Discover Philippines Imagine a place where everything you want for a brief escape from your daily routine is available in one place! Welcome to the land where possibilities are endless and fulfilment in every way required for an awesome retreat is yours to take advantage of! Oh yes, don’t forget to take snapshots of gorgeous views, cosmopolitan sights, traditional fanfare, delicious cuisine and colourful people with your memory. Money Matter Philippine Peso (PHP). Language English, Tagalog and other local dialects. A hot and humid tropical climate with an average Weather temperature of 26–34 degrees Celsius. This is available at any telecommunications outlet in Pre-paid SIM card Philippines with very cheap start-up packs. Popular telco providers are Globe and Smart. Getting around Everything from planes to trishaws is available for you to travel between locations within the archipelago. 2 Did you know? • It’s made up of 7,100 islands, the largest being Luzon where its capital city, Manila is located. • The Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world. • It’s the largest Catholic nation in Asia. • There are a few gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site locations of nature and heritage value. • One of the world’s top island destinations is Boracay in the Philippines. 3 Rich Culture and Stunning Architecture You’ll be rendered speechless while marvelling at the sheer sight of imposing cathedrals, fusions of architectural designs and quaint remnants of the good old colonial era! This unique mix of influences stems from centuries of being occupied by the Spanish, Americans, Japanese and other ethnic races who came to call this splendid land home. Be part of its amazing cultural heritage and you’ll feel richer than King Midas. Local Filipino You know what’s interesting? The pre-war, pre-colonisation traditional Filipino house or bahay kubo and its architecture. It’s all made from natural local resources! For example, the roof is made from Nipa leaves; and the structure and ooring from bamboo and wood. These evolved to sturdier homes made of stone or bahay na bato with certain interior arrangements preserved such as elevated apartments and open ventilation. The newer homes also come with tiled roofs, wide windows and arcades with a mix of Spanish, Filipino and Chinese architectural designs. Great examples of these structures can still be found in abundance at Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Taal. Remember to bring your camera and an empty memory card! 4 5 American Fast-food, steaks and every hearty American dish imaginable can be found everywhere even when you’re not looking. Juicy burgers, hot dogs, crunchy salads and “how-my-mama- used-to-make” pies are food legacies which some locals just can’t do without! This shows how much impact food can have in a society. Chinese Kick-start your Filipino morning with something hot and soul assuaging like Dim Sum (bite-sized Chinese food served in small steamer baskets) or Siopao Well, that says a lot about (steamed bun with meat filling). Thanks to Chinese the mouth watering, deeply- traders and settlers (mainly of Fukien descent) who flavoured cuisine of multi-cultural introduced their huge array of delectable cuisine, Philippines. The heavenly scents you can easily find Lumpia (egg roll with meat and that waft from restaurants and vegetable filling), Dumplings and plenty more. Fusion street vendors will sure to entice dishes are expected in cross-cultural Philippines like your taste buds till you drool. Pancit (noodles with meat, seafood and vegetable), There are also exotic forms of Arroz Caldo (scrumptious rice porridge) and Silog food types that will take you on a (garlic fried rice with egg and other variations). Your wondrous gastronomic adventure, tummy must be rumbling right now. so hop on! “ ” “Filipino food was prepared by Malay settlers, spiced by Chinese traders, stewed in 300 years of Spanish rule and hamburgered by American influence.” ~ Monina A. Mercado 9 MUST-VISIT PLACES Haduan Falls Want to know why locals love it here? Well, for the cool mountain stream, shallow banks, scenic views along the hike up and thrilling dives from rock ledges of course. Just slip on your thick-soled shoes, pack your gear and go! Bicentennial Park Sounds like a sci-fi movie title but it’s far from it. Instead of artificial intelligent life forms, you’ll find a luscious green recreational park with modern amenities, playground, a pavilion, picnic tables and dedicated tracks for jogging. Also perfect for those cosy moments with your loved one. Apu Flea Market Lively, bustling with scents and sounds you may or may not like - it’s an experience you’ll find hard to forget. Make it a point on Friday evening to test your bargaining skills for that piece of handicraft, clothes, footwear, home decor and plenty more! Salakot Arch You’ve never seen a more interesting Angeles City landmark which represents its sovereignty than a very large replica of the Philippines Ah, the ‘City of Angels’ that Clark traditional farmer’s hat! So when you’re calls home and where your decadent taking a stroll or picnicking at Bayanihan entertainment awaits. Venture the Park, be sure to check it out. rambunctious Fields Avenue, try your luck at glitzy casinos, exciting theme parks with the family, and colourful festivals like Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan (music and dance street festival). Mount Pinatubo Immerse in the hot springs, breathe in the freshness, traverse this active volcano’s terrains and take home remarkable memories. It’s panoramic views with shades of vibrant emeralds everywhere you look, so enjoy it to the fullest. 10 You may know it as the once-upon-a-time U.S. Military Air Base. But now it has evolved into a myriad of wonders, injecting doses of unexpected pleasures as you roam the vast landscapes. MUST-EAT Sizzling Sisig It’s boiled, broiled and chopped up, bringing explosive flavours to your taste buds! If you’re not a fan of pork, there are equally delicious variations like tofu, chicken and squid. Halo-Halo A colourful and sweet concoction of shaven ice with sweet beans, creamy coconut milk and other sweet-tooth delights! Remember, there’s always room for dessert. Beef Morcon Although normally served during the yuletide season, many restaurants have this juicy, succulent, veggie-and-egg stuffed beef roll on the menu. Other must-eats: Chicharon Bulaklak, Pako Salad, Puto Pao HOW TO GET alu THERE Kinab / Kota mpur ala Lu m Ku F y l f r o aily) Clark (2x D USD *Fares shown are subject to availability and 3 correct at press time. 7 11 Metro Manila Aliwan Fiesta Between April and May This annual festival gathers different cultural festivals of the Philippines into one huge fiesta of a lifetime! Watch as contingents compete for amazing prizes in the dance parade and oat competitions, as well as the not-to-be-missed beauty contest. Metro Manila Film Festival @ Roxas Boulevard 25 Dec till first week of January The MMFF is a mixed bag of treats that entertains film and celebrity aficionados alike, with local movie screenings from major lm studios, a glitzy award show and even a grand float procession. Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Second week till third Sunday of January Drink Tuba (native wine), eat plenty, dance non- stop and be in the thick of this Filipino Mardi Gras! This feast is held annually in honour of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). Food Festival sa Kalye June 19-23 St. John the Baptist is remembered in a delectable gathering of music and a vast array of the best Aklan cuisine amidst street dancing with dousing of water and live saints parade. Information in this booklet is correct at press time. 23 ing Board Pass ck-in Che ge Bagga ET FORG Meals YOU E? DID THES Y OF ia AN AirAs Insure Pick A Seat rts Spo ment Equip All you need is to logon to “Manage My Booking” at airasia.com to make your journey complete! Earn 2x BIG Points when you purchase any add-ons..