Philippines
From Track2Asia
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History
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence. The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separatists in the south.
Overview
The Philippines and all its 7,107 islands sits ever so lonely east of the South China Sea and by the looks of it, its an archipelago situated away from the Asian manor, which is somewhat of an isolation barrier when the whole place is surrounded by shark infested deep waters. But little did you know that even with these remote location, the Philippines endured countless history of military and cultural domination from a series of invaders which leave their individual mark on its shores. This leaves the Philippines as a pretty much confused nation and a messy mixed of culture and sub-cultures alike.
Philippine map for asian travel guide the lizard's sketch turned into a group of islands
The first to really bullied the archipelago were the Spaniards in their mid 20th century expeditions. Catholicism was enforced and the fear of wrath of God was introduced to the islands naive natives. After being beaten by another bully, the Americans have a taste of the tropical dream and the USA established a definite partnership with the locals that can be visible today with all those giant American inspired commercial billboards, malls and the advent of fast food chains like KFC's and McDonald's all across towns and cities outnumbering gas-refill stations.
The Philippines was the first in Asia to achieve total independence from bully countries and declared themselves as a republic. Along these newfound rights came a number of corrupt dictators, unstable consumer based economy and politicians who are willing to risk everything to stay on the post longer than history itself. The result- the Philippines started amongst Asia's wealthiest and great economies and fast pace to dead bottom. Now the country is one of the poorest in South East Asia with a ton-loads of international debt and over used natural resources with barely even making break evens due to bad government and bad descicion making with international partners.
Amidst these chaos and corruption, the Philippines still able to excel once in a while and too often marking its name through out the world. The best way to describe the Filipinos way of life is the saying "go with the flow" or " where ever the wind of change takes you". Filipinos are highly adaptable people, and through out the years, disaster after disasters, heavy unemployment and a government to put a whole nation to shame, these events seem not to wither the Filipino spirit, not even a bit as he even could produce a smile, but not without heavy rum drinking and the occasional Pale-Pilsen beer which only the Filipinos can produced in this side of the globe. Travel in the Philippines is mostly laid-back, worry free of time and generally safe- if you happen not to venture into the no-tourist zone which will be discussed in the next pages. Filipinos like to have their voices heard Filipinos like to have their voices heard
The most visible tourism that Philippines has to offer to westerners is let's face it, sex. Old men from the States or Europe retire here for the reason that Filipinas have a natural fetish to the white race. Why would an average joe want to retire in a chaotic place is a no brainer, where else can you be at peace than in a country where beer is cheap, everyone even to the poorest street bum to the golden tooth businessman can speak conversational English and Filipinas treat you like you were a descended god. Cities like Angeles or Olongapo is where the business take its full bloom with Viagra readily available in a shanty store, here the ugly, the old and the not so handsome westerner can be clutched either hand in hand or in tight embraced with his Filipina wife, concubines or his prostitute for the day, walking the crowded streets. Sex isn't free after all. Even if you happen to meet your 13th wife or be it your first in the Philippines, you will have to struggle hard to cope with the entirety of your Filipina partner's family. Marrying a Filipina means marrying her family with you.
The major cities are composed of your typical buildings and business plus major additions of slums as people tend to live near the places they work at. And not even mentioning a number of migrants from the countryside trying to hold on to a meager existence. Street kids are everywhere, and if the glue they sniff is nutritious, they can be built for life like Arnold Schwarzenegger's, sadly sniffing glue is not that nutritious at all. Violent crime is a norm in the big cities and a foreigners caught traveling or wandering at the streets of let's say Manila at the dead of night is just asking for trouble. Then there's the southern part of the Philippines were foreigners are eyed as gold mines and used for kidnap for ransom by terrorist who operates at this area.
But with all the attention pulled away from the major cities, the country side and the rural parts of the Philippines still remain virtually untouched and only a a few numbers of travelers ever experience these fruits of tropical heaven. There are numerous nature spots, white sand beaches, caves, mountains and waterfalls to discover. The Philippines host the best tropical beaches in the world and I sometimes wonder why folks think of Thailand when it comes to talking about beach, is it perhaps of a certain Hollywood movie?
If you happen to make it on the countryside, no doubt you will attract many attention. Folks from this walks of life don't mind offering you their daughter, sister, cousin or even some widow for you to marry, but with a price. That is if you are willing to provide for the entire family circle. Everyone will be staring at you, and children will cower in fear at this strange new fellow in their village, but not before long they will follow you around the whole day in trying to figure you out.
North above Manila, the Luzon islands become very mountainous and remote. The famous wonder of the world "the rice terraces" can be found here in Banaue and Batad. Tribal folks thrive and you will witness one of the most amazing places in the world in these mountainous region. Further more and you will likely see no civilization for hours and that you will feel isolated at much. It is said that the best ganjas and marijuanas the country has to offer is grown in the eastern part of Ifugao.
The Centre of the Philippines is called the Visayas, and here you will see most of the islands that makes up the seven thousand plus the whole archipelago has to offer. Though mostly uninhabited, the best beaches are found here. Just play minie-miney-moh in the map and choose an island, find a way to get there and when you made it, embrace yourself cause likely you will find paradise. Also don't forget to bring your own first aid tool and supplies and a giant mosquito net hence these paradises lives up to their name as nature wonders. There will be no electricity to most parts and no hotel accommodation to give you a good night's rest but when you are mesmerized in places like Siquijor or in Palawan you won't be needing a good nights rest with the experience you will ecounter.
The lower half of the Philippines in the south is the island Mindanao. These parts are considered a no-tourist zone world-wide for the terrorist treaths known as Abu-Sayaff and the New People's Army (NPA). These groups are known to have ties with Al-Qaeda and they have been clashing with government forces ever since the Philippines become a republic. These area is widely known to be terrorist, kidnapping, murder and attack prone areas for foreigners. abu sayyaf in the philippines hurray for the dollars!
One might wonder why U.S. forces are here and helping out in an internal conflict? Stop scratching your head because if you happen have the guts and balls to travel into these part then you are helping your self to the better piece of the Philippine pie because Mindanao and it's locals are amazing. There are still indigenous tribes in the jungles and most of the island is untouched of civilization. The most hospitable people of the Philippines live here and they are to your surprised the Filipino-Muslim population of the Philippines. Davao is a raging bull and will surely be on the list of emerging cities in the South but Marawi City is the heart of the Muslim packed island.
With all the problems in the everyday life of the Filipinos, the whole country never ceased to function. It is still a great and beautiful country to visit or to even live in. People are incredible kind, hospitable and can communicate to you very well, the water and ts beaches are some of the best in the world, and lastly most of nature's last frontiers can be found here where indigenous culture thrive if you only know where to find them.
Oh one thing yet. Don't bother in staying at their cities. You will thank me later.
source --> PHILIPPINES Asian Travel guide
Absolute definition of paradise and hell combined on earth!
Information to travel to the Philippines, an Asian Travel Guide Country Introduction
Culture
Place information here.
Places to See
Place information here.
Night Life
The Midland Plaza Hotel in Manila, Philippines - is one of the best places to stay after walking around the beautiful place of Manila in the Philippines
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Getting There
On entering the Philippines foreigners from most countries automatically get a free 3-week tourist visa. If intending on staying longer you should apply for a visa extension. Each visa extension is valid for 59 days, except the first which is 38 days.
You can pay on departure a fine of PhP1000 per month of overstay plus the PhP2020 fee.
To avoid all the hassle, before traveling get the longer visa from the embassy or a consulate. This saves you a couple of days hassle during your holiday. Contact the Philippine embassy of your country about the exact requirements for a visa application and opening hours of the consular section. When you arrive with a visa, show it to the immigration official, so that he will actually give you the 59 days, instead of the normal 21 days, on your arrival stamp.
Air
Since the Philippines are a group of islands, most visitors will arrive by plane. International travelers can fly into airports in Manila, Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Clark, Subic, Laoag, and Zamboanga.
Major airlines flying to the Philippines:
- Air Macau (Macau)
- Air Niugini (Hong Kong, Port Moresby)
- Asiana Airlines (Busan, Seoul-Incheon)
- Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
- Cebu Pacific (Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Xiamen)
- China Airlines (Kaohsiung, Taipei)
- China Southern Airlines (Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen)
- Continental Airlines (Guam, Koror, Saipan, Yap)
- Emirates (Dubai)
- EVA Air (Taipei-Taiwan Taoyuan)
- Gulf Air (Manama, Muscat)
- Japan Airlines (operated by JALways; Tokyo)
- Jetstar Asia Airways (Singapore)
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam)
- Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon)
- Kuwait Airways (Bangkok, Kuwait)
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt)
- Malaysia Airlines (Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur)
- Northwest Airlines (Detroit, Minneapolis, Tokyo)
- Philippine Airlines (Bangkok, Beijing, Busan, Fukuoka, Guam, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Jakarta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Nagoya-Centrair, Okinawa, Osaka-Kansai, San Francisco, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vancouver, Xiamen)
- Qantas (Sydney, Brisbane)
- Qatar Airways (Doha)
- Royal Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan)
- Singapore Airlines (Singapore, Jakarta)
- Thai Airways International (Bangkok, Osaka-Kansai)
Boat
WG&A SuperFerry and a number of other companies operate interisland ferries. There is a convenient Friday overnight ferry trip to Coron, Palawan. This allows divers to spend the weekend in Coron and take the Sunday night ferry trip back to Manila, arriving around noon.
Ferry trips to other islands can take over 24 hours, depending on distance.
Other major ferry companies include: Sulpicio Lines, Negros Navigation
Warning: If the boat appears to be over-capacity, do not board. Always check the latest weather reports before travel by ferry, as some captains are willing to sail even when a typhoon is approaching. Bringing your own life preserver is strongly recommended (but no substitute for common sense). Travel by boat should not be considered more safe than air travel, and could easily be more dangerous.
