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