Iloilo Province, Philippines

The Province of Iloilo is the largest marshland in Western Visayas after the Sanderbans. Located in the center of the Philippine archipelago, strategically located 283 statute miles from Manila, it is the gateway to the flourishing region that is Western Visayas. The province is divided into two distinct geographic regions; the highlands of the Madia-as on the western border and the lowland plains which account for a larger portion of the province. Small islands east of its northernmost tip also dot the Visayan Sea – of these, Pan de Azucar and Sicogon are well-known.

Iloilo province also is set in a graceful repose between Iloilo and Batiano rivers forming an angle of a nose. Hence, its old name “Ilong-Ilong” which means “noselike”. Mountain ranges with peaks as high as almost 7,000 ft. provide natural boundaries between Iloilo and Antique on the west and Capiz on the north. The rest of mainland Iloilo is largely plain with interspersing upland portions.

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

CAGAYAN DE ORO, 785km south of Manila, is on the north coast of Mindanao, on the opposite coast of the island to Davao. Cagayan is the starting point for trips to Camiguin and the wild countryside of Bukidnon, and also gives overland access to Siargao in the far northeast of Mindanao. Because of its position below the typhoon belt, Cagayan is generally sheltered from strong winds. What’s more, it has no record of major earthquakes, something of a rarity for the Philippines. The city itself is of bulk standard Philippine design, with malls and concrete dominating. There are few memorable sights, apart from San Agustin Cathedral, which stands in the south of the city next to the Cagayan River. The Museo de Oro (Tues–Sun 9am–5pm; P20 minimum donation) at Xavier University gives an interesting overview of local culture stretching back thousands of years. As you pass through the eastern suburbs of Cagayan on the road to Balingoan (for Camiguin), you’ll notice a sweet smell of pineapple in the air. Pineapples from enormous plantations inland, mostly owned by Del Monte, are brought to Cagayan for canning.