Full Name
Republic of the Philippines
Capital City
Manila (pop: 10 million)
Area
299,000 sq km
115,444 sq miles
Population
84,619,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8 ()
Daylight Saving Start
not in use
Daylight Saving End
not in use
Languages
Pilipino (Tagalog) (official)
English (official)
Religion
82% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Currency
Philippine Peso (P)
Electricity
220V 60HzHz
Electric Plug Details
European plug with two circular metal pins
Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
Country Dialing Code
63
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| General Information |
The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. It has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese. Spain's colonization brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.
In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946.
Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The Philippines is a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations.
Filipinos are a fun-loving people. Throughout the islands, there are fiestas celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome to their homes.
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| Attractions |
Intramuros
City/Region: Manila
The oldest part of Manila is the medieval Spanish walled enclave of Intramuros on the southern bank of the Pasig River, packed with historic buildings and churches, many of which are being or have been restored. The reconstruction of Intramuros has allowed for the inclusion of several parks and performing venues, art galleries, souvenir shops and restaurants, so that the area has become an attractive, entertaining and interesting tourist Mecca. Fort Santiago, for example, was where political prisoners through the ages, from Spanish to Japanese
occupation, were held, tortured and sometimes executed. Today it is a lush park full of flowering trees and homing pigeons where visitors can take a ride along the promenade on a horse-drawn carriage. Then, in the Barrio San Luis along Juan Luna Street there are five colonial residences that have been beautifully restored.
Rizal Park
City/Region: Manila
The 58-hectare (143 acre) Rizal Park is named for Dr Jose Rizal, renowned Philippine anti-colonialist, writer and philosopher. The park is one of the largest in South East Asia, and is a green lung much used by the residents of Manila for recreation and entertainment. The park features numerous ornamental gardens, a chess plaza and a skating rink. In a pond on the east side of the park the Philippines archipelago has been recreated in miniature. There are also some museums and public buildings within the park, and after sunset a sound and light exhibit featuring the martyrdom of Dr Jose Rizal is to be seen. On Sundays there is a free concert in an open-air auditorium.
Hours: Daily 7am to 7pm
Admission: Free
San Agustin Church
City/Region: Manila
Within Intramuros stands Manila's oldest stone church, San Agustin, which was completed in 1606 and has since survived the ravages of time and successive invasions. The church has a magnificent intricately carved door, Baroque pulpit, and an 18th century pipe organ. A museum is housed in the Monastery alongside the church, which holds a collection of paintings of saints and other religious art. The Sacristy houses a collection of richly embroidered vestments and Philippine notables are buried in the crypt.
Address: Calles Gen Luna and Real
Phone Number: (0)2 527 4060
Hours: Daily 7am to 7.30am and 5pm to 6pm. The museum is open daily 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm
Admission: Museum: P45
National Museum of the Philippines
City/Region: Manila
The large and comprehensive National Museum of the Philippines preserves and showcases the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the islands with collections housed in two different buildings (within Rizal Park). Exhibits are categorised in five divisions: art, botany, zoology, geology and anthropology. Among the many archaeological exhibits is the skull of 'Tabon Man'; the oldest human remains found in the archipelago. The section devoted to the Filipino People includes the preserved remains and treasures of the San Diego Spanish galleon that sank in Philippine waters in 1600.
Address: Padre Burgos Street, Rizal Park
Phone Number: (0)2 527 1215
Email Address: nmuseum@i-next.net
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm
Admission: Free
Malacanang Palace
City/Region: Manila
The name of this Palace, now the seat of government and official residence of the Philippines head of state, comes from the vernacular 'May Lakan Diyan', which means 'there lives a noble man'. This gracious villa has been a noble residence on the north bank of the Pasig River since the 18th century, when it was built for a Spanish aristocrat. In 1825 the Spanish Government bought the property as a summer house for the Governor General, but it later became the permanent seat of the head of state. There is now a museum housed in the palace that features mementos from each of the Philippine's presidents, including the notorious Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
Address: JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Phone Number: (0)2 733 3721
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm
American Cemetery and Memorial
City/Region: Manila
Providing a quiet spot to retreat from Manila's rat race, the American Cemetery near the Makati commercial center is a welcome peaceful oasis, much visited by tourists, especially veterans of World War II. The hillside cemetery contains thousands of white marble crosses marking rows of graves of those who died in battle. The circular memorial contains the names of those missing in action engraved in marble columns; huge wall mosaics depict battle scenes from WWII, and a small chapel is located here.
Las Pinas
City/Region: Manila
Although the village of Las Pinas, 12 miles (20km) from the center of Manila, has now been swallowed up in the suburban sprawl of the city, it has kept its character and is a favored stop on most tours of Luzon because of its famous bamboo organ. The organ is housed in the San Jose Church, and has a very unique sound that draws international organists here every year in the second week of February for an Organ Festival. Another attraction at Las Pinas is the Sarao Jeepney Factory, where visitors can watch these unique Filipino vehicles being assembled and learn how they came to be the favored form of transportation on the islands.
Transport: Half-hour bus journey from the city center
Hours: San Jose: Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm. The organ can be viewed Monday to Friday 8am to midnight
Corregidor
City/Region: Manila
This small island, shaped like a tadpole, has become a memorial and open-air museum commemorating the World War II stand of Filipino and American troops against the Japanese invaders. The island is the largest of several at the entrance to Manila Bay, laying off the tip of the Bataan Peninsula, about 26 miles from the city. Its strategic position made it a prime candidate for the last stand against the Japanese in the Pacific War, and its three and a half square miles (9 sq km) of dry land remains littered with the detritus of battle. Guided tours of the island are available by arrangement with the Corregidor Visitor's Information Center in Manila.
Phone Number: (0)2 834 5048
Website: www.corregidorphilippines.com
Transport: There are ferry services from Manila
Tagaytay City
City/Region: Manila
Tagaytay is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines, famous for the Taal Volcano. The volcano is unique in that it sits on an island in a lake, and has another lake within its vast crater. The views from the ridge on the access highway to the volcano are legendary and breathtaking. Tagaytay itself provides plenty of recreation opportunities and good hotels and restaurants because it is the favored 'summer capital' for Filipinos wishing to escape the capital during the unpleasant summer heat. Other sights in Tagaytay are the 'Palace in the Sky', an unfinished complex originally meant to be a home for former president Marcos and now used as a viewpoint and park; and the huge flower farm, abloom all year round, on a slope at Barngay Guinhawa.
Website: www.tagaytay.com
Transport: Bus from the center of Manila (about 45 minutes)
Banaue
City/Region: Manila
This fascinating region in northern Luzon is known for being largely untouched by Western civilization and gives a glimpse of the true Philippines. In a string of villages around Banaue people live according to age-old tribal traditions. The main attraction in the area is the Banaue Rice terraces, dubbed the 'eighth wonder of the world'. Constructed about 3,000 years ago the terraces start from the base of the Cordillero Mountains and extend upwards for thousands of feet, cleverly irrigated by channelled streams and springs. The terraces bear testimony to the ingenuity of the ancient Ifugao people. There are more terraces at Batad village, which also sports a waterfall and natural swimming pool, and at Sagada there are a series of ancient burial caves in the mountainside with the famous 'hanging coffins' perched on limestone outcrops.
Subic Bay Freeport Zone
City/Region: Manila
Subic Bay is a unique project on the site of a former United States Naval base. It was buried under ash after the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991 and has since been transformed into a buzzing eco-tourism and commercial hub, only five minutes from the Philippines International airport and a two-hour drive northwest of Manila. Most of the area, which is enclosed by a security fence, is covered in dense forests teeming with flora and fauna, including rare butterflies and bats. There are also lovely unspoiled beaches to enjoy, exceptional scenery, forest trails, watersport activity, coral reefs and shipwrecks to explore, numerous sports facilities and duty-free shopping centers.
Puerto Galera
City/Region: Manila
Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro consists of several towns and beach resorts that have melded together on a protruding piece of land shaped like a whale's tale, to form the Philippines' fifth largest urban area. The Spanish traders used the natural harbor created from the land formation as a refuge in the 16th century, hence the name, which means 'Port of Galleons'. Puerto Galera was declared a protected area in a UNESCO program back in the 1970s. This put the area on the tourist map and helped with the resurgence of interest in its marine life and coral reefs, which had been suffering because of dynamite fishing. Puerto Galera is now one of the most sought-after scuba diving locations in the world, and the island of Mindoro also offers some rewarding hiking trails. There are more than 30 dive sites within 10 minutes of the three main beaches; deep trenches and vibrantly colorful reefs characterize the waters, along with numerous wrecks, a shark cave and a true wall with a 164ft (50m) drop-off.
Palawan
City/Region: Manila
The island of Palawan is an elongated stretch of thickly forested landscape bordered by coves, beaches, lagoons and limestone cliffs, stretching from southwest of Luzon towards Malaysia. The island's Tubbataha Reef is extremely ecologically important to the Philippines as a feeding ground and nursery for marine life, and the area is archaeologically important too. Caveman remains have been discovered on the island dating back 22,000 years. The main attraction on the island, however, is the underground river, St Paul's Subterranean Cave near Sabang, about two hours by road from Puerto Princesa. The cave extends more than five miles (eight km) and contains the world's longest underground river. Palawan is still 'off the beaten track' but it can be reached by a flight from Manila.
Transport: By air from Manila to the island's airport at Puerto Princesa. There are also regular ferry sailings to and from the capital
Basilica Minore de Santo Nino
City/Region: Cebu
The oldest religious relic in the Philippines, an icon of the infant Jesus, is housed in the basilica, having miraculously survived fire and other catastrophes through the years since the image of Christ was first presented by Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521. The church itself was originally built in 1565, but was rebuilt in 1602 after a fire.
Fort San Pedro
City/Region: Cebu
Fort San Pedro, located at Cebu City's wharf area, was the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the country. It began as a single triangular bastion, built in 1565, and was not completed for another 200 years. Over the centuries the fort has been put to several uses, including a watch-tower to counter pirate attacks in the 1700s, a prison for local rebels during the Philippine revolution, a US army barracks, and during world war II a prison camp. Today the fort has been turned into a museum-park, giving visitors to Cebu a glimpse of the island's history.
Hours: Daily 8am to 7pm
Admission: P15
Jumalon Museum
City/Region: Cebu
Located in the Basak district, this private museum created by late lepidopterist, Professor Julian Jumalon, houses his unusual collection of mosaics, made up of butterfly wings. The garden of Jumalon's home continues to be a haven for thousands of butterflies, and the 'lepido mosaics' are displayed in the salon.
Address: 20 D Macopa Street, Basak
Phone Number: (0)32 91029
Hours: By appointment
Casa Gorordo Museum
City/Region: Cebu
The Casa Gorordo Museum was originally the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. It is now restored and serves as a re-creation of a typical Filipino home of the late 19th century, furnished with religious relics, paintings, antique furniture and household items. The museum also showcases some contemporary art exhibits.
Address: 35 Lopez Jaena Street
Hours: Mondays to Saturdays 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Beaches
City/Region: Cebu
Numerous islets and beaches are connected to, or easily accessed from, the Cebu metropolitan area as day trips. Mactan Island is linked to Cebu City by a bridge and is the site of hundreds of beach resorts, most of which offer full scuba services and watersports facilities. Olango Island offers pristine white sandy beaches, while Kansatik, southeast of Olango, features an underwater mountain festooned with coral, sponges and colorful fish. Olango is also a paradise for bird watchers. A short drive north of Cebu City is Sagod, offering caves, beautiful beaches and some excellent dive spots. Capitancillo Islet, a little further northeast of Sagod, sits at the center of a coral reef that extends for about two miles (3km). Calanggaman Islet, in the same area, features black coral and caves. Gato Islet has lagoons, coral reefs and a sea-snake breeding ground. On the south-western shore of Cebu Island is Moalboal, another world-renowned dive destination, and Badian Island nearby has more underwater attractions and a five-star beach resort. Sun seekers also relish Argao, about two hours drive from Cebu City, where the beaches of Kawit, Mahawak and Mahayahay are picture-perfect.
Boracay
City/Region: Cebu
The tiny butterfly-shaped island of Boracay in the western Visayas has been 'discovered' by trendy international sun-lovers, and has become the Philippines' most popular beach destination. Thousands have sung the praises of the white, talcum-fine powder sand on a two-mile (four km) stretch of palm-studded beach that is said to glow at night, while the crystalline sea reflects the color of the unblemished blue sky. Despite its popularity Boracay remains unspoilt, offering a range of about 350 hotels and guesthouses, nightlife, good restaurants and a huge array of water sports. The island code is barefoot and informal, and the transitory holiday population come from all over the globe.
Website: www.boracayisland.org
Transport: Flight from Manila (one hour) or Cebu to Kalibo or Caticlan
Bohol
City/Region: Cebu
The island province of Bohol is one of the loveliest in the Visayas group and lies southeast of Cebu. It has plenty to offer in the form of historical and natural attractions. The world's rarest seashells, like the Gloria Maris and the Golden Cowrie, can be found here, as well as the tarsier, the large-eyed insect-eating monkey which, fully grown, is smaller than a child's fist. Here too are the world-famous Chocolate Hills, a surreal series of 1,768 hills that resemble scoops of chocolate ice cream; they were formed from the weathering of coral deposits formed when the land was submerged and can be viewed from an observation deck. Historically Bohol labored under 302 years of Spanish rule after the local chieftain signed a 'blood contract' and many buildings, particularly beautiful churches, remain as testimony to the period of colonial rule and the struggle to be free of domination.
Website: www.bohol.ph
Transport: Ferry or privately-run scheduled boat from Cebu City to Tagbilaran City, capital of Bohol Island (about 90 minutes)
Davao Museum
City/Region: Davao
About seven miles (12km) from the Davao City center at Insular Village, Lanang, the Davao Museum is devoted to showcasing the various tribal cultures of the people of the region. The main gallery is a repository of tribal art, local costumes, jewelry and handcrafts. There is also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics, and a souvenir shop sells native crafts. Tribal women can be seen at work at the nearby T'Boli Weaving Center weaving cloth from the fibers of the native abaca plant, featuring patterns that depict the folklore of the tribe.
San Pedro Cathedral
City/Region: Davao
Davao City's oldest church is named for the city's patron saint. It was built in 1847 during the Spanish colonial period by Don Jose Uyanguren, known as the 'Spanish Conquistador of Davao'. The original altar, carved with images of saints, has been preserved and can be seen in the right wing of the cathedral.
Address: Corner of San Pedro Street and CM Recto Avenue
Philippine Eagle Center
City/Region: Davao
The powerful, large Philippine eagle (also known as the monkey-eating eagle) is found only in the mountains of eastern Luzon in the north of the archipelago, and in the heavily forested area of Mindanao. The breeding camp for these magnificent predators is sited at Malagos, in Calinan near Davao City. Also at Malagos is an orchid farm, sanctuary of Philippine native orchids, which offers a restaurant and swimming pool as part of its facilities.
Phone Number: Philippine Eagle Foundation: (0)82 224 3021
Email Address: info@philippineeagle.org
Website: www.philippineeagle.org/pec/pec1.htm
Hours: Daily 8am to 5pm
Admission: P50 (adults), P30 (children)
Samal Island
City/Region: Davao
Just a short ferry ride south of Davao City, in the Davao Gulf, is the island of Samal, part of an archipelago of islets that offer a getaway from city life and some adventure activities. The island offers fabulous sunrises and sunsets and a fascinating topography of rolling hills, white sandy beaches and dozens of caves, which are popular with spelunkers and hikers. The coastline has the usual coconut palms, mangrove swamps and coral reefs, together with some little fishing villages, washed by clear, clean water: all the delights of a tropical island within a stone's throw of the city.
Lake Sebu
City/Region: Davao
The region of south Cotabato in Mindanao, several hours' journey from Davao City, is for those who are courageous enough to seek 'off the beaten track' eco-adventures. Lake Sebu, near the village of Suralla, is surrounded by rolling hills and forested mountains, home to the T'boli, a highland tribe famous for their colorful costumes, intricate beadwork, woven work and brass ornaments, as well as the Tasadays, a cave-dwelling people. The area abounds with waterfalls, natural caves and springs.
Camiguin
City/Region: Davao
The tiny island of Camiguin, on the north coast of Mindanao, is renowned for the friendliness of its people, epitomised in its lively annual festival dedicated to the humble lanzones fruit, which is one of the island's major sources of income. Fruity and friendly this pear-shaped island certainly is, but it also has some other attractions to recommend it. There are no less than seven volcanoes, some still active; a multitude of hot springs; stunning beaches and offshore islets; and a spring that emanates natural soda water. The island has 35 resorts and plenty of restaurants. Mambajao is the capital, situated on the north coast. Most popular pursuits on the island (apart from enjoying the beaches) include climbing Mount Hibok-Hibok, an active volcano that last erupted in 1951 leaving a death toll of 500; snorkeling through the sunken cemetery at the barrio of Bonbon; reading gravestones that were submerged in a volcanic eruption in 1871; and taking a swim at Ardent Hot Springs, inland from Mambajao.
Website: www.camiguin.gov.ph
Transport: There is regular sea and air transportation from Cebu |
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