Pearl of the Orient Seas – Philippines

With 7,107 islands, Philippines is home to a lot of natural wonders and is famously known as the Pearl of the Orient Seas or “Perlas ng Silanganan”.  

A lot of tourists from all around the world visit this country for a vacation, and as a citizen of this country, I would like to recommend some of our most beautiful and beloved spots you will surely enjoy!

  1. Corregidor

Corregidor is a rocky island strategically located at the entrance of Manila Bay, and is famous for being a historical fortress in the Philippines and is preserved as a memorial for the bravery, heroism and courage of Filipinos and Americans fighting against the Japanese forces during the World War II.

If you are a fan of war and military movies or television series or anything alike, you will surely appreciate Corregidor. You will see some of the artillery still standing in the island, some are preserved, some are restored. Also, there are memorials for the heroes of the war, and also for every person who died during the battle. One of the well-known places in Corregidor are the ruins and Malinta Tunnel. In the Malinta Tunnel you will experience some of the historical points through a sound and light show. You will even hear some of the important historical figures like McArthur talking and some sounds of the bombings.

 

  1. Vigan

Like Corregidor, Vigan is also a place of history in the Philippines, and is the city capital of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is well known as one of the few surviving historical towns in the country wherein Spanish colonial and Asian architecture is preserved.

Both Filipinos and tourists love the ambience of Vigan for its beauty and elegance as the town has cobblestone streets and a unique architecture of the Philippine colonial era which fuses Native Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction. You can also ride a kalesa, have a heritage cruise at the Mestizo River or just tour around historical places like Syquia Mansion or Father Burgos House.

 

  1. Fortune Island

Fortune Island is a detached island in Nasugbu Batangas, and you have to ride a boat to get there. It used to be a resort but is now an abandoned island with no residents. As you get to the island, you will have a view of a Grecian Ruins above the cliff. The overall view of the island is spectacular, as there is white sand and really clear waters.

As a previous visitor of the island, since it is abandoned, you will find no water resource or electricity, there are also no stores where you can buy food or drinks, and no cottages and no toilets. So you have to pack your lunch and snacks before you go, and you should go there early since there are no boats after 6pm. You can stay there overnight, but you can only take a bath after you arrive at the main island. Remember to bring lots of water! Also, be careful of the strong waves and the stony beach.

 

  1. Mt. Mayon

Mt. Mayon, also called as Mayon Volcano, is the most active volcano in the Philippines and is well-known for its perfect cone shape. There are only two volcanos which are known for this feature, the other one is Mt. Fuji from Japan. The surrounding place is declared as a national park called Mayon Volcano Natural Park.

 

  1. Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills is probably the most famous attraction in Bohol. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. Hence, the name.

As you arrive at the area, you will get a chance to have a view of the 1,260 hills in the viewing station owned by the government, Chocolate Hills Complex, which is also a resort where you could stay.

 

  1. Maria Cristina Falls

Maria Cristina Falls is said to be the most beautiful twin waterfalls in the Philippines and is located in the Augus River in Mindanao. It is a landmark of Iligan City, nicknamed the City of Majestic Waterfalls, because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city.

This waterfall is also the main source of hydroelectrical power of Hydroelectric Plant, operated by the National Power Corporation that generates 70% of Mindanao’s Electricity.

Maria Cristina Falls is open for public viewing during Sundays and some special occasions since the power plant closes for an hour, allowing the river to flow freely and return to its natural split-double waterfall.

Swimming around Maria Cristina Falls is strictly forbidden because of the strong current in the water.

However, there is a National Power Nature Park near Maria Cristina Falls that offers Zipline across the Raging River of Agus, a view of the Maria Cristina Falls and mini Botanical and Zooligical Garden where you could see a butterfly sanctuary, flora and fauna conservation grounds and some animals that are under direct protection.

 

  1. Hundred Islands

Hundred Islands is a tourist attraction in Pangasinan. Currently, the place is called Hundred Islands National Park and is a protected area in Alaminos. It is not just famous for its mushroom-shaped little islands, which are 123 in count during high tide and 124 during low tide, but also for its marine life.

 

  1. Banaue Rice Terraces

Banaue Rice Terraces are definitely one of the most famous mountains in the Philippines having called as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. It is known for its aesthetically beautiful carved landscapes These 2,000-year-old terraces are an astounding piece of work by the ancient Ifugao for their irrigation, and is a symbol of their hard work, culture, living, economy, and political environment. It is a priceless contribution of our ancestors that the Philippines take pride of and is truly a sight to behold.

 

  1. Enchanted River

Enchanted River or Hinatuan Enchanted River is one of the mystical springs that can be found in Talisay, Hinatuan Surigao del Sur. I knew this place because Surigao is my mother’s home and she often tells me stories about this river.

While the river appears very beautiful due to its unusual color, resident folks believe that the river has a guardian living somewhere, taking care of the spring as its home. People say that everyone can see a lot of fishes, but no one knows where the fish came from and no one can catch them since they are “pets” of the guardian of the river.  In fact, there were specific hours where the caretaker would ring a bell and have people go out of the water because it is “feeding time” for the fish living in the river.

A lot of people are also intrigued with this river because no one has ever reached the bottom. Swimming is prohibited at the river to help it return to its natural beauty.

 

  1. Puerto Prinsesa

If you want to visit the Philippines, then first you might want to visit Palawan especially Puerto Prinsesa.

Puerto Prinsesa Subterranean River National Park was chosen as one of the “New 7 wonders of Nature” in 2011 and has a lot of breathtaking sceneries and includes the incredible richness of mother nature.

Visiting Puerto Prinsesa has a lot of adventures waiting for you. You can have a boat tour to the Underground River. This is also the longest underground river in the world, where you can see a lot of wildlife like bats, giant monitor lizards, monkeys, snakes and more. Or you can also try going up to the Ugong Rock, climbing inside the cave then going all the way down the mountains using a zipline. If you’re into diving, you might want to go and see Tubbataha Reef, which is home to a lot of beautiful and mesmerizing marine life. You can also watch the fireflies at Iwahig River during the evening, and a lot more.

 

So if you have decided Philippines as your next destination, now you know where you can go relax and have fun. Not only does the country have a lot of tourist destinations, but also the local folks are something you can look forward to since they are known for being hospitable and nice!

 

NOTE: That this is my own personal ranking and is not based on any statistics or data.

Written by Yvonne Basera