| Somewhere in Southeast Asia between the | | | | A Pocketful of Paradise |
| Philippine Sea and the East China Sea, east | | | | |
| of Vietnam, south of Taiwan and just north of | | | | The nation is divided into three main |
| Indonesia, lies a much neglected but | | | | regions, each with its own metropolitan hub |
| historically and ecologically prized | | | | and particular points of interest. Luzon to |
| archipelago known as the Philippines. This | | | | the north is the most populated region, with |
| understated cluster of 7,107 islands is the | | | | the expansive capital city Manila as its main |
| perfect tropical getaway balanced with just | | | | destination. Travel farther north to Banaue |
| enough colonial cultural intrigue and | | | | where a spectacle of rice terraces had been |
| undulating urban energy to keep you going. | | | | etched up along the hillside by the Ifugao |
| Despite the country's somewhat turbulent | | | | tribespeople over 2000 years ago. Also, don't |
| recent history, the Philippines has reached a | | | | miss the truly isolating beauty of Hundred |
| level of stability making no better time than | | | | Islands National Park where you may just find |
| now to travel the wonders of the | | | | a beach all to yourself, as there are |
| island-nation. | | | | literally hundreds to choose from. The |
| | | | central region of Visayas is mostly smaller |
| Colonial Legacy, Indigenous Heritage | | | | island clusters and famous for Boracay |
| | | | Island's White Beach and surrounding resort |
| The first western encounter with the | | | | and aquatic activity areas. Make sure to |
| Philippines occurred when Spain's Ferdinand | | | | explore the island's less crowded, but just |
| Magellan arrived in 1521, initiating over 300 | | | | as white-and-turquoise beaches. The |
| years of Spanish colonization. A tremendous | | | | southernmost region of Mindanao is home to |
| amount of today's Filipino population is a | | | | Davao, the largest city in the world by land |
| fraction Spanish, although a negligible | | | | area, and the stately Mount Apo, the |
| number of residents are completely Spanish. | | | | Philippine's tallest mountain. Enjoy a |
| The United States took over colonization in | | | | thrilling river rafting trip in Cagayan de |
| 1899 until the Japanese invasion of the | | | | Oro or get back to basic Filipino life in the |
| strategic islands during World War II. | | | | Tiruray Highlands where the remote shores of |
| Following Japanese defeat, the Philippines | | | | Lake Sebu are peacefully inhabited by the |
| received its independence in 1946. American | | | | T'boli tribe. |
| cultural and military influence still | | | | |
| permeates through island culture, although | | | | While the Getting's Good |
| the last U.S. military base has finally been | | | | |
| closed. Original human settlement in the | | | | With nearly 40,000 kilometers of coastline, a |
| region began about thirty thousand years ago | | | | fantasy-like landscape of tropical greenery, |
| when people crossed then-existing land | | | | and world-class cities offering world-class |
| bridges from Asia. Malaysian and Indonesian | | | | cuisine and lifestyle, it's hard to imagine |
| settlers joined the fray a few thousand years | | | | that this puddle-jump in Southeast Asia will |
| later to constitute a most interesting blend | | | | remain a secret for long. See for yourself |
| of semi-indigenous cultures still present in | | | | why the Philippines is one of the last |
| the Philippines today. Direct descendents of | | | | remaining gems of biodiversity and indigenous |
| the first arrivals currently live in the | | | | culture in this ever-growing region of the |
| northern province of Zambales. | | | | world! |
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