Maldives surf instructor on PH: More beautiful
Two months ago, I had the opportunity to surf in the North Atoll of the Maldives. There, I met a local surfing instructor who surprised me in a way I will never forget. The moment he learned I was Filipino, his eyes lit up. He began sharing his experiences traveling across Palawan, Bohol, and other islands in the Philippines. Then, he shared something I didn’t expect. He said, “The Philippines is more beautiful than the Maldives.” And coming from someone who calls the world’s leading destination home, that praise was both a surprise and a delight.
The Maldives is famous worldwide for its turquoise waters, overwater villas, and flawless luxury. Landing alone in Velana International Airport already feels like a vacation. From the plane window, you’re greeted by endless shades of blue and shimmering lagoons. Tourists know exactly what to expect, and that predictability is part of its power.
So to hear a Maldivian say the Philippines surpasses it in beauty was beyond flattering but also eye-opening.
He explained that while the Maldives tourism may have perfected its image, the Philippines offers something it can not replicate: the people’s hospitality and the depth of its biodiversity. The beauty of Philippines isn’t just the pristine beaches, sparkling blue lagoons, majestic limestone cliffs, endemic wildlife, or unique geological wonders like Chocolate Hills, it’s the connection, the culture, and the simple joy of life. The Philippines doesn’t just show you scenery, it lets you feel it.
He spoke with such enthusiasm that it was impossible not to feel his sincerity. Even before the surf session had fully begun, he recalled small, unforgettable moments from his visits, stories of strangers who treated him like family, meals shared, laughter exchanged. Yet he also admitted that reaching this beauty isn’t always simple. Interisland travel can be confusing. Service standards are not always met. Expensive local flights and hotels. While Filipinos are excellent in communicating in English, these small barriers make it harder for visitors to reach the magic waiting in every corner of the country.
And that, I realized, is where the real opportunity lies. The Philippines doesn’t need to imitate the Maldives. Our strength isn’t in polished luxury, it’s in humanity, laughter, spontaneity, and soul. All we need is to make it easier for visitors to feel what already makes us unforgettable.
As we paddled out for waves while seaplanes glided overhead, his words kept echoing in my mind. Our strength is in the vibrancy of life itself. Many travelers cross oceans seeking authenticity, something rare elsewhere, but in the Philippines, it’s everywhere you look: in the laughter, life’s simple pleasures, and in our collectivist society. Unlike the highly individualistic cultures of the West, the Philippines easily turns strangers into friends. Ordinary Filipinos welcome you like family, and even while carrying their own struggles, they choose generosity and “kabutihang loob,” not because life is easy, but because kindness and togetherness is who we are.
The Maldives may sell calm and predictability, but we can offer soul. Visitors in the Philippines remember the smiles, the music, the flavors, the stories, the friendships. They remember how they were treated, how it made them feel, that rare sense of belonging that speaks to the most basic human desire. That is something no luxury resort can ever replicate.
I began imagining what it would mean to show the world this version of the Philippines. Messages like “Where the World Feels Alive,” or “Come Home to Happiness” could help visitors understand that the Philippines is more than a destination. It is a feeling, an experience, a heart that beats through every island, every village, every encounter. This is our real brand. Our true identity. The raw, authentic Filipino experience.
Small improvements like easier transportation, quality service, more accessible information, cheaper local plane tickets and hotels, would make it easier to experience this life. The Philippines doesn’t need to compete with perfection. It needs to celebrate what it already has: heart, soul, and life. Visitors will remember how it made them feel long after they leave, and that is far more powerful than any ranking, polished image, and paid reputation.
The world should see the Philippines, not only for its scenery but for the warmth, joy, and humanity that make it unforgettable. It may not yet have the smooth predictability of the Maldives, the world’s leading destination, but it has something far rarer: a soul that cannot be replicated.
If we let that soul shine, the Philippines will not just outshine, it will be remembered.
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Teresa May Bandiola is an academic pharmacist, YA author, medical activist, podcast host, and a newbie travel vlogger who actively promotes local destinations.
