The Philippines: a country to visit in Asia
10/24/2012
Some say when the Gods
created the Philippine Island they'd like it so much they decided to create
seven thousand more. That meant having over seven thousand different views of
the sun and many different beaches like Boracay which is probably unlike anywhere
you've ever been. They say that Gods took their time when they make this
paradise. Having thousands of islands also meant that our wild life and marine
life are among the most diverse in the world.
Even our history comes
in many chapters, each one with the different theme. Our color comes in
infinite forms and our melting pot of cultures contain more than the usual
ingredients. So you can expect more than the usual festivals every year. We're
oriental and were western too, that's why no matter where you from the
Philippines will feel like home.
Many come here to
learn and play. We just love taking the usual things further like honeymooning,
relaxing, partying and shopping. You haven't seen a real bargain unless you
shop here.
And if we like to
overdo things here in the Philippines, just imagine what it's like to be our
guest.
What can you see when you
travel in Philippines?
There
are three major islands in this country Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each of
these islands has a unique place, culture and cuisine to offer for all the
travelers who wants to visit them. Every corner of the country is a tourist
destination and every Filipino can be your polite guide to any part of the
country. Here are some good places to visit if you want to travel here in the Philippines.
Make sure to add these places on your list to visit anytime soon.
The Three Islands
Luzon – is the biggest island among the three and
is located at the northern part of the country. Most people who live here are
Ilokano, Panggalatok, Kapampangan, Igorots, Tagalog and other ethnic groups.
The land area is mainly composed of mountains which are very good for trekking.
Baguio
City tagged
as the “Summer Capital
City of the Philippines”
can be found in Luzon. This place is a very popular destination for travelers
who want the cool breeze of air at the same time close to nature. With its very
famous Burnham Park, Session Road and Mines View Park you will surely have fun
exploring this city 4,900 ft. above sea level. The city has an annual festival
called “Panagbenga
Festival” which means “Flower Festival”. This festival is held
during the month of February and was created as a tribute to the city’s flowers
and as a way to rise up from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon Earthquake.
The Banawe Rice Terraces recognized as one of the “Eight Wonders of the World” can be found in mountains of Ifugao Province in Luzon. These farmlands created in the mountains are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforest above the terraces. The Tourism industry has developed a number of activities for visitors which may include a sightseeing of the terraces and visits at the foot of the terraces.
Another
great place to visit in Luzon is Vigan
City which is
also a “World Heritage
Site”. It is the capital of the Province of Iocos Sur and it is
located on the western coast of the large island of Luzon, facing the South
China Sea. This city is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines,
and is well known for its cobblestone streets. Two of the main festivals are
celebrated here every Holy Week and every first week of May. The Semana Santa depicts the agony, death
and resurrection of Chirst and the Viva
Vigan Arts and Industry Festival which features painting and product
exhibits and other cultural activities.
If you
love water sports there is a place in Luzon where you can surf and get to
experience the waves even if you’re a beginner surfer. San Juan, La Union is considered to be the Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines and is known for its
consistent intermediate quality surf. There are two surfing seasons from July
to October and November to March.
Palawan with
its capital Puerto Prinsesa City is the largest province in the country in
terms of total area of jurisdiction. You’ll find the Puerto-Princesa
Subterranean River National Park which is recently recognized
as one of the “New 7
Wonders of Nature”. This park features a large limestone karst
landscape with an underground river. The sire contains a full mountain-to-sea
ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.
Visayas – is the smallest of the three islands
which composed mainly of smaller islands. The major islands are Bohol, Cebu,
Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar. The islands are composed of different
ethnic groups and they are the following: Visayans (Aklanon, Boholano/Bol-anon,
Caluyanon, Capiznon, Cebuano, Eskaya, Hiligaynon, Karay-a, Masbateño,
Porohanon, Romblomanon, Waray), Ati.
Boracay
as one of the world most popular beaches can be found here. A lot of local and
foreign travelers flocked to this place during summer or even the entire year
just to experience the fine white sand and clear blue water of this paradise.
The
popular Chocolate Hills is also located here; it was declared the country's
third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO
World Heritage List. Here are some of the popular tourist destinations that you
can visit in Visayas. MacArthur Park Beach Resort in Leyte, Balangiga Church in
Eastern Samar, Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, Homonhon Island in Eastern
Samar, Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan Island, Magellan Cross Monument in Cebu City,
Fort San Pedro in Cebu City, Sandugo Shrine in Bohol, Loboc River in Bohol,
Guimaras Islands in Panay, Panglao Island in Bohol.
Mindanao – is the second largest
island among the three and it is mainly composed of mountains and rich farm
land. This is the place where majority of the fruits came from and also this is
the place where the tallest mountain in the Philippines can be found. Davao
City land area is 2,444 km2 is the largest city in terms of land area in the Philippines.
The Mount Apo height is 2,954 meters which is the tallest mountain in the
country. Samal Island is located near Davao City can be compare to Boracay for
having the same white sand but not a fine as Boracay. Some places you also want
to visit are Surigao and Dakak in Dipolog.
What more can you ask for?
That’s
just a sneak peak or what we say in Tagalog as “patikim pa lang yan” of what can you find
here in the Philippines. I’m confident enough that I can list down 7,107
tourist destination of our country. Encouraging and giving our local and
foreign travelers more than 7,107 reasons to visit the Philippines. On my
upcoming hubs I will give more details on the best places of my country. I will
list down my 7,107 tourist destinations for all of you. From the Pearl of the
Orient Mabuhay! Thank you so much for taking time to read my hub.
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