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Destinations: Manila | BORACAY | CEBU | Angeles City | Bohol Island
Overview
Passports belonging to West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Odisha and Seven North Eastern States can be applied at Philippines Embassy, Delhi till The Embassy has a functional Consulate in Kolkata. Philippine visa will require that the applicantâs passport be valid for six months beyond the applicantâs date of departure from the Philippines. The passport must have one blank visa page.
The Philippines grants visa-free entry to passport holders of certain countries while requiring a visa to others.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin
The Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin
Intramuros, Manila
The Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin, or simply known as the San Agustin Church, is one of the four churches grouped by UNESCO as the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. These churches, which were all built during the Spanish colonial era, were declared as World Heritage Sites back in 1993. Believe it or not, the San Agustin Church you know now is not the original structure of the church. Initially made of bamboo and nipa, the original structure was destroyed after a fire. A second church was built, this time made of wood, but it also burned down. Finally, the construction for a stone church began in 1586 and ended in 1607, when it was formally opened to the public.
It can be said that the San Agustin Church stood the test of time and war asChurch of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva
Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva
Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Named after the patron saint of the parish, the Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva is the second of the four churches collectively known as the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. Completed in 1797, the church also served as a defensive fort for the town of Miag-ao during the Spanish era.Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
Also known as the Santa Maria Church, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion is the third church under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines. It is also one of the two churches in the Ilocos Region that has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An interesting tidbit about this church is the legend the surrounds its construction. According to local stories, the image of the Virgin Mary that was originally enshrined in a different church kept disappearing, only for people to find it perched on a Guava tree that stood where the Santa Maria Church is presently located.Saint Augustine Church
Saint Augustine Church
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
The fourth World Heritage Site classified under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the Saint Augustine Church is one of the oldest churches in the country.
The construction of the church, also known as the Paoay Church, began in 1694. Made up largely of coral stones and bricks, the Paoay Church was heavily damaged by two earthquakes but was eventually restored.Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
Ifugao
After meeting three of the ten selection criteria, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras made its way to the World Heritage Sites list in 1995. Five of the countryâs rice terraces, all located in the province of Ifugao, make up the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras: the Nagacadan rice terraces in Kiangan, Hungduan rice terraces, Mayoyao rice terraces, as well as two located in Banaue, the rice terraces of Batad and Bangaan.Historic City of Vigan
Historic City of Vigan
Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Without a doubt, no trip to Ilocos Sur will be complete without a visit to one of the most popular historical and cultural sites in the country, Vigan. Included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1999, the Historic City of Vigan was hailed for its well-preserved Spanish colonial town, meeting two of the ten selection criteria needed for a site to be declared as a World Heritage Site. Established in the 16th century, Vigan is also one of the seven wonder cities declared by the New7Wonders Foundation in 2015.Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
San Isidro, Davao Oriental
Having been declared as a World Heritage Sites only two years ago, the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is the latest landmark of the Philippines to make it to the list. Popular for being home to a total of 1,380 species, 341 of those are endemic to the Philippines, meaning they are native to the country. But if you think it doesnât get any cooler than that, youâre about to be proven wrong! Out of those 341 species, eight can only be found nowhere else but in Mount Hamiguitan.Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Home to limestone karst landscapes and the 8.2 kilometer-long underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, along with the Historic City of Vigan.
Meeting two of the ten selection criteria, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is the first national park in the Philippines that is managed by a local government unit.Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
Central Sulu Sea
The Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is probably most famously known for its coral reef, making it one of the must visit places especially among divers. But did you know that the world famous coral reef is not the only spectacular sight youâll find in Tubbataha?
Declared as a World Heritage Site in 1993 along with the four churches that make up the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park met three of the ten selection criteria. Want to see coral islands, lagoons, and a spectacular marine life that includes nearly 500 species of fish as well as seabirds? Thereâs no other place you should go to but Tubbataha!
Bliny
Bliny is a Russian type of pancakes or crepes. They are usually thin and big, they may be served with sour cream, jam, honey, or caviar or smokes salmon. We often eat blinis folded or rolled with all sorts of filling such as mushrooms, cottage cheese, ground meat, cabbage and many others
Sirniki
Sirniki are small blinis made of cottage cheese. This is a typical food for breakfast or branch.
Kasha
Kasha is the most common meal in Russia. It is easy to cook, healthy to eat and everybody can afford it.
Pelmeni
Pelmeni are meat or fish dumplings originally coming from the region of Siberia. They are usually kept frozen and cooked in boiled water right before eating
Varenniki
Varenniki are dumpling similar to pelmeni but they're usually stuffed with cheese, mashed potatoes, cabbage, meat, hard-boiled eggs or different fruits (cherry or plump).
Okróshka
Okróshka is a cold soup popular in Russia in summer time. The main ingredients include diced raw vegetables, boiled meat, eggs and potatoes. The soup is served with kvas ( a popular Russian fermented drink made from black rye) and sour cream.
Ati-Atihan Festival
Ati-Atihan Festival
3rd weekend of January | Kalibo, Aklan
This Sto. Niño festival started it all. One of the oldest religious celebrations in the country, Ati-Atihan is characterized by a parade filled with face-painted celebrants, indigenous costumes and weapons, tribal dances, and loud drumbeats.Tourists who flock to Kalibo for the festivities are free to cover themselves in black soot and dance on the streets with the drum beats. Known as the âThe Filipino Mardi Gras,â it is truly an experience not to be missed.Sinulog Festival
Sinulog Festival
3rd weekend of January | Cebu City
Cebu also has its own version of the festival in honor of the Sto. Niño. If you find yourself attending the Sinulog Festival, âPit Señor!â is a phrase you will hear a lot. It means âPanangpit sa Señor,â a Cebuano phrase that means to plead to the Señor Santo Niño.
It is one of the most attended festivals in the Philippines, attracting millions of locals and tourists from all over the world. In 2013, it was reported that the number of participants reached a whopping four million.
Sinulog not only sets the stage for Cebuano talents but also for other regional acts as contingents from neighboring provinces are showcased through street dancing, pageantry, and sports. It is also known for hosting the countryâs biggest raves, drawing a growing number of party-goers from all over the country year after year.Dinagyang Festival
Dinagyang Festival
4th weekend of January | Iloilo City
If you happen to know someone from Iloilo, try and ask them about this Philippine festival. Youâll see how their pride for their cityâs festival is nothing short of astounding.
Once a year, Iloilo City transforms into one big street party â streets closed, bands in all corners, overflowing food and drinks, and towering boom boxes. To cap it all off, tribes representing different barangays and high schools perform in one very competitive street dancing contest.Itâs no wonder how this cityâs once simple celebration in honor of the child Jesus (Sto. Niño) ended up bagging several awards including the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippinesâ (ATOP) title holder for Best Tourism Event of the Philippines. According to Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ben Jimena, the winning tribes are now going international and will be promoting Philippine tourism to countries like the United States, Canada, and Singapore.Panagbenga Festival
Panagbenga Festival
February | Baguio City
The word âPanagbengaâ comes from the Kankanaey term that means âseason of blooming.â With the numerous parades of floral floats and children dressed as flora and fauna, it definitely lives up to its name, making Baguio the perfect destination for those who still have a hangover from the huge festivals in January.Adding to the usual Baguio tourist sites to visit, the whole length of the Session Road during Panagbenga becomes a feast for the eyes. Called âSession Road in Bloom,â Baguioâs famous street is closed to vehicular traffic to make way for flower carts, street dancing, and outdoor cafes. Now that itâs a huge event bringing in thousands of tourists each year, itâs important to plan ahead (make early restaurant reservations, bring a map, etc.) if you are attending this Philippine festival.Moriones Festival
Moriones Festival
Holy Week | Boac, Gasan, and Mogpog, Marinduque
This week-long celebration of the life of St. Longinus is what makes Marinduque one of the top destinations during Holy Week in the Philippines. Morion is the helmet worn by the centurions while Moriones refers to the costumed penitents reenacting the search for St. Longinus, hunted by his fellow centurions for converting to Christianity.During the festival you will see Marinduqueños dressed up as centurions (Moriones) looking for Longinus. One person acts as Longinus, hiding from them while the townspeople play along and allow him to hide in their houses. Via Crucis or the reenactment of the Passion of Christ also happens during this Philippine festival.Aliwan Fiesta
Aliwan Fiesta
Last weekend of April | Pasay City, Manila
Aliwan Fiesta is more of a competition than it is a festival. However, it has undeniably added great value to the growing interest in Philippine festivals. Although it just started in the early 2000s, it has already gained a strong fan-base nationwide with more than 5,000 young men and women from all over the country joining the competition.For a lot of people who are in Manila, heading to the CCP Complex is the cheapest way to see quality performances from tribes representing festivals in their respective provinces. Plus, itâs always great to see tribes from Dinagyang and Sinulog give their A-performances to grab the million-peso grand prize.Pahiyas Festival
Pahiyas Festival
15th of May | Lucban, Quezon
One of the Philippinesâ most colorful harvest festival, May 15th marks that time of the year when people in Lucban decorate their houses with different-colored produces in an almost competitive manner.Itâs not uncommon to see singakamas (turnip), talong (eggplant), sigarilyas (winged bean) and all the other vegetables and fruits mentioned in the Bahay Kubo song hanging on the exteriors of their homes. You can actually bring a basket and pick the produce from the walls for free.Pintados Festival
Pintados Festival
29th of June | Tacloban City
Pintados is another festival in honor of the Sto. Niño (yes, this is the 4th of its kind in the list). It just goes to show how Filipinos want to be reminded to be childlike in their ways and to place hope in their children.This festival has been growing in popularity because of the contingents they send to the Aliwan Fiesta every year. They donât fail to amaze. Leyte is also the home base of other festivals like Alikaraw, Pasaka, and the 2009 Aliwan Fiesta champions, Buyogan.Kadayawan Festival
Kadayawan Festival
3rd week of August | Davao City
Kadayawan comes from the Dabawenyo word âmadayaw,â a friendly greeting which means good or beautiful. Probably the biggest festival in Mindanao, Kadayawan has everything all other festivals have: street dancing, beauty pageants, fireworks displays, floral floats.It is a celebration of Davaoâs as well as the rest of Mindanaoâs abundance; showcasing flowers, fruits, and other produces that abound the countryâs second largest island. Just two years ago, they even introduced a week-long street food fiesta in Freedom Park, Roxas Avenue called Kaan sa Daân.MassKara Festival
MassKara Festival
19th of October | Bacolod City
Colorful masks, street dancing, electrical displays and best of all⦠the sweet smiles of Bacoleñas! What more could you ask for?
MassKara is a combination of the words âmassâ which means âcrowdâ and âkaraâ which means âface.â You will see participants wearing smiling masks signifying a multitude of smiling faces, solidifying Bacolodâs title as the âCity of Smiles.â
Like Sinulog, it is also swarmed by the younger party crowd as it is conveniently scheduled during the semester break.
There are still a lot of Philippine festivals not mentioned in this list. The next time you book a flight, you might want to consider scheduling it during that destinationâs festival dates.