On Location: An "undiscovered gem": PAX unpacks the Philippines on Air Canada’s new route to Manila

You feel the warmth of the Philippines even before you step out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. No, it’s not for lack of air conditioning, but the people who greet you upon landing at this South Asian archipelagic country of over 7,600 islands.

You know you’re in Asia, but with a difference.

“Filipinos are very different from other Asian countries,” our local tour guide explained. “We speak English, we like basketball, we’re Catholic and we don’t like spicy food.”

And now, thanks to Air Canada launching a direct route from Vancouver to Manila (four times weekly) in April, even more Canadians will be experiencing the differences that make the Philippines a unique and inviting travel destination.

Air Canada knew this route would be well utilized by the many Filipinos living and working in Canada, or FOWs (Foreign Overseas Workers). But tourists are also taking advantage of this new route. The launch of service to Manila positions Air Canada as the North American airline serving the most destinations non-stop in Southeast Asia.

“We are proud to be the only Canadian carrier flying to the Philippines, building on the longstanding ties between our countries to make visiting family and friends, conducting business, or heading on vacation more convenient than ever. With more than one million Filipinos living in Canada representing an important market, direct air services are a catalyst to facilitating tourism, trade and connectivity, and represent the fastest way of travelling to Manila,” said Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice president, revenue and network planning, and president, Cargo, in a previous statement.

170,000 Filipinos live in the Vancouver area, and over 220,000 Canadians visited the Philippines in 2024, representing three per cent of the foreign tourist market, and up 26 per cent from 2023, with total visitors back to pre-pandemic levels.

“While it is a well-known destination for Visiting Friends and Family (VFR) travel, the Philippines remains a relatively undiscovered gem in the leisure space. Advisors have an opportunity to introduce clients to something new and exciting,” added Lisa Pierce, vice president global sales & Air Canada Vacations, in an exclusive interview with PAX.

“Accommodations, food, and activities in the Philippines are generally very affordable, making it an ideal option for budget-conscious travellers or those looking to maximize their vacation dollars.”

There are numerous reasons for Canadian tourists to put the Philippines on their travel wish lists as the country offers big city attractions, rural countrysides and an array of beautiful beaches.

Jeepneys & tricycles

PAX had the opportunity to visit in July, which is actually typhoon season in the country, but the rain held mostly to Manila, while the northern island cities of Cebu and Bohol offered non-stop sunshine from sunrise at 5:30 to sunset 12 hours later.

One of the main barriers for travel to Asia can be the language, but in the Philippines, English is taught in both public and private schools. All signage in the larger cities is in English, and sometimes English only.

Public transportation in the Philippines is primarily provided by Jeepney or “tricycle.”

The Jeepneys are recommissioned American military jeeps, and while they are assigned a specific route, they can be hailed like a taxi and stop where requested. There are 50,000 of these currently in the country.

The “tricycle” is the Philippine version of a “tuk tuk” and generally holds two passengers, although some newer larger ones can accommodate four passengers. They are used like a taxi service. Generally, it’s not advisable for tourists to rent cars as the traffic is heavy and the road signage isn’t easy.

Safety is a concern for all travellers, but the security at major city hotels is strong, both from the front entrance screening to the guest access only elevators.

The same screening security is at the entrance to all malls, which are plentiful. The shopping is diverse and easily accessible. “We love our malls,” reinforced our tour guide, and this was clearly evidenced by the Mall of Asia, and the plethora of malls available in Makata, where our hotel, the Diamond Pacific Residences, were located.

Every mall also has a church (normally outdoors), catering to the Catholic population. The church is not a mall requirement, but seen to be a draw, and judging by the overflowing congregations I witnessed, that certainly holds true.

English speaking, Catholic…basketball?

“What we lack in height we make up for in enthusiasm,” said our tour guide. Basketball is the number one sport for children in the Philippines, and the courts popped up everywhere as we toured the capital city, and as well when we moved out to the northern islands.

And while they might not stir hot chili peppers into their food as some other Asian cultures do, the traditional Filipinos foods are full of flavour and spices, and mostly pork.

They are famous for their “sisig,” a dish which is made up of chopped pig ears and cheeks, as well as their customary pig knuckles, fish and broths. 

There is a sweetness to most of their food, including their breads, and their desserts exemplify this, with local favourites such as “halo halo” (a shaved ice dish served with a variety of fruit and sweet toppings), as well as the four layered sans rival cake.

The Philippines has something for everyone, from the deep sea diver to the foodie, the arts enthusiast to the professional shopper.

“With a deeply rooted family-oriented culture and strong intergenerational bonds, the Philippines is an especially good choice for families travelling together,” said Pierce. “Canada is home to a large and vibrant Filipino population across generations, which also means many Canadians may be interested in visiting family or exploring their heritage.”

Manila, Cebu & Bohol

PAX’s weeklong itinerary included stops in Manila, Cebu and Bohol, offering up experiences in the big cities as well as the coastal resort areas.

Manila

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and is located on the island of Luzon, with a total area population of over 11 million.

The  Makati Diamond Residences hotel is located only seven kilometres from the airport, but traffic can be heavy and unpredictable, so the drive time can vary.

The hotel is located within steps of the Glorietta, Greenbelt and Landmark Malls. Attractions to visit in the greater Manila area include the Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, Rizal Park, the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and the Mall of Asia, with over 600 retail stores.

Cebu

The province of Cebu has a population of 3.3 million, with almost a million located in Cebu City.

The quickest way (90 minutes) to get to Cebu Island is to take a regional flight from the domestic air terminal in Manila. We were hosted at the Radisson Blu hotel, which is located 11 kilometre from the airport in Mactan.

Attractions visited included the Alegre Guitar Factory/Workshop, the Temple of Leah, the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino Cebu, Magellan’s Cross, and the Casa Gorodo.

Bohol

Bohol is an island province in the Philippines and boasts beach coastlines along the Bohol Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The Bohol OceanJet Ferry is a two hour journey from Cebu, landing in Tagbilaran.

A quick drive to Panglao Island, landed us at the beautiful and laid back but luxurious Bellevue Resort.  

A short trip to the Bohol Beach Club took us to catch a boat to Balicasag Island for snorkeling and turtle spotting. Lasang Farm offers up cacao bean harvesting and chocolate making. The Chocolate Hills, and the unique Tarsier Sanctuary can round out the day. Make sure to have the lunch buffet and entertainment cruise on the Loboc River.

Our visit ended with a last dinner at the most appropriate place, the Philippines most successful fast food chain, Jollibee.

The atmosphere is fun, friendly, family oriented and affordable.

“Chicken Joy” is the name of their most popular dish, and it exemplifies the emotions you feel in this country.

“Next to Canadians, I think we’re the most polite,” our tour guide laughed. Personally, I think they might even win.

Getting there is easier than ever with Air Canada, which is backed by their service.

“Travellers benefit from the convenience and comfort of flying with Air Canada, including lie-flat seats in Signature Class, multilingual crews, Aeroplan loyalty benefits, and smooth connections through Vancouver,” said Pierce.

Air Canada’s Manila flights represent the airline’s 12th route in its transpacific network from Vancouver, which includes destinations in Japan, South Korea, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, leveraging Vancouver's geographic position as the closest major North American city to Asia.

Tips for travellers

Here are some tips for travellers visiting the Philippines, from the Philippine Department of Tourism:

• Pre-Arrival Registration: Before your flight to the Philippines, register at https://etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours (3 days) prior to your arrival. After registering, you will receive a QR code confirming your successful registration. Make sure to save or take a screenshot of this code, as you will need to present it to the Philippine immigration upon arrival.
• The Philippines has two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
• Peso (PhP) is the currency in the Philippines. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, banks and authorized money changing shops. Most large stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express, Visas and MasterCard. But when travelling around the islands, make sure to carry enough cash as ATMs are less common outside cities.
• The electrical supply is 220 volts, A.C. 60 cycles. 110 volts is also used, especially in major hotels.
• March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperature ranges from 78°F / 26°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.
• Tipping is normally 10 per cent of the bill but is optional when there’s a service charge.
• Local time is GMT +8 hours Government Offices: 08:00 AM to 5:00 PM, weekdays Malls: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, daily Banks: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, weekdays ATM: 24 hours, daily
• Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places.

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