Basketball, the national sport
Basketball is the Filipinos' favorite sport. There are courts in every village in the country. Since 1975, there has been a professional league organized by the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). In September 2023, the Philippines will co-host the Basketball World Cup with Japan and Indonesia, hoping to improve on their 32nd-place finish in the last edition.
Very popular English boxing
Boxing is a very popular sport throughout the archipelago. Many Filipino boxers regularly distinguish themselves at international level, in the wake of the legend Manny Pacquiao, who is adored by all Filipinos. A true national hero, he is one of only two boxers (along with American Oscar de la Hoya) to have held world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF or WBO) in 6 different weight categories. He was voted Boxer of the Decade 2000-2010.
Traditional ball sports
The jaï alaï is the heritage of Basque settlers for over a century. This pelota is very much appreciated by Filipinos, although it is less and less played. As the speed of the game is staggering (balls can reach 300 km/h), players are obliged to wear helmets. And there's a lot of betting involved.
Sepak-takraw. An ancient national sport that originated in the Philippines, sepak-takraw(takraw: rattan ball) is also very physical and highly prized: two teams of three throw a rattan ball back and forth, using their heads, feet, chests and knees, over a net stretched one metre above the ground on the equivalent of a badminton court.
Karaoke, a must-have pastime
Karaoke is without doubt the Filipinos' favorite pastime. There's one in every little village, and from the youngest to the oldest, there's no shame in taking to the microphone... And no one would dream of making fun of even the worst singer. It's up to you to find an international hit to hum along to!
Scuba diving, the king of activities
The Philippines are famous for being home to some of the world's most beautiful seabeds. Indeed, they offer an abundant fauna of multicolored tropical fish, but also rarer species such as dolphins, whales, whale sharks or the endangered dugong. Particularly low prices attract divers from all over the world. On islands surrounded by diving sites, it's common to find hotels offering attractive packages in association with diving centers.
Farniente and water sports
The country boasts more than 7,000 paradise islands that are a delight to travelers. The Robinson wishing to isolate himself from the rest of the world can find an uninhabited confetti; lovers of seaside resorts are spoilt for choice; divers are in paradise... Few countries can boast such a great diversity of islands. And some of the country's beaches are probably among the most beautiful in Asia, particularly in the Visayas archipelago and the Bacuit archipelago. In the Visayas, the island of Boracay is the symbol of Philippine beach tourism. It is famous for its long white sandy beach, White Beach, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country. The province of Cebu - Bantayan Island in particular - is also very popular. You can also lay down your towel on the dreamy beaches of El Nido or Coron Island in the province of Palawan. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, parasailing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, water-skiing, wakeboarding or jet-skiing - there's no shortage of activities on the archipelago's tourist beaches.
A surfing destination
Surfing is a relatively new activity in the Philippines. Its rise dates back to the 1990s, and is largely due to high-level competitions featuring international champions and numerous photos in specialized magazines. The United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) organizes the local championship. The main spots are on the northwest coast of Luzon at San Juan, on the east coast of Luzon at Baler and Daet (Bagasbas Beach), and at Puraran on the island of Catanduanes. The south-east coast of Samar also offers a few spots. Last but not least, there's Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines The island abounds in surf spots. Experienced surfers can ride "Cloud 9" at General Luna, a legendary tube that regularly hosts competitions.
Superb hiking
A vigorous volcanic relief gives the Philippines a landscape of great beauty. Sierras tumble abruptly into the sea, rivers roar at the bottom of humid canyons, and the rich tropical climate encourages the growth of jungles that climb the mountains.
Volcanoes are a hiker's delight. The highest and most exotic is Mount Apo National Park on Mindanao. The most majestic, with its perfect cone, is Mount Mayon, south of Luzon in the Mayon Volcano National Park. The very wide and rugged Kanlaon volcano lies in Negros Occidental. North of Manila, Mount Pinatubo offers beautiful landscapes of sand and ash. Finally, Lake Taal with its volcano, south of Manila, feels like an island within an island. A must-see!
In addition to the volcanoes, walkers can also enjoy the rice paddies, particularly in Banaue. This is one of the Philippines' major attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as the "eighth wonder of the world". These rice paddies are two thousand years old and rise to an altitude of 1,500 m. Fifteen kilometers further on, the villages of Banggan and Batad are wonderful stops for trekking through the rice paddies. The village of Batad in particular is famous for its amphitheatrical rice paddies, undoubtedly the most spectacular panorama as the rice terraces seem to stretch skywards. A 25-minute walk from Batad takes you to the Tappiya Waterfall, which ends in a huge natural pool. Breathtaking!
And all over the archipelago (especially in the province of Palawan), walkers can venture into the jungle, where numerous trails await them.
