Philippines

Closer to Spain and Mexico via the fabled galleon trade, and some say to Hollywood bt way of its showbiz politics, the Philippines remains Southeast Asia’s destination of surprises along routes less traveled. There are more than 7000 shimmering islands to choose from, plus endless fiestas, but best thing is the sense that there are still discoveries to be made. With so many islands and comparatively few visitors, the Philippines is one of the last great frontiers in Asian travel.

September to the middle of May (the off-season)-or before Magellan arrived in 1521

Landing on Boracay beach by boat Absorbing the 17 th-century atmosphere of Unesco World Heritage-listed Vigan Joining in the Gras fun at lloilo’s Dinagyang festival Rubbing elbows with Pontius Pilate and Barabbas at Crucifixion re-enactments in Pampanga losing one’s sanity in Manila but finding reasons to return

Read Great Philippine Jungle Energy Café, a magical novel by the award-wining Alfred A Yuson, or Pico lyer’s bittersweet insights in the Philippines chapter of his travelogue Video Nights in Kathmandu

Listen to Ansk (Child), the international hit by Freddie Aguilar

Watch Back to Bataan, a waetime film about WWll, starring John Wayne and Anthony Quinn, with a Filipino cast

Eat dinuguan, a thick, black soup made of pig’s blood with either pork or chicken entrails

Drink guyabano juine, a refreshment made from the soursop fruit

Okey, pare (lt’s cool, man)

Jeepneys; San Miguel beer; barong shirts; Latin-souled Asians with Californian accents; lmelda Marcos’ shoes; ultra-hospitable people

Guimaras lsland, for its delectable mangoes, ethereal islets and Trappist monastery where you might meet T-shirted and denim-clad monks

Somewhat alarmingly for many foreign visitors, Filipinos often deep-fry their meat and fish and also love to you, don’t pass up the chance to try lechon baboy, a spit-roasted pig served with a rich liver sauce. lt’s often jokingly to as ‘my heart attack’ or ‘young man’s food’. (lf you eat too much of it, you’ll certainly die young.)