The Philippines
An archipelago of 7,107 islands, the Philippines stretches from the south of China down to the northern tip of Borneo and south east across towards Papua New Guinea. The country has over a hundred ethnic groups and a mixture of foreign influences which have molded a unique Filipino culture. Whilst there are many professionals in the cities the majority of the population in the provinces are still subsistence farmers or fishermen and worldwide the Filipinos are renowned seafarers (indeed there is strong evidence to support the claim that a Cebuano sailing with Magellan was the first man to circumnavigate the globe rather than his Captain who claimed the distinction.)
Before the Spanish explorers came, Indo-Malays and Chinese merchants had settled here. In 1521 the Spaniards, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, discovered the islands. The Spanish conquistadors established a colonial government in Cebu in 1565. They transferred the seat of government to Manila in 1571 and proceeded to colonize the country. The Filipinos resisted and waged Asia’s first nationalist revolution in 1896. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo declared the Philippines independent from Spain and proclaimed himself president. After ruling for 333 years, the Spaniards finally left in 1898 and were replaced by the Americans who continued to colonize the country for another 48 years.
The Americans brought over their educational system, their legal system, and their democratic form of government. On July 4, 1946, the Americans finally recognized Philippine independence.
Considered as the third largest-English speaking country in the world, the Philippines has world-class facilities and services such as excellent accommodations, fine restaurants, modern shopping centers and communications services, efficient congress and exhibition organizers, and reliable tour operators. Its countryside also boasts some of the the worlds most beautiful and varied scenery from the rugged peaks in the northern Mountain Province to icing sugar white beaches fringing coral sea Islands. The country is divided into three geographical areas; Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It has 16 regions and 79 provinces each with it’s unique features. Its capital is Manila which is home to 1.6 million people of the country’s total population of 82 million.
The Pacific Ocean swells render the eastern coasts rugged and largely inhospitable shorelines suitable for the increasingly popular sport of surfing but not so much for recreational sailing. During the summer season the south westerly Habagat winds blow steadily from the South China Sea but the most consistent sailing conditions are experienced between Christmas and Easter when the north easterly Amihan winds can blow for weeks on end without relenting.
Using the same trade winds that first brought the Spanish Galleons to the Philippines adventurous recreational sailors have a seemingly endless selection of remote islands, tranquil coves and deserted beaches to explore.
The internal seas around the central Visayan seas are well protected from the big ocean breakers and offer safe cruising grounds. Entering the Philippine Hobie Challenge gives sailors the chance to explore areas well off the beaten track and inaccessible to most tourists.
But do not take our word for it, come and see for yourself and join in the fun!
