Have You Been To The Pearl Of The Orient?
A small archipelago somewhere in the Pacific, the Philippines is a group of 7,107 islands that boasts of a unique culture, warm and hospitable people, and vastly rich natural resources.
It’s a popular tourist destination and it attracts travelers from different countries around the world because of its wide array of beaches, mountains, volcanoes, and forests.
During summer, Philippine resorts are often fully booked and the country’s beautiful white- and fine-sand beaches are fully occupied. Boracay is the most popular beach destination in the Philippines because of its calm and relaxing waters at daytime and the bustle of activities at night. If you’re looking for some more adventures other than the beach, there are popular surfing spots in the country (like Siargao). You can also enjoy activities like rapids and whitewater rafting. Or if you simply like to explore the world underwater, there are diving spots in places like Batangas, Puerto Galera, Davao, and Palawan.
If you’re not into beaches, another popular destination during summer is Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. If you happen to visit during the early part of summer, around February or March, you’ll be able to catch the Panagbenga Festival, the colorful flower festival in Baguio that showcases a parade and different floats with creative flower decorations.
If you love nature, you’ll appreciate the lush vegetations and rich forests and mountains in the country. Mount Apo in Davao is considered the country’s tallest peak. It is also home to almost 300 species of birds, more than a hundred of which are birds that you can find only in the Philippines. There are groups who climb Mount Apo, and you’ll surely find it a challenge if you love hiking and mountain climbing. You may also want to visit the Rice Terraces of Banaue, crafted by hand by the people of the Philippines, or the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, small hills that turn green at some times of the year and turn brown at other times.
Or if you’re into mountains that are alive, you’ll find the Mayon Volcano in Albay and the Taal Volcano in Batangas fascinating. Mayon is a beauty with its almost perfect cone shape and its reputation as the most active volcano and also one of the most dangerous in the Philippines. Taal Volcano, on the other hand, is the world’s smallest volcano. The said volcano is located in the middle of a lake, and it is also among the most active in the country. Both the Mayon and Taal volcanoes are part of the Pacific ring of fire, and both are being continuously observed at present because of their volcanic activities.
Other than the said natural riches, the Philippines also boasts of a rich history. It has been colonized and influenced by different groups of people, resulting in its diverse culture. If you visit the Philippines today, you’ll still see traces of those influences, together with symbols honoring the heroes who have fought for the independence of the Filipino people. You can take an afternoon stroll in Luneta and see the monument of Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, or you can walk along the Intramuros and see the Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral.
And if you visit any of the places in the Philippines, don’t forget to have a taste of the delicacies of the said places – there’s Bicol Express (a dish consisting mainly of the local chili, siling labuyo, and small slices of meat) in the Bicol region, lechon and dried mangos in Cebu, durian (a foul-smelling but very delicious spiked fruit) in Davao, Bangus in Dagupan, and many others.
The Philippines has a unified yet diverse culture, different traditions that make up the overall Filipino way of life. If you want to experience the beauty of this country and the warmth of the Filipino people, come and visit Philippines now.