Although there's nothing like Cebu for outdoor adventure--on terra firma or in the crystal-clear water--the outskirts of Manila offer any kind of day trip you'd like. There's the village that served as a backdrop for the film Apocalypse Now, parks with majestic waterfalls, and virgin forest where attendees who didn't make the cut for the Survivor TV series can learn to live off the land.
The Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation has put together a list of must-see spots within a two-hour drive from Manila:
Corregidor
A tiny island lying across the entrance of Manila Bay known as "The Rock," this was the scene of a protracted battle between Filipino-American and Japanese forces during the Second World War.
The remains of a mile-long barracks still stand and there's a daily light-and-sound show in one of the storied tunnels constructed for battle. A number of upscale ferries visit Corregidor every day.
Laguna
This place boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the Philippines. There's an abundance of waterfalls, natural springs, seven large rivers, and the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia here.
The nearby town of Los Banos ("The Baths") has a number of spa resorts fed by hot and cold springs--there's nothing like a dip in a natural hot spring to take all your worries away.
Also nearby is the quaint town of Pagsanjan, the setting for a number of scenes in Apocalypse Now and now a tourist destination in its own right.
Batangas
The heritage town of Taal in the Southern Tagalog province of Batangas features the largest church in the Far East, the Ionic-columned and Gothic-designed Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours.
In the southeast area of Batangas is the resort village of Anilao in Mabini town, the nearest scuba diving center to Manila. Anilao is also a jumping-off point for island-hopping expeditions.
Subic
The virgin forest here has a trail designed for a 12-hour trek--only the strong survive on this route. There's also a tribal village here where you can arrange a jungle survival course for the Rambos (and Rambettes) in your group. Subic Bay is the place to bring your anglers. Fishermen from all over the country have a fish story or two about these waters.
Clark
Clark is the former base of the U.S. air fleet in Southeast Asia. A short hour-and-a-half drive north of Manila, Clark is a special economic zone that has an 18-hole golf course, an aviation school, hotels, and a number of duty free shops.
