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 The Philippines is a
bejeweled archipelago with over 7,107
sun-drenched islands, beautiful beaches,
towering volcanic peaks, varied flora and fauna
and magnificent landscape and it is regarded as
an easygoing, friendly and English-speaking and
tropical paradise. It is divided into
three main geographical areas namely Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. The country has several famous
historical and cultural sites and buildings that
reflect the Photo: Taal Volcanic Lake
in Barich culture and heritage of the
Filipino people and traveling in a colorful
painted jeepney is a popular mode of
transportation here.
 The capital city and
gateway, Manila, is a large sprawling city by
the bay located in Luzon, the major northern
island. It sets the rhythm of life in this
archipelago and is a pulsating hub that blends
the Oriental with the Occidental, the quaint
with the modern and the mundane with the
extraordinary. Tourist attractions in Manila
include the 'city in walls' of Intramuros, the Malacanang
Palace known as the official residence of the president
Philippines, Rizal Park which is popularly known as Luneta, Cultural Centre of
the Philippines, the Promenade, modern
shopping malls and exuberant entertainment
theatre, bars and restaurants while colorful
fiestas organized by the country's dominant
Catholic faith is also a major attraction here.
Manila is regarded as the most famous attraction
in the Philippines.
Photo: Rice terraces of Ifugao
Other places of
interest in Luzon include the Taal Volcano in
Batangas,
Puerto Galera - blessed with one of the world's
most beautiful natural harbors in Oriental Mindoro,
the beautiful Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, El Nido
Marine Reserve in Palawan which boasts of
diverse ecosystems such as rainforest, magroves,
white sand beaches, coral reefs and limestone
cliffs, Vigan Heritage Village which displays
precious remnants of the splendid architectural
legacy of the Spaniards in Ilocos Sur, the
captivating view of Mayon Volcano in Albay,
Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, the famous
rice
terraces of Ifugao which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, limestone
valley riddled with over sixty caves of Sagada in Mountain Province and
the cool mountain retreat of Baguio City.
 Some of the most
beautiful beaches, resorts and diving sites in
Southeast Asia can be found in the Visayas
region especially those found in Boracay Island
which is one of the best beaches in the world, Bohol
where the famous Chocolate Hills lies
and the tropical-island getaway of Mactan Island
in Cebu. Mindanao Province
offers incredible ecotourism attractions and exotic
wilderness such as dense forests, mangrove
swamps, high mountains and low valleys, swift
flowing rivers, smooth lakes, Photo: Chocolate
Hills waterfalls,
lowlands and marshlands. The Gardens of Masalag
Ecotourism Village showcases the ecology and
ethnic culture of Northern Mindanao with regards
to its tribe, customs and other facets of its
unique heritage.
Mount Apo, a dormant
volcano and the highest mountain in the country, is
the home of the Philippine Eagle, the largest
in the world of its kind. Some of the country's
rare birds such as flycatchers, fary blubirds,
sunbirds and rocket-tailed parrots are also
found in the region. Other attractions are
Paradise Island Beach on Samal
Island, Mount Hibok-Hibok, the best known and
last erupted in 1951 in Camiguin Island,
Zamboanga which acts as the gateway to the Sulu
Archipelago and Siargao Island, a surfer's
paradise.
 One can also enjoy
the enthusiastic festivals of the country such
as the Higantes Festival featuring ten-feet papier-mache
puppets surrounded by a crowd of drenched
water-fighting revelers in Angono, Rizal,
the Pahiyas Festival which is an annual celebration to usher in a
bountiful harvest in Quezon Province, the Parada Ng
Lechon Festival in Batangas, the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo
City where boring everyday clothes are exchanged
for 'Ati' warrior Photo: Beaches at Borocay costumes and black body
paints, the Ati-Atihan Festival which commemorates
the 13th century land deal between ten migrating
Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King
Marikudo in Kalibo, the Maskarra Festival which
features carnivals, fairs and mardi-gras style
street dancing in Bacolod City, Negros
Occidental and the grand Lanzones Festival featuring
amazing street dancing extravaganza in Camiguin.
Filipinos are warm,
friendly, talented and gifted in singing and
dancing. They are also known for their
mouthwatering native food and delicacies. The
blending of Chinese and Spanish delicacies with
local flavors together with the abundance of
fish and crustaceans from surrounding seas makes
Filipino cuisine a unique dining experience.
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