Tubbataha Cagayancillo, Palawan

Discover our Philippine Gems Philippine pride, World Heritage site With the addition of these emerging tourist detinations in the islands completes the Philippine Gems collection. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of In 2013, Isla Lipana & Co../PwC launched the Philippine Gems its incredibly diverse marine project which aims to showcase the country’s “good side” to the world, especially species. It has huge atolls the many pristine natural sceneries of our picturesque country. Increasing the and crystal clear water, which awareness and appreciation for these sites will foster both local and international makes it perfect for diving and interest and attention that may eventually increase economic activity. live board diving excursions. Tourists can also visit the Ranger The 25 destinations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao islands were Station at reef’s sandbars. selected by a panel composed of professionals from the The Tubbataha Reefs Natural government, academe, media and social media bloggers. A nationwide Park has been ranked by CNN survey determined the top 10 Philippine Gems destinations, with as the eighth out of the fifty Calaguas Island emerging as number 1 among the 25 beatiful sites. best dive sites in the world.

©© Yvette Lee

©© Isla Snapshots ©© Maricar Torres

Calaguas Caramoan Vinzons, Caramoan Islands, Camarines Norte Camarines Sur

Voted #1 Philippine Gems Favorite Survivor series destination The hidden white beaches of Bicol Long before Caramoan Islands hosted the famous international Calaguas Islands lies northeast television reality series, Survivor, of the Pacific . A cluster of the cluster of islands was already islands endowed with a glowing known to be paradise. Isolated white coastline and lush greens, from the rest of Camarines the beauty of Calaguas is beyond Sur, Caramoan Islands offer compare. One of the region’s best a tranquil escape to nature. kept secrets is slowly unravelling and many are hoping that along the way, its pureness remains.

©© Isla Snapshots © Susan Talampas © Susan Talampas

72 PwC Philippines VisMin’s Philippine Gems 73 Batanes Busuanga & Coron Escape to the rsutic landscape of Batanes Cagayancillo, Palawan

Batanes island is a province Regarded by many as in . Located in the last paradise the northernmost part of the Philippines, Batanes comprises of Both located in the municipality ten islands and is also considered of Coron in Palawan, these as the smallest province in destinations have been cited terms of its population and land by the National Geographic area. Batanes islands are placed Traveler Magazine as one of between the Bashi and Balintang the Top 10 scuba sites in the channels where the Pacific Ocean world. These destinations are converges with China Sea. the most popular sites for wreck diving in the Philippines. Other activities which can be done here are swimming, hiking, diving, snorkeling, and trekking.

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©© Louie Mencias ©© Glenn Hufancia

Apo Reef Kapurpurawan Natural Park Rock Formation Occidental Mindoro Ilocos Norte

Diving mecca of the Philippines Immaculate splendor

Apo Reef is recognized as one The Kapurpurawan rock of the largest coral reef systems formation is located on the rocky in the world, second only coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is to the Great Barrier Reef in known for its creamy white and Australia. The Apo Reef Natural streamlined limestone formations, Park consists of three islands which have been sculpted by which are surrounded by lush different oceanic and weather mangrove forests. These serve forces. Burgos is located on the as nurseries and spawning northwestern tip of Ilocos Norte. grounds for coastal and marine species, as well as a sanctuary for different avian species. It is a Mecca for both divers and environment enthusiasts.

74 PwC Philippines VisMin’s Philippine Gems 75 Mt. Pinatubo Donsol Zambales Sorsogon

Splendor after the ashes Swim in the kingdom of the butandings Mt. Pinatubo is no longer the terror that it was more than two Donsol is known primarily for decades ago. It is now a prime whale watching. Here tourists tourist destination which offers can interact with whale sharks various kinds of adventures (butanding in local parlance) by for those gutsy enough to go snorkeling, diving, or by simply through it. You could trek waiting for them in areas where through Pinatubo’s Crow Valley they come right up to the surface. Canyon, view its crater through Donsol has been recognized as a chartered light aircraft, visit the “Whale Shark Capital of the the Tayawan Caldera, and even World”. Whale sharks are best get a Pinatubo spa using lahar sighted from February to April. sediments left by the eruption.

©© Foz Brahma ©© Maricar Torres

©© MLRG Sotelo ©© Jaime Ryan Neeley

Mt. Pulag Pagudpud Ilocos Norte

A walk in the clouds Where nature gives back renewable energy Mount Pulag borders the provinces of Benguet, , Donsol is known primarily for and . It is the whale watching. Here tourists Philippines’ third highest can interact with whale sharks mountain and Luzon’s highest (butanding in local parlance) by peak. The mountain hosts snorkeling, diving, or by simply more than five hundred plant waiting for them in areas where species. The dwarf bamboo, they come right up to the surface. for instance, is endemic to the Donsol has been recognized as mountain. It also houses several the “Whale Shark Capital of the endangered species of mammals. World”. Whale sharks are best Mount Pulag is definitely a sighted from February to April. haven for nature lovers.

76 PwC Philippines VisMin’s Philippine Gems 77 Philippine mainstream marvels Sagada Mountain Province

Giant limestomes

Sagada is already well-known for its rice terraces, but the Sumaguing Caves provide a different kind of adventure altogether. The Sumaguing Caves are the largest of Sagada’s many caverns, and it is a popular site for spelunking, trekking, and recreational cave exploration. Banaue Rice Terraces Boracay Island Mt. Province Aklan

Dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces In 1990, Boracay was awarded as one of the best beaches in the stretch like a stairway to heaven standing 5,000 feet above sea level. If world by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook. Every year, about connected from end to end, its length will be 10 times longer than the hundreds of thousands of tourists from different parts of the Great Wall of China. There are many marvelous hiking trails leading world hit the island to soak their feet in the divine white sand. to the top of the terraces that entice local and foreign travelers. Travelers can dive, snorkel, and parasail around the shore. ©© Maximus Jovi

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Taytay Palawan

Getaway paradise

Taytay is a highly popular wreck diving site in the northern coast of Palawan. It is also a famous site for dolphin watching. Taytay also has several easily accessible historical landmarks. It was one of the 12 finalists in the 2013 Chocolate Hills Mayon Volcano Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Albay

The Chocolate Hills are Bohol’s most iconic wonder. The 1,268 hills Famous for its perfect cone shape, the Mayon volcano is the are covered with grass, which, by the end of the dry season, would Philippine’s most active volcano and the centerpiece in the Bicol look like chocolates. There are daily flights to Bohol () region. Tourists can go nature hiking, marvel at the many wonderful from Manila. Plenty of tourist guides will gladly bring you to the animals, camping, and of course, take photographs. The best time site of the hills, as well as to introduce you to the famous Tarsier. to visit the volcano is between the months of March and May.

78 PwC Philippines VisMin’s Philippine Gems 79 Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park Taal Lake and Volcano Palawan Batangas

Puerto Princesa in Palawan has its own treasure and that is the The famous volcano nestled within a lake once brought massive Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park being one destruction to the Philippines. However, today, while still of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the active, it is considered one of the most attractive destinations Philippines. The limestone landscape is already an attraction in the country. Various activities can be done in and around but beneath it is an 8.2 kilometer long underground river. the volcano, such as climbing, rafting, and canoeing.

Vigan Baguio City Ilocos Norte Benguet

Vigan, the vibrant city of Ilocos Sur and one of the few Baguio is one of the most famous cities in the Philippines and surviving old historic cities in the Philippines. Its beauty has been celebrated as the Summer Capital of the country remains timeless, as it has preserved its heritage. Walking for the past 99 years. It was the playground of the Americans the streets is like walking to the old Spanish colonial days, who built this city as their vacation spot in the 1900’s. It has through the cobbled stone alleys and antique houses. since expanded, and now has a population of 30,000.

80 PwC Philippines