HIDDEN SECRETS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Do you love to explore up-and-coming places and secret spots?  Get off the beaten track and uncover a new side of the  Philippines, from endless cave systems to endless shoe  collections.

CAVING IN SAMAR
Catbalogan in Samar offers amazing caving opportunities – including the second largest system in Asia. Navigate river passageways lit by kerosene torches, combined with glistening stalactites and bats whizzing overhead.

NORTHERN SIERRA MADRE NATURAL PARK
OK. You wanted to prove that you can get off the beaten track. Trekking this vast expanse of mountainous, critter-infested rainforest that dominates North  Luzon’s east coast is just the place to do it.

FIREFLY KAYAK TRIPS
Departing near Cortes on Bohol at sunset, these are memorable kayak trips to see the fireflies, which pulsate in the trees like Christmas lights; an immensely tranquil experience.

RIZAL, PALAWAN
Using the extremely remote town of Rizal on the western side of South Palawan as a base, strap up your boots to explore the surrounding mountains, and meet the Tao’t Bato people.

LEYTE LANDING MEMORIAL, RED BEACH
One for WWII buffs, this is the site where General MacArthur fulfilled his vow to liberate the Philippines from Japanese rule. The famous scene is immortalised with a bronze statue of MacArthur and co wading into shore.

IMELDA MARCOS’ SHOE COLLECTION
The real reason tourists come to the Marikina Shoe Museum in Manila is to see Imelda’s shoes – about 800 pairs. And that’s only about 25% of the collection of this eccentric former First Lady.

SUBA SAND DUNES
In North Luzon, the seemingly endless dunes sprawl south all the way to Paoay. Scenes from Mad Max were filmed here, and it’s good for sand boarding, zipping about in an ATV or soaring overhead in a hot air balloon.

THRILLER PRISON PERFORMANCE, CEBU CITY
Catch the YouTube sensation of prison inmates performing Michael Jackson’s Thriller at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center on the last Saturday of each month.

MANGYAN VILLAGES
In Mindoro’s rugged interior many Mangyan tribespeople still wear traditional costumes, such as loincloths, and have an animist belief system. Calapan or Roxas are both good bases to start treks here.