It’s More Fun in the Philippines

Philippines at a Glance

Currency     : Philippine Peso (PHP)
Electricity    : 220V 60Hz
Language     : Filipino, English
Time Zone   : GMT +8 hours
Telephone Code  : +63
Religion              : Christian

Filipinos have been described as the Latins of Asia because of their Spanish colonial heritage and their love for fiestas (festivals). Sun, sand and surf are only a few of the things the locals enjoy all year round.
The nation consists of 7,107 islands located between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,right on the eastern edge of Asia. Combine all its beaches it forms one of the world's longest coastlines and it takes about 2 to 3 decades to visit and experience every island.

 

 
and what things we should know more about Philippines??
1. Ethnic groups:
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

2. Languages:
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan.

3. Religions:
Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

4. Population: 103,775,002 (July 2012 est.)

5. Major cities - population: MANILA (capital) 11.449 million; Davao 1.48 million; Cebu City 845,000; Zamboanga 827,000 (2009)

Places of Interest
1.Davao
Blessed with good weather, as well as unique flora and fauna, this southern metropolis is an urban getaway that is the centre of arts and culture in Mindanao.

Top 5 Must-Do's
-Visit the Island Garden City of Samal’s Pearl Farm Resort, bat sanctuary and Vanishing Island

Davao-Mount-Apo-Highest-Peak

-Catch the Kadayawan Festival, a spectacular thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest
-Come face-to- face with rare birds of prey at the Philippine Eagle Center
-Behold the country’s highest peak Mount Apo - or even dare to climb it
-Watch weavers spin abaca fibres into colourful “tinalak” cloth at the T’Boli Weaving Center

Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal

Kadayawan Festival

Boracay Map

2. Kalibo (Boracay)
Peaceful and laid-back, Kalibo is chock-full of nature, history and fun.

Boracay Island

Boracay Island

Top 5 Must-Do's
-Party and relax at Boracay Island, the Philippines’ most famous white sand beach
-Meet the high-energy blackfaced dancers at the Ati-Atihan Festival every January

ati-atihan festival

-Stroll along Bakhawan Ecopark’s 800-metre bamboo bridge through the mangroves

Bakhawan Eco-Park (Mangrove Plantation

-See the richness of Kalibo’s 800-year history at Museo It Akean
-Enter Sampaguita Gardens’ Christmas Cottage and Precious Moments gallery

Sampaguita Gardens Resort was built by Sam Butcher, the founder of Precious Moments, so you can imagine my delight when I saw Jojo's Christmas Cottage.

Transportation: Flying to Boracay
If you want to get to Boracay by plane then you should fly to the airport called Caticlan which is right across a narrow strait from Boracay.
From Manila you have more than 20 flights a day to Caticlan with the airlines, Caebu pacific air, SEAir and Air Phil Express.
The airport is tiny and the runway very short and if the weather goes bad then planes might be directed to Kalibo airport two hours drive from there.
An odd thing is that when you leave from Boracay they do not only weigh your luggage, but also you as a person to know the exact weight of the plane as the runway is very short in Caticlan.

Once you land at Caticlan airport you should either walk or take a tricycle taxi down to the jettyport around 700 meters away where you have small jetty ferries going over to Boracay. That boat journey is only around 15 minutes.

Related Article: How to get to Boracay (from Kalibo Airport)

(p/s: other transportation: How to get from Kalibo to Boracay)

Boracay Ferry

Place to Stay
Hey Jude Resort Hotel
D'mall of Boracay Island, Station 2, Balabag, Malay Aklan, 5608 Boracay
Room Types: Standard, deluxe & Superior
Price: The lowest rate can get for standard room is at RM134 (2 person stay)

Housed in an elegant Colonial-style building, Hey Jude Resort is just a minute’s walk from Boracay’s White Sand Beach and the shops at D’Mall. It provides free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a bar.

Hey Jude Resort Hotel can be reached via a 45-minute domestic flight from Manila to Caticlan, then a 15-minute boat transfer from Caticlan Jetty to Boracay Island.

Hey Jude Resort Hotel

3. Puerto Princesa (Palawan)
Palawan's world-class diving, snorkeling and jungle trekking make it a must-see destination for nature lovers and adventure-sports fans.

The gateway to Palawan, Puerto Princesa is the starting point for Eco-adventures, with two stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites: Underground River and Tubbataha Reef.

Top 5 Must-Do's
-Gawk at the amazing cave formations at Puerto Princesa Underground River
-Dive Tubbataha Reef, rivalled by few for its marine biodiversity
-Go island-hopping, fish feeding and snorkelling around unspoilt Honda Bay
-Get thrills from the Sabang X Zipline over the waters of Sabang
-Pick up souvenirs made and sold by the prisoners themselves at Iwahig Penal Farm

Underground River in Puerto Princesa Palawan is one of the longest and most visited national park in the Philippines Tubbataha Reef is located in the Sulu Sea offset from the coast of the Philippines Honda Bay is comprised of several islets with shallow reefs bordering beaches which have become highly sought swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations.

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm