7 unusual things to do when you're in the Philippines
While this small archipelago in Southeast Asia is relatively known for its ridiculous number of postcard-perfect beaches, the Philippines also has other things to offer beyond the picture of a tropical paradise holiday (not that we’re complaining). In the past few years, the country has been on a clever campaign to show its more fun side—from going up and down the ‘stairs’ (head over to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras) to staring contests (look into the eyes of a tarsier in Bohol).
When we tagged along with the Funbassadors, fourteen intrepid travellers from different parts of Asia, to go around the Philippines for a week, we discovered more of the country’s fun side as we tried exotic delicacies, get roped in for all sorts of dancing, and experience extreme, er, walking.
Related video: Watch the Yahoo Funbassadors look back on their crazy, fun Philippine adventure. What do you take back from your own holiday?
1. Eat a worm. A woodworm, known locally as tamilok, to be precise. A popular delicacy in the Philippine province of Palawan, it’s harvested in the mangroves. And while it looks like a worm (which makes the task of eating it not that appetizing), it’s actually a mollusk. So when you get to find it on the restaurant table in Puerto Princesa (head to Kinabuch’s restaurant), try to imagine it’s just like a clam. A long, fat, slimy clam. It’s typically served as ceviche, and locals and tourists down it with some alcohol.
Watch the Funbassadors try tamilok in the 2:52 mark
2. Fire dance. Should you find yourself in one of the many beaches and resorts of the country, don’t be surprised if the form of entertainment you get to watch while you dig your toes under the sand is a bunch of surprisingly nimble folks swinging and twirling fire. You probably won’t get roped in to do an impromptu dance number but you might just get asked to do some poi dancing—a performance art of sorts which involves swinging weights… fire not included! Whew!
Watch Team Singapore do Poi Dancing in the 1:09 mark
3. Dance on the streets. Did we mention there’s a lot of dancing? Filipinos are a welcoming bunch and if you find yourself in one of its many vibrant festivals, join in on the fun.
Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines, celebrates one of the country’s biggest festivals every third Sunday of January. Sinulog features a grand street parade that lasts for 9 to 12 hours with the brightly-clad participants dancing and swaying to the beat of drums and gongs.
Watch Team Vietnam join in on the street dancing in the 00:55 mark
4. Learn the local language. When you’re travelling, it’s valuable to know a few key phrases of the local language where you’re headed. It makes for a smoother trip and better interaction with the locals. No lost in translation moments! In the Philippines though, most locals can speak or understand English, but who won’t appreciate a tourist saying ‘Kamusta ka?’ (How are you?) or ‘Salamat!’ (Thank you!).
Watch Team Indonesia learn a local dialect in the 2:52 mark
5. Walk on the edge of a building. The Philippines has a number of peaks that show off some of the country’s great outdoors (from Mount Apo down south in Davao City to Mount Pulag up north). But if your holiday is in the city of Cebu and your itinerary can’t accommodate a trip anywhere near a mountain, maybe a walk on the edge of a building can satisfy your thirst for adrenaline.
In Cebu City, folks can walk on the outer rim of a building, more than 126 meters high above the ground at Sky Walk Extreme at the Crown Regency Hotel & Towers. If that’s not enough to make you break out in cold sweat, the Edge Coaster might just do it.
Watch the Funbassadors take on the Skywalk and Edge Coaster
6. Eat an underdeveloped duck embryo. A what? That’s balut. A local street food, which has received 'Fear Factor' notoriety. Typically eaten with salt and vinegar, if you’re a brave foodie, first, peel the shell, sip the broth surrounding the embryo, and dig in! These ‘eggs with legs’ also has feathers and beak. Crunchy!
Find out who among the Funbassadors took a bite of balut!
7. Drink on the bus. Partying in the Philippine capital can go from cocktails at a rooftop bar to some serious clubbing action. You can spend your evenings at Bonifacio Global City, a rising CBD, where a number of popular bars and clubs are found—Skye Lounge for a city view and tapas, URBN for crowd-watching and dancing, and Hyve Manila for some fantastic DJ sets. But if you don’t want to put a stop to your partying in between bars, some party-goers hire a party bus to take them from one happening venue to the next. And since it’s a party bus, you get welcome shots as you get on.
Check out the exciting nightlife of Manila here:
