Go Solo Philippines

Many say that before one should travel around the world, it is better to explore your own country first. This penchant for exploration is part of human nature and it is not a wonder why I have such lust. It has started since I was a child. I had always desired to travel. My first memory of travel was through the foot, walking along the rice fields of my hometown and going outside to the marketplace and joining my great-grandmother to the nearby provinces. She would always bring me whenever she travels from one of her children to the other. Since her children had domiciled in the nearby towns in Cagayan, the nearby province of Apayao, they can be reached within the day through a combination of foot and rugged jeepney ride or a negotiated free ride.

I would join adults whenever they travel, but as I grew older and had my own money, I started to explore the different places in the Philippines on my own - solo. But, some of my travels are the consequences of my profession and some volunteer works. Such exposures to the different places gave me a broader perspective of the Philippines.

It is state located at the northeastern portion of Southeast Asia. Politically, it is one of the founding members of the ASEAN and is often included as a member of the Asian continent but geographically, culturally, and by race, it bears similarity with both Southeast Asians and Oceaneans.

It is an archipelagic country lying peacefully in a small pocket of the southwestern edge of the Pacific Ocean. This location earned the sobriquet, Pearl of the Orient Seas, for the Philippines.

Historically, it is the only part of Southeast Asia colonized by Spain - a European nation that campaigned heavily for Catholicism. Hence, it is the only country in Asia whose population is heavily Christian. Yet, history should not forget that it was once a Muslim-majority country and the Islamic religion was heavily fought for by the Muslim settlers in Mindanao, the southern part of it. Other sects and denominations that emerged in this country trace their influence from Christianity. They include the Iglesia ni Kristo, El Shaddai, Ang Dating Daan, and various Born Again sects. There are also folk religious beliefs that were influenced by Catholicism. Some of them believe in animism, and the spirits dwelling in the mountains, trees, rocks and other elements of nature.

The Philippines which was also influenced by Western ideas and a local version of politics has a wild sense of democracy. Any person and the media can throw tirades at the seating authority, form a militarized group that can potentially overthrow a government, build businesses with unlimited profits and can build an empire without regard to social realities and do other activities that are based on a false and righteous sense of freedom.

In spite of the political, social and cultural situation of this nation, it can never deny that there are resources that lie beneath its lands and scattered within its more or less 7,100 islands both during high tide and low tide. These resources are apt for exploration both for tourism and for economic opportunity.

Metro Manila, a metropolis where Manila, the capital city is located, mirrors the archipelago as it houses all the representatives of native cultures such as the Ilokanos, Bisayans, Cebuanos, Ilonggos, Lumads, and other native groups scattered all throughout the archipelago. 

If one travels, he and she should be ready to see these realities in the Philippines -the realities of religion, cultural differences, geographical location, economic and political realities. He/she must also consider a peculiar kind of transportation in the Philippines as the different modes of transportation are not yet functionally interconnected although interconnectivity has improved through the years. 

The following are the different places I have lived or visited in the Philippines.

1. Metro Manila
Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Imus (Cavite)

Luzon

2. Cagayan
Cagayan River
2.1 Sta Ana: Anguib Beach, Casambalangan Beach, Port Irene
2.2 Gonzaga: Falls in San Jose
2.3 Tuguegarao: Cagayan State University - Carig and Caritan, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Bagumbayan
2.4 Penablanca: Callao Cave
2.5 Aparri: Punta, Beach breakwaters, Maura Beach, Bulala Sur and Norte
2.6 Claveria: Tabbugan, Claveria Beach
2.7 Sanchez Mira: Sanchez Mira beach
2.8 Piat: Our Lady of Piat Shrine
2.9 Lallo: Centro, Park, Nueva Segovia Church, Naguilian, Dagupan, Panunan, Nagputto Cave

2.10 Baggao
2.11Camalaniugan: St. Hyacinth Parish Church, Ziminila Ricefields, Alilino Cagayan River, Horno
2.12 Buguey: Fula, Centro, El Presidente,Seafood Center

3. Kalinga and Apayao
Sta Marcela, Flora, Luna, Tabuk, Apayao River, Allig Valley Fields and Caves

4. Ilocos Sur
Magsingal, Sto Domingo, Vigan, Candon, Santa, Vigan Church, Plaza, Heritage Site, Miramar Beach, Magsingal Church

5. Ilocos Norte

Laoag Church, Provincial Capitol

6. Nueva Vizcaya
Solano

7. Ifugao
Banaue, Batad

8. Benguet
Baguio

9. Tarlac
San Jose, Tarlac City

10. Zambales
Subic Bay

11. Bulacan
Baliuag, Pandi

12. Pangasinan
Binmaley

13. Bataan
Bagac

14. Batangas
Nasugbu, Calatagan, Tagaytay

15. Laguna
Calamba: St. Albert the Great Seminary, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba, Rizal Shrina
Sta Rosa: Enchanted Kingdom
Pakil church and Municipal Hall
Pangil Church and Local Livelihood Center, Barong Tagalogs

16. Rizal
Taytay, Rodriguez Wawa river

17. Quezon
Cagbalete Island Beach

18. Camarines Sur
Naga City, Naga Church

19. Albay
Legaspi: DWCL, Daraga Mission

20. Romblon
Tablas Island, Romblon City, Island Hopping, Marble Factories

21. Mindoro Oriental
Roxas Port, Calapan Port

Visayas

22. Aklan
Boracay

23. Iloilo
Iloilo City, Calinog City, Mina, Pototan, San Joaquin, La Paz

24. Guimaras
Trapiz Monastery

25. Negros Occidental
Murcia Sugarcane Plantation, Mambukal Resort (7 falls, hot springs), Bacolod City (The Ruins, Panaad Festival)

26. Marinduque
Sta Cruz, Cruising around the island

27. Leyte
Ormoc-Albuerra, Tacloban City

28. Eastern Samar
Quinapondan: Residential, Beach, Bangus Cages

29. Cebu
Cebu City: Magellan's Cross, Sto. Nino Shrine, Cebu Fort

30. Palawan
Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan, Ship ride from Puerto Princesa to Manila