Often, and especially in tourism, we’ve noticed how smaller Asian countries show the way in smart innovations and ideas that make you go ‘wow’. Something of this sort happened, a few days back, when we came across a fantastic initiative in The Philippines called Philippine Heritage Map: Inventory of Cultural Properties and Historic Events.

Curious, we began to navigate the site, only to discover the depth, vision and insight that had gone into curating and preparing such a wonderful repository of information for the world to see and marvel. It blew our mind. This online treasure has given Filipino sites and history a new lease of life by including all its heritage structures and historic events. ‘We aim to promote and protect the unique cultural heritage though a showcase of significant Philippine architecture, historic districts, towns and cities,’ read the text on the home page. A fine job was on display, of keeping the first-time visitor glued into the whole canvas. From its art deco villages, its heritage precincts, to its indigenous and Spanish influences, it felt like the ideal ticket to a heritage trail across The Philippines.