Luzon, the largest island makes up the northern portion of the archipelago.

Manila The capital of the Philippines - its heart and soul. Metropolitan Manila is where the country's most prestigious business addresses and the trendiest leisure establishments are found. By day, it hums with the bustle of commerce and, by night, throbs with the excitement of varied, high class entertainment.

The island is connected by a network of modern roads and bridges that link cities like Laoag in the north with Naga in the Bicol region; a pleasing blend of old churches and modern airports and hotels. Small towns like Vigan in Llocos Sur abound with horse-drawn carriages, Antillan houses with Internet facilities; and rural villages with quaint inns and cellphone sites.

Next to Manila is Bulacan, site of the Barasoain Church where the Revolutionary Congress drafted the first Philippine Constitution more than 100 years ago. A little farther north is Pampanga, famous for carved wooden furniture and giant Christmas lanterns. Also next to the capital city are the provinces of Rizal, home to Filipino artists, Cavite and Batangas with their historic towns and museums, and Laguna with its string of resorts and springs with healing powers.

In the Laguna, Batangas and Quezon provinces are the enchanting Mount Makiling and mystical Mount Banahaw of the Sierra Madre.

Across the Manila Bay stands Corregidor, the island fortress that played a prominent role in the Pacific War.

North of Manila is Baguio City, the cool, mountain haven of pine trees and flowers perfect for the dry months of March, April and May.

From this “Summer Capital”, one can visit the Banaue Rice Terraces, an engineering marvel considered the Eighth Wonder in the World.

South of Manila is Tagaytay, an equally cool and popular resort city in Cavite with a spectacular view of Taal Volcano, the worlds smallest active volcano. Taal is a volcano within a lake within another volcano, and is in Batangas, where the St. Martin of Tours Basilica, the largest church in the Far East, can be found.Batangas is also a divers paradise.

Stretching along the eastern coast is Quezon, with its fine beaches and coconut plantations. Farther south in the Bicol region is Albay and its perfect cone shaped Mayon Volcano.

Southwest is Palawan, the country’s last frontier with the forbidding limestone cliffs of El Nido, the subterranean caverns and river of St. Paul, the safari island of Calauit, home to giraffes, impalas and zebras, and Tubbataha Reef, the most beautiful dive site this side of the world.

Visayas are emerald and sapphire jewels dotting the land and seascape between Luzon and Mindanao. Centrally located with clusters of islands to entice the adventurous, the daring, the lover of nature and beauty to frolic in the sun, sea and sand.

The island-province of Cebu is where the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity in the name of Spain in 1521. It is long established as a diving centre and as a haven for souvenir shopping. Metropolitan Cebu is the country's second biggest metropolis and rivals metropolitan Manila in many ways. It is at the very center, an island province, itself ringed by 166 smaller islands.

Mactan, one of these islands, has some of the best diving spots in the country and Bantayan, another isle, is famed for its breathtaking coral formations.

Two hours away from Cebu by Super Cat ferry is Bohol, more rustic but just as exciting for the adventurous and daring. The most popular diving destinations are the islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamalican, from where one can also go whale watching. Its top tourist attraction are the Chocolate Hills, thousands of cone-shaped mounds scattered over 50 square kilometers. Bohol is also home to the tarsier, the oldest insect eating mammal and smallest primate on the planet.

The Samar-Leyte region in the Eastern Visayas offers a quieter but equally picturesque life of rural Philippines.

The Panay and Negros islands offer a glimpse of the country’s Spanish roots. Iloilo boasts centuries-old churches, period houses and fine hand loomed fabrics. Negros Occidental (where I was born) was once the nation’s sugar bowl and bastion of the old rich landed gentry. Negros Oriental is ideal for land and water adventure sports like trekking, scuba diving and kayaking.

Off the province of Aklan is Boracay, touted as the Best Beach in the World, with four kilometers of dazzling powder-fine white sand and warm, crystalline waters.

Mindanao is simply bewitching. It is picturesque with its stunning land and seascapes.

Tiny pearl-shaped Camiguin island is inviting with its white sand beaches and seven volcanoes. The trekkers destination is Misamis Oriental, it has a beautiful Canopy Walk in the rainforest of Claveria.

Try white water rafting or kayaking in the white waters of Cagayan de Oro, and visit the Garden of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village. The Cowboy Country of Bukidnon is another must to see with its cattle ranches and pineapple plantations.

Every kind of water sport is at hand at Siargao and it boasts one of the best surfs in the world at Cloud Nine.

Davao is the place where I grew up and am obviously very fond of. It boasts Mt. Apo, the countries highest peak. It is home to the rare Philippines Eagle, the world’s largest eagle, and the exquisite whale watching, the queen of orchids. The Garden City of Samal Islands is where one can enjoy dolphin and whale watching.

Zamboanga City has quaint water villages with houses on stilts and pearl diving Badjaos. In Lanao del Norte is the Maria Christina Falls, 100 feet higher than Niagra Falls.

There are fruits and flowers everywhere: durian, murang, mangosteen and rambutan, as well as banana, pineapple, and other citrus fruits; plus countless varieties and species of orchids and beautiful flora.

Added to this cocktail are the Fillipino people, with all the different tribes and ethnic traditions, beliefs and customs that the visitor can get acquainted with.

Travelling overland the whole length of the Philippines is now possible through the Pan Philippine Highway. Also known as the Maharlika Highway, the road network runs from Manila to Laoag City via Cagayan Valley in northern Luzon and from Manila to Davao in Mindanao via Bicol in southern Luzon and Samar and Leyte in eastern Visayas.

Twenty-six areas in Luzon and seven areas in the Bicol region, the Visayas and Mindanao have been designated as Scenic Highways, all with great amenities for the traveler.