Amanda Virrey
Dreamy island getaways, secluded beach coves, sprawling powdery sands, towering tropical plants, vibrant marine life, vast panoramic terrains, a rich and vivid culture, a populace radiating with smiles, humor, warmth, talent and heart, and absolutely a place that everyone in the world can call home.
It’s none other than the Philippines!
The Philippine Islands, an archipelago blessed with 7107 islands, is a country that boasts diverse sceneries suitable for people coming from every part of the globe. And being a democratic-ruled country, the choice of living in any nook and cranny of these unique islands is utterly free, safe and fun, considering the multitude of fascinating places, events and people to encounter, which is sure to spark excitement out of anyone’s soul.
Let’s begin with the country’s main urban areas. There are primarily two big cities in the country, namely Metro Manila and Cebu City. These cities house major global industries and international consumer chains, as well as the imposing exhibition of the biggest commercial centers in Asia (which resemble galaxies of stars when illuminated during Christmastime). These megalopolises, most notably Metro Manila, cater to an eclectic crowd of locals and expats who revel in the city’s modern conveniences and dynamic culture while keeping up with the pace of the fast-evolving world in a somewhat leisurely way.
Then there are the minor urban areas in the rural sides, like Davao, Pampanga and Iloilo that mirror the same blueprint as the two big cities, but in a more familiar and controlled ambience, and a strong community support system. They have been extensively developed to accommodate the growing populace, including foreigners setting up residences, which is partly brought by globalization and by the unmistakable beauty and enigma of the Filipinas.
Now, with a country that owes its thriving economy majorly to tourism, you can count on every one of its 17 regions to be beaming with natural wonders, adventure-filled activities, peace and order, and a promise for heavenly comforts.
So, imagine that in almost an instant, you could be snorkeling with the whale sharks in Donsol or Dumaguete, or sunbathing on white sand after your refreshing dip in the sea of Boracay or Bohol, or touring the underground river and eating native delicacies in Puerto Princesa, or hiking up to the craters of dormant volcanoes like Mount Taal and Mount Pinatubo, or dancing with a troop of colorfully-masked dancers at the zestful Masskara Festival in Bacolod, or kayaking from one island to another in El Nido, or riding in the hot air balloon in Clark, or experiencing the genuine hospitality and the age-old traditions of the benevolent tribesmen in Bukidnon, or kite-surfing in Ilocos Norte’s uncharted beaches, or food-tripping to the smorgasbord of gourmet dishes overlooking the lake in Tagaytay, or indulging in a whole day of spa treatments for you and your loved one in Malapascua, or designing your own clothes line with natural fibers from Aklan, or cultivating a coffee farm in the breezy atmosphere of Batangas, or starting your own sustainable farm in the backyard of your villa on a hilltop somewhere in the big island of Tablas.
And the list of things to do in the Philippines goes on, never ceasing to fuel the fire that builds up at the sight of such marvels that this country holds.
Thus, for everyone who loves the country and invests his heart in it, will certainly have a home and a family among many families to cherish for a lifetime.
