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Major Regions
Home » The Philippines » Philippines - Major Cities and Regions » Major Regions1) Luzon
Luzon, where Manila is located, is the largest island in the Philippines and many of the provinces are just a few hours drive away from Manila making it easy to do day trips or get away for the weekend. Northern Luzon is rich in panoramic views, green landscapes and old Spanish houses.
Baguio City is unusual and unlike the rest of the country because of its pine trees and cool temperatures which average 20 degrees centigrade all year round. Located in the Cordillera Mountains, five hours from Manila by land, it is the nearest thing the Philippine has to a mountain retreat, making it easy to understand why the city was chosen as the summer capital.
There are many tourist attractions here including numerous religious landmarks such as Baguio Cathedral which add to the city’s charm. There is good Shepherd Convent which sells items from wood carving to jams. Camp John Hay was formerly a rest and recreation station for US troops and has the best recreational facilities in Baguio. The Philippine Military Academy puts on a spectacle every Saturday morning with a parade of uniformed cadets. Mansion House is the official summer residence of Philippine presidents and nearby Wright Park is popular with equestrian riders. Baguio’s Botanical Garden has been converted into an open air museum displaying the architectural styles of tribal dwellings of the Cordilleras.
2) Mindanao
Mindanao, the second largest islands of the Philippines, is a land of towering mosques and malong-clad women, where boldly-striped vintas ply the waters between houses perched precariously on stilts. Here, ethnic tribes weave glorious tales of brave warriors and haughty princesses into colorful tapestries and fabrics.
Mindanao is also a nature lover's paradise: Tiny Camiguin isle enchants with its white sand islands and volcanic chains. Zamboanga has pink sand beaches for beach-lover and rolling greens for the golf enthusiast. Davao's caves promise adventure for spelunkers; in this land of fruits and flowers, parklands are planted with groves of durian, rambutan and other exotic tropical fruit trees, interspersed with tropical blooms and exotic orchids. Cotabato's pineapple plantations and Bukidnon's citrus farms delight with nature's freshest harvests.
A plethora of water falls awaits the visitor to Lanao del Norte. Its provicial capital, Iligan, is home to the legendary Maria Cristina Falls, 100 feet higher than the awesome of Niagara. Lanao del Sur, around majestic Lanao Lake, is the Islam Center of the South. Here are found repositories of Muslim culture such as the Mindanao State University, the King Faisal Center for Arabic Studies and the Aga Khan Museum.
The artistry and diversity of ethnic tribes lend a richness to local color. The Maranao have their okir, a curvilinear carving tradition that sets off their houses, musical instruments, personal ornaments and household implements in brilliant colorful motifs. Visitors will find unique souvenir items among the handicrafts of the T'boli, who weave their famous t'nalak patterns. The Sama tribes hand-weave cool mats in jewel colors along the walks of their stilt houses inviting spectators to bargain for their wares. The sea-faring Badjao dive for coveted South Sea pearls. Arts and crafts demonstration tours, tribal, festivals, and visits to ethnic villages provide insight into the everyday lives of the cultural minorities.
3) Visayas
Like the emerald jewels scattered in the warm seas of middle Philippines, the islands of the Visayas beckon with the allure of sun, sea and sand - ideal settings for island-hopping acations; its dive sites offer ample opportunities for underwater explorations. Take in the sun on the many fine beaches or swim in the crystal clear waters. Ride the waves on a Jet Ski or windsurf in the many resorts; or dive beneath the waves for a shimmering glimpse of the wonders of the Visayan sea.
You’ll find many of the best dive spots in the country here. The eastern coast of this coral island is a veritable haven of white sand, fringed with skyscraping coconut trees and top-rated beach clubs with complete facilities. Moalboal is the diving capital hereabouts; Sogod to the north is excellent for cliff diving; outlaying islands like Badian, Bantayan and Pescador are framed for breath taking coral formations.
Where Cebu juts out to meet the island of Negros, there is Sumilon Marine Sanctuary off Sumilon island. In the waters of Cebu Strait, between Cebu and the islands of Bohol, are Cabilao, Balicasag, Panglao and Pamilacan Islands, where submarine cliffs plunge down to depths thriving with fish and other aquatic life.
Sources
http://www.cosmeo.com/
http://www.philippinetraveler.com
http://www.manila.gov.ph/
http://www.cebucitytourism.com/
http://www.philtravelcenter.com
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