Scattered like beads of pearls
across the vast emerald waters of the Western Pacific and
South China Sea, the Philippine archipelago is a collage of
7,107 exotic islands. Spanning 1,850 kilometers from
north to south, the Philippines' total land area of 300,000
square kilometers is mostly mountainous. The topography
varies from swamps to high mountain ranges, one of which
includes Mt. Apo, the highest peak in Mindanao at 2,954
meters above sea level. Ironically, the country also has the
lowest spot in the world - the Mindanao Deep, an abyss that
is 11,518 meters deep.
The archipelago is divided
into three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao.
Luzon, the largest among the group of islands,
occupies the northern portion of the Philippines where
Manila, the capital city, is located. Wondrous sights abound
in Luzon: to the island's north are the awesome man-made
Banaue Rice Terraces of the Ifugaos, Spanish heritage
towns and cities like Vigan and Laoag; and the
picturesque Hundred Islands in Lingayen Gulf. The
island's central and southern regions abound in natural
wonders as well: Intramuros in Manila, volcanos such as
Mt. Mayon in Bicol, Taal in Batangas, and Mt.
Pinatubo in Zambales. Luzon is a land teeming with
unspoiled natural wonders - lakes, waterfalls, rivers,
rainforests and beaches.
Visayas, the group of islands situated in the heart
of the archipelago, consists of about 6,000 islands which
include the main islands of Cebu. Bohol, Negros, Panay,
Samar, and Leyte. The Visayas bridges the cultures from the
country's north and south. The numerous fiestas and
religious feasts that take place in this region are a
testament to the diverse cultural influences of the people.
The Visayas has some unique geographical features that must
not be missed - the Chocolate Hills of Bohol,
Boracay's world-famous sand beach and marine parks such
as the
Marabut Marine Park in Leyte.
Mindanao, the second largest group of islands, forms
the Philippines' southern tip. Despite its size, to this day
it remains one of the less explored islands in the country.
Mindanao has promising destinations for adventure seekers
and culture lovers. This is where travelers can get a
glimpse of many ethnic groups that live on alluring
coastlines and lush mountain villages.
The country's population stands at 78
million, predominantly Roman Catholic. The people are of a
mixed Malay culture enriched by centuries of Spanish
influence and traces of American affluence. The Filipinos
are known throughout the world for their smiles and warm
hospitality. They are outspoken yet very diplomatic for they
value freedom under a democratic government. Gifted with the
faculty to learn different languages, most Filipinos speak
English just as well as the national language or any of the
regional dialects.
Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is one
of the oldest and most interesting cities in Asia. It is a
city with a history as interesting as its people. Vibrant
and pulsating with life, Manila has evolved to the melting
pot that it is today. Sprawling eastwards from Manila Bay,
Manila is bisected by the Pasig River, which is crossed by
seven bridges. Located at its southern portion are landmarks
that represent the country's history under foreign rule. The
walled city of Intramuros was the center of activity during
Spanish colonial times while the administrative buildings
are standing legacies of American rule during the early
1900's. On the north side of the river are the city's
biggest traditional public markets, educational
institutions, minority ghettos, and the presidential palace,
Malacanang Palace.
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Manila.
The capital of the Philippines - its heart and
soul - is Manila. 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, the mundane with the extraordinary.
Fashionable hotels, restaurants, discos, music bars, boutiques and
specialty shops converge around the sleek Ayala Center.
Travel guide
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Cebu.
is the traveler's fantasy of a tropical
island come true - balmy weather, pristine beaches, crystalline
waters, and luxurious resorts. Cebuanos celebrate life like no
other. They strum their guitars and sing the "balitaw" when they're
happy. And when they pray, they dance! It therefore comes as no
surprise that the guitar is a prime product in Cebu which, quite
naturally, has also produced a large share of the country's best
musicians and master showmen.
Travel guide
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Boracay
There is an undeniable easy atmosphere in
Boracay where walking barefoot than shod is the rule rather than the
exception. White Beach is so, soooo fine, it feels like treading on
miles of baby powder! No wonder, even swinging discos have the beach
for a floor, giving dance a new twist. And from dusk to dawn,
Boracay turns into one big party place where everyone is welcome to
join in...But first, let's toast that sunset cocktail.
Travel guide
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Palawan.
is paradise, sanctuary to an amazing variety of fauna and flora
found nowhere else in the world. It is blessed with incredibly
awesome landscapes that astound even the most indifferent of
visitors. The most beautiful place in Palawan is the isolated island
of El Nido with its incredibly astonishing seascapes.
Travel guide
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Davao.
Endowed with a variety of picturesque
landscapes, Davao's topography dazzles: 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 magnificently lords over the hinterland. Just
as enchanting is its brilliant tapestry of harmony, woven from the
diverse cultural threads of its people, the Bagobo, Manobo, Mandaya,
Bilaan and other ancestral tribes.
Travel guide
