THE Philippines, one of the favorite tourist destinations in South East Asia, is an archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine archipelago which comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean has a myriad of wonders in store for both its natives and foreign visitors alike. The country which is historically known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, has been closely associated with the Western world, mainly the cultures of Spain, Latin America, and the United States. Shopping is one of the things tourists love about the Philippines. One of Asia's best bargains are found in the Philippines and are considerably cheaper compared to the bargains in Singapore and Hong Kong. Prices of the goods for Philippine bargains are comparable to the ones in Thailand and in China. Not only are the products cheap, they are also of good quality. Three of the biggest shopping malls in the world – SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA – are all located in the Philippines. Though the financial crisis has severely hampered the consumer spending power, which in a way, dented the inflow of tourists in the Philippines, still the country records reasonable number of arrivals, thanks to the natural wonders which are unique to the islands, not to mention the winning smiles of Filipinos noted everywhere. Some popular tourist destinations commonly visited by foreigners: Baguio Known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City is located on top of a mountain range in the northern province of Benguet. It is popular for its cool and chilly climate throughout the year and tourist attractions such as panoramic vistas, fresh-smelling pine forests and a generally clean environment. Some tourist attractions that are worth mentioning are the Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, The Mansion, Mines View Park, Baguio Cathedral and the famous Session Road. Banaue Rice Terraces The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines. They were carved without the aid of machinery to provide level steps where the natives plant rice. It has been described as the eighth wonder of the world and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some major appeals of Banaue rice terraces to the local and international tourist are the many hiking trails in the area. The average height of the terraces of Banaue is around 10 feet, so anyone unfortunate enough to slip and fall will likely find themselves unharmed, but very muddy. Bohol Bohol is the home of the famous Chocolate Hills, an unusual geological formation made of numerous mounds of limestone. The Philippine Tarsier, considered the second-smallest primate in the world, can also be found in this island. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some 10 kilometers from Tagbilaran. Bohol is known for its pristine white beaches, world-class resorts, various diving spots and snorkeling sites. Several historical locations can also be found here, such as the Blood Compact site and some centuries-old churches. Boracay Boracay is a tropical island that has been popular among tourists all over the world because of its fine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The island's location in the northwest tip of the island of Panay makes it ideal for windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking and jet skiing. A number of accommodation types are scattered all over the island and different events are held for its visitors, especially during the summer season. Davao Considered the third largest city in the Philippines and largest city in Mindanao, it is one of the traffic-free cities in the Philippines. It is also the home of the Philippine eagle, the largest eagle in the world. Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country which is also a dormant volcano, can also be found here. It also boasts of its fresh and delicious seafoods such as lobsters, crabs, oysters, clams, shrimps and tuna. With its rich wildlife and breathtaking nature spots, Davao has also been a favorite destination of tourists and natives alike. Palawan Often called the Philippine's Last Frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. It is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. features towering marble cliffs, lush jungle, white sandy beaches, and underwater rivers. Other well-known attractions include El Nido, a world-class resort famous for its awe-inspiring seascape and limestone cliffs. It offers a lot of first-class resorts and accommodations for tourists and visitors. Tagaytay Known as mini-Baguio, Tagaytay is also situated on top of a mountain, but not as high as that of the country's Summer Capital. This city, perched on a ridge, is located in the province of Cavite, which is an hour or so ride away from Manila. Tagaytay City provides a good view of the Taal Volcano, which lies within a lake and is cosidered as the world's smallest volcano. It takes one to actually visit these places to really bear witness to the authenticity of this article. The above tourist attractions in the Philippines serve as one of the primary sources of revenue that cushion the country's economy from the impact of the deepening global downturn triggered by the credit crisis that wreaks havoc on the international financial institutions.-SG For more information on tourist sites and tours to the Southern Tagalog region: www. viajedelsol.org __
