1. Baguio city
Situated amidst the mountainous region of Cordillera, Baguio City is one of the few place in the Philippines blessed with a cool climate. Aptly called the Summer Capital of the Philippines, uphold its picturesque mountain sceneries and breath-taking destinations tourists love to visit from time to time.
Baguio City was established by the Americans as a hill station in 1900, It was their playground who built this city as their vacation spot because of its clear blue morning skies, refreshing pine scented mountain air, foggy afternoons, and chilly romantic evenings.
Baguio City is gifted with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions which make it an important and interesting destination. Stroll down Session Road and shop in an ukay-ukay (thrift shop). The downtown market sells all sorts of carved bulul (rice gods) and the infamous Barrel Man. Woven rattan products such as pasiking (native backpacks) and baskets come in all varieties. You can also see the carvers in action.
Artists are particularly drawn to this serene city. Visit the Bencab Gallery and Museum, owned by the National Artist Ben Cabrera.. Built on the edge of a hill with an incredible view of a rainforest and garden. The museum is Ethnographic masterpieces in the form of spoons, pipes and bowls are showcased along with paintings and sculpture.
Baguio has a number of attractions and destinations that showcase its rich heritage. Burnham Park, Camp John Hay and Mines View Park are places to hang out.
Baguio boast of luscious strawberries, and crisp vegetables. A propussion of flowers in a variety of brilliant hues.
All these are uniquely baguio.
2. Angeles city, Pampanga
A former home of Clark Airbase, is in a prime location between major foreign financial and residential areas including the Clark Freeport Zone and the capital city Manila. Dubbed as The entertainment capital of the Philippines, recognised around the world for its famous walking street and unique nightlife scene throughout the city. Angeles became home to a large colony of expatriates and retirees, as many Americans chose to permanently settle in the area.
Boasting with numerous international school, and premier universities, that offer your children the quality education that they deserve.
The city is a sanctuary for retirees. The city has all the components a retiree is looking for: availability of excellent transport system via air (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) and land via SCTEX, a scenic natural landscape with proximity to numerous natural attractions and low cost of living.
The city also has a bustling Korean community in Barangay Anunas. It houses Korean establishment along the Fil=AM Friendship Hi-way.
3. San Fernando, Pampanga
The capital city of Pampanga named after King Ferdinand VI of Spain. San Fernando has been the choice industrial location of business establishments. Fernandinos (natives of the city) are known for their creativity and craftsmanship especially in lantern making hence San Fernando is referred to as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.
San Fernando is highly urbanized, and have a wide range of product and service provider (2 big shopping malls, 7524 business establishment 35 tertiary schools and 10 hospitals) Real estate prices are much lower, and with better offers in terms of amenities.
San Fernando is accessible via Land (North Luzon Expressway) and air (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport).
4. Tagaytay
One of the country's most popular tourist destinations because of its outstanding scenery and cooler climate provided by its high altitude. Tagaytay overlooks Taal Lake in Batangas and provides one of the iconic views of the Philippines, the view of Taal Volcano Island in the middle of the lake, viewable from several vantage points in the city.
Just a 2-hour drive from Manila, Tagaytay is a relaxing and safe haven where one can relax, unwind and be one with nature. It is is the perfect place for leisure activities such as picnic, horseback riding, sightseeing and just to hangout.
Tagaytay is also a favorite place for those seeking for some quiet time and for a spiritual journey.You may visit some of Tagaytay's chapels and seminary houses where you could have time to meditate and commune with nature and with our creator.
5. Olongapo City, Zambales
Olongapo City is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales. Along with the town of Subic, it comprises Metro Olongapo, one of the twelve metropolitan areas in the Philippines.
Metro Olongapo is a former home of one of the largest US military facilities outside of the US mainland, the Subic Bay Naval Base.
Subic Bay is the Philippine's top playground for sports and extreme adventures. Subic Bay is known for it's diversity in culture, cuisine and leisure activities that makes an experience of a lifetime. From panoramic views to extreme water sports activities. Everything is here. Let the cool breeze of Subic Bay welcome you to paradise. Adventure or relax, Subic Bay has got it all.
The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is on the former site of the US Subic Naval Base, and is host to many tourist attractions which include casinos, beaches, diving/snorkeling, parks, beachside huts and cottages and historical artifacts. The Freeport is right next to Olongapo City (which was administered by the US Naval Base commander back in the 1950s), separated only by a moat constructed by the US Navy.
Beside the Freeport, Olongapo City, formerly a part of Subic municipality, is directly accessible to and from the Freeport.
The Subic Bay International Airport is the airport serving the immediate area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the general area of Olongapo City. This airport used to be the Naval Air Station Cubi Point of the United States Navy. Its airport terminal has 2 gates. Currently, it was proposed to be converted into a logistics hub.
Olongapo is accessible through the National Highway (via Zigzag Road). Another access to the city is via SCTEX and Subic–Tipo Expressway exiting to the gates of Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The Port of Subic is one of the busiest, largest, historical and most important of Ports in the Philippines.
6. Cebu City
Known as the country's oldest city, Cebu is now a mega metropolis situated in the very heart of the Visayas Region. Cebu is considered as a major business hub next to Manila. Cebu has its indelible mark in history, being the seat of colonialism by the Spanish regime. And even during pre=colonial history, Cebu was already the center of trade with merchants from China, Malaysia, Japan, India and other parts of Asia.
Cebu is the gateway to around two-thirds of the Philippine archipelago. It is the primary destination of approximately 35% of the Philippines’ foreign visitors.
Superb destinations, low operating costs and excellent government administrative support favor the development of new destinations which are serviced from Cebu. There are opportunities for ocean and land recreation, transportation, marketing, and tourism-related developments such as mountain resorts, hotels and golf courses.
After their arrival, travelers retrace historic journeys, play golf, hike mountain trails and laze on pristine white sands and dive on exotic coral reefs that equal the very best of anywhere.
Cebu is a kaleidoscope of varying cultures and lifestyles, a meeting of east and west, a fusion of things traditional and modern.
This is influenced by the various phases of Cebu: being the spot where Philippine history began, becoming the cradle of Christianity, experiencing American and Japanese occupation, and later on transforming itself into a regional hub of everything — from arts and craftsmanship, to business and information technology.
Being part of a tropical country, Cebu is lined with pristine white sand beaches perfect for weekend and holiday getaways. Famous resorts include Alegre Beach Resort in the municipality of Sogod, renowned for its white powdery beach and efforts in marine wildlife preservation.
At the sunset coast of Cebu, another prominent tourist destination is the Badian Island Resort and Spa. A first class resort, it boasts of crystal blue waters, fine white sand beaches and the splendor of nature in the little island basking at Badian Gulf.
Sanctuaries also abound in the province. One of these is the Olango Wildlife Sanctuary, six miles off the east coast of mainland Cebu. The island play host to a total of 77 species of migratory birds in the East Asian Flyway.
The city is readily accessible by air via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport located in Lapu-Lapu City. It serves as the main gateway to domestic and international routes to or from Cebu City and other islands in the Visayas region. Daily flights are available to and from Cebu as well as numerous direct daily flights to and from Korea, Singapore, HongKong and scheduled flights to Japan, Qatar, Malaysia Taiwan and China. Aside from these, the Mactan Airport serves several seasonal charter flights to Russia, China USA and UK.
Cebu city's domestic port is the country's busiest. Cebu city is home to almost 80% of the country's passenger vessels. As of now, several shipping companies service inter-island and international destinations: Sulpicio Lines, Gothong Southern Shipping, Cebu Ferries Corporation, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, George & Peter Lines, Inc., Lite Shipping Corporation, Negros Navigation Co., Inc. Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc. WG&A Super Ferry and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines.
All these, plus the convergence of personalities and groups from varying backgrounds give the island a culture and lifestyle that is uniquely Cebu.
7. Davao City
It is the center of Metro Davao, the third most populous metropolitan area in the Philippines. The city serves as the main trade, commerce, and industry hub of Mindanao and the regional center of Davao Region. Davao is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. Davao is also known as the "Durian Capital" of the Philippines.
Davao is a melting pot of various cultures, which include minority indigenous groups such as the Bagobo, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Maguindanaos. The locals, who refer to themselves as Dabawenyos and Dabawenyas, are a friendly bunch who shares a fierce pride in their home and heritage.
Davao is part of the East Asian Growth Area, a regional economic-cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia, ranked 87th among the world's fastest-growing cities by the City Mayors Foundation, based in London and Freiburg, Germany.
Davao City serves as the main trade, commerce, and industry hub of Mindanao and is also one of the financial hubs of Mindanao. The Davao Gulf provides a living for many fishermen. Some of the fish products include yellow fin tuna, brackish water milkfish, mudfish, shrimp and crab. More than half of the city's land area,is devoted for agricultural purposes. Bearing the nickname as the "Fruit Basket of the Philippines".
There are 31 hospitals and tertiary centers in the city. Davao has been praised by the World Health Organization for its smoke-free policy since 2002.
The city government provides free education at the primary (grade school) and secondary (high school) levels at public institutions. Currently, as sanctioned by the Department of Education, all primary and secondary institutions in the city use the K-12 educational system. The city currently hosts five universities.
The influx of foreign visitors and the presence of expatriates and migrants in the city have prompted the governments of Japan, Palau, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United States to open consular offices in the city. An honorary consulate of the Czech Republic was also established. The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines opened a virtual consulate, where inquiries regarding visas, foreign-relations concerns and travel to the United States can be made by e-mail and chat. The virtual consulate is maintained in coordination with Ateneo de Davao University, University of Mindanao, University of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Cross of Davao College and AMA Computer College.
The region is strategically situated outside the typhoon belt, making for relatively consistent weather throughout the year.
Davao is connected to Manila by roll-on/roll-off inter-island ferries. The city is served by domestic passenger ferries at Sasa International Seaport and Santa Ana Wharf, the international seaports of the Port of Davao, the busiest port in Mindanao.[30] The port is capable of servicing inter-island and international shipments. It is located in Davao Gulf and has two approaches, one at Pakiputan Strait between Davao and western Samal Island.
Davao City is the regional center, and its Francisco Bangoy International Airport is the third busiest airport in the country.It has direct flights to major Philippine cities and Singapore.
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