My mom is from the Philippines and she would take us to visit our relatives there atleast every other year. The people are warm, friendly and very accomodating to tourists. Now I go there regularly either with my friends or girlfriend. In the past decade, there's been a building boom. A lot of construction of new resorts, hotels, infrastructure, real estate, malls, theme parks, office bldgs and condos. I love their prawns, san miguel beer, calamari, bangus and tilapia. Those empanadas, adobo and pansit noodles are delicious. A new world class oceanarium has just opened and I believe it's one of the biggest in the region. ( oceanparkmanilabay.com ) ( beachsidecommunity.com/philippines.html ) watch the youtube videos. Discover the beauty of my moms homeland.