In the Philippines, every occasion is an excuse to have a big spread of food. Meals are served family-style and typically include dishes with seafood or meat with vegetables, soups or noodle dishes and, always, white rice. The food tends to be mild, but flavored with condiments. Many eat with a fork and spoon, rarely a knife, and some still follow the tradition of kamayan , eating with their hands. Merienda is a light meal featuring sweet or savory dishes.
Many restaurants serve merienda items all day.
This is the best time to sample the native sweets and pastries, including bibingkas made from yucca or cassava, or suman , steamed or boiled banana leaf-wrapped snacks filled with flavored rice, bananas or cassava. Pulutan are hors d'oeuvres eaten with alcoholic drinks. Some hotels and restaurants specialize in Filipino cuisine from a particular region. A 10 percent tip is sufficient, and restaurant staff will typically expect one, even if a service charge is included. It's up to you whether to tip then, but most people at least leave some change.