Source: Mercury Drug 2013 Calendar
Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan The Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park is one of the most significant protected areas of the Philippines. It is located in the mid-west coast of Palawan, some 76 kms northwest of Puerto Princesa City. The site features a spectacular limestone or karst mountain landscape with one of the most impressive cave systems in the world. It contains an 8.2 kilometer-long underground river that flows directly to the sea.
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Lake Sebu is a natural lake located in the municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato within the Allah Valley region. The government has recognized it as one of the country's most important watersheds. Lake Sebu is one the many bodies of water supplying important irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.
Mt. Pulag, Benguet As the second highest mountain peak in the Philippines. Mt. Pulag attracts a lot of mountain climbers. Highlights of the climb include the forest and the grassland summit with its "sea of clounds" phenomenon. Described as a rejuvenating experience, the mountain has one of the best sunset and sunrise views in the country where you can see the entire Cordillera all around you.
Mt. Apo, Davao Mount Apo is a large, solfataric, potentially active stratovolcano in the island of Mindanao. With an altitude of 2,954 meters (9,692 ft), it is the highest mountain in the country and is located between Davao City and Davao del Sur in Region XI and Cotabato province in Region XII. The volcano is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the country with its summit, on the average, taking two days to reach.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Burgos, Ilocos Norte The Kapurpurawan Rock Formation was created through weathering and erosion on the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It offers a breathtaking view of different rock shapes that can completely amaze tourists who visit the place. It has shapes that look like an iconic head, a cradle and a resting dragon. But the most amazing thing about Kapurpurawan Rock is its creamy white color. According to the locals, the rock formation becomes even whiter during the months of April and May.
Apo Island, Negros Oriental Apo Island is one of the smallest volcanic islands in the Philippines. It is one of the world's best known marine sanctuaries. Beneath the clear sparkling blue waters of the island lies a breathtaking collection of over 600 documented fish species and 400 varieties of corals. Apo Island is a divine tropical getaway especially for those who love diving with passion.
Callao Caves, Peñablanca, Cagayan Callao Cave is a seven chambered cave with a Cathedral-like chamber which was turned into a Chapel by the Local Government. Outstanding stalactites and stalagmites are formed in the deeper chambers of the cave. Natural crevices called "sky-lights" provide illumination inside the cave. It is located in Peñablanca, Cagayan and is considered as one of the best attractions in Region 2. It is about 30 minutes drive from the Tuguegarao Domestic Airport.
Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol The Chocolate Hills is probably Bohol's most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills and remind us of the hills in a small child's drawing. The Chocolate Hills consist of no less than 1,268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. They are covered with grass, which at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown.
Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales Mt. Pinatubo is an active volcano located on the island of Luzon at the intersection of the borders of the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. The volcano's eruption in June 1991, which was one of the largest and most violent eruptions of the 20th century, came after 500 years of dormancy. Before 1991, the mountain was inconspicuous. It was covered with dense forest which supported a population of several thousand indigenous people called Aetas, who fled to the mountains from the lowlands when Spain conquered the Philippines in 1565.
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Shaped like a dumbbell, Boracay Island is located on the northwestern tip of Panay Island. The island is about 7 kms long and consists of three communities locally called barangays: Yapak in the North, Balabag in the center and Manoc-Manoc in the south. The best part of the island is its four-kilometer white beach also called Long Beach by the locals. It is situated at the west coast between Sitio Angol, Brgy. Manoc-Manoc and Brgy. Balabag, Municipality of Malay, Aklan.
Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao The world-famous rice terraces is an engineering marvel built more than 2,000 years ago by Ifugao tribes people. Using only their bare hands and crude implements, it has drawn awe-struck tourists from all over the globe. It is one among the sites of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and dubbed as the "Eight Wonder of the World."
Mt. Mayon, Albay Mayon Volcano, also known as Mount Mayon, is an active volcano in the province of Albay, on the island of Luzon. Renowned as the "perfect cone" because of its almost symmetrical conical shape, Mayon forms the northern boundary of Legazpi City, the largest city in terms of population in the Bicol Region. The mountain is a national park and a protected landscape in the country proclaimed as Mayon Volcano Natural Park in the year 2000.
