Jo Jones asked:




The Philippines is a collection of thousands of Islands in Asia. The main religion is Christianity and there are roots from Spain and USA. This means that the culture is quite similar to the west and this brings us onto the first reason why living in the Philippines is so good.

1. The people in the Philippines speak excellent English. The Catholic religion is similar to Europe and America. The previous ties to Spain and more recently USA mean that it is very easy to get along with people. Other countries in Asia like India and Thailand have very different cultures and English is not widely spoken you you feel very out of place.

2. The country has a warm climate and countless places to take a short vacation if you are living in one of the large cities. There is plenty of rain in the rainy season between June and September but the general weather is hot and tropical. You are never more than a few hours away from a nice beach or more mountainous destinations like volcanoes or the rice terraces of somewhere like Banaue.

3. The price of living in the Philippines is very cheap compared to western countries. A small place could cost as little as $200 a month, but there are also high class condos available for expats. Food can cost next to nothing or if you live somewhere like Makati City in Manila there are many top class international restaurants with every cuisine imaginable available.

4. The low costs of living make it a great place to work in. The facilities offered to people working in international companies are excellent throughout the country. If you are self employed then of course the lower expenses will really help. The Philippines has an excellent education system so if you want to start a business it is a perfect place to do so to take advantage of the low salaries.

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Greg Pierce asked:




The Philippines is considered one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. It is composed of 7,107 islands and has a tropical environment that can be enjoyed by any tourist. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy all of its panoramic views, whether natural or man-made. It is known to the whole world that the country has some of the best tourist destinations. Some of these places may not be that grand or majestic, but they will be spectacular, nevertheless, even for local folks.

Enjoying the different destinations in the Philippines is easy and may be due to the fact that English is considered to be the second tongue. Considering that the country has over 180 languages, many people do speak English, even in the rural areas. Some foreigners may wonder why this is so. It’s actually because Americans were the country’s last conquerors. The country also has strong ties with English-speaking countries. When you tour the country, you will find your vacation more enjoyable because it’s easy to understand why things are the way they are. It’s also easy to understand the Filipino culture because they will know how to converse to you.

If you’re planning to spend a holiday in this tropical haven, it would be great to know a little about it. the Philippines is an archipelago where islands are united by seas and divided by mountains. Geographically speaking, since the country is a composition of many different islands, people tend to share their sub-cultures to each other and everything will still be united as the larger Filipino culture that all regions will be known for. Because of this geographical nature of the country, Filipinos can be so diverse yet one in a unique way.

Today, the Philippines has risen as one of the most fabulous destinations in Asia. There are many spectacular views that any tourist can enjoy. If you go to mountains, you can see the man-made rice terraces in Banquet which were made by the natives of the mountains as a way of sustaining their livelihood. The Banawe Rice Terraces are actually counted as one of the eight wonders of the world, and so are the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Those who love the underwater will also marvel at the rich marine life in the country’s many diving sites.

Most of all, tourists will often leave the country thinking of it not only as a land of beautiful views and beaches but also as a place where warm and spirited hosts will effortlessly go out of their way to accommodate an eager tourist. Immediately after arriving in the Philippines, most foreigners would see how friendly and hospitable Filipinos are. In fact, some actually come back because they have found love in the Philippines. This love does not always mean romantic love. It can also be a fascination for the country’s fabulous attractions, including its culture.

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Peter Garant asked:




Philippines is one of the Southeast Asian countries that are blessed with many natural wonders. Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Rice Terraces in Ifugao and Mayon Volcano in Bicol, are some of the natural wonders that contributed highly to the tourism sector of this attractive country. Aside from the natural wonders that are mentioned, there are also other provinces in the Philippines that are popular for its tourist spots like Palawan.

Situated in the southern region of the Philippines, Palawan is a province in the country that has experienced rapid improvements in its tourism sector in the past decades. Many travelers like to see this province because it is known for its appealing and enchanting sceneries such as beautiful white sand beaches, excellent diving sites and outstanding wildlife sanctuaries. Because of these attractive spots in Palawan, it is recognized as the world’s natural sanctuary.

Its diving sites are famous to tourists because they enable them to see the stunning and lovely coral reefs in the deep waters of the beaches in Palawan. Diving is not the only activity that travelers can enjoy at the province. They can also go fishing with the experienced fishermen in this island province. With the relaxing and enjoyable activities, diving and fishing, travelers will be able to appreciate the majestic beaches of Palawan.

A highly visited natural spot in the province of Palawan is El Nido Marine Reserve. Foreigners, because of its pristine mangroves, luring rainforests as well as beautiful coral reefs and limestone reefs, visit this scenery. After a tour at El Nido Marine Reserve, travelers and foreigners can look at Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary which shelters rare Philippine and African wildlife like mouse deer and elands. Lastly, travelers can relax at the wonderful and attractive Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, since this bay is a good destination for tourists who have passion for water sports.

Palawan is also renowned for the festivals that it annually holds. Lambay Festival is one of the oldest festivals that the province celebrates. This festival is held by the people in Palawan to recognize the start of gathering season as well as hunting season. Meanwhile, Palawan residents view Pagdiwata Ritual Festival as a ritual to ask for healing assistance from their deities.

With the enchanting beaches, beautiful nature spots and attractive festivals, Palawan is a province in the Philippines that travelers from other countries should see. It is very easy to travel to this alluring island province because there are air transport companies and sea transport companies that have regular trips to Palawan. Above all, it is not costly to travel to Palawan for there are hotels in the province that offer affordable accommodations to tourists. With these services, tourists will surely be satisfied with their travel experience to Palawan.

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Bercle George asked:


The Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world, after Indonesia, and enjoys a healthy tropical climate. The charm and beauty of the Philippines has always mesmerized travelers and vacationers. The people in the Philippines are very friendly and hospitable, which makes travel and vacation more enjoyable.

In many parts of the Philippines, access to mobile Telephony & wireless Internet and to Geriatric Medical Care (in Tertiary-level Hospitals around Metro Manila) have both become readily available. The archipelago is also considered as one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, with more species crammed and concentrated in one areas. Tourists plays an important role to the Philippine economy.

The Rice Terraces:

The rice terraces were carved out of mountains thousands of years ago and by far the most extensive of its kind in the world (longer and bigger than those in Indonesia) with sophisticated irrigation and engineering that was unthinkable during the time it was built. The rice terraces cover 4,000 square miles (10,000 km squared ) of mountainside. It is, in fact , a UNESCO world heritage and is said to be the 8th wonder of the world.

Beaches and Dive Sites:

The best dive sites in the Philippines are located in Anilao, Boracay, Malapascua, Apo Island, Balicasag, Pamilacan, Tubbataha, Palawan, and Puerto Galera.

The Hundred Islands, also located in the Northern Philippines, is a group of more that 400 islets with coral reefs surrounding the islets.

Beaches in Bohol island are considered as best of the world. In fact, this region is used as ‘setting’ for film (both local and foreign).

Foods:

At times fresh seafood is served with exotic sauces and spices. Apart from a few exceptions, such as Bicol and the Muslim areas of the south, the seasoning is not spicy.

Coconut is used to make desserts such as pudding, which is made of ground rice, sugar, and coconut milk and baked in the oven. The diet of poor families is generally rice, fish, and vegetables, combined with starchy snacks. Rice is served with almost all meals, as it is their staple food.

Events:

The flower season of Baguio- described as the summer capital of the Philippines because of its perennially cool weather-is something to look forward to. Christmas vacations will give you ample time to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. Manila’s vibrant party scene rivals those of Shanghai and the nightlife is amongst the underrated in the world with the Filipinos penchant for parties and fiestas.

Shopping:

The convenience of Philippine online shopping will convince you that you have found the best way to shop. Prices of the goods for Philippine bargains are comparable to the ones in Thailand and in China. Shopping is one of the things tourists love about the Philippines.

Sai Vallejos asked:


The mere mention of Banaue immediately brings to mind the world-famous rice terraces, a 20,000-hectare engineering marvel built more than 2,000 years ago by Ifugao tribes people, using only their bare hands and crude implements.

The terraces, which have drawn awe-struck tourists from all over the globe, have merited a place in the World Heritage List and are touted, with good reason, as the Eight Wonder of the World. A long hard trek through the “Stairway to the Sky” is best rewarded by a refreshing dip in the spring-fed stream of Guihob or the magnificent Tappiya Waterfalls, which has an enormous basin for swimming.

Bontoc, not to be outdone features such picturesque attractions as Tucucan, with its hanging bridges of vines and logs, Mainit Hot Springs, and its medicinal sulphuric waters, and the petroglyphs of Alab, which have been declared as a national cultural treasure.

Sagada is the country’s answer to Shangri-la. The long, arduous journey on the Halsema Highway, is well worth what awaits: sylvan landscapes, natural marvels, and some of the most friendly people this side of the archipelago.

It’s no surprise that many visitors have decided to forego the wearying return trip and make this quiet mountain town their new home. the morbidly attractive “hanging coffins,” the astonishing limestone formations of Sumaguing Cave, and the invigorating waters of Bokong Falls are just a handful of reasons to explore this areas but the chilly mountain weather, irresistible mountain brew, and pleasant company of the laid-back townsfolk and travelers are equally good reasons to stay in town and watch the day lazily crawl by.

BRIEF HISTORY

Mountain Province became a special province of the Philippines in 1907. It was made up of the sub-provinces of Bontoc-Lepanto, Amburayan, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga. The Provincial Supervisor, Samuel Kane, was appointed Governor of the province and Bontoc was then the capital town.

In February 1942, the dreaded Japanese Army arrived in Bontoc via the Nueva Viscaya and Kalinga route. A garrison was established in the town. The Anglican Mission dormitories were served as quarters for the officers. Dr. Hillary Clapp was made governor of Mountain Province and during his term, the people were spared from so much suffering from the Japanese colonizers.

On January 9, 1945, the American Forces landed in Lingayen and the Japanese forces retreated northwards. In February of the same year, American planes dropped incendiary bombs in Bontoc and bombed again the place the following month. It razed the town so the people fled to the mountains for cover while the Japanese troops arrived daily fleeing towards Aparri and Kiangan to join the troops of General Yamashita.

In August 1945, USAFE troops arrived and the people came out from their hiding. Peace came earlier in Bontoc than the rest of the country.

On July 4, 1945, the Philippine Republic was born. Bontoc slowly rose from the ruins of the war and the following years marked the changes and developments. Being the provincial capital, people flocked to Bontoc and business flourished. Hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, stores and houses sprouted.

The Baguio-Bontoc road was rehabilitated with the assistance of Lepanto Mining Corporation and the Dangwa Development Corporation. Mountain Province became an independent province on March 25, 1967 when President Ferdinand E. Marcos officially appointed and inducted into office the first set of provincial officials: Alfredo Lamen as Governor; Victor Dominguez as Vice-Governor; and Pablo Felva and Alejo Manao as Board Members. On April 7, 1967, the new Mountain Province came into operation.

This date was unanimously adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on their regular meeting held on June 10, 1980 as the Mountain Province Day.

To date, Mt. Province is growing in popularity as a “Spelunkers Delight and Weavers Paradise”. It is becoming a favorite destination of both local and foreign visitors.

LANGUAGE/DIALECT

The inhabitants are generally speaking Kankanaey with Bontoc as their major dialect. Others speak Gaddang and Kalinga. English and Ilocano are widely spoken and understood.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Manila, the quickest way to Banaue is by bus 9 hours. From Banaue to Sagada take a jeepney to Bontoc (2.5 hrs) and connect with another jeepney to Sagada (40 minutes).

Source: The Philippine Department of Tourism