I know all of us have a dream destination. The desire to reach a beautiful place, or experience the unsullied atmosphere of the beach, to eat a locally-known foods or to swim with the fishes are all mingling in our heads. :3
I believe i was born a traveler. When on a trip, i don't actually sleep no matter what time is it or how far i am going to. I like to see every single spot on the streets and even memorizing the places that we used to pass by. That's why my parents are confident that wherever i go, the idea of getting lost is impossible.
In my wishlist, I don't actually consider places that are famous like Boracay, Mayon Volcano or Banaue Rice Terraces. I want to explore the so-called "Hidden Treasures" or "Hidden Paradise'' of the Philippines because i crave something exotic.
Here are my wishlist:
1. AMANPULO
Cuyo Islands, Sulu Sea
Pamalican Island is a small island of the Cuyo Islands in
the Sulu Sea, between Palawan and Panay. The island is in the middle of a 7
sq.km coral reef. Amanpulo is an escape from the markings of
mankind and is a dive into island life where nature has been unashamedly
boastful. The island is secluded and offers a variety of sea,
sand and tropical island-retreat–pleasures. I wanna go dip in the sea and make friends with those fishes, such a beautiful island!
2. ACUATICO BEACH RESORT
Laiya, San Juan, Batangas
Acuatico Beach Resort is a high-class deluxe resort south of
Manila. It’s most prominent feature, a 700 sqm. infinity-edge pool seems to
assimilate the blue waters of the adjacent sea. ACUATICO is a tourist’s haven, a traveler’s and a
vacationist’s ideal refuge. I admire its offerance of leisure under its magic charms
and exotic beauty. Its balmy tropical setting and the deep-blue crystalline
waters of the sea is truly breath-taking. And because of Laiya’s unique climate, characterized by less
rainfall, ACUATICO is an excellent getaway for beach and nature lovers, even
for those who simply want to spend a brief moment of relaxation, anytime of the
year.
3. ENCHANTED RIVER
Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
This Enchanted River is surely the most magnificent
body of water in the Philippines. I was captivated of its wonders and would endure the
long travel knowing that at the end of the trip lies one of the great
creations of nature. True to its name, the Enchanted River looks fascinating with
its majestic blue water. It's like staring at a photograph
augmented using all the techniques in photo enhancement. There have been stories or myths about this that caught my attention. It has been said that spirits guard the river that is why swimming
beyond 6PM is greatly discouraged. There were also reported
sightings of two women sporting long blonde hair and a green-skinned man who
walked on the water’s surface who all vanished out of thin air. :3
4. BOLINAO FALLS
Bolinao, Pangasinan
The Bolinao Falls is unlike any other falls in the Philippines. It doesn't come from a high land or mountainous area but of plain land. Watching the flow of the water is like looking a falls from our favorite Disney animations. It is like Final Fantasy in real life. Though it may be hard to access this place due to rugged roads, the place is still worth every effort.
5. PATAPAT VIADUCT
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
The Patapat Viaduct is a viaduct at the municipality of
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon
Island. Actually, there is a special characteristic of this viaduct. It is the boundary between the province of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, while the mountain beside it is already the starting point of Apayao province, so it is like a tri-point boundary in the northern tip of Luzon. The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level and is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.
6. "BORACAY OF THE NORTH"
Anguib Beach, Santa Ana, Cagayan
The town of Sta. Ana in Cagayan offers
adventure-seekers the elements of a real adventure trip with great beaches,
breathtaking views, fresh catch and friendly people. I've seen this ANGUIB BEACH in a Special Report of 24 Oras referring it as the "Boracay of the North''. The water got blue and turquoise color while the sand is
fine and white. It offers a virgin island that is spectacular. My mother and my father already visited this place a year ago, and according to them, it is really one of the most beautiful beaches in Luzon.
7. SUMAGUING CAVE & RICE TERRACES
Sagada, Mountain Province
Sagada is located 275 kilometer north of Manila and is
adjacent the provincial capital of Mountain Province, Bontoc. Reaching this place is not a joke because of its location. It is a part of Cordillera Mountain Ranges so expect hours of bumpy and dusty ride. This Sumaguing Cave is a frequent
tourist attraction and is also one of the most popular caves in Sagada. Also
known as the “Big Cave,” this cave served as the Filipino soldiers’ refuge from
the Japanese guerrillas during the World War II. It is interconnected to other
caves in Sagada such as the Lumiang Cave and one would usually take almost 2 to
3 hours to explore the cave.
Scattered all over the Cordilleras, the most famous of these
terraces are found in neighboring Banaue, Ifugao.. But Sagada has its own terraces -
lesser known but equally as spectacular! Whereas the walls of Banaue's terraces
are of compacted earth, Sagada's walls are small rocks laboriously piled one on
top of the other. One sees the same though... giant steps carved by hand out of
whole mountainsides provide for terrific viewing!
Legend has it that the Igorot god, Kabunyan/Lumaig used these steps to visit his people on earth. Indeed, the rice terraces carved out of the mountains by Igorot ancestors early in this millennium are simply awesome to behold. Dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world, these rice terraces were built with advance engineering skills and are scientifically, a way of maximizing farm space in the mountainous Cordillera region and environmentally preventing erosion.
8. EL NIDO
El Nido, Palawan
Famous
for its beaches and water activities, El Nido is also known for its marine
biodiversity, beautiful flora and fauna, particularly the lowland evergreen
rainforests found on the mainland. I must have fallen for this place so much that I don't mind
going through long hours of travel. The island formation is amazing and the sea which looks like a mirror is breath taking. I don't mind getting Malaria if El Nido is the one i will visit in Palawan. Adjacent to it is the Tubbataha Reef that offers hundred of coral and fish species.
The Philippines is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page. There are so many beautiful places that i would like to visit, but these 8 top my list. ^^
Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things like air, sleep, dreams, the sea and the sky.
DISCLAIMER: Photos used in this post were all copied from the Internet. I do not own them. 2012. 
My name is John Mark Francia. I am, a Filipino.
I find it hard to name things I hate (because i barely hate anything).
I'm 18 and I don't mind being shy.I try my best at everything and
never fear failure because I believe that there is a reason for everything
Im a 4th year college student from OLFU :D
Im a KISSME. ^o^
