Philippines

It’s quite a steep challenge to compile a list of 10 of the best places to visit in the Philippines when there are practically thousands of others to consider. But like destinations the world over that have earned renown, these places – both emerging and well-established tourist attractions – deserve …

Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio are two foremost Philippine heroes because of their pivotal roles in the country’s quest for independence from Spain. Accordingly, they are commemorated on separate dates. To ensure that younger generations are also introduced to lesser known, often unsung, characters who contributed to Philippine freedom and …

Filipinos fought for their freedom from Spanish colonial rule for years. The national revolution led by the Katipunan (secret society of patriots) in 1896 hastened the road to independence, with Emilio Aguinaldo at the helm (after internal power struggles that led to the execution of Katipunan leader Andres Bonifacio). With …

For a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, important days of the Holy Week are national holidays. Maundy Thursday is the first of these Triduum (three days before Easter) holidays. Maundy Thursday 2013 falls on March 28. Community Preparations for Maundy Thursday Households along the “Via Crucis” or the Way …

Filipinos are renowned for their jovial spirit, warmth and hospitality, and willingness to go the extra mile to make a visitor’s stay pleasant and memorable. But sometimes a fine line is crossed between being genuinely helpful and overly eager. An American found this the hard way and was shocked that …

The Visayas in Central Philippines is home to a handful of nationally-renowned religious and cultural festivals that are considered to be some of the most colorful in the country. On your (first/next) visit to the Philippines, you may want to plan your trip around Visayan festivals to see not only …

It was April 9, 1942. To overrun the Southwest Pacific, Japan had to capture the Philippines so they can establish their own naval base in Manila Bay and launch their attacks to Australia and the Pacific Basin. The Japanese were denied entry by Filipino and American servicemen who defended, for …

As the northernmost province of the Philippines, Batanes is relatively a newcomer in the country’s tourist scene. It is so physically and culturally removed from the rest of the Philippine archipelago that it has a culture – and landscape – not quite Filipino. It is only 190 kilometers south of …

You see it in magazines, postcards and travel brochures: powdery white sand, the bluest of skies, and the clearest of waters. In the Philippines, that tropical dreamland can be anywhere. But Boracay has a special allure because it lives up to the hype. Filipinos are divided as to whether Boracay …

An archipelagic country like the Philippines never runs short of beaches that inspire a litany of praises and attract droves of tourists. The top 10 beaches in the Philippines listed below are by far the best ‘discovered’ summer magnets, and are considered as such because the beaches are naturally beautiful …

The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 300 years. As a result, almost 94% of the population is Roman Catholic. This makes the country a fascinating and intriguing multi-sensory destination when the Catholic Church celebrates major religious festivals and liturgical traditions. From Jerusalem to Calvary The Holy Week …

Labour Day, also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day, is the celebration of the international labour movement; the event is commemorated yearly on the 1st of May. The labour (or labor) movement is a term encompassing the development of a collective group of working people, to push for …