Ever since the Philippine Department of Tourism’s campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” was launched back in 2012, it went insanely viral which helped promote the beautiful islands and the vibrant cities, and no doubt this campaign was a clear winner that most Filipinos would be proud of.
I have recently traveled the Philippines for a week and while I was hesitant in the first place, I found it absolutely incredible and fell totally for the beauty of the nature and its’ people. It was my first time to the Philippines actually and I wasn’t sure what to expect!
What I liked most about my stay in the Philippines was the friendliness of locals, the incredible warmness and that I was simply welcome everywhere!Wee, Philippines consists of 7,641 islands that are categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Luckily, the weather in the Philippines does not reach a point of extreme hot or extreme cold temperatures, so you can easily adapt to the tropical weather. The best time to go is between November and May.
Cebu
Cebu is a gorgeous sun filled tropical island in the Philippines. Cebu’s beaches are the envy of Asia with its white sand and crystal clear blue waters. Cebu is home to some of the best Philippine resorts with a variety to suit everyone’s budget.If you’re flying into Cebu, you will be landing in Mactan Island. Cebu is very accessible for travel. There are flight connections from Manila and international flights from various destinations. There are also ferries from various points of the Philippines. A 24-hour ferry if you are coming from Manila or a 2-hour fast ferry if you are coming from Bohol. Mactan is Cebu’s playground and it’s a place you can indulge yourself in life’s pleasures. Mactan resorts and spas are located around the island and many are luxurious and upmarket.I spent an amazing time in Cebu, exploring every bit of it that we can find. It’s very beautiful here, and there’s no wonder why people always come back for more. There are a ton of things to see and do in Cebu city, with prices starting at VERY affordable rates.
Santo Niño de Cebú
The Santo Niño de Cebú is a Roman Catholic title of a statue of the Child Jesus in Cebu City of Philippines.The image is venerated as miraculous by many Filipino Catholics.It is one of the oldest Christian relics in the Philippines,originally given in 1521 as a gift by explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and his wife when he landed on the island.The Holy Child's image is liturgically celebrated during weekly Mass, novenas and Christian holidays. Along with the Black Nazarene statue of Jesus Christ,The Santo Niño image is replicated in many homes and business establishments, with different titles reinterpreted in various areas of the country. It is one of the most beloved and recognizable cultural icons in the Philippines, with the original permanently encased within bulletproof glass in a chapel at the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño.
Magellan's Cross
Magellan's Cross is planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines. This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street.This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street just in front of the city center of Cebu City. A sign below the cross describes the original cross as encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers.Some people, however, believe that the original cross has been destroyed or disappeared after Magellan's death and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully Christianized the Philippines.
Fort San Pedro
Its a military defense structure in Cebu built by the Spanish.The fort is triangular in shape, with two sides facing the sea and the third side fronting the land. It is located in the area now called Plaza Indepedencia, in the pier area of the city. We can still see the cannons inside the fort which were mounted in the early 17th century.
Taoist Temple
Taoist temple located in Beverly Hills. The temple is built by Cebu's substantial Chinese community in 1972. With an elevation of 300 meters (980 ft) above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.Some guides and travel agencies offer trips to the temple or as a side-trip in a tour around Cebu City.The entrance to the temple was a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu.
Ayala Center
Ayala Center Cebu is a large shopping mall at the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City. It was opened in 1994, and is owned by Ayala Malls. The nice thing is if you need a break from shopping you can go sit at one of the many shops on the Terraces and just relax and have a drink or dine on one of the many different cuisines that are offered on all levels.
SM Seaside
SM Seaside City Cebu, also known locally as SM Seaside or just Seaside, opened on 27 November 2015.The SM Seaside City Cebu is a circular-shaped retail mall with multiple anchors, including a two-story The SM Store, SM Supermarket, a Center stage theater, a Large Screen cinema, two Director's Club cinemas, and 4 regular cinemas, an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, and a food court flanking an olympic-size ice skating rink.In addition, the mall will feature a rooftop Sky Park, a 150-meter viewing tower, an iconic 21 meter by 21 meter centerpiece called the "Cube"
Simala
Sacred and downright beautiful, the Simala Shrine is a splendid monastery with a medieval castle-like architecture. Known as a miraculous church, Simala Shrine is usually flocked with pilgrims who would pray and show their devotions to Mother Mary. It is located in the south of Cebu a place called Sibonga. You need to take a van for about 3 hours of road journey from Cebu City.Its a sacred place- for praying, and worship! It was hair raising to see hundreds of letters from those who experienced miracles or thank you notes from answered prayers. It's magnificent not only in its structure but also in stories of miracles from pilgrims. There are still a lot of on-going construction works here but you would definitely admire the view and serenity of this place.
These are just few sites in Cebu which I had visited. There are many more to see and explore....
El Nido
My next stop in the Philippines was El Nido, which is possibly one of the prettiest places I have visited on this planet. With water so clear, I was jumping off the boat, snorkeling around the colourful fish and coral, it’s simply so untouched! after short flight from Cebu to Puerto Princesa and more than 6 hours in a local van, we arrived to the place that seemed to be unreal. It looked like a fairy tale! Peaceful sea with huge limestone cliffs, hotels situated right on the beach are something we will never forget. El Nido is in the province of Palawan and about 238 kilometres north-east of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital.
The major tourist spots of El Nido which I had visited are:
Small Lagoon
A small swim through a hole on board a kayak or swimming through, you will discover the tranquil turquoise-green waters of the Small Lagoon of its orchid-lined limestone walls, a showcase a kaleidoscope of marine life.
Big Lagoon
A visit to Big Lagoon is a reunion tour on board the outrigger boat, coming near the lagoon in the middle of karst limestone formations you are welcomed by water so clean and full of marine life. The Big lagoon is a breeding ground for fishes and crustaceans.
Secret Beach
One of the most exciting parts of the Island Hopping is the Secret Beach which is a pocket of white sand beach .The beach is inaccessible by boat and surrounded by steep rock wall. To reach it, divers must swim underwater through a narrow crevice in a rock wall. At noon, the sun streams in through the opening, allowing a play of light and shadow against its limestone walls. The beach floor drops abruptly. According to local legend, this beach inspired Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, which was written while the author was in El Nido.
Helicopter Island
The island is called Helicopter Island because its limestone cliffs resemble that of a helicopter when it is seen from a considerable distance.This island holds a beautiful clean sand beach extending to more or less 300 meters that are ideal for picnic lunches during island-hopping trips. In that location are an underwater tunnel at its northern position and a fringing reef along its southerly terminal.
Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is located on a small island reminiscent of the movie “the Beach” surrounded by limestone cliffs. As you enter into a small hole, you will see a massive caldera that was once a cave which collapsed and now is surrounded by cast cliffs. In the center is a lagoon.
Seven Commandos Beach
Named after the 7 remaining Japanese commandos who lived along the island as stragglers after World War II, the Seven Commandos bears a long clean sandy beach lined with palm trees. Here you will find a small bar offering various cold and fresh beverages, perfect after enjoying the other beaches and destinations.
Filipino Food..
Filipino food maybe simple and straightforward (fried, grilled, stewed as is with little to no garnishings or finicky ingredients), but it’s downright homey and uncomplicated. Filipino food is best enjoyed with family and friends, and it’s best if you eat by hand along with a glass of ice cold Coca-cola.
Below are the some delicacy's which I had tried:
Calamansi juice, made of a citrus fruit.
Halo-Halo, a delicious dessert made of milk, kidney beans, fruits and ice cream.
Be brave and try Balut, a boiled egg with an underdeveloped duck inside!
Pancit, noodles with veggies and meat.
Sinigang, a tamarind based sour soup.
Barbecue sticks of chicken/pork intestines.
Adobo, a dish with chicken, beef or pork cooked with vinegar and soy sauce.
Langauge..
Big advantage compare to other Asian countries: Almost everybody speaks English in the Philippines, from a 3 year old kid to the 90 year old granny.
English is the language of the government, and the preference for written communication, be it in school or business. There are also plenty of English version newspapers and magazines.
Riding a Jeepney..
Another thing you have to do in the Philippines is riding in or on a jeepney! Why? Because it's fun! It's cheap and it's windy, no need of an air conditioner!
But what are these jeepneys and where do they come from? The U.S troops left old military jeeps back in WW2.
The Filipinos opened the back, added two benches, gave them a colorful and unique design, decorative ornaments, flashy paintings, stars, dots and sometimes even extra lights. And just like that, the Philippine jeepney became a cultural sign of the country.
An average jeepney can carry 16 - 20 passengers, two up front next to the driver and 14 - 18 seated in the back facing each other on two benches. Well, that's the normal case, but often you'll see an extra body hanging outside or onto the back, or people even occupy the roof.
To get a sense of the place from the local’s perspective and to see how people interact, jeepneys are a fantastic way to explore the country. So don't forget to hop on one whenever you have the chance!
Finally it was the time to return Dubai after a week of memorable stay in Cebu and El Nido. I absolutely LOVE the Philippines.
I’m actually returning real soon! :)
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