Why You Should Include Pampanga In Your Next Philippine Visit When people talk about the Philippines, the famed Boracay always come to mind. It’s the representative of the beauty of the archipelago which boasts over 7,000 islands. But the small island of Boracay, which has seen a massive influx of tourist at 2.1 million last year, has been shut down by the Philippine government for six months for major renovation works. For the traveler wishing to spend a day or two in the Philippines without taking another flight to a new destination, there is a place for you — Pampanga.