So then, what to do with 5 days?
 

During the latest AirAsia sale I bought a dirt cheap KUL-CRK R/T ticket for this July. Only then did I start looking for things to do in Clark/ Angeles - and most of what I read mirrors what is written above. While far from a prude, staying in an area devoid of traditional tourism just doesn't sound like fun for me.

So, do I just throw away the ticket and skip the Philippines?

Or, is there something redeeming to do with a five-night stay? Take the bus down to Manila, and then what?

My alternative plan is to drop PH from the 6-week trip and put Siem Reap in its place.

All suggestions are welcome.

If you are lucky your arrival will coincide with one of the CRK-Cebu flights. Standard fare is about 1800 pesos ($39USD) each way. From Cebu you can take ferries to the nearby islands. Only problem is that they only fly a couple of days a week (M,W, F I think). Another alternative is a long bus ride to Vigan. Interesting city with Spanish architecture. There are other destinations, but I am tend to just take the next flight to Cebu from Clark.

It is a hassle to get to the Manila airport from angeles. However, I seem to remember air asia having a special bus that brings Air Asia passengers to manila upon arrival. Maybe take the bus and fly to Bohol from Manila. Then take the fast ferry over to Cebu. Fly Cebu-Crk for your departure.

Good Luck!!!

Cebu Pacific is having a sale. CRK-Cebu 600 peso ($12) with 15k baggage. If the CRK-CEB-CRK dates work out this is probably the easiest. Actually you could take the Air Asia bus to Manila and then fly to Bohol (Tagbilaran) after touring Bohol you could take a ferry to Cebu
PS Mentioned the long bus trip to Vigan (7-8 hrs??) earlier. Could take Air Asia bus to Manila Airport. Fly to Laoag - from there you could visit Laoag, Vigan or Pagudpud. Then the long bus ride back to Angeles or fly back to Manila and take bus from Manila to Angeles. However, once you decide to use the Air Asia bus and return via Manila you can choose anywhere in the Philippines to visit.

PPS Angkor wat/Siem Reap is amazing.

It's not as bad as all that. That said, unlike Pattaya which has a similar reputation but ALSO has a lot of tourist infrastructure (and a few nicer beaches within easy reach), Angeles is inland with very little to recommend it to those outside the sex-tourist crowd except as a stopover to those who want to hike Pinatubo.

Subic
 

You can go to Subic Bay and Olangapo City which used to be a Navy Base but it is right on the water. Very clean area and I felt safe the whole time as I wandered around the area. You can hit some of the islands and bays are around the area. Yea, it has the bars/girls/sex tourism stuff; but that's everywhere in the SE Asia; if that bothers you; you might as well skip the entire area.