There is something about 7,107 islands strewn in the sunny far-east portion of this earth, and not in some chilly polar, making the Philippines a virtual tropical paradise.  There is no imagining if we had turned to be one mass of a monotonous ‘Greenland’.  Loving instead that we have more land edges and rambling shores, more waters to wade and frolic about. The highway travels seemingly shorter; the scent of the first stop lingers still long after the retreat is over.   

The scattered-about attribute of my Philippines is charming, fascinating.  ISLAKO.com is a tribute to that forever fascination.  We are thrilled about soaking up the stuff ‘Islands’ are made of.

7,107 islands…365 days.  We have every excuse to have fun!

“Isla Ko”... “My Island” 

So, what about your island?

On a backpacking holy week trip, we felt an unusual atmosphere in Bantayan Island in Cebu.  In the town of Santa Fe we were shockingly amused by this decidedly profane mix of events on a most holy of Fridays!  Heaven and hangover  are arguably on different dimensions but it’s all happening here. 

We cannot miss on this elongated piece of paradise, Palawan.  We like to believe that the beauty lies in the ‘stretched out’ quality of this island to a point exquisite; a rolled out exquisiteness. Coron Island in the far north to pearl farms in the distant south, we can’t get enough of both ends – and quite literally because Palawan is considered to be one of the last unexplored island in the Pacific. 

To listen to the world-famous Loboc Choir -- that’s one.  And we have listed more reasons to return to Bohol.  We are bringing some friends who are all eager to discover why Bohol is giving the popular Boracay a run for its money as the country’s top tourist destination.  We already told them about Panglao Resort, Bohol Beach Club, Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, Baclayon Church and the Philippine Tarsier, the world’s smallest primate. 

Beyond Lanzones Festival  

Luscious, abundant and cheap, it’s true. the sweetest lanzones is undeniably here.  The harvest of the succulent fruit peaks sometime September to October, during which the annual ‘Lanzones Festival’ is held.  Locals and visitors draw together for an unbridled fun of street-dancing, performances with street parties, a showcase of local products in agro trade fair and a beauty pageant -- for quest of the ‘sweetest’ lady, I guess.