Ask any Asians in Australia for a popular South-east Asian travel destination, and Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong come to mind. The answer may soon include the Philippines. The archipelago with more than 7,000 islands is becoming a hot tourist spot. The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands that promise the tourist a variety of attractions that include beautiful beaches, a rich culture and history, and excellent tourist facilities. There are three main islands: Luzon, in the north, Visayas, a cluster of smaller islands in the central region, and the largest island, Mindanao, in the south. The Philippines offer a diversity of destinations, activities, and events; they have vast mountains and volcanoes that tell of great legends; and world-class accommodation, fine restaurants, and modern shopping centres. Three of the major attractions for tourists are Manila, the capital and the beating heart of the Philippines, Boracay, a magnet for beach lovers, and Cebu, the traveller’s dream of a tropical island come true. Manila and its environs Manila is the capital as well and the heart and soul of the Philippines. It blends the Oriental with the Western world, the traditional with the modern, and the quaint with the mundane. Your starting point in learning the history of the Philippines is the Intramuros, a walled city steeped in Spanish history. Its landmarks include the Manila cathedral, with its intricate stone carvings, its stained glass mosaics, and its 4,500-pipe organ; San Agustin Church, the favourite place for weddings; and the grand parks such as the Puerta Real Gardens, and the Baluarte de San Diego. Greater Manila is made up of 11 cities and five towns. It is the home of the leading businesses, fashionable hotels, top class restaurants as well as music bars and boutiques. South-east Asia’s largest shopping centre, SM Mega mall, is in Metro Manila, with more than 4,000 tenants packing the floor space of 330,000 sq.m. The tourist belt includes Ermita, famous for its antiques and art galleries, and Malata, the home of cosy cafes and performance theatre. Boracay and its beaches Boracay is regarded as a paradise by sun worshippers from all parts of the world, as well as locals. White Beach, stretching over three kilometres, is the most famous area in the Philippines. It features bright, fine sand and clear, shallow waters. There are a dozen other beaches dotting the islands, including Diniwid, Alinghai Beach, Manoc-manoc Beach, and Caghan Beach. Boracay covers 1,000 hectares and it boasts all the elements of a tropical heaven, such as crystal blue waters, powder white sand, tropical palms and flowering plants, and flourishing and diverse marine life. The area includes hills of up to 100 meters above sea level, intertwining trails linking the small villages, and some parts with lush tropical jungles. The food at Boracay is as diverse as the nationalities of visitors. The cuisines of France, China, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Thailand are fused into the native flavours. The White Beach area is supported by luxurious resorts, world-class spas, and an array of restaurants and bars as well as outdoor shopping centres. The island enjoys ideal beach weather for half the year, with December to May regarded as the peak months, while June to November is the rainy season. The name Boracay comes from the native “borac”, meaning cotton, denoting that the sands of the beaches are as white as cotton. Cebu Cebu is the prototype of the romantic tropical island. It has balmy weather, beautiful clean beaches, and luxurious resorts with all the attractions of modern living. It is also the centre of the shipping industry, accounting for 80% of all shipping traffic. Cebu is an island and a province, and it is the place where Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan planted the cross of Christianity in the name of Spain in 1521. It has the second biggest metropolis, and it is the centre for the group of islands known as the Visayas. East of Cebu is Bohol, an area with rolling hills, plateaus, crystal springs, and beaches. It has some fine ancestral homes, and centuries-old churches. Although Cebu is known for its business and industry, it also offers travellers an attractive escape from city life. It has many beautiful white-sand beaches, and the neighbouring islands are popular with beach lovers. The nearby island of Mactan is a favourite with people who want to enjoy the sun and surf without travelling too far from the city. A little further away are two beaches that are now recognised as Cebu’s best, namely those on the Bantayan and Malapascua islands. Major attractions include Magellan’s Cross, the most popular tourist destination, the San Pedro Fort, which has memorabilia from the Spanish colonial period, and the Casa Goroda museum. The weather in Cebu is best from December to May, when is not wet or too hot. The coolest period is from December to February, and the hottest from March to May. Other useful information Airports. Manila has the major airport, being served by more than 30 airlines, and there are also international airports in Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic, and Laoag. Philippines Airlines links Manila to 14 cities in eight countries. Major cruise liners call at the port of Manila. Language. Filipino is the national language, while English is the business language, and is widely spoken. Accommodation. In most areas, there is a wide selection of de luxe, standard, economy and pension-type accommodation. On the islands, there are resorts ranging from de luxe to special interest. Dining. Filipino food is an exotic mixture of Oriental, European, and American influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood, and local fruit. Entertainment. Manila is the centre of entertainment and cultural activities. Its nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Asia, and features the Filipinos love of music.
