My mother was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She would always tell me stories about her childhood and the cultural differences between living in America versus the Philippines. Visiting this country would give me the opportunity to connect with relatives that I have never met before and bring me closer to my roots. In today’s blog, I will inform you about the top ten things on my bucket list for when I visit the Philippines (which hopefully, will be soon!).

1) Visit different islands

The Philippines has about 7,641 islands, which is crazy! A few of the islands I would like to visit are Boracay and Palawan.  The White Beach in Boracay is a popular destination for tourists because of its white sand and well-known sandcastles. In 2018, the Philippines closed Boracay for a few months to clean up the beach and implement new rules. Although the new regulations are strict, they are necessary in order to maintain the cleanliness, protect tourists, and keep the environment safe. Palawan is another great island to visit. It is known for places such as El Nido, Coron, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

2) Walk around Rizal Park

Rizal Park also known as “Luneta” is a popular park in Manila. This park was named after Jose Rizal, the national hero of Philippines who was killed by Spanish colonizers. Here you will find Filipino flags, historical monuments, and a water fountain. Many people go here to take a stroll, relax, and take a few pictures with their families.

3) Visit the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines.

The Chocolate Hills in Bohol are a popular attraction because of its name. Many people wonder why it is called “Chocolate Hills.” Well, to answer that question it is because of the seasonal changes that happen throughout the year. During the rainy season, the hills are green and during the dry season, the hills are brown. They resemble the chocolate “Hershey’s Kisses.”

4) Watch a live performance of ASAP

ASAP stands for “All-star Sunday Afternoon Party.” It is a weekly performance of various Filipino singers and dancers, which is streamed every Sunday on live television. The talented artists are from the Baby Boomers generation all the way to Generation Z. The audience can see the new changes of each generation of artists. Watching this show every Sunday, keeps me entertained and updated with the current news of Filipino celebrities. It would be fun to actually see these artists in person and jam out to OPM (Original Pilipino Music)!

5) Ride on a Jeepney

A Jeepney is a common source of public transportation in the Philippines. It is similar to the public bus in the US, where the driver passes by certain stops and the commuter can request where to get dropped off. This will allow me to experience how to commute as a local.

6) Go shopping

Filipinos love to go shopping for food, clothing, technology- anything that you can think of. When I visit the Philippines, I would like to go to the SM Mall of Asia, which is an enormous shopping center located in Pasay. It has four floors of stores, fast food chains, and dining restaurants. It also has an ice-skating rink and amusement park located outside. Occasionally, there are concerts here too! I would also like to go shopping at Divisorias which are local markets, similar to flea markets. Comparing shopping malls to Divisorias, Divisorias are much more affordable and crowded. People can bargain with merchants and buy cool items and souvenirs.

7) Visit the popular churches

Religion is very important in Filipino culture and traditions. Many Filipino people identify as Roman Catholic and use the teachings to guide them in their daily lives. Quiapo Church, Paoay Church, and San Agustin Church are a few churches that I would like to visit. I would admire the architectural structures and dedicate some time to pray during the trip.

8) Eat lots of Filipino food

Filipino food is the best, but even better in the Philippines. When I visit the country, I would want to try a few of the street food, such as fish ball and Banana Q. They also have ice cream called “Sorbetes,” which is known as dirty ice cream. The reason they called it this is because it is sold on the streets. Furthermore, I want to have a Boodle Fight. A Boodle Fight is a tradition where various dishes are served on banana leaves and people eat with their hands. Eating with your hands is called “kamayan” in Tagalog.

9) Walk with fish in Talvera, Philippines

A restaurant in Talvera called Isdaan Floating Restaurant allows you to walk in the water with koi fish. This experience is similar to a fish pedicure. The restaurant’s architecture was influenced by Thailand. Customers can eat traditional Filipino food in floating huts, while being sung by the waiters.

10) Connect back to my roots

The last and most important reason why I want to visit the Philippines is to connect back to my roots. Growing up as a Filipino-American, I was able to live with two cultural identities. However, by visiting the country I will be able to understand more about my history, meet relatives I have never seen before, and learn more about my mother’s childhood experiences.

These are the ten top things that I want to experience in the Philippines. What do you want to do in the Philippines?

See you next time,

Eryka