Beauty doesn’t come only with appearance, but also with the inner self. The Philippines have undergone various sharpening before it became a beauty to behold. Manila is one of the best places to stop by and wander around but if history was to speak, the best to offer is Intramuros.

Intramuros, a Latin word which literally means “within the walls”, is a historical landmark along Manila Bay and south of Pasig River entrance. During the Spanish Colonial Period, it was the seat of governance and power. With the aim to protect the Spanish governing body from foreign invasions, the construction of massive and thick walls were pushed through which resulted in now what we call the “walled city”. The rest of the story was history.

There are more exciting and relaxing adventures in store for everyone. A day might not be enough to be fully dazzled by the must-see sceneries in this huge city. A romantic atmosphere and a transport to a different era is a bonus while wandering around riding in well-decorated horse carriages with friendly tour guides/drivers in one package.

If you are adventurous enough, you could walk and stroll through the streets while getting a closer and better glimpse of the various assets in place. You don’t have to worry about the sun because the walls and the shades of the trees are always ready to protect you at any time of the day. Also, the streets are home of cafes and restaurants that cater customers and stage cultural presentations featuring native Filipino heritage.

Moreover, it is a living Spanish town in the Philippines with all the numerous Catholic churches, museums, restaurants and buildings with Spanish architectural style. Who says visiting a world heritage site is out of reach? It is just around the corner waiting to be noticed and accessible through LRT, taxi or jeepney. Famous sites to visits are Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine, Casa Manila Shrine and the two oldest churches – San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral.

Intramuros is a living legacy of Spanish influences that eventually extracted the creative minds of Pinoy. Travel to Manila and explore the hidden beauty of Intramuros.

Relive history in Manila by digging into the inner beauty of Intramuros!

If you want to spend summer in the Philippines, that is from mid March till the end of May, chances are you will be spending your day on its beaches from its famous Boracay and Palawan to secluded beaches located close to your relative’s barangays.

There is another way exciting activity to do in the Philippines during summer and that is Visita Iglesia.
Visita Iglesia is Spanish for “church visit” and it observed in the Philippines during Lenten Season specifically during the Holy Week. Only few countries like Philippines, Poland and Malta observe this Catholic tradition since these countries have many churches. This tradition started in Rome when devotees and pilgrims visit the 7 great basilicas as an act of penance.

And in the Philippines when Holy Week is also a working holiday, it is a time for relaxation. As a Catholic country, Filipinos are urged to obliged into penance and observe the Holy Week rather than pure beach outings and parties.

If you want to combine both religious duties and relaxation, Visita Iglesia is the best thing to do. Still, doing this practice must be heartfelt. For Visita Iglesia, you will visit 7 churches on Maundy Thursday. In every church you visit, you must pray that Station of the Cross but some Catholics will just pray on their own ways. What is more important is that you pry for forgiveness and give thanks to your blessings.

The good thing about Visita Iglesia is that balikbayans like you will revisited Philippine history through its churches. You can choose any churches but holidaygoers opt to visit colonial and heritages churches even if they are kilometers away from each other. This makes Visita Iglesia very popular among travelers.

Even in the Metro, there is the Quiapo Church, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and Baclaran Church.  Batangas and Luzon have plenty of old churches while the Visayas is a great place to a Visita Iglesia with its heritage churches of impressive architecture.

Coming to the Philippines for a Pinoy summer? Visit heritage churches, pray for penance and enjoy the country in a different light.

Philippines is home to plenty of festivals. In accordance to one of the President Marcos’ decrees, each town should have their own festival to promote local tourism and to boost local economy as well.  But before it has became customary in the Philippines, a Visayan festival has been observed for more than 300 years.

Held in Kalibo, Aklan in the Western region of the Visayas group of islands, it has earned the title ” Mother of All Philippine Festivals”. Ati Atihan started many traditions when it comes to Philippine festivals. The street dancing, the drumbeats and the vibrant costumes…they all started with Kalibo’s very own festival.

Its name comes from Ati which is an indigenous group living in Aklan and other part of the region. “Ati Atihan” means, “to be like an Ati” and it explains the distinct black color of the dancers – Atis are dark-skinned people with curly hair. So how did this festival happen?

The Atis used to live in the lowlands of Aklan and they give thanks to a good harvest each year through dancing and singing. When Malay settlers came to escape a tyrant datu (ruler) in their homeland, they peacefully negotiated with the Atis. They agreed in exchange of goods, that the Atis will move to the highlands while the new settlers will live in the lowland. It just happen that is was the Ati’s annual harvest thanksgiving so the new settlers covered their skin with soot to mimic the Atis and danced with them. This event marks the birth of the Ati Atihan Festival.

When Spaniards came, they befriended the locals and this includes observing their festival. The Spaniard added the religious aspect of the festivals which is what you see in its present celebrations. Ati Atihan festival goes beyond thanking for a good harvest; it is in celebration in honor of the Holy Child Jesus or the Santo Nino.

Third Sunday of the January is the feast day the Santo Nino and today people thank the Holy Infant for blessings or ask for petitions. They still dance their petitions and thanksgiving with the familiar chant ” Pit Senyor!”, ” Viva Santo Nino!”

With other festivals in the country, Ati Atihan still attracts plenty of travelers. It has successfully maintain the real essence of the celebration. Today, the festival spans for a week with street dancing of different groups known as tribus or “tribes”. Other activities include food festivals, concerts and many more.

If you want to witness the best festival, then it is a must to experience the Ati Atihan Festival.

If you are going to the Philippines this April, you may come right on time for the Holy Week. As a major Catholic country, Holy Week is a very important season in the Philippines. Families get together during this time with thousands and even millions  of Filipinos going home to their respective provinces during the Holy Week. Since April is also a school break and summer, this season is also one of the rarest times that Filipinos travel even to far destinations like beaches.

But if you want to comply with your religious duties and go for a trip to take advantage of your time, why not go for a visita iglesia? Literally means “church visits”, this practice dates back in early Christian era when pilgrims visit 7 of Rome’s great basilicas. This practice is still done in Catholic countries where there are plenty of churches. Aside from the Philippines, Malta and Poland also have their own visita iglesia.

Old tradition in the Philippines requires to visit 7 churches during Holy Thursday right after the Last Supper Mass. And the mission is to complete all 7 churches before midnight. Now, this practice has somewhat experience some modifications to match the changing lifestyles of most modern Filipinos. Now, Catholics can visit anytime of the day during the Holy Week.

Visita Iglesia is also now  big part in local tourism in the Philippines. During the Holy Week, there are many Visita Iglesia packages for tourists to choose. These destinations usually cover those heritage churches in the country. There are many old churches in the Philippines and it is easy for tourists to make their own visita iglesia itineraries.

In Manila, you can visit San Agustine Church, the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros as well as Quiapo Church. You can then proceed to Batangas or Laguna. If you want to travel north, the old churches in Ilocos like Paoay, Sarrat and Santa Maria Church are must-sees. Iloilo is also home to the famous Miag-ao Church, another baroque church recognized by UNESCO. If you ar planning to spend you vacation in Cebu, Cebu Cathedral, Basilica del Santo Nino as well as the old churches of Boljoon should be a part of your itineraries.

Going on a visita iglesia is a good activity while in the Philippines. Not only you can enjoy a relaxing road trip, you can reconnect with your Filipino roots with these heritage churches. You can learn about Philippine history with these churches mostly built on forced labor during the Spanish period.

Right in the heart of Manila is found the Walled City of Intramuros constructed in 1571 and once one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities. Here, dungeons and old churches share space with art galleries, theatres and parklands. Visit Plaza San Luis, a tourist complex featuring five houses representing different Spanish eras. The strategic Spanish fortress of Fort Santiago is now a park and promenade housing a resident theater company. Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the highest chief executive of the country since 1863 is one of the most historic structures in the country and also one of the most visited.

Philippine baroque churches are cited on the World Heritage List because of their unusual interpretation of a major artistic style. Four parishes in particular are considered of great importance. San Agustin Church in Manila’s Intramuros, is the oldest existing Christian sanctuary in Asia, and the Philippines’ oldest stone edifice. A plain facade hides magnificent interiors crammed with antique statues and rare works of art. Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in !locos Sur is a citadel complex famous for its grand stairway and its circular cemetery. llocos Norte has its own Church of San Agustin, built with voluminous stone buttresses to withstand earthquakes, decorated with huge scrolls, and topped by decorative pinnacles. In Iloilo province is the Santo Tomas de Villanueva, a sandstone fortress-church with a profusely ornamented facade.

Part ofthe vibrant Philippine cultural fabric are its many colourful ethnic groups. Majority are Muslim Filipinos living in the southern islands of Mindanao and Sulu. The rest are tribe folks scattered among the mountain provinces of Luzon and the rainforests and seashores of Mindanao and Palawan.

The Ifugaos are the architects of the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces, giant green staircases to the sky built 2000 years ago. ’Hudhud’, the lfugao epic and masterpiece of oral tradition has been sung by generations of lfugaos since the late 17th century. The T’boli tribe of Cotobato are known for their elaborate costume, wealth of craft and dance and music traditions. The graceful and artistic Maranao Jive along beautiful lake Lanao crafting ornate carvings, rich woven fabrics and fine brass jars.

Popularly known as the sea gypsies of the Sulu and Celebes sea, the Badjao live most of their lives in house boats and are totally dependent on the sea’s bounty.

Source:  Philippine Department of Tourism