When President Rodrigo Duterte announced the Covid-19 lockdown and enhanced community quarantines, our family was blessed to be in Palawan. From a remote island, we made our way to the Tao Philippines main basecamp. Tao is a community that is addressing all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

But surprisingly (besides those mentioned) in the small town of Pinabacdao in Samar it is their home cooked fresh seafood seasoned with local spices that got my attention.

Wondering about the best ways to go around the Philippines while enjoying the sights and sounds of its bustling metro capital and the wild nature of the rural countryside? Here are some of the safest and most convenient ways to go around the country, as how the locals would have it:

Hilot pronounced HEE-lot is an ancient Filipino art of hands on healing that involves intuition and massage. Even today many Filipino’s will seek the advice and therapy of a manghihilot (hilot practitioner) as an alternative to a medical doctor. Traditionally they have no formal training, with their knowledge and practice being passed down from one generation to the next. It also relies on the individual’s ability to tap into and be in touch with their sixth sense; intuition.

Long before entertainment meant plopping on a sofa in front of a flat screen (or tinkering away on a smartphone), our ancestors would amuse themselves by gathering around a fire and telling stories about the universe and how things came to be. While each story involves a magical element, they aren’t all like the wholesome Disney fairy tales we grew up with. Some are even gruesome enough to bring tears of joy to George RR Martin’s eyes.

When it comes to buying products, it’s always nice to go local. What’s even better, however, is doing so not just for the sake of supporting homegrown goods but also because they’re genuinely great products to begin with. From foodstuff to skin care, here’s a list of Filipino brands locals adore.

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This is the advice to foreigners when visiting a new place. It’s best to know the cultural habits of the locals and follow the customs of the people there since no one wants to start off on the wrong foot. In the Philippines, where locals are receptive of foreigners and are very welcoming to guests, it isn’t hard to pick up these Filipino habits reflected in everyday situations.

One of the unlimited perks of staying in a luxury resort is to try the food being offered in their in-house restaurant which is usually the forefront in satisfying guests’ cravings. For Bluewater Panglao, Aplaya Restaurant does the magical moments with its wide offering of international and authentic local fare.