Travel Moto Philippines

Last weekend, I joined a medical mission in Tinalmud, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, a far barangay reachable only by boat travel through the Ragay Gulf, along the coast of the Bicol Peninsula. Aside from a welcome break from almost 24/7 Internet works, the occasion also gifted me with the rare chance to personally confirm that whale sharks (Butanding), considered "gift from God" by the people of Donsol Sorsogon, now also inhabit the coastal waters of Pasacao Camarines Sur.


Very few people in the world have had the chance to encounter these lovable, awe-inspiring giants. So I am proud to be just one point short of the career record of the great sea explorer, Jacques Cousteau, who had admitted having encountered a whale shark only twice in his lifetime.

We left Pasacao port at 7:30 A.M. and reached Tinalmud at almost 10:00 AM. It was a sunny day but the waves were huge and we were traveling one kilometer away from the shore. Midway through the ride, the worried leader of our military escorts, Lt. Alcala, asked us to put on our life vests. At this point, I felt some regrets that I had to bring with me my video cam and laptop; I did not like to leave them in my car, which was parked at Pasacao port.

The waves were even more gigantic on our return trip by mid-afternoon, Few minutes on the way home, I asked an even more worried-looking Lt. Alcala if he was considering going back and wait for the morning the next day when the waves would be more tolerable. No, our navigator (a commissioned soldier from Catanduanes) is an expert, he assured me. He asked us however to sit very close to the floor of the banca. So out we go, no turning back. I prepared my mind to losing my hand-carried favorite gadgets, in case we had to swim to shore if the boat capsized.

For almost an hour, everyone simply watched the big waves in silence, feeling the motorized banca getting skillfully maneuvered through rushes of big waves after waves. Then from the back of the boat came excited voices,"May butanding." There it was indeed, a whale shark, the size of a bantam car and looking every bit like the wonder I see only in photos and videos, traveling with us side by side. It was so close, just a couple of feet away from the right outrigger. If the whale shark just touched the boat, it could tip, throwing us all into the open sea. I aimed my video camera in the direction of the whale shark but it suddenly disappeared.

Moments later it reappeared fleetingly 10 meters away still traveling with us. The soldier behind me said,"Ginagabayan tayo (It is guiding/protecting us)."

The whale shark appeared for the last time around 100 meters ahead of us, playfully floating with the huge waves. For a fleeting moment it faced us and vanished as a splash. This creature could be telling us, "This is my domain and you are welcome."

It could as well be wishing us "Von Voyage." We arrived at Pasacao port two rough hours later. And safe on shore, only then could I say thank you. [http://www.upibalon.com]The UP Ibalon Web Community [http://www.upibalonbicol.com]UP Ibalon Bicol Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gimpaya [http://ezinearticles.com/?Encounter-With-Whale-Shark-(Butanding)-At-Pasacao,-Camarines-Sur,-Philippines&id=1497483 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Encounter-With-Whale-Shark-(Butanding)-At-Pasacao,-Camarines-Sur,-Philippines&id=1497483

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Cebu City is one of the most important cities in the Philippines. It is hailed as "The Queen City of the South" due to its importance in trade, shipping and tourism in that part of the country.


Geography

Cebu City lies along the eastern shore of Cebu Province in the Visayan region. It has a total land area of 291.2 square kilometers and a population of some 800,000 people according to the latest census. The city consists of 80 barangays divided into two districts. The native dialect is Cebuano.

Trade and Economy

While the cities of Manila and Makati are the business centers of the northern Philippines, Cebu is the trade capital of the south, Visayas and Mindanao.

Because of its location, it is only natural that business in Cebu would revolve around the sea and seafaring. The city is the country's largest shipping hub, being home to 80% of all domestic shipping lines. Seafood is abundant in the area, and in fact one type of fish was named after the hero Lapu-Lapu (see below). Recently the outsourcing of companies to Asia has benefited the Cebuano people. Many have found jobs in call centers since English is widely spoken.

One of the Philippines' two international airports, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, is a half-hour drive from the city. Due to its strategic location, Cebu is often used as a hopping point by travelers to other tourist destinations in the region.

History

Even before the advent of Spanish rule, Cebu was already a well-developed and prosperous city that enjoyed trade relations with other Southeast Asian countries. On April 7, 1521 the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the island. He was welcomed and befriended by Raja Humabon, the king of Cebu. Humabon and his people converted to Catholicism and became the first first Filipino Christians. But the people of nearby Mactan Island were not so friendly, and Magellan was killed in battle by their king, Lapu-Lapu.

In 1562, more than forty years after the death of Magellan, the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi returned to the islands. Legaspi then established a new Spanish colony with Cebu as its capital.

Sights

Cebu City is a major tourist destination in the Philippines. Its best-known landmark is the Cross of Magellan. Legend says that it was erected by the explorer upon his landing on the island. It is sacred among Filipino Christians, who regard it as the symbol of the birth of their faith. In 1835, the local bishop ordered that the cross be moved to a wooden case and guarded in a chapel. This was to protect the cross from being vandalized by devotees who would chip away pieces at a time.

Nearby is the Minor Basilica of the Holy Infant (Basilica Minore de Santo Nino). The church is home to the country's first religious image, the Santo Nino.

Every year in January, the famous Sinulog festival takes place. Originally a dance ritual in which dancers mimicked the motion of the river (sulog), it is now performed in honor of the Infant Jesus.

Peter Garant is writing [http://www.cebuboard.com/]Cebu articles for his site about the [http://www.philippinesboard.com/]Philippines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant http://EzineArticles.com/?Cebu-City---Queen-City-of-the-South&id=1596889

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SITTING at the foot of Bohol just a short sea-trip from Cebu, Panglao Island has already proved itself to be the new playground of the Philippines...and thousands (if not millions) of dollars of investment money is being poured in to develop the island.


Already it has twice helped Bohol to win the Tourist Destination of the Year contest in the Philippines and hopes to help a third time at the Manila trade exhibition this September when it showcases the beauty of its beaches.

There are even plans approved by President Gloria Arroyo to develop a domestic airport on the island to take over from Tagbilaran Airport, with the intention to upgrade it to international status at some time in the future, to make it easier for the island’s thousands of visitors to reach the coral-white sandy shores which surround it on all sides.

There are resorts dotted all around the sandy shores of the island, which connects to mainland Bohol at Tagbilaran and Bool via two road bridges, and each resort is situated in its own grounds on the edge of a sapphire sea.

Already well-known by scuba divers for the diversity of its fish life in the off-islands of Pamilacan, Balicasag and Pungtod, which are easily reached from the main resort area of Alona Beach, the rest of the island is also developing with top-class resorts: Land has already been put aside for a new Tourism Estate.

The off-islands sport hammerhead sharks, some rays, massive schools of jackfish and barracudas, and there are resident dolphins playing just off the beaches, plus (in the right season) whale-sharks. It is also well-known for the inordinate number of nudibranch and pygmy fish (including seahorses) which inhabit the coral reefs on its southern side.

Bohol itself takes pride in Panglao Island, although sometimes other towns in the area become a little jealous – especially since Panglao town itself has won the prestigious street dancing competition in Tagbilaran’s Sandugo four times in a row, the only two in the history of Bohol to do so. Now the island town has been asked to ‘take a rest’ for a while by the Sandugo Foundation to give another town on Bohol a chance to win!

The ‘dance capital’ of Panglao is not too worried: the Sandugo street festival in July is only the live rehearsal for its’ own major event – the Hudyaka sa Panglao which takes place on August 28th every year in the grounds of its parish church. Then the ten barangays of the municipality compete fiercely with each other to see which is the best of the best.

Its’ own dance festival brings back ex-Panglao residents from all over the world, and instead of making a day of it, the music and dance lovers of Panglao try and make a whole week of it…and more. Actually, they take nine days and the whole town has a festive atmosphere with parties all over the place.

The big party starts off in earnest at 2pm every August 28th when several hundred dancers and their accompanying bands with their distinctive beat queue up outside the Municipal Hall to dance and parade their way to the grounds of San Agustin Church, where the ‘real’ party is held on the green. Now the people of Bohol can really see what they have missed out on by telling them to ‘take a breather!’

A funfair atmosphere is already in motion – and has been for days! – and the dancers entertain until well past sunset to compete for the ‘best of the best’ prize. [http://www.philippinewide.com/]Philippine Wide provides quick information on traveling in the Philippines. Philippine Travel Guide, Restaurant Reservation, Diving Spots, Best Spa and Beach Resorts Reservation Services - Reservation Services for Bohol, [http://www.philippinewide.com/search_result.php?prov=3&cat=]Boracay, [http://www.philippinewide.com/search_result.php?prov=1&cat=]Cebu and other destinations in the country.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jysmon_Sean http://EzineArticles.com/?Go-Dancing-Each-Day-The-Panglao-Way&id=433894

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Bohol is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines today. In going to Bohol you could go by air or by sea through a ship. Traveling by air is definitely much faster because it usually just takes about an hour while traveling by ship may take almost a day however it is less expensive thus saving you some cash.


From Manila you can get a flight going to Tagbilaran. You can take any flight from Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, Air Philippines and Philippine Air lines that will first have a stop on Cebu.

There is also a boat taking you to Tagbilaran which is just one and half hour ride to save some money. The boat should be the fastest kind because the regular kind of boat usually takes four hours of travel. After arriving in Tagbilaran Doljo beach is just twenty minutes away. The best way to save money however is to take a regular ferry ride from Cebu which would go to Tubigon and then after getting there you should take the bus going to Doljo beach. The cost of an airplane ride to Tagbilaran is usually priced at two thousand pesos up to three thousand pesos.

Doljo beach is a beach located on the island of Panglao. This island is on the north western side of Bohol. This beach is three kilometers wide and it is not so much explored and developed yet. The sand is white and this beach slopes in a gentle way to the part of the sea that is deep. Doljo beach is also filled with many coconut trees which makes it all more appealing. The beach is also known for the beautiful and unique seashells. There is a lot of marine creatures that can be explored under the clear Doljo beach waters. There are local folks who have set up their own business by renting out chairs for those having a day trip like picnickers.

The first explorers to see Panglao was the Spaniards in 1803. The Spanish conquerors at that time saw some locals fishing by the shore and they asked the name of the island. The locals who could not understand them answered "panggaw" which is actually the device they were using to fish. Panglao came from the term "panggaw" which was a device used by Filipino ancestors for fishing. Today Panglao island is a leading spot attracting more tourists every year and Doljo beach is one of the main attractions of the island.

There are many attractive diving spots that can be found on Doljo beach. Some of the most popular spots are the House Reef and the Point diving site. The spots are teeming with a variety of corals and fishes. During the season where southwest monsoon winds is strongest then snorkeling is a better choice of activity. There are many resorts in Doljo beach which can offer an affordable price and it is advisable to check their website and inquire their current rates first before going to Doljo beach.

Peter Garant is writing [http://www.boholboard.com/]Bohol Travel articles about [http://www.boholboard.com/bohol-beaches.php]Bohol beaches and other attractions around the island.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant http://EzineArticles.com/?Doljo-Beach-in-Bohol-Philippines&id=1513445

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Philippines Travel Guide; Getting to Know Dipolog City

Author: Peter Garant

The economic boom in Dipolog can be gleamed from the fact that the latest statistics show it is the richest city in Zamboanga, and without question also one of the most prosperous in the country. Long known as the gateway to Mindanao it is now serving as an example of how to become a first class city.



Tourism is one of the strengths of Dipolog City, and there are several attractions that will catch the attention of the tourist. First is the Linabo Peak, where you climb the 3,000 steps to the top. The reward is a breathtaking view of not just Dipolog but also the city of Dapitan. It is also where Catholics undergo the ritual of penitence during the period of Holy Week or Semana Santa.

Cogon Park in Dipolog City is quite simply one of the best forest revere area in the Philippines. It is a sanctuary for varied types of trees, including Rattan, Mahogany, Molave, Acacia, Narra and numerous others. It is also the place where people can mingle with all sorts of wildlife and birds.

The Fountain of Blessing, another popular attraction, was constructed as a testament to the cultural diversity that exists harmoniously in Mindanao, and at the same time is meant as a symbol or shrine for the Lord.

Another widely known tourist hotspot is Sta. Cruz. The chief attraction here is the cross, which was erected in 1905 by the Boholanos. These were the people who had made the perilous journey from Bohol to Dipolog. The cross was meant to be a symbol of thanks and prayer to the Almighty, and to this day Sta. Cruz is the sight of several prayer meetings by the Roman Catholic Church.

As with other provinces in the Philippines, Dipolog is teeming with fiestas and festivals dedicated and consecrated to saints and patrons. The penance of Catholics in Linabo Peak is called the Katkat Sakripisyo; there is also the Feast of Saint Vincent and in October the Feast of the Holy lady of the Rosary. Other festivities include the Sinulog ng Dipolog and the Araw ng Zamboanga.

Today there are several industries and businesses thriving in Dipolog and it is in part due to the effective transport system. Buses, tricycles, cars and the ubiquitous jeepney can take you anywhere in the city. The seaport makes the transport and shipping of goods and products seamless and there are ferries, boats and various shipping lines.

Historical records show that the Spaniards settled in Dipolog in 1834 and became well known for being the center of religious shrines and churches. During the American occupation beginning in 1897, the area underwent several changes, most notably growing in population and began to thrive thanks mostly to immigrants from the nearby provinces.

When the Second World War erupted, Dipolog was occupied the Japanese, and it was only after the American forces returned in 1945 was the municipality freed. In 1969, through a Republic Act by then President Ferdinand Marcos, the municipality became a city.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/philippines-travel-guide-getting-to-know-dipolog-city-631588.html

About the Author:
Peter Garant is writing Dipolog articles for his site about the Philippines .

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The people here are called Dumagueteños popularly known for their hospitality and friendship and well gentleness. Dumaguete City is then considered 'a city of gentle people'.The term Dumaguete came from the word 'daggit' and 'dumaguet' because of the Muslim attacks on the city and 'dumaguet' bacause of the power of the natives to captivate its visitors.


Dumaguete is the smallest in terms in land area among the 20 provinces and 5 cities here in Negros Oriental considering it is the capital city. it is bounded by the municipality of Sibulan to the north and the municipality of Bacong to the south. But lets not go there shall we?

The economic status of the Dumaguete city has been influenced by business process outsourcing and other industries. Major examples of these are the companies Teletech, a call center firm and SPi, one of the worlds leading BPO companies. these two firms are one of the largest ITES firms operating here in Dumaguete.

The city is also a tourist attraction, and the upsurge of tourists flood Dumaguete annually for the annual fiesta's, the Silliman founders day and the likes. The Boulevard also pose as one of the best tourist attraction site here in Dumaguete, with its magnificent view of the Mindanao sea and the local shops, and restaurants fronting the sea. Dumaguete is just a piece of the big cake when it comes to local wonders and travels spots in Negros Oriental.

If one is interested to visit the mountains, jungle perhaps one can visit Forest Camp located up high in Valencia where you could just relax away from city life. If you want a more exhilarating experience you can go to Lake Balinsasayao and experience the beauty of the jungles untouched by man. I bet one will remember his/her experience when he/she visits the city.

Dumaguete is not just a tourist attraction, it is also a progressive university city with. Considered the central learning center of the south, Dumaguete city boasts university of prestigious honor like Silliman University. One of the first American built university in Asia. Different races, different languages come to Dumaguete to study, take for example Koreans who come here to study English and Iranians who do the same. Other universities like St. Paul University, Negros Oriental State University, and Foundation University takes it respective titles as part of the university city.

So basically Dumaguete is a cool and nice place to visit. The people are warm the attractions are nice (you got to love Dumaguetenas) and it only take what 10 minutes drive from the airport? So why not visit Dumaguete? The colorful history of Dumaguete contributes to why it is a must go to place in the map, and I'm confident to say you wont be wasting your time for nothing.

Peter Garant is writing Philippines Travel Articles for both [http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/]Dumaguete Info and [http://www.dumagueteboard.com/]Dumaguete Board.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant http://EzineArticles.com/?Dumaguete-Philippines---A-Must-See-Place&id=1592940

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Experience the zenith of urban living within a modern provincial area like that of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City. Located in the heart of Olongapo City is Subic Bay, which sits on the west coast of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is formerly a United States naval base and is now a booming industrial and commercial area. This prime location is where Subic Holiday Villas is situated.


Free from the irksome ills of city life like noise and air pollution, Subic Holiday Villas promises a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan living. It is a master planned four-hectare leisure development facility that is primarily a residential community comprised of clusters of three-storey bedroom units. It offers a wide variety of fully furnished rooms—from studio units to one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. These suites boast of complete amenities expected from premiere hotels. The kitchens already have a refrigerator, stove, microwave/toaster oven, glassware, cutlery and crockery. Aside from being equipped with an individually controlled air-conditioning system, the units already have cable network television and a water cooling and heating system. The suites also extend to balconies, making your stay here extra special and refreshing. Truly, the Subic Holiday Villas has been created to cater to the needs of both business traveler and leisure-seeker.



The Subic Holiday Villas was developed due to these reasons: to provide top-notch accommodations to investors and businessmen while in Subic Bay Freeport, to give adventure-seekers an option to prolong their stay in Subic at a convenient address that is accessible to any destination they choose and to offer retirees a safe, laid back environment conducive for relaxation and close to hospitals and other healthcare centers. Ultimately, the Subic Bay Villas puts the welfare of their guests on top. The goal is to make people realize that the good life is not necessarily hard to reach nor is it fussy to achieve. Great living is rooted in a great, positive environment that propels you to grow and discover. The Subic Bay Villas realizes that need and answers it.



If it’s the vibe of a Class A village you’re looking for, the facilities of a world-class hotel and a location that is guaranteed to set you in the hub of activity, Subic Holiday Villas is a state-of-the-art haven that you’ll unmistakably soon call your second home.



For inquiries and reservations, visit their website at http://www.subicholidayvillas-sbma.com/.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/the-good-life-is-now-within-reach-at-subic-holiday-villas-201587.html

About the Author:

Free from the irksome ills of city life like noise and air pollution, Subic Holiday Villas promises a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan living. It is a master planned four-hectare leisure development facility that is primarily a residential community comprised of clusters of three-storey bedroom units. It offers a wide variety of fully furnished rooms—from studio units to one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. These suites boast of complete amenities expected from premiere hotels. The kitchens already have a refrigerator, stove, microwave/toaster oven, glassware, cutlery and crockery. Aside from being equipped with an individually controlled air-conditioning system, the units already have cable network television and a water cooling and heating system. The suites also extend to balconies, making your stay here extra special and refreshing. Truly, the Subic Holiday Villas has been created to cater to the needs of both business traveler and leisure-seeker.

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If your Asia tour includes a long stay in the Philippines, we suggest that you add in a visit to Ongpin or Chinatown, which is how most people call it as well, as part of your travel program, especially if you'll in Manila - the capital city of the country - for a while yet.


Ongpin or Chinatown may not be as popular as other places in the Philippines but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be part of your travel schedule. Not only is a visit to Ongpin guaranteed to be delightful in more ways than one, it also won't cost you much because prices in Ongpin are more affordable than what you'd find in other cities like Makati or even Quezon City.

Ongpin is also mainly a residential town so it's easier to tour the place rather than other cities, which would require you to take on huge buses and six-wheeler trucks just to cross the street.

Because Ongpin is not that big a town, the streets are mostly narrow, winding and filled with people. If you're planning to drive your own car to Ongpin, you might be forced then to park somewhere and walk for the rest of the time you'll be spending in Binondo. But that's not really much of a punishment - except for your feet, if you're wearing high heels! - because a lot of people really prefer to wander around Ongpin by foot.

Food Shopping

Fruits - Almost all kinds of fruits are sold in the streets of Ongpin and if you're feeling a bit adventurous, you could try out some of the exotic fruits being offered by street vendors such as the mangosteen or the huge apple-mango. Highly popular with the Filipino Chinese residents of Ongpin are rambutan, longgans, lanzones and chicos. When you get to Ongpin, be sure that you do try all those fruits and more since one can never get fat with fruits, anyway.

Delicacies - When you get to Ongpin, do be sure that you'll be able to make a pit stop at any of the Chinese food stores of Ongpin. One of the most popular stores of this type is Eng Bee Tin. There, you'll be able to find all sorts of Chinese delicacies that people back home would surely be delighted with.

Main Dishes - Tired after walking nonstop for an hour or so? If that's the case, we suggest that you try relaxing your feet on any of the restaurants located in Ongpin. Try out popular Chinese dishes and the exotic ones as well so your trip to Ongpin will be truly memorable.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/philippine-travel-ongpin-aka-chinatown-87248.html

About the Author:
Dan Eggers live in Dumaguete City in the Philippines, he is running a Dumaguete City website with a lively Dumaguete City Forum . the site and forum covers all of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.

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