“This is the Philippines” online video by French tourist memorializes country

Posted on September 21st, 2011. Written by Rico.

The stereotype is that foreigners visit the Philippines for the beaches and the women. French visitor Grégoire Thiébault does check out the former, but he also makes Metro Manila traffic look good.

In the video below called “This is the Philippines”, the exchange student summarizes his four-month stay in the Philippines into five minutes that covers the aforementioned congestion, bangka rides, zip-lining, riding on top of a jeepney, chicken inasal, and much more.

From Thiébault:

This video is a patchwork of shots I have taken in the Philippines from January to April 2011. I went there to study as an exchange student in Manilla [sic]. My stay there allows me to travel in many places like Bohol, Batad, Baguio, Batad, Angeles, the Pinatubo Volcano, Batangas, Cebu and more…

I used a Canon 550d with an old lens Takumar 50mm 1.4 and the canon 18-55mm. First time I’m shooting a movie, which isn’t as easy as I thought but I tested many things and finally learned a lot! So the result is far to be technically perfect but I have done what I could :D

I’ll miss the Philippines, the curiosity of their inhabitants, the beauty of the landscapes and my crazy life there.