Weighing the opportunity cost of a 2 week itinerary in the Philippines

Before you do anything I would get a firm booking and a firm sailing date with Tao, they dont go every day from Coron to El Nido, but I believe every third day. They are very popular and fill up quickly. I would get that part sorted first, then plan the rest of your trip around those dates. Also check with the Domestic Airlines to see if there are any flights between Cebu and Coron, otherwise it will have to be via Manila. I know in the past when I have flown to Coron it has always been from Manila..

There are much more stuff to do and explore in Manila and Luzon rather than Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. White sand beaches are also within 3-4 hours drive from Manila (those are in Zambales). There's also diving, hiking, snorkelling, and much more. What you can do in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, except for whale watching (which is not a guarantee anyway), you can also do in Manila and Luzon, so choose the former!

Cebu is the country's heart, but Manila is its' soul. That being said, culturally, you can experience the best of the Philippines in Manila, since it draws influence from all throughout the country.

whalewatching IS guaranteed in Oslob. That is the whole point about the circus controversy.

the OP is definitely trying to do too much in a limited time like most of the enquiries on here. You can take a expensive Bohol day trip from Cebu but it is all a bit much and probably not worth doing. Don't rush about too much. The CDO whitewater rafting is OK, but pretty tame. The best whitewater rafting, not just in the Philippines, but in the entire SEAsian region is the Chico River in northern Luzon http://www.chicoriverquest.com/, this would involve taking a flight up to Tuguegarao (3 times a week) from Manila and would take up almost all of your second week.

Before you do anything I would get a firm booking and a firm sailing date with Tao, they dont go every day from Coron to El Nido, but I believe every third day. They are very popular and fill up quickly. I would get that part sorted first, then plan the rest of your trip around those dates. Also check with the Domestic Airlines to see if there are any flights between Cebu and Coron, otherwise it will have to be via Manila. I know in the past when I have flown to Coron it has always been from Manila.. ( cebu pacific used to fly that route but cancelled now ,rates for mnl -coron flights are ridicolous now 3500 for 1 way without luggage even though they advertise promo rate of 1600)

What you can do in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro -have you actually been there to find out? how about visiting other parts of mindanao like illigan /bukidnon /camiguin ? where u can do all those things u mentioned in luzon and the op didnt mention wanting to do anything in cdo other than rafting

I prefer the exquisite Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces and light cave exploration in Sagada :)

Chico river in Luzon is the best whitewater rafting, not just in the Philippines, but also in the south east Asian region. By a mile. It is like the difference between the Franklin in Tasmania and the Tully in Queensland. Not even close.

WWRafting in north luzon is a limited window. Outfitter(s) will not risk running a flooded river like now. You also need to spend days in the mountains waiting for a WWR ride while the mosquito's are having a feast at you.

WWRafting in CDO is ALL YEAR ROUND. Amenities like shops, hospitals, mall, banking, etc is just a short 45 minute ride. Access to Basic and Advance WWR runs all via concrete roads. CDO is also the hub of Northern Mindanao. Camiguin (volcano, hiking, scuba, etc), Bukidnon (Dahilayan, Camp juan, try the best steak at Delmonte, etc), Iligan (at least 24 waterfalls within the city boundary, etc), Mis. Or. (duka, alibuag, white island, etc), Mis.Occ (dolphin island, dakak, etc), and even Siargao, and Agusan Sur( Britannia, Enchanted, Tinuy-an, Lanuza surfing, etc)

@callippo : have you tried the Tignapoloan run? There are upper sections in CDO that are difficult to WWR run

@divadmsp : if you haven't been to CDO, just STFU about CDO.