American life in Manila | ExpatStateside

Few countries outside North America feel as familiar to Americans as the Philippines. English is everywhere, basketball is a religion, and the two countries share more than a century of history. Finding your people in Manila usually takes weeks, not months.

The short version

You're not alone. The US Embassy says around 375,000 Americans call the Philippines home [1].
AmCham Philippines, founded in 1902, is the hub for American business networking [2].
July 4 is a shared date. The US and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946, and 2026 marks the 80th anniversary [1].
Both parties have a presence, unevenly. Democrats Abroad has a Philippines country committee [4]. We couldn't verify a Republicans Overseas chapter in the Philippines, so Republicans connect through the national group [5].
Register with the embassy. Enroll in STEP so the US Embassy in Manila can reach you [6].

Holidays the American way

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a regular Thursday in the Philippines, so you'll be at work or school unless you take the day. Many Americans celebrate on the weekend instead. Christmas, on the other hand, starts in September here, so by late November the malls are already in full holiday mode.

Business-community dinners: AmCham Philippines' calendar for late November 2026 lists several Thanksgiving-themed events, including a North Luzon Thanksgiving luncheon and a Visayas Thanksgiving dinner [2]. Check AmCham's calendar for what's on in Metro Manila.
Hotel buffets: many big hotels in Makati and BGC run Thanksgiving dinners. Book early.
Cook your own: turkeys and canned pumpkin appear at import grocers in November, but your condo oven may be the real limit. See American food in Manila.

The Fourth of July

July 4 means something on both sides here. It's the day in 1946 the United States recognized Philippine independence and the two countries established diplomatic relations [1]. In the Philippines, the date has traditionally been marked as Philippine-American Friendship Day, though it isn't a public holiday, and the Philippines celebrates its own Independence Day on June 12.

The US Embassy traditionally marks Independence Day with an official reception, mostly by invitation. For everyone else, the Fourth tends to be a condo pool barbecue, a party at a club or a sports bar showing a ballgame. July is rainy season, so plan for 30°C (86°F) heat and a decent chance of a downpour.

In 2026, the embassy and the Philippine Embassy in Washington ran a yearlong campaign for the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations, launched in February at the SM Mall of Asia Globe in Pasay City [1].

Super Bowl Monday

Because of the time difference, the Super Bowl airs on Monday morning in Manila. Sports bars that open early for big games are a ritual for some Americans. Call ahead.

Clubs and organizations

Group	What it is	Who can join
AmCham Philippines	The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, founded 1902 [2]	Companies and individuals in business
Democrats Abroad Philippines	The party's official country committee [4]	US citizens who support the party
Republicans Overseas	Overseas Republican group; no Philippines chapter we could verify [5]	US citizens who support the party
Union Church of Manila	International English-language church founded in 1914 [3]	Anyone

AmCham Philippines describes itself as a private, independent, non-profit association. Members get a directory, networking events, advocacy and member discounts [2]. It has chapters outside Metro Manila too, including North Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao [2]. Membership is mostly through employers, so check with yours first.

There are other American and expat social groups in Manila, from alumni clubs to veterans' associations. We only list groups whose current pages we could open, so ask around once you land.

Churches and faith communities

Union Church of Manila was founded in 1914, "during a time of a growing American presence in Manila," and still serves English-speaking Christians from many countries and denominations [3]. Its Sunday services are at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and it streams services online too [3]. It also has a giving page aimed at US taxpayers [3].

The Philippines is a majority Catholic country, so English-language Mass is easy to find in Makati, BGC and Ortigas, and malls often host chapels. Check each parish's own page for current times.

Veterans

The Philippines has a long US military history, and many American veterans retire here. Democrats Abroad Philippines, for example, reported in a 2021 survey of its members that 18% were veterans [4]. That's an old figure and one group's members, but it gives you a sense of how many vets you'll meet.

If you get VA benefits, see our guide to VA benefits for veterans in the Philippines.

Politics and voting

Living in Manila doesn't end your voice back home. You vote absentee in your last US state of residence by sending a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Send it every year, ideally in January. See voting from abroad.

Both major parties have overseas organizations. We list them neutrally and side by side:

Democrats Abroad Philippines (DA-PH) calls itself the official country committee for Democrats living in the Philippines. It helps voters register and return their ballots under their state's rules, and it posts country events and a "Voting from the Philippines" guide on its page [4].
Republicans Overseas is the overseas Republican organization, founded in 2013 to represent Americans abroad at the RNC level. Its priorities include repealing FATCA and FBAR and replacing citizenship-based taxation with territorial taxation [5]. We couldn't verify a Philippines chapter when we checked, so Republicans in Manila can connect through the national group.

Whichever way you lean, either group can help you get registered and find other voters in the Philippines.

The US Embassy and staying safe

The US Embassy is at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila [6]. It issues passports and reports of birth and death, provides notarial services and helps Americans in distress [6]. Passport, citizenship and notarial services are by appointment only [6]. It also keeps lists of doctors and attorneys.

When we checked on November 6, 2026, the State Department rated the Philippines Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), with higher levels for some areas, in the advisory updated September 1, 2026 [7]. Read the area list before you travel outside Metro Manila.

Enroll in STEP to get embassy alerts by email. See STEP and help from US embassies.

Finding your people

Pick one regular thing. A Sunday service, a pickup basketball game or a running group beats a dozen one-off events.
Go to one AmCham or club event in your first month, even if networking isn't your thing.
Plan Thanksgiving in October. Seriously. Book the hotel or order the turkey early.
Learn a few words of Filipino. Everyone speaks English, but "salamat" (thank you) goes a long way.
Say hello online first. Post in our community group for Americans in the Philippines and ask who's watching the next game.

American life in Manila: Thanksgiving, the Fourth and finding your people