Country Information – The Philippines

The Philippines is one of South East Asias best kept secrets, offering friendly people, incredible beaches, great diving and a culturally rich warrior history.

Location

The Philippines is located on the eastern part of South East Asia, set out in the South China Sea before it turns to the Pacific, the location of the Philippinnes has shaped the culture and development of the nation for hundreds of years.
The Filipinos have been attacked and occupied by just about everyone, from Chinese to the Spanish in the 1500´s, to the Americans and Japanese in the 1900s. The genetic mix shows on the faces of the people you meet and the different cultures habe all left their mark. From the America Jeepeys used as mass transport all over, to the Spanish words littered thought their language.

The friendliest people you can ever hope to meet

Tourism is important to the Filipinos, but certainly not mainstream. This shows in the way Filipinos come across, obviously this is a generalisation, but on the whole, the Philipinos are genuinely interested in what you have to say and where you are from. It is not uncommon to get approached by complete strangers who want to ask you questions about your home and culture, even just to practice their English. While this may be a little unnerving at first especially to seasoned travellers who instantly wonder what the catch will be, or leave you wondering what the person will attempt to sell you in a few moments, invariably the sales pitch never materialises, Filipinos are genuinely interested in hearing about you and your background.

Thousands of Islands, beaches and diving

The Philippines is made up of thousands of Islands spread out through the country. The islands possess some of the finest beaches in Asia, some rated as the nicest in the world. Islands like Palawan are particularly popular with people looking to the perfect beach, incredible divesites in Malapascua and through out the country are also excellent draws.
 

Filipino Fling

Although the Philippines is a poverty-stricken country in comparison to most of the western world, and despite its awkward location in China’s shadow, the Philippines is certainly not a place to be forgotten. If you want to spend your gap-year in a place that is truly one of this planet’s unsung joys, then the Philippines is the country for you.

The country’s changeable weather means that every season is slightly different, as the influence of prevailing winds differs each year. However, the best time to settle into your new Filipino home is January through May… although in some parts of the Philippines (mainly on the east coast) the weather is often the exact opposite to the rest of the country.

The Philippines is under the complete control of the weather, as typhoons often result in damage during the wet season of June through October.

However, despite the damage inflicted by the typhoons, many of the country’s most well-known buildings continue to provide delight to their visitors. Malacanang Palace, the Presidential residence, is a beautiful and majestic building admired by all who visit it, while the Coconut Palace, built in 1981, is often used in tours and for weddings, as it’s such a striking building.

The natural world is even more stunning than the man-made creations of the Philippines. Why not take a trip to the Tamaraw Falls, where a thirty foot wall of water cascades into clear pools, in the midst of a jade-green jungle?

Or how about a visit to the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, where over 50,000 of birds have a break from their migration to refuel and relax? In fact, those 50,000 birds have the right idea, as the Philippines are the perfect place for anyone to unwind, making it the ideal gap-year break.

Beaches in the Philippines are rated as some of the best in the world - and with the white sands and clear waters of beaches such as Panglao and Boracay, it’s easy to see why. If you ever get tired of all that hard sunbathing sand, you can take a dip in the sea, where there are plenty of colorful coral reefs, and even some shipwrecks for you to discover off the coast of Coron.

If you ever need a break from the beaches, you can always head to one of the many museums that the Philippines have to offer, showcasing the country’s unique and sometimes violent history. A perfect specimen is the National Museum of Filipino People, which contains artifacts estimated to be over 26,000 years old – if that doesn’t quench your thirst for knowledge, nothing will!

While the Philippines are often regarded as a destination to visit only because of its beaches, you will uncover so much more about this chain of islands when you spend your gap-year here. The beaches are obviously beautiful, but immersing yourself in these islands will reward you with cultural experiences with a friendly, lively people – and what better setting to spend your gap-year in?
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