re familiar with the country or have a trusted guide, it can be tricky to do all of that yourself. If you want a hassle-free experience, you can always join dating tours that will take you to the Philippines and arrange everything you need. That way, professionals can guarantee travel efficiency as well as your safety.

But whether you start with online dating and eventually decide to see the woman you're talking to or sign up for a tour to the Philippines right away, meeting a Filipina in person is simply the beginning of your dating journey.

Dating a Filipina 101

Finding a special connection with a Filipina is just step one.

As you continue your Filipina dating experience and get to know each other more deeply, it's important to be prepared and put your best foot forward.

First Date

The goal of any first date is to start assessing your compatibility and actually see if there’s enough interest between you to spend more time together.

Filipinas like men who are thoughtful and respectful. You don't have to make any grand gestures to sweep her off her feet, but some effort in being romantic will go a long way.

Before your scheduled first date, you can think of good conversation topics that can get the ball rolling. You’re even encouraged to learn a few phrases in her native tongue to show that you respect her language and culture.

Since you can expect to deal with some cultural and communication barriers because you come from different countries, it also helps to learn about any dating faux pas you should avoid.

Date Ideas You Can Try

While you’re in the Philippines, a Filipina dating a foreigner will want to make the most out of your time together.

After getting the first-date jitters out of the way, you can now focus on building your connection and mapping out the early aspects of your relationship.This is your time to learn more about the woman you’ve chosen and slowly plan for your future together.

Aside from visiting beaches and other popular tourist destinations, you can also try these other date ideas:

1. Binge-Watch Your Favorite TV Shows

Filipinos are huge fans of popular media, from blockbuster action movies to the latest romantic-comedy series.

If you're looking for a casual date idea that you can do in the comfort of your home, you can't go wrong with movie marathons or a binge-watch party for two .

You won’t have to dress up or spend a lot of money. All you need is a streaming service subscription, your choice of snacks, and a blanket you can cuddle under.

2. Attend a Concert

They say music makes the world go round. When it comes to Filipina dating, it certainly makes things more exciting.

A lot of famous performers come to the Philippines as part of their world tours or to promote their new albums, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to take your girl to a concert date.

Filipinos love singing and dancing. Even if you don’t like sold-out events, there are still many local music festivals you can check out together.

3. Go on a Food Trip

Sometimes, the way to a woman's heart is also through her stomach.

That is to say, going somewhere to hunt down delicious treats and sample popular delicacies is a great way to spend quality time with your Filipina girlfriend. Since the country offers a fantastic repertoire of international restaurants and local cuisine, you're spoiled for choice.

So go ask your partner where her favorite spots are, and brace yourself for a food adventure that will leave you full of good food and good company.

4. Experience Fun Local Events

Sharing their country's culture and traditions is something many Filipino women dating foreigners enjoy.

People in the Philippines love to have fun and showcase the works of talented artists in the community, which is why there always seems to be a local event scheduled for every week of the calendar year.

You can experience these exciting events together not just as a way for you to learn more about her country but also to create more memories you will cherish for a long time.

5. Celebrate Special Occasions Together

Every day is special when you’re dating a Filipina.

But it also doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile, especially when there’s an important occasion to celebrate. You can take advantage of holidays to be grateful for each other and appreciate the gift that is your relationship.

Maintaining a Long-Term Relationship

So you finally have a Filipina girlfriend. What’s next?

Many people believe that romance dies the longer a relationship lasts, but studies show that’s not actually the case. It’s certainly not true when it comes to Filipina dating.

Research findings published by the American Psychological Association reported that romantic love can last a lifetime and lead to happier, healthier relationships.

A committed, lifelong partnership is something most women in the Philippines look for. They want a man they can depend on, someone they can share a future with. It’s something that has always been prevalent in both traditional and modern Filipina dating: women in the Philippines date to marry.

So to ensure that you can maintain a successful long-term relationship with your Filipina partner, you’ll need to take into account these three aspects:

Intimacy

Work on your intimacy as a couple by learning the best ways to express your love for each other.

This includes spending regular quality time and understanding your love languages. Even the smallest gestures can help, like making an effort to learn her favorite food and all the ways you can make her laugh.

Some Filipinas may not be big on public displays of affection, and you may need to cross a lot of cultural barriers, but solid intimacy will help make your relationship much stronger.

Communication

You don’t need to have the same native language to establish open and healthy communication with your Filipina partner.

What’s important is that you both understand each other's needs and expectations. Strive to always be on the same page to avoid misunderstandings and easily solve any relationship issues that may come your way.

Commitment

Lastly, a long-term relationship will thrive when there is commitment.

It dictates how loyal you are and how much you’re willing to sacrifice to build your life together. It will be your guiding light through every struggle and problem that many interracial couples face.

To make each other happy is to take your obligation of loving and supporting each other seriously.

The Best Filipina Dating Experience

There are plenty of ways for you to meet beautiful and single Filipino women.

As long as you have a sincere desire to find someone special with whom you can share a happy and loving relationship, you won’t have a hard time connecting with women in the Philippines.

But for the best shot at having the most fulfilling Filipina dating experience, you’ll need some understanding of Philippine dating culture and the factors Filipinas might consider in a man they will choose to date and marry.

Keep those in mind, and you're good to go.