Tips for First Timers to the Philippines

In the Summer of 2018, I visited the Philippines for the very first time. As a second-generation Filipino and a Mexican American, I've always had a curiosity to visit the land of my ancestors, the land where I could have grown up. Before leaving for my trip, I heard many stories from my friends and family about culture shock and how you can never experience anything like it. And boy, were they right.

Upon arriving in the Philippines, I was nervous. I wanted to have this connection to a land that I had never been to. I wanted to feel like I belonged,ev en if I grew up somewhere far away. Being bi-racial, you have a sense that you are incomplete. You aren't full Filipino or full Mexican. In America, I feel lost sometimes. It wasn't until I realized that the culture that we create for ourselves is who we are. I no longer pay mind to those who want to culture shame me in not knowing the languages or not growing up knowing about my culture. My journey is my own, and I will choose what it entails.

With that in mind, I got to experience some of the wonders of the Philippines. Here are some highlights of my month-long journey :)

Zipling in Hundred Islands (Pangsinan)

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0faf08_7b52450894e84db0917ddfe2b42b85f0/360p/mp4/file.mp4

The Hundred Islands is a national park located in Luzon and contains over 124 islets. One of the coolest things is being able to island-hop to all the different islands. My family went on the Hundred Island Tour, where we went to the following islands: Virgin, Quezon, Children's Island, Governor's Island, Marcos Island, Lopez Island, and Chave Island. On this tour, you can go swimming, kayaking, camping, hiking, cliff jumping, wall climbing, and zip-lining (as seen in the video). It is definitely worthwhile.

For more information about the Hundred Islands, check out: https://guidetothephilippines.ph/trips-and-experiences/island-hopping-tours/full-day-hundred-island-tour-3d2n. 

Chocolate Hills of Bohol

One of the most popular tourist sites in the Philippines is the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. These hills are the 8th wonder of the world and are named the 3rd National Geological Monument in the Philippines. These gorgeous hills are brown during the dry season (Jan - May) and turn green during their rainy season. It was breathtaking to see these hills in person [and not because you have to climb many, many steps to get there ;)]

For more information, check out https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/ultimate-guides/chocolate-hills-bohol-travel-guide. 

Tarsier Sanctuary

I first learned about Tarsiers in my Tagalog class. Tarsiers are the world's smallest primates, nocturnal, and have abnormally large eyes. Tarsiers can turn their head 180 degrees and move backward with precision. Tarsiers are not meant to be in captivity, as they will commit suicide if touched or hear loud noises.

These cute little animals are endangered and are under constant threat of habitat destruction. However, you can still help Tarsiers by visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella. Please keep in mind that not all places are certified as official sanctuary areas. It is IMPORTANT to make sure that you do your research to avoid any mistreatment of the animals.

For more information about the Tarsier Sanctuary, check out http://www.tarsierfoundation.org/how-to-help-2/by-visiting-sanctuary/. 

The Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Another fascinating experience was taking a boat through the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. This river National Park has one of the world’s most impressive cave systems, limestone landscapes, forests, and distinctive wildlife. This national park is rich in biodiversity with over 800 plant species, 300 trees, 195 birds, 30 mammals, 19 reptiles, and 8 bat species. The underground river is 8.2 KM and would take 6 hours to get through. However, 1.5 Km (.93 miles) is the only portion open to the public. Since there is a lot of biodiversity and insects here, I would caution bringing a lot of bug spray and applying it as often as it says on the label. I am told that certain brands will not be potent enough to handle mosquitoes. I have included a guide to choose a mosquito repellent that will be effective enough in the Philippines.

For more information on mosquito repellents, check out https://topbest.ph/blogs/which-mosquito-repellent-is-most-effective/ 

For more information about the River, check out: https://ppur.com.ph/underground-river/facts-and-trivia/ 

Rafting & Jumping Off the Waterfall at Bolinao Falls

The Bolinao Falls is a great place to go! You can jump off a waterfall and raft around the waterfall. I will admit that I was afraid when I first looked down. Once our guide got us to the top of the waterfall, I was all alone at the top and knew there was only one way down. xD Luckily, I dared to jump off, but wearing a life jacket of course ;) Jumping off was thrillin,g and my heart didn't drop this time (which sometimes happens when jumping from high heights).

To conclude my reflection, I wanted to give you some tips for being a first-time traveler to the Philippines.

TIPS for a First-time Traveler

1) Do NOT drink tap water and avoid ice!

As I'm sure you may have heard, Asian countries use a different filtration system from Western countries, and your stomach is most likely not used to it. Throughout my month-long journey, I discovered that I needed to not only drink sealed bottled waters but also avoid drinks that contained ice. It can really irritate the stomach.

2) Carry cash but not loads of it...

Depending on whether or not you are in the city or in the rural areas of the Philippines, it is best to have enough cash to purchase items from markets and places that do not have a credit card machine, which will turn out to be useful in other emergencies.

3) Experience the Friendly Hospitality

Filipinos are known for their hospitality and friendliness. One of the most humbling things was seeing how gracious my family was. They looked out for each other. They were kind and friendly to us newcomers. They asked me questions about the United States and what life is like living on your own in your own apartment. One of the fondest moments from my trip was all of the young cousins riding in the back of the truck to the airport. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to visit them, and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world!

4) When planning, keep in mind the traffic and transportation limitations.

Depending on where you are, it can take hours to get to the other side of a city. There is a very specific way to drive in the Philippines. Most people hire drivers, as navigating the unusual traffic conditions of the Philippines can be overwhelming for travelers. Make sure when you plan that you understand how unpredictable traffic can be.

5) Rainy vs. Dry Seasons

The best time to visit the Philippines is during the dry season. The wet season is from June - October. The dry season is from late October to May. When I went to visit, we were there in late October and experienced quite a bit of rain.

Regardless of whether or not you are Filipino, the Philippines is an enchanting place full of culture and beauty.

It is a magnificent place to visit. I hope that you will experience and enjoy it as much as I did! :)

P.S. Thank you to all my Filipino Family Members (the Concepcion Family) who helped us throughout our journey. Mahal Kita <3