‘Best of the Best: Philippines’ book lists best spots for trekking, surfing, diving

Want the best vacation experience the Philippines has to offer? “Best of the Best: Philippines” now makes it easier to plan; simply mix and match to your heart's content.
 

The 200-page hardbound travel guide released by Eastgate Publishing, is fun, easy-to-ready and packed with an overwhelming amount of information about the best spots in the Philippines.

But could the “Best of the Best: Philippines” be the best travel book yet about the country’s top destinations for trekking, surfing, and diving?

Project director Kim Ventura told GMA News Online, “The book is mainly about highlighting the award-winning places of the Philippines that's why it's called the best of the best. Along with the award-winning places, we also featured other establishments around that destination.”

During the launching at the Makati Shangri-la Plaza on April 10, editor Simeon Ventura Jr. explained to GMA News Online that what makes the book different from other Philippine travel books are the following, “I guess it's different because one, it's the first book to compile and present all our award winning destinations.”

“Number two, it's very user-friendly because it has an itinerary. Number three, it has beautiful illustrations. Number four, it's very playful and conversational,” Simeon added.

Simeon is also the editor-in-chief of Mabuhay Magazine, the in-flight magazine of Philippine Airlines, and also one of the founders of Eastgate Publishing.

“The Department of Tourism (DOT) commissioned Eastgate Publishing Corporation to put this book together,” said Kim.
 She explained that the book is “targeted mainly for anyone who wants to know more about the Philippines. The real purpose in making this book is because the DOT wants to have an official giveaway for visiting guests and dignitaries.”

As the book features the best of what the Philippines has to offer, Anika said, “I just hope that the Filipinos can appreciate this book as it will remind us to be proud of our country and also to see our country.”

Last year, the Philippines experienced natural disasters that destroyed many tourist spots. Anika said despite the destruction brought about by the 2013 Bohol earthquake, “we still featured Bohol but what we did was we didn't include anymore the photos of the places that were ruined.”

“We still promoted Bohol because you can still go there today and have a good time,” she added.

As for Tacloban, the city most devastated by Typhoon Yolanda in November last year, Kim said, “We didn't feature Tacloban because there wasn't any award-winning place in Tacloban—but Bohol has, in terms of the resorts and hotels.”
 
Tour guide Carlos Celdran, who was featured in the book for his “imparting history with a theatrical flair,” said in a speech during the launching, “This book, the ‘Best of the Best: Philippines,’ answers so many questions that tourists, and even Filipinos, have been asking.”

“It is truly a significant achievement and it is a book that achieves one thing which most books can only dream of: it is useful,” Celdran added.

Some of the sites featured in the book, along with their 'best' awards, are:

• Best walking tour: Intramuros
• Best foodie walk: Binondo
• Best lakeside escape: Tagaytay
• Best place for reflection: Pink Sisters’ Convent in Tagaytay
• Best volcanic adventure: Mount Pinatubo (including Pinatubo Spa Town in Capas, Tarlac)
• Best for foggy walks and hot chocolate: Cordillera Administrative Region
• Best cool escape: Baguio City
• Best vegetables and jams: Baguio City Market
• Best for soul-searching: Sagada and Banaue
• Best for ancient tattoos: Tattoo artist Fang-od of Kalinga
• Best island in the world in 2012: Boracay
• Best island in the world in 2013: Palawan

The book is now available at Fully Booked bookstores and soon in National bookstores at P2,500 each. — VC, GMA News