Say you have enough money for a weekend trip within the country. Where would you go: Boracay, Palawan or Basilan?
Boracay
One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there’s a reason why people want to go to Boracay. Those who haven’t been there wants to go at least once, and those who have wants to go back. Apart from the fine white sand and crystal blue waters, Boracay has plenty of activities to keep everybody occupied. It has a distinct party vibe, yet it’s laid back enough for people who just want to relax. Why wouldn’t you want to go to Boracay?
Palawan
Said to be the last frontier, Palawan is nature at its finest. Proclaimed as a national reserve, the whole island is virtually unspoilt nature. It may not be as lively as Boracay, but the magnificence of its limestone rocks, subterranean river, coral reefs and their flora and fauna greatly surpasses that little island off Aklan. Do you go to Coron with its spectacular underwater treasures? To Puerto Princessa with its underground river? Or perhaps to El Nido for some much needed quiet time beside the sea?
Basilan
A tiny island in Mindanao, the mere mention of Basilan brings to mind the group Abu Sayyaf whose infamous acts included the kidnapping and beheading of foreign tourists from Palawan and known for its supposed ties with the Al Quaeda. Their location, local economy and previous warfare in the area made Basilan a destination off the beaten path. However, its proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia gave Basilan a unique cultural blend. Beyond the stilt houses and the underdevelopment you’d glimpse upon a slice of paradise: beaches as white as Boracay and Palawan minus the tourist. But is it worth the trek and the possible threat to your safety (or your parent’s sanity)?
Where would you go? You can log your votes through the poll at my blog’s sidebar. Feel free to state the reason for your choice in the comments area 
Popularity: 17% [?]
Posted on March 24, 2008
Filed under Poll
Tags: basilan, Boracay, palawan, Poll
Visited 2335 times, 3 so far today
My vote is for Palawan. See “unspoilt nature” before it gets over-run by eco-tourists. And the underground river sounds cool! Check it out before it becomes a major tourist draw with tour buses and long lines and high admission charges. Snorkel on the reefs before silty run-off from on-shore development destroys them.
Basilan!
been there last year, at babalik ako ulit. unspoilt. its just only you and the island. white sand, crystalline waters.
David: Palawan is a reserved area, so it’s going to be unspoilt for a LONG time. At least I hope so. And a lot of tourists have already gone, and are going there.
Eric: Kelan ka babalik? Pasabay ako
BASILAN! I haven’t been there yet. I’m fearless. Those negative news don’t intimidate me!
Boracay! Coz I never been there!
it has to be palawan for me!
unexplored….
Hmmm… OF course I’ll go with Palawan foremost since I’m leaning more into natural wonders. Basilan would be second for the interesting sights and colors of the locals and of course the spectacle of going there. Boracay? Well if you’re up for the party, why not.
Palawan without a doubt! Been to Boracay so many times, but never Palawan – which is still a dream destination for me. I also wouldn’t mind going to Basilan, a friend of mine goes there often for work (she’s a journalist) and she swears it’s beautiful.
BASILAN! The thrill of adventure is seducing me.
Very nice post. it is interesting. I hope you won’t mind if I will use your post for a while at my website http://www.dreamboracay.com.
Alexiz
http://www.dreamboracay.com
Since I’ve been to the other two choices, I’ll have to pick Basilan.
I’ve always wanted to go to Palawan for the longest time! However thanks for pointing out Basilan.. hmm… I think a trip to the Philippines should be made this year..
Nice poll, Nina
Palawan for me!
Been to Boracay twice, been to Palawan (El Nido) once…I would like to go back to Palawan again.
Palawan is beautiful!!!
Estan: Hehe, nag pa-plano na kami ni Eric (byahilo) to go there this year
Dyanie: Boracay is fun! It’s a barkada destination talaga. Party party party!
Ivan girl: Iba rin talaga ang appeal ng Palawan no? Where in Palawan would you most like to visit? Ako El Nido talaga.
Ferdz: Well, if you have the money and the time, why not go to all three, di ba?
Christine: Pareho tayo, I haven’t been to Palawan yet either. If all goes well, I *might* be going to both Palawan and Basilan this year *crosses fingers*
Cedsaid: I notice puro guys lang ata sumasagot ng Basilan ah. I know a couple of friends who’ve already went there. Safe naman daw, pero ingat lang kapag medyo volatile ang political situation.
Benj: Tara, punta tayong Basilan
June: Definitely!
I can’t wait to show you around Manila! When was the last time you went here, anyway?
Lizeth: Lucky you! I haven’t been to Palawan yet. I’m hoping to go this May
Naks, nina, that would be a great trip. I do hope I can schedule one sometime this year.
pupunta ka ng palawan this may? Wooooww!!! Inggit ako!!!!!!!!!
*inggit*
i want to go back!! sigh!
I’d go to Basilan. Nah, Palawan. Ay, I’m torn! You will not run out of things to do in Palawan pero Basilan looks like a challenge.
Estan: Want to join us? We might go this June (Independence weekend)
Dyanie: I wish! Hahaha! Nothing definite yet, since right now, I can only afford to go to one destination
Lizeth: I’m not sure I can go to Palawan, though I really hope I could go this year!
Mariel: Pareho tayo! I’m really torn between the two since I can only afford one trip
[...] nina: Estan: Want to join us? We might go this June (Independence weekend) Dyanie: I wish! Hahaha! Nothing definite… [...]
[...] were supposed to go to Basilan. Due to the volatile situation down south (it was really shocking to find out that Ces Drilon and [...]
definitely ill choose basilan. dont ask why.
i will go back to basilan. that is my birthplace. I am a traveler, i have been to palawan and mostly all the philippines islands since i was young. basilan is a very nice island like hawaii, except for the tourist as you said. soil is fertile and anything you plant will grow. we have land planted with rubber trees there. fruits in basilan and other parts in mindanao are priceless which you cannot find in luzon or visayas. do you have durian, huani, marang etc. i bet you do not know these fruits right? so who wants to go to basilan with me? ai’nt you afraid? Nomas pregunta porque, yo soy the basilan y muchas familias, hermano y hermana esta na basilan y zamboanga. dos ciudad ta llama sila “Latin City of the South”. muchas gracias.
Palawan!
Landscapes. Seascapes. Adventure.
Before you add that comment...
I do read each and every comment posted in my blog, and I do try to respond as best as I can to your questions. You may not see me always commenting here, but I do reply via e-mail. Please understand that I am NOT affiliated with any airline, hotel, restaurants or other services featured here, unless otherwise stated. So if you have complaints about them, it would be better if you contact them directly. Often, their contact details can be found in my post.
Add A Comment