tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303635022024-02-19T15:49:02.846+03:00Travel Moto PhilippinesWelcome to Travel Moto Philippines. Have a trip around the Philippines archipelago. Enjoy the beautiful beaches and majestic mountain. Share your travel experience.
Feel the warmth hospitality of the Filipino people. Experience and Taste the mouth watering food in Philippines. Thank you for your visit.Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-59686991960068148102012-01-29T06:56:00.000+03:002013-06-02T22:40:05.638+03:00PHL preps for New7Wonders inauguration of Puerto Princesa Underground River | Repost<a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/246084/news/nation/phl-preps-for-new7wonders-inauguration-of-puerto-princesa-underground-river?utm_source=GMANews&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=GMANewsFacebook">PHL preps for New7Wonders inauguration of Puerto Princesa Underground River | </a>Repost<br />
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"Preparations are underway for the official inauguration of the New7Wonders of Nature, which includes the Philippines’ Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in Palawan in the West Philippine Sea.<br />
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Bernard Weber, founder and president of New7Wonders, made the announcement in Manila where he met with Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, PPUR campaign director Nardz Villafranca and Jean-Paul de la Fuente, New7Wonders director.<br />
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“When your very own President Aquino came out in support of the PPUR campaign, I knew that this country was taking the New7Wonders of Nature seriously,” Weber said. "<br />
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<a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/246084/news/nation/phl-preps-for-new7wonders-inauguration-of-puerto-princesa-underground-river?utm_source=GMANews&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=GMANewsFacebook">Read Full story</a><br />
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Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-80707342604859381242009-09-07T14:10:00.003+03:002009-09-24T20:51:11.953+03:00Encounter With Whale Shark (Butanding) At Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Philippines<div style="text-align: center;">Encounter With Whale Shark (Butanding) At Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Philippines<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gimpaya">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gimpaya</a>]Andy Gimpaya</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Moments later it reappeared fleetingly 10 meters away still traveling with us. The soldier behind me said,"Ginagabayan tayo (It is guiding/protecting us)."<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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. [<a href="http://www.upibalon.com/">http://www.upibalon.com</a>]The UP Ibalon Web Community [<a href="http://www.upibalonbicol.com/">http://www.upibalonbicol.com</a>]UP Ibalon Bicol Blog<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gimpaya">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gimpaya</a> [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Encounter-With-Whale-Shark-%28Butanding%29-At-Pasacao,-Camarines-Sur,-Philippines&id=1497483">http://ezinearticles.com/?Encounter-With-Whale-Shark-(Butanding)-At-Pasacao,-Camarines-Sur,-Philippines&id=1497483 </a>]http://EzineArticles.com/?Encounter-With-Whale-Shark-(Butanding)-At-Pasacao,-Camarines-Sur,-Philippines&id=1497483<br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-78144596678786688292009-05-26T20:19:00.001+03:002009-05-26T20:22:49.497+03:00Cebu City - Queen City of the South<div style="text-align: center;">Cebu City - Queen City of the South<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant</a>]Peter Garant</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Geography<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Trade and Economy<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />History<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Sights<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Peter Garant is writing [<a href="http://www.cebuboard.com/">http://www.cebuboard.com/</a>]Cebu articles for his site about the [<a href="http://www.philippinesboard.com/">http://www.philippinesboard.com/</a>]Philippines.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant%20http://EzineArticles.com/?Cebu-City---Queen-City-of-the-South&id=1596889">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant http://EzineArticles.com/?Cebu-City---Queen-City-of-the-South&id=1596889</a><br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-67577612016480052492009-04-03T20:07:00.002+03:002009-04-10T18:37:44.979+03:00Go Dancing Each Day The Panglao Way<div style="text-align: center;">Go Dancing Each Day The Panglao Way<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jysmon_Sean">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jysmon_Sean</a>]Jysmon Sean<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhek89lIdO5O1-Qs1TXciJ3wx7HbjN-eQL0vVyuGCLNpsXvOGG-KBjkGqr4Qr_QW5-YZNI3z3Hw22w2edIHggb2VZ7lnz4pb6SphJjAelyD2m7XbOzdWLSp4AJa7FjjeCNv3iCg/s1600-h/Bohol+Panglao.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhek89lIdO5O1-Qs1TXciJ3wx7HbjN-eQL0vVyuGCLNpsXvOGG-KBjkGqr4Qr_QW5-YZNI3z3Hw22w2edIHggb2VZ7lnz4pb6SphJjAelyD2m7XbOzdWLSp4AJa7FjjeCNv3iCg/s200/Bohol+Panglao.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323087139905190290" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingratt82/" title="Link to kingratt82's photostream"><b property="foaf:name">kingratt82</b></a></span></div><br />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.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!’<br /><br />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. [<a href="http://www.philippinewide.com/">http://www.philippinewide.com</a>/]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, [<a href="http://www.philippinewide.com/search_result.php?prov=3&cat=">http://www.philippinewide.com/search_result.php?prov=3&cat=</a>]Boracay, [<a href="http://www.philippinewide.com/search_result.php?prov=1&cat=">http://www.philippinewide.com/search_result.php?prov=1&cat=</a>]Cebu and other destinations in the country.<br /><br />Article Source:<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jysmon_Sean%20http://EzineArticles.com/?Go-Dancing-Each-Day-The-Panglao-Way&id=433894"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jysmon_Sean http://EzineArticles.com/?Go-Dancing-Each-Day-The-Panglao-Way&id=433894</a><br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-36948737092279048732009-04-03T19:18:00.001+03:002009-04-03T20:01:15.381+03:00Doljo Beach in Bohol Philippines<div style="text-align: center;">Doljo Beach in Bohol Philippines<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant]Peter Garant</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs1HpbBmwzDeRlkmRRN4oPZTlMT4xRF7V-9OkzQaxDRkUnvioZOCvhBd9G4WllbrduXqWuoYdk0sdSNeD_-Ep3a7fY02w2MD6r_ubuqA8eRg_M396Fc3cpro97ClQpPNCaOWslA/s1600-h/bohol+dojlo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs1HpbBmwzDeRlkmRRN4oPZTlMT4xRF7V-9OkzQaxDRkUnvioZOCvhBd9G4WllbrduXqWuoYdk0sdSNeD_-Ep3a7fY02w2MD6r_ubuqA8eRg_M396Fc3cpro97ClQpPNCaOWslA/s200/bohol+dojlo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320509822477110258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27239875@N00/" title="Link to whitetip's photostream"><b property="foaf:name">whitetip</b></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bohol </span>is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines today. In going to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bohol </span>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.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Doljo beach</span> is a beach located on the island of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Panglao</span>. 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. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Doljo </span>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.<br /><br />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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Doljo </span>beach is one of the main attractions of the island.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Peter Garant is writing [<a href="http://www.boholboard.com/">http://www.boholboard.com/</a>]Bohol Travel articles about [<a href="http://www.boholboard.com/bohol-beaches.php">http://www.boholboard.com/bohol-beaches.php</a>]Bohol beaches and other attractions around the island.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant%20http://EzineArticles.com/?Doljo-Beach-in-Bohol-Philippines&id=1513445">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant http://EzineArticles.com/?Doljo-Beach-in-Bohol-Philippines&id=1513445</a><br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-71455393412886495932009-03-24T17:43:00.001+03:002009-03-24T17:45:29.135+03:00Philippines Travel Guide; Getting to Know Dipolog CityPhilippines Travel Guide; Getting to Know Dipolog City<br /><br />Author: Peter Garant<br /><br />The economic boom in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dipolog </span>can be gleamed from the fact that the latest statistics show it is the richest city in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zamboanga</span>, 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. <br /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/philippines-travel-guide-getting-to-know-dipolog-city-631588.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/philippines-travel-guide-getting-to-know-dipolog-city-631588.html</a><br /><br />About the Author:<br />Peter Garant is writing Dipolog articles for his site about the Philippines .<br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-69847573897726123322009-03-06T13:39:00.002+03:002009-03-06T13:45:56.699+03:00Dumaguete Philippines - A Must See Place<div style="text-align: center;">Dumaguete Philippines - A Must See Place<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant</a>]Peter Garant<br /></div><br />The people here are called <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumagueteños </span>popularly known for their hospitality and friendship and well gentleness. Dumaguete City is then considered 'a city of gentle people'.The term <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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?<br /><br />The economic status of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete</span>.<br /><br />The city is also a tourist attraction, and the upsurge of tourists flood <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete</span>, 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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.<br /><br />So basically <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dumaguete </span>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.<br /><br />Peter Garant is writing Philippines Travel Articles for both [<a href="http://www.dumagueteinfo.com">http://www.dumagueteinfo.com</a>/]Dumaguete Info and [<a href="http://www.dumagueteboard.com">http://www.dumagueteboard.com</a>/]Dumaguete Board.<br /><br />Article Source:<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant%20http://EzineArticles.com/?Dumaguete-Philippines---A-Must-See-Place&id=1592940"> http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant http://EzineArticles.com/?Dumaguete-Philippines---A-Must-See-Place&id=1592940</a><br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-13220574741769911202009-02-28T19:44:00.002+03:002009-02-28T19:54:32.349+03:00The Good Life is Now Within Reach at Subic Holiday Villas<div style="text-align: center;">The Good Life is Now Within Reach at Subic Holiday Villas<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Author: ManLuz<br /></div><br />Experience the zenith of urban living within a modern provincial area like that of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Olongapo </span>City. Located in the heart of Olongapo City is<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Subic Bay</span>, 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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Subic </span>Holiday Villas is situated.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsyPykX7cLkFIhsgJgGB5qPs_JslaW1gwsUnJCPX4Ua7zexGWYVaUqS0H76vmh7GdF_YwVmg4SrkzTcyJKFYQ_9W_fA73cKRl9iab9iSHdPHnG8gh8EDvCzBixvX5TgwJc7B9jw/s1600-h/subic+villas+01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsyPykX7cLkFIhsgJgGB5qPs_JslaW1gwsUnJCPX4Ua7zexGWYVaUqS0H76vmh7GdF_YwVmg4SrkzTcyJKFYQ_9W_fA73cKRl9iab9iSHdPHnG8gh8EDvCzBixvX5TgwJc7B9jw/s200/subic+villas+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307891164770591202" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24422173@N06/" title="Link to kim villacrusis' photostream"><b>kim villacrusis</b></a></span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br />Free from the irksome ills of city life like noise and air pollution, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Subic </span>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.<br /><br /><br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Subic </span>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 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Subic </span>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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br />For inquiries and reservations, visit their website at http://www.subicholidayvillas-sbma.com/.<br /><br />Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/the-good-life-is-now-within-reach-at-subic-holiday-villas-201587.html<br /><br />About the Author:<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-83914612817426435072009-02-17T20:20:00.001+03:002009-02-17T20:33:53.212+03:00Philippine Travel: Ongpin Aka Chinatown<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Philippine Travel: Ongpin Aka Chinatown</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Dan Eggers<br /></div><br />If your Asia tour includes a long stay in the Philippines, we suggest that you add in a visit to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ongpin </span>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.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRpLgvx9D-I34Rp6jezaqTyDWjtqeYZ8uGntUK_Cox9dIqC_P8KhjuveOfaodCCjlIW4bV1_kxwlQKoUjYxisn_O1BA7f9hOYBmDJbQfES0qur9MdGJzRvfwUPCwsT9ieMD-zkA/s1600-h/ongpin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRpLgvx9D-I34Rp6jezaqTyDWjtqeYZ8uGntUK_Cox9dIqC_P8KhjuveOfaodCCjlIW4bV1_kxwlQKoUjYxisn_O1BA7f9hOYBmDJbQfES0qur9MdGJzRvfwUPCwsT9ieMD-zkA/s200/ongpin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303818976993441922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sildjune/" title="Link to sildjune's photostream"><b>sildjune</b></a></span></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ongpin </span>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Food Shopping<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Article Source:<a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/philippine-travel-ongpin-aka-chinatown-87248.html"> http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/philippine-travel-ongpin-aka-chinatown-87248.html<br /></a><br />About the Author:<br />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.<br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-14851789114503037482009-01-30T19:22:00.002+03:002009-01-30T19:37:20.724+03:00The Legend and History of Bataan Philippines<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Legend and History of Bataan Philippines</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Author: Sai Vallejos</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>peninsula is located southwards from the western shores of central Luzon, forming the enclosed and well-sheltered Manila Bay to the east that is nearly cut off from the open China Sea in the west. The narrow outlet separates the peninsula from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Corregidor </span>Island and Cavite to the south.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNqm7lHg7w-Z5umQ7gRSTncf_S6mKyPGkOpzJLjpV9pspDH_ZtdsPb6nrIvrxPEY7uoKDzNfkuTSFMf1n6CRcYhZ6sJybZ-QKWKOEN644GGmS623kSLRnCyxbywIG3tgZMFQtHA/s1600-h/Bataan++Corregidor.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNqm7lHg7w-Z5umQ7gRSTncf_S6mKyPGkOpzJLjpV9pspDH_ZtdsPb6nrIvrxPEY7uoKDzNfkuTSFMf1n6CRcYhZ6sJybZ-QKWKOEN644GGmS623kSLRnCyxbywIG3tgZMFQtHA/s200/Bataan++Corregidor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297126132198198594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riacale/" title="Link to riacale's photostream"><b>riacale</b></a></span></div><span class="fullpost"><br />The provinces of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zambales </span>and Pampanga form common boundaries to the north. About 80% of Bataan is mountainous or hilly with Mount Mariveles and Mount Natib dominating the interior. Most of the agricultural portion of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>is in the north and east.<br /><br />The province experiences two pronounced seasons; dry from November until April and the wet from May to October. During World War II it was the scene of heavy fighting between Allied and Japanese forces from January 6, 1942, to April 9, 1942. Bataan fell to Japan on April 9 and was retaken by an American force on February 17, 1945.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HISTORY </span><br /><br />Several villages in the coastal plains of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>were already thriving communities when Spanish missionaries found them in the 1570s. Bataan, then known as Vatan, was part of the vast Capampangan Empire that included what now are the provinces of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and some portions of Bulacan, Zambales and Pangasinan, These coastal villages were inhabited by natives who were predominantly fishermen, farmers and craftsmen. Meanwhile, the hillsides were inhabited by nomadic Aeta tribes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>was established in 1754 by Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia. Before this, the region was divided into two parts: the Corregimiento of Mariveles and the Province of Pampanga. The towns of Mariveles, Bagac, Morong and Maragondon, Cavite comprised the Corregimiento of Mariveles that was under the jurisdiction of the Recollect Order of the Roman Catholic Church. The province of Pampanga included the towns of Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Orani, Llana Hermosa and San Juan de Dinalupihan. The latter group was under the charge of the Dominican Order. Limay, the twelfth town of Bataan, was named only in 1917.<br /><br />Long before the outbreak of Word War II, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>already earned herself a secure place in the history of the Philippines. The prince of Filipino printers, Tomas Pinpin, a native of Abucay, who either authored or co-authored some of the oldest books in the Philippines and printed them himself between 1610 to 1639 in the printing press located inside the Abucay Catholic Church. In 1647, the plundering Dutch Naval forces were resisted in Bataan, the defenders ultimately chose the glory of death to the ignominy of surrender.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>was among the first provinces to rise in revolt against Spanish tyranny. Two of her sons, Pablo Tecson and Tomas del Rosario, figured prominently in the Malolos Convention in 1898, and were instrumental in ensuring that the Filipinos enjoyed religious freedom. Cayetano Arellano of Orion became the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Revolutionary Government, and later on became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.<br /><br />When the Pacific War broke out in 1941, the selection of the peninsula as the locale of the last defensive stand by the USAFFE against the invading Japanese forces brought fame and infamy to Bataan. The loss of life and property cannot be estimated. Bataan then became the symbol of valor and tenacity in its hopeless stand against the much superior invading Japanese Imperial Forces. Today, a national landmark called the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) stands majestically on top of the Mt. Samat in Pilar as testimony to the gallantry and sacrifices of the men and women who with their blood, tears, and sweat made the grounds of Bataan hallow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CULTURE </span><br /><br />Most of the 424,000 people living in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>are Tagalogs. Kapampangans comprise a significant minority of less than 10% and are concentrated in the municipalities adjoining the province of Pampanga. Recent rapid industrialization has lured thousands of people from other provinces to settle within Bataan.<br /><br />The province of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bataan </span>has always been linked closely to the culture and economy of Manila. Much of what the province produces is exported to Manila. The primary traditional industry of Bataan is fishing. It is the home of thousands of fishermen whose industry has spawned a unique craft of net and fishtrap making. Nets produced in Bataan take on various forms and shapes like the panli, kalukutok, pambonot, pansiliw, panitig, mananacag hipon, panglusong, hila-hila, kitang, pangapak, bintol, salambaw, dala, bating, pangalabaw and the gulgureta.<br /><br />Each net type responds to various needs and uses. There are also various fishtraps like the saluhin, paclang, aguila, panghipon and pangalalo.<br />The province exports the excess of its fish catch and the town of Orion is famous for its tuyo (dried fish). Orani used to have large tracts of nipa groves, which used to produce a native beverage called tuba. Tuba is still produced but in smaller quantities and primarily for local consumption.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">POINTS OF INTEREST </span><br /><br />First Line of Defense Marker (Dinalupihan) - Marks the first strong line of defense of combined Phil. and USAFFE troops against the Japanese invasion during World War II.<br /><br />Fall of Bataan Marker (Balanga) - This commemorates the fall of Bataan, in memory of war veterans, living and dead. The marker symbolizes the courage and the enduring commitment of a Filipino soldier to his country.<br /><br />Surrender Site Marker (Balanga) - Marks the spot where the grim surrender of Bataan and Corregidor was signed by Maj. Gen. Edward King Jr., on April 9, 1942. Surrender marker can be found within the compound of Balanga Elementary School.<br /><br />Democracy Marker - Situated at the provincial boundary between Pampanga and Bataan which depicts the role of Bataan in the fight for freedom for the preservation of democracy.<br /><br />Death March Marker (Orani) - The folk arts statue commemorating the defiant spirit of Bataan, where Death march marches passed on their way to the prison camp.<br /><br />Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) Pilar - Natural shrine atop Mt. Samat which immortalizes the agony of the Filipino and Americans against the forces of aggression and articulates the Commitment of the Filipino people to freedom and dignity.<br /><br />Tomas Pinpin Monument - In memory of first Filipino printer. It was in Abucay church where Tomas Pinpin co-authored and printed the earliest books in the country with Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1610<br /><br />Mt. Samat - Was the scene of the most heroic defensive battle during World War II.<br /><br />First Abucay Catholic Church - On this site a fierce battle between the Dutch and the natives together with defenders took place in June 23, 1647. The church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It housed the first printing press in the country which outdated any single press in the US<br /><br />Mt. Malasimbo - A cinica-shaped mountain cinsidered as a weather forcasting device predicting a coming typhoon when its summit is covered with dark clouds.<br /><br />The Main Battle Position (Abucay Town) - The battle possition of the USAFFE, known officially as the Abucay -Morong Line, under the War Plan Orange 3. The then second Lieutenant Alexander R. Miniger, Jr., 57th Infantry (PS) Gainsville, Georgia was posthumously decorated the Congressional Medal for an action on this line 12 January 1942, and became the first America's highest military decoration.<br /><br />Abucay Municipal Building - A historic relic of one of the largest town of Bataan.<br /><br />Bankal Settlement -A newly created barangay where the Actas still maintain their traditional customs and usages in accordance with our cultural heritage.<br /><br />Battle of Toul Pocket Marker (Bagac) - Marks the significant pockers where a battle ensued as a prelude to the final defense in Bataan. The series of fights to eliminate the Japanese forces known as the Battle of Pockets fought from Jan 27 to Feb. 17.<br /><br />Sibul Spring - A tourist potential with sulfuric swimming pool and wide area for outdoor recreation.<br /><br />Pasukulan Falls - A natural wonder at the valley of Mt. Natib which has fresh vegetation and unexplored area.<br /><br />Bagak Town - Zero Kilometer Marker. The start of the infamous Death March that also marks the beginning of Japanese control over the nation.<br /><br />Maria Canon Statue - This tower was erected for the repose of many dead souls in the Philippines during World War 2 by the Mie-ken Daiichi Shueesec of the Japanese Sohtohshuh Spot, September 1978.<br /><br />Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower - This symbolizes that after a war, there is a period of reconciliation, peace and friendship.<br /><br />Kaytibong Falls - This natural waterfalls remains to be developed.<br /><br />Roosevelt National Park - A forest reservation ideal for outdoor adventures and Boy Scout Camporal area with facilities for irrigation and game hunting.<br /><br />Catholic Church Belfry - This was used as a site for Japanese artillery bombardment of Mt. Samat where both Filipino and American Forces gave their last stand.<br /><br />Lamao World War II Marker - World War II exempted almost no place in the province that this town overlooking Manila Bay and Corregidor deserves a marker.<br /><br />Alangan River - In Bataan every place is a place to go. No small creek or river is without a tint of history and of practical value.<br /><br />BEPZA - The Bataan export Processing Zone Authority is the site of many foreign based factories and companies producing items ranging from dolls to automobiles for export.<br /><br />Flaming Sword - A symbol of the Filipino courage and gallantry in the face of external threats to the nation's democracy and peace<br /><br />Final Battle Site Marker - To remember the coutage and heroism of Bataan defenders amidst hunger, sickness and death.<br /><br />Battle of Trail 2 (Capot Hill) - A point where several men died in defense of freedom and democracy.<br /><br />Dunsulan Falls - Ideal site for pocnics and inland swimming.<br /><br />U.N. Refuge Center - Located in Morong Town. A temporary resettlement area and processing center for Indo-Chinese refugees migrating to European, American and Facific countries.<br /><br />Nuclear Power Plant - The country's first controversial commercial nuclear power plant with a capacity of 620 megawatts.<br /><br />Cayetano Arellano Marker - Located on Orion Town. This marks Orion, as the birthplace of the first Filipino Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.<br /><br />Francisco Balagtas Monument - In honor of the great Filipino poet and patriot, this monument was erected.<br /><br />Sitio Diwa - A full-pledged barangay but a glorious example of a small village which answered the call for the united defense against foreign aggressors. (From Tambayanet)<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-legend-and-history-of-bataan-philippines-602389.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-legend-and-history-of-bataan-philippines-602389.html</a><br /><br />About the Author:<br />Did you find this article about Bataan Philippines useful? If you want to know more about places to get Philippines vacations , please visit <a href="http://www.kingtvl.com.ph/">http://www.kingtvl.com.ph</a><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-73607826634979781172008-11-24T06:42:00.004+03:002008-11-24T23:29:14.744+03:00Room for One More – Riding the Philippine's Jeepneys<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Room for One More – Riding the Philippine's Jeepneys</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Henry_Bateman">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Henry_Bateman</a>]Henry Bateman</span><br /></div><br />The Philippines is renowned for its multi-coloured, highly decorated <span style="font-weight: bold;">jeepneys</span>. But after about 10 minutes in the country, you realize that these are the exception. Officially referred to as PUJs, the majority are drab utilitarian vehicles with route details as their major decoration and more often than not belching black smoke.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx61Q7La9dGPEZlG3uMPMVk8m77CYrJL89k5_RF8W-_MeTokRwj1VQ7AWlPxdTqj9JYB7lfRO1olxev_Xms1b1EjqKz56gRq-MFXq39iGhvfaFXi4r4R3KPsyMPM2bQl2h1lhdA/s1600-h/jeepney+5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx61Q7La9dGPEZlG3uMPMVk8m77CYrJL89k5_RF8W-_MeTokRwj1VQ7AWlPxdTqj9JYB7lfRO1olxev_Xms1b1EjqKz56gRq-MFXq39iGhvfaFXi4r4R3KPsyMPM2bQl2h1lhdA/s320/jeepney+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272315854566209586" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nguyen_ngoc_chinh/" title="Link to Nguyen Ngoc Chinh's photostream"><b>Nguyen Ngoc Chinh</b></a></span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br />That being said, they are the back bone of the public transport system as they career down major thoroughfares and side streets playing tag with each other. The first jeep gets the passengers.<br /></span><br /><span class="fullpost">Holding on average up to 20 passengers, 2 up front next to the driver and 18 in the back seated on benches running down the sides. It is not uncommon to see an extra body on the outside hanging onto the back waiting for someone to alight so they can move inside, although these passengers do tend to be young and male<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost">.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2mAovgHxeE3_ZSjyB04o-X6HmNiZzvVE1bJlupleZ3dP6SY6hkZyObfuiALScmjYsbH7hEXqTgQcLykOiGQ6TnoHZcDZPHpKn6MWqsJdKy-YJoFbS7qCLOXeNjkclxWn8A8-1Q/s1600-h/jeepney+6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2mAovgHxeE3_ZSjyB04o-X6HmNiZzvVE1bJlupleZ3dP6SY6hkZyObfuiALScmjYsbH7hEXqTgQcLykOiGQ6TnoHZcDZPHpKn6MWqsJdKy-YJoFbS7qCLOXeNjkclxWn8A8-1Q/s320/jeepney+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272321847792772866" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">image by by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16173303@N04/" title="Link to nigel_xf's photostream"><b>nigel_xf</b></a></span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jeeps </span>stop and start at their passenger’s whim, apart from their start points, where they will sit until they have a full load. There are no designated stops, to get off you shout “para” or knock on the roof or both. To hail a jeep, you need to attract the driver’s attention.<br /><br />This is easier than one might expect considering the traffic, which in Manila, like all big cities, is chaotic. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jeepney </span>drivers drive with one eye on the traffic and the other searching for customers. Make eye contact and nod or stretch out your arm, palm down and close your fingers and your ride will stop. With luck it will have pulled over to the side of the road, if not thread your way through the traffic and climb aboard.<br /><br />Watch your head! You will be shuffling along inside the jeep bent at right angles to a vacant bit of bench and it’s a good idea to hang onto the hand rail on the roof. If there is a gap in the traffic before you’ve found your bit of bench, the driver will be heading for it. Also be aware of your fellow passenger’s toes, if you inadvertently do step on someone’s toes a smile and saying “ay sorry” should avert any serious recriminations.<br /><br />The standard bayad (fare) for a jeepney is 7.5 pesos (AU$0.20) although if you are going for a long ride, more than 4.5 kms, expect to pay an extra 50 centavos (AU$0.01) per kilometer. Pass your money down the jeep saying “bayad” along with a recognizable land mark near your destination. Your fellow passengers will pass the money to the driver whose hand will appear above his shoulder to accept it. Like wise your change will be passed back the same way.<br /><br />Now, not only is your driver negotiating Manila traffic, scanning for customers, he is also making change. The majority of jeepney drivers are very competent if somewhat erratic. I have often marveled at their ability to take their vehicles into spaces I was pretty sure they wouldn’t fit and to do so at speed.<br /><br />If your Tagalog isn’t up to counting, hand signals will suffice for the number of fares you want. Index finger for one; V symbol for two; middle, ring and little fingers for three; four fingers for four and add a thumb for five.<br /><br />A sense of geography is handy but not a pre-requisite as jeepneys traverse a pretty much pre-determined route and as long as you know where you have come from you can catch one going back the way you came. There are literally dozens of them passing any given point most hours of the day. Ok, between 1 am and 5 am they do become a bit thin on the ground. That is when taxis come into their own, assuming of course that the driver wants to go where you do.<br /><br />Jeepneys are a great way to explore the Philippines and get a sense of the place from the local’s perspective. They are the preferred means of local transport for the majority of the population and there is always room for one more, if not in this one, then in the one behind it.<br /><br />Henry Bateman is an Australian expat living in the Philippines, his musings about life there can be seen on his blog [<a href="http://auspat.blogspot.com/">http://auspat.blogspot.com</a>]The Expat.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Henry_Bateman%20http://EzineArticles.com/?Room-for-One-More---Riding-the-Philippines-Jeepneys&id=148078">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_Bateman http://EzineArticles.com/?Room-for-One-More---Riding-the-Philippines-Jeepneys&id=148078</a><br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-84765826309099989052008-11-17T15:37:00.005+03:002008-11-17T16:10:32.939+03:00The Beautiful City of Baguio Philippines<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Beautiful City of Baguio Philippines</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Author: Sai Vallejos</span><br /></div><br />One of the cleanest and greenest cities in the country, Baguio is made for sightseeing. And for strolls and boat rides and gentle trots around the park. And for golf. Kennon Road, completed in 1905, opened Baguio to tourism.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFbfpecSEGeVp651f6pI3e_ljGdF4xTq53UiqzaD-Q25oAO6Sv2VB7rZg_ttrDBG1Becnr_qft6E3FX5Wh9n1dXiHH2iDvb8xd4-NYkGsf06BtduzPmHS77jpu990BGAfPxYRg/s1600-h/Baguio+Kannon+Rd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFbfpecSEGeVp651f6pI3e_ljGdF4xTq53UiqzaD-Q25oAO6Sv2VB7rZg_ttrDBG1Becnr_qft6E3FX5Wh9n1dXiHH2iDvb8xd4-NYkGsf06BtduzPmHS77jpu990BGAfPxYRg/s320/Baguio+Kannon+Rd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269612532183353858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Kannon Rd Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixeleden/" title="Link to Allan Reyes' photostream"><b>Allan Reyes</b></a></span><br /></div><br /><span class="fullpost">The zigzagging path previews the scenic highlights of the city. Along the 32-kilometer highway are the Bridal Veil and Colorado waterfalls. Synonymous with Baguio is Burnham Park. Located in the heart of the city, the park's features include a man-made lagoon ideal for boat rides, a skating rink, an athletic field and stadium, basketball and tennis courts, a biking zone, tree-and-flower lined promenades, and a plant market.<br /></span><br /><span class="fullpost">A popular golfing destination, the city takes pride in its Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay. What used to be the rest-and-recreation base of American military personnel, the Camp is being transformed into a world-class resort and is also Baguio's biggest pine tree conservation area. Its newly refurbished 18-hole golf course rivals that of the Country Club which has pretty garden-patched cottages surrounding its fairways.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUnG0Vj6QSWjQiq_VkzVum0nvJr787FpW9TrYRgwJ3sR78mSq4UuF8RiCSLBFNIAqY1EtopY2h7TtVd0ZPNcGEFvIY0pzFfH67qw4fLoc48kLzSUZwwbcQYfvBvQqfga4MTInXg/s1600-h/Baguio+Mansion+House.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUnG0Vj6QSWjQiq_VkzVum0nvJr787FpW9TrYRgwJ3sR78mSq4UuF8RiCSLBFNIAqY1EtopY2h7TtVd0ZPNcGEFvIY0pzFfH67qw4fLoc48kLzSUZwwbcQYfvBvQqfga4MTInXg/s320/Baguio+Mansion+House.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269610932273946914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Mansion House Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/imnas/" title="Link to i m n a s' photostream"><b>i m n a s</b></a></span><br /><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Ornate iron gates open to the Mansion House, the official summer residence of Philippine presidents. It offers tourists with great photo opportunities with its rectangular reflecting pool along a tree-lined walkway. It also houses a museum of presidential memorabilia. Near the Mansion House is Wright Park where neophyte riders can trot around an oval track guided by trainers who lead horses with a hand-held leash. At the Mines View Park, tourists can have a panoramic view of the old mines of Benguet. At the park entrance is a flea market for souvenir items.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hs640HP7xt8wFwg06abYMr-PNharqxbU5PN8_4W2o_RwSkhdPSRVflgDrWr2y_O_McUpgVhiB1WrzZBhfaI5faLEzM051U1r8P_AEqrQUUdOag1Cg9oQFrd-qvzai4rnF8WxCg/s1600-h/Mines+view+Baguio.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hs640HP7xt8wFwg06abYMr-PNharqxbU5PN8_4W2o_RwSkhdPSRVflgDrWr2y_O_McUpgVhiB1WrzZBhfaI5faLEzM051U1r8P_AEqrQUUdOag1Cg9oQFrd-qvzai4rnF8WxCg/s320/Mines+view+Baguio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269607167301539922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawin/" title="Link to M. Dawin Caballar's photostream"><b>M. Dawin Caballar</b></a> (Mines View)<br /></span><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Sitting on top of a hill in Upper Session Road is the twin-spire Baguio Cathedral, a city landmark. Another pilgrimage site is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes which sits on top of Dominican Hill. Devotees prefer to climb the 252-step ascent than drive through a winding road to reach the shrine. Bell Church holds a religious service of mixed Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian dogmas but tourists come here to have their fortunes told.<br /><br />Located on an elevated pine-forested ground is the Philippine Military Academy, the country's foremost military learning institution. Its Saturday morning Parade in Review by cadets in full regalia never fails to attract visitors. Also within campus is a Military Museum. A cultural haven established by noted Baguio artist BenCab, Tam-awan Village recreates a typical ethnic village in the Cordilleras with authentic tribal homes uprooted from their original locations and re-set on similar terrain. There is also an art gallery-cum-coffee shop.<br /><br />It has been said that there is only one kind of lucrative business in Baguio, and that is dining. This, of course, is overly exaggerated but then who can question this wisdom with the proliferation of food places offering all kinds of eats in this tiny city!<br /><br />Star Cafe along Lower Session Road is noted for its excellent breads and pies and fine Chinese cuisine while the adjoining Dainty Restaurant has the best coffee in town and good noodles, too. For really great old-fashioned breakfasts, check out Casa Vallejo at the Upper Session Road. New Bonuan at the Happy Glen Loop, Jade Restaurant along Marcos Highway and Barrio Fiesta at the Upper Session Road are where you can partake of home-cooked native cooking.<br /><br />Kalapaw Restaurant in Chuntug Street specializes in grilled squids and tuna jaws. Inn Rocio in Kisad Road dishes out Continental food, Mario's Restaurant in Upper Session Road has good steaks, great Caesar's Salad, and decadent cakes. And the artsy Cafe by the Ruins in Chuntug Street serves eclectic, seasonal dishes.<br /><br />At the Hotel Monticello in Kennon Road, Hakuun Sanso Restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine while 50's Diner specializes in traditional American staples. Rose Bowl Steak House and Restaurant in Harrison Road offers an international fare of Chinese, American and Filipino dishes. The local food chain Don Henrico's has its beginnings at the Upper Session Road and serves yummy pastas and pizzas. (Source: The Philippine Department of Tourism)<br /><br />Article Source:<a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-beautiful-city-of-baguio-philippines-592825.html"> http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-beautiful-city-of-baguio-philippines-592825.html<br /></a><br />About the Author:<br />Did you find this article about Baguio Philippines useful? If you want to know more about places to get Philippines vacations , please visit <a href="http://www.kingtvl.com.ph">http://www.kingtvl.com.ph</a><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-38437828042269551702008-11-13T14:55:00.004+03:002008-11-13T15:13:38.921+03:00Overview of Medical Tourism Philippines: Cosmetic Plastic Surgery<div style="text-align: center;">Overview of Medical Tourism Philippines: Cosmetic Plastic Surgery<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">By: edwin paul magallona | Posted: 29-04-2008<br />By: Edwin Paul Magallona, MD</span><br /><br /></div>Cosmetic surgery has been on an upward trend worldwide especially with the constant and continuous development of surgical and non surgical techniques in recent years... from laser resurfacings to thread lifts...from endoscopic lift surgeries to minimally invasive rejuvenating techniques...<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Unfortunately these relatively new and popular elective procedures together with the traditional and effective surgeries are not always accessible and affordable even to those living in developed countries as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, countries in Europe and parts of Asia. Medical and health services there in general have always been expensive. Cost of course has always been a significant factor and important consideration among many other things for the potential patient...it is after all something universal...<br /><br />The good news though is that certain select countries such as Mexico, Brazil, India, Singapore,<br />Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines just to name a few, have taken notice and have taken advantage of this dilemma by offering these surgeries at very affordable rates to interested patients outside their territories. The significant price differential between medical and surgical costs between these developed countries and the Philippines in particular have made patients abroad take a second look at this attractive option. Who won’t be amazed with getting a surgery package cost of about a third to a quarter of the price found in most developed countries with just the same results?<br /><br />Medical tourism in the Philippines has actually been silently ongoing for decades now however it has only been recently wherein the Department of Tourism has actually emphasized and strongly encouraged the Medical profession to join the band wagon. In Asia, Thailand still leads the way in organized and systematic channeling of medical tourism services particularly in cosmetic plastic surgery. The Philippines is rapidly catching up though and is steadily getting a bigger share of the pie.<br /><br />In 2006, the Department of Health in cooperation with the Department of Tourism came up with the Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP) which is a multisectoral program with the ultimate goal of making the Philippines the leading and foremost destination for wellness and medical care in Asia.<br /><br />Aggressive local and overseas promotion and an improving tourism infrastructure is a priority of the Philippine government and has brought a significant boost in medical tourism in the country. Initially driven and encouraged by very competitive rates and costs of surgery in this part of the world, patients are now flying in with the desire of having surgery and rejuvenation with the added bonus of seeing and experiencing the best places these islands can offer.<br /><br />Tagaytay, Batangas, Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, and Davao are just some of the more popular tourist destinations which have caught the eye of our foreign visitors and “balikbayans”.<br />However, sometimes unknowingly, providing much leverage in the development of this relatively newindustry is actually and simply the inherent qualities of being a Filipino. The Filipino physician and support staff are typically compassionate, caring, friendly and ospitable. This not only helps in making a foreign patient comfortable and relaxed but also eventually makes his trip and surgery a very pleasant experience.<br /><br />Aside from being generally fluent in the English language, the Filipino medical work force is competitive and of high standards as compared to their Asian neighbors. Therefore when patients coming from abroad do decide to have elective cosmetic plastic surgeries here in the country, more often than not they get excellent value for their money. Medical and surgical expertise, world class facilities and island destinations, mastery of English, and the typical Filipino, all contribute to the Philippines rise to global competitiveness in medical tourism. Simply put and everything said nothing beats a combined quality and affordable surgery in the setting of a tropical paradise for leisure and recuperation.<br /><br />About the Author:<br />Dr. Edwin Paul Magallona is a board certified plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon based in Metro Manila, Philippines. Services offered and commonly sought for are liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty. The Philippines is a leading country in Asia actively involved in global medical tourism providing and offering very affordable surgeries yet of world class quality services and facilities, not to mention numerous world renowned island destinations.<br /><br />For more plastic surgery information you may visit: My Website Contact details are the following: Emailedwinmagallona@yahoo.com.ph<br />Mobile no-+639175006695 Clinic landline- (+632)5315692,<br />(+632)5315012<br />Clinic Address: Managed Care Clinics, Summit Tower, 530 Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong,<br />Metro Manila, Philippines<br /><br />Printed From: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/overview-of-medical-tourismphilippines-cosmetic-plastic-surgery-399567.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/overview-of-medical-tourismphilippines-cosmetic-plastic-surgery-399567.html</a><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-32326283191670846512008-11-10T21:05:00.004+03:002008-11-10T21:21:18.544+03:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Taal Volcano - Visiting a Unique Island Volcano</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera</a>]Luvi Marie Corcuera<br /></span></div><br />On the largest island of the Philippines, Luzon rises the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taal Volcano,</span> an active volcano located in San Nicolas and Talisay in Batangas. Consisting of an island in Lake Taal situated inside a caldera that was previously formed by an enormous eruption, the island volcano is about 50km from the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWxn-SmcncPElGtnMylQiXFxcNdKzIMY7XUlls8uKMFeQXyMp3sieHD3_9MgtKKB0aBQOO1VVwWnMCpesI0JKI2RpHrrYdgU-1RzUYlaNL8js21X6VNpq-Oe_JEErH3VmX_Al5g/s1600-h/taal+volcano.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWxn-SmcncPElGtnMylQiXFxcNdKzIMY7XUlls8uKMFeQXyMp3sieHD3_9MgtKKB0aBQOO1VVwWnMCpesI0JKI2RpHrrYdgU-1RzUYlaNL8js21X6VNpq-Oe_JEErH3VmX_Al5g/s320/taal+volcano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267095327629723586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tmedina/" title="Link to Tony Medina's photostream"><b>Tony Medina</b></a></span><br /><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Taal Volcano</span> has been erupting a large number of times and several of those times violently. These eruptions have caused loss of life and property in the vicinity with a considerable death toll estimated to be approximately 5000-6000 casualties. Despite the alarming numbers, it is considered to be an great place to visit when it is calm and in it's less active state due to the elements that make this island quite unique.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Geological Information</span><br /><br />The Lake Taal being located in in the Philippines, forms part of a chain of volcanos the lie along the western side of Luzon island. These volcanoes created by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt are now either active or dormant in nature. The Lake of Taal which houses the volcano lies inside a 25 to 30km caldera which was formed by four violent and high intensity eruptions anywhere approximately 500,000 to 100,000 years ago.<br /><br />Ever since the caldera's formation, subsequent eruptions eventually created one more volcanic island inside the caldera. This island is known as Volcanic Island and has an area of about 23 square kilometers that consist of craters and overlapping cones. So far 47 different craters and cones have been identified to be on the island.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Crater and the Inner Island</span><br /><br />Volcano Island already a volcanic island also contains a lake which is about 2km across on it is largest axis, this lake is called Crater Lake. Crater Lake a calm and serene warm body of water has inside it yet another volcanic island, and this is called Volcanic Point. This specific volcanic island is known to be the world's biggest island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island<br /><br />These elements of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taal Volcano </span>makes it a unique place to visit when it is not on it's most active state. There have been 33 recorded eruptions since 1572, now it lies in a dormant state and has been so since 1977 although the volcano has been showing signs of unrest since 1991. This has been evident with relatively strong seismic activity, ground fracturing events, and the formation of small mud geysers within the different parts of the island.<br /><br />Even with the apparent state of unrest the <span style="font-weight: bold;">volcano </span>is experiencing, there has been a lot of visits to the island not only by the volcanologists and scientists, but also by the tourists and media. Lake Taal presents a unique opportunity to visit one of the wonders of nature which has taken hundreds and thousands of years to create, this uniqueness alone makes this an great place in [http://paradisephilippines.continentalgirl.com/places/taal-volcano-the-worlds-largest-island-within-a-lake-on-an-island-within-a-lake-on-an-island/ ]Paradise Philippines to visit for the more adventurous and curious.<br /><br />Luvi Marie Corcuera is the Editor of Informational sites such as: [http://www.hobbyhydro.com ]Hydroponics Gardening and [http://www.houseimprovementguide.com ]Home Improvement<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera</a> <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Taal-Volcano---Visiting-a-Unique-Island-Volcano&id=834419">http://EzineArticles.com/?Taal-Volcano---Visiting-a-Unique-Island-Volcano&id=834419<br /></a><br /><br />Related Topic:<br /><a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/2008/10/mount-mayon-bicol-regions-finest.html">Mayon Volcano</a><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-87488223867641921322008-11-10T06:36:00.003+03:002008-11-10T15:46:10.880+03:00Manila, Gateway To The Charming Exotic Philippine<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,51,255)">Manila, Gateway To The Charming Exotic Philippines</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Author: Wolfgang Jaegel<br /></span></div><br />Located between the Philippine and the South China seas in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is an exceptionally charming archipelago of 7,107 enchanting islands, covering an area of 300,000 sq km, and consisting of Mindanao, Luzon, and Visayas, thereby forming the nation's main island chains.Acknowledged as the 'Pearl of the Orient', the Philippines boasts of an array of attractions comprising beautiful islands, fantastic beaches, astounding volcanoes, unique wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes, and world-renowned diving destinations.<br /><br /><p align="center"><span class="fullpost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDprY9TTBEziGT9trUy9xreQaKnL-RifBpdRsDd-MSkDpJ4N8CpmVThue2btdWothBeOZf0di0intMgJlLys4KpGdaci7twD6OyAsZak1XmuQl0xudk8tBihHU-SX-z5GrlFoqA/s1600-h/Rizal_Monument.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267007371342925186" style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDprY9TTBEziGT9trUy9xreQaKnL-RifBpdRsDd-MSkDpJ4N8CpmVThue2btdWothBeOZf0di0intMgJlLys4KpGdaci7twD6OyAsZak1XmuQl0xudk8tBihHU-SX-z5GrlFoqA/s320/Rizal_Monument.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"> Rizal Park<br /></div><div align="left"><br />With hundreds of awesome tourist destinations, the Philippines cater to all types of vacationers, such as honeymooners, nature lovers, adventurers, and wildlife explorers. Baguio, Bataan, <a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/search/label/Bohol">Bohol</a>, Cebu, Davao, Tagaytay, <a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/2008/10/mount-mayon-bicol-regions-finest.html">Bicol</a>, <a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/search/label/Palawan">Palawan</a>, and <a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/2008/10/philippines-travel-old-world-charm-of.html">Ilocos</a>, are just few among many of the tourist destinations in Philippines. Despite these attractions, a visit to Philippine is incomplete without taking a tour to <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Manila</span>.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafTYz64pKChv-96x8ZAhWhHZVs7F83gCz9l9CqYh0URxkiXFXxyHSNLQLHt96FG04uU3WY1acFDSnntkFeWGaSYzbfOoBTOsvXzh5nK8inHdhnFUr9wQG0IvwTh2-wwh-pxrjDw/s1600-h/intramuros_fortress_gate-small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267007375740182898" style="WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 193px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafTYz64pKChv-96x8ZAhWhHZVs7F83gCz9l9CqYh0URxkiXFXxyHSNLQLHt96FG04uU3WY1acFDSnntkFeWGaSYzbfOoBTOsvXzh5nK8inHdhnFUr9wQG0IvwTh2-wwh-pxrjDw/s320/intramuros_fortress_gate-small.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Intramuros</div><div align="left"><br />Manila is one of the world's largest metropolitans. Nestled on the Luzon - the largest island of the Philippines, Manila is the capital city and is considered a gateway to charming Philippines. Graceful with the magnificent views of the enchanting Manila Bay as well as its astounding golden sunset, Manila has now become one of the premier tourist destinations. </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xb0sCDFEzjnY9IV4sGXXqJBSVQAJMeaYNtcHQq4xj6yrbRwXAGZnGCSJWzCCuRo-ZGhTku6SL5a2cjs5o6W8qJf10bqC5eUBCAU6PQopcK357GFIuM8Mn6jeLd6YOOCZi8UHzw/s1600-h/manila+bay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267007369306502946" style="WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xb0sCDFEzjnY9IV4sGXXqJBSVQAJMeaYNtcHQq4xj6yrbRwXAGZnGCSJWzCCuRo-ZGhTku6SL5a2cjs5o6W8qJf10bqC5eUBCAU6PQopcK357GFIuM8Mn6jeLd6YOOCZi8UHzw/s320/manila+bay.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Image by </span><a title="Link to Msbernal's photostream" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markbernal/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Msbernal</span></a> </div><div align="left"><br />Manila's attractions, among many others, are Intramuros, one of the oldest parts of Manila, packed with ancient churches and buildings; Fort Santiago, (the Shrine of Freedom), erected on the ashes of burnt fort of a Muslim king; Malacang Palace, a gracious villas which was once the summer house of the governor general; American Cemetery and Memorial, which contains graves of those who died in the second world war; Manila Cathedra, a Romanesque edifice; and Coconut Palace, a museum exhibiting varied styles of home interior furnishing and designing. Manila also boasts of a great number of parks and gardens, each of which are unique and excellent to relax with friends and relatives. Some of them are Rizal Park - Asia's largest park, which is dedicated to the national hero, Jose Rizal; Paco Park, dating back to the colonial period; and Japanese Garden; and Greenbelt Park.<br /><br />Aside from these parks and gardens, Manila has to its credit some enchanting public spaces including the Baywalk, offering superb views of the sunset, Rajah Sulayman Park, Plaza Miranda, Remedios Circle, Plaza Balagtas, and the Manila Broadwalk. For those who want to explore the influence of Chinese culture in the Philippines, a great option would be to take a visit to China Town, which is much sought after for its shops, restaurants, and exotic stalls. Besides, worth mentioning are the ancient churches of Manila, such as, the San Agustin Church, dating back to the 16th century; Quiapo Church, alternatively known as the Church of the Black Nazarene; Black Nazarene; Manila Cathedral; Bonifacio Shrine; and Quiapo Church.<br /><br />Above all, Manila renders great opportunities to enjoy a variety of activities. For instance, taking a short excursion to Tagaytay to spot the renowned Taal Volcano would be a great experience. Likewise, a tour to Pagsanjan through a canoe ride would be equally enthralling. Further, while your stay at <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Manila</span>, don't forget to take a trip to Laguna, which is much favored for its hot sulphur springs. Equally fascinating is the nightlife of <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Manila</span>, with night clubs in such happening areas as Pagsanjan, P Burgos, and Kalayaan streets.<br /><br />With these amazing as well as umpteen attractions, people flock to Manila year-round. No matter you want budget or luxury accommodation, <strong>Manila</strong> has hotels and resorts to cater all levels of people. Many of them are located within the heart of the city, and hence are within the proximity to all world-class tourist attractions. Accommodations, especially luxury ones, are replete with air conditioning, data port, automatic wake-up call, voice mail, and satellite TV. Mostly, such facilities as business center, private parking facility, currency exchange facilities, and internet access, are also made available.<br /><br />A vacation to <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Manila </span>can be made truly memorable through effective planning. But, sometimes it may be chaotic to schedule such things as arrangement of accommodation, activities to be done during vacation, and traveling within the place after having reached the place. To cope up with these problems, one can make use of the service of tour operators or travel agents.<br /><br />They can arrange you everything from accommodation and food to traveling and sightseeing requirements. Nowadays, some of the top-rated hotels and resorts also render services in the form of packages. Packages usually cover accommodation, traveling within the place, and food. All you have to do is to enter their website, and share your interests as well as likes and dislikes. Just feel relaxed and wait for a refreshing vacation in Manila!<br /><br />Article Source:<a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/manila-gateway-to-the-charming-exotic-philippines-202010.html"> http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/manila-gateway-to-the-charming-exotic-philippines-202010.html<br /></a><br />About the Author:<br />The Accor Group manages Hotels with the Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons, Ibis, Formule 1, Grand Mercure brands and offers services to corporate clients and public institutions: 23 million people in 35 countries use a broad range of services engineered and managed by Accor Services.<br /></div></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-10782866791484305452008-11-04T12:52:00.003+03:002008-11-04T13:11:17.265+03:00Kiteboarding Locations in the Philippines<span style="font-weight: bold;">Kiteboarding Locations in the Philippines</span><br /><br />Author: Erie Capipe<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kiteboarding </span>locations in the Philippines are beginning to mushroom in this group of 7, 100 islands. The popularity of <span style="font-weight: bold;">kiteboarding </span>is gaining steam in this tropical paradise because of numerous beautiful locations. A splendid destination is one thing, but for the perfect <span style="font-weight: bold;">kiteboarding </span>experience, you need the wind to be extreme in that location. If you are looking for wind best for kiteboarding, the Philippines has Habagat . It is the wind that can turn gentle seascapes into furious giant waves or hoist kiteboarders 50 to 150 feet in the air. Habagat is perfect for <span style="font-weight: bold;">kiteboarding</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpLb-mBvA5KXhk2AFnO_tMa5qNn9nV6agWihm5uaK6pjXsO41HA-qnZwBISsmTrdK26wn-2MZ9Ttc3Zvrg57BWqOE-YI_rOeodrrILOQQ8aNxzV6MJNrF15e6mgHGmL9DrnB-3A/s1600-h/kiteboarding.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpLb-mBvA5KXhk2AFnO_tMa5qNn9nV6agWihm5uaK6pjXsO41HA-qnZwBISsmTrdK26wn-2MZ9Ttc3Zvrg57BWqOE-YI_rOeodrrILOQQ8aNxzV6MJNrF15e6mgHGmL9DrnB-3A/s320/kiteboarding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264741818250441186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Imageby <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathleenhaboc/" title="Link to boxx_120's photostream"><b>boxx_120</b></a></span><br /><br /></div><span class="fullpost">There are several kiteboarding locations now in the Philippines. In the northern part of Luzon, the beach of <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Union</span> is most suitable for this extreme sport. Just a six-hour drive from Manila, the beach is a renowned surfer's paradise and is flocked by surfers and windsurfers all year round. Cottages run from 10 to 30 $ a day. Accommodations are good plus internet services. Equipment is available for rent on site. In the south of the same island, you can find one of the best kept secret in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sorsogon </span>- the Rizal Beach. It is still under the radar that there are no schools and equipment rentals yet for kiteboarding. The best and cheapest place to stay is at the Mercedes Country Lodge; just 10 minutes away. You can reach the place either by a 9-hour ride from Manila or by 1-hour plane ride to Legazpi City and a short bus ride. Flights cost around 100 - 150 $ and accommodations run from 15 - 20 $ a night. But <span style="font-weight: bold;">kiteboarding</span> destination these days is still in <a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/search/label/Boracay"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Boracay </span></a>which is synonymous with world class beaches and water and wind sports like kiteboarding as of late.<br /><br />There are several schools on the island run by Filipinos, Aussies, Germans and Dutchmen. They are easy to find but are usually fully-booked. So, if you plan on a kiteboarding holiday in <a href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/search/label/Boracay"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Boracay</span></a>, you need to book ahead in time. Kiteboarding locations in the Philippines are turning the country to a major player in this extreme sport. With a 7, 100 islands archipelago, kiteboarders have an ample choice to lay claim as their own kiteboarding site.<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/kiteboarding-locations-in-the-philippines-509698.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/kiteboarding-locations-in-the-philippines-509698.html</a><br /><br />About the Author:<br />Erie Capipe is the pseudonym of a web researcher and web content contributor of various blogs about different topics.<br /><br />For more Kitesurfing & Kiteboarding , click HERE .<br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-27542895655653855412008-10-31T11:38:00.004+03:002008-10-31T11:56:07.865+03:00Reuniting the Living and the Dead - A Philippine Tradition<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reuniting the Living and the Dead - A Philippine Tradition</span><br />By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ernesto_Del_Castillo]Ernesto Del Castillo<br /><br />Apart from Christmas, "All Saints Day" (Nov 1) & "All Souls Day" (Nov 2) are twin National Holidays traditionally observed as Family Re-union Days in the Philippines. At this time of the year, most Filipinos get to see:<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">A vibrant Domestic Tourism due to the Week-lo</span><span class="fullpost">ng Holiday<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36YeLjhXo-4OPW2B-_hG0zarWozTTdf4Yd0sb5wbrjp8bUIbnYr76-Bz3PunLX5QRrZlduVV_ScSjozgoMR9utCGKRpsGp8_P2JO7HjygEv72s5UsePePBeRkNysct070hV821Q/s1600-h/All+saints+day+01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36YeLjhXo-4OPW2B-_hG0zarWozTTdf4Yd0sb5wbrjp8bUIbnYr76-Bz3PunLX5QRrZlduVV_ScSjozgoMR9utCGKRpsGp8_P2JO7HjygEv72s5UsePePBeRkNysct070hV821Q/s320/All+saints+day+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263236464589705426" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span class="fullpost">Public Transport Terminals congested with people travelling in all directions just to be with Family Relations -despite distance and circumstance</span><span class="fullpost">Cemeteries spruced up as Gathering Places bringing together</span> Family & Friends<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Yesterday, my Wife & I went to Loyola Memorial Mar</span><span class="fullpost">ikina (LMM) to meet-up and to share meal with my Brother & Sister (and their respective Families) at the gravesite of my Mother who died Yr2002 at the old age of 84. Travelling from my Marikina House by car towards LMM, Travel Time was close to 2 hours - instead of the usual 30". I was surprised to see heavy Traffic and plenty of People on the road - considering that Nov 2 was already Day-3. True to Filipino Tradition, I pitched Tent at my Mother's Gravesite and slept overnight on Halloween Night (Oct 31st) from Yr2002 to Yr2005. However, as the 4-kms Hiking Distance (with a heavily laden BackPack) has gone farther and farther each year, I stopped sleeping overnight at Mother's Gravesite starting Yr2006 - and even more</span><span class="fullpost"> so now wit</span><span class="fullpost">h my "guarde</span><span class="fullpost">d" Heart </span><span class="fullpost">Condition.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq83ciEXKVvmcJhfdXX4Y5XG_6Fl0LaopxLvnWfbs0b6VeIoUeuNEH-LUZ5yh96V5KJZTm-5qmv5TpTil7qGRuvekMnBweA6dWfhfkaIhFJt9th2rcn99y5TJmBj7cHn9C3emSg/s1600-h/All+saints+day+05.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq83ciEXKVvmcJhfdXX4Y5XG_6Fl0LaopxLvnWfbs0b6VeIoUeuNEH-LUZ5yh96V5KJZTm-5qmv5TpTil7qGRuvekMnBweA6dWfhfkaIhFJt9th2rcn99y5TJmBj7cHn9C3emSg/s320/All+saints+day+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263237975739402418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/devonshire/" title="Link to D Devonshire's photostream"><b>D Devonshire</b></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost">Yesterday, I recalled my own experience of this partic</span><span class="fullpost">ular Filipino Family T</span><span class="fullpost">radition. I</span><span class="fullpost">n the past years when I spent overnights at LMM, I would tire myself walking around the LMM Grounds exchanging smiles with Strangers - but more so, looking out for familiar faces. And I would marvel at the beautiful sight of what I would call "LMM Candlelight City" - perhaps, a faint preview of Heaven's beauty. When tired walking around, I would return to Mother's Gravesite, and while laying down inside my Tent slowly dosing off to sleep, I would fondly reminesce my Mother's Lessons-of-Life handed down to me and my Siblings.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTzAcrrFYXD1hUd1JrO0uhzOrzMkr1bcyBMx88t9MzyPDi7GPdHFh-JB5Mi5g-EJ7akouOL_seioZqEwJPz47B0qZIRT1cfcAcsm5xz50evmQJkNQj8C4omcV0zN6W6ynCtucbg/s1600-h/All+saints+day+04.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTzAcrrFYXD1hUd1JrO0uhzOrzMkr1bcyBMx88t9MzyPDi7GPdHFh-JB5Mi5g-EJ7akouOL_seioZqEwJPz47B0qZIRT1cfcAcsm5xz50evmQJkNQj8C4omcV0zN6W6ynCtucbg/s320/All+saints+day+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263237967506054930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/devonshire/" title="Link to D Devonshire's photostream"><b>D Devonshire</b></a></span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br />As Cost-of- Burial in highly urbanized Metro Manila (Philippines) has become more and more expensive each year and as the Filipino Generation-of-Today has been observed to be more mobile in "permanent" residency, Cremation is becoming a popular option - given the Catholic Church's conditional acceptance. In fact, even Catholic Parishes & Catholic Religious Orders are now observed to build, to own, to manage Columbariums purposely as sacred repository for the Human Cremains.<br /><br />In the Philippines on "All Saints Day", Catholic Masses are said in Churches offered by the Catholic Faithful - for the repose of the souls of their faithul departed.<br /><br />To me, Family Re-Unions (at their "Dear Departed" gravesites) do tighten Family Bonds not only among the Living - but also, with the Dead. After all, isn't the Human Spirit immortal?<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ernesto_Del_Castillo http://EzineArticles.com/?Reuniting-the-Living-and-the-Dead---A-Philippine-Tradition&id=815085<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-88619739948247160572008-10-27T21:57:00.005+03:002008-10-27T22:24:53.386+03:00Diving Puerto Galera Dive Spots and Training in Philippines<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Diving Puerto Galera Dive Spots and Training in Philippines</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /><br /><br /></span></strong>Author: sam casuncad<br /></span><br /><br /><br />Diving Philippines shores and reefs can be an exciting adventure for both the experienced diver and new ones from around the world. For professional divers, it is a uniquely different experience and for the new divers, it is a welcoming and ideal site to start. Since the inclusion of the Philippines reefs in the New 7 Wonders of the World, divers poured in the country to see other possible explorations to more diving spots aside from the <strong>Tubbataha Reef</strong>. Divers have been awed at finding other breath taking dive spots that they can find in the country. One of those is the <strong>Puerto Galera Diving Center</strong> in Mindoro.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKAABCo46Q1pMXeFUH8t_ANrdjHbeWOXDUEqfAotaoULB0JoPqQUoFLLdFAnc0WB0E0E5GO8OGBtRp6dBj-lIKz7IAn0Xjns0HuaJxcUqoue6dKtksp6p7P5civifO72BWOCR1w/s1600-h/Tubataha+reef+01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261913228112179138" style="WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKAABCo46Q1pMXeFUH8t_ANrdjHbeWOXDUEqfAotaoULB0JoPqQUoFLLdFAnc0WB0E0E5GO8OGBtRp6dBj-lIKz7IAn0Xjns0HuaJxcUqoue6dKtksp6p7P5civifO72BWOCR1w/s320/Tubataha+reef+01.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Image by: </span><a title="Link to melhins' photostream" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94606108@N00/"><span style="font-size:85%;">melhins</span></a><br /></div><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br />If you are looking to make a great dive in Puerto Galera, Diving Philippines is your perfect destination. They are a training center for divers who are looking for additional information and knowledge needed in diving Puerto Galera deep or open waters as well as technical knowhow needed for those who are interested to learn and start diving. They have the perfect place, facilities, instruments and professional diving instructors who have the right knowledge on the best spots to sport diving in. Safety of the training and the dive is secure with the presence of rescue divers and first aid. This presents the training process an advantage in terms of exploring and learning without wasting time with less to worry about. They have the perfect places in their map that tells about the best <strong>Puerto Galera</strong> dive spots .<br /><br /><br /></span><span class="fullpost"></span><span class="fullpost"><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz57F5LbnrzlJxkWBdYlRXKwkq9mmDFA-JjTH0kFlQ8qRgyO2NvccnhRe9t24OnJHzNs22ZWZYUtaCckMCgvQskjW0R0VUWHquXv5qkVnwKk7fD91-SE_XArEl9TwiIegOokGNHA/s1600-h/Tubataha+reef+02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261915668574471650" style="WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz57F5LbnrzlJxkWBdYlRXKwkq9mmDFA-JjTH0kFlQ8qRgyO2NvccnhRe9t24OnJHzNs22ZWZYUtaCckMCgvQskjW0R0VUWHquXv5qkVnwKk7fD91-SE_XArEl9TwiIegOokGNHA/s320/Tubataha+reef+02.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="left">Image by: <a title="Link to melhins' photostream" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94606108@N00/">melhins</a><br /><br /><br />Aside from a complete available facility, Diving Philippines also have diving courses and gadget pricing listed that offer a variety of choices which is what every diver is looking for before getting to any dive spot. For your best diving experience and learning, trust only to get it from professional service, complete facility and perfect training medium. Go for Diving Philippines’ team of professional instructors for their beginners diving training and services for a breath taking diving experience.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Contact Us: <a href="mailto:contact@pacificdivers.net">contact@pacificdivers.net</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/diving-puerto-galera-dive-spots-and-training-in-philippines-474750.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/diving-puerto-galera-dive-spots-and-training-in-philippines-474750.html</a><br />About the Author:Diving Puerto Galera Philippines<br /><br /><br />Related Article:</div><div align="left"><a title="Permanent Link to Palawan - Beautiful Pride of the Philippines" href="http://travelmotophilippines.blogspot.com/2008/10/palawan-beautiful-pride-of-philippines.html" rel="bookmark">Palawan - Beautiful Pride of the Philippines</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-82246427901831532232008-10-25T23:14:00.002+03:002008-10-25T23:19:21.158+03:00The Filipino Philippine Lechon<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Filipino Philippine Lechon</span><br /><br />Author: Christine Layug<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoe71vycQ1im6IXK7gYZqYsHbla-zsymC9WwkgSRpmuANDO5hbd8l1x9QG8RvoGOVNZ5EzMYoumErv-7J3Hvs1MdJk_fXVZim4IlOtRo9XPYsJa0ZoPyazVchhBEv9bXlwkNbYQ/s1600-h/lechon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoe71vycQ1im6IXK7gYZqYsHbla-zsymC9WwkgSRpmuANDO5hbd8l1x9QG8RvoGOVNZ5EzMYoumErv-7J3Hvs1MdJk_fXVZim4IlOtRo9XPYsJa0ZoPyazVchhBEv9bXlwkNbYQ/s320/lechon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261188164153236626" border="0" /></a><br />When it comes to festivities in the Philippines, foods and drinks is always abundant. And a Philippine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lechon </span>can always go a long way. Now there is a lot of festivities that can be celebrated here in the Philippines, such festivities include the Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang, Sinulog, Moriones, Kadayawan and the Parada ng Lechon in Balayan Batangas. Now all of these festivities and other festivities that happen in the Philippines have its similarities with each other, such similarity is the purpose of the festivity.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />A lot of festivities here in the Philippines are celebrated to honor the Santo Niño or other saints. But that is not the only thing that festivities had in common, and that is the Philippine Lechon .<br />The Philippine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lechon </span>has become a traditional cuisine here in the Philippines. A celebration is not a celebration without a whole Philippine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lechon </span>sitting in the dinner table.<br />Among the many popular dishes here in the Philippines, the Philippine Lechon is considered to be the most popular among the Filipinos. The Philippine Lechon is a popular Filipino cuisine that is commonly reserved only for special occasion such as festivities or celebrations.<br />The name Lechon was derived from the Spanish word meaning suckling pig, which is a piglet that is killed between the ages of two to six weeks and traditionally roasted. But unlike a suckling pig, a Philippine Lechon is usually a whole adult roasted pig.<br />Philippine Lechon is usually cooked during the holiday season, and other special occasions such as weddings, graduations, birthdays and baptisms, or family get-togethers, and especially festivities. A Philippine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lechon </span>is commonly served with liver-based gravy or sometimes served Chinese style with steamed buns and a sweet plum sauce.<br />Philippine Lechon is usually the main highlight of festivities or other kinds of celebrations, and it is the most popular dish in the event. Other versions of a Philippine Lechon include the Philippine Lechon kawali which is cooked in a large frying pan and cooked to a crisp.<br />Though a Philippine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lechon </span>is popular among the Filipinos, finding a shop that sells this can be tough. The easies place to buy some Philippine <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lechon </span>in the Philippines is in La Loma Quezon City. But if you cannot get there, then you could always buy some Philippine Lechon then have it delivered on your door steps. And the best place for that is with Express Regalo. If you want to know what Express Regalo can do for you, then visit Express Regalo at www.expressregalo.com .<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/the-filipino-philippine-lechon-559141.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/the-filipino-philippine-lechon-559141.html</a><br /><br />About the Author:<br />I am an article author.<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.expressregalo.com"> www.expressregalo.com</a><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-49090327672394918342008-10-23T17:16:00.003+03:002008-10-23T19:08:45.822+03:00Mount Mayon - Bicol Region's Finest Volcano<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Mount Mayon - Bicol Region's Finest Volcano</span><br />By [<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aejay_Damse">http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aejay_Damse</a>l]Aejay Damsel<br /><br />Bicol region is a region that is composed of six provinces, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. It is located southeast of Luzon. Naga city is an independent component city found in Bicol Region and Legazpi is the region's political administration center.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij64Bs4qGVxIRs46IBoeXQr2TUgELN3nQQ0ZwECriphP22asNUH2ywH3rwGOmFhxNnZODvQoXU_M35MyQGZ9FxnEmT5gt6k4s7TV1buv9kwzKa-OgrS8p1IJlUeZGayYqiaGVZ1A/s1600-h/Mayon+Volcano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij64Bs4qGVxIRs46IBoeXQr2TUgELN3nQQ0ZwECriphP22asNUH2ywH3rwGOmFhxNnZODvQoXU_M35MyQGZ9FxnEmT5gt6k4s7TV1buv9kwzKa-OgrS8p1IJlUeZGayYqiaGVZ1A/s320/Mayon+Volcano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260375352528570066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmettsinasia/" title="Link to Peter Emmett's photostream"><b>Peter Emmett</b></a></span><br /></div><br /><span class="fullpost">One of the best tourist and historical spots in Paradise Philippines: Found in Bicol is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayon Volcano</span>. It is found in the province of </span><span class="fullpost">Albay. The volcano is almost perfectly-shaped con</span><span class="fullpost">e, which makes the volcano very beautiful.<br /><br />There is a legend about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mount Mayon</span>. The name was taken from the man named Magayon, whose niece is a very beautiful Princess. Because of his possessive attitude, no one could ever answer his challenge to win the heart of the </span><span class="fullpost">princess. But one man has the bravery to win the princess' heart. He passed through the royal chamber's window, took the princess, and told the princess to elope with him. But Magayon, on the other hand, was buried alive in a massive landslide. Locals believed that Magayon's anger is the cause of Mount Mayon's explosion.<br /><br />On the record, Paradise Philippines had its erupted more than 50 times in the previous 400 years. The volcano's first erupted in 1616. T</span><span class="fullpost">he latest lava discharge happened in June of 2001. The most devastating eruption happened in the first day of February, 1814, which killed 1,200 people and buried the town of Cagsawa, which is now named, Daraga. Fire fragmented flows killed 77 people in 1993, which is marked as Mayon's last eruption. Mayon volcano also erupted in 1984, but luckily for the villagers, there are no casualties recorded upon the eruption of the Volcano.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUNNJG1UGuAemuDOcIIACOMCcAbFVUC-ZWMHqZJI2ghOdoLYpJdKZndgvEKRkbxTdxKWGhP5Ahk6xQyV9vyEJtzpgFZ6tIWW8Bd0iQGp3MxEuepbsg3l4C5h_BXRDLoqL9dZ4Bw/s1600-h/Mayon+Volcano+Erupt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUNNJG1UGuAemuDOcIIACOMCcAbFVUC-ZWMHqZJI2ghOdoLYpJdKZndgvEKRkbxTdxKWGhP5Ahk6xQyV9vyEJtzpgFZ6tIWW8Bd0iQGp3MxEuepbsg3l4C5h_BXRDLoqL9dZ4Bw/s320/Mayon+Volcano+Erupt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260381428227428226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Imageby: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53776763@N00/" title="Link to acemmvi's photostream"><b>acemmvi</b></a></span><br /><br /></div><span class="fullpost">In 2006, Mayon Volcano became active again after 13 years of rest. July 18, 2006 showed any signs of Mayon Volcano's activity by having a number of rockfalls from the lava dome. Sulfur oxide has been increasingly emitted. In August 2006, 40,000 people have been evacuated from an 8-km danger zone. The volcano could have the possibility to explode, but by the gravitational pull from the full moon may counter the possibility. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayon Volcano</span> became swollen and numerous amount of volcanic earthquakes happened by that time. But it became worse when Super typhoon Reming came to the Philippines; it created massive mudslides of ashes from the volcano and rockfalls. It killed hundreds of residents and majorly devastated the Padang Village.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayon Volcano</span> has been majorly seen in postcards, images, books, and even in the internet because of the beauty and semi-perfect shape. News about its activity are still unknown, but the possibility of the Mayon Volcano to explode may happen any time. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayon Volcano</span> is also the reason why Bicol region became very famous and it is marked as the best place in Bicol. It is classified as a stratovolcano because it is tall and has periodic eruptions. It is compared to the shape of Mount Fuji in Japan but <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayon Volcano</span> is a little darker than the one in Japan.<br /><br />Apparently, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayon Volcano</span> is one of the five major volcanoes in the Philippines, one is Taal Volcano in Cavite and Batangas, another one is Mount Pinatubo in Pampanga, then Mount Canlaon in Canlaon city, Negros, and Mount Ragang in Lanao Del Sur and Cotabato boundary. [<a href="http://www.mayonvolcano.net/">http://www.mayonvolcano.net</a>/]Mayon Volcano is an active volcano, Southeastern Luzon, Philippines, dominating the city of Legaspi. Called the Worlds most perfect cone, it has a base 80 miles (130 km) in circumference and rises to 7,943 feet (2,421 m) from the shores of Albay Gulf. Popular with climbers and campers, it is the centre of Mayon Volcano National Park (21 square miles [55 square km]). This is one of the Paradise Philippines treasures <a href="http://www.philippinesparadise.net/">http://www.philippinesparadise.net</a>/<br /><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aejay_Damsel%20http://EzineArticles.com/?Mount-Mayon---Bicol-Regions-Finest-Volcano&id=860810">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aejay_Damsel http://EzineArticles.com/?Mount-Mayon---Bicol-Regions-Finest-Volcano&id=860810<br /></a><br /><br /></span>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-43480243227551973922008-10-17T15:59:00.000+03:002008-10-23T00:52:07.591+03:00Sagada, Philippines - Limestone Caves and Waterfalls<p>Sagada, Philippines - Limestone Caves and Waterfalls<br />By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kamulo_Nadnaden">Kamulo Nadnaden</a><br /></p><p>Nature lovers from all over the Philippines and other parts of the world trek to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagada </span>to enjoy several of its natural blessings. These include the temperate and cool climate amidst the heat of the Philippine tropics, the pine sceneries, and the rocky terrain. The two more popular natural wonders of this tourist town are its <u>limestone caves</u> and <u>waterfalls</u>.</p><b>LIMESTONE CAVES</b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiRtUemtLARblj2Zy8OFlwK74EJCuMnWtm17mdJ65AgH_p89QWjFm-oQSjsuvWKAodalSEPyW-THrHWHFivKLnr-_z5p9XGIwLksuAqFXe0umd4rBhUNpAIAhTJifKftaQ8Azdw/s1600-h/sagada+lime+cave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiRtUemtLARblj2Zy8OFlwK74EJCuMnWtm17mdJ65AgH_p89QWjFm-oQSjsuvWKAodalSEPyW-THrHWHFivKLnr-_z5p9XGIwLksuAqFXe0umd4rBhUNpAIAhTJifKftaQ8Azdw/s320/sagada+lime+cave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260098995376435442" border="0" /></a>Underneath <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagada </span>is a network of limestone caves and subterranean streams. These caves were created by water eroding whole limestone mountains over a period spanning thousands of years. Some caves are dry, as if the underground rivers that have created them disappeared. However, these caves are dry simply because the water has found another channel by seeping through the mountain and emptying through numerous small watery caves.<i style="font-weight: bold;">SUMAGING</i>, aptly nicknamed as the Big Cave, was created by water erosion. Guides equipped with lanterns and ropes are necessary companions for exploring this cave as well as other big caves found in Southern <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagada</span>. Visitors never fail to be awed by <i>Sumaging</i>'s sheer size, fascinating chambers and rock formations, some of which are dubbed as the "King's Curtain", "Rice Granary", "Cauliflower", "Dancing Hall", etc...; all for their larger than life resemblances of the real things. A part of Sumaging known as "The Tunnel" consists of a series of tiny passages requiring limbo-like movements (read as c-r-a-w-l-i-n-g) to pass through.<br /><br /><p>During pre-Christian <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagada</span>, these caves served as burial grounds for the locals. With the dead poised in the fetal position encased in a coffin carved out of enormous pine tree trunks, Sagada Igorots of yore may have though these caves to provide the final touch in resembling the environment of a mother's womb... a suitable final resting place.</p><b>WATERFALLS</b><br /><br /><p>There are two prominent waterfalls in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagada</span>; the smaller but older <i>BOKONG</i> situated in the outskirts of the central barangay of <i>Patay</i>, and the more majestic but younger <i>BOMOD-OK</i>, located in the northern barangay of <i>Bangaan</i>.</p>Reaching <i>Bomod-ok</i> (locally known as the Big Falls) takes a relatively taxing four-hour effort from town for the hiker but, the scenery is more than worth the effort. At the foot of the Big Falls is a pool of crystal clear water, where a swim is enough to refresh a weary hiker. Intrepid enough visitors may trace where the water comes from starting at the top of the waterfalls and they would be lead by the stream trail to a nice picnic grove.<br /><br /><p>Equally as exciting is <i>Bokong</i> whose pool at the foot of the waterfalls is deeper though smaller than <i>Bomod-ok'</i>s. The pool basin as well as the precipice is carved out of solid rock, the result of the continuous beating by the water for centuries as it persistently pushed its way downstream. <i>Bokong</i>'s beauty is complimented by the splendor of the rice terraces looming along the footpath to the waterfalls - a perfect harmony of natural and man-made wonders.</p><br /><br /><br /><p>The author grew up in the tourist town of <span style="font-weight: bold;">SAGADA </span>in northwestern Philippines. He maintains a website on tourist attractions in his hometown and in the Philippines. The website, Sagada Igorot Online, can be viewed at <a target="_new" href="http://www.sagada-igorot.com/">http://www.sagada-igorot.com</a></p><br /><br /><p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kamulo_Nadnaden" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kamulo_Nadnaden</a><br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Sagada,-Philippines---Limestone-Caves-and-Waterfalls&id=1163990" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?Sagada,-Philippines---Limestone-Caves-and-Waterfalls&id=1163990</a></p>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-34426803543185748712008-10-17T15:50:00.000+03:002008-10-17T15:56:33.319+03:00Philippines Travel: The Old World Charm of Ilocos<p>Philippines Travel: The Old World Charm of Ilocos<br />By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Grant">John Grant</a></p>In old times, Ilocandia has been described as a God-forsaken land because of its arid and difficult terrain. But the hardy people of this province had the patience and the will to survive, and eventually turned it into a lush and abundant highland. Amidst all these is a rich history consisting of legendary uprisings, monumental edifices, and noble men and women who has made Ilocos a unique and remarkable place that it is today.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EpCiFW4owAvkK4T9taQmviy1V3fR8t9kjxpCZZsvc9QiCEoIWoK9BLNAyn3nd9P-coc8Pn8Ar_Lw8Wf5F_Zp0tVpiDVnAq0ChMA_MQPNrZ0TU_tIiY3hWqwD7KehqyhcbCk0fQ/s1600-h/vigan+i+sur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EpCiFW4owAvkK4T9taQmviy1V3fR8t9kjxpCZZsvc9QiCEoIWoK9BLNAyn3nd9P-coc8Pn8Ar_Lw8Wf5F_Zp0tVpiDVnAq0ChMA_MQPNrZ0TU_tIiY3hWqwD7KehqyhcbCk0fQ/s320/vigan+i+sur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258105389773411058" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Vigan is a sleepy town at the heart of Ilocos Sur. It’s easy to find your way around because the people are friendly and warm to visitors. At the center of the town is Plaza Salcedo erected in honor of Juan Salcedo who named this place Ciudad Fernandina after King Ferdinand of Spain. Right across the plaza is the St. Paul’s Cathedral built in 1641 and which came under the Diocese of Nueva Segovia in 1758.</p>A few minutes walk will bring you to the Burgos House. Now converted into a museum, the house is the birthplace of Fr. Jose Burgos, one of the priests executed in Cavite during the revolution. The museum houses what were left of the Burgos family belongings which include antique furnitures, clothing and other artifacts donated by some prominent families in Vigan.<br /><br /><p>Indeed, Vigan is best known for its Castillian houses with old tile roofs, hardwood floorings and azoteas. These houses are located in Heritage Village which is the core of the Mestizo district. Some of the houses remain in possession of descendants of their original owners with the antique interiors and furnishings intact, while some of these ancestral homes have been turned into cozy inns, museums, and souvenir shops.</p>Although many of these houses have been converted into commercial establishments, the brick structures are preserved. The whole block breathes in an eerie feeling emphasized more by the calezas or horse-drawn carriages which remain a mode of transportation around town.<br /><br /><p>You can buy real or reproduction antique furniture around VIgan’s antique stores or visit pottery factories along Rizal street for ceramic products. These factories will be more than happy to give a demonstration on pottery-making. You can also buy woven blankets and table napkins at low prices.</p>Vigan has been declared a World Heritage Site and it is recommended that you view the houses at night with the streets lighted perfectly and the air cool.<br /><br /><br /><p>John Grant has been living in the Philippines for 5 years and has travelled the country extensively. His online <a target="_new" href="http://www.netguard.dk/">Philippines Travel Guide</a> gives you an extensive coverage of destinations like <a target="_new" href="http://www.netguard.dk/luzon/ilocos/">Ilocos</a></p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Grant" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Grant</a><br /><p><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Philippines-Travel:-The-Old-World-Charm-of-Ilocos&id=165029" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?Philippines-Travel:-The-Old-World-Charm-of-Ilocos&id=165029</a></p>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-23743118249999975722008-10-09T15:31:00.000+03:002008-10-23T01:45:55.934+03:00Reaching for the Gods in Sagada<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reaching for the Gods in Sagada</span><br /><p>By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Grant">John Grant</a></p>I first visited <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagada</span>, a sleepy town at the heart of the Mountain Province, on a cold November day. The first things that caught my curiosity were the ashes and remains of burnt wood left at the graves in the Christian cemetery.<br /><br /><p>However, I was more absorbed in that short hike to reach Echo Valley and have a glimpse of the hanging coffins on the other side of the mountain. Indeed, Sagada is most famous to visitors because of these archeological treasures. Seeing the coffins suspended on the cliff is one thing, but hearing the stories of how the Kankanaeys (natives) honor their dead is whole new different tale in itself.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_Yu8NKV0TXz9n9ekJ1SS1BCDCjqNKBTRG-6hyphenhyphenZkoWcH9hlNpgsNQMAbmA_p2M5Hj_HapgYbuiiZbSgv0FEwaPTboLHPMQCgeiSHO7os4wPAmEDHjDfqVOpsgqQXrS69nxWH6g/s1600-h/sagada+cofin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_Yu8NKV0TXz9n9ekJ1SS1BCDCjqNKBTRG-6hyphenhyphenZkoWcH9hlNpgsNQMAbmA_p2M5Hj_HapgYbuiiZbSgv0FEwaPTboLHPMQCgeiSHO7os4wPAmEDHjDfqVOpsgqQXrS69nxWH6g/s320/sagada+cofin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260111866725983538" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsydonkey/" title="Link to Gsy Donkey's photostream"><b>Gsy Donkey</b></a></span><br /></div><br />Unlike in most parts of the country that was ruled by Spain for over 300 years, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cordilleras</span> was a region unfazed by colonization. The absence of Spanish influence allowed the natives to preserve traditions and rituals, including those involving their dead.<br /><br /><p>Until the first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Missionary">Anglican missionaries</a> arrived in Sagada in the early part of the 20th century, the natives did not bury their dead. They believed that to cover them six feet under would prevent their spirits from breathing. Instead, they put their dead in steep crevices to bring them closer to the gods.</p>Taking care of the dead involved a meticulous ritual in Sagada. The body is dressed with colorful beads and other accessories or essentials that its soul may need in its journey. The deceased are not embalmed and are strapped on a bamboo chair for the wake. The wake could last from three days to a week. Unnecessary noises and playing of gongs are prohibited. The only sound you will hear is the baya-o, a traditional chant performed by the elders to scold or praise the dead. The chant varies from humming, murmuring, wailing, and ends with a shout and a thud of a foot. The chant also served as a plea to the dead not to return to haunt the living, and help them instead to lead a prosperous life.<br /><br /><p>It is the elders who decide if it was time for the dead to go. The journey begins when the corpse’s knees are bent to touch the chin and the body is wrapped with a with cloth and tied with a rope made from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maguey">maguey </a>plant. Tribesmen will carry the body and run fast to bring it to the burial ground.</p>Upon reaching the mountain, the men would bind themselves in ropes to climb the steep mountainside and haul the body. Once the resting place is reached, the body is placed in a coffin crafted from pine lumber. Then they would chant prayers and bid the dead the last farewell.<br /><br /><p>John Grant has been living in the Philippines for 5 years and has traveled the country extensively. His online <a target="_new" href="http://www.netguard.dk/">Philippines Travel Guide</a> gives you an extensive coverage of destinations like <a target="_new" href="http://www.netguard.dk/luzon/sagada/">Sagada</a></p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Grant" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Grant</a><br /><p><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Reaching-for-the-Gods-in-Sagada&id=165022" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?Reaching-for-the-Gods-in-Sagada&id=165022</a></p><br /><br />Summary:<br /><br />Sagada is an interesting town in the cordillera mountains of the Philippines, when visiting Sagada and surrounding areas you will be blessed with the fantastic sights like the hanging coffins and even some of the world famous rice terraces.Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-58744468790600651742008-10-05T14:23:00.000+03:002008-10-23T00:59:24.214+03:00Palawan - Beautiful Pride of the PhilippinesBy <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant">Peter Garant</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5BENG64GZDMhtiZ56MUP5P9MjTEINMZxsQlao90vrl2UDBxUNV7_ZrO3WM5aNnJdxqjQX9SrbvJgHDQq8kzZd6KrRcm2Mh51grySchCZ1D8GJ5IfSlMS1AsRasjDDJzNv-BT7g/s1600-h/palawan.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5BENG64GZDMhtiZ56MUP5P9MjTEINMZxsQlao90vrl2UDBxUNV7_ZrO3WM5aNnJdxqjQX9SrbvJgHDQq8kzZd6KrRcm2Mh51grySchCZ1D8GJ5IfSlMS1AsRasjDDJzNv-BT7g/s320/palawan.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253631370321545586" border="0" /></a><p></p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palawan_%28island%29"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Palawan </span></a>is known to be the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. The natural beauty of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Palawan </span>is an inviting sight which attracts thousands of visiting tourists annually. Because of the flourishing tourism industry in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Palawan</span>, hotels and restaurants are blooming businesses here where <span style="font-weight: bold;">Palawan </span>tour packages are available at a reasonable price.<br /><br />Most <span style="font-weight: bold;">Palawan </span>tours include packages inclusive of several activities such as mountain trekking, cliff climbing, diving, kayaking and a tour to the Subterranean Underground River. Palawan Island is rich with ecological attractions where many kinds of fauna and flora are seen. You may choose to start your Palawan tours from the southern or northern part of the Palawan Island.<br /><p>Northward Palawan tour destination will give you unlimited choices of activities to do. If you crave for wreck diving, then <span style="font-weight: bold;">Coron Palawan</span> you should go. Many Japanese shipwrecks during the World War II sunk in this northern coast of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Coron Palawan</span>. Many tourist and wreck divers prefer their Palawan tour directed on the northern part of Palawan Island because of the rich and abundant coral and reef life here. The different and colorful marine life is loveable underwater sights and many photographers take advantage of the natural beauty of Palawan's marine life.</p>Snorkeling activities are an all time favorite among island hoppers. Island hopping is one of the common inclusions for a Palawan tour packages. A trip to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Barracuda Island</span> is a thrilling experience where barracuda of about 40 ft long were often sighted. Snorkeling above shallow water where many reef and corals grow on top of a sunken ship is also a favorite among tourists.<br /><br /><p>Palawan tour on the southern part of Palawan will show you many ecological sites. Trekking the cliffs and mountain peaks will give you an absolutely stunning view of the beach and the southern coasts of Palawan. The ecological park is considered to be a sanctuary to endangered species such as the Palawan <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousedeer">mouse deer</a>, the famous Palawan peacock pheasant and cockatoos. The conservation park is also a good place to visit.</p>One of the famous scenic spots visited by tourist with their Palawan tour is a ride to a banca through an underground river. The calm river water of the St. Paul Subterranean Underground River is cool and relaxing. Prepare yourself as you begin your banca ride into the underground river to the breathtaking sights of the stalactites and stalagmites that are formed around the cave.<br /><p>Some of these awesome formations are of religious-like shapes.</p>Because of the unlimited beautiful places to visit in Palawan, this Island considerably gives the Philippines a pride of recognition to be one of the most visited places by tourists.<br /><br /><p>Peter Garant is writing Philippines travel articles for both his <a target="_new" href="http://www.squidoo.com/PuertoPrincesa">Puerto Princesa</a> site and his <a target="_new" href="http://www.palawaninfo.com/">Palawan Island</a> tourist guide.</p><br /><br /><p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant</a><br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Palawan---Beautiful-Pride-of-the-Philippines&id=1283829" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?Palawan---Beautiful-Pride-of-the-Philippines&id=1283829</a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Summary:</span><br /><br />Everyone has an enchanting experience with their Palawan tours with all the beautiful marine and wild life found in Palawan. Anyone seeking for both water and land adventures will find it when they take a Palawan tour. A Palawan tour is Philippines pride that helps the country's tourism industry flourish.Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30363502.post-11482205333990072052008-09-28T16:43:00.000+03:002008-09-28T16:52:40.882+03:00Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival in Bohol<p>By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant">Peter Garant</a></p>The Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival is one of the main festivals in Bohol, specifically celebrated at Loay.<br /><p>Here is the typical location of the Loay Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival. Loay is in the south west coast of Bohol and at 18 kilometers away from the city of Tagbilaran. Loay is at the mouth of the Loboc River where the regatta takes place. The Loay town is established in the year 1740 and as early as that, the Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival has been celebrated.</p>Although the town celebrates its feast day in May (the exact date is movable within the month), the main attraction in Loay is the celebration of the Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival, which is celebrated amidst that colors of activities such as the agricultural-industrial market fair, musical instrument competitions as the drum and bugle competition, and of course the grouped masquerade street dancing and the boat races along the river. The event is also highlighted by the fabulous display and parade of the image of Saint Francis Xavier, the Loay town's second patron to whom the Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival is celebrated in honor.<br /><p>The Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival is celebrated in his honor every first Saturdays of the month of December.</p>Since the festival is a religiously originated one, you might want to stop over at the Loay Chruch located just over on a plateau overlooking the sea on the upper part of Loay called Ibabao.<br /><p>Another prominent feature of Loay that you might notice upon festivities visit is the Loay plaza. The sheer simplicity of the Plaza takes from its Spanish colonial roots with only a wide open stretch of space without any landscaping or decorative embellishments. The only distinctive features amidst the grassy area are the two coral stone buildings which are very simplistic yet classical to look at. One of the buildings is a one-story being used as a public school, whicle the other one is a two-story emblemed with the Virgin Mary. The second one is under renovation to be converted as an archdiocese Spanish period archive for church documents coming from all 38 parishes from the diocese of Loay.</p>Other sites that you don't want to miss upon visiting during the Sambat Mascara Y Regatta Festival are the Clarin Ancestral House, Rio Vista Heights, the Clarin Beach Resort, Himontagon Hills, Punta Baluerte, and the Spanish watchtower located at Villalimpia.<br /><p>Experience this winter festival. Don't wait till Christmas to experience all the fun and sightseeing you can get.</p>Peter Garant is writing <a target="_new" href="http://www.philippinesboard.com/">Philippines Travel</a> Articles for <a target="_new" href="http://www.boholboard.com/">Bohol</a> Board.<br /><br /><p>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant</a><br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Sambat-Mascara-Y-Regatta-Festival-in-Bohol,-Philippines&id=1503309" target="_new">http://EzineArticles.com/?Sambat-Mascara-Y-Regatta-Festival-in-Bohol,-Philippines&id=1503309</a></p>Life Motohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228252485173700813noreply@blogger.com0