The Philippines: Where the Beaches Are Endless, the Karaoke Is Loud, and "Filipino Time" Is a Way of Life

Welcome to the Philippines, a glorious chaos of over 7,000 tropical islands where the water is warm, the people are insanely welcoming, and singing karaoke is a mandatory civic duty.

It’s a country that turns paradise into a full-contact sport. In places like El Nido and Coron, towering limestone cliffs cut through water so clear you can see your own reflection judging your sunburn. You’ll spend your days island-hopping on wooden banca boats, dodging curious sea turtles, and swimming into hidden lagoons that look like they were designed by a luxury travel magazine editor.

Then there’s the daily commute. On land, the undisputed king of the road is the Jeepney—brightly painted, chrome-covered extended jeeps that serve as public buses. Getting into one involves ducking your head, squeezing onto a metal bench next to twelve strangers, and passing your fare forward hand-to-hand like a human bucket brigade, all while blasting 90s pop ballads at deafening volumes.

To survive the island hopping, you’ll fuel up on Adobo (savory garlic-soy meat) and Lechon (crispy whole roasted pig), topped off with Halo-Halo—a marvelous dessert concoction featuring shaved ice, condensed milk, sweet beans, jellies, and a giant scoop of purple ube ice cream that somehow works brilliantly.

Between navigating "Filipino Time" (where "I'm five minutes away" actually means "I haven't left the house"), marveling at the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and getting challenged to a high-stakes singing duel by a local uncle, the Philippines is loud, gorgeous, and endlessly fun. Just pack plenty of sunblock, embrace the schedule delays, and prepare to belt out your best rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody"!

May, 2009