Spratly Islands—yes—and other places to add to your PH travel bucket list
They brought together the wonders of the Philippines in one place.
Almost 300 exhibitors—tour operators, tourism offices, travel agencies and more—participated at last month’s 35th Philippine Travel Mart, organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa).
The Philippine Travel Mart is the Philippines’ biggest domestic travel fair and the country’s longest running travel fair. This year’s theme was “Love the NextGen Tourism.”
Dressed-up pavilions representing the country’s different regions, cities and provinces filled the halls of SMX Convention Center in Pasay, allowing visitors to explore the Philippines in one weekend—”the best of what we have in the 7,641 sun-kissed islands of the Philippines,” said Philtoa president Arjun Shroff.
“Here you will find the vibrancy and the tapestry of destinations, culinary delights, amazing experiences and innovations that reflect the dynamism and resilience of the Philippine tourism industry,” he added.
The different destinations did a great job of showing what they have in store for travelers, presenting immersive experiences and feasts for all the senses, with food and drink tastings, musical performances, gorgeous costumes and more. A trip to the fair is a reminder about how rich and diverse the Philippines really is.
Attendees explored and booked their next adventures, enjoying deals, discounts and special offers. International destinations were available, too, but at this travel fair, local tourism was the star.
At the event, Department of Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, “The Philippines is now the number one destination for domestic tourism in Southeast Asia, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. This phenomenal performance reflects the deep appreciation and enthusiasm of our own people to explore and experience the beauty of the Philippines.”
The most popular local tourist spots are featured, but it was also a great place to discover the less-explored Philippine destinations to add to your bucket list.
On top of our list are the Spratly Islands. Trips to the Spratly Islands were being offered at a discount at the Philippine Travel Mart.
100-percent safe
Ken Hupanda, municipal tourism officer of Spratly Islands and president of KITA Travel Spratlys, has been taking tourists there for three years now. And, he promises, it’s 100-percent safe. “We have a track record of running smooth tours.”
Tour season is only from March to June, and three packages are available. The flagship tour is the Kalayaan Fish and Dive Expedition, which happens only three times a year, in March, April and May. It covers four islands—Lawak Island, Likas Island, Patag Island and Pag-asa Island—in 7 days.
“Yang Likas island, mabibilang pa lang ang taong nakatapak diyan (only a few people have set foot on it). Lawak Island is a bird sanctuary… sobrang ganda po ng mga islands (the islands are so beautiful),” Hupanda told Lifestyle.
The Kalayaan tour is popular with foreign adventure travelers, he shared. “We’ve hosted fishing enthusiasts from Japan because this is one of the richest fishing grounds in the country.”
The Pag-Asa Summer Tour, which is proving to be popular with local tourists, happens only once a year, and right in time for the annual West Philippine Sea Festival.
Then there’s the Pag-Asa Voluntourism Trip which takes place during Holy Week.
“We did the first volunteerism trip this year, and since it was very successful, we’re doing it again next year. Kapag sumama kayo sa voluntourism trip, mapupuno ang inyong puso ng kaligayahan (If you join the volunteerism trip, your heart will be filled with joy). You will get to experience not only how people live in the most remote part of the Philippines, but you will also have a lasting impact on their lives.”
Groups of doctors and dentists have already booked their slots to go next year.
“We are the only tour operator offering tours of the Spratly Islands. We are a local cooperative, it’s our way of making sure that tourism revenues go straight to the locals,” said Hupanda.
He added, “If you want to know why we have to fight for these islands, I encourage you to join our tours.”
Lake Sebu
Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is another place we’ve added to our bucket list. Nenita Kinan, who works for Lake Sebu’s municipal tourism office and is the coordinator for culture and arts, said “Lake Sebu is the cultural destination of Southern Mindanao. We have a lot to offer there. We call it CAN—we have culture, adventure and nature.”
Three days would be a good amount of time to explore, she said. “Go for immersion with the T’boli tribe. You will really be amazed by the practices, the cultural presentations. Experience traditional food. Chicken cooked in bamboo. We are known for our tilapia, we have many delicacies,” Kinan said.
And for souvenirs? “You can buy handicrafts made by the T’boli people.”
At the Philippine Travel Mart, there was a long queue of people eager to try lechon from Iligan.
“This is Jaime’s Lechon, one of the best lechon from Iligan. It’s delicious,” said Mae-ann Mag-aso from Marchris Travel & Tours.
Great lechon
The great lechon is just one reason to go to Iligan City. “We have lechon, we have waterfalls, we have Sikyop Adventure.”
At this agritourism attraction, which means “hidden paradise,” you can enjoy an adventure that takes you through rock formations, a cave and an underground river.”
Another thing unique to Iligan City? The tartanilya—traditional horse-drawn carriages. “We’re the only place in Mindanao that still has them,” said Mag-aso.
Robwilliam Cadenas, tour operator and owner of Rob Camiguin Travel and Tours, would love for more people to visit Camiguin. “We have beautiful places. It’s like a complete package—we have waterfalls, springs, white sand, beautiful islands—White Island and Mantigue Island.”
Another Camiguin adventure? Trekking Mount Hibok-Hibok.
Spend three days in Camiguin, he said. Many tourists do what they call a tri-city tour—they go to Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Camiguin in one trip.
And while there, don’t miss out on the food. “They need to try the native delicacy called sorol—it’s ginataang native chicken. And also pastel, kiping.”
Cindy Tinaytinay believes you should go to the Island Garden City of Samal, which you’ll find in Davao Del Norte, for “the beaches, the waterfalls and the giant clams.”
“You can go snorkeling,” said Tinaytinay, who works for the local government unit.
Lanao del Sur is another place to add to your list.
Provincial tourism officer Ahmad Nouraldinn Tamano Jr. said, “Our province is rich in culture and heritage. Our Darangen epic chant is a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage of the world. We have the Mindanao State University, we have the torogan (traditional Maranao houses). We have whitewater rafting in Wao.”
In Lanao del Sur, you can enjoy halal food like chicken piaparan (chicken cooked in coconut milk and turmeric) and beef rendang.
There are many reasons to fall in love with Lanao del Sur, among them, according to Tamano, “our culture, our food, the warm people of Lanao.”
