Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Even the
politics
in Asia's first democracy is rich in
showmanship and pizzazz. From Ferdinand Marcos to
the “housewife President” Cory Aquino to current
paparazzi favourite Ninoy Aquino, the country's leaders
have never been short on charisma. But despite
impressive economic gains in the last twenty years, all
have conspicuously failed to rid the country of its
grinding
poverty
, visible everywhere you go in shanty
towns and rickety barangay, and brutally exposed by
Typhoon Yolanda
in 2013. Ordinary people somehow
remain stoical in the face of these problems, infectiously
optimistic and upbeat. This determination to enjoy life is
a national characteristic, encapsulated in the common
Tagalog phrase
bahala na
- “what will be will be”.
FACT FILE
•
The
population
of the
Philippines was estimated
to be just under one
hundred million in 2014;
half reside on the island
of Luzon.
•
The Philippines o
cially
comprises 7107 islands,
though the actual figure
varies depending on the
definition of “island”, with
reef tips and shoals
numbering in the tens
of thousands.
•
The Philippines has the
largest
diaspora
in the
world, with 11-12 million
Filipinos living and
working overseas, mostly
as nurses, maids or on
cruise ships.
•
The richest individual in
the Philippines is thought
to be mall tycoon
Henry Sy
(SM group), with
a US$12 billion net worth
- this in a country where
the average wage is less
than US$300/month.
•
Tanduay rum
dates
back to 1854, and today
remains the nation's spirit
of choice. Made with sugar
cane milled in Negros, it's
frequently cheaper than
bottled water.
•
Most Filipinos have at
least one
uncle or aunt
named Boy, Girlie or Baby.
•
Filipino and English are
the
o
cial languages
of the Philippines (Filipino
is just a standardized
version of Tagalog), but
there are at least 171
languages spoken
throughout the
archipelago, with
Cebuano following
Filipino in popularity.
Where to go
Most flights to the Philippines arrive in
Manila
, the crazy,
chaotic capital which, despite first impressions, is worth
at least a day or two of your time. The city's major
historical attraction is the old Spanish walled city of
Intramuros
, while the best museums in the country can
be found in nearby
Rizal Park
and skyscraper-smothered
Makati
. There are also some worthwhile day-trips from
the city; top of the list is the island of
Corregidor
in
Manila Bay, which was fought over bitterly during
World War II and, with its now-silent guns and ruins, is
a poignant place to soak up the history of the conflict.
Within easy striking distance of Manila - about two
hours south by road - a highlight of the province of
Batangas is the city of
Tagaytay
with its mesmerizing
views over
Lake Taal
, the picture-perfect crater lake with
Taal Volcano
in the middle. Around the small coastal
town of
Anilao
you'll find the best scuba diving near
Manila, while the adjacent agricultural province of
Laguna
is known for its therapeutic hot springs and
luscious
buko
(coconut) pies.
To the north of Manila the theme parks, beaches and
wreck dives of
Subic Bay
make a tempting break before
the long bus ride to the extraordinary attractions and
spell-binding mountain scenery of
northern Luzon
. From
the mountain city of
Baguio
, it's a rough but memorable
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
CORDILLERA MOUNTAINS, KALINGA PROVINCE; CHINATOWN, MANILA; BAGUIO
