The Mindanao island province forms the southern part of Philippines. It is second in terms of area after Luzon and is unique due to the fact that it comprises of highly mountainous regions while at the same time showcasing urban Philippines at its best. Places worth visiting in Mindanao are Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Mount Apo. Cagayan de Oro is a bustling modern hub of commerce and industry known for its friendly environs. The name literally means ‘The City of Golden Friendship'. So find out for yourself how true the city is to its name! Do not forget to visit the Bukidnon province nearby known for its pineapple plantations.

Davao is a cargo city with a busy port and some of the most successful corporate houses. Sample the fare in local restaurants which compete in services with the best in the world, and yet have a special charm of their own.

Mt. Apo is the tallest mountain in Philippines at 9,688 ft and is the obvious choice if you like trekking, mountaineering and hiking.

This group of islands in central Philippines is a much celebrated destination. Besides Boracay, the Visayas boasts of Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar and Tabbulaha reef - together they make a travel collage of varied experiences and memories. Palawan is a marine county with two of Asia's best marine parks in the form of the Tabbulaha Reef Marine National Park and the Puerto Princesa.

Subterranean River National Park where you can actually hobnob with aquatic flora and fauna. Cebu city is Philippines' answer to Shanghai or Tokyo with its right blend of history and economic progress. If Bohol offers the vicarious pleasure of spending a day with adorable dolphins, Samar is a haven for bird watching with its booty of exotic birds such as the Philippine eagle, Philippine flower-pecker and Philippine creeper. 

Cebu City is the capital of the Cebu Province in the Philippines and is the second most important metropolitan centre in the country. The city lies on the eastern shore of the island of Cebu and is the oldest city in the country, even older than the nation's capital, Manila. Cebu is one of the main hubs of international flights into the country and is the most important centre of commerce, trade, and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao parts of the country. It is because of this and other important aspects that Cebu City was given the monicker Queen City of the South. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is only a twenty-minute drive away from Cebu City. To the northeast of the city are Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion, to the west are Toledo City and Balamban, to the south are Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City is located.

One of the major appeals of Philippines is its great beaches and water attractions. With a coastline longer than the total length of Unites States, there is no dearth of pristine white beaches, the most popular and renowned one being Boracay. If your idea of a holiday is to laze around on a deck chair next to the deep turquoise waters of the sea, listening to the waves, hit Boracay as soon as you land in Philippines.

Choose any one of its 350 spectacular beach resorts to begin your rendezvous with the sea. Palm fringed white beaches with shallow waters and a pleasant landscape make it a memorable experience. Don't forget your suntan lotions, for the sun here seldom hides behind clouds. The ambience transforms as the sun sets, with beach side shacks and restaurants coming alive with twinkling lights, foot tapping Filipino music and the aroma of freshly cooked seafood simmering in coconut gravies. It's a spectacle you cannot forget in a lifetime.

When you've had enough of the Boracay White Beach, venture out into other beaches such as Bulabog, Balinghai, Cagban, Diniwid, Ilig-iligan, Manoc-manoc Punta Bunga, Puka Shell, Tulhaban and Tambisaan, each with its own brand of fun and frisson to send your pulses racing.

On the top of your itinerary should be the Banaue Rice terraces, a series of terraces carved out of mountains by the tribal populace here many centuries ago. They are still functional and give the illusion of being pathways to heaven. If archaeology fascinates you, you must visit Kabayan to see mummies almost 5 centuries old.

A paradise blessed with gorgeous waterscapes, the Philippines is never lacking in today's liveliest water encounters. It has been described as the most exciting surfing destination in the world, with great waves like Cloud 9, Tuason Point, Majestic, and Cemento, all ranking among the world's best. Action Asia Magazine says, "The Philippines is to scuba divers what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers, and Nepal to mountaineers." And for white water action, there are attractions a-plenty - lakes, waterfalls, and rivers that create excellent kayaking and white water runs.

Subic Bay is another tourist hotspot where you get to see interesting remnants of the past. Each of its prized artifacts such as San Quintin, a war sea carrier from the 1800s, and the erstwhile USS New York exhibit what a naval port used to look like centuries ago. Its old world charm and quaint luxury liners such as Oryoku Maru from Japan take you back to times when cruises and sailing meant the epitome of luxury. Matching the glimpses of the olden era are modern day facilities that provide an excellent avenue for recreation and retail therapy. Subic Bay simply gives you the best of both worlds.

The world's longest underground river system accessible to man is located in the capital of Palawan. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which has been inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List, is Palawan's most popular attraction and covers 5,349 hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves, and white beaches. Paddle through eight kilometres of a snaking, underground river leading to a clear lagoon. Walk on the Monkey Trail, a series of wooden paths that winds into the forest, lined with 40,000 tropical flora and fauna.

Spain's colonization of the Philippines brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches. Today it is one of the world's best preserved medieval cities, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. Walk through this walled Spanish colonial "city within a city," situated right in the heart of Manila, complete with centuries-old walls, dungeons, churches, bulwarks, and plazas.

Philippines has a host of adventure tourism options for those who like a holiday beyond sunsets and soirees. Unleash the adventure enthusiast in you and get an unmatched adrenalin rush.

Boracay: Beach volleyball, snorkelling, mountain biking, diving, surfing, skate boarding.

Palawan: Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Donsol, Sorsogon: Observing whale sharks

Bais, Dumaguete, and Bohol: Bow-riding with dolphins

Calauit Island: A 3,700 hectare island which acts as a natural habitat for the conservation of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna

Cagayan de Oro: White water rafting, river trekking

Davao, Samar and Quezon: Observing the largest eagle on Earth, the Philippine eagle, and the smallest mammal, the Philippine tarsier.

Diniwid, Balinghai: Surfing, sailing

Sabang: Canoeing 

Visit the Philippines if you want something out of the ordinary. A holiday that gives you a heavy dose of scenic beauty, culture and adventure in one irresistible package - that's Philippines for you!

Roman Catholics are the largest religious sect in Philippines. There are many called the Aglipayans who believe in the Philippine Independent Church. The important minorities are Protestants and Muslims. You will also find a lot of Animists and Buddhists here.

A total of 70 native languages and dialects exist in the Philippines! These languages - all closely related - belong to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family of languages. The eight major linguistic groups are Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bical, Pangasinan and Waray-waray. However, Filipino based on Tagalog is the national language and English is also widely spoken.

Filipinos have a rich tradition replete with legends and folklore. Myths and legends abound and, like most ancient civilizations, revolve around the elements earth, water, fire and stars. Others deal with human issues such as the intermingling of different sects of society and some deep eternal questions that have always intrigued human beings. Darangen is a popular Muslim epic which is followed extensively. People from North Luzon follow another legend called Biag ni Lamang. Sitios and barrios could be called the most traditional areas where many ancient traditions and rituals retain their essence and importance to this day. Other tales are associated with the Spanish conquest. Dean S. Fansler, Maximo Ramos, and Armando and Carolina Malay are some accomplished writers who have catalogued these Filipino folktales for posterity.

The capital Manila is situated on the island of Luzon and is a large city bustling with activity. Cosmopolitan with a blend of western and eastern cultures, Manila offers all the comforts and attractions of a metro. Check out the vibrant nightlife and the eclectic restaurants for a real feel of Manila.

The Intramuros is a stunning architectural wonder, a typical Spanish style city existing right in the centre of modern day Manila. Replete with dungeons, bulwarks, ancient structures and churches, this walled city dating back to the 16th century transports you into medieval Spain.

While you are at it, visit the Saint Augustine Church located within the Intramuso. Its typical Spanish architecture is a visual treat. The 14 chapels hold the audience captive, ending in a spellbinding trompe l'oeil ceiling. It is hard to imagine that the breathtaking structure has indeed braved the ravages of time and natural disasters - seven earthquakes and countless battles. The church is a virtual treasure trove of murals, iconic paintings, period furniture and exquisite craftsmanship and truly deserves its status of a World Heritage Site.  

In art, the representation of an object so convincingly that the viewer believes the object to be real. Zeuxis, for example, reportedly painted such realistic grapes that birds tried to eat them. Discovered by Greek artists, the technique was also popular with Roman muralists. The Saint Augustine Church in Manila offers a remarkable example of this in its ceilings.

Manila has great cultural centres such as Folk Art, the Metropolitan and an open air amphitheatre in the Rizal Park area that regularly hold programmes showcasing the best of Philippines' performing arts. Tinikling is a charming bamboo dance that portrays the effervescence of ricebirds. Viewing one performance of this unique dance is a must. Modern expressions of music in Philippines gravitate towards jazz and rock, accounting for some of the finest artists in the region. Troupes such as the Bayanihan Dance Company excel at a fusion of oriental and western traditions in spell binding renditions of folk dances.

Cinema theatres are inexpensive and offer most American blockbusters along with the local Filipino movies. But that of course should be your last option in terms of recreation, as Philippines offers so many activities, the most unusual being a whale shark safari. In the islands of Donsol and Sorsogon you can actually go on shark whale expeditions, watch these amazing creatures at close quarters and feel a fulfilling communion with nature. And don't forget to take a look at Mrs. Imelda Marcos's famous shoe collection housed at the Marikina City Footwear Museum in Manila.