The
Philippines is an archipelago, or string of over 7,100
islands, in southeastern Asia between the South China Sea
and the Pacific Ocean. The country’s islands are divided into
three main groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
LUZON
Luzon is the biggest and most significant island of the Philippines. The island, which is
considered to be the 15th largest island in the world. It is the site of Manila, the country's capital
city. There are so many things you can do in the island, there are many places that you can visit
to fulfill yourself.
Try Hiking in Sagada
If you are finding a place for relaxation, you can try
hiking in the sagada where you can meditate and feel
the refreshing air at the top of the mountain.
Visit the Mangyan Village in Talipanan, Puerto
Galera, Occidental Mindoro
If you want a different experience, you can visit the
community of Iraya Mangyans, an indigenous tribe
living in Mindoro. In here, you can learn about the
locals or the Mangyan’s culture and life.
You can make your taste buds dance and taste the
Mindoro sling, this cocktail is aptly named after the
island of Mindoro and is a concoction of rum,
pineapple juice, mango juice, orange juice, lime
juice, grenadine syrup, and Sprite, garnished with a
mango slice.
Enjoy in Anilao
There are many things u can do in Anilao, island hopping, diving and after that you might
want getting a massage or just to walk around the seashore and communicate with the locals.
VISAYAS
The Visayas is a cluster of islands in the middle of the archipelago. Visayas island One of
the 3 major Island in the Philippines, it may be the smallest among the three but the island must
not be underestimated.
Mark the locations and get familiar with these must-visit destinations in the Visayas region!
Visit the Chocolate Hills on Bohol
Philippines has some stunning surroundings, the
fantastic Chocolate Hills in Bohol, is one of the
weirdest landscapes you will ever see. A landscape
dotted with little green hills with hardly any
vegetation growing on [Link] are probably
wondering why they are called Chocolate Hills!
Chocolate Hills is called such not because it's made
of chocolate but because of its color. In the dry
season, the grass on the hills will turn brown and
they will look like hills made of chocolate.
Ride a bamboo raft at Kawasan Falls on Cebu
The water here cascades into a beautiful turquoise
pool of water, perfect for swimming. The
surrounding greenery also makes for a picture-
perfect [Link] makes Kawasan Falls even
more exciting is their bamboo raft activities. Embark
on a bamboo raft riding to float you out to the base
of the falls.
Drop by the Philippines Tarsier Sanctuary in
Bohol
If you visit the Philippines you can
encounter one of the smallest primates in the
world. This little animal is called a Tarsier and it is
one of the cutest animals you will ever see in
your life. On the island of Bohol you will find a
Tarsier sanctuary where you can come face to
face with this amazing little creature. It takes a lot
of effort not to melt when you look into its eyes.
Visit Boracay, one of the Top Ranked
Beaches in the World!
Boracay is one of top-class beaches and
tourist destination in the Philippines, constantly
rated as one of the Top 10 beaches of the world
for its fine white sand and now clear blue water.
Enjoy sightseeing and just relax in breath taking
locations in boracay.
Swim with whale shark at donsol
This is one of the most popular bucket list
activities in the country and its easy to see why.
Swimming with the whale shark in places like in
Donsol is a once in a lifetime experience. While
the words Whale and Shark may send some
people running for the hills, ‘Whale Sharks” is
actually the world’s biggest fish and eat only krill
(or small shrimp). In other words, people are
friends, not food.
MINDANAO
Being the second largest island group next to Luzon, for its promising natural resources,
Mindanao has been dubbed the country's 'Land of Promise.' It has become internationally
recognized for being home to the country's surfing capital, a renowned highly urbanized city,
and jaw-dropping beaches and falls. People describe it as majestic and breathtaking place.
Chase a mighty waterfall Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan
City.
Maria Cristina Falls is one of the most beautiful and
useful waterfalls in the Philippines. The tremendous and
powerful falls is used to power several hydroelectric
power plants. Maria Cristina Falls was known as Twin
Falls because of its splits at the top.
Sailing the Coasts of Sulu with Vinta
The vinta, along with the pearl divers and the Badjao
boat dwellers, are the romance of the Sulu Seas. The
vinta's vibrant sail decorates many of the photographs
of the southern Philippine sunsets that decorate the
adventurous heart with the joys and wonders of riding
big waves. Through this boat, the character of the
people of Mindanawon as travelers and migrants from
the north and other parts of Southeast Asia is
symbolized.
Enjoy the Kadayawan Festival of Davao
It takes place every August to celebrate the
wealth of the heritage of the city and the bountiful
harvest of the flowers, fruits and other products of
Davao. The name of the festival derived from a local
dialect "madayaw" which means a friendly and warm
greeting for all good things in life
Vibe to Mindanao's traditional instrumental music
Among the Maguindanaos, two distinct kinds of
song are popular. First, the religious songs sung during
the Friday noon service, the celebration of the Molud or
Mawlid, the puwasa or Ramadan, and the periodic
commemoration of the dead. Second, the less formal
secular songs, such as songs of love, chants of legend,
and lullabies. Similarly, song traditions fell into either the
lugu, unaccompanied songs linked to traditional rituals,
among the Tausogs; or the paggabbang, songs made
solely for entertainment.
Visit the White Island in Camiguin
White Island is called "Island Born of Fire." It
is one of the best beaches in Mindanao, with its fine
white sand and crystal-clear sea water covered by
the blue sky.
HISTORY
The Philippines is also rich in history and you can visit them in different places in across the
country.
Luneta Park
Bagumbayan or Luneta Park (present day) become one of the historical places in the
Philippines since the execution of our national hero Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal on December 30,
1896. Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly remembered and
recognized by the Filipino people. The Rizal Park is open daily and everyone is welcome. The
daily tour has 20 pesos fee while the night tour has 50 pesos fee only. Locals and Visitors can
bring their own foods and drinks. You can stroll every morning. You can also relax and enjoy the
dancing musical fountain at night. There are also lots of food stall that has plenty variety of
Filipino street foods.
Intramuros
Intramuros never misses the list of the top 10 historical places in the Philippines since it is
rich in history and culture. Intramuros means "the name of the wall" and one of the oldest district
of Manila. It was built by the Spaniards and it served as the seat of government of the Captaincy
General of the Philippines, a component realm of the Spanish Empire Intramuros is open at day
and night but some attractions are closed from 6pm onwards. Entrance fee is 75 pesos per
head. It'll be a great experience to have a day or night stroll inside of Intramuros where you can
feel the historical vibes of the place.
Japanese Tunnel
Japanese Tunnel was made for the soldiers to be their hideouts and their belongings.
This tunnel was created back in World War II by Filipino prisoner of war. Japanese tunnel is on
the edge of Davao city. As you enter the tunnel you could request some Tour guide for your tour
to be more informative and interesting. They said they can sense some other-wordly kind of
experience while strolling inside of the tunnel. This place has a Japanese resto that you can
enjoy, some rooms that you can stay in overnight and pools for kids. The tour will cost 50 pesos
for adults and 20 pesos for kids. It is open between 9am until 8pm daily. It'll will be a great
experience to stroll inside of the Japanese Tunnel as you fulfill your curiosity with historical
information about the place.
Mactan Shrine
The Mactan Shrine, located on Mactan Island, just of the coast from Cebu City. It
commemorates the Battle of Mactan that took place in 1521 between the Spanish and the
Visayan (central Philippines) native people in April 1521 and, along with paintings and plaques
about that battle, it also contains two other important shrines -- the Lapu Lapu Shrine and the
Magellan Shrine. Mactan Shrine is located by the shore of Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City.
Mactan Shrine is a must-see for everyone interested in Filipino history. Recommended place for
those who wants to elaborate more their learnings about the history. Mactan Shrine is open
daily and nigh. It has no entrance fee, You can go anytime and enjoy the place!
Because the Philippines is a tropical country, you can refresh yourself by eating ice cream
while walking under the sun. Philippines also has many museum, these museum contains
artifacts about Philippine culture and traditions. Also there some museums that is visually
impaired or blind friendly like The 'Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo' or MEA, as it translated several
art collections into 3D objects, tactile and Braille.
If you want to travel fast in just a short destination, you need a tricycle, a vehicle similar to
a bicycle, but having three wheels, two at the back and one at the front. Tricycles are an
indigenous form of the auto rickshaw and are a common means of public or private
transportation in the Philippines
If western has taxi, Philippines has Jeepey, Jeepney is the most popular means of public
transportation ubiquitous in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch
decorations, which have become a widespread symbol of Philippine culture and art.
References
Dunuan, L. (2020, July 15). 11 Best Things To Do In Puerto Galera, Philippines (With Pictures) -
Updated 2020. [Link]
Arribas, R. (2020, April 17). 8 Cool Things To Do In Anilao And Where To Stay In Anilao (Travel
Guide). Gamintraveler. [Link]
anilao/
Mindanao Festivals & Fiestas | ThingsAsian. (n.d.). Thingsasian.,
[Link]
Mindanao Music. (n.d.). [Link].
[Link]
Mindanao Culture. (n.d.). [Link].
[Link]
Fernando, C. (n.d.). Intramuros Tour: All the Best Places You Can’t Miss to Travel Back in Time.
ZenRooms Blogs [Link]
J., & J. (n.d.). D’ Japanese Tunnel in Davao. The Scene Stealer.
[Link]
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, October 8). Magellan Shrine. Wikipedia.
[Link]
Coxon, M. (2019, January 18). 15 things to do in the Visayas Philippines (No. 8 is EPIC!). Travel
Belles. [Link]
