It's more fun in the Philippines! - Beaches

The Department of Tourism recently launched its slogan after many weeks of strategizing for how to "sell" or market the Philippines to travelers. The target is not at all limited to foreigners but to locals as well considering that many Filipinos have not even considered being tourists in their own land. In this day of budget airlines and promo airfares, many seem to be heading outside the country rather than explore what their motherland had to offer. How many times have we heard people saying they went to this and that place abroad but have not even gone to the province other than in the main cities like Cebu or Davao? And to think that those two cities are already quite near to certain attractions like the beaches in those islands.

In the case of beaches, there are definitely great beaches found in neighboring countries like those, for example, in Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia (Langkawi), Thailand (Koh Samui), and Vietnam (Nha Trang). But have you even tried to go to the Visayas where Boracay and Panglao are among the main attractions? Have you tried the Pearl Farm in Davao or the beaches of Camiguin Island? Closer to Manila, have you experienced swimming (or even dipping or wading) along the beaches in the provinces of Batangas and Zambales?

Following are a few shots I took from the beaches I've been to including popular ones found in Palawan, Sarangani (Mindanao Island), Bohol and Batangas (Luzon Island). These aren't the professional photos one would find in many websites and blogs but regular photos that show just how beautiful our beaches truly are. One can find great shots of Philippine beaches in other sites by searching using keywords such as Lagen Island, Amanpulo, Boracay, Caramoan, Panglao, Malapascua, Pagudpud, etc. The list goes on and perhaps would be endless given the abundance of places developed, relatively unexplored and maybe even uncharted in the archipelago. 

Panglao Island, Bohol

Glan, Sarangani

Snake Island, Honda Bay, Palawan

Laiya, Batangas