MESSAGE
Greetings from the Philippines!
The journey of a thousand miles begins with you, our dear travel agents, tour operators and travel planners.
Travelers cherish and relive the experience of their trip if everything goes well. They would even perhaps prefer a
simple yet well planned trip more than a glamorous tour plagued with minor inconveniences.
That is why we prepared this Philippine Travel Sales Manual with you and your valued travelers in mind.
The Philippines has a lot to offer ... unique places vividly captured on film and uplifting experiences permanently
etched in one's heart. Facilities are affordable, services incomparable. Savor international cuisine, regional specialties
and exotic local delicacies. Indulge in the people, imbibe the culture... and find out why expatriates find it hard to say
goodbye.
In today's highly competitive world and the magic of multimedia, we are bombarded with sales pitches, promised
benefits, and images about the best a country can offer. Amidst all our expectations and after the actual experience,
we end up with the usual offering and packages.
But the Philippines is different.
We invite you to discover for yourselves why. For a travel sales manual can only do so much ... but it cannot surpass
the testimonial of someone who has actually experienced why the Philippines is Beyond The Usual.
Thank you and Mabuhay!
JOSEPH H. DURANO
Secretary of Tourism
CONTENTS
Introduction
4
The Philippines
6
Fast Facts
7
Festivals
12
Transportation
21
Destinations
Metro Manila and Environs
35
Clark/Subic
126
Palawan
165
Baguio/Banaue
180
Laoag/Vigan
203
Cebu
220
Bohol & Boracay
265
Davao
302
Philippine Trivia
325
DOT/PCVC Offices
333
Acknowledgements
338
INTRODUCTION
PHILIPPINES
Beyond the Usual
In 2002, the Philippine Department of Tourism, through its marketing arm the Philippine Convention & Visitors
Corporation, launched a worldwide advertising and marketing campaign which carried a new logo – WOW Philippines
and the tagline "More than the Usual".
The campaign focused on the country's bestselling destinations, natural wonders, pristine beaches, thrilling adventures
and real bargains. Truly, a Wealth of Wonders to share with the world from an archipelago of 7,107 exciting islands.
The astounding success of the campaign necessitated its continuity by elevating it to a new level. As a sequel, the
Philippine Department of Tourism re-launches a vibrant logo and tagline "Philippines, Beyond The Usual".
The creative rendition of the logo is highlighted by prominent icons that are representations of what the country offers.
The focal point of the advertising campaign is the uniqueness of the country with specific emphasis on what is
distinctly Filipino. It showcases never before seen attributes of our destinations, cuisine, adventures, sports, wellness,
diverse culture, shopping and, most of all, our inherent warmth and hospitality
It's simply Beyond the Usual!
Travel Time from Target Markets to the Philippines
Amsterdam
Anchorage
Athens
Bangkok
Beijing
Bandar Seri Begawan
Busan
Cairo
Chicago
Dubai
Frankfurt
Guam
Ho Chi Minh
Hongkong
Honolulu
Jakarta
Karachi
Kuala Lumpur
London
Los Angeles
11 hours
19 hours
8 hours
3 hours
4 hours
2 hours
3 hours
13 hours
23 hours
8 hours
13 hours
3 hours
2 hours
2 hours
10 hours
6 hours
9 hours
3 hours
15 hours
12 hours
30 minutes
16 minutes
30 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
05 minutes
45 minutes
00 minutes
33 minutes
45 minutes
55 minutes
40 minutes
30 minutes
00 minutes
15 minutes
15 minutes
00 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
30 minutes
Macau
Melbourne
New Delhi
Nagoya
New York
Okinawa
Osaka
Paris
Rome
Russia (Moscow)
San Francisco
Seoul
Shanghai
Singapore
Stockholm
Sydney
Taipei
Tokyo
Vancouver
1 hour
8 hours
9 hours
4 hours
17 hours
2 hours
3 hours
14 hours
15 hours
19 hours
12 hours
4 hours
3 hours
3 hours
17 hours
10 hours
2 hours
4 hours
12 hours
55 minutes
00 minutes
45 minutes
00 minutes
30 minutes
20 minutes
55 minutes
10 minutes
30 minutes
00 minutes
00 minutes
00 minutes
10 minutes
35 minutes
50 minutes
50 minutes
00 minutes
15 minutes
05 minutes
THE PHILIPPINES
General Description
The Philippines, from its northernmost tip to its farthest island in the south, is an unmistakably beautiful country
endowed with pristine beaches, bountiful lakes and serene lagoons, magnificent mountains and challenging
volcanoes, pastoral country sides and exciting and highly developed cities and urban centers. Name it and the country
has all that can lure even the most seasoned traveler. Most of all, it is home to a fascinatingly captivating people given
to smile and renowned for their hospitality.
The underlying charm of the Philippines is its chain of 7,107 islands so beautiful they were once called the "Green
Necklace of the Pacific." Bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the South China Sea to the west, the Bashi
Channel to the north and the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea to the south, the Philippines has a total land area of 300,780
square kilometers, with a coastline of 15,500 kilometers (invite that of *~the United States) where the most beautiful
beaches in the world can be found. The country is divided into the geographical areas of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. Its capital, Manila, is in Luzon while the premier city of Cebu is in the Visayas and Davao City is in
Mindanao.
Manila, the main entry point to the country, is a cosmopolitan and bustling metropolis that boasts of posh hotels,
upscale shopping centers and entertainment venues that become rather stirring and full of life at night, amidst centers
of arts and crafts, museums, historical landmarks, and centuries-old churches like the one considered to be the
country's greatest link to its Hispanic past.
A little farther north of Manila, the cadence slows down a bit as the scenery changes from towering skyscrapers to the
rugged terrain of a spent volcano with an awesome crater lake. Here, the aborigine Aetas now share their know-how in
jungle survival with those who dare scale whatever is left of the revered mountain that was once their home. Farther
still are the Cordillera Mountain Ranges, where lived the descendants of the Ifugao tribal folk who carved the
breathtaking rice terraces out of the mountainside 2,000 years ago. The Ifugaos and the rest of the mountain tribal folk
continue their customs and traditions although modernization is fast catching up with the younger generations. On the
plains, in the towns and villages bordered by beaches and the sea, centuries -old churches and historic landmarks built
by the Spanish friars still stand, veritable substantiation of the almost 400 years of Spanish colonization.
Ancient churches and turn-of-the-century houses also mark Luzon's southern landscape of verdant fields, placid lakes,
mighty rivers and either dormant or active volcanoes. Add to these the larger islands of Palawan and Mindoro, both
boasting of natural parks now listed in the ASEAN's Greatest Parks. To many people, Palawan is the "Last Frontier" as
many rare flora and fauna still inhabit its mountains, hinterlands and plains, islands and islets and its surrounding seas,
making the island province a venue for daring sports adventures. Also in Palawan are the incomparable El Nido
Archipelago and some of the most stunning island resorts where travelers can soak up the sun, sand and sea in
luxury.
Pristine beaches, warm tropical waters and unique inland attractions also abound in Cebu, Bohol and other islands in
Central Philippines where the people have something in common: the innate sense of festivity often based on
combined religious and folk beliefs. A very good example of this is Ati-Atihan, the festival in honor of the Sto. Nino
(Holy Child) and, while differing in name and fervor in execution (it's called Sinulog in Cebu and Dinagyang in Iloilo, AtiAti in lbajay), the celebrations have the same passion and devotion very much like that seen during the procession of
the revered image of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.
For Filipinos, in general, fiestas (usually in honor of some patron saints) and festivals (either age-old traditions or ones
created to showcase the town's tourist attractions, cultural heritage, arts and crafts, agricultural products and the like
such as the Panagbenga of Baguio City, Kadayawan of Davao City, Lanzones Festival of Camiguin, Hong Butuan of
Butuan City, Kaamulan of Bukidnon, Maradjao Karadjao of Surigao, etc) are venues not only for homecoming and the
gathering of family, relatives and friends but also as an opportunity to show the ultimate in hospitality as they open
their homes to visitors and offer food and drinks to one and all, including foreigners present only by mere
happenstance.
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For its sheer size - it is the second largest in surface area in the country – and its abundant natural resources,
Mindanao has been dubbed the "Land of Promise." It is also a promising place for exciting travel, cultural and sports
adventure with the opportunity to interact with the Muslims (Maranaws, Maguindanaos, Tausugs, Yakans, Samals) and
its indigenous peoples such as Manobos, Bagobos, Mandaya, Bukidnons, Talaandigs, ~'laan, Subanons, Tirurays,
T'bolis and others, including the seafaring gypsies known as Badjaos. And there are more to see and experience like
the region's unique flora and fauna thriving in its virgin forests, mineral-rich mountain ranges and surrounding seas.
And there are the Filipinos who have the most unique racial mix in Asia: a complex intermingling of Malay, Spanish,
German, British, Japanese and American. All these bloodlines produced the unique Filipino race and the cultures that
melted into each other created a heritage of pagan and Christian, East and West, customs and traditions and language
all their own. And, having been under Spanish colonization for almost 400 years and American domination for 50
years, the Filipino "thinks like an American, feels like a Spanish and behaves like a Malay."
The Philippines is easily accessible by air as most of the world's major airlines serve the international airports in
Manila, Clark in Pampanga and Mactan in Cebu. Some major airlines in Asia also now serve the international airport in
Davao City. Travel time is approximately five hours from Tokyo, less than two hours from Hong Kong, 17 hours from
Los Angeles, and a little over 20 hours from London. It takes only one hour from Manado, North Sulawesi in Indonesia
to Davao City; only two hours from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah; three hours from Singapore, and one hour and a half from
Palau, Micronesia.
It's now time to come to the Philippines and embrace
the beyond-the-usual offerings of its 7,107 islands!
FAST FACTS
Entry Regulations
A valid passport is required for entry to the Philippines. Generally, foreign visitors from countries with diplomatic
relations with the Philippines are allowed to enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided their
passports are valid for at least 6 months and they hold return tickets. When staying for more than 21 days, a Tourist
Visa, which is valid for 59 days, is necessary. Permits and visas can be obtained from Philippine Embassies and
Consulates.
The following are allowed to enter the country without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days: holders of Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports, holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports, holders
of Portuguese passports issued in Macau and holders of Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports.
Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (tel. nos. (632) 834 3707 / (632) 834 3707 (632) 834 4870,
Department of Foreign Affairs or log on to www.dfa.govph/consular/ visa.htm.
Health Regulations
The Philippines is fortunate to be free from epidemics. The country remains free from bird flu and foot-and-mouth
diseases.
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from an infected area.
Medical Facilities
Hospitals in the country are manned by highly skilled and competent doctors and nurses and equipped with modern
facilities. The unique Filipino brand of caring and compassion makes the Philippines' medical services at par with the
best of the world.
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The country boasts of a wide variety of medical healthcare groups to choose from. Its healthcare system is largely
patterned after the American model. There are private as well as government run medical facilities, hospitals and
clinics all over the country. Hotels and resorts provide medical assistance as well. Towns and cities have health
centers that provide emergency medical attention.
Customs Regulations
To facilitate customs examination, visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before
disembarking. Visitors are allowed to bring in the following items duty-free: reasonable quantity of clothes and jewelry;
two bottles of wine or liquor of not more than one liter each; and, 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco.
Foreign Exchange Regulations
Visitors carrying more than USS3,000 are requested to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines
counter at the customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon departure must not exceed the amount brought in. Keep
all exchange receipts for record purposes. Departing passengers may not bring out more than P1,000 in local
currency.
Airports and Facilities
The Philippines has four (4) international airports: the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, Diosdado
Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Angeles City, Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
and the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City.
The NAIA is the main international gateway of the country. It is seven (7) kilometers south of Manila and southwest of
Makati City's Central Business
District. It has three (3) terminals that serve Manila and its surrounding metropolitan area. Manila is also served by the
Manila Domestic Airport which is one kilometer from the NAIA.
DMIA, also called Clark International Airport, is the main airport serving the immediate vicinity of the Clark Special
Economic Zone and the general area of Angeles City.
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves as the southern hub of the air transportation system of the country. The
airport is ideally and strategically located that travel time is only 3-4 hours to 14 cities in Asia Pacific.
The Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also called Davao International Airport, is the main airport serving Davao
City. It is the busiest airport in the Mindanao region and is the only international airport in Mindanao serving actual
international flights on a regular basis.
These international airports have adequate traveler facilities: duty-free shopping centers, souvenir shops, tourist
information counters, hotel and travel agency representatives and car rental services. The NAIA has banks, postal
service, a medical clinic, a pharmacy, chapels, salon, sauna and massage services.
Airport Transport
Taxis/Car Rental: The following accredited coupon taxis/limousine services are available at NAIA:
•
Airport Shuttle Service Inc.
•
Alamo Transport Leasing Services Inc.
•
Classic Shipping Corporation
•
G&S Transport Corporation
•
Jorivim General Merchandise Transport
•
MIA Transport Service Cooperative
•
NAIA Transport Services Cooperative Inc.
•
New Horizon Transport Service Inc.
•
Nissan Car Lease Phils., Inc.
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•
Pacific Blue Transport Services
•
People's Network Transport
•
Sunshine Transportation Inc.
Metered taxis and rent-a-cars are readily available at the airport (Angeles, Cebu and Davao) to the city proper.
Hotel Transfers: Hotel transport can be arranged with hotel representatives at designated counters at the arrival lobby
of the airport.
Terminal Fee/Departure Tax
Airport fees of P750 (about US$11) for international flights and P100- 200 for domestic flights (paid in Philippine pesos
only) will be charged upon departure.
Climate
The first half of the year, from January to May, is the best time to visit the country. November to February is cool, while
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, with the months between July to September characterized by
typhoons. Average temperature is 78 degrees F/25 degrees C to 90 degrees F/32 degrees C; average humidity is
77%. Some parts of the country, such as Cebu, are warm and comfortable in all seasons and can be visited
throughout the year.
For up-to-date weather information, visit the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) website: wwwpagasa.dost.govph or call PAGASA 24-hour hotline (632) 433 8526.
Clothing
Light clothes, preferably cottons, are advisable. Jackets or sweaters are needed in upland areas like the mountain city
of Baguio. Casual wear is the rule although formal parties may require a suit or Barong Tagalog for men and a dressy
frock for ladies.
When visiting churches and mosques, it is well to remember that shorts or provocative dresses will be inappropriate.
Visitors are also advised to bring walking shoes, sunglasses, sunblock cream, insect repellant and a wide brimmed
hat.
Time
The Philippines is eight (8) hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Language
The two official languages are Filipino and English. Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, is the national language.
English is widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education. It is also the dominant language in
business, government, the legal system, medicine, the sciences and education. A large percentage of the media such
as television, newspapers, and entertainment are also in English.
Eight (8) major dialects are spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, llocano, Hiligaynon, llonggo, Bicol,
Waray, Pampango and Pangasinense.
Government
The Philippines has a democratic republic type of government.
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Religion
Majority of Filipinos (approximately 83%) are Catholic; about 5% are Moslems. The rest are made up of smaller
Christian denominations.
Currency and Credit Cards
Unit of currency is the Philippine peso, divided into 100 centavos. Bills are in: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 pesos.
Coins come in 5, 10, 25 centavo and 1, 5, 10 peso denominations.
Next to the peso, the US dollar enjoys wide acceptance. Most foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at banks,
hotels and authorized foreign exchange dealers. Remember to transact only with banks and licensed foreign exchange
dealers. Always keep receipts of transactions.
For a complete list of registered foreign exchange dealers / money changers by the Central Bank of the Philippines,
log on to www.bsp.govph/banking/FXDMCRA_registrypdf.
International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, American Express Card and JCB are accepted in
major establishments. It is advisable to use credit cards for major expenses.
Business and Banking Hours
Private and government offices are open either from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays to
Fridays. Some private companies hold office on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Most shopping malls,
department stores and supermarkets are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. There are 24-hour convenience
stores and drugstores. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller
machines (ATM) operating 24 hours.
Communication Facilities
The international access code for the Philippines is +63. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country
code. Major towns, cities and popular tourist spots are covered by GSM 900 and 1800 mobile networks. There are also
providers that offer International Roaming. Phone units are rented in malls at a reasonable price. Internet connections
are available in hotels, Internet cafes and major or resorts all over the country.
Internet Facilities
Internet facilities are available in most hotels and resorts and in several Internet or cyber cafes all over the country.
Drinking Water
Generally, tap water is not suitable for drinking in some areas. It is advisable to either buy mineral water or boil tap
water prior to drinking.
Driving License
An international driving license is valid for up to three months.
Electrical Current
Electrical current is 220 volts, 60 Hz. Two-pin flat blade attachments and two-pin round plugs are used. A transformer
is necessary for appliances with electrical current of 110 volts.
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Tipping
In general, tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. However, most hotels
and restaurants include a 10% service charge, making additional tipping optional.
Tourist Information
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has a 24-hour Tourist Assistance Unit located at T.M. Kalaw Street, Rizal Park,
Manila. It can be reached at 524-1728 / 524-1660.
Important Telephone Numbers
DOT Information Center (24 hours):
524-2384 / 525-2000
DOT – NAIA Office:
832-2964
DOT – Tourist Assistance Unit:
524 1660 / 524 1728
NAIA Airport Security Center:
877 1727 / 877 1109 loc. 3437
Philippine Airlines – Manila:
818 0111 / 855 8888 / 855 7888
Emergency Numbers
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Public Information Office:
725-5115
PNP 24-hour Hotline:
722-2353 / 722-9587
Patrol 117:
117
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA):
136
Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs & Firefighters of the Philippines:
160-16
Civil Defense Operation Center:
911-5061
Public Holidays
January 1
New Year's Day
February 25
EDSA Revolution Day
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April 9
Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
May 1
Labor Day
June 12
Independence Day
Last Sunday of August
National Heroes Day
Movable
Eid-ul-Fitr (end of the month of fasting)
November 1
All Saints Day
November 30
Bonifacio Day
December 25
Christmas Day
December 30
Rizal Day
During the Catholic observance of Holy Week (Lenten season), Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are declared as
holidays.
FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The fiesta is Part and parcel of Filipino culture. This annual ritual of color, pageantry and revelry is the focus of the
energies of Filipino people given to gaiety, the love of living and the belief that a day must be set aside to thank the
Lord for all the good things He has given them. To Filipinos, fiesta is the time to be pious and to have fun and they do it
very well.
Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so there is always
a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. Filipino hospitality is legendary and at no time is it more evident than at
fiesta time.
Feast of the Black Nazarene
09 January, Quiapo, Manila
A grand devotional fiesta, this festival centers on the 400-year old image of the Black Nazarene enshrined at the St.
John the Baptist Church or Quiapo Church.
The Recollect Missionaries transported the miraculous image to the Philippines by galleon from Acapulco, Mexico in
1606. First enthroned in Bagumbayan (Luneta), it was transferred to Intramuros before being finally enshrined in the
church in Quiapo. This transfer is commemorated every January 9 with a solemn Mass and a procession joined by
thousands of barefoot devotees as a form of penance for sins committed and thanksgiving for blessings received. After
the main Mass, the life-size statue of the Black Nazarene is placed on a gilded carriage for the spectacular procession
that slowly inches its way through a traditional route.
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During the procession, the mammoth crowd of barefoot male devotees take turns clambering up the carriage to touch
the image, and in pulling the rope as a fulfillment of their annual panata (solemn promise) in gratitude for the many
miracles they attribute to the image of the Black Nazarene.
Ati-atihan
3rd Sunday of January, Kalibo, Aklan
The Ati-Atihan Festival is the wildest among Philippine fiestas. It is considered the ultimate in paganistic revelry
honoring the Santo Nino, when, during the last three days of the week-long festival, celebrants paint their faces with
black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they carouse and dance in the streets to the hypnotic beating of
drums and incessant shouts of "Hala bira!"
The Ati-atihan legend goes that in the second decade of the 13th century, the first group of Bornean datus (Maraynon)
to come to the islands landed in Panay. They liked the island so much they offered to buy it from the inhabitants, the
dark-skinned tribe of Negritos (Atis). The irresistible offer included a headgear and basin made of beaten gold. After
the sale, the datus cut up the island into what is now Aklan, Iloilo and Antique. In time, however, problems arose
between the Maraynon and the Atis and to avert possible violence, a meeting was arranged between the Bornean
chief, Datu Puti, and the Ati headman, Marikudo. A new pact was forged and to celebrate the event, there was a frenzy
of dancing and feasting that went on for days.
With the arrival of the Spaniards four or five centuries later, this Ati-Maraynon merrymaking was later incorporated into
the celebration of the feast day of the Santo Nino. However, the Atis, who resented the little image venerated by the
new settlers, did not participate in the merrymaking and left their settlements for the mountains.
With the Atis gone, the celebrants just painted their faces and extremities with black soot and aped the dance of the
Atis, hence the name Ati-Atihan which means "make-believe Atis".
The Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo is considered the Mardi Gras of the Philippines.
Sinulog
3rd Sunday of January, Cebu City
The Sinulog is considered a festival of hope and good cheer. It is a prayer-dance synchronized to the beat of drums
and shouts of "Pit Senor! Viva Sto. Nino!"
The Sinulog festival is held in honor of the image of the Santo Nino, a gift to the Queen of Cebu from the navigator
Ferdinand Magellan, who landed on the island in 1521. Masses, procession, dancing and parades mark the weeklong
event.
A story goes that the first procession of the Santo Nino was held after the men of conquistador Miguel Lopez de
Legaspi recovered the image from a burning house.
The native women and children saw the procession, and forgetting their fear of the white strangers, they came out
from hiding and joined the crowd to sway their bodies in a soulful dance. The dance was probably the beginning of the
dance-prayer Sinulog.
Sinulog comes from the root word sulog, which means river current because the dance movement resembles that of a
current of wave: two steps forward and one step backward.
For more than 20 years, the celebration of the feast of the Santo Nino has been turned into a huge and elaborate
street pageant. The street dancing festivity called Sinulog sa Sugbu was started in 1981 and held every third Sunday
of January thereafter. The project ect raised the awareness of Cebu's history among the younger generation and has
attracted visitors from other provinces and other countries.
The Sinulog in Cebu is an unbelievably colorful, throbbing, and vibrant pageantry with folks lining up the streets to
gawk at goings on while young and old devotees flock to the Basilica del Santo Nino to light candles and pray and
dance for their beloved 400-year old icon.
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Dinagyang
4th weekend of January, Ilo-ilo City
Dinagyang is a spectacle characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic sounds of whistles and drums. It is a
colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes, dancing and chanting all day and night as they
honor the Senor Santo Nino.
In 1968, Fr. Sulpicio Ebderes brought a replica of the image of the Senor Santo Nino from Cebu City to the San Jose
Parish Church with a delegation of Confradia del Santo Nino Cebu members. The first parish feast of Senor Santo
Nino was celebrated in 1969.
From 1969, the celebration was casually called "Iloilo Ati-Atihan" to differentiate it from
that more famous Mardi Gras-like revelry of Kalibo, Aklan.
The late Pacifico Sumagpao Sudario, an old-time llonggo writer and radio broadcaster, coined the word Dinagyang. He
first used the name of the festival when it was launched in 1977.
Through the years, the Dinagyang Festival has not only meant fun and laughter for the Ilonggos. It has also become a
period of thanksgiving and offering for all the blessings received even if the street pageantry has turned more cultural
than religious.
Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival
2nd week of February, Baguio City
Panagbenga is the Kankanaey word for "a season for blossoming, a time for flowering" and the Panagbenga, Baguio
Flower Festival is exactly that as Baguio City blooms, literally and figuratively, during the festival.
The Panagbenga is an annual pageantry showcasing the best of the Cordillera Administrative Region's cultural,
historical and natural bounties.
The celebration kicks off with a street dancing participated in by school children wearing headdresses and headgears
made of flowers, real or their creative interpretations in the most colorful paper, cellophanes, plastic materials and
cloths.
Panagbenga, Baguio Flower Festival highlights include the search for the Festival Queen; exhibits of the region's arts
and crafts, flowering and ornamental plants, native products; barangay beautification contest; and presentations of
tribal traditions and rituals in song and dance.
The festival reaches a climax when Session Road, the city's main street, is literally transformed into a sea of flowers by
a most beautiful grand parade participated in by a multitude of contingents of people arrayed in floral costumes and
finery and floats made of real flowers of all colors and sizes, leaves in all imaginable hues, moss, branches and twigs.
During the parade, the contingents go marching, sashaying, and dancing to the heightened beat of traditional gongs,
reed flutes and drums and the resounding music of the brass bands while the flower floats inch their way down
Session Road.
Moriones
Holy Week, Marinduque
The Moriones is the most colorful pageant held during the Holy Week in the island of Marinduque – particularly in the
towns of Boac, Mogpog and Gasan - where the celebrants don oversized Roman legionnaire masks and reenact the
legend of Longinus.
The wearers themselves, in a secret ceremony, carve the Moriones mask as playing a morion is a form of sacrifice or
penitence and no one must know the penitent's identity.
The legend goes that Longinus was a blind Roman legionnaire who pierced the side of the crucified Christ. When the
blood that spurted forth touched his blind eye, his sight was fully restored.
This miracle converted Longinus to Christianity and, having earned the ire of his fellow centurions, had joined the rest
of the Christians hiding from the Romans.
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During the Moriones festival, the masked and costumed penitents morions march around the town for seven days
searching for Longinus. The reenactment reaches its climax when Longinus is caught and beheaded.
The Moriones festival is most spectacular in Marinduque's capital town of Boac because it is the venue of the grand
staging of the beheading of Longinus. The town also has the most number of morions in the island province. On the
other hand, the seaport town of Mogpog is best known for the most elaborate masks and headgears of its morions
while Gasan is more popular for the young morions going around town in small groups, asking for charity/treats
(caridad) as they rhythmically strike a wooden musical instrument, creating a unique sound heard only during the
Marinduque Moriones festival.
Cutud Lenten Rites
Holy Week (Good Friday), San Fernando, Pampanga
The most unusual observance of Holy Week in the country takes place in the village of San Pedro Cutud in San
Fernando, Pampanga. Here, the villagers give a different meaning to the Lenten season with their own unique
rendition of self-flagellation.
This ancient ritual begins, in some hallowed place, in the early morning of Good Friday, with the ritualistic infliction of
wounds on the backs of the penitents who shroud their faces with cloth and wound wild medicinal vines, even real
thorns, around their heads. Amid the sound of old women devotees' peculiar sing-song lamentation of the life and
passion of Christ, the flagellants, stripped to the waist, emerge into the streets and, under the sweltering heat of the
sun, they rhythmically whip their bleeding backs in atonement of past sins.
Before noon, an unforgettable spectacle unfolds on a barren hill in San Pedro Cutud where some flagellants go to the
extreme in the public atonement of their sins --- crucifixion.
Either stripped to the waist or arrayed in crimson robes replete with cords around their waists, the flagellants'
extremities are first tied securely to the wooden crosses. At a given signal, real nails are driven on the palms of each
hand and on their feet. Most of the flagellants let out piercing screams while others silently bear the utter pain of their
penitential vows.
A few of the crucified penitents drop out at this point. The others stay nailed on the wooden cross. Those who have a
higher threshold of pain or who have committed heavier sins, are determined to be lowered only when the church ritual
recollection of The Seven Last Words ends precisely at 3 o'clock.
Then, as the solemn candle-lit procession of the Santo Sepulcro (Dead Christ) ends on Good Friday afternoon, San
Pedro Cutud becomes all quiet again.
Salubong
Easter Sunday, Nationwide
At dawn, Easter bells peal nationwide, signalling the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in churchyards, the moving story
of the salubong - the meeting of the mourning mother and the risen Son - is retold.
Immediately after the first dawn mass, two processions emerge from the church - one led by the image of the
mourning mother of Christ and the other led by the Risen Christ. The two processions meet at a designated place - the
Galilea. When the mourning mother and the risen Son meet, an angel is gently lowered from a bamboo canopy to
remove the Mother's veil.
Various folk beliefs connected with harvest are curiously intermingled with this religious rite. A smooth unveiling
predicts a bountiful harvest. A fallen veil portends drought. A crumpled tip foretells few full grains. But as a feast, it is a
joyful occasion filled with renewed hope and expectations of better things to come.
Flores de Mayo Santacruzan
May, Nationwide
May is when the flowers bloom, and the month-long Marian devotion is observed with the holding of the Flores de
Mayo and Santacruzan.
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The Flores de Mayo is a floral parade/procession held in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, couples are arrayed
in white and carry, in flower form, the attributes of the Virgin Mary. After the procession, a reception is held at the
house of the principal sponsor, the hermana mayor.
The Santacruzan is a pageant procession that recalls the quest of Empress Helena, mother of Constantine and
legendary seeker of the True Cross on which Christ was nailed. The storyline goes that on the night before the
decisive battle for Rome, Constantine had a dream in which a voice told him that he could win the battle if his soldiers
would mark their shields with the cross. Constantine was a pagan but the recurring dream bothered him, so he thought
that there was nothing to lose if he ordered what the voice told him. To his surprise, his troops won the battle and in
gratitude, Constantine urged his mother, Empress Helena, long a Christian convert, to look for the True Cros.
The quest was not easy as three hundred years had passed since Christ had died on the Cross. But Empress Helena
kept on tracking down the True Cross until she got to Calvary where she found three crosses and some nails. To
separate the True Cross from the other two, the Bishop of Jerusalem helped her test all three for miraculous powers.
When a dead person came to life and sick people were cured at the touch of one of the crosses, Empress Helena
knew she held the true one in her hand. She divided the True Cross into three parts: one for the Church of the Holy
Cross in Jerusalem, another for the basilica which she had built in Calvary and the third she presented to a new
convert, her son Constantine.
This story of the quest forms the core of the Santacruzan with the procession carried on with lively, lilting singing of the
Dios Te Salve Maria, the Spanish version of Hail Mary.
To most Filipinos, the Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan during the month of May is a time to work together and re-live
a grandiose spiritual tradition.
Pista'y Dayat
1 May, Lingayen, Pangasinan
Pista'y Dayat (Feast of the Sea) has grown from its simple beginning as a thanksgiving celebration of nature's
blessings to a full-fledge tourism attraction that gathers thousands of visitors every year.
Falling on the first day of May, Pangasinenses and visitors from nearby towns simply cannot make their Labor Day
complete without a visit to the historic Lingayen Beach. The Pistay Dayat is also an occasion for Pangasinenses to get
family, relatives and friends together for a day of feasting on native delicacies of the province such as the tupig,
patupat, bocayo, diket as a fitting accompaniment to the bounty of the sea like the milkfish, the samaral, sugpo (giant
shrimps), crabs bursting with yellow-orange fat, oysters and many others only the sea can offer.
Pahiyas
15 May, Lucban and Sariaya, Quezon
Pahiyas, meaning "precious offering," is a festival held in the quaint and lovely towns of Sariaya and Lucban, Quezon
to honor the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador.
San Isidro was born in Madrid in 1070 and he spent all his life as a tenant farmer. He was so devout he prayed even in
the fields and legend is that, while he knelt and prayed, angels came down to plow for him. He and his wife, Santa
Maria de la Cabeza, are Madrid's patron saints.
The feast of San Isidro honors the bounty of the earth and the fruit of all labors and in celebration the townsfolk of
Sariaya and Lucban deck their homes with a rich variety of decorations called kiping (brilliantly colored rice wafers)
arranged in floral motifs or in chandelier-like patterns. Harvested vegetables like squash, eggplant, pumpkin etc. are
also used as decorations. These meticulously prepared decor adorn houses with their patterns and textures, giving a
splash of spectacular color not found anywhere else. It is a show window of unique folk art indigenous only to Lucban
and Sariaya.
The highlight of the celebration in both towns is the procession of the image of San Isidro Labrador through the streets
lined with their beautifully decorated homes. Local folk believe that the passing of their saint's procession assures an
abundance of harvest in the future.
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Carabao Festival
15 May, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija /
Pulilan, Bulacan /Angono, Rizal
Farmers pay tribute to the carabao during the feast day of San Isidro Labrador, their patron saint. The carabao, the
beast of burden farmers use in plowing their fields and carrying their harvests, becomes king for the day.
During the carabao festival, farmers assemble their carabaos at the churchyard -carefully cleaned and groomed,
adorned with flowers, yokes replaced by wreaths festooned with ribbons and flowers — to be blessed by the priest,
complete with the sprinkling of holy water. After the blessing ceremony, the beasts of burden are lined up to parade
around the town amid the cheering of the townsfolk and visiting spectators.
The festival's highlight comes with the blessing of the animals for the second time. At this point, the carabaos are lined
up and geared for the race across the fields. At a given signal, the thunderous stampede of hooves resounds as the
animals race against each other toward the finish line. It is amazing to see the bulky beasts thunder to a halt at the
finish line and kneel there as in prayer as the priest blesses them once more.
Obando Fertility Rites
17-19 May, Obando, Bulacan
The little town of Obando, Bulacan holds a fiesta honoring not one but three patron saints: Sta. Clara de Assisi, the
patron saint of the childless; San Pascual Baylon, a 16th century shepherd who prayed by dancing and who became a
model of religious virtue; and, Our Lady of the Salambao to whom fishermen and farmers pray for a good catch and a
bountiful harvest.
In the Obando Fertility Rites, dance is the medium of prayer — in keeping with native tradition. The devotees chant
their prayers and dance around the streets of Obando, all the way to the main altar. The dancing is feverish as they
ask San Pascual for a wife, Santa Clara de Assisi for a husband, and the Virgen de Salambao for a good catch, good
harvest and a child, too.
Old folks say the Virgen de Salambao was so named because two brothers, Juan and Julian de la Cruz, fished her out
of the waters on June 19, 1763, while they were disengaging their fishing net atop a bamboo raft. The town has since
adopted the Virgen de Salambao as their third patron saint.
The festival's main attraction is the dance performed by childless women to the tune of the Sta. Clara song ending at
the church, where they request intercession for their needs. Today, not only the childless women dance in Obando.
Men and children also join for various petitions.
Mudpack Festival
24 June, Murcia, Negros Occidental
This festival in Mambukal, Murcia is a celebration of the symbolic return of man to primitive times when he was closer
to nature. It seeks to instill in people the awareness and care of the environment and the use of natural materials in
arts and crafts. The highlight of the festival is a merry making with dancers whose faces are covered with mudpack
and bodies painted with Mambukal clay.
Parada ng Lechon
24 June, Balayan Batangas
A different sight and flavor are introduced in June with a festival popularly known as the "Parada Ng Lechon" in
Balayan, Batangas.
In this festival which coincides with the feast of St. John the Baptist, Balayan's patron saint, the lechon or succulent
roasted pig becomes the center of attraction. Decked out in their platforms and replete with appropriate props and
accessories and all kinds of adornments, these tempting lechons are paraded in town together with the procession of
the revered image of St. John the Baptist amid the boisterous, riotous sprinkling and dousing of water very much like
the ritual of baptism.
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After the parade, the lechons are brought back home or some clubs' headquarters for a virtual bacchanalia of feasting
and drinking of beer, liquor, and invariably lambanog, the local firewater.
The Parada ng Lechon typifies the Filipino fiesta as it is really a time to be pious and have fun and be hospitable with
the sharing of the lechon.
Pintados Festival
29 June, Tacloban City, Leyte
The Pintados is a revival of the old custom of Filipinos in Leyte (and other parts of the Visayan) of painting their bodies
as a symbol of rank and honor. Pintados is the name the Spaniards gave to the island's inhabitants who decorated
their bodies with tattoos.
During the pre-Hispanic years, tattoos signified courage among the natives of Tacloban. These days, they symbolize a
cultural revival, and a wild fiesta called the Pintados.
The festival highlight is the street dancing parade that showcases participants with colorful and creatively painted
bodies. The many Pre-Spanish traditions, including the worship of idols, are also depicted in dance and accompanied
by the playing of indigenous music with a hypnotic and rhythmic beat.
Sandugo Festival
Movable, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
The festival commemorates the signing of a treaty of friendship between the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi and Rajah Sikatuna, chieftain of Bohol. The blood-sealed peace treaty was held on the shores of Bohol in
March 1565. The festival was celebrated in March until a few years ago when it was moved to the month of July.
This historic event is remembered today with an all-out fiesta at the island's capital city, Tagbilaran. The
commemorative celebration includes the spectacular Sandugo street dancing parade featuring ten colorfully dressed
groups dancing to the beat of drums, a traditional Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and Miss Bohol Sandugo
Beauty Pageant. Sandugo festival participants also reenact the historic blood compact in a grand staging — an
unforgettable scenario of the once-bloody past of the beautiful island province of Bohol.
Kadayawan sa Davao
3rd Week of August, Davao City
Davao's annual festival, Kadayawan Sa Dabaw, coincides with the harvest of fruits and blooming of flowers.
The festival promises a weekend of fanfare and fun - tribal style as it showcases Davao's arts and cultural heritage
with ethno-cultural presentations, agro-industrial fair, festivals expo, indigenous dance competitions, street parties,
food fiesta, and other activities. The festivities reach a glorious climax on Saturday morning with the spectacular
Kadayawan parade featuring astonishingly beautiful, colorful orchid-and-fern bedecked floats and ethnic groups
dancing to the beat of wooden drums, bamboo instruments, kumbing, native three-stringed guitars and other
indigenous instruments and, invariably, the tinkling sound of tiny brass bells wound around wrists, waists and ankles.
Earlier, the festival was called "Apo Duwaling," a contraction of the famous icons of the city, Mt. Apo, durian and
waling-waling. It was later renamed "Kadayawan sa Dabaw" to better reflect the merry spirit and indigenous theme of
the celebration for Dayaw is a Dabawenyo word meaning good, valuable, superior or beautiful.
Feast of Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia
3rd Saturday of September, Naga City
The biggest celebration in the Bicol Region is the Feast of Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia, a, an annual affair that
combines religion with culture and tradition, packing it all in a 9-day fiesta.
On the first day of the Penafrancia Festival, the image of the Virgin, borne on the shoulders of male devotees, is
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brought out from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral for the holding of the nine-day novena attended by devotees from all
over the Bicol Region and from all over the country. On the last day, the image of the Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia
is returned to her shrine via a fluvial procession along the Naga River. The colorful evening procession is lit by
thousands of candles from devotees in boats escorting the image and those along the riverbanks. Prayers, hymns,
brass bands and fireworks follow the barge.
When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees shout "Viva la Virgen" (Long live the Virgin) and the image of
Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia is escorted back to the cathedral in a procession of prayerful candle-bearing devotees.
The famous image of the Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia is believed to have miraculous powers and on her feast day,
thousands of pilgrims gather at the shrine to pay homage to her in fulfillment of graces and favors received.
Masskara Festival
3rd Week of October, Bacolod City
Masskara Festival is the annual festive celebration which has earned for Bacolod the title "City of Smiles".
The festival was conceived in 1980 to lend a psychological lift to the disheartened people of Negros. Poverty stalked
the once-moneyed region as world sugar prices dropped. In effect, the festival was a declaration of the people that no
matter how tough and bad the times are, Bacolod is going to pull through, survive and, in the end, triumph.
The word "masskara" was coined by the late Ely Santiago from two words: "mass" which means "many or a multitude
of people" and the Spanish word "kara" meaning "face." During the parade, participants wear smiling masks.
Masskara, thus means a multitude of smiling faces.
The festival features a street dance competition, a beauty pageant, carnivals, a drum and bugle corps competition,
food festivals, sporting events, musical concerts, an agri-trade fair and a garden show.
Eid-ul-Fitr
Movable, Nationwide
The celebration at the end of Ramadan is called Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). It is a joyous occasion,
similar to Christmas, in its celebration but with strong religious significance. The giving of a special charity for this
occasion is obligatory. Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in the morning, and visit
friends and relatives.
Eid-ul-Fitr is the holiday that follows the blessed month of Ramadan and falls on the 1st day of Shawwal, the 10th
month in the Hijra calendar. As with all months in the Hijra calendar, it begins with the sighting of the new moon. It
commemorates both a joyous holiday and sadness due to the end of the blessed month of Ramadan.
Higantes Festival
22-23 November, Angono, Rizal
Higantes is a thanksgiving festival in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal vestment, is borne by
male devotees during a procession accompanied by pahadores" (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden
shoes and carrying boat paddles) and "higantes" (giant paper mache effigies). The street event culminates in a fluvial
procession in Laguna de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image of San Clemente is brought back to its
sanctuary.
The higantes, according to stories retold by Angono folk, came about as a parody of the cruel Spaniards who lived in
the town a long time ago.
The story goes that the Angono folk under the Spaniards' employ endured the maltreatment they received from their
masters but, artistic as they all are, they thought of getting even. They created giant effigies of their masters and
paraded them in town, amid the cheering of the townsfolk and much to the chagrin of the Spaniards.
In the passing of time, the higantes, even as they are a part of the annual procession of the town's beloved patron
saint, have come to symbolize the prominence of Angono in the fields of arts and music.
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San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival
December, San Fernando, Pampanga
The festival is an annual competition and parade of the best, biggest and most beautiful Christmas lanterns. These
giant lanterns average around 40 feet in diameter.
The tradition of the parol (or lantern) folk art dates back to 1928 when artisan Francisco Estanislao first constructed the
original, simple five-point star lantern, lighted by either a candle or a kalburo (carbide) lamp, as a symbol of the Star of
Bethlehem. This simple parol later evolved into the more complicated lanterns that are not only gigantic in dimension
but also more colorful and intricate in design and intensely bright with several thousands of incandescent bulbs lit in
simple or electronically controlled sequence lighting. They are now an astounding, almost magical sight to behold.
The festival continues to attract hordes of spectators from all over the country, as the competing giant parols (lanterns)
become even more kaleidoscopically spectacular with each passing year.
Christmas Season
December, Nationwide
The longest and happiest of the Filipino festivals, Christmas in the Philippines commences on December 16 and ends
in the first Sunday of January (or the feast of Epiphany) for a total of 22 days. Preparations for the holidays, though,
start in September which heralds the coming of the Christmas season.
For the nine days preceding December 25 (Christmas Day), each of the masses is held at the crowing of the rooster at
4 o'clock in the morning, thus, they are popularly known as Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Cock). As
soon as the mass ends, people file out of the church and linger by the tiendas or makeshift stands selling bibingka
(rice cakes), puto bumbong delicacies, all to be downed with free steaming cups of herb tea laced with pandan and the
hot ginger ale called salabat.
The start of the Misa de Gallo is also the go-signal for the hanging of parol (lanterns) in the windows, the display of the
belen (creche or Nativity scene) in the sala, beside the altar, under the Christmas tree in homes and offices and in the
plaza, all of which will remain until the first Sunday of January.
On Christmas Eve, after the Misa de Aguinaldo or Midnight Mass, there is the Noche Buena, a fitting climax to the
midnight mass where family, relatives, even friends, gather at the feast table and partake of the best foods the family
can afford to prepare - practically all native and foreign delicacies and holiday food. The Noche Buena, the Christmas
feast of bounty, is a uniquely Philippine tradition, the season's link with harvest thanksgiving rites. Gift giving follows
the feast.
Christmas Day in the Philippines is the day for children to see their godparents to give them the ritual greeting of
respect – a kiss on the back of the hand or on the forehead, done as they say the customary greeting of "Mano po,
Ninong" or "Mano po, Ninang. " The ninong or ninang, in turn presents the children their pamasko – gifts of money,
candies, toys or new clothes.
On New Year's Eve (December 31), Filipino families make as much noise as they can by lighting firecrackers, beating
pans and cans, and blowing horns and whistles up to midnight, as their way of ushering the New Year. They then
gather round the dining table for another midnight feast, the Media Noche.
Christmas is a beautiful season to cap the year. It is also the season when the renowned Filipino hospitality is at its
best, pure and uninhibited.
Philippine Christmas is a season of peace and tranquility, a fitting end to a year, and a fitting welcome to a new one.
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TRANSPORTATION
Air
The Philippines is easily accessible by air. Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the biggest airline company in the
country. There are currently 19 cities and towns being serviced by PAL in its domestic operations and 24
points in its international operations. Other international commercial airlines servicing the country are: Air
Asia Airlines, Air India, Air Macau, Air Niugini, Asians Airlines, Asian Spirit, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific,
China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, CR Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air,
Far Eastern Air Transport, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Asia Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean
Air, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, Merpati Nussan Tara Airlines, Northwest
Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Shriwijaya, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines,
Thai Airways International and Tiger Airways.
For the latest flight schedules, visit the website or contact the telephone numbers of the airlines listed below
Philippine Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 818 0111 / 855 9999 /
855 8888 / 855 1000
Website:
www.philippineairlines.com
Routes from/to Manila: Australia (Melbourne, Sydney); Bahrain (Muscat); Brunei; Canada (Vancouver); China (Beijing,
Shanghai, Xiamen); Hongkong; Indonesia (Jakarta); Japan (Fukuoka, Okinawa, Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo); Korea
(Seoul, Busan); Macau ; Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur); Qatar (Doha); Singapore; Taiwan (Taipei); Thailand
(Bangkok); UAE (Dubai); United States (Guam, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas); Vietnam (Ho Chi
Minh)
from/to Cebu: Hongkong; Japan (Narita); Korea (Incheon)
Air Asia Airlines
Tel. No.
(6345) 5997050/7050
Website:
www.airasia.com
Route from/to Clark: Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Air India
Tel. No.
(632) 8152441
Website:
www.airindia.com
Routes from/to Manila via Bombay: Bahrain; France (Paris); Germany (Frankfurt); India (Bombay, Delhi); Kenya
(Nairobi), Kuwait; Nigeria (Darasalarn); Qatar (Doha),-Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah); UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Riyadh), UK (London); US (Chicago, New York)
Air Macau
Tel. No.
(632)2433111/8795186
Website:
www.airmacau.com
Routes from/to Manila via Macau: China (Beijing, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen); Macau;
Taiwan (Kaohsiung, Taipei); Thailand (Bangkok)
Air Niugini
Tel. No.
(632) 8913339
Website:
www.airniugini.com
Routes from/to Manila: Australia (Brisbane, Cairnes, Sydney); Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby)
Asiana Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8925688
Website:
www.flysiana.com
Routes from/to Manila: Korea (Busan, Seoul)
from/to Cebu: Korea (Inchon)
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Asian Spirit
Tel. No.
(6382) 232-8088 (6382) 222-0785
Website:
www.asianspirit.com
Routes from/to Davao: Palau
Cathay Pacific
Tel. No.
(632) 7571313 / 7570888 (Manila)
(6332) 2313747 / 3403254 (Cebu)
Website:
www.cathaypacific.com
Routes from/to Manila: Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairnes, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney); Cambodia; China (Beijing,
Xiamen), Hongkong; Indonesia (Denpasar, Jakarta); Japan (Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo), Korea (Seoul);
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang); Singapore; Taiwan (Taipei); Thailand (Bangkok); Vietnam (Hanoi, Saigon)
from/to Cebu: Hongkong
Cebu Pacific
Tel. No.
(632) 7020888 (Manila) / (6332) 2308888
Website:
www.cebupacificair.com
Routes from/to Manila: Hongkong; Indonesia (Jakarta); Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur); Singapore; Thailand (Bangkok)
from/to Cebu: Hongkong, Korea (Inchon, Pusan); Singapore
China Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 5219331/5237425
Website:
www.china-airlines.com
Routes from/to Manila: Australia (Brisbane, Sydney); Austria (Vienna); Cambodia (Phnom Penh); Germany (Frankfurt);
Hongkong; Indonesia (Denpasar Jakarta); Italy (Rome); Japan (Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Narita,Okinawa, Osaka,
Sapporo); Korea (Inchon); Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur,
Penang); Netherlands(Amsterdam); Singapore; Taiwan
(Kaohsiung, Taipei); Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket); US (Anchorage, Guam, Hawaii, Houston, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, Seattle)
China Southern Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 5S 13333 (Manila)/
(6377)7721888/7721166 (Laoag)
Website:
www.cs-air.com
Routes from/to Manila: China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen)
from/to Laoag City: China (Guangzhou)
Continental Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8188701
Website:
wvvw.continental.com
Routes from/to Manila: Guam; Palau; Micronesia; Saipan; US Main
CR Airways
Tel. No.
(6345) 5992883/2139 (Clark)/
(6377) 7721888 / 7732401 (Laoag)
Website:
www.crairways.com
Routes from/to Clark): Hongkong
from/to Laoag : Hongkong
Emirates
Tel. No.
(632) 8115278
Website:
www.emirates.com
Routes from/to Manila: Austria; France; Germany; Italy; London; Middle East; Switzerland
Etihad Airways
Tel. No.
(632) 8493489
Website:
www.etihadairways.com
Routes from/to Manila: Bahrain; Belgium (Brussels); Canada (Toronto), France (Paris), Germany (Frankfurt, Munich);
Iran (Tehran); Jordan (Amman); Kuwait, Lebanon (Beirut); Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur); Morocco (Casablanca); Oman
(Muscat); Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore), Qatar (Doha); Saudi Arabia (Damman, Jeddah, Riyadh); South Africa
(Johannesburg), Sri Lanka (Colombo); Sudan (Khartoum); Switzerland (Geneva); Syria (Damascus); UAE (Abu Dhabi,
Dubai), UK (London, Manchester); US (New York)
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Eva Air
Tel. No.
(632) 7531383/5676
Website:
www.evaair.com
Routes from/to Manila via Taipei: Cambodia (Phnom Penh); China; Hongkong; Indonesia (Denpasar, Jakarta,
Surabaya); Japan (Fukuoka, Osaka, Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo); Korea (Seoul); Macau; Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur);
Singapore; Taiwan (Taipei); Thailand (Bangkok); Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh)
Far Eastern Air Transport
Tel. No.
(6377) 7721888 / 7732401 (Laoag)/
Website:
www.fat.corn.tw
Routes from/to Laoag: Taiwan
from/to Subic: Taiwan
Gulf Air
Tel. No.
(632) 8178383/8319655
Website:
www.gulfair.co
Routes from/to Manila: Bahrain; Belgium (Brussels); Egypt (Cairo); France (Paris); Germany (Frankfurt); India
(Bangalore, Delhi, Kochi, Trivandrum); Ireland (Dublin, Belfast); Jordan (Amman); Kuwait; Lebanon (Beirut);
Netherlands (Amsterdam); Oman (Muscat); Pakistan (Karachi, Peshawar); Qatar (Doha); Saudi Arabia (Damman,
Jeddah, Riyadh); Sudan (Khartoum); Syria (Damascus); UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai); UK (Aberdeen, Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester); US (Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Medinah, Miami, New York)
Japan Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8866888
Website:
www.jal.co
Routes from/to Manila: Japan (Nagoya, Tokyo)
Jetstar Asia Airways
Tel. No.
(632) 9003051
Website:
www.jetstar.com
Routes from/to Clark: Indonesia (Jakarta); Singapore; Thailand (Phuket)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8871202
Website:
www.klm.com
Route from/to Manila: Amsterdam
Korean Air
Tel. No.
(632) 8934909
Website:
www.koreanair.com
Routes from/to Manila via Seoul: Australia (Brisbane/ Sydney); Canada (Toronto, Vancouver); China (Beijing,
Senyang, Shanghai, Qingdao, Yangi); France (Paris); Greece (Athens); Hongkong; Italy (Rome); Japan (Akita, Amori,
Fukuoka, Komatsu, Nagasaki, Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo); Korea (Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gilvang-ju, Gyeongju); Netherlands (Amsterdam); New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch); Russia (Moscow); Turkey (Istanbul); - UAE
(Dubai); US (Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Texas, Washington D. C.)
from/to Cebu: Korea (Inchon)
Kuwait Airways Corp.
Tel. No.
(632) 8129579
Website:
www.kuwaitairways.com
Routes from/to Manila via Bangkok: Bahrain; Thailand (Bangkok); Egypt (Alexandria, Assiut, Cairo, Luxor, Sharm el
Sheikh); France (Paris); Germany (Frankfurt); Iran (Tehran); Italy (Rome); Jordan (Amman); Kuwait; Lebanon (Beirut);
London; Qatar (Doha); Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah, Makinah, Riyadh); Switzerland (Geneva); Syria (Damascus);
UAE (Dubai); US (New York)
Lufthansa
Tel. No.
(632) 5806400
Website:
wwv.lufthansa.com
Route from/to Manila: Germany (Frankfurt)
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Malaysia Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8678767 (Manila)/
(6332) 2312887 (Cebu)
Website:
www.malaysiaairlines.com
Routes from/to Manila via Kuala Lumpur: Australia (Melbourne, Sydney); Austria (Vienna); France (Paris); Germany
(Frankfurt); Indonesia (Jakarta); Italy (Rome); Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur); Maldives (Male); Pakistan (Hyderabad);
Singapore; South Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg); Sri Lanka (Colombo); Switzerland (Zurich); Uzbekistan
(Tashkent)
from/to Cebu: Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Mandarin Airlines
Tel. No.
(6332)3402736
Website:
www.mandarin-airlines.com
Route from/to Cebu: Taiwan (Taipei)
Merpati Nussan Tara Airlines
Tel. No.
(6382) 2245870
Website:
www.mandarin-airlines.com
Route from/to Davao: Indonesia (Manado)
Northwest Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8197261/
8104716
Website:
www.nwa.com
Routes from/to Manila: Japan (Nagoya, Tokyo); US Mainland
Qantas
Tel. No.
(632) 8120607
Website:
www.qantas.com
Routes from/to Manila: Australia (Brisbane,Sydney), Singapore
Qatar Airways
Tel. No.
(632) 8121888 (Manila) /
(6332) 2321000 (Cebu)
Website:
www.qatarairways.com
Routes from/to Manila: Qatar (Doha)
from/to Cebu: Qatar (Doha)
Royal Brunei
Tel. No.
(632) 8311641/8973309
Website:
www.bruneiair.com
Routes from/to Manila via Brunei: Australia (Darwin, Perth, Sydney); Brunei Darussalam; Germany (Frankfurt);
Indonesia (Denpasar, Jakarta, Surabaya); Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur); Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Thailand
(Bangkok); UAE (Dubai),- UK (London)
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 8963046
Website:
www.saudiairlines.com
Routes from/to Manila: France (Paris); Germany (Frankfurt); Italy (Milan); Switzerland (Geneva); UK (London)
Shriwijaya
Tel. No.
(6382) 300-8158 / 225-8424
Route from/to Davao: Manado
SilkAir
Tel. No.
(6332) 3400042 / 2326211 (Cebu)/
(6382) 2211039 / 2245608 (Davao)
Website:
www.silkair.com
Route from/to Cebu: Singapore
from/to Davao: Singapore
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Singapore Airlines
Tel. No.
(632) 7568888
Website:
www.singaporeair.com
Routes from/to Manila via Singapore: Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney); Bangladesh (Dhaka);
Denmark (Copenhagen); Egypt (Cairo); France (Paris); Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt); Greece (Athens); India (Amritsar,
Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Thirauvananthapuram),- Indonesia (Balikpapan, Denpasar, Jakarta,
Mataram, Medan, Surabaya); Italy (Milan, Rome); Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang); Netherlands
(Amsterdam); New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch); Pakistan (Hyderabad); Saudi Arabia (Jeddah); Singapore; South
Africa (Johannesburg); Spain (Barcelona, Madrid); Sri Lanka (Colombo); Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich); Thailand
(Bangkok); Turkey (Istanbul); UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai); UK (London, Manchester); US (Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco)
Thai Airways International
Tel. No.
(632) 8124812
Website:
www.thaiair.com
Routes from/to Manila via Bangkok. Australia (Perth); Austria (Vienna); Bangladesh (Chittagong, Dhaka); Belgium
(Brussels); Canada (Montreal, Toronto); Czech Republic (Prague); Denmark (Copenhagen); Egypt (Cairo); France
(Paris); Germany (Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart);
Hungary (Budapest); India (Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Allumbai); Ireland (Belfast, Dublin); Israel (Tel-Aviv); Italy (Milan,
Rome); Japan (Osaka),- Jordan (Amman); Kuwait; Laos Mentianne); Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang); Myanmar
(Yangon); Nepal (Kathmandu); Oman (Muscat); Pakistan (Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore); Poland (Warsaw);
Portugal (Lisbon); Qatar (Doha); Russia (Moscow); South Africa (Johannesburg); Spain (Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid,
Paloma Mallorca, Valencia); Sri Lanka (Colombo); Sweden (Stockholm); Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich); Thailand
(Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Surat Thani); Ukraine (Kiev); UAE (Dubai); UK (Edinburgh, Leeds,
London, Manchester); US (Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington)
Tiger Airways
Tel. No.
(6345) 5996739
Website:
www.tigerairways.com
Routes from/to Clark: Macau, Singapore
Five domestic airlines have regular flights to most of the cities and towns and cities in the archipelago.
Philippine Airlines uses its own terminal, the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2 while Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific
Air, Asian Spirit and Seair use the Manila Domestic Terminal 1. The other airlines have specific check-in
facility.
Aircraft and helicopters are also available for charter to remote regions not reached by scheduled flights.
Domestic Flight Routes
For the latest flight schedules, visit the website or contact the telephone numbers of the airlines listed below.
Air Philippines
Tel. No.
(632)524 0540 /
851 7181 / 551 2180
Website:
www.airphils.com
Routes from/to Manila: Bacolod; Cagayan de Oro; Cebu; Davao; Dumaguete; General Santos; Iloilo; Legazpi; Puerto
Princesa; Tuguegarao; Zamboanga
Asian Spirit
Tel. No.
(632) 851 1795 / 8553333
Website:
www.asianspirit.com
Routes from/to Manila: Antique; Baguio; Basco; Busuanga; Calbayog; Catarman; Caticlan; Davao; Kalibo; Laoag;
Masbate, Pagadian; San Fernando; San lose; Surigao; Tuguegarao; Virac
Cebu Pacific
Tel. No.
(632) 702 0888
Website:
www.cebupacificair.com
Routes from/to Manila: Bacolod; Butuan; Cagayan de Oro; Cebu; Cotabato; Davao; Dipolog; Dumaguete; General
Santos; Iloilo; Kalibo; Laoag; Legazpi; Puerto Princesa; Roxas; Tacloban; Tagbilaran; Zamboanga
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Philippine Airlines
Tel. No.
(632)8180111/8559999/
855 8888 / 855 1000
Website:
www.philippineairlines.com
Routes from/to Manila: Bacolod; Butuan; Cagayan de Oro; Cebu; Cotabato; Davao; Dipolog; General Santos; Iloilo;
Kalibo; Laoag; Legazpi; Naga; Puerto Princesa; Roxas; Tacloban,, Tagbilaran; Zamboanga
Seair
Tel. No.
(632) 897 8709
Website:
www.seair.info
Routes from/to Manila: Angeles, Busuanga; Caticlan; Cuyo; El Nido; Puerto Princesa; San lose; Taytay (Palawan)
Sea
Inter-island shipping lines offering comfortable amenities have scheduled trips from Manila to regular points
in the Visayas and Mindanao. These shipping lines have terminals at the North Harbor and South Harbor piers
in Manila. Ferry services are also available for island-to-island travel in the Visayas and Mindanao. Travel time
varies, depending on the destination.
For the latest schedules, visit the website or contact the telephone numbers of the shipping companies listed below
Negros Navigation Co. Inc.
Tel. No.
(632) 232 6235 / 6255
Website:
www.negrosnavigation.ph
Routes from/to Manila: Coron; Dipolog; fligan; Iloilo; Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa; Roxas
Sulpicio Lines, Inc.
Tel. No.
(632) 232 5361 – 80
Website:
www.sulpiciolines.com
Routes from/to Manila: Baybay; Cagayan; Calubian; Cebu; Cotabato; Dadiangas; Davao; Dipolog; Dumaguete;
Estancia; fligan; Iloilo; Masbate; Nasipit• Ormoc; Ozamiz; Tagbilaran; Surigao; Zamboanga
WG&A Superferry
Tel. No.
(632) 232 0490 / 232 0428
Website:
www.wgasuperferry.com
Routes from/to Manila: Bacolod; Cagayan de Oro; Cebu; Coron; Cotabato; Davao; Dipolog; Dumaguete; General
Santos; fligan; Iloilo; Nasipit/ Butuan; Ozamiz; Puerto Princesa; Suriyao; Tagbilarar), Zamboanga
The Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), launched in 2004 to boost inter-island commerce, trade, domestic
tourism, and agro-industrial investment opportunities, is a highway through land and sea routes using the Roll-on-Rolloff (RORO) network of ferry terminals and vessels connecting the country's major economic centers with 22 links
involving 41 sea ports. It is an alternative route to the Pan-Philippine Highway as it makes travel to the Visayas and
Mindanao shorter and more efficient. It covers 919 kilometers of land travel and 137 nautical miles of sea travel,
interconnecting 17 provinces and cities:
Luzon:
Oriental Mindoro, Tagaytay/Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Batangas
Visayas:
Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Siquijor
Mindanao:
Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao Del Norte, Dapitan City
Land
On any given day, the streets of Metro Manila are teeming with buses (airconditioned and non-airconditioned),
cars, jeepneys, taxis (mostly air conditioned), and tricycles (and pedicabs, too) while above, on raised
railways, electric coaches zoom. These are the modes of transport plying the main thoroughfares and minor
roads within the metropolis.
Touring in the capital city can be done either by taking airconditioned buses as part of the tour packages
arranged by local tour operators, by renting a car, or by hailing metered taxis. For local color, the adventurous
may take the oftentimes uniquely adorned jeepneys to certain points of the tour coverage.
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Big bus companies also provide transport service from Manila to many points in Luzon, to as far as Aparri,
Cagayan in the north and Matnog in Sorsogon in the south. One or two bus companies also have long haul
trips from Manila to Davao in Mindanao, with ferryboat rides for inter-island connection.
Basically the same modes of transportation-with some modification suited to the particular locales - are
available in premier cities and towns in the island provinces.
Train - The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the two (2) Light Railway Transits (LRT1 and LRT2) ply within Metro Manila
for about 30 minutes from first to last station. They are quite convenient to use and the best way to avoid traffic within
the city.
MRT: from North EDSA station in the north down to Pasay City. Operates from 5:30am to 10:30 pm, Monday to
Sunday.
LRT1: from Monumento station in the north down to Baclaran station in Pasay City. Operates from 5:00 am to 9:00
pm, Monday to Sunday.
LRT2: From Recto Avenue station, Manila in the west to Santolan Avenue, Pasig City in the east via Quezon City.
Operates from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, Monday to Friday; 6:00am to 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Bus — The northern and southern districts of Metro Manila are linked by public buses that ply the premier
thoroughfare of the metropolis, Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).
Nearby provinces are serviced by smaller lines from the cities, but the major lines have extensive networks throughout
Luzon. Bus transport in the Philippines does not have a central bus terminal. Each bus company has its own terminal
located all over Metro Manila.
Taxi – Metered taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Taxis may also be chartered per hour for a long
period of time such as when going on a city tour. Make prior negotiations on the price and be sure to leave a 10% tip
after the ride. Manila has the so-called Mega Taxis that are shared with other passengers.
Jeepney – Adorned with elaborate decorations, the jeepney is a truly unique vehicle, being a 'reinvented' type of the
US military jeep used during WW II. Now the typical mode of transport used by the public, it can accommodate 10 to
15 passengers. In big cities such as Manila, jeepneys are used for shorter distance travel while for other areas, they
are used for intermediate to longer-range routes.
The City Tour Jeepney, which is a collaborative project of Hop On Hop Off Travel, Inc. and Francisco Motors, is a
customized jumbo jeepney depicting unique Filipino craftsmanship. The jeepney is over 8 feet in height with a load
capacity of over 21 passengers. Audiovisual equipment is installed in the fully air-conditioned jeepneys for
entertainment purposes and a medium for communicating the rich history of Manila's famed destinations. The
jeepneys also have sing-along installations and a designated tour guide to assist guests and to share interesting trivia
about the selected tour stops.
Initially, the City Tour Jeepney operates its regular routes within city limits starting from the airport and destinations like
the Orchidarium, Coconut Palace, National Museum, Intramuros, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Ayala Museum,
SM Mall of Asia; Hotel Inter-continental Manila, Makati Shangri-La, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Heritage Hotel. The
jeepneys ply the streets of Makati and Manila from 8:00am to 5:00pm daily.
Tricycle - is a 3-wheel vehicle composed of a small-size motorcycle with a sidecar attached to it. These are not seen
in the middle of Metropolitan Manila but in the suburbs and in smaller cities as a general mode of transportation.
Normally, two passengers can be accommodated in the sidecar and one at the back of the driver's seat. Bigger
tricycles can accommodate up to 6 persons.
Calesa - This 2-wheel horse-drawn carriage is a legacy from Spain. Calesas catering to tourists ply Roxas Blvd. Fare
is negotiated and since it is relatively expensive, it is usually enjoyed mainly for tourism purposes.
Car Rental – There are several car rental companies within Metro Manila and the major cities in the Philippines. These
companies provide hourly or daily rates.
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CAR RENTAL COMPANIES
(DOT-accredited)
ABC Car Rentals & Tourist Transport
Tel. No. (632) 5316161
A Jul Global Transport Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 8517777
Ang's Tour
Tel. No. (632) 8330432
Annset Holidays Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 4006521
Arlyn R. Rarang Transport
Tel. No. (632) 8379212
Banahaw Luxury Transport Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 9296461
Bel-Air Service Center Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 8535555
Best Travel
Tel. No. (6321 8994582
Datkom Travel & Tours Transport
Tel. No. (632) 8222640
Diamond IGB Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 7768134
Direction Travel & Tours Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 5255941
Discovery Tours Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 8123328
DJM Travel & Tours Services Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 9202077
El Sol Tours
Tel. No. (632) 8328736
Enterprise Leasing Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 8557734
Euro Apartment
Tel. No. (632) 5510723
Executive Express Transport Services
Tel. No. (632) 4145893
FMR Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 7415078 GRC
Transport Services
Tel. No. (632) 7264848
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PHILIPPINE TRAVEL SALES MANUAL
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G&S Transport Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 5315142
Hafti Transport Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 5120298
Haranah Tours
Tel. No. (632) 4116567
Integrated Rentals Inc.
Interisland Travel & Tours Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 5238720
International Car Rentals Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 8903252
Jangee Tourist Transport Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 8535331
JTB Tours & Travel Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 5264290
Jumbo Transport Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 8256171
KJL Tour Leader
Tel. No. (632) 5212313
Mak Transport
Tel. No. (1632)700192S
Maynilad Tours
Tel. No. (632) 9313000
Mario Galvez Transport
Tel. No. (632) 6433748
MGTorres Tourist Transport
Tel. No. (632) 8013618
Morelia Tours & Travel Inc.
Tel No. (632) 5240691
Morning Star Tour Planners Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 450111 1
MSIC Transportation Inc.
Tel. No. (632) 6816138
Orix Auto Leasing Phil. Corporation
Tel. No. (632) 8932526
Pacific Blue Transport Services
Tel. No. 09153914530
Peninsula Car Charter Services
Tel. No. (632) 8311392
Phil Transport Express Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 8329571
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Placid Transport
Tel. No. (632) 8098894
RJCZ Travel & Tours
Tel. No. (632) 8552724
Shandy Transport Services
Tel. No. (632) 8332592
Solid Master Tours Transportation
Tel. No. (6321 7245610
St. Michael Transport of Makati Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 8816782
Stork Travel & Tours
Tel. No. (632) 8500005
Subic Holiday International Tours
Tel. No. (632) 5261905
Sunshine Transportation Inc.
Tel. No. (632)8328736
Thousand Island Transport Corp
Tel. No. (632) 7317130
Trans-Inter Corp.
Tel. No. (632) 8524772
Transville Systems
Tel. No. (632) 8224514
Tritran Inc.
Triple A Car Rental Services
Tel. No. (632) 8954382
Unlimited Travel & Tours Tel. No.
(632) 8372318
VS Yasona Car Services Tel. No.
(632) 5226810
Swingaround Philippines
Introduce yourself to a land whose peculiarity lies in its kaleidoscope of all things Eastern and Western, past and
present. Hop on Philippine Airlines, for a SWINGAROUND tour of the Philippines!
Within each SWINGAROUND PHILIPPINES tour package is a fascinating tale waiting to unfold -with you as the lead
character. A saga about a unique, living and breathing culture, evolved from centuries of foreign influence. An
adventure through magnificent landscapes, treasure-filled seas, and ways of life as diverse as the country's 7,107
islands.
These are the stuff that have spawned legends-, the things of which memories are made. And they're all yours to
experience with SWINGAROUND PHILIPPINES tours!
Choose from several pre-arranged tour packages, each designed to let you indulge in your favorite activity, while
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PHILIPPINE TRAVEL SALES MANUAL
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experiencing a little bit of everything else the Philippines has to offer. Or better yet, customize your own itinerary with
the help of your travel agent. Either way, you're sure to have the time of your life, with SWINGAROUND PHILIPPINES!
Generally, Swingaround tour packages include:
Round-trip airfare
Airport transfers
Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
Tour options and activities
PAL OFFICES
DOMESTIC
Manila
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-02) 855-8888/855-7888
(63-02) 853-8344
Bacolod
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-34) 434-1595/434-1596
(63-34) 433-9661
Butuan
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-85) 341-5156/341-5257
(63-85) 341-5144
Cagayan De Oro
Tel. No.
(63-88) 857-2294/726-795
Fax No.
(63-88) 858-8863
Cebu
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-32) 340-0191/340-3107
(63-34) 340-0026
Cotabato
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-64) 421-1212
(63-64) 421-7001
Davao
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-82) 222-0366/226-4604
(63-82) 221-5513
Dipolog
Tel. No.
(63-65) 212-2360
General Santos
Tel. No.
(63-83) 552-5282
Fax No.
(63-83) 553-3943
Iloilo
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-33) 320-3003/320-3131
(63-33) 321-1222
Kalibo
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-36) 262-3260/262-3263
(63-36) 262-4717
Laoag
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-77) 607-0312/607-0316
(63-77) 607-0314
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Lagazpi
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-52) 481-0780
(63-52) 481-0779
Puerto Princess
Tel. No.
(63-48) 433-4565/433-2651
Fax No.
(63-48) 433-5138
Roxas
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-36) 621-0244
(63-34) 621-0618
Tacloban
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-53) 321-2212
(63-34) 325-7224
Tagbilaran
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-38) 411-2232/411-3552
(63-38) 411-3102
Zamboanga
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(63-62) 993-0330/993-2955
(63-62) 933-2958
INTERNATIONAL
Bandar, Seri Bagawan
Tel. No.
(60-03) 2141-3899
Fax No.
(60-03) 2148-1357
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel. No.
(66-02) 633-5713/633-5714
Fax No.
(66-02) 671-5470
Beijing, China
Tel. No.
(86-10) 6510-2991/2992/2993
Fax No.
(86-10) 6510-2990
Busan, Korea
Tel. No.
(82-51) 466-0333
Fax No.
(82-51) 464-2197
Doha, Qatar
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(97-4) 455-8760
(97-4) 455-8766
Dubai, UAE
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(97-14) 203-3788/316-6632
(97-14) 295-4422
Fukuoka, Japan
Tel. No.
(81-92) 412-3232
Fax No.
(81-92) 412-3277
Guam
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(1-671) 632-1615/632-1617/19
(1-671) 632-1625
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Tel. No.
(84-8) 827-2105/2106
Fax No.
(84-8) 827-2107
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Hong Kong
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(852) 2301-9300
(852) 2368-8408
Honolulu, USA
Tel. No.
1-800-435-9725/1-800-635-8653*
Fax No.
(80-8) 840-1118
Jakarta, Indonesia
Tel. No.
(62-21) 526-8668
Fax No.
(63-34) 526-8656
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Tei. No.
(60-3) 2141-0767
Fax No.
(60-3) 2148-1357
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel. No.
(60-3) 2141-0767
Fax No.
(60-3) 2148-1357
Las Vegas, USA
Tel. No.
1-800-435-9725/1-800-635-8653*
Fax No.
(702) 281-4575
Los Angeles, USA
Tel. No.
1-800-435-9725/1-800-635-8653*
Fax No.
(1-310) 338-7186
Okinawa, Japan
Tel. No.
(81-98) 951-1933
Fax No.
(81-98) 951-1934
Osaka, Japan
Tel. No.
(81-6) 6444-2541
Fax No.
(81-6) 6444-2543
San Francisco, USA
Tel. No.
1-800-435-9725/1-800-635-8653*
Fax No.
(1-4151) 217-3162
Seoul, Korea
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(82-2) 774-3581
(82-2) 774-2155
Shanghai, China
Tel. No.
(86-21) 6279-8765
Fax No.
(86-21) 6279-8762
Singapore
Tel. No.
Fax No.
(65) 336-1611
(65) 336-9068
Sydney, Australia
Tel. No.
(61-2) 9279-2020
Fax No.
(61-2) 9279-2077
Taipei, Taiwan
Tel. No
(88-62) 2506-7255
Fax No.
(88-62) 2503-9901
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Tokyo, Japan
Tel. No. (81-3) 5157-4362
Fax No. (81-3) 3581-3056
Vancouver, Canada
Tel. No.
1-800-435-9725/1-800-635-8653*
Fax No.
(60-4) 276-6018
Xiamen, China
Tel. No.
(86-592) 239-4729/239-4730/65
Fax No.
(86-592) 239-4725
* First and Mabuhay Class Passengers, Mabuhay Miles Elite and Premier Elite Members.
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