I think every colonized country has some kind of disaffection to the colonizer country. Hahaha
I may be biased, but I think Brazil is very good to travel for. It being one of the biggest countries on total area, have lots of difference landscapes, climates, cultures, foods, so it can be really diverse.
We brazilians are mostly friendly, yes, but there are exceptions and even the friendly ones can take advantage of "gringos", so beware! Always stay alert for theft, never leave belongings unattended and do your own math for the prices (some business will convert using double the rates! Hahaha).
But our food is delicious, there is plenty of nature (at least for now, it's been years since companies and businessmen deforest it with the government not doing anything...) and beautiful beaches. I hope you come someday and like it!
Obviously portuguese comes from Portugal, but it also has a lot of other influences that affected our culture and maybe our language as well.
I think our country must be one of the most mixed countries in the world (if not the one). We have the biggest japanese community outside Japan, the biggest lebanese community outside lebanese countries, the biggest italian community outside Italy, and I think the most african population outside the countries from the Africa continent. That's why our country has so much different stuff mixed together.
I think the first version of romaji was created during the Nanban trade period, when Japan had a lot of portuguese influence. Bread, sweets, playing cards and many more were all introduced by Portugal, as far as I know. The influence was so big that Japan completely locked itself for outsiders cultures by prohibiting any further exchange with Portugal and creating an artificial island to trade with other countries, without the foreigners coming in contact with the japanese population, or something like that. I find this bit of history really interesting and a very robust "link" between the two cultures.
After the internet, some youngsters started making some halloween parties and such, but the general population don't celebrate it. I mean, there's thematic products, candies and such, but it's marketing, they'll sell to you everything, even more so if it's imported...
And don't worry, Philippines and Brazil are cousin countries. We are similar for some reason, and the "but crime is bad so make sure you understand and dress with nothing expensive because there are bandit there, but the people are very nice" is my reality everyday.
My wife have never been there, and I don't have any memories of it, so it would be a new experience from us. But we already consume japanese culture a lot, we would definitely love it!
Good morning every one 
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