This map shows the cities in the Philippines that I visited:
Here are some other interesting notes from my trip:
The City of Manila is the capital of the Philippines. On a per square km basis, it is the most densely populated city in the world. It was founded in 1571 by the Spanish. A port city, Manila has a tropical climate, basically hot and humid all year round.
The traffic in Manila is pretty horrific. There are not enough road for the number of vehicles,
resulting in traffic jams from dawn until late in the evening.
Shown here is the traffic on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA),
viewed from the EDSA-Guadalupe Footbridge at 6:30 in the evening.
Also known as Luneta Park, Rizal Park is located in the heart of Manila.
During the time of Spanish Colonial rule, the park was the site of executions,
including that of Philippine national hero José Rizal.
The park spans 58 hectares and features gardens, grand promenades,
fountains (including the Musical Dancing Fountain),
and several museums and monuments reflecting the country’s history.
Often called the “birthplace of Philippine independence,”
it serves as a venue for major public gatherings, concerts, and national celebrations.
Located in Rizal Park is the Rizal Monument, a memorial to the execution of Filipino nationalist, José Rizal. There are honour gaurds protecting the monument 24/7. It was at this spot that Rizal was executed for the crime of rebellion, as the Spanish claimed his writings inspired the Philippine Revolution.
The Ayala Museum featured exhibit is "Gold of Ancestors: Pre-Colonial Treasures in the Philippines".
It is a large collection of gold artifacts from pre-colonial times.
The prize piece is the Caste Cord from Surigao, a 4 kg cord made from gold.
As well, there is a collection of 60 dioramas that chronicle the history of the Philippines,
from prehistoric times to the present.
It was a very informative display for anyone that wants to learn about Philippine history
The National Museum of Fine Arts is a Philippine institution that houses and displays art and artifacts representative of the cultural heritage of the Filipino people. Their feature piece is the large (4.22 m x 7.675 m) painting "Spolarium", by Filipino artist Juan Luna, depicting fallen gladiators being dragged by Roman soldiers.
The National Museum of Anthropology (formerly the Museum of the Filipino People) in Manila is the premier institution for showcasing the Philippines' pre-colonial and ethnographic heritage. The museum highlights the nation's diverse cultural evolution, from early Austronesian migrations to the rich traditions of various ethnic groups, emphasizing the depth and artistry of Filipino identity long before Spanish colonization.
The Martaban Jars in the National Museum of Anthropology’s collection are large, robust stoneware storage jars that originated in mainland Southeast Asia (primarily from kilns in present-day Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Southern China) between the 14th and 19th centuries. They are historically significant in the Philippines as prized trade ceramics, used for storing liquids, grains, and valuable goods. In Filipino elite and burial contexts, they symbolized status and wealth.
The Sarimanok is a legendary, ornate bird carving from Maranao culture in Mindanao. Located in the Philippine National Museum of Anthropology in Manila, it symbolizes good fortune and is a celebrated example of Islamic-influenced Filipino art. Crafted from wood with intricate designs and vibrant colors, it is a key artifact showcasing the rich artistic heritage of southern Philippine Muslim communities.
The Philippine National Museum of Natural History in Manila is dedicated to showcasing the country's extraordinary biodiversity and geological history. Its centerpiece is the iconic "Tree of Life" structure in the central courtyard. Exhibits span from fossils and minerals to extensive collections of flora and fauna, including endemic species like the Philippine eagle and tarsier. The museum highlights unique ecosystems, from rainforests to coral reefs, and emphasizes scientific research, conservation, and public education on the Philippines' natural heritage as one of the world's most biodiverse nations.
The Megalodon (Otodus megalodon), the largest shark ever,
lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago during the Early Miocene to Early Pliocene epochs.
A replica of the Megalodon shark's massive jaws greets visitors,
dramatically contrasted with the much smaller jaws of a modern bull shark
to highlight the prehistoric predator's enormous size—up to 60 feet long versus the bull shark's ~11 feet.
Fort Santiago is a historic 16th-century citadel located in Intramuros, the walled city of Manila, Philippines.
Built in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi (with stone reconstruction in the 1590s),
it served as the main defense fortress at the mouth of the Pasig River, protecting the city and supporting the Manila Galleon trade.
Named after Saint James (Santiago), it witnessed centuries of history:
Spanish colonial rule, brief British occupation (1762–1764), American control,
and Japanese occupation during WWII, when it was heavily damaged and used as a prison.
It is famously known as the place where national hero José Rizal was imprisoned before his 1896 execution.
Today, restored as a Shrine of Freedom and national historical park, it features ruins, gardens,
the Rizal Shrine museum, and bronze footprints marking his final walk.
Originally 16th-century Spanish gunpowder magazines, Fort Santiago’s dungeons were later converted into notorious prison cells. During World War II, Japanese forces held hundreds of Filipino and American prisoners here in horrific, cramped conditions.
The Baluarte de Santa Barbara is the central bastion of Fort Santiago in Manila, built directly over the ruins of Rajah Sulayman's pre-Hispanic wooden fort. It served as the fortress's primary defensive stronghold and housed the Spanish garrison's main powder magazine. Today, it is a key historical structure within the fort's complex, featuring the iconic Rizal Shrine, archaeological remains, and offering panoramic views of the Pasig River and Intramuros from its ramparts.
The Cathedral of Manila, officially the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception,
is the mother church of the Philippines.
Located in the heart of Intramuros, it serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Manila.
Originally established as a bamboo and nipa parish in 1571,
it has been destroyed and rebuilt eight times following fires,
earthquakes, and the devastation of World War II.
The current Neo-Romanesque structure, completed in 1958 by architect Fernando Ocampo,
features a magnificent cupola, intricate bronze doors, and 134 stained-glass windows.
After a 9 hour overnight bus ride to Banaue, a 1 hour tricycle ride, and a 15 minute hike down a narrow trail,
I was in Batad. What a view of the rice terraces I was met with!
Batad is an isolated village in Ifugao province.
There's no cellular signal, no Internet, no cars, no jeepneys, and no motorcycles.
There is some electricity, but otherwise off the grid. it was a great place to get away from things.
When in Batad, most tourists will make the hike to Tappiyah Falls. Because I was doing it without a guide, the trickiest part was traversing the rice terraces along a "dry" path. The path was not clearly marked, so I missed a few turns here and there. It took a bit of balance at times as the terrace path was lessthan 30 cm wide at points. Once past the terraces, there was a steep descent down to the river. Of course, what goes down must come up. The ascent was a good cardio workout.
Part of traveling is not the destination, but the journey there. My next destination was Sagada. To get there from Batad, it involved hiking up a trail for 20 minutes, catching a jeepney to Banaue, catching a mini van to Bontoc, then catching a jeepney to Sagada. The picture shows me riding on top of the jeepney in Banaue. Is this safe?
The Banaue Rice Terraces in Northern Luzon, Philippines, are a 2,000-year-old marvel of ancient engineering. Carved into the mountains by Ifugao ancestors using hand tools, they cover over 4,000 square miles and resemble massive green stairways reaching up to 5,000 feet high. Often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," they are a living cultural landscape that demonstrates extraordinary harmony between people and their environment. Still farmed today using traditional methods, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a profound symbol of Filipino indigenous ingenuity, sustainable agriculture, and enduring cultural heritage.
The Ifugao people of Banaue are the indigenous architects and stewards of the legendary Rice Terraces.
Over 2,000 years ago, their ancestors hand-carved these stunning mountainside paddies,
creating a masterpiece of sustainable engineering and a profound cultural landscape.
The terraces are not merely a scenic wonder but the living heart of Ifugao identity,
spirituality, and community, representing an enduring harmony between humanity and nature.
I am here seated with some Ifugao elders, with the rice terraces behind us.
Typhoon Yutu (locally known as Typhoon Rosita), a former super typhoon, made landfall in northern Luzon, Philippines,
on October 30, 2018, as a Category 2 equivalent with heavy rain triggering landslides and flooding.
In the Batad area of Banaue, Ifugao—famous for its UNESCO-listed rice terraces—a landslide buried a home,
killing farmer Baltazar Pinnay and his three young daughters (aged 8–12).
The storm softened slopes, eroded trails, blocked access roads (requiring hikes),
and compounded recovery from prior Typhoon Mangkhut.
Overall, Yutu caused at least 11–15 deaths in the Philippines, mostly from landslides in the Cordillera region.
The debris caused by the typhoon was still evident on the road.
These pictures are from the road between Banaue and Batad,
three weeks after the typhoon had passed through.
Sagada is known for the ancient burial ritual of the indigenous people there, of burying their dead by hanging the coffin on the side of a cliff. It is said that by hanging the coffin, the body can be closer to the heavens, plus it protected the body from animals.
As well as hanging coffins, the indigenous people also buried their dead by placing the coffin at entrances to caves. At the Lumiang Burial Cave, there are over a hundred coffins here, with the oldest being 500 years old.
There are other Cave Coffin sites in Sagada. At the north west side of the intersection of South Road and Blackberry Lane in a ravine is a cave with coffins. This location was pointed out to me by a local, and is visible from South Road.
I did some spelunking at Samaguing Cave. This was a very popular tourist attraction, so although it was a large cave, it was very crowded as lines of tourist slowly descended into the cave. There were some very interesting rock formations in the cave. It was a wet, slimy experience.
I found a coffee house in Sagada that served Civet Coffee. Civet Coffee is also known as "cat poop coffee", and dubbed, "the worlds most expensive coffee". The coffee beans are harvested from the feces of the Asian Palm Civet. The coffee tasted like coffee flavoured tea, with no bitterness.
Burnham Park is an urban park in the middle of Baguio. It is a great place for locals to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I found it to be a nice place to chill out.
The Lourdes Grotto is a Catholic Shrine is located at the top of a hill in western Baguio. After climbing 252 steps, running the gauntlet of people selling rosary beads and candles, one is met with a statue of the Virgin Mary. There is a nice view of Baguio from the top.
The Baguio Cathedral, also known as Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral, is a prominent landmark in the city's heart. Famous for its twin red spires and rose-colored exterior, it sits atop a hill accessible by a dramatic 100-step stone staircase. Built in the 1920s, the Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral survived World War II largely intact, serving as an evacuation center. Its elevated plaza offers a panoramic view of Session Road and Burnham Park.
Angeles City, located north of Manila, once hosted the largest United States military facility outside the continental United States.
The city was devastated by ash from the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991.
The video is a 360° panoramic view of Angeles City, taken from atop Pamintuan Mansion.
The volcano seen in the video is Mt Arayat, a "potentially active stratovolcano",
located 18 km away.
I wanted to see Mt Pinatubo. To get to Mt Pinatubo, I took a ride in a jeep along a riverbed. It was a rough ride, especially when we had to cross streams. It was interesting to see the river valley, carved out by the previous eruption.
Once we entered the volcano's caldera, a view of the lake and caldera walls was to be had. Since the eruption of 1991, the frequent rains in the area has created the lake.
The Pamintuan Mansion in Angeles City, Philippines,
is a historic heritage house built in 1890 by Mariano Pamintuan and Valentina Torres
as a wedding gift for their son Florentino.
During the Philippine Revolution,
it served as headquarters for General Antonio Luna and President Emilio Aguinaldo,
briefly becoming the seat of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.
It hosted the first anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence,
where Aguinaldo waved the flag from its balcony.
Later occupied by American and Japanese forces,
it became the Museum of Philippine Social History in 2015,
showcasing Filipino culture, traditions, and social life.
In the Pamintuan Mansion, there were two illustrations by Filipino artist Dominic Rubio that depicts
19th-century Philippine colonial daily life (set in the Spanish and early American periods).
He meticulously depicts the fashion, architecture,
and daily routines of the ilustrado (educated elite) class — ladies in ternos,
gentlemen in barong Tagalog, and scenes of domesticity, fiestas, and leisurely pursuits.
Through this, he explores Filipino identity, heritage, and a romanticized memory of a bygone era.
Rubio’s most defining characteristic is the depiction of human figures with elongated,
thin necks and oversized, round heads.
I did a tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River. This is a cave system with a river that runs for 8.5 km.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is one of the world's longest navigable subterranean rivers,
flowing over 8.5 kilometers through a spectacular limestone cave system before emptying directly into the South China Sea.
Visitors by boat marvel at its massive chambers, dramatic rock formations, and millions of bats and swiftlets.
The park showcases a pristine ecosystem, from mountain to sea, protecting significant old-growth forests and biodiversity.
Its unique blend of a majestic underground landscape and critical natural habitat
makes it a globally celebrated icon of the Philippines' natural wonders.
As expected, it was dark in the cave. There were bats and interesting rock formations.
It didn't feel claustrophobic to me, as the sections we went through seemed spacious.
I did some island hopping, visiting Starfish Island and Cowrie Island.
Starfish Island is a small, private sandbar in Honda Bay, Palawan,
famous for its shallow, crystal-clear waters teeming with starfish.
It's a popular day-trip stop for snorkeling and photography.
Cowrie Island is a man-made leisure island in Honda Bay, Palawan.
It offers typical beach day amenities—cottages, buffet lunches, water sports,
and sandy shores—making it a convenient and family-friendly tourist destination.
In a small stone kiosk in old Cebu, houses Magellan's Cross. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in Cebu to celebrate the conversion of the local people to Catholism. Apparently, the original cross planted by Magellan is encased by the cross on display. This attraction was popular with the tourists.
In the Plaza Indepedencia of Cebu is Fort San Pedro.
The fort was built in the 17th century and originally was made of wood; it was rebuilt with stone later.
The walls are 6 meters high and 2.4 meters thick.
Triangular in shape, it was originally built to repel Muslim raiders.
The fort was surprisingly small in area.
Being triangular in shape means there are 3 bastions, located at each corner.
Shown here is Bastion Ignacio de Loyola, located in the south east corner of the fort.
To the north of Cebu is Tops Lookout. Located on the Nivel Hills and rising 600 meters, a panoramic view of Cebu and Mactan is to be had.
Located near Tops Lookout is the Temple of Leah.
This temple was built by a local Cebu businessman as a monument of his love for his late wife.
Styled after ancient Greek and Roman temples, this is probably what the ancient temples looked like in their glory.
I thought this was going to be a trashy tourist site,
but there was something oddly touching about the reason for this structure.
In the main hall is a golden statue of a seated Leah,
specifically portraying her real-life crowning as Matron Queen at her alma mater,
the University of Southern Philippines, during her student years.
Items on display at the Temple of Leah include:
The Cebu Taoist Temple, located in Beverly Hills Subdivision, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines,
is a prominent Chinese-style religious and cultural landmark built in 1972 by the local Chinese-Filipino community.
Perched on a hillside (around 270-300 meters above sea level),
it serves as a major center for Taoism, based on Lao Tzu's teachings, and welcomes both worshipers and tourists alike.
The complex features traditional architecture with ornate carvings, multi-tiered roofs,
dragon statues symbolizing fortune and protection, and a replica Great Wall entrance.
Inside are a chapel, library, souvenir shop, wishing well, fountain, and garden.
Popular rituals include climbing 81 steps (representing Taoist scriptures)
on Wednesdays/Sundays to light joss sticks and have fortunes read, plus fortune-telling with wooden blocks.
The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House in Cebu City's historic Parian district
is one of the Philippines' oldest surviving residential structures, built between 1675 and 1700.
Constructed by wealthy Chinese merchant Don Juan Yap and his wife Doña Maria Florido
using coral stone and wood, it blends Spanish colonial and traditional Chinese architectural influences.
The house passed to their descendants; in the 1880s,
their daughter Maria married Don Mariano San Diego (Parian's district head),
giving it its hyphenated name.
It later became a museum under Val Mancao San Diego (a choreographer and art collector),
showcasing antiques, religious icons, fine furniture,
and family heirlooms that reflect Chinese-Filipino heritage
and Cebu's cultural history, including ties to the Sinulog Festival.
The house's roof and walls are 95 percent original.
Restoration work was done on the house in 2003 and it has since opened for public viewing.
Located in Bohol is the Tarsier Sanctuary. Tarsiers are small primates found only in select Southeast Asian islands in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. A distinctive characteristic of the tarsier is the large eye to body size ratio. These are nocturnal animals.
The Chocolate Hills are a geological feature in the middle of Bohol, consisting of over 1200 symmetrical conical hills. Featured on the Bohol provincial flag, the hills are made of grass covered limestone. When the grass on the hills are dried out, the hills take on a brown colour, like chocolate.
To get to the Chocolate Hills, we took ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) to get to the viewpoint. It was somewhat fun, as the trail was muddy and we got pretty muddy! Note the "Chocolate Hill" behind us.
Originally built to allow residents to transport their goods across the Sipatan River, the Sevilla Twin Hanging Bridges in Bohol are popular adventure walkways. Rebuilt to replace the original single bamboo bridge, these parallel steel-and-cable structures are approximately 40 meters long and 25 meters high. They offer a mildly thrilling, swaying crossing with panoramic views of the dense rainforest canopy below. Primarily an ecotourism attraction, they provide a unique perspective of Bohol's interior landscape and a memorable experience for visitors.
On Panglao Island is Alona Beach. This is a very popular white sand beach with the tourists. This placed seemed to have the highest concentration of "foreign" tourists of all the places I've visited.
I visited the XZootic Animal Park & Butterfly Garden in Agape, Loay, Bohol. I was expecting to see a bunch of betterflies.
There indeed were butterflies.
In the Philippines, civet cats (called Musang or Alamid) are small, nocturnal mammals vital to forest ecosystems as seed dispersers. They are most famously—and controversially—known for producing Kape Alamid (civet coffee), made from beans they've eaten and excreted. Their wild populations face threats from habitat loss and exploitation.
The Albino Burmese Python is a giant, non-venomous constrictor native to Southeast Asia.
Lacking melanin, it displays vibrant yellow and white patterns rather than typical browns.
These pythons can reach 20 feet and 200 pounds, feeding on mammals and birds.
I was given the opportunity to get up close and personal with this Albino Burmese Python.
Jollibee is a globally beloved Filipino fast-food giant famous for its sweet-style Chickenjoy (fried chicken),
Jolly Spaghetti (with a sweet sauce and hot dog), and signature Yumburger.
Founded in 1978, it has grown into an international icon, combining Western fast-food formats with distinct Filipino flavors.
It's celebrated for its family-friendly atmosphere, iconic mascot,
and status as a symbol of national pride and cultural comfort food for Filipinos worldwide.
For my meal, I had the spaghetti and Yumburger.
Pork Sisig is a sizzling Filipino dish originating from Pampanga's Angeles City. Traditionally made from chopped pig's head (cheeks, ears, snout) and liver, it’s seasoned with calamansi (citrus), onions, chili peppers, and vinegar. Modern versions often use pork belly, chicken, or seafood. Known for its crispy, tangy, and savory flavors, it is a legendary pulutan (beer match) and a hearty main dish, commonly served on a hot plate. Sisig is a beloved national icon of bold and inventive Filipino cuisine.
Philippine street BBQ skewers are a smoky, savory staple. Primarily featuring pork, chicken, or seafood like shrimp and squid, they are marinated in a sweet-savory glaze made from banana ketchup, soy sauce, calamansi, and garlic. Grilled over live charcoal, they develop a deliciously charred and sticky exterior. Served on bamboo sticks, they are a quintessential ihaw-ihaw (grill) treat, commonly enjoyed as a quick snack with rice or a vinegar-chili dip. This affordable, flavorful food is a pillar of Filipino street food culture.
The popularity of civet coffee in the Philippines (and Indonesia) is rooted in colonial rebellion.
During the Spanish era, Filipino farmers were often forbidden from harvesting coffee beans
for their own consumption, as the entire crop was reserved for export.
Farmers discovered that the Asian Palm Civet would eat the ripest coffee cherries
but could not digest the beans.
The farmers began scavenging the civet droppings from the forest floor,
cleaning them, and roasting them in secret.
They soon realized this "discarded" coffee actually tasted smoother than the beans they were forced to grow.
Philippine Jeepney
The Jeepneys are the "buses" of the Philippines.
The original jeepneys were made from surplus US military jeeps left over from WW2.
They are privately owned and known for their crowded, cramped seating and garishly decorated exteriors.
The jeepney is the cheapest form of public transportation;
thus they are usually very crowded and uncomfortable.
As a tall person, there was very little headroom for me.
Tricycle
The motorized tricycle (locally called traysikel or trike) in the Philippines
is a three-wheeled vehicle consisting of a motorcycle with an attached passenger sidecar.
It serves as an iconic, affordable mode of public transport, especially in rural areas and small towns,
for short-distance rides—either on fixed routes or for hire like taxis.
Locally fabricated with varied designs, it evolved post-World War II and remains distinct from tuk-tuks elsewhere.
Also shown here is one way how they refuel the tricycle.
Here is a passenger's perspective video of my Tricycle Ride in Banaue.
Bangka Boat
The Bangka is the traditional outrigger canoe of the Philippines, essential to the nation's maritime culture.
Its iconic twin bamboo or wooden outriggers (katig) provide stability in rough seas.
Historically used for fishing, transport, and trade,
designs vary by region—from small fishing boats to large "bangkas" for inter-island travel.
Modern versions often use motorized engines,
but the classic wooden hull and outrigger design remain a symbol of Filipino ingenuity and a vital lifeline
connecting the archipelago's 7,000+ islands.
I rode in the bangka boat to get to the Puerto Princesa Underground River and for island hopping.
Ferry
The Philippines consists of around 7,640 islands — about 2,000 of which are inhabited — that form an archipelago.
Ferries are used for passenger and cargo transport between many of these islands.
I took this ferry to get from Cebu to Bohol.
Airplane
Airplanes are the fastest and most practical way to travel between islands in the Philippines.
Domestic flights connect major hubs like Manila, Cebu, and Davao to smaller destinations in under 2 hours,
far surpassing lengthy ferry rides. I took flights from Angeles City to Puerto Princesa,
Puerto Princesa to Cebu City (shown here), and Panglao Island to Manila.
Intercity Bus
Intercity buses are a popular, budget-friendly way to travel across major Philippine islands like Luzon.
They connect cities via extensive road networks, offering affordable fares, frequent schedules, and scenic routes.
While comfortable options exist (air-conditioned, reclining seats),
travel times can be long due to traffic, poor roads, and distance.
Shown is the overnight bus I took from Manila to Banaue.
The Philippines was hot and crowded, and yet a welcoming country to tourists.
Interestingly enough, it seems the most of the tourists I encountered on my trip were the Filipinos themselves.
The cost of food, accomodations, and transportation was not expensive.
There are many things to see in, from the mountains in the north to the beaches of the islands.
I would recommend the Philippines as a vacation destination.
Feel free to
contact me
if you have any questions or comments about this trip or travelling in general!
Contact Chany