![\"ph.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.asianinny.com\/temp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/06\/ph.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAlthough overlooked by the world, the Philippines is still cheap and cheerful.<\/p>\n
With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has something of an image problem. But most who make the journey to the…<\/p>\n
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Although overlooked by the world, the Philippines is still cheap and cheerful.With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has something of an image problem. But most who make the journey to the 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are pleasantly surprised by their beauty and by the friendliness of the people.<\/p>\n
Most of the Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The locals are an exceptionally helpful bunch and there are fantastic reefs and fish. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.<\/p>\n
Philippines: When to Go
\nGenerally, the best time to travel is in the typhoon off-season from December to the middle of May. In the Christmas and Easter breaks, however, everyone is travelling and you’ll have trouble getting a seat on any form of transport or accommodation for that matter. Holy Week (around Easter) presents similar problems.<\/p>\n
The most colourful and lovely festivals fall between January and May, the rice terraces of Luzon look best in March and April, and the best time for island-hopping is between October and March.<\/p>\n
Weather
\nThe Philippines is hot and humid year-round. The weather pattern across the archipelago is complex, but can be roughly divided into the dry season (December to May) and the wet season (June to November). There is little seasonal variation in most places with average highs and lows of around 31\u00b0C (87\u00b0F) and 24\u00b0C (76\u00b0F) respectively. The best time to visit is between December and May when slightly cooler and drier conditions prevail.<\/p>\n
Philippines: Events
\nNew Year’s Day is celebrated with great vigour and plenty of fireworks. On 9 January, the Black Nazarene Procession, the largest procession in the country, carries a life-size, black image of Jesus through the streets of Quiapo in Manila, and the procession happens again during Passion Week (the week following Palm Sunday at Easter). The Filipino version of Mardi Gras is the three-day Ati-Atihan, celebrated in Kalibo on Panay in the third week in January. On Good Friday, there are many crucifixion re-enactments throughout the country, which have become popular attractions, especially those at San Fernando (Pampanga) near Manila. Independence Day is celebrated on 12 June with military parades. During the week leading up to 1 November (All Saints’ Day) Christian cemeteries throughout the archipelago are spruced up and given a fresh coat of whitewash; if you happen to be in Manila on All Saints’ Day don’t miss the huge party at the Chinese cemetery. There are local festivals taking place just about every week of the year somewhere in the Philippines.<\/p>\n
Philippines: Sights
\nBanaue
\nTransport bus: 9hr from Manila Keyword architectural highlight Banaue sits at the foot of a truly mesmerising display. Its mud-walled rice terraces, North Luzon’s most famous sight, have a pleasing, organic quality that differentiates them from the stone-walled terraces in most of the Cordillera. World Heritage-listed, they are impressive not only for their chiselled beauty but because they were created around 2000 years ago.<\/p>\n
The rice terraces were built by the Ifugao. Along with being the most feared head-hunters in the Cordillera, they were skilled engineers who invented a sophisticated irrigation system of bamboo tubes and elaborate mud channels to bring water to the terraces.<\/p>\n
The well-staffed Banaue Tourist Information Center located on the main square, will give you the scoop on hiking in the area.<\/p>\n
Chocolate Hills
\nTransport car Keyword mountain Legend has it that the surreal Chocolate Hills are either the teardrops of a heartbroken giant or debris from a battle between two giants. Science, however, says the hillocks were formed by the weathering of marine limestone sitting on impermeable claystone. Trekking here is best in the dry season, when the hills are at their most chocolate-like.<\/p>\n
Hundred Islands National Park
\nPhone tel: (075) 551 2505 (info) Web www.alaminoscity.gov.ph Keyword national park, beach This small national park off the coast of Alaminos contains 123 separate islets, although some are just large rocks. Over the centuries the tides have eaten away at the bases of these limestone islands, giving them a distinctive, mushroom-like appearance.<\/p>\n
The friendly and useful Hundred Islands National Park office is on the wharf in barangay Lucap, the jumping-off point to the national park.<\/p>\n
The three most popular islands are Quezon Island, Governor’s Island and Children’s Island, but you’re definitely better off finding your own island on weekends, as these fill up with loads of large families and beach vendors.<\/p>\n
By far the best way to experience the park is in a tandem kayak.<\/p>\n
Lake Taal & Taal Volcano
\nTransport bus: from Manila Keyword views, volcano The picturesque volcanic lake of Taal is an easy day trip from Manila. You can trek on the small (but deadly) volcano in the middle of the lake, but many people just come for the incredible views from the mountain-ridge town of Tagaytay, itself on the rim of a truly enormous prehistoric crater.<\/p>\n
Siquijor caves
\nTransport walking Keyword cave Within a few kilometres of Bandila-an Nature Centre is Cantabon Cave, the best known of Siquijor’s caves. The caving here is no picnic, often involving narrow, vertical climbs, waist-deep water, bats, and high humidity. But it’s well worth it.<\/p>\n
It’s easy to find a guide in the nearby mountain village of Cantabon – if possible, one who can supply safety helmets and torches (a must). Other great caves in this area include Cang Anhao Cave, Ambaka’g Baki Cave and Dacanay Cave.<\/p>\n
Philippines: Money & Costs
\nAs with the other Asian Tigers, the country’s economy has been fluctuating fairly wildly in recent years. Generally speaking, however, the Philippines are slightly more expensive than other countries in the region. You’ll get the best value for money in the outer islands, while you’re more likely to shell out on Boracay and Cebu.<\/p>\n
The US dollar is the most recognised forecurrency in the Philippines, and is often easier (and cheaper) to change than travellers cheques; in Manila you should have no trouble changing British pounds or euros, though recently several travellers have found it hard to change travellers cheques, even in the capital, due to the rise in forged cheques. Large denomination US bills will get you a particularly good rate, but only clean banknotes are acceptable. If you want to use cheques, the bigger brands will be accepted by most banks throughout the country. ATMs are all over the place, particularly in the big cities, and they operate 24 hours daily. You can use MasterCard and Visa in them.<\/p>\n
Whether you tip or not is up to you. Restaurant staff will generally expect one, even if there is a service charge included. If you’re catching a taxi with a working meter, round up the amount. When shopping, especially in markets, it’s worth trying to get a 10% discount – most Filipinos will aim for one.<\/p>\n
Currency
\nName Philippine Peso
\nSymbol P Sample Price Guide
\nbought from store P 17 litre of petrol P 33 jeepney P 7 budget hotel room P 500 basic meal P 80 Average Room Prices
\nLow Mid High Deluxe
\nP300-600 P600-1000 P1000-2000 P2000+
\nAverage Meal Prices
\nLow Mid High Deluxe
\nP100-170 P170-300 P300-800 P800+<\/p>\n
Philippines: Getting there & around<\/p>\n
Getting There
\nThe most common way to get to the Philippines is by plane; Manila and Cebu City are the only major entry points. There are flights between the Philippines and many Asian cities, Australia, Canada, continental Europe, UK, New Zealand and the USA. Departure tax for all flights leaving the Philippines is P550 , payable in cash only (US dollars or Philippine pesos).<\/p>\n
It’s possible to travel by sea between the Phillipines and nearby parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Schedules and rates are prone to change, however, so it’s best to be flexible in your plans.<\/p>\n
Getting Around
\nThere are several airlines offering domestic flights between Philippine cities. There is only one operating railway line, on the route from Manila to Naga in southern Luzon, so long-distance buses or jeepneys are the main overland alternative. There are plenty of ferries and boats operating between islands, though the safety and quality of services vary. Car rental is also available and international agencies have offices in most major cities. Local transport includes jeepneys (originally reconstructed jeeps), metered taxis, small taxis without meters, vans (minibuses, or FX vans) and tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars).<\/p>\n
Philippines: History
\nPre-20th-Century History
\nThe first inhabitants of the Philippines arrived around 250,000 years ago, probably migrating over a land bridge from the Asian mainland. The Negrito people arrived 25,000 years ago, but they were driven back by several waves of immigrants from Indonesia, followed by maritime immigrations of Malayan people. In 1380, the Arab-taught Makdum arrived in the Sulu archipelago and began to establish what became a powerful Islamic sphere of influence over the next hundred years.<\/p>\n
Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521 and claimed the archipelago for Spain. Magellan was killed by local chiefs who quite naturally disapproved of this notion. Ruy Lopez de Villalobos followed in 1543 and named the territory Filipinas after King Philip II of Spain. Permanent Spanish occupation began in 1565, and by 1571 the entire country, except for the strictly Islamic Sulu archipelago, was under Spanish control.<\/p>\n
A Filipino independence movement grew in the 19th century and Filipinos fought on the side of the Americans in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. When the Spanish were defeated, General Aguinaldo declared the Philippines independent. The USA, however, had other plans, and promptly purchased the islands from the Spanish for US$20 million.<\/p>\n
Modern History
\nThe USA eventually recognised the Filipinos’ desire for independence and Manuel L Quezon was sworn in as President of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935 as part of a transitional phase pending full independence. Japan invaded the Philippines in 1942, brutally interrupting this process and ruled until the USA re-invaded two years later. The Philippines received full independence in 1946.<\/p>\n
Ferdinand Marcos was elected president in 1965, declared martial law in 1972 and ruled virtually as a dictator until 1986. The assassination of prominent opposition figure Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr in 1983 sparked massive anti-government protests. A snap election in 1986 saw the opposition parties rally around Aquino’s widow, Cory. Though Marcos claimed a doubtful win, Aquino initiated a programme of non-violent civil unrest which resulted in Marcos fleeing the country.<\/p>\n
Aquino re-established the democratic institutions of the country, but failed to tackle economic problems or win over the military and the Filipino elite. Aquino survived seven coups in six years and was succeeded by her defence minister, Fidel Ramos, in 1992.<\/p>\n
The government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed a peace accord in 1996 ending the MNLF’s 24-year struggle for autonomy in Mindanao. Peace in the area remains elusive, however, following the the militant Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which opposes the agreement. The government continues to conduct military operations in MILF-held areas in Basilan and Sulu.<\/p>\n
In 1998, Ramos was replaced as president by the Philippines’ answer to Bruce Willis, Joseph Estrada. Estrada, a former movie star elected more because of the popularity of his on-screen persona than because of any political experience. He was impeached and brought to trial in late 2000 on corruption charges. When Estrada and his political allies tried to derail the trial by blocking prosecutors’ access to his financial accounts, the people decided they’d had enough and staged mass demonstrations in the streets of Manila.<\/p>\n
Recent History
\nIn January 2001 Estrada’s former vice-president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was sworn in as the new president of the Philippines. In an inauguration speech which must have sounded eerily familiar to Filipinos, Arroyo promised to wipe out poverty and corruption. Arroyo is far from popular, barely surviving coup attempts and street protests in 2005 and 2006, but she has at least given the country a semblance of stability.<\/p>\n
The separatist movement in the south continues to be a thorn in the government’s side, with occasional flare ups of heavy fighting. Another bugbear is the communist New People’s Army, which has been fighting the government for years from remote bases in Luzon, Mindanao, Samar and elsewhere. In 2006 there were dozens of unsolved ‘extrajudicial’ killings of left-leaning activists, journalists and priests with alleged links to the NPA; human rights groups have pressured the administration about the killings, but little had been done to address the problem thus far.<\/p>\n