The Philippines is a beautiful archipelago.
In this stretch of water and islands are many beautiful travel destinations that we should see, explore, and appreciate. However, if time and budget don’t permit, we can still have a peek of these amazing places in the country via our favorite Pinoy movies.
Here’s a list of amazing Philippine wonders that have been the setting of some of our big screen favorites.
10. La Union – Flotsam
“Flotsam” is an indie rom-com film that features the Surf Town in San Juan, La Union. Lead stars on this film are Solenn Heusaff and Rocco Nacino.
The setting is in Flotsam and Jetsam, an artist beach hostel, where the title of the film apparently came from as well.
Flotsam shows the beautiful scenery of Surf Town and it gives a glimpse of the surfing lifestyle.
Bonus: No Other Woman
Although this film didn’t show a lot of La Union, it’s nice to note about it because it featured the Santorini-like beauty of Thunderbird Resorts in Poro Point, La Union.
“No Other Woman” is a story of a love triangle among Derek Ramsay, Cristine Reyes, and Anne Curtis.
In the film, the scenic resort is witness to the budding love (affair) of the characters of Ramsay and Curtis.
9. Bohol – Close to You
The film that introduced Sam Milby to the big screen and Bohol to those who haven’t seen it, “Close to You” featured tourist spots in the province such as the Loboc River and the Chocolate Hills.
If memory serves me right, there’s even a part on the film where they showed the Philippine tarsier, a small primate endemic to the Philippines.
The film also showed some shots from Dumaguete and Davao. Internationally, it also featured spots in Singapore.
8. Baler – Baler
The movie “Baler,” topbilled by Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis, showed the quaint Philippine destination of Baler.
The film, according to its Wiki page, tells about a band of “Spanish soldiers heroically defended Baler (which was later made the provincial capital of Aurora in 1951) against Filipino revolutionary forces for 337 long and grueling days. This battle, now known as the Siege of Baler, is the setting of a forbidden love between a mestizo soldier (Jericho Rosales) and a native Filipina (Anne Curtis) who lived at the end of the 19th century.”
It didn’t show Baler as a surfing destination but more of a place stuck in time surrounded with sea and nature.
7. Cagayan de Oro – Forever and a Day
I remember seeing KC Concepcion and Sam Milby doing some white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) on the movie “Forever and a Day.”
Photo from: cdodev.com
On the film, the two also tried other Adrenaline-pumping activities at the Dahilayan Adventure Park such as the zipline facilities, the zorb, and horseback riding.
Aside from CDO, the film also featured some spots in Iligan and Bukidnon.
6. Batanes – You’re My Boss
“Ang Batanes ini-experience. Hindi gino-google.”
This is a line made famous by the movie “You’re My Boss,” starring Coco Martin and Toni Gonzaga.
The film showed the pristine and picturesque beauty of the northernmost province of the Philippines. Some locations in Batanes highlighted on the movie are Marlboro Country (Racuh a Payaman), Tukon Church, Sabtang Island, and the Honesty Store.
5. Camiguin – Ouija
The horror film “Ouija” starring Jolina Magdangal, Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, and Judy Ann Santos is set in the scenic island province of Camiguin.
The main plot of the film is about the four actresses, who play as half-sisters (Magdangal and Santos) and cousins, reunite in Camiguin to bury their grandmother. While there, they found their old Ouija board from when they were young and dared to play it again.
A pivotal part of the movie is the Sunken Cemetery. In real life though, this place is a popular snorkeling spot and marine sanctuary.
4. Sorsogon – Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis
Sorsogon is known mainly to tourists as the whaleshark sanctuary in Donsol. If you want to spot a whaleshark in the wild, Donsol is one of your best bests. However, the eight-hour long indie historical drama “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” shifted from the usual and focused more on Lake Bulusan, which is the main location for the movie.
The movie is an artistic creation of Lav Diaz. It stars John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual. The films features mainly about how Andres Bonifacio was slain, as his widow, Gregoria de Jesus (Hazel Orencio), and the long search for the corpse.
3. Siquijor – Siquijor: Mystic Island
If you can look past the horror film that featured Siquijor, you’re in for an adventurous treat because you can find here the popular cliff diving spot, Salagdoong beach. Adrenaline junkies will surely enjoy a jump or two from this platform.
For added rush, visit the Cambugahay Falls. There’s a rope in the vicinity of the falls that allows you to swing and do mini cliff dives.
Also, the sunset in the beach is pure magic.
2. Mt. Pinatubo – Crazy, Beautiful You
The breathtaking view of Mt. Pinatubo was featured on the teenybopper rom-com flick that stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla entitled “Crazy, Beautiful You.”
Well, admittedly, Mt. Pinatubo is already a popular tourist spot prior to this film but possibly, it stirred more interest among the young people.
After its destructive eruption in the early 90s, tourists have been flocking Mt. Pinatubo for a little trek and to see its majestic crater lake.
1. Sagada – That Thing Called Tadhana
Of course, the top of the list goes to no other than the indie rom-com box-office hit “That Thing Called Tadhana,” which stars JM De Guzman and Angelica Panganiban.
Although the film also showed a little bit of Baguio, who would forget the part of the movie where the two characters waited for the Mt. Kiltepan sunrise as part of the moving on process. And this definitely boosted the tourism in the area as heartbroken individuals began flocking the famous peak to shout out their pain into the sea of clouds.
By the way, how is Mt. Kiltepan now? Is it now less crowded? I’m not heartbroken so if I go, I’m just there to enjoy the view. 🙂
For international films shot in the Philippines, you can check them out here.
Share with us your favorite travel destinations featured on Pinoy films!
Please include Silay City, Negros Occidental from the movie “Everyday I Love You” with scenes shot from The Ruins, Talisay and Lacson St., Bacolod.