With more than 7,000 islands and countless coral reefs, the Philippines offers a plethora of diving opportunities. Whether it's snorkelling alongside whale sharks, cruising with mantas or thresher sharks, exploring WWII wrecks or simply hanging out near the kaleidoscopic walls and reefs, this tropical paradise will fascinate divers of all skill levels and interests. Buy

Labels: Environment, Philippines, Travel Guide

The Philippines' extraordinary diversity and beauty in one comprehensive guidebook: kaleidoscopic local festivals, bustling cities, deserted islands, awe-inspiring rice terraces, erupting volcanoes, and great adventures under sea and in the hills. Buy

Labels: Philippines, Travel Guide

This book is not a travel guide, although it describes places to visit; it gives a good historical overview of the Philippines, then spends much of its 168 pages explaining daily life and cultural issues. Buy

Labels: Culture, Philippines, Travel Guide

First published in 1946, this autobiography of the well-known Filipino poet describes his boyhood in the Philippines, his voyage to America, and his years of hardship and despair as an itinerant labourer following the harvest trail in the rural West. Bulosan does not spare the reader any of the horrors that accompanied the migrant's life; but his quiet, stoic voice is the most convincing witness to those terrible events. Buy

Labels: Biography, Philippines

Invidious distinctions on the basis of race and overt racism were central features in American colonial policy in the Philippines from 1898 to 1947, as America transported its domestic racial policy to the island colony. This collection by young Filipino scholars analyzes American colonialism and its impact on administration and attitudes in the Philippines through the prism of American "racial tradition," a structural concept which refers to beliefs, attitudes, images, classifications, laws, and social customs that shape race relations and racial formation in multiracial and colonial societies. Buy

Labels: History, Philippines, Politics

Born in 1926, McReynolds recalls the struggles her parents faced, working as domestic servants, surviving through the Depression, dealing with racism and anti-Asian laws, and living in the United States as immigrants during a time when they were not allowed to become citizens. Buy

Labels: Biography, Philippines

The Philippines Travel Guide includes a varied selection of pre-planned travel routes and useful information on transportation, loads of good-value accommodation, selected local and international restaurants, comprehensive language chapter, illustrated sections on flora, fauna and culture, details on outdoor activities including cycling, diving, hiking and surfing, e-mail directory and 179 maps. It's the most extensive travel guide on the Philippines. Buy

Labels: Philippines, Travel Guide

Political activists Schirmer and Shalom gather here over 80 articles and documents that seek to demonstrate a long-time, popular struggle on the part of Filipinos for social justice and freedom from foreign domination. The selections tell of the past and present U.S. role in the Philippines from the turn-of-the-century U.S. conquest (wresting control of the colony from Spain) to the flight last year of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino’s assumption of the presidency. Buy

Labels: History, Philippines, Politics

The editors have assembled in this work a unique and important volume of personal and historical reflections on the Filipino experience. This interdisciplinary collection brings together views from the Philippines and the voices of Filipinos in the U.S. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the post-colonial experience. Buy

Labels: History, Philippines, Politics

The Rough Guide to The Philippines is the ultimate guide to this stunning archipelago. A 24-page full-colour section introduces the country and its highlights, from the remote sun-kissed islands off the East coast to the lagoons of Palawan and the tribal villages of the Cordilleras. Each region of the country is covered in-depth, with the pick of the sights and activities listed at the start of the chapter. There are detailed and opinionated listings providing essential information on where to stay, eat, drink, dance, dive, surf, trek, kayak and sail. Finally, an informative and accessible background is given to Filipino history, culture, society, music, politics and environment. Buy

Labels: Philippines, Travel Guide