WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES
When I chose to travel to the Philippines this Thanksgiving, I admittingly knew very little about the country. I was looking for a warm destination with the right balance of sun and adventure. The Philippines seemed to be less-traveled among the overrun backpacker destinations in Southeast Asia and had a reputation for beautiful beaches, but what put me over the edge was the insanely inexpensive $600 round-trip ticket via Cathay Pacific.
My intuition (and lack of research for that matter) usually serves me fine on most trips to Southeast Asia, but I can’t say I wouldn’t have appreciated a few more pointers for the Philippines. These are the top things I wish I had known before traveling to the land of lechon.
If you don’t eat lechon, prepare for a less than stellar culinary experience
I like to eat. It’s no shocker for those of you who know me. I appreciate food in its most purest form without the bells and whistles, hence $1 pad thai in Bangkok has rarely steered me wrong. The cuisine in the Philippines has a few staples, but unless you have an affinity for pork, you’ll probably have a hard time finding food you’ll be satisfied with. Lechon, the informal national dish of the Philippines, is a whole roasted pig cooked over charcoal. You’ll see it on every street corner, with various forms of it, even in the local 7-Eleven. I don’t eat pork, so I can’t speak to the quality, but Anthony Bourdain did award the Filipino island of Cebu with the stamp of “best pig.” If you’re more of an herbivore like me, you'll probably find the food less than satisfying. Almost all Filipino cuisine seemed to lack freshness (Chicken Adobo), flavor, or was just downright inedible (Balut). With that said, there is much to love about the Philippines, so please keep reading.
The beaches are spectacular
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. We’ve all seen facebook videos and instagram pictures of the crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches of the Philippines. I can attest, there is no catfishing. What you see online is really what you get. The water is uniquely turquoise with lagoons and beaches that look like a scene from castaway. The marine life is spectacular, with coral, sea turtles, and even whale sharks abundant in the refreshingly litter-free waters. There are A LOT of islands, so pick carefully. I would recommend El Nido and Coron in Palawan for the aesthetics and Cebu for scuba diving.
Recommended luxury accommodation in El Nido: Seda Lio, $140/night
Manila has safe neighborhoods to sleep, eat, and drink
I began my Philippines journey in Manila, which as many of you know, doesn’t have the best reputation. I did quite a bit of research on the safest neighborhoods in Manila and came across the urbanized city of Makati, home to a large number of expats and multinational corporations. I was pleasantly surprised to find Makati was incredibly swanky, featuring the famed Shangri-La and an expansive mall area with luxury shopping and overpriced food. Sure, it’s a bubble, but it was a safe bubble that can give you a glimpse of Filipino city life (and an overpriced coconut to boot).
Recommended luxury accommodation in Makati: New World Makati, $110/night
Western influences are prevalent
The Filipino cultural identity is vastly different from its surrounding countries. For one, English is a national language in the Philippines, so most of the people you will likely interact with will be fluent in English. This is why many American call centers are based in Manila. In addition, 86% of the population is Catholic due to the country’s early colonization by the Spanish. As a result, cities won’t be adorned with beautiful Buddhist temples and shrines like other parts of Asia and picking up a few words of Tagalog (the native language) will require more intentional immersion. Unfortunately, the island towns are less aesthetic and may not be the best use of your time in the country.
The people are incredibly friendly and hospitable
Southeast Asia is known for having incredibly friendly locals, but Filipinos are particularly warm and welcoming. The people were always willing to accommodate and touting was left to a minimum. Maybe this is a result of the country's under exposure to tourism, but the people and children of the Philippines will always hold a special place in my heart.
