Who's going:
Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, as well as enablers from several other units.
When and why: April for Exercise Balikatan and various mil-to-mil engagements and cultural events as part of the Army's regionally-aligned forces concept. As long as Pacific Pathways rotations continue to take place, expect additional opportunities to spend time in the Philippines.
About the area: A long-time partner of the U.S., the Philippines attained its independence in 1946, according to the CIA World Factbook. The U.S. closed its last military bases on the islands in 1992, but the Philippine government faces threats from several groups, including groups that are on the U.S. government's foreign terrorist organization list.
The Philippines is an archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam.
It has a tropical climate, and its terrain is mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands.
Activities: Lonely Planet suggests visiting Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, the oldest church in the Philippines. Established in 1565, the church burned down three times and was rebuilt in its present form in 1737. The old walled city of Intramuros was the centerpiece of Spanish Manila. There you'll find Fort Santiago, Manila's premier tourist attraction. During World War II, the fort was used as a prisoner-of-war camp by the Japanese, and it contains the Rizal Shrine where national hero Jose Rizal was incarcerated as he awaited execution, according to Lonely Planet. Visitors also can hike Taal Volcano, with a popular trail that goes up to the main crater overlooking a sulfurous pool, or go diving and snorkeling at Apo Reef Natural Park.
Watch out for: The State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security warns of pickpocketing and credit card fraud. Serious crimes such as carjacking and robberies sporadically occur. Traffic in the Philippines is dense, chaotic and unpredictable.
Bring back some: Capiz, which is oyster shell that's used to make decorations or souvenirs, or black coral jewelry. Also popular are carvings and furniture made from local hard woods such as kamagon, tanguil, narra and dao. The barong tagalog is the national dress of the Philippines, and it is an embroidered white shirt worn in place of a jacket, according to www.visitphilippines.org.
Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.
