Asia
Philippines
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A Country of 7107 islands well known for its boundless hospitality and the friendly
Although composed of 7,107 islands (7,108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer than that of the USA, most of the population of the Philippines lives on just 11 islands. The country offers warm tropical waters, coral gardens with beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed.
Inland, the rich history and culture of the Filipino people, the dramatic landscapes and thriving cities fascinate the visitor. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is also its heart and soul. It sets the rhythm of life in this archipelago and is a pulsating hub that blends the Oriental with the Occidental, the traditional with the modern, the mundane with extraordinary.
The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7,107 islands and islets (7,108 at low tide), 2,773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65% of the total land area and contain 60% of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands.
History and Culture
The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. It has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese. Spain's colonization brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.
In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia.
Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The Philippines is a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations.
Places of Interest
Manila & Area
Manila is a good base from which to make excursions, for instance to Las Piñas, situated a little way outside the city, where the famous Bamboo Organ is located and the Sarao Jeepney factory, where people are allowed to wander around free of charge.
About one hour’s drive away from Manila through coconut plantations, Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite overlooks a lake that contains Taal Volcano, which itself holds another lake. Tagaytay is a popular destination in summer, when all kinds of festivities are celebrated and roadside stalls overflow with flowering plants and fruits in season.
Palawan
Known as the country’s last frontier, Palawan has managed to preserve its fascinatingly natural habitat through the years. Situated north of Mindoro and north of Malaysia’s Sabah Island, Palawan is the country’s largest province spanning 1.5 million hectares. An ideal breeding ground for tropical flora and fauna, Palawan has more than a thousand islands and islets where monkeys, squirrels, bear cats, and zebras thrive with wild tropical plants and corals.
Palawan’s population follows the same pattern. The province has attracted peoples of all backgrounds and it is said that today’s Palawenos are a fusion of 81 different cultural groups. Foreigners, too, have grown to love this quiet province.
Sights not to be missed
- Wild life
- Underground River
- Tabon Caves
- Beaches
- Archaeological Hunts
Boracay
Boracay is paradise for certified sun-worshippers all over the world. In fact, local and foreign tourists have made Boracay their yearly destination. Others have chosen to live on tihs haven.
Sheltered from the fierce easterly typhoons, Boracay can be found on the northwestern tip of Panay in Aklan, a province on the Visayas island known for its colourful Ati-Atihan festival.
Boracay’s thousand-hectares boast of all the elements of a tropical heaven crystal blue waters, powder white sand, liberal doses of tropical palms and flowering plants, and a healthy and diverse marine life.
Sights not to be missed
- Water Fun
- Beach Combing
- Nightlife
- Bat Caves
- KAR-TIR
- Seashell
- Museum
Cebu/Bohol/Camigun
Cebu is the traveller’s dream of a tropical island comes true-balmy weather, pristine beaches and luxurious resorts with all the frills of modern living. The island-province of Cebu is where the sweetest mangoes can be found and where Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity in the name of Spain in 1521.
Metropolitan Cebu, the country’s second biggest metropolis, is the political, economic, educational, and cultural center of the Visayas. Hotels, shopping malls, entertainment halls, casinos, and golf fairways are present in the metro to cater to every tourist’s whim.
East of Cebu is Bohol, with its rolling hills and plateaus and crystal springs and beaches. The country’s tenth largest island, it is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. Bohol is home to the world famous Chocolate Hills and the world’s smallest monkey, the tarsier. Other equally exotic flora and fauna can be found in the province’s forests.
Sights not to be missed
- Magellan’s Cross
- Sinulog
- Chocolate Hills
- Tarsier sanctuary-tarsier is considered as the smallest monkey which is a endangered species.
- Island of Imagination
Davao
Davao’s topography dazzles with a variety of picturesque landscapes. Fruit plantations and orchid farms mantle volcano-fed hills and valleys. Virgin forests nurture rare wildlife. Coral islands lie on mirror flat water. And the country’s highest peak, Mt.Apo, Magnificently lords over the hinterland.
Just as enchanting is its brilliant tapestry of harmony, woven from the diverse cultural threads of its people. In Davao, the contemporary fuses with traditional as migrant settlers from all over the country peacefully co-exist with a sizeable expatriate community and numerous ethnic tribes who continue to live as they did centuries ago.
Sights not to be missed
- Island Garden City of Small
- Maragusan
- Kidapawan
- Davao Oriental
- General Santos City
Laoag/Vigan
Llocos Norte, the northwestern tip of Luzon, is wedged between the steep Gran Cordillera Central in the east, the rugged llocos Mountains in the northeast, and the llocos Range in the south. The centuries old churches that dot every town of llocos are testimonies to the colonial past. They formed part of the nucleus of the plaza complex town planning instituted by the Spanish colonizers.
Sights not to be missed
- Old Churches
- Beaches
- Museums
- Ancestral Houses
Baguio/Banaue
A mountainous topography of towering peaks, plateaus, and intermittent patches of valleys, the Cordillera mountain range has a history as vast and beautiful as its mountainous curves. Populated by the lfugaos, a gentle yet fiercely proud ethnic community, the Cordilleras enjoy abundant mineral reserves. Metallic ores such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, and non-metallic reserves are found in Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao, and Mountain Province.
Sights not to be missed
- Summer Capital
- Rice Terraces
- Weaver’s Paradise
Subic/Clark
The Subic Bay Leisure Zone, a 37,000-acre virgin triple-canopy rainforest with wildlife and rare marine life, is a destination one should not miss. The former U.S.Navy facility was vacated in 1992 and is now among Asia’s emerging tourist destination.
Trekking through the tropical rainforest on foot or horseback accompanied by native guides is both a challenge and delight. One can enjoy the numerous beaches, or go camping, or just take a tour around the zone.
Sights not to be missed
- Leisure
- Activites
- Addrenaline Rush
- Hot Air Balloon
Food
FILIPINOS LOVE TO EAT! In addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, people will have a snack at midmorning, as well as a merienda in the late afternoon. Street food is very popular among Filipinos and there you will find the most exotic of snacks. For the adventurous eaters, you won’t be disappointed with the surprising delights and variety you will encounter.
Activities
- Golfing
- Game-fishing
- Diving
- White-water rafting and other aqua sports
- Trekking
- Spelunking and safari trips
- Shopping in Philippines
- Bird watching in Philippines
Climate
The Philippines is a tropical country and the climate is usually warm and humid. The average temperature is 70° - 80° F all year. The average rainfall in Luzon ranges from 35 to 216 inches. The country experiences wet season from June to November. In the cooler months, monsoon winds come from the northeast which shifts to the southwest in April through October. Overall, about 40 typhoons hit the Philippines each year, with most originating in the South China Sea , which is on the eastern side of the country.
Language
There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects in the Philippines , showing how diverse its culture. The national language, that is Filipino, was established in 1947 based on the Tagalog dialect. English is widely used and is the medium of instruction for higher education.
