Ilustrados

13/12/2025

EDSA walk? join https://www.facebook.com/MoveAsOneCoalition

We advocate for safer, more humane, & more inclusive public transportation in the Philippines.

13/12/2025

walkable edsa ???

I WALKED THE ENTIRE 23.8KM LENGTH OF EDSA... ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ROADS IN THE PHILIPPINES!Interestingly enough, this famous, and slightly chaotic road in ...

12/12/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr2vOfmfb1c. Video Summary
The Problem: While other Southeast Asian countries have recovered 75-120% of their pre-pandemic tourist arrivals, the Philippines is stuck at around 55-60%.

Key Reasons for the Slump:

Loss of Chinese Market: A massive drop in Chinese tourists (down to 15% of 2019 levels) due to geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea and visa issues.

High Costs: A holiday in the Philippines often costs $100-$200 USD more than in neighboring countries. Being an archipelago requires expensive and time-consuming flights or ferries to hop between islands, whereas countries like Thailand or Vietnam are easier to traverse by land.

Infrastructure Struggles: Manila’s airport (NAIA) is ranked poorly for efficiency and comfort. Traffic in Manila is among the worst in the world, and public transport (like jeepneys) can be difficult for tourists to navigate.

Safety Perception: Negative viral news, such as a retracted report labeling the country "unsafe" and isolated incidents of crime against tourists, has damaged its reputation.

Efforts to Fix It: The government is privatizing the airport to improve efficiency, building new rail lines, and offering visa-free entry to new markets like India to reduce reliance on China. They are also training tourist police in languages like Korean to improve safety and assistance.

Recommendation / Verdict
Based on the video's insights, here is a recommendation for potential travelers:

Is it worth visiting? Yes, but come prepared. The Philippines offers world-class beaches, English-speaking locals, and unique cultural experiences that are distinct from the rest of Southeast Asia. However, it is not a seamless, low-cost backpacking destination like Thailand or Vietnam.

For the "Easy" Traveler: If you want a hassle-free, budget-friendly trip where you can easily hop on a bus to the next town, the Philippines might be frustrating due to the complex logistics of island hopping and traffic.

For the "Adventure" Traveler: If you are willing to spend a bit more money and time planning logistics (flights, ferries, transfers), the payoff is incredible natural beauty that feels less commercialized than other regional hotspots.

Travel Tip: To avoid the worst infrastructure bottlenecks, try to fly directly to island hubs (like Cebu or Bohol) if possible, bypassing the congestion of Manila.

Post-pandemic travel has returned with a vengeance, with tourist numbers breaking records in many territories. Yet, one country in Southeast Asia lags its ne...

12/12/2025

Philippines Is Losing Tourists, Despite Travel Boom In Southeast Asia. Why? | Insight

Post-pandemic travel has returned with a vengeance, with tourist numbers breaking records in many territories. Yet, one country in Southeast Asia lags its ne...

12/12/2025

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7582980566450965768?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7529163518898718226

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

26/11/2025

Haaay

Netizens are dismayed and appalled on the perception of Philippines as a corrupt nation after the the newest issue of BizNews Asia labeled the Philippine congress as the “Philippines’ biggest criminal syndicate” on their latest issue.

The issue follows the revelations of pork scam whistleblower Benhur Luy and the special Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) audit of the Commission on Audit which alleges some lawmakers of siphoning their multimillion pesos PDAF, or pork barrel, to anomalous and ghost non-government organizations linked to Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the scam.

http://www.mb.com.ph/netizens-dismayed-angry-at-lawmakers-after-magazine-cover-brands-congress-criminal-syndicate/

26/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16QpwNZX8G/

Once again we have been embarrassed in the eyes of the world. Nakakahiya kayo!

10/11/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvwX1mTEkwE

Key Takeaways

Environmental degradation is a major factor — Denuded mountains and deforestation have drastically reduced natural water absorption, causing faster runoff and heavier flooding in low-lying areas.

Lack of urban planning worsens disaster risks — Unregulated construction, clogged waterways, and poor drainage design amplify the effects of heavy rainfall.

Sustainable, long-term planning is essential — Urban planners like Palafox emphasize that cities must integrate green spaces, reforestation, and climate-resilient infrastructure to prevent future disasters.

This is ABS-CBN News' Special Coverage on Super Typhoon Uwan.Subscribe to iWant to watch ANC live and on-demand:https://www.iwanttfc.comFor more ANC Live vid...

24/09/2025

"there is no patch to user stupidity"