The Philippines at Its Best!
Written by Carlota Smith.
The Philippines is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. The Philippines’ 7,641 islands provide the best possible, if not simply downright perfect, experiences for an entire lifetime. Being home to almost 110,000,000 people from all walks of life, every location in the Philippines provides one with many choices of both fun and excitement.
From the sunny beaches to the steep hills and historical sites, one may be overwhelmed with nature’s generosity and abundance presented in the Philippines. Many foreign visitors and Filipinos themselves have already gone to see these famous and beautiful places. However, there are always many more exquisite, untouched, and enchanting places to explore. One of the most frequented destinations is Palawan. Palawan offers tourists a wide array of choices for both aquatic adventures and relaxation. Other frequently visited destinations include Boracay, El Nido, and Coron – but this is just to name a few of the breathtaking places people can enjoy in the Philippines.
Those who thirst for various kinds of aquatic thrills will surely have their thirst quenched by any of the locations just mentioned. Mountain trekking and hiking enthusiasts will be amazed by the mountainous terrain that will provide them with a guaranteed exhilarating experience. From the gentle hills of Mt. Ulap in Benguet to the steep terrain of Mt. Pulag, hikers can simultaneously enjoy their scenic views and the relaxing breeze. Of course, Bohol in the Visayan region should not be missed, especially if you want to have a peek at the tarsiers, the nearly extinct primates you can find there. Beyond just the raw beauty of the Philippines’ natural scenery, you can also get a glimpse of the many Spanish influences on architecture through structures dotting the region, such as the baroque Bantay Church, built in 1591.
The Philippines is also famous for having many different festivities. Filipinos must have obtained this attribute from their Spanish forefathers, who were renowned for their merrymaking. Other than the church-related festivities, which are celebrations in honor of the saints, other festivities are in times of harvest and for other farming-related occasions, such as the famous Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City. The Panagbenga Festival is a feast in celebration of the blooming of the flowers in the city and is also a symbolic feast of healing and recovery for the city of Baguio, which was almost completely ruined by the infamous 1990 earthquake.
One thing is certain: Every province and city in the Philippines hosts a number of celebrations that any foreigner, tourist, or visitor would surely remember. One such celebration, the Sinulog Festival, is a festival celebrated through street dancing. It is done to honor the conversion of the Philippines’ pagan forefathers to Christianity. Another nearly unforgettable celebration, the Ati-atihan Festival, is celebrated in honor of Santo Nino, or Baby Jesus, and is held in January. It was originally celebrated to commemorate the barter of Panay, when it was believed that the chieftains from Borneo, called Datu, presented the Aetas indigenous group with gifts for them to be allowed to stay in Panay. Later, the festival became more known as a celebration held in honor of Santo Nino.
While sunny beaches and warm seas may not be easily enjoyed by the people in the northern parts of the Philippines, there are many resorts and hot springs for one to visit in these mountainous regions. Most visitors find it relaxing to experience the natural steam baths that seem almost unlimited in number. Taking all of this in, you should consider coming to the country of smiles and adventure for your next vacation!
The Author
Carlota Smith lived in Gwangju for five years while completing her MA in TESOL at Gwangju University. She hopes to visit again in the future when the pandemic is a distant memory. She is thankful to both the city of Gwangju and the Gwangju International Center for allowing her to share a bit about her beautiful country.