A frequent visitor since 1993, I am encouraged to see the Philippines finally realizing its potential as a world-class tourism destination. I have made multiple trips into the mountains of northern Luzon to Banaue’s 2,000 year-old rice terraces but for me the highlight was meeting some of the last Ifugao tribal elders in their feather headdress splendor. The imposing Mt. Mayon volcano in Legaspi stands out too, as do my journeys among the less explored islands in the south of the country.