Tubbataha

Cagayancillo, Palawan
Discover our Philippine Gems Philippine pride,
World Heritage site
With the addition of these emerging tourist detinations in the
Luzon islands completes the Philippine Gems collection. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
has been declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site because of
In 2013, Isla Lipana & Co../PwC Philippines launched the Philippine Gems
its incredibly diverse marine
project which aims to showcase the countrys good side to the world, especially
species. It has huge coral atolls
the many pristine natural sceneries of our picturesque country. Increasing the
and crystal clear water, which
awareness and appreciation for these sites will foster both local and international
makes it perfect for diving and
interest and attention that may eventually increase economic activity.
live board diving excursions.
Tourists can also visit the Ranger
The 25 destinations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao islands were Station at reefs sandbars.
selected by a panel composed of tourism professionals from the The Tubbataha Reefs Natural
government, academe, media and social media bloggers. A nationwide Park has been ranked by CNN
survey determined the top 10 Philippine Gems destinations, with as the eighth out of the fifty
Calaguas Island emerging as number 1 among the 25 beatiful sites. best dive sites in the world.

Yvette Lee

Isla Snapshots Maricar Torres

Calaguas Caramoan
Vinzons, Caramoan Islands,
Camarines Norte Camarines Sur

Voted #1 Philippine Gems Favorite Survivor

series destination
The hidden white
beaches of Bicol Long before Caramoan Islands
hosted the famous international
Calaguas Islands lies northeast television reality series, Survivor,
of the Pacific Ocean. A cluster of the cluster of islands was already
islands endowed with a glowing known to be paradise. Isolated
white coastline and lush greens, from the rest of Camarines
the beauty of Calaguas is beyond Sur, Caramoan Islands offer
compare. One of the regions best a tranquil escape to nature.
kept secrets is slowly unravelling
and many are hoping that along
the way, its pureness remains.

Isla Snapshots
Susan Talampas Susan Talampas

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Batanes Busuanga
& Coron
Escape to the rsutic
landscape of Batanes
Cagayancillo, Palawan

Batanes island is a province Regarded by many as

in Cagayan Valley. Located in
the northernmost part of the
Philippines, Batanes comprises of
ten islands and is also considered
as the smallest province in
terms of its population and land
area. Batanes islands are placed
between the Bashi and Balintang
channels where the Pacific Ocean
converges with China Sea.
the last paradise
Both located in the municipality
of Coron in Palawan, these
destinations have been cited
by the National Geographic
Traveler Magazine as one of
the Top 10 scuba sites in the
world. These destinations are
the most popular sites for wreck
diving in the Philippines. Other
activities which can be done here
are swimming, hiking, diving,
snorkeling, and trekking.

Mai Sotto Justin Cruz

Louie Mencias Glenn Hufancia

Apo Reef Kapurpurawan

Natural Park Rock Formation
Occidental Mindoro Ilocos Norte

Diving mecca of the Philippines Immaculate splendor

Apo Reef is recognized as one The Kapurpurawan rock

of the largest coral reef systems
in the world, second only
to the Great Barrier Reef in
Australia. The Apo Reef Natural
Park consists of three islands
which are surrounded by lush
mangrove forests. These serve
as nurseries and spawning
grounds for coastal and marine
species, as well as a sanctuary
for different avian species. It
is a Mecca for both divers and
environment enthusiasts.
formation is located on the rocky
coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is
known for its creamy white and
streamlined limestone formations,
which have been sculpted by
different oceanic and weather
forces. Burgos is located on the
northwestern tip of Ilocos Norte.

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Mt. Pinatubo Donsol
Zambales Sorsogon

Splendor after the ashes Swim in the kingdom

Mt. Pinatubo is no longer the
terror that it was more than two
decades ago. It is now a prime
tourist destination which offers
various kinds of adventures
for those gutsy enough to go
through it. You could trek
through Pinatubos Crow Valley
Canyon, view its crater through
a chartered light aircraft, visit
the Tayawan Caldera, and even
get a Pinatubo spa using lahar
sediments left by the eruption.
of the butandings
Donsol is known primarily for
whale watching. Here tourists
can interact with whale sharks
(butanding in local parlance) by
snorkeling, diving, or by simply
waiting for them in areas where
they come right up to the surface.
Donsol has been recognized as
the Whale Shark Capital of the
World. Whale sharks are best
sighted from February to April.

Foz Brahma
Maricar Torres

MLRG Sotelo Jaime Ryan Neeley

Mt. Pulag Pagudpud

Benguet Ilocos Norte

A walk in the clouds Where nature gives back

renewable energy
Mount Pulag borders the
provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Donsol is known primarily for
and Nueva Vizcaya. It is the whale watching. Here tourists
Philippines third highest can interact with whale sharks
mountain and Luzons highest (butanding in local parlance) by
peak. The mountain hosts snorkeling, diving, or by simply
more than five hundred plant waiting for them in areas where
species. The dwarf bamboo, they come right up to the surface.
for instance, is endemic to the Donsol has been recognized as
mountain. It also houses several the Whale Shark Capital of the
endangered species of mammals. World. Whale sharks are best
Mount Pulag is definitely a sighted from February to April.
haven for nature lovers.

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 Philippine mainstream marvels
Sagada
Mountain Province

Giant limestomes

Sagada is already well-known

for its rice terraces, but the
Sumaguing Caves provide a
different kind of adventure
altogether. The Sumaguing Caves
are the largest of Sagadas many
caverns, and it is a popular site
for spelunking, trekking, and
recreational cave exploration.
Banaue Rice Terraces Boracay Island
Mt. Province Aklan

Dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces
stretch like a stairway to heaven standing 5,000 feet above sea level. If
connected from end to end, its length will be 10 times longer than the
Great Wall of China. There are many marvelous hiking trails leading
to the top of the terraces that entice local and foreign travelers.
Maximus Jovi
In 1990, Boracay was awarded as one of the best beaches in the
world by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook. Every year, about
hundreds of thousands of tourists from different parts of the
world hit the island to soak their feet in the divine white sand.
Travelers can dive, snorkel, and parasail around the shore.

Caloy Libosada

Taytay
Palawan

Getaway paradise

Taytay is a highly popular wreck

diving site in the northern coast
of Palawan. It is also a famous
site for dolphin watching. Taytay
also has several easily accessible
historical landmarks. It was one
of the 12 finalists in the 2013 Chocolate Hills Mayon Volcano
Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Bohol Albay

The Chocolate Hills are Bohols most iconic wonder. The 1,268 hills
are covered with grass, which, by the end of the dry season, would
look like chocolates. There are daily flights to Bohol (Tagbilaran)
from Manila. Plenty of tourist guides will gladly bring you to the
site of the hills, as well as to introduce you to the famous Tarsier.
Famous for its perfect cone shape, the Mayon volcano is the
Philippines most active volcano and the centerpiece in the Bicol
region. Tourists can go nature hiking, marvel at the many wonderful
animals, camping, and of course, take photographs. The best time
to visit the volcano is between the months of March and May.

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Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park
Palawan
Puerto Princesa in Palawan has its own treasure and that is the
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park being one
of the most important biodiversity conservation areas of the
Philippines. The limestone landscape is already an attraction
but beneath it is an 8.2 kilometer long underground river.
Vigan
Ilocos Norte
Vigan, the vibrant city of Ilocos Sur and one of the few
surviving old historic cities in the Philippines. Its beauty
remains timeless, as it has preserved its heritage. Walking
the streets is like walking to the old Spanish colonial days,
through the cobbled stone alleys and antique houses.
80 PwC Philippines
Taal Lake and Volcano
Batangas
The famous volcano nestled within a lake once brought massive
destruction to the Philippines. However, today, while still
active, it is considered one of the most attractive destinations
in the country. Various activities can be done in and around
the volcano, such as climbing, rafting, and canoeing.
Baguio City
Benguet
Baguio is one of the most famous cities in the Philippines and
has been celebrated as the Summer Capital of the country
for the past 99 years. It was the playground of the Americans
who built this city as their vacation spot in the 1900s. It has
since expanded, and now has a population of 30,000.