The Philippines has big cities, isolated hamlets and everything in between. It also has many coastal resorts. The country has more than 7,000 islands, so it shouldn't be hard to find one that's right for you. Living costs vary widely, with Manila being at the top of the list. But no matter where you are, the cost of living will be dramatically lower than a comparable area in a western nation.

AKLAN - the oldest town in Aklan, Kalibo is also the home of the Ati-Atihan. Every third Sunday of January, locals throw themselves in a Mardi-Gras like festival that involves intense drum-beating and chanting, masks and costumes, and even body-painting. The festival ends in a procession to the church, where participants pray to the Sto. Nino (the child Jesus) and promise to return the next year.

South of the bustling crowded and fast pace City of Manila, Philippines, is an island called Panay, where you will find the Province of Aklan. About an hour, to an hour and an half, flight via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific or Air Philippines to its capital town of Kalibo.

It is also about half a day's William, Gothong and Aboitiz Super Ferry ride from Manila's South Harbor where the ferry will bring you to its town port of Damaged; about a 20-minute drive east of Kalikow.

Alan is bounded by the Sulu Sea on the northwest, by the Siouan Sea on the east and northeast, by the province of Antique on the west and by the province of Capes on the south. Alan is the oldest province in the Philippines, organized in 1213 by settler from Borneo as the Manure it Akin to include what is now Capes.

ANGELES CITY - where Clark Air Force Base was until Mt. Pinatubo blew up in 1991, is still full of night life, in the Bali ago section, with more bar girls and dancers per capita than any place in the Philippines. These are commercial sex workers, licensed by the government so they can be subjected to health inspections for everything from TB to AIDS. But at the same time, prostitutes and prostitution are many places, as in every nation in the world, is illegal. The prostitutes and bar girls, synonymous, are sometimes arrested and prosecuted as are owners who have nude and topless shows also illegal in this country. Prostitution will continue to flourish in the Philippines and other developing countries as long as there is abject poverty. But because of the strong moral and Catholic culture, I believe only a small income will keep many from engaging in this practice they, their families and their religions find repulsive, immoral, degrading and not the least, dangerous to the individual's and the nations health.

BORACAY - popular tourist some foreigner never get out of, really a resort island but a home to many is Boracay, a beautiful white sand beach with many reasonable price hotels and resorts of world class standards. Scuba diving reigns supreme as it does in many places including Mazola, Cebu Island in the south. Puerto Galleria is also a hot tourist destination for sand and water, even cheaper and with a fine character too. Subic Bay, near the Olongapo Free Port Zone has beautiful resorts though not as many as it did when the US Navy had a facility there. And now, it is much more family oriented.

Boracay Island, Known far and wide as an island paradise, Boracay has charmed vacationers with its powder white sand, crystal blue waters and laid back pace. Located at the northern tip of Pansy provinces, Boracay is about three hours away from Manila. Sun worshippers from all over the world visit Boracay yearly, and some had made it their second home. It is no wonder that French, German, Spanish and English can be heard spoken in the island. The culinary face is equally exciting featuring a wide range from Thai and Austrian to Belgian and Filipino. Numerous water sport facilities including dive shops are on hand, as well as a sprinkle of bars and dance clubs .

Capiz Roxas City - (named after Manuel Roxas, the first president of the Philippine Republic) is at the northeastern portion of Pansy Island, greeting the Visayan Sea. It is primarily an agricultural metropolis --producing sugar, coconut, banana and capote -- although fishing is the main source of income for most of the residents. This can be seen in the lattice-work of bamboo for drying fish that are scattered along the coastal areas. Roxas City also has several home industries: mat and slipper making, banana and capote chip production, and poultry raising.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT LINGAYEN GULF