The Philippines - an archipelago of over 7,000 islands blessed with a wealth of nature, history and culture - is perhaps the most overlooked travel destination in all of Asia. As a result, the tropical islands remain isolated and relatively unexplored. Each island offers the visitor distinct cultural attractions and natural formations but most popular are the beaches, clear waters and unspoiled marine life that surround them. Not to be missed are the ancient stone rice terraces of Banaue...dubbed one of the world's eight wonders.

Like many of the island nations of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is an evolving land mass supported and redesigned by shifts in the earth's plates on the ocean floor. Its highest peaks and largest islands owe a great deal to volcanic eruptions and massive geological shifts. Once connected to mainland Asia, the earliest Filipinos settled on the islands, traveling via overland bridges with Asia. Today's settlements come from a wide variety of ethnic lineages...from the seafaring Austronesians who dominate the South Pacific to the smaller forest dwelling aboriginals (the Negrito Tribes) who now inhabit parts of the rainforest in Malaysia and Indonesia. With over 35 ethnic minorities spread out among the Philippine archipelago, Christian, Islamic and traditional animist beliefs exist in relative isolation from each other. Arriving from Mexico, the Spanish conquistadors landed on Cebu and claimed the islands for the King in 1565. Over the next 200 years, the Spanish traded silver from the new world for the exotic delights of Chinese merchants from as far as Persia, India, and Siam. A strong nationalist movement in the late 1890's fueled revolutionary activities and armed insurrection that resulted in the first Philippine republic in 1898.

The American occupation which began as a liberating force from the Spanish pacified and subjugated the masses to their colonial domination by 1902. The Japanese occupation during World War II and the subsequent American invasion led to the Philippines independence once again in 1946. Unfortunately, the postwar period has been relatively unstable as corruption and greed dominate the political and national agenda. Recent elections and political openings have given the nation renewed strength against mounting obstacles and hope for the future.

Today the majority of Filipinos are devoted Christian-Animists integrating elements of both religious systems and celebrating God's grace with colorful summer fiestas, romantic myths of the Virgin Mary, and preparations for Christmas including dawn masses (known as Rooster Masses) in mid-December. Traditional folk art, often an extension of ethnic customs and animist beliefs, is evident in the refined techniques of weaving, dance and music--specifically the nose flute and bamboo guitar--which express their relationship with themselves and the world.