PHILIPPINE TOURISM,

GEOGRAPHY AND
CULTURE
INTRODUCTION
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines, an island country located in Southeast Asia of the western Pacific
Ocean. An archipelago comprising of 7,641 islands and islets. Although the
Philippines consists of many islands and islets only two-fifths of them are named.
The three largest islands which divide as the main region of the country; Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao.
Manila is the capital city of The Philippines located in the National Capital Region
within the borders of its largest island, Luzon.
One of the exceptional features of the Philippines is the irregular composition of
the archipelago, the coastline which has the most beautiful beaches in the world,
the mountainous countryside, coastal plains, trends of river systems, and
amazing lake structures.
The islands in the Philippines are mostly composed of volcanic rocks and corals.
Possessing these diverse features created an incredible impact on the tourism
industry. However, in comparison to other countries in the southeast, The
Philippines is a late bloomer in the destination game but it’s developing fast and
coming in strong.

Among its top tourist drawers is Boracay Island in Aklan, Puerto Princesa
Underground River in Palawan which was voted in 2012 by the worldwide
community as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World for being the longest
safe underground stream.
Chocolate Hills in Bohol and the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, as well as the
cities of Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
THE PHILIPPINES AS A TOURISM DESTINATION
The Philippines, an archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia of the western Pacific
Ocean, and it is surrounded by the Philippines sea from the east, the Celebes Sea from the
south, Sulu sea from the southwest, and South China sea from the west and north. The island
country consists of 7,641 islands.
It is the world's fifth-largest island country with an area of about 300,000 square kilometres.
Although the Philippines is composed of many islands and islets only two-fifths of them are
named. These islands are divided into the country’s three main regions; Luzon group of
islands which consist of Luzon Island, Mindoro, and Palawan, the Visayas group of islands
which consists of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Panay and Samar and lastly, Mindanao in the
southern part of the country.
There are 81 provinces and are grouped into 17 regions based on geographical, cultural, and
ethnological characteristics. As of 2019, the population of the Philippines is over 109 million
and ranks number 13 in the list of countries by population.
HISTORY
The name, Philippines is derived from the name of the Spanish king,
Phillip II during its colonization which lasts for 333 years. The culture
of The Philippines came from Spanish colonization, mainly the
religion which is Roman Catholicism. Islam also has a large number of
followers specifically in the southern Philippines, it was brought to
them in the 15th century from Brunei.
The United States of America took the country from Spaniards and
rule it for another 48 years and educated the people. Despite its
prominence of Anglo-Eu-ropean culture, the people of the Philippines
are Asian in consciousness and aspiration.
HISTORY
The official language during the Spaniards’ colonial rule was Spanish.
Under the American occupation, English became the language used
in public schools. Tagalog, the native language, was nominated in
1937 to become the national language.
Native languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines are estimated
a total of 150, suggested by scholars. Since there are many ethnic
groups in the country, they use different ethnic dialects depends on
their region.
Philippines is one of the largest English-speaking countries in the
world because it is the second language spoken by the people after
the national language, Tagalog.
As a tropical country, the climate in the Philippines is classified into
two seasons which is the dry season and rainy season. November to
February is said to be the coolest month and a good time to visit if
travellers do not enjoy the heat and dry weather.
For those who do not mind the heat and enjoy the outside, March to
May is the summer month. June to October are rainy months and in
between them; July to September are characterized as typhoon
months.
The temperature in the Philippines averages 30 degrees C and had a
77 percent humidity. Highlands, like Baguio and Tagaytay, has a
cooler temperature com-pared to other areas of the country.
NORTH LUZON
North Luzon, a region that invites intrepid exploration, encapsulates a nation
in miniature. Machete-toting mountain tribes who are quick to smile and
quicker to share their rice wine. Surfers racing waves onto sunny beaches.
White-sand beaches lapped by teal waters. Impenetrable jungle hiding
numerous endemic critters.
Spanish colonial cities where sunlight breaks through seashell windows. Far-
flung islands whose pristine landscapes greet very few visitors. For many
travellers, the main lures are the emerald rice terraces of the Cordillera, a
mountain range that hides hanging coffins, mummified ancestors and the
old ghosts of the forest.
Trekking is a prime activity in this wild frontier, but caving, mountain biking
and rafting are other adrenalin-fuelled activities that shape the experience
of exploring North Luzon. Culturally, this is the Philippines at its most
diverse, as the peoples of the mountains, Zambales, Ilocos and Batanes are
notable for a mind-boggling melange of language and ritual. Yet a similarity
is shared by all these groups: an unrelenting, almost overwhelming
friendliness to guests
North Luzon
Highlights
1 Feast your eyes on the awesome rice terraces
around Banaue, Batad and Bontoc.
2 Hobnob with former headhunters in the Kalinga
Province.
3 Explore the end-of-the-world Batanes islands.
4 Step back in time in the lovely Mestizo District of
Vigan.
5 Hike and cave in Sagada, aka backpacker HQ.
6 Take in the music, fine food and cool mountain
air of Baguio.
7 Get up close and personal with the mummies of
Kabayan.
8 Learn to surf in San Juan (La Union) and Baler.
ZAMBALES COAST
The Zambales Coast lies between a rock and a wet place. The rock? The angry massif of Mt
Pinatubo. The wet? Well, the sea of course, with some fine surfing (especially around
Pundaquit and Liwa), and often as not the rains that unrelentingly lash this 100km of
coastline every summer. Outside this season you’ll find uninhabited offshore islands and
beach resorts, popular as offbeat weekend getaways with folks from Manila.
Just a three-hour drive from Manila you can sleep under the stars on hourglass-shaped
Capones Island, a 20- to 30-minute bangka (outrigger canoe) ride from the small fishing
village of Pundaquit. During the rainy season boats can't land, so you have to be able to swim
to shore and then back to the boat to get picked up. Hiring a bangka for a day of island-
hopping.
July to October are the peak months for surfing, but decent swells linger into February.
March to May is the flat season. The best spots are the south side of Capones Island,
Anawangin Cove (south of Pundaquit) and San Narciso (7km north of San Antonio).
Anawangin Cove is accessible only on foot or by boat. Part evangelical retreat, part surf
camp.
LAKE MAPANUEPE
When Mt Pinatubo erupted in 1991, lava flows dammed the Mapanuepe River
flowing out of the Zambales range. Slowly rising floodwaters forced residents of Aglao
and Bajaoen to flee to higher ground. Unfazed, locals rebuilttheir villages on the
shores of newly minted Lake Mapanuepe, nestled in the Zambales Mountains about
15km east of San Marcelino.
These villages are only accessible only by boat and remain quite primitive – the Aeta
people wearing their indigenous G-strings (loincloths) are still a common sight.
In the middle of Lake Mapanuepe is the sunken church of Bajaoen, easily identifiable
by its maroon cross sticking out of the water – an unsettling sight. There are one or
two jeepneys per day to Aglao from San Marcelino (45 minutes), butthe last one from
Aglao is at noon.
A bangka to the sunken church from the ‘port’in Aglao should cost about P800. All
buses travelling between Olongapo and Iba stop in San Marcelino.
IBA & BOTOLAN
Mt Tapulao
The main trek around here is the ascent up mist-shrouded Mt Tapulao (High Peak; 2037m),
the highest mountain in the Zambales range. You can walk or take a sturdy 4WD most of the
way up the mountain along a mining road that terminates about an hour’s walk from the
summit. The 18km mining road originates in barangay (village) Dampay, a 40-minute tricycle
ride from the small town of Palauig, 14km northwest of Iba.

North of Iba
If you’re into island-hopping and beach camping, head to the border of the Zambales and
Pangasinan provinces. Off Santa Cruz, Hermana Menor Island is fringed by a postcard-worthy
white beach with some decent snorkelling just offshore. The island is privately owned, but
bangka excursions there and to neighbouring Hermana Mayor Island are possible through
SeaSun Beach Resort. Just south of here, Potipot Island is more accessible and more popular.
It has a white beach where you can camp.
LINGAYEN GULF
This pretty pocket of water, a scattershot of emerald islands on azure
and turquoise, dominates the coastline of Pangasinan Province.

Conservation efforts are underway to restore the coral reefs that

have been severely damaged by dynamite and cyanide fishing. There
is no shortage of beach resorts scattered along the coastline from
Bolinao to San Juan (La Union), a popular surfer hangout.
LINGAYEN GULF
Where in Lingayen Gulf is the
Century Cave above found?
Hundred Islands National Park
Name the three (3) islands with
facilities in this national park
Quezon Island, Children’s Island
and Governor’s Island
Name the most famous religious
shrine in Region I.
Our Lady of Manaoag
ILOCOS
Vigan
One of the oldest towns in the Philippines, Vigan is a Spanish-colonial
fairy tale of dark-wood mansions, cobblestone streets and clattering
kalesa (horse-drawn carriages). The truth about this Unesco World
Heritage site is a little more complicated. Yes: Vigan is the finest
surviving example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia.
But outside of well-restored Crisologo St (closed to vehicular traffic)
and a few surrounding blocks, it’s a noisy Filipino town like many
others. You may find it easier to appreciate the places where history
is alive, where you can smell the aroma of freshly baked empanadas
wafting past antique shops, pottery collectives and capiz-shell
windows.
VIGAN

Name this famous street in Vigan Heritage Village

Crisologo Street
Who was Juan Luna? What made him famous
A well-known Filipino painter. The Spolarium
Name Juan Luna’s famous brother
Gen. Antonio Luna
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