The Philippines (Tagalog: Pilipinas [pɪlɪˈpinɐs]) officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. It comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.
The Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country, with an estimated population of about 92 million people. Its national economy is the 47th largest in the world, with an estimated 2008 gross domestic product (GDP nominal) of over US$ 168.6 billion (nominal). It is estimated that there are about 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide, equivalent to about 11% of the total population of the Philippines.
The Philippines was a former colony of Spain and the United States, which gained independence in 1946. Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the islands. Ecologically, the Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Philippines finest destinations
Boracay
How to get there
From Manila’s domestic airport, take flights to Boracay either via Kalibo (1 hour and 45 minutes away) or via Caticlan (10-20 minutes by boat). From Kalibo airport, air-conditioned bus and vans for hire will take you to the Caticlan Jetty Port, where boats are stationed to take you to boracay island. Motorized tricyles and pedicabs will take you from Caticlan Airport to the jetty port, 3 minutes away.
While from dumaguete, the cheapest route is to take a bus to bacolod (approximately 6 hrs). Then a boat ride to Iloilo, and a bus again for Caticlan.
Most visitors prefer to fly via Caticlan because of the much shorter travel time to Boracay itself: land transfer from Kalibo takes up to three hours, while it could be as short as 40 minutes from Caticlan including the brief banca(boat) ride. Even if you are nervous about flying in small aircraft, the shorter travel time may be a clincher. Flight fares range from 5,000 to 6,000 Philippine pesos (US$1=P49.64).
Boracay has been known by Filipinos as the "Number One Tourist Spot In The Philippines". While a British publication known as TV Quick, awarded Boracay Island as the Number One Tropical Beach In The World!
Palawan Puerto Princesa
An island province southwest of Metro Manila, is revered as one of the Philippines' and Asia 's most haunting and final frontiers.
Palawan, the country's last environmental frontier, is blessed with 1780 islands and islets most of which have irregular coastlines that make excellent harbors. Thick forests covering these steepIy sloped mountains assure adequate watersheds for rivers and streams. Palawan is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life, hence the island province has been declared a nature sanctuary. The province boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders like El Nido, St. Paul Underground River, Tabon Caves and Honda Bay Islands.
How to get there
Transfer By Air
Air transport from Manila to Puerto Princesa takes less than an hour and available thrice daily by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. There are also flights from Puerto Princesa to Cebu four times a week.
SeaAir flies to Puerto Princesa from Manila two to three times a week, oftentimes via Busuanga, Cuyo and El Nido.
Transfer By Sea
Puerto Princesa is accessible by boat from Manila twice a week by WG&A Superferry and Negros Navigation shipping lines, with stopovers in Coron. Boat trips from Puerto Princesa to Cuyo and Iloilo aboard M/V Milagrosa are also available twice weekly.
