Appreciating the Cultural Destinations in the Philippines

Get a taste of the culture and history of the Philippines. 

You can enjoy Filipino culture in a number of ways, from museums and architecture to cultural events and live music.

Looking for some fascinating, original, and inventive attractions?

Many of these are available in the Philippines, an archipelago with more than 7,100 islands.

Appreciating The Cultural Destinations In The Philippines

These extraordinary and breathtaking locations include the largest bamboo organ in the world, rice terraces, and a fortified city within the metropolis.

Let's begin then.

1. Historical Churches

There are four colonial-era churches that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List are dispersed throughout the islands of the Philippines.

These include the: 

• San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

• Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

• San Agustin Church in Manila

• Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo

Given that the Spanish considered the church and the state to be one during their control of the Philippines, these worship places acted as both ecclesiastical structures and political emblems.

The distinctive construction of these churches is reminiscent of fortifications since they have experienced local uprisings and invasions.

2. Vigan City

The most complete representation of a Spanish colonial town in Southeast Asia be found in Vigan City, the capital city of Ilocos Sur, a province in the northwest of the Philippines.

Vigan, which was founded in the 15th century and was ruled by Spain, is renowned for its flagstone streets and structure that incorporate Asian and European styles.

Red clay brick walls and tile roofs are common features of traditional homes, which were mostly erected by wealthy Chinese merchants. 

The churches and landmarks that can be found in the area serve to highlight the city's extensive history.

3. Intramuros

The walled city, which is found in Manila and is a remnant of Spanish control in the Philippines, derives its name from the Spanish phrase "inside the walls."

The majority of the ancient structures, constructed during the Spanish era in the sixteenth century, were destroyed in the World War II but we're later rebuilt in the 1980s.

Two prominent churches, the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church, as well as Fort Santiago, the colonial capital of Manila during the Spanish and American eras, are located in Intramuros.

4. Las Piñas Bamboo Organ

Renowned as the only bamboo church organ in existence, this 19th-century musical instrument was constructed entirely from bamboo.

The bamboo organ, which is operated during notable events and is regarded by many experts worldwide as one of the best ancient musical instruments in the world, is housed inside the reconstructed St. Joseph Church in Las Pinas City.

950 bamboo funnels that were buried in the sand for six months to prevent being overrun by parasites were used to construct the musical instrument by a Spanish monk.

5. Banaue Rice Terraces

The largest and most magnificent assemblage of rice terraces may be found in Banaue, Ifugao, despite the fact that they are abundant in the Cordillera region of the northern Philippines and other Asian nations such as Indonesia. 

The Banaue Rice Terraces is over 10,000 square kilometers in size, more than 2,000 years old, and situated 1,500 meters above sea level.

As a result of the need to create flat fields for rice planting in the hilly regions, these terraces are assumed to have been constructed manually using rudimentary supplies. 

An old irrigation system is employed in Banaue Rice Terraces.

Over To You

There you have it, the best cultural destinations in the Philippines.

Beautifully conserved cultural sites all around the country allow visitors to experience the rich Philippine legacy to the world. 

Looking to travel to the Philippines? Plan your trip now by clicking on the chat widget.

Have you been to any of the cultural destinations mentioned above? How's your experience?