The Philippines: Hidden Gem Far East

02 Jul 2012  2044 | World Travel News

The Philippines is the third largest Englishspeaking country in the world and has a rich  history combining Asian, European and American infl uences. Unlike other south-east Asian countries —Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia—the Philippines had a very different history during ancient and medieval times. Each one of the other countries was, at different times during their history, ruled by Hindu and Buddhist rulers and strongly infl uenced by Indian cultural and religious traditions. These rulers established extensive administrative structures, systems of collecting taxes, enforcing laws and delivering justice. The Philippines, a country of over 7,100 islands and a population of just under a 100 million, did not have a single centre of power until the Spanish colonisation in 1521.

Chinese traders, who had established trading posts along the coast, traded with a number of
kingdoms that made up the country, as did sea traders from the other south-east Asian countries. The descendants of the Chinese, along with descendants of the Spanish, the Americans, the Malays and the Indonesians, together with indigenous aboriginal groups make up the country’s ethnically diverse population. More than 80% of them are Catholic Christians.

In 1898, the Philippines became the fi rst, and only, colony of the United States. Filipinos
fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed the Japanese advance and saved Australia. The Philippines gained its independence in 1946.

Spain’s colonisation of the Philippines brought about the  construction of Intramuros in 1571, a ‘Walled City’ that consisted of colonial buildings with European infl uence and churches in the heart of old Manila. In later years, grand colonial buildings, central town plazas and imposing churches were replicated in different parts of the archipelago.

On a recent journey to the Philippines, I was able to spend time in Metro Manila, the country’s vast capital region that is home to over 20 million people, travel to the tropical island of Palawan with its palm-fringed beaches, and explore the mountainous interior of Luzon, the largest of the islands, within a week.

The mountain resorts of Baguio, Mount Data and Banaue in the northern highlands are  eminiscent of similar Himalayan hill-towns in northern India. A five-hour drive from Manila, through rural countryside with sugarcane fields and mango orchards on either side of the highway, brings you to the foot of the Philippines ‘Cordillera’ (mountains). From  there, it is only an hour’s drive along the winding Kennon Road to the cool climate of Baguio City located at an elevation of about 1,500mtrs (5,000ft) surrounded by forests of
Khasi pines.

Baguio City was founded by the Americans in 1900 at the site of a native tribal village and,
like Simla in India, designated by the colonial rulers as the country’s summer capital in 1903. In February every year, a month-long flower festival— with flower-decorated floats, street dancers clad in fl ower-inspired costumes and entire streets blocked off with food stalls—brings a party atmosphere to the entire city. Baguio has a number of tourist  attractions clustered within a relatively small area. The city’s main attractions are the  Burnham Park, St Louis Silver Craft School, Imelda Park, and the Mansion House, the  summer residence of the country’s president.

Driving north of Baguio, along the scenic ‘Mountain Trail’ road, you travel past Mount Data, a forested peak of 2,256mtrs (7,400ft) that dominates the surrounding landscape. The Mount Data Lodge, surrounded by pine forests, is operated by Philippines Tourism and is located in a nearby village. Using this hotel as a base, it is easy to walk to the nearby villages and vegetable terraces. This is the Cordillera Administrative Region which includes most of the Cordillera Mountains of Luzon Island, the largest mountain range in the Philippines and is also the country’s only land-locked region. This highland region is home  to numerous indigenous Filipino tribes collectively called the Igorot.

An hour’s drive off  the mountain highway is the small resort town of Sagada known for its fine cottonfabric-weavers and ancient burial caves located in hidden mountain valleys. The coffins of dead tribal people were placed along the walls of these caves as part of their  funeral ceremonies. Further along the mountain highway, in a valley at a lower elevation, is the small town of Bontoc with its interesting Museum of Mountain Culture.
 
Perhaps the highlight of the Philippines hill country is the town of Banaue. On the slopes surrounding the town are the famous Banaue rice terraces, vast man-made terraces built 2,000 years ago by the local Ifugao tribes. Offi cially known as the Ifugao Rice Terraces, they have been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government.  Considered as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, the terraces are located at an average  height of 1,500mtrs above sea level. Sculpted from mountain slopes, the terraces reach down the valley and are naturally irrigated by mountain streams. For thousands of years,
local tribal inhabitants have made their living by planting vegetables and rice on these terraces. The Banaue Viewpoint, located a few kilometres north of the town, offers a panoramic view of the rice terraces.

For a completely different and relaxed experience of the country, I took the short flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa, the main town on the island of Palawan. The island province of Palawan is the location where the movie ‘Blue Lagoon’ was filmed. Apart from the pristine beaches, the Underground River National Park, a couple of hours’ drive from Puerto Princesa, and one of the country’s most important conservation areas with some
spectacular limestone landscape, are places to visit. The National Park has an 8.2-km long underground river (offi cially one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World) flowing through it to the sea and you can take a boat tour to experience the lower part of the river.

Another highlight of Palawan is Honda Bay with a number of islands, each of which has its
own white sand beach. The best known islands of Honda Bay are Cowrie and Bat named because of the large fruit bats that fly out of their nesting sites at sundown for their evening feed. Snake Island, a curvaceous tongue-shaped island in the shape of a snake, with a white sand beach, is known for its beautiful shells. Other interesting islands are Canon, Pandan, Starfish, Lu-Li Island (meaning ‘floating and sinking’ island which is visible only during low tide), Senorita Island (the breeding site of lapu-lapu fish) and Starfish Island, with clear waters that teem with starfish. Return to Manila and spend a day to visit the Intramuros
Spanish Quarter of colonial Manila including the San Agustin Church, the Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago. The National Museum of the Philippines and the equally interesting Museum of the Filipino People are located near Rizal Park, a historic site associated with many important events in the history of the Philippines.

Essential Facts:

When To Go: With its colourful history and fun-loving people, the Philippines is a unique  travel destination. English is widely spoken, travel costs are moderate and there is an extensive network of domestic and regional flights operated by budget airlines. There are direct and connecting flights from India while travel within the Philippines is over short  distances.

Getting There: Philippine Airlines offers direct flights from Delhi. Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and the budget Air Asia, all offer connecting flights to Manila.

Where To Stay: Although you may be able to book some hotels online, it is strongly recommended that you go through a reputable Philippines-based tour operator who will be able to provide you with guides, transportation and hotel bookings in a country where it is useful to have some support during your first visit. The official Philippines Tourism website offers a wealth of information for visitors: www.tourism.gov.ph

Sourced: moneylife

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