#44 Hundred Islands

The Hundred Islands National Park (Pangasinan: Kapulo-puloan or Taytay-Bakes) is in the province of Pangasinan in northern Philippines. It is located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

The islands (124 at low tide and 123 at high tide) are scattered along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of 18.44 square kilometres (4,557 acres). They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.

The islands are actually ancient corals that extend well inland, in an area previously comprising the seabed of an ancient sea. Lowering sea levels have exposed them to the surface and the peculiar “umbrella”-like shapes of some of the islands have been caused by the eroding action of the ocean waves.

Mabuhay ang Hundred Islands!

#22 Boracay

Despite the frenzied hotel-apartment complex development in the last few decades, rare is the visitor who fails to be enamored with Boracay. When it comes to great sunsets, cream-colored, powdery soft beach sands, spectacular diving and pure, pure bliss… Boracay easily tops the A- list.

This butterly-shaped island in Central Philippines, located off Panay Island in Western Visayas, has consistently drawn both local and international visitors. Sadly, the local government has allowed the hardcore commercialization of this island a free reign. Result: irreversible impact on the environment (waste dumping) and the local population who, while grateful with tourism income, has to deal with dire socio-political consquences.

And yet if one needs a memorable escape from city life, Boracay is the most accessible among the many fabulous beach island destinations in the Philippines, many of which are better left alone, far from the eroding influences of Big Money Tourism.

Some simple pleasures in this island: waking up to the blinding whiteness of the main beach, a riot of colors at sunset or enjoying a glass of fresh mango juice while watching the world go by.

Hopefully, the native people of Boracay will retain their charming, gentle nature, and that the environment (cross our fingers here) will survive the onslaught of creeping/creepy commercialisation.

Mabuhay ang Boracay!