|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Which country is an archipelago of 7,107 islands and often described as a glittering necklace of emeralds in the Pacific?
Answer: The Philippines. Endowed with tropical weather all-year round, tropical foliage bloom and share its perennial beauty in this country.
A hundred volcanoes dot the islands including the Philippines in the Ring of Fire, to which it owes its rich,
fertile landscape and perhaps the world’s greatest biodiversity.
To its north, crossing the Luzon Strait is Taiwan, while Vietnam is on the west across the West Philippine Sea.
Beyond the Sulu Sea is Borneo in the southwest, and to the south, the Celebes Sea separates it from Indonesia.
To the east, it is bounded by the Philippine Sea and the island-nation of Palau.
The Philippines’ three largest islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao separate the Filipinos into more than 78
ethno-linguistic groups speaking more than 150 languages. The national language is
Filipino but have no fear, English is widely spoken.
|
|
|
Language aside, getting to or trading with the Philippines is a breeze with 10 international airports scattered all over,
serving passengers and cargo alike. Produce such as the sweetest mangoes and
|
bananas, delectable pineapples and the versatile coconut oil are main exports, but major non-agricultural export
products include electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper, and petroleum products.
Almost every day of the year, in countless communities and towns, and in more than 500 cities and 81 provinces, there is a
colorful, flavorful and exciting fiesta or festival happening. The Filipinos love to celebrate and they show it with their
love of food. With Spanish, Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, Philippine cuisine is as vivid and vibrant as the
changing colors of the sky at dusk. Mix good food with gregarious and fun-loving people, and you get a
country where foreigners make their home almost instantly.
Pristine beaches or crashing waves, bountiful lakes or serene lagoons, magnificent mountains or challenging volcanoes,
idyllic country sides or highly developed cities and urban centers, the Philippines has it all.
Best of which is the highlight of each trip one takes, the fascinatingly captivating, warm and hospitable smile of
a people who welcomes every traveler with guiding hands and stories to tell.
|
|
| |
|
| NATURAL WONDER TO DISCOVER |
|
|
|
|
|
Out of all the islands in the world, Travel+Leisure Magazine chose to name this as its Best Overall Island of 2012
and Asia's #1 Island. A postcard- sized tropical paradise with fine powder-white sand beaches;
it is just seven kilometers long, and less than a kilometer wide at its narrowest point.
Enjoy water activities and parties from sun up to sundown on this 24/7 island.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Filled with cobblestone walkways, horse-drawn carriages, and mansions of yester-years, this place is one of the
few remaining 16th century towns in the Philippines. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and
one of the New 7 Wonder Cities, travelers frequent this romantic destination as they gallivant through time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This human heart-shaped island-province has hills that look like mounds of chocolate, primates so small they
fit in the palm of your hand, restaurants that float gently down a river and centuries-old churches and ruins.
Completing the package are secluded white beaches that are meters away from spectacular underwater scenery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the northern part of the country, the cool highlands of the largest mountain range in the Philippines boasts of
another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Distinct ethnic groups and cultures surround the Banaue Rice Terraces
which were carved by hand 2,000 years ago. To get the best view, try catching the grandest stairways
to the sky during harvest time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home of the longest navigable underground river, limestone cliffs, historical underwater wrecks,
copious varieties of plants, trees, birds, mammals, reptiles, and bat species. Often called the last frontier,
Palawan will surprise with picture-perfect angles all around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The largest city in the country is a destination that offers diverse travel experiences set in
lush natural landscapes — from fine white sand beaches to highlands with refreshing cool climates.
A melting pot of various cultures, including minority groups, get a taste of things you won't find
anywhere else, such as scaling the highest peak in the Philippines, admiring rare flora and
fauna up-close, or even sampling creative dishes that incorporate the smelly but well-loved durian.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The old and the new are intertwined in this province as the Iloilo river winds its way through the city, passing by historical
structures alongside modern landscapes. With the newly-built Iloilo Convention Center, it is also an emerging Meetings,
Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) destination with a full range of attractions plus numerous mouth-watering delicacies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The first Spanish settlement in the Philippines is a diverse destination complete with some of the country's most
iconic heritage spots. Culture, sports, business and entertainment can all be had in the city.
But all that can be a side trip to make way for the country’s biggest festival – Sinulog,
a wild, colorful street party attracting revelers from around the Philippines and the world every January.
|
|
|
|
|
Rice fields, rice terraces, fish ponds and fish pens, villages, cities, highways and bridges tell stories of a people's
journey thru history. Philippine offerings are as diverse as the languages the Filipinos speak,
but as united in beauty and charm as a widening horizon, bringing you the promise of an exciting and amazing
relationship no matter what your purpose is for visiting.
|
|
| |
|
| PHILIPPINES FAST FACTS |
|
|
|
|
