'My Philippines Travel Level' Web App: How Well-Traveled Are You?

The Philippines is a naturally gifted country brimming with world-class tourist destinations. From Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the country simply does not fall short in giving both local and international tourists a stupendous vacation trip spent in beautiful sceneries, sumptuous food and delicacies, as well as friendly and hospitable locals.

Recently, a web app called "My Philippines Travel Level" took the internet by storm. The web app will score how well-traveled you are based on the number of places you visited, stayed in, or just passed by in the country. It is made by Singapore-based software engineer Denz del Villar. The web app has gone viral since its release. In this article, let's get to know more about this simple web app and how it can motivate you to explore the country more!

My Philippines Travel Level Web App: What Is It Exactly?

Inspired by the original Japan version using ReactJS, the My Philippines Travel Level web app scores a person's well-traveled-ness. The website shows a Philippine Map divided into 83 provinces (including Metro Manila). Once you hover over a particular province, you will be asked to click on the appropriate level of your local travel.

As such, it scores your travel level through the following descriptions:

• Lived there (Level 5): the place you live in, which means you spent a significant portion of your life in this area.

• Stayed there (Level 4): the place(s) you stayed in for at least a night.

• Visited there (Level 3): the place(s) you visited for a few hours exploring the area.

• Alighted there (Level 2):- the place(s) you alighted in for a short stopover, layover, or transfer.

• Passed there (Level 1): the place(s) you just passed by.

• Never been there (Level 0): you have yet to stay, visit, alight, and pass by these provinces.

To make a visual and visible distinction of your local travels, it is also color-coded:

• Red for your provincial residence;

• Orange for the place(s) you stayed in;

• Yellow for the area visited;

• Green for the place(s) you alighted in;

• Blue for the place(s) you just passed by;

• White for the provinces you've never set foot on.

The web app even reached former vice president Leni Robredo who scored an impressive 315 for her local travels. She practically went to every province in the Philippines as a local politician and a public servant. For her avid supporters, ex-VP Leni has been the "busiest vice president ever" and an inspiration to first explore one's own country before traveling abroad to look for tourist attractions, because our country has plenty of those.

On the official website, the software engineer Denz confided that this is his first time dabbling with ReactJS, and that he generously used ChatGPT in making and completing this project. He also "embarrassingly" revealed that his My Philippines Travel Level is only at 62.

If you want to join the hype, it's never too late! Just copy and paste this website to your browser and know your Philippines Travel Level score and update it as you tick provinces off your bucket list: https://www.my-philippines-travel-level.com/

10 Provincial Tourist Destinations to Increase Your Travel Level Score

The My Philippines Travel Level web app may well be your inspiration to travel the Philippines more! After all, most Filipinos just stay in their province and only occasionally embark on a couple of travels to other provinces that are also just near their place of residence.

Aside from the frequently mentioned top tourist attractions in the Philippines, such as Palawan, Aklan, Bohol, and Metro Manila, below are 10 of the equally stunning provincial attractions that you can visit to increase your My Philippines Travel Level score.

Bulacan

If you live in the Visayas or Mindanao, heading to Luzon must include a trip to Bulacan and visiting its exquisite natural tourist spots. The Biak-na-Bato National Park is a totally worthwhile destination to go on an outdoor adventure. You can hike up its scenic mountains, swim through its relaxing waterfalls, and explore its historically significant and marvelous caves.

Nueva Ecija

The province of Nueva Ecija is the perfect balance of rural and urban living. You can stroll and explore the so-called Little Vigan of Gapan where its atmosphere reeks of life in the mid-20th century. Nueva Ecija also hosts various leisure destinations such as resorts, waterfalls, and an adventurous climb to its picturesque mountaintops.

La Union

Fondly called "Elyu" by local tourists, La Union is a haven for beach attractions, enough to garner a multitude of tourists during every summer season. Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan is doubtless one of the best La Union tourist spots you can come to. San Juan, La Union is recognized as the Surfing Capital of Northern Philippines and caters to both aspiring and veteran surfers from November to March and July to October. To come near this gem of a place, consider living in La Union through Lumina San Juan.

Sorsogon

If you love the vast ocean and its sea creatures, Donsol in Sorsogon is a world-famous tourist attraction in the province. Here, you can view, admire, and even interact with friendly butandings (whale sharks). You can also consider the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, one of the most treasured tourist destinations in the entire Bicol region housing rainforests and hot spring gardens.

Camarines Norte

The province of Camarines Norte is undoubtedly an underrated tourist destination for nature lovers. It is home to some awe-inspiring beaches, waterfalls, and islands to take a generous amount of pictures with your family, friends, and yourself. Some of these exquisite spots in Camarines Norte include Mahabang Buhangin, Bagasbas Beach, Mercedes Group of Islands, and Cadig Cave.

Albay

The province of Albay is famously known for the majestic Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, but there are more charming attractions in its midst. These include Sumlang Lake, Jovellar Underground River, Mayon Skyline View Deck, Corangon Shoal, and Quitinday Green Hills, to name only a few.

Cebu

Cebu is known to be the wealthiest province in the Philippines. There's no doubt that tourism is a major contributor to its resounding provincial boom. Aside from natural tourist spots, it is also home to heritage houses, historical sites, museums, and various religious destinations. Visit Cebu for the following diverse tourist-drawing attractions: Kawasang Falls, the Magellan's Cross, the Temple of Leah, Osmeña Peak, the Cebu Taoist Temple, Moalboal Island, and a plethora lot more.

Iloilo

Yet another rich province in the country is Iloilo, monikered the Heart of the Philippines for its strategic geographical location. Iloilo houses Boracay-like islands and beaches that you can go to for a weeklong vacation. Explore Iloilo through the following paradisiacal attractions: Islas de Gigantes, Sicogon Island, Concepcion Island, Iloilo River Esplanade, and Jaro Cathedral. Iloilo province is simply a great place to achieve convenient lifestyle perks set in a provincial background.

Bukidnon

Our first stop in Mindanao to increase your travel level score is the prosperous province of Bukidnon, which was hailed as the fifth wealthiest province in the Philippines. Some of the most famous Bukidnon tourist spots include the Dahilayan Adventure Park, Ultra Winds Mountain Resort, Kitanglad Mountain Range, Lake Apo, and Alalum Falls.

Zamboanga del Sur

Finally, Zamboanga del Sur is a province of culture and nature. It is teeming with natural attractions that are sure to captivate the naked eye. If you plan to head to Zamboanga del Sur in the future, these are what you can consider visiting or staying for a night or two: Puting Balas Sandbar, Merloquet Falls, Pulacan Falls, Once Islas, Guipos Cave, and Bisaya Bisaya Island, among others.

Lumina Homes, an affordable house and lot builder for more than 10 years, has housing projects constructed in all these 10 provincial destinations that we listed. In total, we have more than 50 affordable housing communities nationwide, and we intend to expand to respond to the constant demand for affordable house and lot for sale in the provinces.

Let Lumina Homes help you achieve homeownership in an accessible neighborhood near tourist spots. Get your house and lot in the Philippines very soon and seal your real estate investment with us.