Experience the Philippines

By: Anthony Jay A. Combate, Grade 12 GAS-A

Swimming
Philippines is a tropical country and we have a warm weather here. So yeah, it’s one of the
main reasons why swimming in the country is good. But aside from that, Philippines is also
blessed with beautiful white sand beaches. The most famous among the beaches here is
Boracay. The island is known for its powdery white sand and pristine water.

Palawan island is another choice for beach swimming. Most people say that Palawan can
compete with Boracay. Also, Palawan island is not as populated as Boracay so it’s a good
choice if you want a peaceful vacation.

Island Hopping
As an archipelagic country, Philippines is a good place for island hopping. Some of the
islands here are equal to one province just like Siquijor and Camiguin. Stay in an island for
three to four days so that you’ll have enough time to see and experience each of the unique
surroundings.

The best place that I can suggest for island hopping is the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan.
Overall, there are 124 islands at low tide and 123 islands at high tide. The islands are
believed to be around 2,000,000 years old. Several species of animals are also found in the
place including Fraser’s dolphins.

Another place in the Philippines that can compare with the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan
is the Britannia Group of Islands in Surigao del Sur. The place is composed of 24 islands
and islets. The islands are not yet developed for tourism and I hope it would stay that way
so that the natural beauty of the islands would be preserved. There are no cottages nor
entrance fees. You can bring your own blanket and food and then eat on the ground. Just
be careful with your garbage and make sure you bring it with you when you leave.

Whale Shark & Dolphin Watching

In Oslob, Cebu, you can experience to swim with the gentle giants or the whale sharks. You
will need to ride a boat with a guide who will help you find the whale sharks. About 14 or 15
of the sharks have grown to be the fishermen’s pets because they feed the giant sharks.

The waters of Panglao in Bohol is known for dolphin watching. The dolphins leap on the
surface of the water and make distinguishing sounds.

Surfing
Surigao del Norte is the surfing capital of the Philippines. The place was once quiet but over
the years, it has gained the attention of local and foreign surfers. The place is also blessed
with beautiful white sand beaches, mangrove trees, rock formations, and mysterious caves.

Ziplining
The Dahilayan Adventure Park’s 840 meter dual ziplines with a drop of 100 meters is the
longest in Asia. If you’re adventurous or if you have some fears that you want to conquer,
trying the Asia’s lonest zipline is great.

There are also other adventure parks in the Philippines that have ziplines. Even
some beach resorts do. I have only tried it once and I’m thinking if I should do it again.
Philippines has a lot more to offer but the ones listed above are the most exciting activities.
Try one of those the next time you have a vacation.

Caving

Caving is a scientific or recreational activity of exploring and discovering caves. It is also

called spelunking. It is one of the most challenging outdoor activities because of the dark
and narrow paths inside the cave. You must be really flexible because caving includes
climbing, crawling, squeezing through holes and wading through water. It is a perfect activity
for the adventure seekers. When you enter a cave, you will spot amazing rock and crystal
formations. Nocturnal bats are also a famous, sometimes scary. attraction in the numerous
caves in the Philippines. This activity will allow you to explore the natural beauty that awaits
you inside the dark cave.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is one of the land activities that are really loved by tourists in the
Philippines especially in Cebu, Baguio, Tagaytay and other popular tourist spots here in the
country. Our native horses are very sturdy on the mountain trails and they are trained very
well for public purposes. The riders will truly enjoy exploring the spectacular views on the
mountains and hills. It will be one of your unforgettable moments for sure. You can also
compete with your friends in a race if you are good in horseback riding.

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking is one of the most common sports in the Philippines. This activity consists
of riding bicycles on rough roads. This sports strongly requires endurance, strength, self
reliance, and well-built balance. Lots of mountain bike tournaments are supervised by
several organizations in the country and are held yearly. It is a good exercise if you want to
have toned muscles and a healthy heart.

Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing or mountaineering is an activity in which an individual has to use his/her
feet and hands to move uprightly to the mountain. This outdoor activity aims for two
purposes – either for fun or sports – but it could also be a profession just like our very own
Romi Garduce, a famous Filipino mountaineer. He was the first Filipino to climb one of the
seven summits of Mount Everest. This activity is not easy to do; you must be strong and
athletic to try this out. If you like mountain climbing to be your profession, you need lots of
training and preparation. Yes, it sounds very hard but once you get to the top, you will
experience such exhilaration. At the summit, a wonderful view is waiting for you and all your
hardship will be taken away by the cool breeze.

Diving

The Philippines is Asia’s Dive Capital. If you are a diving enthusiast— amateur or
professional, or someone who is looking for an underwater experience of a lifetime, then
you must go to the Philippines if only for the reason that the country has the highest density
of coral species in the world. Philippine seas are some of the most bio-diverse and marine-
rich waters in the world and home to a diverse species of aquatic resources. Amateur divers
can train and get their licenses at any of the diving training centers located in diving spots
Anilao, Puerto Galera and Boracay, and once done with training, they can dive side-by-side
with professional divers in the country’s other must-see diving spots: the UNESCO World
Heritage Site Tubbataha Reef and the location of some of the best wreck diving sites in the
world, Coron both in Palawan; Verde Island in Mindoro Oriental; Apo Reef National Park in
Mindoro Occidental, the largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines which includes 285 species
of fish and 197 species of corals (featured in the SHEDD Aquarium permanent Philippine
reef display in Chicago, Illinois, USA) ; the Apo Island Marine Reserve & Fish Sanctuary in
Dumaguete, Negros Oriental; Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands in Bohol; and Malapascua
and Moalboal/Pescador Islands in Cebu.