➲ Discover Philippines

Before exploring the beauty of other countries, explore first the beauty of your own.
“Wag tayong maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan”
( Don’t be a stranger in your own country)

Philippines holds more than seven thousand, yes, you read it right, seven thousand majestic islands located between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea at the very eastern edge of Asia. We have many wonderful beaches, over a hundred ethnic groups, historical sites, breathtaking places and mixture of foreign influences, fusion of culture and arts that enhanced the uniqueness of the Filipino identity, which makes us the Philippines. And therefore, we can really say that

“It’s more fun in the Philippines”

Below are my top 40 Philippine tourist destinations (will be updated regularly until it reach my #40 spot) explored and waiting to be explored places in random order.  #Pilipinas_Kay_Ganda

(Wikipedia) Mount Apo is a large solfataric, potentially active stratovolcano in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an elevation of 2,954 metres (9,692 ft) above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the Philippine Archipelago and is located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Region XI and Cotabato province in Region XII. The peak overlooks Davao City 45 kilometres (28 mi) to the northeast, Digos City 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the southeast, and Kidapawan City 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west. Certainly one of #myplaceswaitingtobeexploredsoon

The Batanes island group is the smallest province in the Philippines in terms of population and land area. The capital of Batanes, Basco is 280 kilometers north of Apari, Cagayan (the tip of main island of Luzon) while it is only 190 kilometers south of Taiwan. Batanes lies in the vast waters of the Pacific ocean where the Pacific meets China sea. An area that for generations is almost isolated from the rest of the Philippines. Batanes consist of 10 tiny islands and islets namely: Batan, Sabtang, Itbayat, Mavudis, Siayan, Diogo, North Island and Y’ami. Only the first three islands are inhabited. The wind swept islands of Batanes are beautiful and enchanting and they are like no other in the Philippines. Since Batanes is separated from the country by miles of rough waters, the Ivatans (the name of the people of Batanes) have developed a different culture. Ivatans are honest, gentle and polite but brave and robust. They are proud of their their heritage and their land. View overlooking the beach sea and mountains. The landscape of Batanes is also distinct from other Philippine provinces – steep cliffs, rolling hills, deep canyons and boulder-lined shores – not unlike New Zealand in some way. But the most noticeable of all features of Batanes is the architecture of the houses – stone walled and thick thatched roofs to withstand the battering of typhoons. The weather of Batanes is cool and windy. And it rains any month of the year. It has an almost temperate temperature from December to February where temperatures dip as low as 7 degrees centigrade. Although Batanes lies along the typhoon belt and gets hit by strong typhoons, it get it’s fare share just like other provinces on the north. But in spite of the reputation of Batanes as a backward region, it now has modern conveniences like mobile phones (cell sites by Smart & Globe Telecoms), electricity and cable television but hardly any vehicles. How to go to Batanes: SEAir [Tel. # (02) 849-0100] has early morning flights daily to Batanes from Manila and vise-versa. These flights land straight to Basco on Batan Island, Batanes. By sea, you can catch a ferry (MV Ivatan Princess) operated by the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Tel. # 0917-793-0102) from Currimao, Ilocos Norte to Basco, Batanes and vise-versa every Wednesday and Sunday.

(Wikipedia) Mount Pulag is the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines . It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain’s peak. Certainly one of #myplaceswaitingtobeexploredsoon

(wiki) Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. I’ve been to Tagaytay multiple times, but never been given the chance to climb this beautiful volcano. Certainly one of #myplaceswaitingtobeexploredsoon

Hills that looks like perfect mounds of chocolate. Primates so small, they fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Restaurants that float gently down a river. Welcome to Bohol. Region 7 Central Visayas Head to Carmen to tour the famous Chocolate Hills – more than 1,268 grass-covered limestone domes that are nearly symmetrical in shape and height. The picturesque hills turn a distinct shade of brown during the dry season and give them a passing resemblance to a certain confectionary treat, hence their name. To give your sightseeing an extra kick, try touring the hills by ATV. Another popular tourist spot is the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella. Drop by the park for a rare chance to get up close to the Philippine tarsier in its natural habitat. At just three to six inches tall, this animal is one of the smallest primates in the world. With gaping eyes, miniscule proportions and a sensitive nature, the tarsier certainly has a quirky charm. For a unique cruise experience, there’s Loboc. As you slowly drift down the Loboc River, you can enjoy a delicious Filipino buffet and a serenade from a local community. The Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park also offers a zipline and an open-air cable car ride, both providing impressive aerial views of the river. More thrilling exploits also await at E.A.T Danao. Ask what the “plunge” is when you get there — and see if you’re brave enough for it. Baclayon is a great stop for people who enjoy historical architecture. The Baclayon Church is a well-preserved edifice that was declared a national historical treasure in 1995. Its antique décor and religious relics, some of which are on display in the church museum, date back to the 16th century. Baclayon’s main road is also home to over 65 Spanish-Filipino ancestral homes – some of which were built as far back as 1853! Cap your visit with a stop at the Aproniana Gift Shop, which carries everything from local delicacies to tarsier plush toys. Nearby Pamilacan Island has made a name for itself with its move from destructive fishing practices to sustainable eco-tourism and marine preservation. Most people head here for dolphin-and-whale-watching tours, but the island also has accessible white sand beaches, excellent dive sites and even a centuries-old Spanish fort.

(Wiki) Mount Guiting-Guiting is a mountain located at the heart of Sibuyan Island, one of the seven islands of Romblon Province in the Philippines. Guiting-Guiting, in the local Romblomanon dialect, means “jagged”. I’m from Romlon but never been here, Certainly one of #myplaceswaitingtobeexploredsoon

(Wiki) Mayon Volcano, the most famous of the active volcanoes of the Philippines, is a perfect stratovolcano rising to 2462 m on Luzon Island. Also known as Mount Mayon in the province of Albay. Certainly one of #myplaceswaitingtobeexploredsoon