30 reasons to visit the Philippines

[jw5]

4 | Limunsudan Falls​

If there is only one word to describe Limunsudan Falls, it would be grand! It is the tallest two-tiered waterfall in the country, with its two drops having almost the same height. It is located in a remote area that requires a 3 to 4-hour ride on dirt roads. To anyone who wants to visit the falls, make it a point to ask permission from the Higaonon Tribe of Bukidnon.

 

[jw5]

5 | Tinuy-an Falls​

It may not be as tall as several other waterfalls in the country, but Tinuy-an Falls is the widest measuring 95 meters. It is even nicknamed the “Little Niagara Falls of the Philippines” because of its curtain-type appearance. It is also amazing to know that a rainbow appears in the area almost every morning between 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

 

[jw5]

6 | Asik-Asik Falls​

If Tinago Falls is mesmerizing, Asik-Asik Falls is unique and probably mysterious as there is no evident source of water from above the wall or elsewhere. Instead, the frothy water sprouts from a wall covered by lush vegetation. The waterfall’s source is actually a subterranean river (a river under the earth’s surface).

 

[jw5]

7 | Aliwagwag Falls​

Aliwagwag Falls consists of over 120 small cascades totaling to more than 1,000 feet, therefore, making it the tallest waterfall in the country. While it’s lovely to see all the drops, seeing only a handful would be enough as one is just as awesome as the others.

 

[Eisenhut]

Don't forget the 31st reason and arguably the most important one....

All too old for moi, i only take those 18 or 19 yr young things

 

[jw5]

8 | Alalum Falls​

Alalum is derived from the local word “madalum” which means deep, in reference to its deep circular catch basin. Alalum Falls is a single layer waterfall that is about 45 meters in height. It is located beside a gorge along the highway hence the easiest falls to access.

 

[jw5]

9 | Kawasan Falls​

It may be tucked away in a tropical forest, but Kawasan Falls can get crowded especially during summer. It consists of three levels; with the last level having the biggest stream and wherein guests can access using bamboo rafts.

 

[jw5]

10 | Seven Falls​

As the name implies, Seven Falls consists of seven waterfalls, with the first one “Hikong Alo” as the easiest to access but swimming is prohibited. The second falls, named “Hikong Bente”, measures 70 feet in height and houses a 180-meter high zipline which claimed to be the highest and longest zipline in Southeast Asia. The rest of the falls are not accessible to the public but can be seen while on the zip line.

 

[jw5]

Animals Unique to the Philippines​

1 | Philippine Eagle​

Scientific name: Pithecophaga jefferyi

Local name: ágila, háribon (portmanteau of haring ibón – king bird), banog – kite, monkey-eating eagle

There’s no better species to be named the country’s national bird than the Philippine eagle. The world’s largest eagle and considered as one of the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, the Philippine Eagle stands more than three feet tall and can weigh up to eight kilograms. This bird with dark face exhibits a regal appearance owing to its creamy-brown nape with shaggy, manelike crest. Its back is dark brown with white underside and underwings. It has large, powerful, dark claws it uses to catch its prey like flying-foxes, cloud-rats, and Philippine long-tailed macaque (monkey), therefore the alternative name Monkey-Eating Eagle. Endemic to the Philippines, they are considered critically endangered as there are only around 90 pairs of them existing today.

 

[jw5]

2 | Mindoro Dwarf Buffalo​

Scientific name: Bubalus mindorensis

Local name: tamaraw

The tamaraw is a small stocky buffalo indigenous to Mindoro. It may not be a subspecies of the local carabao but it bears resemblance to the more common water buffalo which is the national animal of the Philippines. However, it is slightly hairier, has light markings on its face, and shorter horns which are straight and V-shaped. It is classed as critically endangered and their count is between 466 to 494 as of April 2019.

The animal was once depicted in one-peso coins which circulated in 1980 to early 1990.

 

[jw5]

3 | Philippine Mouse-Deer​

Scientific name: Tragulus nigricans

Local name: pilandok, Balabac chevrotain

Several animals that are unique to the Philippines are found in Palawan, including the Philippine mouse-deer. It is a small, nocturnal animal that actually belongs to the chevrotain family, not the deer family. They measure between 40 to 50 centimeters from the head to the tail base. They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits, and grasses. The animal is endemic to Balabac Island in the province of Palawan and classed as endangered.

 

[jw5]

4 | Philippine Tarsier​

Scientific name: Carlito syrichta

Local name: mawumag, magô

One of the smallest primates, the adult Philippine tarsier is as big as the human fist. They are nocturnal creatures with disproportionately large eyes that are fixed in their skull however, their necks can be rotated 180 degrees. They feed on insects, spiders, small crustaceans, and small vertebrates. Tarsiers are solitary animals with suicide tendencies when in captivity. Philippine tarsiers are classified as near threatened with only about 700 on the island. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation maintains a tarsier sanctuary in Corella, Bohol that allows visitors to see tarsiers in their natural habitat.

 

[jw5]

5 | Philippine Flying Lemur​

Scientific name: Cynocephalus volans

Local name: kagwang


Resembling a monkey with bat’s wings, the Philippine flying lemur is actually not a lemur and cannot fly. They possess web and clawed feet that enable them to climb fast and glide distances of over 100 meters. They weigh between 1 to 1.7 kg and measure 33 to 38 centimeters. They prefer to live high up in the trees in heavily forested areas of Basilan, Leyte, Samar, Bohol, and Mindanao. Farmers consider them pests since they feed on fruits, flowers, plant shoots, and young leaves.

 

[jw5]

6 | Palawan Peacock Pheasant​

Scientific name: Polyplectron napoleonis

Local name: tandikan

Found in the forests of Palawan, the Palawan peacock pheasant is a sight to behold with its erectile crest, white stripe over the eyes, and highly iridescent electric blue-violet back plumage. Its breast and belly are dark black while the tail is marked with highly iridescent, light-reflective, ocelli. Their existence is considered vulnerable however you can take a glimpse of this bird near the Underground River rangers station. The bird is depicted in the official seal of Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan.

 

[jw5]

7 | Rufous Hornbill​

Scientific name: Buceros hydrocorax

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Local name: kalaw

The biggest and the most good-looking hornbill in the country, the Rufous hornbill has large and often colorful bills. Its throat until middle belly is rufous (reddish brown) while its lower belly and wings are black. Its tail is white and with a pale tan stain. Locally called kalaw, the Rufous Hornbill is also referred to as “the clock of the mountains” due to its periodic noontime call. The bird is classified as vulnerable due to its decreasing population caused by hunting and habitat loss.

 

[blackmondy]

Why go to Philippines when you can experience that fucked-up cuntry here at Lucky Plaza every Sunday?

 

[jw5]

8 | Palawan Bearcat​

Scientific name: Arctictis binturong whitei

Local name: binturong

The Palawan bearcat has distinctive ears lined with white fur and white whiskers that are usually as long as its head. It can grow as long as 1.4 meters and has a long tail it uses to hang from trees. It inhabits the tropical rainforest and feeds on fruit and small animals. The animal is classified as vulnerable.

 

[jw5]

9 | Visayan Warty Pig​

Scientific name: Sus cebifrons

Local name: baboy ilahas – wild pig in Cebuano and Hiligaynon, baboy talonon – forest pig in Hiligaynon, baboy sulop – dark pig in Cebuano

The Visayan warty pig got its name from its fleshy facial warts biologists believe the animal uses as natural defense when fighting. It is dark grey in color and grows stiff spiky hair. It is classified as critically endangered with very small population in Negros and Panay.

 

[jw5]

10 | Philippine Crocodile​

Scientific name: Crocodylus mindorensis

Local name: buwaya, burakot

This species endemic to the Philippines is a relatively small, freshwater crocodile that grows between 1.5 to 3 meters and weighs around 15 kg. Golden brown in color, the Philippine crocodile feeds more on ailing fish than healthy ones therefore improving the common health of the fish stock. It is classified as critically endangered with populations still surviving in Luzon and Mindanao.

 

[jw5]

Top Seafood Dishes in the Philippines​

Adobong Pusit​

It’s dark brown or black appearance may be a turn-off to some but adobong pusit, or squid adobo, is actually a favorite seafood dish among Filipinos. Like other adobo dishes, adobong pusit is cooked in vinegar and soy sauce until tender, hence the sour and salty flavor.