~manila, you're not that ugly

I’ve always wanted to do an extensive Philippine tourism research project, complete with comparative statistics, reviews of popular destinations all over the world and how we can learn from them, tourism trends, and even personal recommendations.. In a sense this blog started off as that–I realized that #1 I love this country deeply, #2 Ang ganda ng Pilipinas, and #3 Tourism is (or should be) our secret weapon.

Baby step for this project: info briefs on destinations in the Philippines and their selling points. Starting off with Anilao, a popular diving and windsurfing destination just a 3-hour drive from Manila.

from “Vivere Azure: Anilao’s Boutique Resort” by Earl D.C. Bracamonte
EDSA-Ortigas Village Voice, May 24-30, 2009
Travel section, page 4

“The Philippines is to scuba divers what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers, and Nepal to mountaineers!” — quoted from Action Asia Adventure-Travel Guide

• The Philippines boasts of a coastline stretching over 35,000 kilometers and includes more than 27,000 sq.km. of coral reefs, supporting a rich and diverse marine environment.
• In Anilao alone can be found 70% of the total coral species found in RP. Around the Balayan Bay area can be found 112 species per dive as compared to Tubbataha’s 95 species. In fact, its least diverse site has more than those found in the Caribbean Sea! And of the 18 new species documented, eight are rare.
• But the better news is its remarkable 60% increase in coral cover since 1993.
• Anilao is 140 kms south of Manila, 2-3 hours travel by land
• There are daily buses from Pasay to Batangas, and a connecting jeepney to Anilao. But private transportation is advisable.
• 24 dive sites between the coasts of Anilao and Maricaban Island
• The most popular dive site is the Cathedral (depth of 60 ft.), which is a roofless cavern with a blessed crucifix flanked by two large seamounts.