![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WAJKBIQMABEH7HP2LZTPKU6RVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=00bfb99ea1871fa45638f4550f16bbd67f1c7224fd534bd0eacbbc28816579ca&width=400&height=225)
Coron, the third-largest island on the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3CMS7AXG3JHF7CKLAZFJ3O3DZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=497e8d98fe353bdd87159b98ee7827ecafc01ff066f5735c2b0a01631efc3893&width=400&height=225)
Tourists paddle kayaks inside a lagoon on SIargao Island in the province of Surigao del Norte of the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q3EPKOZ5TJEDXCVFGUXVUOQI2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=14e4e6003ac4fa42da1df0c07e2b25fb90fda7007f79087c5e52c8a556733aa9&width=400&height=225)
White Beach on the island of Boracay, Philippines, is often voted the most popular beach in Asia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WEFO23GUKRA4FIIQEMY3ZBRBWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0651b629e9768539547cceda7a56f499315a398a31e4e1b1d6303635b308b8f&width=400&height=225)
The famous Chocolate Hills in the Bohol province of the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I5HK3IDJIRDQVLWXNXDER5F3YY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b8ee5daab28cc2e5bc924196a223fff24bf98ac1a4d539d9fcd66860588db11&width=400&height=225)
Participants in the Sinulog festival in Cebu city of the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MX5RXRQ2AVAWVCHBXUFD267BCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0575737e698f387a4d31cb179259de77c16569bf22454b0fdcfdcb26e8a5a6d&width=400&height=225)
Houses perched amid rice terraces on a mountainside in Mayoyao of Ifugao province in the northern Philippines. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D22MB5HG6JAHLIMDULN2HCGMPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=261fbb4d5d009e3b84633ab92bd07a757a49875d844ac97d2d1665f4545f7cb9&width=400&height=225)
Crisologo street in Vigan during mid-afternoon. The city is famous for its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture. Getty Images
Employees of the environment department ride on a raft as they inspect Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao del Sur in southern Philippines. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPZ7ERORDNF2HJKQKFBV7MP45A.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb0d2def7bc880711ecda4046e0228f08a622ba2cbd9b2d7ff9d830288eba81d&width=400&height=225)
Religious art seen inside San Agustin Church complex in the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WAJKBIQMABEH7HP2LZTPKU6RVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=00bfb99ea1871fa45638f4550f16bbd67f1c7224fd534bd0eacbbc28816579ca&width=400&height=225)
Coron, the third-largest island on the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3CMS7AXG3JHF7CKLAZFJ3O3DZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=497e8d98fe353bdd87159b98ee7827ecafc01ff066f5735c2b0a01631efc3893&width=400&height=225)
Tourists paddle kayaks inside a lagoon on SIargao Island in the province of Surigao del Norte of the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q3EPKOZ5TJEDXCVFGUXVUOQI2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=14e4e6003ac4fa42da1df0c07e2b25fb90fda7007f79087c5e52c8a556733aa9&width=400&height=225)
White Beach on the island of Boracay, Philippines, is often voted the most popular beach in Asia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WEFO23GUKRA4FIIQEMY3ZBRBWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0651b629e9768539547cceda7a56f499315a398a31e4e1b1d6303635b308b8f&width=400&height=225)
The famous Chocolate Hills in the Bohol province of the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I5HK3IDJIRDQVLWXNXDER5F3YY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b8ee5daab28cc2e5bc924196a223fff24bf98ac1a4d539d9fcd66860588db11&width=400&height=225)
Participants in the Sinulog festival in Cebu city of the Philippines. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MX5RXRQ2AVAWVCHBXUFD267BCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0575737e698f387a4d31cb179259de77c16569bf22454b0fdcfdcb26e8a5a6d&width=400&height=225)
Houses perched amid rice terraces on a mountainside in Mayoyao of Ifugao province in the northern Philippines. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D22MB5HG6JAHLIMDULN2HCGMPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=261fbb4d5d009e3b84633ab92bd07a757a49875d844ac97d2d1665f4545f7cb9&width=400&height=225)
Crisologo street in Vigan during mid-afternoon. The city is famous for its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture. Getty Images
Employees of the environment department ride on a raft as they inspect Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao del Sur in southern Philippines. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPZ7ERORDNF2HJKQKFBV7MP45A.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb0d2def7bc880711ecda4046e0228f08a622ba2cbd9b2d7ff9d830288eba81d&width=400&height=225)
Religious art seen inside San Agustin Church complex in the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WAJKBIQMABEH7HP2LZTPKU6RVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=00bfb99ea1871fa45638f4550f16bbd67f1c7224fd534bd0eacbbc28816579ca&width=400&height=225)
Coron, the third-largest island on the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. Getty Images
Philippines travel guide: what you need to know as the UAE is added to the green list
With more destinations, including the UAE and Oman, on the country's green list, here's everything you need to know if you're planning to visit
![Hayley Skirka](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5aa171d9-e19e-4724-894f-afdab957726f.png?smart=true&auth=0060497e4d6de279036bf67ee0e69c23726110ddc9067f6419a245b2b05cf91d&width=70&height=70)
Hayley Skirka
14 November, 2021
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