Summer (and spring break) is right around the corner and that means it's almost travel season. If you, like so many others, made it your New Year's resolution to travel more, then look no further than the Philippines! The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country comprised of over 7,000 islands -- one of which is bound to have something you're interested in.
Culture.
The most common reason people travel is to experience and immerse themselves in a different culture, and there's plenty to see and learn in the Philippines. The Philippines, unlike most of the Asian countries, is predominantly Catholic due to the three-century rule of the Spanish empire. There after, the Americans occupied the Philippines for roughly 50 years, bringing in American influence and the English language into the cultural mix. The result is an Asian country unlike any other!
As you can see from the above pictures, Filipinos Love color and the best place to see that is at the many festivals they have every year. The biggest and oldest (1200 AD) festival is the Ati-Atihan which takes place in Kalibo on the third week of January. The festival has been around since before the Spanish colonization where it was originally a thanksgiving celebration from the Malay immigrants (said to have light skin) to the local Atis. The Malay immigrants would cover themselves in soot to look like the native Atis while they sang and danced in a display of gratitude for their hospitality. When the Spaniards came, they thought of the celebration as a form of pagan worship and added Santo Niño. Today, the festival is celebrated by both Catholics and non-Catholics, locals and tourists.
History.
After being colonized and occupied by different ruling countries, it's no surprise that the Philippines has a rich history which has resulted in the beautiful Philippines today. Both the Spanish and the Americans have left behind a few things from their stay in the Philippines. The architecture of the islands borrows heavily from Spanish architecture. If you want to take a step back in time, a visit to Intramuros is a must. The name means "within the walls" and is the oldest district and the historic core of the Philippines. Within the city, you can see Fort Santiago, the oldest Spanish fortress in the Philippines and one of the major attractions in Intramuros. The fort itself contains many well-preserved artifacts like the Japanese-era M4 Sherman container and Rizal's Shrine, which was the prison cell for Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. You can even see Rizal's last footsteps before he was executed on the floor of the fort.
There is also the small island of Corrigedor, also known as "the Rock." Corrigedor served as the headquarters for the Allied forces of Filipino and American soldiers in WWII. History buffs will enjoy seeing the big guns used to fight off the invading Japanese forces and the remaining ruins of buildings that were destroyed during the war. There is also a museum that holds various memorabilia of people from the war and the Pacific War Memorial, a symbol honoring the bravery of those who lost their lives. You can also tour the bomb-proofed Malinta tunnel which served as a command and communications center, a hospital, and the supplies storage.
Food.
Foodies, prepare yourselves for the culinary adventure of a lifetime. Filipino food, although not as well known as other Asian foods, is just as delicious! A typical spread will have some type of meat or seafood (fish, chicken, or pork), soup, vegetables, and rice of course. Filipinos don't consider it a meal unless rice is served since steamed rice is a staple part of their diet. Most of the meat is fried while the fish can be served fried, grilled or put into a soup. Filipinos don't use a table knife, rather using just a spoon and fork. A more traditional way of putting food on a banana leaf and eating it with your hands (kamayan) is also used throughout the country and is acceptable in restaurants.
On special occasions, you may see a roasted pig served called lechon. There is also an abundance of fruit for you to enjoy like the everyday mango (the national fruit), banana, and coconut, or the more exotic lanzones, rambutan, and durian. If you've got a sweet tooth like I do, you'll find that most (if not all) Filipino food has some level of sweetness. Some desserts include ube which is ice cream made from purple yam (yes, the ice cream is purple), halo-halo, turon, taho, and puto bumbong. For the I'll-try-anything-I-don't-discriminate type of people, I suggest you try balut. I won't say what's in it, but it'll be the best experience you've ever had. Regardless of what you eat, there's no doubt that your Filipino food trip will be an unforgettable one!
Adventure.
Explorers rejoice! From the top of Mt. Pinatubo -- a volcano on the island of Luzon -- or the depths of the underground river in Palawan and everywhere in between, there are a range of options to test even the most daring of people. Ever wanted to swim with a whale shark (a.k.a. the biggest shark known to man, but completely harmless)? Well, the Philippines offers people the chance to go diving with these gentle giants in Cebu! If you are into snowboarding or wakeboarding, you'll definitely love kite boarding. Kite boarding is similar to wakeboarding but instead of being pulled by a boat, you steer using a kite.
However, if you aren't an adrenaline junkie, you can still experience the outdoors! You can feel the wind rushing past you as you zip line above Lake Sebu. If you want to experience the thrills that come from being high up, you can visit the Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu City. They offer a Sky Experience Adventure that allows you to walk (with a harness!) on a translucent glass that edges the building, giving you a great view of the city below. They also have the Edge Coaster that goes along the edge of the hotel that will give you equally great views of the city. So, if you're a rookie adventurer or the next Bear Grylls, the Philippines will have something that will strike your fancy.
Beaches.
What's a visit to paradise without a day (or days) spent relaxing on the beach? The Philippines is a tropical country with one of the longest coastlines in Asia at 22,549 miles. It's no surprise that there are thousands of beaches to choose from. Most of the beaches have crystal clear turquoise waters and fine white sand, making it the perfect escape from the cold and snow. You could spend your entire visit island hopping and lounging on every beach since each island has a different beach vibe. Are you looking for a more secluded, far from the crowds type of beach? Then head over to Palawan - voted the "Top Island in the World" - for Malcapuya Island. If you're looking for beaches with a vibrant nightlife, then look no further than Boracay. During the day, you can take a stroll along the powdery white sand and later party until dawn with the rest of the locals.
There also a number of activities, no matter which beach you choose! You can rent a kayak and paddle around the islands, or you can take a guided boat tour which often includes a grilled lunch. For the more active people, you can try your hand at windsurfing and parasailing. Of course, you can always just spend your days working on a nice tan that will be the envy of all your friends!
So, what are you waiting for? Adventure is out there!
