Maida Pineda reveals the Philippines' most captivating getaways....
With over 87 million people, 7,100 islands and 70 dialects, a visit to the Philippines is guaranteed to be anything but boring. First-time visitors to Manila will be struck by how westernised Filipinos seem, with their American-English accents and a clear dominance of the Catholic faith. In fact, the country's colonial history was once summed up as "300 years in a convent and 50 years in Hollywood."
While Manila is home to 11 million Filipinos and the country's central business district, the true charm of the Philippines is actually tucked away in its provinces. So to experience the real Philippines, veer away from the cities and explore this unique country's islands, mountains and volcanoes. You'll soon discover why Filipinos have good reason to be the "Happiest People On Earth", as declared by a global survey in 2005.
TAGAYTAY
If you're staying in the country's capital, a journey to Tagaytay - just 60 kilometres south of Manila - makes for a relaxing daytrip. Be spellbound by the sight of Taal - one of the world's smallest active volcanoes, set magically in the middle of a lake. In this city by the ridge, you not only soak up the best views, but also get a taste of the abundance of country life, a stark contrast to that offered in the city. Enjoy the leisurely drive through scenic vistas of pineapple plantations and stop by roadside fruit stands to purchase sweet mangoes, bananas, mangosteen, pineapples, jackfruit and other tropical fruits. Spend hours in Sonya's Garden (+63 917 532 9097, http://www.sonyasgarden.com/) - a not-so secret garden serving fresh salads and pastas amidst a plethora of flowers and offering soothing massage services and cosy bed and breakfast villas.
You'll find a number of restaurants serving Filipino fare and specialty food here, each competing to offer the best food or the best view. Josephine's is a well known Filipino restaurant with an excellent viewing deck, comfortable interiors, good service and consistently delicious food. For a truly memorable upscale continental meal, book at table at Antonio's (+63 917 899 2866) - a chef's private home turned restaurant. For a quick bite, stop by Bag of Beans (+63 46 413 2724) along Aguinaldo highway, this café and bakery serves English meat pies and strongly brewed Barako coffee. To get up close to the Taal volcano, boatmen offer rides to Pulo and a 45-minute hike guarantees up-close views of the volcano's crater.
GETTING THERE 90-minutes drive from Manila to Tagaytay city, via Santa Rosa, Laguna.
STAY Sonya's Bed & Breakfast (http://www.sonyasgarden.com/).
CONTACT www.tagaytay.gov.ph/1_tourism.htm
Be mesmerised by the spectacular sight of the mud-walled rice terraces created by the Ifugao tribes some 2,000 years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site leaves you not only in awe of its beauty, but extremely impressed with the engineering genius of the tribes, who managed to produce a sophisticated irrigation system so many years ago. Viewpoint provides the best vantage point for photos, where a group of Ifugao ladies clad in traditional tribal regalia smile gamely and pose for snapshots as they chew on betel nuts. Souvenir shops sell hand-woven crafts and woodcarvings made by Ifugao communities.
To fully immerse yourself in the rice terraces, head to Batad - the ultimate backpacker's destination. It's a 12-kilometre rough jeepney ride from Banaue, followed by a rigorous two-hour hike. Your efforts are rewarded by the unforgettable experience of being amidst amphitheatre-like stone walled rice terraces. Surrounded by nature's beauty, the scenery is simply stunning and the tranquillity and serenity surreal and refreshing.
GETTING THERE Nine-hour bus ride from Manila with Autobus (+63 632 735 8096), leaves the bus station at Tolentino corner Espaňa Streets, Sampaloc, Manila daily at 10pm.
STAY Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel (+63 74 386 4087) is the most upscale or you can rough it at various rustic inns and lodges.
CONTACT Banaue Tourist Information (+63 74 386 4011) for guides, transport, maps and hotels.
BOHOL
This province is best known for the Tarsiers - small primates with gigantic eyes - and 1,268 formations of ancient coral reef deposits, known as the Chocolate Hills. Don't miss a visit to the gorgeous old Catholic Churches dating back to 1595 built during Spanish rule and a cruise along the Loboc River. What makes this compact province complete is Panglao Island. Alona Beach affords tourists the festive scene with a strip of resorts and restaurants. While the nearby Balicasag, Pamilacan and Cabilao Islands provide divers with an underwater paradise and land lovers an opportunity to spot dolphins at play. Contact Jojo Baritua of Pamilacan Island Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours (+63 38 540 9279/919 730 6108/917 702 1468) for memorable encounters with these playful - yet gentle - mammals, on tours led by former whale-hunters, now turned tourist guides. Visit Bohol Bee Farm for lunch or dinner and enjoy a delicious meal made with organic and honey-based ingredients, served in a distinctly tropical, Filipino setting overlooking the sea.
GETTING THERE Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly to Tagbilaran, Bohol daily.
STAY Alona Tropical Beach Resort (+63 38 502 9031) or Bohol Bee Farm Bed & Breakfast (http://www.boholbeefarm.com/).
CONTACT www.bohol.ph
BORACAY
It's hard to believe this nine-kilometre long island of soft, powdery white sand was virtually unknown and without electricity in the 80s. Today, Boracay is home to more than 300 resorts, hotels and restaurants. The beachfront is a hub for busy exchange, where eager vendors swarm local and foreign tourists, offering sunglasses, jewellery, massages and boat rides. Boracay provides access to every water sport imaginable including diving, surfing and parasailing and serves almost any cuisine you can think of. It's a popular holiday destination for students and young professionals, who make it a must to try Jonah's Fruit Shake - the sweet tradition of drinking a gigantic, refreshing thick fruitshake before enjoying a massage on the beach.
GETTING THERE Fly from Manila to Kalibo, Aklan daily with Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines. From there you can hop on a bus or van and take a two-hour-road trip to Caticlan. Or fly direct to Caticlan from Manila and Cebu with Asian Spirit and SEAir. Once in Caticlan you can board one of the pump boats leaving for Boracay every 15 minutes.
STAY Splurge and stay far from the madding crowd at any one of the luxurious resorts at the high-end part of the beach, near Boat Station 1. Check out http://www.seawindboracay.com/ or http://www.fridaysboracay.com/.
CONTACT www.boracayisland.org/dot.shtml
This island is three hours and a pump boat ride away from Cebu City and is a favourite destination for divers, due to the opportunities for wreck dives and exhilarating encounters with Thresher sharks. It's been called the "next Boracay" for its appeal to tourists and offers a growing number of resorts and restaurants, as well as spectacular sunsets. But the island's true appeal is the peace and tranquillity of its beautiful beach, minus Boracay's persistent vendors and all-night partying.
GETTING THERE Fly to Cebu and take a three-hour road trip north from Cebu City to Maya, followed by a 30-minute pump boat ride.
STAY Mangrove Oriental Resort (http://www.mangroveoriental.resort.com/)
FLIGHT CONTACTS
From Singapore
Singapore Airlines (http://www.singaporeair.com/)
Philippine Airlines (http://www.philippineairlines.com/)
Cebu Pacific Airlines (http://www.cebupacificair.com/)
Tiger Airways (http://www.tigerair.com/)
Jetstar (http://www.jetstar.com/)
In the Philippines
Cebu Pacific Airways (www.cebupacificair.com)
Philippine Airlines (www.philippineairlines.com)
Air Philippines (www.airphils.com)
Asian Spirit (www.asianspirit.com)
SEAir (http://www.flyseair.com/)
Posted Sep 07
