Visayas Region

Visayas Region

"The heart of the archipelago, and the reason most people fall in love with the Philippines."

Articles

Overhead view of the Panay Islands' Iloilo City's skyline.
Panay

Discover Panay Island: 15 Best Things to Do In Iloilo

Greetings from Panay Island, also known as Iloilo, in the Visayan Islands, a true treasure nestled in the Philippines. This enchanting locale is a vibrant mix of rich culture, stunning landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine. Whether you’re a history buff, an ...
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The Iloilo City Marker
Panay

Astonishing Iloilo, Philippines: Journey of Heritage, Flavor, and Adventure

Situated along the coastline of Panay Island, Iloilo, Philippines, is a destination that weaves a rich tapestry of history and modernity, offering visitors a unique cultural journey. Envision yourself wandering along avenues lined with historic mansions, their wooden shutters a ...
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Cebu's Mall - Shows the construction underway in Cebu turning it into a metropolis.
Cebu

Cebu’s Rich History: From Ancient Kingdom to Modern Metropolis

Right in the heart of the Philippines, Cebu City stands tall as a vibrant testament to its growth from an Ancient Kingdom to a Modern Metropolis. This island province isn’t just a pretty face; it’s been pivotal in shaping the ...
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The Ruins of Bacolod bring back the perspective of a bygone era.
Negros

Discover the Charm of Bacolod City: A Complete Guide for Older Adventurers

This guide to Bacolod City will inform you of the Charm of Bacolod and what you can expect in the “City of Smiles.” This isn’t just a hidden gem in the Philippines; it’s a warm embrace waiting for you. Known ...
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Mt. Kanlaon volcanic peak cloud forest Negros Island Central Philippines active volcano
Negros

Natural Wonders of Negros Island: Volcanoes, Caves, Waterfalls, & Wildlife

The first thing you notice when you drive into Mabinay from the coast is that the ground is hollow. Not literally, not in any way you can see from the road. Mabinay sits atop more than 500 documented caves. This ...
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Negros Island karst limestone hills green interior Mabinay Negros Oriental Philippines
Negros

The History of Negros Island: From Ancient Kingdoms to the Sugar Republic

My family has a home in Mabinay, in the interior of Negros Oriental, not far from Mabinay Springs. When you drive in from the coast, the land changes. The sugarcane flats give way to karst limestone hills. Then the hills ...
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The Ruins historic sugar mansion glowing at sunset Talisay Negros Occidental Philippines
Negros

An Overview of Negros Island: Two Provinces, One Mountain Range, and How to Plan Your Visit

Every traveler to Negros Island faces an early decision: which province to visit? A central mountain spine divides the island into two provinces, each with unique cultures, economies, and attractions. Negros Occidental, on the west, is known as the sugar ...
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Apo Island reef coral garden sea turtle green turtle diving Negros Oriental Philippines
Negros

Ocean and Marine Life of Negros Island: Apo Island, Dauin, and the Waters of the Coral Triangle

The waters surrounding Negros Island lie within the Coral Triangle. This is a roughly triangular area of tropical seas bounded by the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It contains more species of reef fish, coral, and marine invertebrates than ...
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MassKara Festival street dancers smiling gold masks Bacolod City Negros Occidental Philippines
Negros

The Culture of Negros Island: Two Languages, One Island, and the Festival That Refused to Stop Smiling

I watched the MassKara Festival street dancers for the first time and understood. I learned something about Negros Island that the history books had been circling around. The dancers were not performing happiness. They were insisting on it. The masks, ...
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Massive sardine bait ball underwater at Moalboal, Cebu Island, Philippines, with diver for scale
Cebu

“Cebu Island Diving”: What the Sardine Run, the Whale Sharks, and the Threshers Actually Ask of You

The first time I dived in Cebu, I was already in the water. The boat captain had said sardines, and I pictured a school. What I dropped into at Moalboal was not a school. It was a city. Millions of ...
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Chocolate Hills, Bohol, panoramic view from Carmen viewpoint, Philippines
Bohol

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol: The View, the Season, and the Science

The first thing the Chocolate Hills Bohol delivers is a problem of scale. You stand at the top of Viewpoint One in Carmen, and the hills extend in every direction to the horizon. More than a thousand of them. All ...
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