Category: Destinations

Until recently, Panglao Island has stolen some of the glitters of the world-famous Boracay Island. Located at the southwestern tip of Bohol province, Panglao boasts of a long stretch of white-sand beaches embracing crystal-clear and blue waters. Aside from beach activities, foreign tourists who visit Panglao are in for wonderful treats like diving, snorkelling and caving. Panglao is also fast rising as a venue for corporate gatherings such as conventions, seminars and brainstorming.

Bohol may be best known for the famous Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, century-old churches, and the iconic tarsier, but a small town within this pristine province proves that it goes beyond the typical must-sees listed in travel guidebooks.

Following its commitment to bring Philippine tourism beyond the usual destinations and attractions, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is strongly pushing for sustainable, community-based travel, increasing employment and boosting grassroots-led tourism efforts that enjoin everyone in the whole locality.

Secretary Ace Durano commended the endeavors initiated by the people of Danao, appreciating what they have, and actively promoting eco-adventures in their area. "Danao is a fourth-class municipality with first-rate leadership and first-class tourism experience. Bohol's natural beauty, matched with adventurous, creative minds, is reason enough for their huge growth potential in ecotourism."

Villa Escudero

Villa Escudero, a coconut plantation village in San Pablo City, was developed by its owners into a tourist destination complete with swimming pools, picnic area, fishing grounds, and modern amenities. Special packages can be arranged to include overnight stay with food and accommodation.

Manila, which was named after a white-flowered mangrove plant called nilad, was a tiny Malay settlement along the Pasig River ruled by Rajah Sulayman in the 16th century. The Spanish colonizers moved the capital of the Philippines from Cebu to Manila in 1571. They built the walled city of Intramuros, which for the next 300 years, was to become the nerve center of the Spanish rule.

Visitors in Camarines Sur or CamSur surged by 117.2 percent to 1.57 million in 2009, led by the promotion of the province as an adventure destination.  International and local events such as the First Aqua Fest Celebrity Challenge, Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, International Dragon Boat Competition and Bagasbas Summer Surf, boosted domestic visitors to CamSur by 140 percent to 1.3 million.

Guimaras, an idyllic island province which hogged the limelight four years ago because of an oil spill that has damaged its beaches and corals, saw tourists coming back in a big way, according to a report by BusinessWorld.

Travel website TripAdvisor has ranked the resort island of Boracay as the world’s second best beach resort in the world, next only to the Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Winners have been determined based on the most highly rated destinations by members of TripAdvisor.

Boracay was the top of the three choices in Asia that made it to the top 25 destinations worldwide. It bested other popular resorts in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean and Koh Phangan in Thailand.  Boracay was cited for its pristine white-sand beaches and picture-perfect sunsets. "At only 7.25 kilometres long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don’t let its small size fool you — you’ll have several excellent beaches to choose from," a review at TripAdvisor said.

Intramuros

Traces of the Spanish influence still loom in Intramuros. A tour of this landmark will provide the visitors a deeper understanding of Manila's rich heritage. Intramuros protects within its walls a number of national treasures like the Fort Santiago (once a prison for revolutionary Filipinos, now a peaceful park-cum-museum), San Agustin Church (the oldest structure in the country with its Baroque interiors and trompe l'oeil murals), Manila Cathedral (a magnificent architectural feat with its intricate stone carvings, stained glass mosaics, and rosette windows), Casa Manila (a former colonial house and now a museum of national relics), and San Juan de Letran school.