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The Philippines is full of natural beauty, including gorgeous beaches, hills that look like candy drops, amazing waterfalls, old rice terraces and reefs full of marine life.

But visitors aren't likely to see such wonders unaccompanied, as the locals are very outgoing. They consider solitude seekers an oddity—Filipinos prefer to have company.

Travelers to the Philippines will be included in bayanihan, the Filipinos' term for their communal spirit. The locals' jokes, smiles and laughter will be shared with their visitors—such friendly people are rare. Travelers who care more about exploring a culture and making friends more than visiting tourist sites will be pleased with the Philippines.

In rural areas and on some southern islands, travel can be a little hazardous, but most of the country, especially tourist areas, is safe. The government has worked hard, and fairly successfully, to curb petty street crime, tourist scams and dishonest cabdrivers. Security is strong, especially in shopping areas and hotels—all people who enter such places are checked. It's wise, though, for visitors to stay aware while traveling in the Philippines.

Geography

History

Philippine history has been summed up in the Stanley Karnow phrase "Three centuries in a Catholic convent, 50 years in Hollywood," which refers to the two very different eras of colonial domination—first by Spain and then by the U.S.

Both eras began with naval actions. The first was in 1521, when Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan came upon the islands during the first round-the-world voyage, but foolishly became involved in local politics and was killed by Lapu Lapu, a tribal chieftain now immortalized as the first Filipino to resist foreign rule.

The islands were governed by Spain until 1898, when the nation became the only official overseas colony of the U.S., following Adm. George Dewey's victory over a Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. A U.S.-Filipino war followed the Spanish-American War and ended only when Emilio Aguinaldo, the Filipino leader, was captured by U.S. troops during negotiations. Aguinaldo did, however, extract a promise for independence—a promise that was kept in 1946 after an intervening war and occupation.

The most infamous chapter in Philippine history began when Ferdinand Marcos was elected president in 1965 and re-elected in 1969. Barred by the constitution from seeking a third term, he declared martial law in 1972 and rewrote the constitution. Throughout the next 15 years, his government became one of the most corrupt in the world. Estimates vary, but it is possible Marcos siphoned billions from the Philippine treasury—while his constituents became some of the poorest people in Asia.

Facing a rising tide of discontent, Marcos called an unscheduled election in 1986—and lost, despite a massive effort to steal the vote. He fled the country and died three years later.

Ensuing leaders made some progress in alleviating the country's endemic corruption and poverty, but progress went downhill and, in 2001, former president Joseph Estrada was forced from office in a massive nonviolent street protest known as "the Second EDSA Revolution" by those who accused him of embezzling millions.

His successor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was able to partially restore investment confidence in the country, but she battled a scandal involving the 2003 national elections. In 2005, and for three more consecutive years, impeachment complaints were filed against her but never succeeded. However, in November 2011, Macapagal-Arroyo was charged with electoral fraud and held under house arrest. Her successor, Benigno Aquino III, took office in 2010, and in 2016 Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in as president.

The Philippine economy has performed well and continues to grow given an increased reliance on manufacturing and a growing middle class.

Snapshot

The main attractions of the Philippines include beaches, tropical scenery, indigenous culture, historical sites, volcanoes, fishing, trekking, snorkeling and diving.

The Philippines is a good destination for travelers who have already visited Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia and want to explore more of Southeast Asia. Inexperienced travelers will prefer packaged tours. Seasoned, somewhat adventurous travelers interested in tropical scenery and history can go independently. Don't expect deluxe accommodations throughout your stay, and be prepared for last-minute schedule changes, delays or unexpected closings.

Potpourri

The Philippines is reputed to be the text messaging (SMS) capital of the world. Each day, 35 million mobile subscribers send about 450 million text messages, more than North America and Europe combined.

In 2008, Makati City was the first to launch the e-Jeepney that runs on electricity instead of gasoline.

The Philippines has more than 330 volcanoes, although only 23 of them are categorized as active.

Despite the common belief that Karaoke is Japanese, it was invented in the Philippines by Roberto Del Rosario and originally called "sing along with the system." It was later renamed "karaoke," which means "singing without accompaniment" in Japanese.

The Philippines is among the world's largest producer of coconuts.

The barong tagalog is the country's national costume for men. It is made of translucent and lightweight material that is perfect for Philippine weather. Historical legend suggests that the reason for the apparel's transparency can be traced back to Spanish colonial times when Filipinos were strictly monitored for carrying weapons.

The Philippines has a long tradition of growing tobacco for cigars. In the 16th century, a Spanish galleon carried tobacco seeds to the Philippines from Cuba. Older women of the Cagayan province, where the best tobacco is grown, are the most devoted smokers: They smoke the large cigars backwards, with the burning end inside their mouths.

There are more than 80 languages and more than 100 dialects spoken in the Philippines, but most residents also speak English. Filipino schools are based on the U.S. system, and the language of instruction is English.

The 1942 capitulation of the U.S. to the Japanese at Bataan (the peninsula that forms the western boundary of Manila Bay) was the biggest surrender in U.S. history—70,000 men were obliged to lay down their arms.

The Philippines is the only Roman Catholic nation in Asia.

One of the biggest boosts to the Philippine economy is the billions in annual remittances sent there by Filipinos who have emigrated to other countries as residents or as overseas contract workers.

The Tagalog word mabuhay (pronounced ma-BOO-high) means "long life"—you'll hear it often.