While the official language is Tagalog, there are actually over 170 dialects spoken! I speak fluent Tagalog, having grown up in Manila on the northern island of Luzon. But Cebuano is the major dialect in Iligan City, Mindanao, where our school and resort are situated. This is followed by Maranao which is spoken by 2 million of the roughly 6 million Muslims in Mindanao (and nope, I don’t speak it…at least not yet).

The Philippines is the only Asian nation that is predominantly Christian. About 87% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic/Christian and religion is still a big influence in our society. I was baptized Catholic as a baby, went to mass each Sunday, and went to a private Catholic school. But at 19, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and now consider myself a “born-again” Protestant.

The largest and most expensive pearl in the world was found in the Philippines! It weighed a staggering 75 pounds and valued at an astonishing $100 million. You never know what you might discover when you dive into our majestic ocean waters full of underwater treasures—something you get to do at our Living Waters Dive Resort!

In the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated with unparalleled enthusiasm, kicking off in September and going all the way to January! At the Lighthouse School of Leadership, we have a huge Christmas party with abundant food and festive decors, as well as a lively Yuletide parade showcasing the kids in their favorite holiday attire. (Parents are invited to capture every magical moment through photos.)

The Philippines has the best singers in the world! Karaoke is our beloved pastime, and we are always willing to showcase our vocal talents at any given opportunity. You can be sure that our dive resort will have a Karaoke Night (or two) each week!

Filipinos are known for our creativity in the kitchen, whipping up unique dishes enjoyed by many across the globe. We enjoy adobo, sinigang, bibingka, sisig, pancit, menudo, caldereta, and more! At our restaurant in Living Waters Dive Resort, we only use locally-grown, organic ingredients to craft these and other delicious culinary delights!

Did you know that most Filipinos speak English? With a strong emphasis on English education, the Philippines ranks as the fifth-largest English-speaking country globally, making communication with locals a breeze for English speakers. By the time our students leave our Lighthouse School, they’re all able to speak and write in English like experts!

According to many surveys, Filipinos are the world’s most enthusiastic selfie-takers, showcasing their love for self-expression through photography. At our stunning Living Waters Dive Resort, guests can capture endless selfies, with the sunset—casting its golden and bluish hues across our skies—being the most popular time for the perfect shot!

The Philippines is the world’s second-largest producer of coconut products, with the country exporting approximately 20 million tons of this fruit each year. Locally known as buko, it is a key export product. Remarkably, our school and dive resort are surrounded by over 30 coconut trees, allowing us to enjoy fresh and delicious buko juice any time we like, straight from our own trees!