Country Guides - Philippines
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The oldest part of Manila is the medieval Spanish walled enclave of Intramuros on the southern bank of the Pasig River, packed with historic buildings and churches, many of which are being or have been restored. The reconstruction of Intramuros has allowed for the inclusion of several parks and performing venues, art galleries, souvenir shops and restaurants, so that the area has become an attractive, entertaining and interesting tourist Mecca. Fort Santiago, for example, was where political prisoners through the ages, from Spanish to Japanese occupation, were held, tortured and sometimes executed. Today it is a lush park full of flowering trees and homing pigeons where visitors can take a ride along the promenade on a horse-drawn carriage. Then, in the Barrio San Luis along Juan Luna Street there are five colonial residences that have been beautifully restored.
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Rizal Park
The 58-hectare (143 acre) Rizal Park is named for Dr Jose Rizal, renowned Philippine anti-colonialist, writer and philosopher. The park is one of the largest in South East Asia, and is a green lung much used by the residents of Manila for recreation and entertainment. The park features numerous ornamental gardens, a chess plaza and a skating rink. In a pond on the east side of the park the Philippines archipelago has been recreated in miniature. There are also some museums and public buildings within the park, and after sunset a sound and light exhibit featuring the martyrdom of Dr Jose Rizal is to be seen. On Sundays there is a free concert in an open-air auditorium.
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Opening times: Daily 7am to 7pm
San Agustin Church
Within Intramuros stands Manila's oldest stone church, San Agustin, which was completed in 1606 and has since survived the ravages of time and successive invasions. The church has a magnificent intricately carved door, Baroque pulpit, and an 18th century pipe organ. A museum is housed in the Monastery alongside the church, which holds a collection of paintings of saints and other religious art. The Sacristy houses a collection of richly embroidered vestments and Philippine notables are buried in the crypt.
Telephone: (0)2 527 4060
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Opening times: Daily 7am to 7.30am and 5pm to 6pm. The museum is open daily 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm
National Museum of the Philippines
The large and comprehensive National Museum of the Philippines preserves and showcases the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the islands with collections housed in two different buildings (within Rizal Park). Exhibits are categorised in five divisions: art, botany, zoology, geology and anthropology. Among the many archaeological exhibits is the skull of 'Tabon Man'; the oldest human remains found in the archipelago. The section devoted to the Filipino People includes the preserved remains and treasures of the San Diego Spanish galleon that sank in Philippine waters in 1600.
Telephone: (0)2 527 1215
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Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm
Malacanang Palace
The name of this Palace, now the seat of government and official residence of the Philippines head of state, comes from the vernacular 'May Lakan Diyan', which means 'there lives a noble man'. This gracious villa has been a noble residence on the north bank of the Pasig River since the 18th century, when it was built for a Spanish aristocrat. In 1825 the Spanish Government bought the property as a summer house for the Governor General, but it later became the permanent seat of the head of state. There is now a museum housed in the palace that features mementos from each of the Philippine's presidents, including the notorious Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
Telephone: (0)2 733 3721
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Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm
American Cemetery and Memorial
Providing a quiet spot to retreat from Manila's rat race, the American Cemetery near the Makati commercial centre is a welcome peaceful oasis, much visited by tourists, especially veterans of World War II. The hillside cemetery contains thousands of white marble crosses marking rows of graves of those who died in battle. The circular memorial contains the names of those missing in action engraved in marble columns; huge wall mosaics depict battle scenes from WWII, and a small chapel is located here.
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Basilica Minore de Santo Nino
The oldest religious relic in the Philippines, an icon of the infant Jesus, is housed in the basilica, having miraculously survived fire and other catastrophes through the years since the image of Christ was first presented by Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521. The church itself was originally built in 1565, but was rebuilt in 1602 after a fire.
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Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro, located at Cebu City's wharf area, was the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the country. It began as a single triangular bastion, built in 1565, and was not completed for another 200 years. Over the centuries the fort has been put to several uses, including a watch-tower to counter pirate attacks in the 1700s, a prison for local rebels during the Philippine revolution, a US army barracks, and during world war II a prison camp. Today the fort has been turned into a museum-park, giving visitors to Cebu a glimpse of the island's history.
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Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm
Jumalon Museum
Located in the Basak district, this private museum created by late lepidopterist, Professor Julian Jumalon, houses his unusual collection of mosaics, made up of butterfly wings. The garden of Jumalon's home continues to be a haven for thousands of butterflies, and the 'lepido mosaics' are displayed in the salon.
Telephone: (0)32 91029
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Opening times: By appointment
Casa Gorordo Museum
The Casa Gorordo Museum was originally the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. It is now restored and serves as a re-creation of a typical Filipino home of the late 19th century, furnished with religious relics, paintings, antique furniture and household items. The museum also showcases some contemporary art exhibits.
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Opening times: Mondays to Saturdays 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Beaches
Numerous islets and beaches are connected to, or easily accessed from, the Cebu metropolitan area as day trips. Mactan Island is linked to Cebu City by a bridge and is the site of hundreds of beach resorts, most of which offer full scuba services and watersports facilities. Olango Island offers pristine white sandy beaches, while Kansatik, southeast of Olango, features an underwater mountain festooned with coral, sponges and colourful fish. Olango is also a paradise for bird watchers. A short drive north of Cebu City is Sagod, offering caves, beautiful beaches and some excellent dive spots. Capitancillo Islet, a little further northeast of Sagod, sits at the centre of a coral reef that extends for about two miles (3km). Calanggaman Islet, in the same area, features black coral and caves. Gato Islet has lagoons, coral reefs and a sea-snake breeding ground. On the south-western shore of Cebu Island is Moalboal, another world-renowned dive destination, and Badian Island nearby has more underwater attractions and a five-star beach resort. Sun seekers also relish Argao, about two hours drive from Cebu City, where the beaches of Kawit, Mahawak and Mahayahay are picture-perfect.
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Davao Museum
About seven miles (12km) from the Davao City centre at Insular Village, Lanang, the Davao Museum is devoted to showcasing the various tribal cultures of the people of the region. The main gallery is a repository of tribal art, local costumes, jewellery and handcrafts. There is also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics, and a souvenir shop sells native crafts. Tribal women can be seen at work at the nearby T'Boli Weaving Centre weaving cloth from the fibres of the native abaca plant, featuring patterns that depict the folklore of the tribe.
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Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
San Pedro Cathedral
Davao City's oldest church is named for the city's patron saint. Don Jose Uyanguren, known as the 'Spanish Conquistador of Davao', built it in 1847 during the Spanish colonial period. The original altar, carved with images of saints, has been preserved and can be seen in the right wing of the cathedral.
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Philippine Eagle Centre
The powerful, large Philippine eagle (also known as the monkey-eating eagle) is found only in the mountains of eastern Luzon in the north of the archipelago, and in the heavily forested area of Mindanao. The breeding camp for these magnificent predators is sited at Malagos, in Calinan near Davao City. Also at Malagos is an orchid farm, sanctuary of Philippine native orchids, which offers a restaurant and swimming pool as part of its facilities.
Telephone: Philippine Eagle Foundation: (0)82 224 3021
Website: www.philippineeagle.org
Transport: Buses depart for Calinan every 15 minutes from the Annil Terminal located at corner Quirino and San Pedro Extension in Davao. Bus fare is P30. From Calinan, take a pedicab to the PEC for P6
Opening times: Daily 8am to 5pm
Samal Island
Just a short ferry ride south of Davao City, in the Davao Gulf, is the island of Samal, part of an archipelago of islets that offer a getaway from city life and some adventure activities. The island offers fabulous sunrises and sunsets and a fascinating topography of rolling hills, white sandy beaches and dozens of caves, which are popular with spelunkers and hikers. The coastline has the usual coconut palms, mangrove swamps and coral reefs, together with some little fishing villages, washed by clear, clean water: all the delights of a tropical island within a stone's throw of the city.
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Opening times:
Cities & Regions: Manila | Cebu | Davao
The large and comprehensive National Museum of the Philippines preserves and showcases the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the islands with collections housed in two different buildings (within Rizal Park). Exhibits are categorised in five divisions: art, botany, zoology, geology and anthropology. Among the many archaeological exhibits is the skull of 'Tabon Man'; the oldest human remains found in the archipelago. The section devoted to the Filipino People includes the preserved remains and treasures of the San Diego Spanish galleon that sank in Philippine waters in 1600.
Telephone: (0)2 527 1215
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm
Malacanang Palace
The name of this Palace, now the seat of government and official residence of the Philippines head of state, comes from the vernacular 'May Lakan Diyan', which means 'there lives a noble man'. This gracious villa has been a noble residence on the north bank of the Pasig River since the 18th century, when it was built for a Spanish aristocrat. In 1825 the Spanish Government bought the property as a summer house for the Governor General, but it later became the permanent seat of the head of state. There is now a museum housed in the palace that features mementos from each of the Philippine's presidents, including the notorious Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
Telephone: (0)2 733 3721
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm
American Cemetery and Memorial
Providing a quiet spot to retreat from Manila's rat race, the American Cemetery near the Makati commercial centre is a welcome peaceful oasis, much visited by tourists, especially veterans of World War II. The hillside cemetery contains thousands of white marble crosses marking rows of graves of those who died in battle. The circular memorial contains the names of those missing in action engraved in marble columns; huge wall mosaics depict battle scenes from WWII, and a small chapel is located here.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:
Basilica Minore de Santo Nino
The oldest religious relic in the Philippines, an icon of the infant Jesus, is housed in the basilica, having miraculously survived fire and other catastrophes through the years since the image of Christ was first presented by Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521. The church itself was originally built in 1565, but was rebuilt in 1602 after a fire.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:
Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro, located at Cebu City's wharf area, was the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the country. It began as a single triangular bastion, built in 1565, and was not completed for another 200 years. Over the centuries the fort has been put to several uses, including a watch-tower to counter pirate attacks in the 1700s, a prison for local rebels during the Philippine revolution, a US army barracks, and during world war II a prison camp. Today the fort has been turned into a museum-park, giving visitors to Cebu a glimpse of the island's history.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm
Jumalon Museum
Located in the Basak district, this private museum created by late lepidopterist, Professor Julian Jumalon, houses his unusual collection of mosaics, made up of butterfly wings. The garden of Jumalon's home continues to be a haven for thousands of butterflies, and the 'lepido mosaics' are displayed in the salon.
Telephone: (0)32 91029
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: By appointment
Casa Gorordo Museum
The Casa Gorordo Museum was originally the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. It is now restored and serves as a re-creation of a typical Filipino home of the late 19th century, furnished with religious relics, paintings, antique furniture and household items. The museum also showcases some contemporary art exhibits.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Mondays to Saturdays 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Beaches
Numerous islets and beaches are connected to, or easily accessed from, the Cebu metropolitan area as day trips. Mactan Island is linked to Cebu City by a bridge and is the site of hundreds of beach resorts, most of which offer full scuba services and watersports facilities. Olango Island offers pristine white sandy beaches, while Kansatik, southeast of Olango, features an underwater mountain festooned with coral, sponges and colourful fish. Olango is also a paradise for bird watchers. A short drive north of Cebu City is Sagod, offering caves, beautiful beaches and some excellent dive spots. Capitancillo Islet, a little further northeast of Sagod, sits at the centre of a coral reef that extends for about two miles (3km). Calanggaman Islet, in the same area, features black coral and caves. Gato Islet has lagoons, coral reefs and a sea-snake breeding ground. On the south-western shore of Cebu Island is Moalboal, another world-renowned dive destination, and Badian Island nearby has more underwater attractions and a five-star beach resort. Sun seekers also relish Argao, about two hours drive from Cebu City, where the beaches of Kawit, Mahawak and Mahayahay are picture-perfect.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:
Davao Museum
About seven miles (12km) from the Davao City centre at Insular Village, Lanang, the Davao Museum is devoted to showcasing the various tribal cultures of the people of the region. The main gallery is a repository of tribal art, local costumes, jewellery and handcrafts. There is also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics, and a souvenir shop sells native crafts. Tribal women can be seen at work at the nearby T'Boli Weaving Centre weaving cloth from the fibres of the native abaca plant, featuring patterns that depict the folklore of the tribe.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm
San Pedro Cathedral
Davao City's oldest church is named for the city's patron saint. Don Jose Uyanguren, known as the 'Spanish Conquistador of Davao', built it in 1847 during the Spanish colonial period. The original altar, carved with images of saints, has been preserved and can be seen in the right wing of the cathedral.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:
Philippine Eagle Centre
The powerful, large Philippine eagle (also known as the monkey-eating eagle) is found only in the mountains of eastern Luzon in the north of the archipelago, and in the heavily forested area of Mindanao. The breeding camp for these magnificent predators is sited at Malagos, in Calinan near Davao City. Also at Malagos is an orchid farm, sanctuary of Philippine native orchids, which offers a restaurant and swimming pool as part of its facilities.
Telephone: Philippine Eagle Foundation: (0)82 224 3021
Website: www.philippineeagle.org
Transport: Buses depart for Calinan every 15 minutes from the Annil Terminal located at corner Quirino and San Pedro Extension in Davao. Bus fare is P30. From Calinan, take a pedicab to the PEC for P6
Opening times: Daily 8am to 5pm
Samal Island
Just a short ferry ride south of Davao City, in the Davao Gulf, is the island of Samal, part of an archipelago of islets that offer a getaway from city life and some adventure activities. The island offers fabulous sunrises and sunsets and a fascinating topography of rolling hills, white sandy beaches and dozens of caves, which are popular with spelunkers and hikers. The coastline has the usual coconut palms, mangrove swamps and coral reefs, together with some little fishing villages, washed by clear, clean water: all the delights of a tropical island within a stone's throw of the city.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport:
Opening times:
Cities & Regions: Manila | Cebu | Davao
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