The Philippine Costs

The Paradise Philippines is one of the least expensive places to visit in Asia and as well in the rest of the world.

Here is a list of prices in Philippine pesos (P).

Flight from London Heathrow to Manila £500 (off peak - Aug - Nov, Jan - April) - £800 peak, economy

Flight from London Heathrow to Manila £1200 - £1800 (P120,000 - P180,000) Business and First Class

Flight from Manila to Singapore - US$115

Flight from Manila to Cebu - US$35

Typical 4-star hotel single room in Manila - P3500/$66.00

Typical 3D/2N hotel suite accommodation in Boracay Island - P14,000/$264.00

Air-conditioned dormitory in Manila - P240/$4.50

Single air-con room with private cold shower and cable TV in Cebu - P500/$9.45

Movie - P100-P160/$2.00-$3.00

Budget Meal - P40 (includes a cup of rice, assorted selection of meat, side dish of vegetables,
and a bowl of clear broth soup).

Taxi - P30 for the first 2.5km and P2.50 for each succeeding 200m

Jeepney - P7.00 (first 4km; P6.00 for Students/Elderly/Disabled) P1.25/KM after the first 4km.

Elevated Train in Manila - P12-15 (LRT 1 and MRT 2), P10-P15 (MRT-3)

Internet use (1 hour) - P20-P50; depending on the Internet Café

7-Eleven: can of Coke - P16, 1.5 liter Coke - P35, Hotdog - P20, Donut - P16, serving of Spaghetti - P32, serving of Pork Adobo with rice - P35

Buffet in Cebu - P130

Buffet in Davao - P99

Buffet in Manila - P350

International Herald Tribune - P70

Economist Magazine - P160

The Philippine Famous Feasts

The Paradise Philippines offers plenty of regional festivals, often linked to the feast of the patron saints of the town or city holding the festival. Parades and processions, marching bands, floats and dance displays are usual activities. A number of important festivals include the following:

Black Nazarene (Paradise Philippines) - held in Quiapo Chruch Manila in January.

Panagbenga (Paradise Philippines) - the flower festival held in Baguio every February

Chinese New Year (Paradise Philippines) - celebrations coinciding with the coming of the Lunar new year, held in many urban areas, particularly in Chinatown in downtown Manila

Ati-Atihan (Paradise Philippines) - also held to commemorate the feast of the Sto. Nino, but this time in Kalibo on the island of Panay. The Queen of Philippine Festivals and said to be the Filipino version of Mardi Gras.

Moriones (Paradise Philippines) - held during the Lenten Season in Marinduque. These are passion plays meant to depict the crucifixion and eventual resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pahiyas (Paradise Philippines) - held every May in Lucban, Quezon to celebrate the feast day of San Isidro Labrador. There is a town-wide house decorating contest held during the festival. The colors and designs used are a feast for the eyes.

Flores de Mayo (Paradise Philippines) - flower festival held in every May. Many towns celebrate Flores De Mayo with the community congregating in the afternoons to pray the rosary, offer flowers to the Virgin Mary, and share homemade delicacies and snacks. Children and adults wearing their Sunday best, sing and dance to welcome the rains that will water the new crops.

Kadayawan (Paradise Philippines) - held in Davao every August, Kadayawan means a Thanksgiving celebration for the good harvest, were most flowers and fruits are available during the season.

Bangus Festival (Paradise Philippines) - not as popular as the other festivals. It is held annually in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The usual events are a parade and 101 Ways to Cook Bangus. A "Longest Barbeque" was also held during the festival one year.

Kagay-Anon Festival (Paradise Philippines) - Every 28th of August, Cagayan de Oro celebrates the feast of Saint Augustine. In 2007, the city unveiled the new name of its annual city fiesta, the Kagay-an Festival. It is highlighted by the Miss Kagay-an Tourism beauty pagent, Sakay-Sakay sa Lambago fluvial parade, street dancing in native costumes and the Golden Float parade.

The Philippine Best Beaches

The Paradise Philippines Beaches can be found aplenty on this nation of 7,100 islands. These beaches come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and fineness of sand. Some are in well-secluded islands while others are just a short ride across a causeway from the city. Among the most notable are the following:

Boracay (Paradise Philippines) - Boracay Island off the island of Panay has the White Beach. It is also one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It has fine, powdery white sand stretching on for several kilometers and is an excellent spot for sun-worshippers. Boracay also has several other lesser-known beaches. Outrigger boats to Boracay depart from Caticlan Port, just a short flight from Manila.

Mactan Island (Paradise Philippines) - in Cebu, the Cebu airport is actually on Mactan Island

Pagudpud (Paradise Philippines) - in Ilocos Norte, several hours north of Metro Manila

Panglao (Paradise Philippines) - small island off the island of Bohol, a short ride from the capital of Tagbilaran, which in turn is a short fast ferry ride from Cebu City. From Panglao, you can easily schedule an excursion to the Chocolate Hills for which Bohol is most known.

Puerto Galera (Paradise Philippines) - on the island of Mindoro. Ferries to Puerto Galera depart from Batangas Port, a couple of hours drive south of Metro Manila

Samal Island (Paradise Philippines) - off the coast of Davao

Camiguin Island (Paradise Philippines) - an island-province north of Mindanao. Also known as the Lanzones Capital of the Philippines, it can be reached directly by plane or ferry.

Negros Island (Paradise Philippines) - Negros Occidental (north-western half of the island, in the Western Visayas region) offers fine white sand beaches, and nearby Danjugan Island Marine Reserve. Danjugan Island is bursting with thousands of species of marine life and home to the endangered White Breasted Eagle. Negros Oriental (south-eastern half of the island, in the Central Visayas region) is home to Dumaguete and numerous beach resorts in Dauin that can take you to Apo Island, one of the most magnificent diving spots in the Paradise Philippines.