20 reasons why the Philippines will be the next great tourist destination
1) The Philippines is not overcrowded. Strolling through the capitals of Thailand or Vietnam is no longer what it used to be: Family Guy t-shirts everywhere, drunk Englishmen and Australians, and taxi drivers who make impossible turns are some of the consequences of overcrowded tourism. The Philippines has not yet reached this point and it is easy to find corners to explore.
2) The beaches are spectacular. The nest It offers some of the most incredible beaches and islets in the world, and in its crystal clear waters you can discover dozens of animal species that swim around us without any problem. Boracay's White Beach It is another of the country's star beaches.
Nest Beach
3) The bottom of the sea is amazing . thresher sharks in Malapascua , multicolored reefs in Mindoro Y tubbataha , coral gardens in Anilao or night dives to see phosphorescent species are some examples. Most impressive? Swim with whale sharks (known as "the gentle giants") in the waters of Donsol.
4) We can discover hidden treasures . Divers can find relics like the Japanese freighter OlympiaMaru, that lies buried in the ocean floor and is full of puffer fish and giant turtles. There's also american shells of World War II at the bottom of the sea.
Remnants of World War II on the seabed of the Philippines
5) Filipinos are extremely friendly. In general, Filipinos are very attentive people who quickly take an interest in the people they meet. It is easy to talk to them and get to know them more closely, and they are very likely to smile all the time that we interact with them.
6)Tagalog is easy to learn. When the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, the indigenous people did not have names for the hours or the days of the week, and that is why adapted Hispanic sounds to their own language . 'Trash', 'six thirty', 'car', 'fork' or 'January' are some words that are intermingled with Tagalog.
7) Karaoke is a unique experience. Did you think that only the Japanese were crazy about this way of singing? turns out Filipinos are real fans of public tunes and that is why there is a karaoke in every self-respecting bar.
Filipino karaoke, almost a way of life
8) We can take a local selfie. The inhabitants of the country have two very specific ways of taking selfies: one is to put the hand at head height with the fingers making the symbol of peace, and the other is to place the hand in the form of a pistol below the chin . Surely your Instagram gets more Filipino followers if you take a photo like that.
9) Filipinos do not stop eating. The 'snack' It is eaten at all hours of the day, at any time or place, and usually refers to buns or chocolates. Rice is the essential ingredient for breakfast, lunch and dinner, And they love it so much that even McDonald's serve it to accompany their hamburgers. Who wants potatoes with rice?
10) The desserts have no comparison. Translated as “mix-mix”, the halo-halo is a Filipino dessert that contains everything you can imagine: sweet beans, caramelized banana, chickpeas, sweet potato, coconut pieces and rice are mixed with crushed ice to offer one of the most unique flavors –and essential - from the country.
11) The handle will leave you speechless. They say that Isak Andic, the founder and main shareholder of the clothing brand Mango, decided to name the company after trying this tropical fruit on a trip to the Philippines (in addition to the taste, he liked that the word 'mango' was said the same in practically all languages). In 1995, the Philippine mango became part of the Guinness record as the sweetest and juiciest fruit in the world.
philippine mango
12) Smells and flavors take you to the limit. Another essential fruit is durian. . Banned from hotels, buses and restaurants due to its horrible aroma, this wealthy fruit It has aphrodisiac properties and is very nutritious. . Another test for strong is the balot , a fertilized egg with an embryo inside that has a lot of protein.
13) The geological formations seem from another planet. The Chocolate Hills in Bohol, formed by 1268 symmetrical mountains, and the Banaue rice terraces , built more than two thousand years ago and considered one of the eight wonders of the world, are two must-see landscapes.
Chocolate Hills in Bohol
14) You can hike between volcanoes. With 37 volcanoes scattered throughout the archipelago, trekking lovers will have several options to go on an adventure. the towering Mount Pinatubo is one of the best alternatives, although it is also interesting to visit the taal volcano, which is the smallest in the Philippines.
Taal volcano: the smallest and one of the most active
15) Manila breathes colonial past. The intramuros of the capital allow us to delve into the country's Spanish past and stroll through a walled city dating back to 1571. Filled with artisan shops and large interior courtyards, the area offers a respite from the chaos of cars and people in Manila.
Manila colony area
16) Jeepneys take you everywhere. you look fantastic colorfully painted vans garish and full of messages about God and Jesus Christ are military jeeps of the American troops of the Second World War that have been recycled into buses. With capacity for 20 people, they tour towns and cities for 14 cents each way.
17) Gremlins are Filipinos. Did you think Steven Spielberg had invented these creatures? if you go to the cebu island you will see that this is not the case, since here we find the tarsiers , surprising animals with bulging eyes and tiny bodies that walk among the Philippine vegetation. The Furbys are also inspired by this primate , who is so freedom-loving that he commits suicide when captured.
Philippine tarsier
18) In the church there is not even Christ . Actually, it is rather the opposite. In the Philippines they are very believers and practitioners, and some of them are linked to the Nor Christ Church , which is the most faithful independent Christian church in Asia (with about ten million followers) . In Manila, it is common to come across messages from "God loves you" placed on skyscrapers.
19) You can practice ancestral customs . Another travel option is to go to the indigenous villages. Aetas are friendly and welcoming , they live in the mountains of Luzon and they have characteristic curly hair, dark skin, and short stature. It is possible to spend a few nights in one of their villages and share with them their beliefs and ways of living.
Aeta Village
20) If you feel homesick, you can go to a Spanish bar. The Spanish spent no less than 333 years in the Philippines, an influence that is still found in the variety of Spanish restaurants in Manila. If you want to visit one of the best, go to Flowers (One Mckinley Place, 25th St), which offers traditional Spanish food in the heart of the capital.
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There are plenty of reasons to go to the Philippines