Philippines is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia situated in the Western Pacific Ocean, consisting of 7641 islands inhabited by friendly locals and many indigenous tribes. The capital city of the country is Manila and the most populous city is Quezon city. The country has a population of more than 100 million. Majority of the people in Philippines belong to the Roman Catholic and Christian faith, tourists can look forward to visiting beautiful churches and chapels. The Philippines’ rainforests and its extensive coastline make it home to a diverse range of birds, plants, animals and sea creatures.

From pristine beaches and marvelous natural wonders to historical sites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Philippines has a lot to offer. Go diving at the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, one of the most popular dive sites as the shallow coral reef give way to great depths. Witness the beauty of the San Agustin Church which was built in 1589, its lovely Mexican-influenced interior is designed in the shape of a Latin cross.

Philippines is a tourist friendly country to visit. It is said that the country always has something to suit every tourist and visitor.

• Capital: Manila
• Dialing code: +63
• Currency: Philippine peso
• Population: 98.39 million (2013) World Bank
• When to Visit: Peak travel: Nov-Jun & Mar-May
• Climate: Hot and humid, monsoon in southwest - May to Oct, monsoon in northeast - Nov to April.

For more country information, visit: here

For information on the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, click: here