Hi there!
I am planning a trip to S-E Asia in december/january. I know that the Philippines have a lot to offer, but wouldn't 6 weeks be too long if you are not so keen on lying on the beach?

No! Philippines is a bunch of islands with plenty of time spent transiting between. It would be so easy to spend six weeks barely lying on the beach at all. Mountain province (N of Manila) is gorgeous, full of caves and rice terraces. And surely you'd like some beach time? I highly recommend Palawan.
#1 here is my argument for spending six weeks:
http://halftheclothes.com/travel-tips/secrets-philippines/
Hope that helps!

no need to go to any beach at all. Six weeks is about enough time to check out each one of the 90 waterfalls in Cebu province http://www.pinoytravelfreak.com/2015/09/full-list-of-waterfalls-in-cebu.html

To be honest it really depends on you. The first time I visited the Philippines I spent 6 weeks and really enjoyed it. I did a lot of partying, had girlfriends, etc.
Last time I went for 3 weeks I got so tired of it I cut my visit short to two weeks, but I lived there too in the past for six month and had a lot of other places lined up this time. I just wasn't in the mood to stay there.
As a tourist 2-3 weeks is more reasonable as a first visit to any country.
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