The Pearl of Asia: Philippines

Other than the fact that the Philippines is a republican country, it also consists of over 17,000 islands located just beneath Japan and nearby Indonesia. Philippines are a country full of many natural blessings. It consists of three main lands; Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon, the largest, includes Philippines' capitol, Manila a metropolitan city amassed by neverending traffic, glasswindowed buildings and famous places. Luzon is also the central of media, business, and technology in the Philippines. Another example of Luzon's famous areas are the Chocolate Hills [known for their familiar structure and color of chocolates] in Bohol and the legendary Banaue Rice Terraces in Banaue, considered to be the 8th Wonder of the Modern World. It also consists of one of the islands' deadliest volcanoes, Mt. Pinatubo and Mt. Mayon [considered to be the world's most perfect cindercone]. Or gaze at the fogged wonder of Mt. Taal, an active volcano that stands 18,000 feet and is one of the world's largest volcanoes. Visayas, located in the very middle, is the second largest mainland, which includes Cebu. Like Manila, Cebu City is also an industrialized metropolitan where highranked trainees and advanced institutions and hospitals stand. The smallest, Mindanao, is probably considered the less improved of all the three. Not only is it populated by Filipinos, it is also populated by many FilipinoMuslims [such as the Abu Sayaf]. Mindanao is a mainland usually feared to visit because of constant terror dwelling in every mountainous corners of it. [These corners include the city of Cotabato and its neighboring southern sisters]. But one must never underestimate Mindanao's dangerous grounds. Amongst all three mainlands, Mindanao has been considered the land of natural resources and exotic places. If you go just a bit south, you'll reach Davao City, the City of Durian [ a famous fruit in the Philippines for its intoxicating smell]. It is also one of the busy cities in Mindanao, along with Cagayan de Oro City, the capitol of immigration in Mindanao. Amongst Mindanao's resources, one will also stumble upon majestic waterfalls, white sand beaches, historical places such as Ferdinand Magellan's fall in the shores, and agricultural communities where fishes, oils, meats and excessive amounts of vegetarians are produced and sold. Nearby Davao, one can also sightsee the beholden image of Mt. Apo, the highest peak of the Philippines and a centerpiece of one of its largest national parks. A person of Philippine origin such as me must never leave out Tangub City, the Christmas Capitol of the Philippines. Not only is it my hometown, it is also a land of simple living mainly producing marine products and vegetable crops. Tangub City is widely known all over Philippines because of its magnificent structures during Christmas [held from late September to February] and its grandeur lights that decorate the small city like Christmas lights around a Christmas tree. Many tourists visit the city each year simply to enjoy the luminescent view. Philippines is an agricultural country with so many fascinating places to visit and things to do. Wanting to go snorkeling? Visit Davao! Enjoy shopping? Enter SM Manila Mall! Loves sightseeing? It's everywhere Philippines! It's simple, it's fun, it's friendly, and what's more... it's cheap! There is no other way to have it.