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Learn to live life abundantly by discovering ownself, nature, culture and practices. I wish that in doing this, my colleagues will regret of all the bad things they have done to our nature and will love the wonders of our wold.
pres_16 Says: Autobus is the only bus company that ferry the passengers going to Banawe. The bus station is located at F. Cayco, España Road, Manila. Book in advance.
pres_16 Says: At the viewpoint, I was totally awed by the panorama- the high-rising, rice terraces. It has a skillfully devised irrigation system. I've always wondered how...
pres_16 Says: I was supposed to stay at Sanafe Lodge or at the Greenview Lodge but both were fully booked. So I landed on my third choice, the People's Lodge and...
The Albay province is a paradise located in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, 460km (287mi) south of Manila. Albay is home to the spectacular Mayon Volcano, the region’s crown jewel and one of the great wonders of the world.
Only one hour away is the natural habitat of the fascinating Whale Sharks in Donsol, an amazing interactive eco-experience for the whole family.
Albay is filled with many natural wonders: waterfalls, caves, natural springs, beaches and marine life. The local cuisines are delectable, and for those who like to shop, there are plenty of the finest abaca handicrafts, cutleries and ceramics. The people are friendly and very hospitable.
In Albay, you will experience a genuinely exotic adventure… Digdinakamo!
Cagayan de Oro is a veritable goldmine for those in search of new tourist and investment destination.
The city has a reservoir of advantages: no typhoons all year round, rich agricultural environments, a broad consumer and manpower base, cheap and abundant power, strategically located internation seaports, modern telecommunication facilities, adequate infrastructure and a highly efficient educational system.As the trade and service center of Northern Mindanao, the city is a prime location for cost-effective air, land and sea transit. Moreover, its striving business community and the necessary business support facilities makes the process of doing business relaxed and pleasurable.
The soundness of the Cagayan de Oro business climate as well as its metropolitan flavor combined with the warm and easy nature of the local people gives it a self-contained setting that motivated an increasing number expatriate business to stay in the city for good.
As an urban center with a regional market orientation, a high level of market sophistication and an economy closely intertwined with the economies of the entire region, the city is poised for planned, rapid and sustained growth.
Davao, comparing sizes by land area, is the largest city in the Philippines and in the island of Mindanao. It has one of the most progressive economies in the country with its seaport and international airport being very active cargo hubs in the region. In the whole southern Philippines, Davao City remains as a strong business and investment center.
Davao city is also a major tourist destination in the country. People come here not only to invest or do business, they also visit the city for its fine beaches, dive spots, and mountain resorts. Nature trails are also popular here because of the city's proximity to Mount Apo, the Philippines.
Davao City's Tourist Attractions
There are a lot of popular tourist destinations here in Davao City. Some of these are historic sights that give people a feel of the city's history. Other destinations are cultural featuring the best of the people's culture and arts, while others are simply havens for those who would love to spend a lovely tropical vacation.
Some of the historic sites in Davao City include the Battle Memorial, a historical marker memorializing the longest battle between the Japanese and Filipino-American forces during World War II. Another place to visit is the Davao Historical Society Museum, which features its historic collections, located in Magsaysay Park. The Uyanguren Landing Site marks the area where the Spanish conqueror, which name it bears, first landed. He later became Davao's first governor.
Some of the cultural sites in Davao City include the Japanese Peace Memorial Shrine where pilgrimages of Japanese war veterans are made, Lon Wa Buddhist Temple, the San Pedro Cathedral, and the city's Mosques. Another interesting site to check out is the Philippine Eagle Center, which is a sanctuary for the Philippine Eagle, an endangered and one of the largest of its species. If you're a bit outgoing, then you may try climbing Mount Apo and enjoy the panoramic view.
If you're looking to relax and unwind then you may check out some of the city's resorts. A couple of places you might like to visit are Eden Nature Park, and Paradise Island. Other fun and thrilling activities here include river rafting along the Davao River and feeding crocks at the Crocodile Park.
The coastline of Davao is spanned by a lot of dive sites. Some of these dive sits include Ligid Cave, Big Rock, Pinnacle, East Point, Aundanao, and Mushroom Rock. You may contact any of the dive centers in the city to schedule your dives.
Davao's Gastronomic Experience
Finding a place to eat in Davao won't be much of problem. If you find it senseless to tour Davao and just eat the regular fast food then head on to the many restaurants around the city. Gardena Fresca, Ahfat, Talaba Joe's, and Yahong are a few establishments that serve fresh seafood. You won't get enough of their steamed shrimp, diablo chicken wings, crab fuyo, and crispy pata. Jack's Ridge serves the best of Filipino dishes while Arirang serves Korean food.
The malls in Davao City also have restaurants that will interest its visitors. G-Mall and SM Mall are two of the really popular malls to go to here. Expect them to be crowded as malling is a favorite activity anywhere in the country. Gerry's Grill in G-Mall is the place to go for spicy food especially for different types of sisig. If you're looking for barbecued chicken then go for Mang Inasal.
Places to Stay in Davao City
You have a varied range of options when choosing accommodations in Davao City. There are inns and hotels to choose from and will match your budget. Some of the fine places to stay in the city are Waterfront Insular Hotel with its open air corridors, Crown Regency Residences for a touch of class, and the Marco Polo Hotel, which is conveniently located near many of the city's attractions. There are also many apartments and townhouses in Davao City where backpackers can rent, which means you have the option to negotiate for a better price.
With great weather throughout the year, Davao enjoys many economic and tourism advantages. The city is one of the must see places to visit whether you're in the Philippines for business or pleasure.
Davao City, the most livable city in the Philippines and the largest one in land area, situated under the orange and blue skies of Southern part of the country, this place is truly a paradise. The city occupies 2,444 square kilometers and is now considered the one of the countries most progressive city. It has a rich history, culture, tradition and natural resources. It is the window to the entire Mindanao island, the eye to which the promise of beauty can be seen.
Davao is place where diversity in tradition and culture is very dominant. During the early years, the ethnic tribes living in the city lived a harmonious living, dwelling in peace and friendship. The forefathers of the city were the Mandayas, Bagobos, Manobos, Tiboli and Mansakas which gave the province its original name, “daba-daba” and later became Davao. Despite of the differences in tradition and culture, davaoeños live a peaceful life together which make the place a unique one.
The city is loaded with breathtaking views of mountainous region coupled with fertile valleys and rolling hills. You can find a lot of beautiful flowers such as the orchids including the waling-waling. It is home to the famous durian fruit. The Philippine Eagle can also be found in the city. It is sheltered in Malagos, the sanctuary for the eagles and can be located at hoof of Mt. Apo, the and tallest and highest mountain peak in the Philippines. White sand beaches is just near by the city, with just minutes of boat ride from the wharf, you will be mesmerized with the amazing view of the Paradise Island and Pearl Farm Beach Resort in the Garden City of Samal.
One of the city's pride is the People's Park which was newly opened last December 15,2007. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the people of the Davao are very proud of this mini-forest park. The place is filled with large sculptures that represent the indigenous groups living in Southern Mindanao. One interesting fact about the park is that, the music being played inside the premises is purely Filipiniana and OPM, bringing the musical culture of the Filipinos back to life. The replica of the Statue of David is also considered as the city's landmark. It can be found near the Queensland Lodge.
The City of Davao is rich in art. This is manifested by the city's Kadayawan Festival, tagged as the festival of all festivals. This is usually celebrated during the second week of August and tourist from different parts of the country and the world visit Davao and join the celebration. The festival is a colorful display of culture and tradition which spreads the messages of harmony and peace. The highlight of the festival is called the Indak-Indak or Street Dancing.
Situated in the heart of the Philippines, sunny Cebu is an ideal travel destination for all sorts of tourists. The top 5 tourist spots in Cebu - Philippines, which is a hub of tourism, trade and industry, attract more and more visitors every year.
Cebus white-sand beaches, blue waters and rich marine life are must-visits for beach lovers and diving enthusiasts. For forest trekkers, there are many forest reserves, mountains and hills. Art and culture enthusiasts will enjoy the provinces rich history, centuries-old churches and ancestral houses, music and traditional dances. From eating out to shopping for antiques, from indulging in delicious fruits to open water diving, there is always much to see and do in the lively Cebu.
Here are the top 5 tourist spots in Cebu Philippines:
Historical Monuments and Landmarks
Cebus historical monuments and landmarks earn a spot in this list of top 5 tourist spots in Cebu Philippines. Cebu is a very historic province and most, if not all, of its monuments and landmarks are famous attractions. The most popular of all landmarks is Magellans Cross, which is on the corner of Magallanes and Burgos streets. Magellan planted the cross in 1521. Fort San Pedro, the oldest and smallest fortress in the Philippines, took 200 years to complete. It was built as a stronghold in 1565. Other must-see monuments and landmarks in Cebu are the Lapu-Lapu Monument, Liloan Lighthouse, Colon Street, and the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.
Churches
Cebu's churches, among the top 5 tourist spots in Cebu Philippines, reflect architectural design with foreign and local-folk influences. The Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, the oldest church in the country, was built in 1565, damaged by a fire in 1568, rebuilt in 1602 and renovated in 1740. Life-size wooden carvings of Christ and his apostles can be found in the Chapel of the Last Supper in the Mandaue parish. Other churches and temples in Cebu are the Naga, Argao, Dalaguete and Carcar churches, Ramon Durano Foundation Compound, the Taoist and Phu-Sian temples, and the Heavenly Temple of Charity.
Islands
Cebu is a paradise for divers, water sports enthusiasts and beach lovers. The islands in Cebu are among the top 5 tourist spots in Cebu Philippines. From the urban Mactan Island to the more laidback Moalboal, from shallow waters to drop-offs, open water and advanced divers will never run out of diving options.
Natural Scenery
Nature lovers who want to take a break from the sun and the sand can explore the natural scenery. The Central Cebu National Park is a forest reserve and wildlife sanctuary perfect for appreciating Cebus flora and fauna. For picnics, travelers can explore Cawasan Falls, Sudlon National Park and The Tops. The Tops, which is on Busay Hills, offers panoramic views of Cebu, Olango and Mactan.
Museums
Art aficionados will enjoy visiting Cebus museums, which wrap up the top 5 tourist spots in Cebu Philippines. The Casa Gordo Museum features prints, religious relics and artifacts from the 18th and 19th century. It also holds modern art exhibits. The University of San Carlos Museum, Cebu Public Museum, Jumalons Lepido and Mosaic Art Collection are also worth visiting.
Travel is movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations for any purpose and any duration, with or without any means of transport. Travel also includes relatively short stays[1] between successive movements. Movements between locations requiring only a few minutes are not considered as travel.
Early History -The Negritos are believed to have migrated to the Philippines some 30,000 years ago from Borneo, Sumatra, and Malaya. The Malayans followed in successive waves. These people belonged to a primitive epoch of Malayan culture, which has apparently survived to this day among certain groups such as the Igorots. The Malayan tribes that came later had more highly developed material cultures. In the 14th cent. Arab traders from Malay and Borneo introduced Islam into the southern islands and extended their influence as far north as Luzon. The first Europeans to visit (1521) the Philippines were those in the Spanish expedition around the world led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Other Spanish expeditions followed, including one from New Spain (Mexico) under López de Villalobos, who in 1542 named the islands for the infante Philip, later Philip II.
Spanish Control - The conquest of the Filipinos by Spain did not begin in earnest until 1564, when another expedition from New Spain, commanded by Miguel López de Legaspi, arrived. Spanish leadership was soon established over many small independent communities that previously had known no central rule. By 1571, when López de Legaspi established the Spanish city of Manila on the site of a Moro town he had conquered the year before, the Spanish foothold in the Philippines was secure, despite the opposition of the Portuguese, who were eager to maintain their monopoly on the trade of East Asia. Manila repulsed the attack of the Chinese pirate Limahong in 1574. For centuries before the Spanish arrived the Chinese had traded with the Filipinos, but evidently none had settled permanently in the islands until after the conquest. Chinese trade and labor were of great importance in the early development of the Spanish colony, but the Chinese came to be feared and hated because of their increasing numbers, and in 1603 the Spanish murdered thousands of them (later, there were lesser massacres of the Chinese). The Spanish governor, made a viceroy in 1589, ruled with the advice of the powerful royal audiencia. There were frequent uprisings by the Filipinos, who resented the encomienda system. By the end of the 16th cent. Manila had become a leading commercial center of East Asia, carrying on a flourishing trade with China, India, and the East Indies. The Philippines supplied some wealth (including gold) to Spain, and the richly laden galleons plying between the islands and New Spain were often attacked by English freebooters. There was also trouble from other quarters, and the period from 1600 to 1663 was marked by continual wars with the Dutch, who were laying the foundations of their rich empire in the East Indies, and with Moro pirates. One of the most difficult problems the Spanish faced was the subjugation of the Moros. Intermittent campaigns were conducted against them but without conclusive results until the middle of the 19th cent. As the power of the Spanish Empire waned, the Jesuit orders became more influential in the Philippines and acquired great amounts of property.
Revolution, War, and U.S. Control - It was the opposition to the power of the clergy that in large measure brought about the rising sentiment for independence. Spanish injustices, bigotry, and economic oppressions fed the movement, which was greatly inspired by the brilliant writings of José Rizal. In 1896 revolution began in the province of Cavite, and after the execution of Rizal that December, it spread throughout the major islands. The Filipino leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, achieved considerable success before a peace was patched up with Spain. The peace was short-lived, however, for neither side honored its agreements, and a new revolution was brewing when the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898. After the U.S. naval victory in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey supplied Aguinaldo with arms and urged him to rally the Filipinos against the Spanish. By the time U.S. land forces had arrived, the Filipinos had taken the entire island of Luzon, except for the old walled city of Manila, which they were besieging. The Filipinos had also declared their independence and established a republic under the first democratic constitution ever known in Asia. Their dreams of independence were crushed when the Philippines were transferred from Spain to the United States in the Treaty of Paris (1898), which closed the Spanish-American War. In Feb., 1899, Aguinaldo led a new revolt, this time against U.S. rule. Defeated on the battlefield, the Filipinos turned to guerrilla warfare, and their subjugation became a mammoth project for the United States—one that cost far more money and took far more lives than the Spanish-American War. The insurrection was effectively ended with the capture (1901) of Aguinaldo by Gen. Frederick Funston, but the question of Philippine independence remained a burning issue in the politics of both the United States and the islands. The matter was complicated by the growing economic ties between the two countries. Although comparatively little American capital was invested in island industries, U.S. trade bulked larger and larger until the Philippines became almost entirely dependent upon the American market. Free trade, established by an act of 1909, was expanded in 1913. When the Democrats came into power in 1913, measures were taken to effect a smooth transition to self-rule. The Philippine assembly already had a popularly elected lower house, and the Jones Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1916, provided for a popularly elected upper house as well, with power to approve all appointments made by the governor-general. It also gave the islands their first definite pledge of independence, although no specific date was set. When the Republicans regained power in 1921, the trend toward bringing Filipinos into the government was reversed. Gen. Leonard Wood, who was appointed governor-general, largely supplanted Filipino activities with a semimilitary rule. However, the advent of the Great Depression in the United States in the 1930s and the first aggressive moves by Japan in Asia (1931) shifted U.S. sentiment sharply toward the granting of immediate independence to the Philippines.
The Commonwealth - The Hare-Hawes Cutting Act, passed by Congress in 1932, provided for complete independence of the islands in 1945 after 10 years of self-government under U.S. supervision. The bill had been drawn up with the aid of a commission from the Philippines, but Manuel L. Quezon, the leader of the dominant Nationalist party, opposed it, partially because of its threat of American tariffs against Philippine products but principally because of the provisions leaving naval bases in U.S. hands. Under his influence, the Philippine legislature rejected the bill. The Tydings-McDuffie Independence Act (1934) closely resembled the Hare-Hawes Cutting Act, but struck the provisions for American bases and carried a promise of further study to correct “imperfections or inequalities.” The Philippine legislature ratified the bill; a constitution, approved by President Roosevelt (Mar., 1935) was accepted by the Philippine people in a plebiscite (May); and Quezon was elected the first president (Sept.). When Quezon was inaugurated on Nov. 15, 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was formally established. Quezon was reelected in Nov., 1941. To develop defensive forces against possible aggression, Gen. Douglas MacArthur was brought to the islands as military adviser in 1935, and the following year he became field marshal of the Commonwealth army.
World War II - War came suddenly to the Philippines on Dec. 8 (Dec. 7, U.S. time), 1941, when Japan attacked without warning. Japanese troops invaded the islands in many places and launched a pincer drive on Manila. MacArthur’s scattered defending forces (about 80,000 troops, four fifths of them Filipinos) were forced to withdraw to Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island, where they entrenched and tried to hold until the arrival of reinforcements, meanwhile guarding the entrance to Manila Bay and denying that important harbor to the Japanese. But no reinforcements were forthcoming. The Japanese occupied Manila on Jan. 2, 1942. MacArthur was ordered out by President Roosevelt and left for Australia on Mar. 11; Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright assumed command. The besieged U.S.-Filipino army on Bataan finally crumbled on Apr. 9, 1942. Wainwright fought on from Corregidor with a garrison of about 11,000 men; he was overwhelmed on May 6, 1942. After his capitulation, the Japanese forced the surrender of all remaining defending units in the islands by threatening to use the captured Bataan and Corregidor troops as hostages. Many individual soldiers refused to surrender, however, and guerrilla resistance, organized and coordinated by U.S. and Philippine army officers, continued throughout the Japanese occupation. Japan’s efforts to win Filipino loyalty found expression in the establishment (Oct. 14, 1943) of a “Philippine Republic,” with José P. Laurel, former supreme court justice, as president. But the people suffered greatly from Japanese brutality, and the puppet government gained little support. Meanwhile, President Quezon, who had escaped with other high officials before the country fell, set up a government-in-exile in Washington. When he died (Aug., 1944), Vice President Sergio Osmeña became president. Osmeña returned to the Philippines with the first liberation forces, which surprised the Japanese by landing (Oct. 20, 1944) at Leyte, in the heart of the islands, after months of U.S. air strikes against Mindanao. The Philippine government was established at Tacloban, Leyte, on Oct. 23. The landing was followed (Oct. 23–26) by the greatest naval engagement in history, called variously the battle of Leyte Gulf and the second battle of the Philippine Sea. A great U.S. victory, it effectively destroyed the Japanese fleet and opened the way for the recovery of all the islands. Luzon was invaded (Jan., 1945), and Manila was taken in February. On July 5, 1945, MacArthur announced “All the Philippines are now liberated.” The Japanese had suffered over 425,000 dead in the Philippines. The Philippine congress met on June 9, 1945, for the first time since its election in 1941. It faced enormous problems. The land was devastated by war, the economy destroyed, the country torn by political warfare and guerrilla violence. Osmeña’s leadership was challenged (Jan., 1946) when one wing (now the Liberal party) of the Nationalist party nominated for president Manuel Roxas, who defeated Osmeña in April.
The Republic of the Philippines - Manuel Roxas became the first president of the Republic of the Philippines when independence was granted, as scheduled, on July 4, 1946. In Mar., 1947, the Philippines and the United States signed a military assistance pact (since renewed) and the Philippines gave the United States a 99-year lease on designated military, naval, and air bases (a later agreement reduced the period to 25 years beginning 1967). The sudden death of President Roxas in Apr., 1948, elevated the vice president, Elpidio Quirino, to the presidency, and in a bitterly contested election in Nov., 1949, Quirino defeated José Laurel to win a four-year term of his own. The enormous task of reconstructing the war-torn country was complicated by the activities in central Luzon of the Communist-dominated Hukbalahap guerrillas (Huks), who resorted to terror and violence in their efforts to achieve land reform and gain political power. They were finally brought under control (1954) after a vigorous attack launched by the minister of national defense, Ramón Magsaysay. By that time Magsaysay was president of the country, having defeated Quirino in Nov., 1953. He had promised sweeping economic changes, and he did make progress in land reform, opening new settlements outside crowded Luzon island. His death in an airplane crash in Mar., 1957, was a serious blow to national morale. Vice President Carlos P. García succeeded him and won a full term as president in the elections of Nov., 1957. In foreign affairs, the Philippines maintained a firm anti-Communist policy and joined the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in 1954. There were difficulties with the United States over American military installations in the islands, and, despite formal recognition (1956) of full Philippine sovereignty over these bases, tensions increased until some of the bases were dismantled (1959) and the 99-year lease period was reduced. The United States rejected Philippine financial claims and proposed trade revisions. Philippine opposition to García on issues of government corruption and anti-Americanism led, in June, 1959, to the union of the Liberal and Progressive parties, led by Vice President Diosdado Macapagal, the Liberal party leader, who succeeded García as president in the 1961 elections. Macapagal’s administration was marked by efforts to combat the mounting inflation that had plagued the republic since its birth; by attempted alliances with neighboring countries; and by a territorial dispute with Britain over North Borneo (later Sabah), which Macapagal claimed had been leased and not sold to the British North Borneo Company in 1878.
Marcos and After - Ferdinand E. Marcos, who succeeded to the presidency after defeating Macapagal in the 1965 elections, inherited the territorial dispute over Sabah; in 1968 he approved a congressional bill annexing Sabah to the Philippines. Malaysia suspended diplomatic relations (Sabah had joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963), and the matter was referred to the United Nations. (The Philippines dropped its claim to Sabah in 1978.) The Philippines became one of the founding countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. The continuing need for land reform fostered a new Huk uprising in central Luzon, accompanied by mounting assassinations and acts of terror, and in 1969, Marcos began a major military campaign to subdue them. Civil war also threatened on Mindanao, where groups of Moros opposed Christian settlement. In Nov., 1969, Marcos won an unprecedented reelection, easily defeating Sergio Osmeña, Jr., but the election was accompanied by violence and charges of fraud, and Marcos’s second term began with increasing civil disorder. In Jan., 1970, some 2,000 demonstrators tried to storm Malacañang Palace, the presidential residence; riots erupted against the U.S. embassy. When Pope Paul VI visited Manila in Nov., 1970, an attempt was made on his life. In 1971, at a Liberal party rally, hand grenades were thrown at the speakers’ platform, and several people were killed. President Marcos declared martial law in Sept., 1972, charging that a Communist rebellion threatened. The 1935 constitution was replaced (1973) by a new one that provided the president with direct powers. A plebiscite (July, 1973) gave Marcos the right to remain in office beyond the expiration (Dec., 1973) of his term. Meanwhile the fighting on Mindanao had spread to the Sulu Archipelago. By 1973 some 3,000 people had been killed and hundreds of villages burned. Throughout the 1970s poverty and governmental corruption increased, and Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand’s wife, became more influential. Martial law remained in force until 1981, when Marcos was reelected, amid accusations of electoral fraud. On Aug. 21, 1983, opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated at Manila airport, which incited a new, more powerful wave of anti-Marcos dissent. After the Feb., 1986, presidential election, both Marcos and his opponent, Corazon Aquino (the widow of Benigno), declared themselves the winner, and charges of massive fraud and violence were leveled against the Marcos faction. Marcos’s domestic and international support eroded, and he fled the country on Feb. 25, 1986, eventually obtaining asylum in the United States. Aquino’s government faced mounting problems, including coup attempts, significant economic difficulties, and pressure to rid the Philippines of the U.S. military presence (the last U.S. bases were evacuated in 1992). In 1990, in response to the demands of the Moros, a partially autonomous Muslim region was created in the far south. In 1992, Aquino declined to run for reelection and was succeeded by her former army chief of staff Fidel Ramos. He immediately launched an economic revitalization plan premised on three policies: government deregulation, increased private investment, and political solutions to the continuing insurgencies within the country. His political program was somewhat successful, opening dialogues with the Marxist and Muslim guerillas. However, Muslim discontent with partial rule persisted, and unrest and violence continued throughout the 1990s. In 1999, Marxist rebels and Muslim separatists formed an alliance to fight the government. Several natural disasters, including the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on Luzon and a succession of severe typhoons, slowed the country’s economic progress. However, the Philippines escaped much of the economic turmoil seen in other East Asian nations in 1997 and 1998, in part by following a slower pace of development imposed by the International Monetary Fund. Joseph Marcelo Estrada, a former movie actor, was elected president in 1998, pledging to help the poor and develop the country’s agricultural sector. In 1999 he announced plans to amend the constitution in order to remove protectionist provisions and attract more foreign investment. Late in 2000, Estrada’s presidency was buffeted by charges that he accepted millions of dollars in payoffs from illegal gambling operations. Although his support among the poor Filipino majority remained strong, many political, business, and church leaders called for him to resign. In Nov., 2000, Estrada was impeached by the house of representatives on charges of graft, but the senate, controlled by Estrada’s allies, provoked a crisis (Jan., 2001) when it rejected examining the president’s bank records. As demonstrations against Estrada mounted and members of his cabinet resigned, the supreme court stripped him of the presidency, and Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in as Estrada’s successor. Macapagal-Arroyo was elected president in her own right in May, 2004, but the balloting was marred by violence and irregularities as well as a tedious vote-counting process that was completed six weeks after the election. Source: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL SYMBOLS 1
(Mga Pambansang Sagisag Ng Pilipinas)
TARA NA BIYAHE TAYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET'S GO, LET'S VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S VISIT PALAWAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Palawan: The Final Frontier of the Philippines
The province of Palawan is located on the Philippines' western border. It is located southwest of Manila and it will only take an hour-long flight to get there. Palawan is an idyllic paradise with an invitingly calm atmosphere and nature themes of tropical bliss. It is a fine getaway from the tiring daily grind of work and an ideal place to take a time out from life's pressures.
Palawan Climate
Like the rest of this tropical country, Palawan gets a lot of rainfall during the months of June to December. January to May give favorable weather and is perfect for a summer escapade. The southern part of Palawan enjoys virtually no storms, however it does experience tropical rains. The perfect time to sail to the province is from March to June. The summer months still remain as the peak season for tourists and travelers.
Palawan Origins
It is believed that the name of Palawan came from a Chinese word that means a safe beautiful harbor. Another theory is that the Spanish named the place after the shape of the main island that resembles a closed umbrella. Palawan's history reaches far back even before the Philippines was under colonial rule. Relics like porcelain and jars found on the islands date back from the country's pre-colonial era and also means that the early inhabitants of this small archipelago was actively engaged in trade.
Palawan's Sights
People come to Palawan for its beaches, waterfalls, hot springs, dive sites, caves, and other ecotourism destinations. Some of the popular sites are the Underground River, Tigman Beach, Manikit Hot Springs, Estrella Falls, Mangit Cave, and Miniloc Island Lagoons. Diving is also a huge attraction here in Palawan. The place has a variety of dive sites to thrill diving enthusiasts. Wreck divers will especially have a fun time, as there are many wreck sites here to see.
Palawan's Accommodations
There are a lot of places to stay in Palawan in case you decide to travel here. There are many hotels of different classes, inns, and pension houses to serve and accommodate and budget. Some standard class hotels in Palawan include The Legend Hotel, Airport Hotel, Asturias Hotel, and Hotel Fleuris. Staying in one of the world class resorts here is a good idea if you want to be closer to wonderful nature scenes.
Two of the best places you might want to check out are Dos Palmas Island Resort and Puerto Beach resort. Both resorts offer rustic scenes and tropical comforts. Some of the other resorts that you might be interested to see are Lally and Abet Beach Resorts, El Nido Resorts, BM Lamuro Resort and Spa, and Princesa Holiday Resort. For those who are a bit short on the budget, they can go for one of the inns and pension houses that dot this island province. These pension houses and inns offer different grades of service and accommodation. A short sample list of these places include the following: Lola Itang Pension, Badjao Inn, Bulwagang Princessa Inn, Circon Lodge, Hillside Resort, Moana Hotel, Duchess Pension, and Payuyo Pension.
Dining Options in Palawan
Visitors and guests will never find it hard to look for a place to eat in Palawan. The hotel or resort you're staying in will likely have a bar or restaurant where you can grab a bite. You'll find the best Filipino dishes and international cuisine clashing here resulting in plethora of different flavors. Since the city area in Palawan is urbanized, you may also find your usual fast food here if you're just looking for a quick bite or nostalgic for some donuts, pizza, or burgers. Some of the restaurants you may find include Ka Lui's Restaurant, which is often described as one Palawan's best, serving meals at a reasonable seven dollar average. If you're looking for great seafood with a seaside ambience then go for Badjao Seafront Restaurant. Other places of note include Balinsasayaw Grill, Bilao at Palayok, Kinabuchs Bar and Grill, Baker's Hill, Vietville, Neva's Place, McCoy's, Rene's, We Be Sushi Bar and Restaurant, and many more. Take note that average food prices here will fall below a $10 average. Some Palawan restaurants even have meals priced at an average of $5. If you pick a place that serves fine dining you should expect the prices to go above $10, which will still be quite reasonable for the service and good food.
Found within Southern Tagalog in the Philippines, Palawan is the biggest province of the country, considering the vastness of its land. Sandwiched between Sulu Sea and South China Sea, this province is generally considered one of the best tourist spots within the south and southeastern part of Asia. Furthermore, many people just cannot help but admire the beautifully natural landscapes and surroundings of this place. The economy of Palawan relies heavily on its rich biodiversity and progressive ecotourism. Aside from its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife, the province is internationally recognized for protecting and developing two main attractions, namely the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, which were recently named to be part of the World Heritage Sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation or UNESCO. Additionally, Palawan is also home to various international acclaimed and highly notable locations like the El Nido Marine Reserve Park, Coron Reefs, and Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. While each of these wonderful locations has its very own unique features and highlights, all of them contribute to the very fact that Palawan owns one of the richest and best preserved natural ecosystems in the whole world. Furthermore, environmentalists from all over the globe have nothing but praise for the people behind this rich natural preservation of the wildlife amidst an increasingly industrialized economy. The El Nido Marine Reserve Park features islets, coves, and beaches that are guaranteed to amaze all the avid explorers out there. Aside from the beauty and charm of the place, it features a wide array of wildlife including Philippine cockatoos and giant clams. Additionally, this place owns one of the most chilling and exciting scuba diving sites not only in Palawan but also around the world, featuring sunken ships that were used by the Japanese armies during World War II. To protect this site from abusive visitors and guests, the local government of the province established some strict laws that would protect the various wildlife and beautiful sceneries with the area. Meanwhile, the Coron Reefs that are found within Coron Bay in Busuanga is another top attraction amongst tourists and guests alike. This place features several Japanese warships that sunk during World War II. For sure, people will find the place very irresistible for there are lots of thrilling and fun outdoor activities to try such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and dive safaris. The action never ends at this wonderful and truly amazing tourist destination in Palawan. Lastly, who would not appreciate the beauty and charm of the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary? Aside from protecting the country’s most endangered species, this animal sanctuary offers refuge to endangered animals from Africa. Because of this place, the Philippine wildlife continues to thrive despite the rampant violations against animal welfare and protection.
LET'S WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S GO TO PALAWAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOW LET US VISIT CAMIGUIN ISLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The island-province of Camiguin is a pear-shaped volcanic island in the northern tip of Mindanao. It is approximately 90 kilometers north of the City of Cagayan de Oro. It is bounded to the north by Bohol Sea, to the west by Macajalar Bay, to the southeast by Gingoog Bay and to the east by Butuan Bay.
Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao, with its land area pegged at 29,187 hectares. It is composed of five towns, namely, Mambajao – the capital town, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. The island plays host to seven volcanoes, including the still-active Mount Hibok-Hibok. According to the National Statistics Office, Camiguin has a total population of 74,232 persons, making the province the second smallest in the Philippines in terms of population.
Among the Province's major products are coconut, cassava, banana, camote, palay, corn, fruits, coffee and vegetables. Camiguin's volcanic soil has proved to be a fertile ground for planting various crops. At present, the Provincial government is looking into an agricultural program that would increase the cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables in Camiguin. The Province is also among the best abaca fiber producers in the country. Camiguin is proud of its natural resources, which include sulfur deposits, geothermal energy, agricultural lands and fishing grounds.
The Camiguin culture is a mixture of both Boholano and Cebuano culture. It is very colorful and creative. The people are deeply religious, hospitable and friendly. Cebuano is the major dialect in the Province. However, in the towns of Sagay and Guinsiliban, where most of the indigenous tribes reside, the Kinamiguin dialect is still spoken. Kinamiguin is derived from the Manobo dialect with some mixture of Boholano.
How to Get Here
From Manila, you can take direct flights of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, or Air Philippines to Cagayan de Oro City. Flying time approximately takes one hour and 20 minutes. From Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City is even nearer -- a mere 30 minutes away. One can also take the longer but infinitely more exciting ferry trips from the North Harbor aboard the ships of WG&A, Negros Navigation, and Sulpicio Lines. Depending on the routes (sometimes they stop over at certain ports such as that of Cebu City, Iloilo City or Bacolod City), a ferry trip to Cagayan de Oro City usually takes 28 to 36 hours.
From the Cagayan de Oro City airport, you can take a cab to the bus terminal located at the Agora Market and get on a bus for Balingoan, a town 88 kilometers outside the city. At Balingoan, take a ferry bound for Camiguin Island approaching Camiguin by sea. The trip usually takes an hour before you reach Benoni Wharf of Mahinog, which is 17 kilometers from the capital town of Mambajao.
You can also take a three-hour ferry ride from the Cagayan de Oro Ferry Terminal to Guinsiliban, also in Camiguin on board M/V Yuhum.
Map of Camiguin Island
The capital town of Camiguin Island is Mambajao which is located in the northern part of the island. There are ferries from Cebu that makes Mambajao as one of their regular ports of call. It has also an airport for light planes. The ferry from Balingoan anchors in Mahinog in the northeast while cargo ferries usually dock at the Guinsibilian Wharf in the southeast. The other towns are Sagay and Catarman, both in the southwest. Red spots indicate places to visit.
Places to visit
If you want to know where these places are located, please see the Camiguin Island Map. The red spots on the map would indicate the scenic places for you to visit.
CATARMAN CHURCH RUINS (GUI-OB CHURCH)
The devastating volcanic eruption in 1871 wiped out the Spanish settlement of Catarman that was established in 1697. The remains of an Old Spanish church, ruins of adobe walls, belfry and convent are mute witnesses to the wrath of nature. It also allows us a glimpse into the culture of Spanish-era Camiguin.
CROSS MARKER AND SUNKEN CEMETERY
Located in Bonbon, Catarman a huge cross marker has been installed by the Provincial government to mark the community cemetery that sunk during the 1871 volcanic holocaust. Years ago, gravestones were visible during low tide. Today, it is an interesting diving site.
PHILVOLCS OBSERVATORY STATION
The Observatory houses a seismograph that monitors the activity of the island's fiery resident, Mount Hibok-Hibok. It is also the site where one can get a breathtaking view of the island, as well as hints of the neighboring islands in the horizon
TANGUINES LAGOON
A man-made lagoon located in Benoni, Mahinog. Its mantle of limpid waters, craggy cliffs and huge boulders standing like sentinels, gently rolling hills with peaks covered by creamy clouds and a perpetually restive sea provide visitors with a sense of serenity and peace. Truly a place to convene with nature.
KATIBAWASAN FALLS
The 250-feet majestic beauty cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its ice-cold waters provide an ideal summer splash to locals and tourists alike. Rock picnic tables, seats and cookout facilities are available for use.
TUASAN FALLS
The trek to the 25-meter high strong waterfalls is fun and exciting. One will have go through a very scenic hike passing through the quaint barrio Mainit before being refreshed under the thunderous falls.
TANGUB HOT SPRING
A volcanic spring by the sea. Water temperatures turn cold, hot and lukewarm as the tide changes from high, low and medium, respectively. Diving is good to about 1020 meters in a gradual drop off. It is an ideal site for scuba diving.
MACAO COLD SPRING
Located in Mahinog, the Macao Cold Spring is one of Camiguin's idyllic springs. One will be amazed with the cool splash of crystal blue-colored water. Swimming along the pool, one could be accompanied by a school of small fishes. Huge century-old trees surround the pool, keeping it cool and shady.
MANTIGUE ISLAND
Three kilometers off the shore from Barangay San Roque, Mahinog is an island four hectares of evergreen forest fringed with sandy beach. The boat ride to Mantigue is quite exciting, as one has to contend with strong diverging currents due to the open sea. One side of the island is ideal for swimming as it is shallow and has few corals. The opposite side is a deep drop off ideal for snorkeling and diving.
MOUNT HIBOK-HIBOK
The only active volcano in the island, the 1250-meter slope is a challenge even to the seasoned mountaineer, as he has to contend with loose rocks and boulders. Mount Hibok-Hibok has a crater lake at the peak and has steam outlets abound. The peak also offers a breathtaking view of the islands of Cebu, Negros and Bohol.
OLD VOLCANO
A unique underwater lave formation is the main attraction in this site that rises from the depths of more than eighty feet from the bottom forming a series of pinnacles. The coral covered molten rocks are surrounded with tropical fishes such as anthias, clown fishes, damsels and the like.
ARDENT HOT SPRING
The local hot spa is a natural pool of about 40 degrees centigrade springing from depths of Mount Hibok-Hibok. The Municipality of Mambajao has provided cottages, restaurant and dormitory facilities that cater to local and foreign tourists. It has picnic huts, cookout facilities and restrooms for visitors.It is ideal for night swimming, a place to rejuvenate both mind and body.
WHITE ISLAND
Two kilometers off the coast of Agoho, Mambajao is the Camiguin's popular sand bar. At times it is in the shape of the letter C, sometimes the letter I, depending on the ocean tide. It has the picturesque Mount Hibok-Hibok and Old Vulcan as its backdrop. It is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling.
JICDUF SHOAL
The seabed rises forming a shoal of about ten hectares in size. The Jicduf Shoal is one of the best diving spots in Camiguin. It offers a wide variety of aquatic life for the diver to observe and enjoy. It is an ideal site for underwater photographers and novice divers.
BURIAS SHOAL
A favorite spot for high-adventure-seeking divers, the Burias Shoal can be reached after breezy thirty-minute speedboat ride. One can find schools of jacks, tuna, surgeons, mackerel and barracudas. The shoal boasts of a lush black coral covered bottom. Strong currents may make diving tricky, however, the experience is worth the effort.
STO. NIÑO COLD SPRING
Located in Catarman, the Sto. Niño Cold Spring has a pool measuring 25 meters by 40 meters. It is 2 meters deep of cold spring water sprouting from the sandy bottom. The area has a restaurant, native cottages, picnic huts, cookout facilities and restrooms for visitors.
WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU LIKE? LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET'S SEE BOHOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After a hearty breakfast of bacon, ham, eggs and Japanese siomai (takaw!) at the cafeteria on the basement of PAL Centennial terminal, we headed off to Bohol at 8AM on board the brand-spanking-new jet of PAL. The flight is for a good 90 minutes - that’s pretty long for a local flight.
As I’ve made arrangements for the countryside tour before our trip, we were picked up at the airport by our driver/tour guide Mang Jun. I got his name from a couple of forums I frequent and I’m glad that the recommendations were all reliable. Mang Jun is in his 50’s and is a native of Bohol. He’s very nice and more importantly, very knowledgeable on local attractions and local culture.
usually rains around lunchtime during the past week, he suggested that we visit Chocolate Hills first as it is the farthest. After a brief photo op at the Blood Compact commemorative site, we proceeded to the town of Carmen, approximately 58 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Surprisingly, there was still a good number of tourists (mostly Koreans) at the Chocolate Hills even if it was a Monday. It being the rainy season, the hills have turned green already.
At the view deck are a handful of digital photographers who offer to take your pics and digitize them to appear as if you’re flying over the hills, or cupping the hills with your hands, that sort of stuff Cute but slightly tacky for us hehe You get hard copies and they also email the files to you. Costs about P150+ depending on the package.
It started to drizzle on our way down from the view deck. After scouting through the souvenir shops, a brief stop at the restroom (I’m very particular about restrooms - the ones at the Chocolate Hills are very clean so I give it a thumbs up!), and a couple more pictures on the way
down from the Hills, we started the long drive back.
Man-made Forest
Next stop (mainly for photo-op again) was the Man-made Forest. The forest was an initiative started in the late 1950’s to help preserve the environment. Initially, they planted purely Mahogany trees. But the mono-cultivation of Mahogany trees, the fruits of which were bitter, did not exactly encourage birds to stay in the area. Eventually, on a second parcel of land, they planted a variety of fruit-bearing and wood trees. Now both forests remain an attraction in Bohol. The beautiful portion though is the one where Mahogany trees are planted so close together that they all stand straight up as opposed to the wide-reaching / spreading natural form of Mahogany trees. As a result, little light shines through the tall trees and the air is more humid and cooler in the area, giving the impression of a deep forest.
Butterfly Garden
Back to our tour, we next visited the Butterfly Garden. After a briefing on the basics of butterflies and moths, we visited the gardens to see some butterflies. The garden is very pretty but as it was raining by then, there were
Bohol 2007 The long way up the view deck of Chocolate Hills
only a few butterflies flying about. Back at the main pavilion, we looked at some souvenirs again and bought a couple of drinks at the snack bar.
Tarsiers and Loboc River Cruise
We’re now off to Loboc to see some tarsiers and to have lunch at the river. Mang Jun dropped us off at one of the Tarsier stations. As there was nothing to see here really except three of the world’s smallest primates and a couple of lemurs, we took off after a couple of pictures.
At exactly 1PM, just as Mang Jun said it would be, we were at the river for lunch. Onboard the floating restaurant, we cruised the Loboc River for about an hour and a half. It has been raining the past few days so the water is not the bright aqua green it usually is but it still is breathtaking. The cruise was very relaxing, lulling us to sleep with the quiet sounds of the river, the cool breeze, and the vista of undisturbed greens. Food was nothing spectacular but the beauty of the river more than makes up for it. A new addition to the cruise is a
20-minute stop in a floating hut with a choir serenading guests with their ukuleles. The moment could have been poignant had they not started singing “Itaktak Mo” with matching dance choreography Pinoy na Pinoy!
We docked at a new pier (it wasn’t there 2 years ago when I last visited). There were very clean, airconditioned restrooms in the sunduan area. I’m impressed really
Loboc Church and Museo de Loboc
Next stop was the Loboc Church and Museo de Loboc just across the pier. According to the caretaker, the museum now used to be the 2nd largest convent in the Philippines. The place now looks worn-down and is in bad need of repair but the beauty of its high ceilings, huge, airy rooms, floors with cool, wide slabs of mahogany (the nail holes on the floor were the size of P10 coins!) and tall, narrow double-doors lends itself to imagining a time of very serene living within this convent. Across the street, visible from the museum’s balcony, is the Loboc River and the belfry of the church. The belfry was designed to be separate from the church, standing closer to the river so that the
water vibrates when the bells toll, letting even natives out of hearing distance know whatever is happening in the church. The bells toll differently on occasions - people would know whether it is a mass or a funeral going on, just by listening (or feeling the vibrations in the water in their case).
The ground floor of the museum is a tribute to its famous choir, started in 1980 by the locals. The second floor comprises the main living quarters (only 5 people live there now, 2 priests and 3 caretakers). The third floor showcases the church’s paraphernalia, including gilded vestments both of priests and saints, mass books beautifully-handwritten in Spanish, etc.
Loboc Church is beautiful! It would have been magnificent really if it was better-kept. Despite the slightly faded colors, the paintings on the ceilings have been retained over centuries, its details still as sharp as when they were newly-done. The church has gone through several floods, the highest of which was the flood of 1990 when waters from the overflowing river filled the church (see pic). It was because of this specific flood that the church now has 2 patrons - St. Peter and Our Lady
of Guadalupe. They say that the flood stopped when it reached the hemline of Our Lady’s gown so they named her their 2nd patron saint.
By this time, we’ve already taken quite a lot already and Kim slept most of the way back. We passed by the Clarins Ancestral House (we did not go in) and Baclayon Church (which I’ve seen a couple of times before already so no biggie if we miss it).
Aproniana
We passed by Aproniana snack and souvenir shop for some serious pasalubong-shopping. Must-buys are the Peanut Kisses and Osang’s Broas! We had our pasalubongs boxed so the broas won’t get crushed They also had separate areas for souvenirs and an entire floor for native bags but we were just interested with the food hehe.
Bohol Bee Farm
Heading now to our resort in Panglao, we asked Mang Jun to pass by the famous Bohol Bee Farm. I took out a couple of packs of organic teas (mango and lemongrass), sampled their pesto spread (very good) and camote bread (too sweet for my liking), and had a light snack of putomaya and tsokolate. The putomaya was suffused with
ginger flavor and warms your mouth. It was served with 3 slices of ripe mangoes and a teacup of native tsokolate. It is best eaten all together :) Kim had mango shake sweetened with their homegrown honey.
Dumaluan Beach Resort
We arrived at Dumaluan Beach Resort late afternoon. After checking-in, we settled down and napped until it was time for dinner.
Ok, here comes the ranting portion of this blog. I chose Dumaluan for 2 reasons: first because it’s quite popular in forums primarily because it shares the same beach as Bohol Beach Club which they say is lots better than Alona’s. Second is because I’ve stayed the past two times at Alona Beach and would like to try something new.
I chose the Superior Deluxe room with aircon, hot/cold water, bathtub and breakfast for two. The room was ok even if it was slightly run-down - no problems with the aircon and with the water. It’s just that the room didn’t appear too clean - Kim said there were hair strands on the tub, the fixtures had lime, the shower curtain was old and unwashed, and the tub and tiles look yellowish. The bathtub
did not work, there were no floormats, and most importantly, there was no tissue paper. We had to ask for it on the way back from dinner and they handed us 2 rolls of coreless tissue paper - it was so cheap it’s hugely disappointing. Another thing is that they placed us on room D5, the farthest from the main pavilion. It would have been forgivable since we were very near the pool and even with the distance, it’s still just a couple of minutes’ walk to the beach had it not been for the construction going on right beside our room. The first day was bad but the second day was worse because they moved to repairing the room right next to us! They were literally pounding our walls!
Anyway, dinner was nothing great. We had grilled liempo, grilled kitong / samaral, and chili crab. Had it not been for the liempo which was actually good, I would have gone hungry because the fish was malansa and the chili crab was weird - it has been deep-fried to the size of my palm and there was no meat left. It was crab chicharon with ketchup!
Alona
After that disastrous first meal, we decided to go to Alona Beach to check out the nightlife. We had no TV in our room and were too full of energy to just chillout for the rest of the night (and anyway, it was just 7:30PM). We asked one of the waiters to hire a motorcycle (habal-habal) to bring us to Alona Beach. As it turns out, it was one of the waiters’ sidelines (it was our waiter himself who drove us - and he was supposed to be on duty hehe) - it cost us double - P100 for 2 pax, one-way - but we had no other choice as it was late already.
At Alona Beach, nights are still quiet. There was a bar with an acoustic singer and a few restaurants/bars which extended their dining areas very near the water (ala Boracay). We strolled along the beach checking out the resorts, had a couple of drinks, bought water and junk food in one of the sari-sari stores, and then had Meynard pick us up again. Kim had another drink back at our resort’s restaurant and by 11PM, we called it a day.
Bohol 2007 Fake food -- honey and water for the butterflies
DAY 2: DOLPHIN-WATCHING AND ISLAND-HOPPING
Dolphin-watching
We were up early the next day for our water tours. Mang Viao, who I made arrangements with prior to our trip, sent his boatmen (he was sick that day) to our beachfront before 5:30 in the morning. We had our free breakfast of ham and eggs (with extra order of danggit hehe) and by past six were on our way to where the dolphins play.
We saw hundreds of dolphins that day and the experience never ceases to amaze. Even Kim who has spent months studying dolphins in Palawan said it was quite a lot that we saw that day. Being early paid off because we caught the dolphins during their feeding time. It’s an exhilarating experience and the only way to know is to see it yourself. I better appreciated the dolphin-watching now because Kim is a marine biologist and would share tons of amazing information on the dolphins I wouldn’t have known exactly what the dolphins were doing had it not for Kim telling me they’re feeding, playing, bow-riding, etc.
Balicasag Island
We probably spent less than an hour watching the dolphins. It
was getting hot and the dolphins were swimming farther away having had their meal already. So we went off to Balicasag Island, about an hour away from where the dolphins were. At Balicasag, we docked in front of Balicasag Resort. Immediately, we had guides in smaller, non-motorized paddle boats offering their services to us. Apparently, motorized boats were not allowed in the fish sanctuary and could actually get arrested by the Navy (located in a base nearby) if they go beyond the borders.
So off we went with Mang Jumar (I think it’s Joemar with the thick Visayan accent hehe) to the fish sanctuary. I was deathly scared because from the boat I could see that the coral forms a wall and then nothing. Just a deep, deep blue of nothingness. But Mang Jumar and Kim were very patient with me. Mang Jumar tried to put me at ease by feeding the fish with bread (while we were standing atop a huge flat coral - by the way, my feet were hurting because I left my slippers in the big boat) and while the fish were feeding, he would scoop up his shirt and actually catch them in his
Eventually, I was able to relax and Kim was able to have me snorkel with him along the coral wall. It was sooooo beautiful I would have gasped every few minutes had I not been underwater I was consciously avoiding looking at the drop-off because I swear there’s nothing to be seen except deep blue water with sunlight streaking down. However, as we snorkeled along, I managed to let go of the fear and venture farther out. After some time, we got tired and Mang Jumar said we can just hold on to the katig of the boat and he would pull it. So we did just that and it was the ultimate, just gliding in the water and watching one of the boatmen try to catch fish using a makeshift arch and arrow. As we were the only ones who were venturing far, the other boatmen shouted at Mang Jumar when they saw turtles swimming! We saw a total of four pawikans and I was ecstatic I was shouting through my snorkel underwater haha! Balicasag simply is the best! I've personally claimed Palawan as my hometown, I'm
just so in love with its underwater life but Balicasag beats snorkeling in Palawan hands-down! (oh well, maybe not Tubbataha but I've never been there so mine was a safe claim haha)
Needless to say, we got toasted snorkeling in Balicasag. Mang Jumar offered paluto lunch and we chose our fish (a huge talakitok), had it cooked two ways - sinigang and inihaw. We had our lunch at a small table facing the water right beside the Navy station hehe.
We went back to Dumaluan and swam and sunbathed and slept on the beach until about 2:30PM. When it became too hot despite the breeze, we changed venues and slept in our room until late afternoon. We had merienda of pancit canton and just spent the rest of the night chilling out at the beach. (We had our fair share of bored moments mainly because we didn’t have TV in our room and I blame the lousy service of Dumaluan for this - when I first called to reserve an aircon room with TV, I was told they only had 1 such room and it was booked already. However, when we got there, we saw lots of rooms
with cable TV - I was wondering, WTF did she say that for??? Didn’t she want me to get a more expensive room???)
DAY 3: JO’S INATO AND ISLAND CITY MALL
We slept late on our last day in Bohol and after a breakfast of sausages and eggs, we just spent the day swimming and taking pics on the beach. We chilled out for a while at the pool and soon it was time to pack our bags and prepare to leave as our sundo would pick us up at 12NN. Our flight was still at 4:40PM but we desperately wanted to eat somewhere else so we decided to leave early. (Note: This is the major downside of Dumaluan - it’s just them and Bohol Beach Club in the area and to eat in BBC, you have to pay the day trip fee of P250 per person, only the P150 of which is consumable - my principles did not allow me to pay an extra P100 per person for every meal just so we could eat there. Doesn’t make sense especially since we weren’t going to use their facilities anyway.)
life in Puerto Princesa, we had Spencer drop us off at Jo’s Chicken Inato in downtown Tagbilaran. The chicken was great plus it was cheap. We even took home some After our lunch, we took a tricycle to Island City Mall just to kill time. We were quite surprised that it indeed qualifies as a mall (Mang Jun was quite embarrassed to call it a mall since it was so small - maybe about 30 stores, with a food court, department store, supermarket and a few kiosks). As with most places we’ve gone to in Bohol, they have the tourist in mind - there is a baggage area at the lower ground level where you can leave your bags and go around the mall without toting your luggages and boxes.
We just window-shopped and again, for lack of anything else to do, we had a snack at The Buzzzz Café, the city outlet of Bohol Bee Farm. Kim again had mango shake and I had the herbal tea which was very good. We tried the Cab-cab (cassava flour dried to taco-like shells, almost like a thicker, crisper version of our lumpia wrappers) with Pesto (different from the spread
which comes with cheese. This one’s a dip -- not good at all, too sour and watery) and Latik (super yummy but careful it’s hot!).
At 3:15PM, we got our luggages and hopped on a tricycle going to the airport. The flight home was 30 minutes shorter than the flight going there - not sure why.
Overall, we had such great fun in Bohol. I think it’s definitely more than what Kim expected and definitely, still worth it for me even if it’s my third time
TRAVEL EXPENSES
Airfare P2100/person (taxes only; we used our miles. Cebu Pac promo fare is P3100/person) Airport tax at Centennial P200/person Breakfast at Centennial Caf P225/person Accommodations P1850/room/night Countryside Tour P1800 Entrance Fee at Chocolate Hills P10/person Entrance Fee at Butterfly Garden P15/person Donation at Tarsier depends on you Lunch at Loboc River P280/person Donation for folk singer depends on you Donation for river choir depends on you Entrance fee at Museo de Loboc P15/person Peanut Kisses P28/box Osang’s Broas P67/pack Bohol Bee Farm tea packs P130/pack of 15 Bohol Bee Farm mango shake P50 Bohol Bee Farm merienda P90 Dinner at Dumaluan P325/person Habal-habal to
Alona Beach P100/2pax/one-way Drinks at Alona Beach P80/bottle of beer Drinks at Dumaluan P50/bottle of beer Dolphin-watching & Island-hopping P1800 inclusive of 2 pairs of snorkel and mask Balicasag tour guide P100/person Paluto lunch at Balicasag P180/kilo of fish; P200 cooking charge; P10/cup of rice; P50 for 1.5 liter Coke; utensils and use of table - free Merienda at Dumaluan P180/pancit canton; P40/iced tea Car pick-up going to city P400 Lunch at Jo’s Inato P69/chicken inato; P120/sizzling tenderloin tips; P59/buko halo Tricycle going to uptown P30/2 pax/one-way The Buzzz Café Cad-cad and Pesto P80 The Buzzz Café herbal tea P40 The Buzzz Café mango shake P50 Terminal fee at Tagbilaran airport P20/person
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOW ABOUT THE MARIA CHRISTINA IN ILIGAN CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City is the second highest falls in the Philippines. It is a waterfall of the Agus River on the Island of Mindanao and is a landmark of Iligan City. Because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls, Iligan City is known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. Maria Cristina Falls is situated 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the Iligan City proper in the boundaries of Barangay Maria Cristina, Ditucalan and Buru-un. It’s a 320 feet high waterfall and the main source of power in the city’s industries which is brought under control by the Agus VI Hydroelectric plant operated by National Power Corporation. It’s not just supplying Iligan City’s power but it goes beyond other provinces generating 70% of Mindanao’s electricity. This means that during these days of El Niño, Mindanao is greatly affected with rotating brownout.
Maria Cristina Falls Flowing Water
Mark at Maria Cristina Falls 3 yrs ago
There are several names associated with Maria Cristina Falls. Some would call it “Twin Falls” because the flow is separated by a rock at the threshold of the waterfall. Other people tagged it as “now-you-see-now-you-don’t falls”. Wondering why? That’s because National Power Corporation operates the man-made controls of the waterfall which is important for producing electricity. 90% of the water from the falls is being utilized for hydropower plant but in spite of that its cascades are still alluring and splendid, attracting both the local and foreign tourists. Maria Cristina Falls is open for public viewing during Sundays and other special occasions as these are the days the plant closes for one hour, allowing the river to run free and return to its natural split-double waterfall. Lisa and I together with our friends went to see the falls. We went up to NPC’s viewing deck at the 3rd floor of the building. All of us were amazed of the falls despite the fact that it has decrease the flow of the waterfall because of El Niño. It continues to mesmerize us as it reach to the pool plunging some of its water to the people in the viewing deck. Swimming in Maria Cristina Falls is strictly prohibited because of the uncontrollable strong current of the water. At the NPC viewing deck, you could also find a small glass room full of pictures of Maria Cristina FallsMaria Cristina Falls got its name. It all started because of the two sisters named Maria and Cristina who lived near the falls. Below is the whole story: and the hydroelectric plant as it evolved through the years. It also has an interesting story on how
The Legend of Maria Cristina Falls
Once a upon a time, Lake Lanao in hands of Omaca-An, A giant monster, eating human beings and animals and even fishes in the water. There were thus a few people around the lake because of the monster that ate everything he saw. Many years passed when Rajah Indarapatra came with his beloved brother Rajah Solaiman. Rajah Solaiman was the first to come and he fought the giant but was killed. Rajah Indarapatra followed, looking for his brother Solaiman. Indarapatra encountered the giant Omaca-an and killed the giant man eater. On land, he looked for the ring of his brother by asking the small and b ig animals he met. On water, however, he went swwimming everyday and gathered both big and small stones beneath the water. He stayed for several years along the shores of the lake, but still he did not find the ring. He constructed an irrigation system that went very far and covered a big distance which later became a river (now the Agus River). The river had a portion which dropped down a deep ravine now the Maria Cristina Falls. Many years passed, and there lived in Maria Cristina Falls two loving sisters, namely : Maria the younger and Cristina the elder. These two beautful ladies loved each other very much. Maria gace everything she had to Cristina, her beloved sister. Many People knew they were the ones living near the falls. They also loved their neighbor as they loved themselves. Datus and Sultans came to ask for their hands in marraige but the sister refused. There was a man, however, son of a prominent Sultan living somewhere beside the Lake Lanao. For many years he was unhappy because he could not find a suitable partner. He romaed around the lake until he saw the two maidens of the falls. He fell in love with the two sisters but the two sisters did not know whom he really loved. Many days passed and Maria dicovered that she loved him very much, which made her very sad and she went to the top of the falls and jumped. When Cristina found out the Maria was dead, she likewise went to the top of the falls and threw herself down the deep ravine. When the handsome young man discovered the situation and found the bodies, he burried them carefully under the falls. After the death of the two sisters, he never married until also died. He also named the falls, Maria Cristina after the two sister he loved.
National Power Corporation has just recently developed the National Power Nature Park. They now offer zipline adventure and rock climbing. There are also tables and chairs for those who want to have some picnic while viewing the falls. There’s also a souvenir area where you can find printed t-shirts and other items of Maria Cristina Falls. Other proposed amenities are still in progress. Getting to Maria Cristina Falls is easy. You can take a Buru-un line jeepney for P12.00 from the Iligan City port area to Agus Bridge and from there you can walk the rest of the way for about half an hour. It’s a good opportunity for brisk walking. Or you can take a cab which will cost you P100.00 to P150.00.
Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City is the second highest falls in the Philippines. It is a waterfall of the Agus River on the Island of Mindanao and is a landmark of Iligan City. Because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls, Iligan City is known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. Maria Cristina Falls is situated 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the Iligan City proper in the boundaries of Barangay Maria Cristina, Ditucalan and Buru-un. It’s a 320 feet high waterfall and the main source of power in the city’s industries which is brought under control by the Agus VI Hydroelectric plant operated by National Power Corporation. It’s not just supplying Iligan City’s power but it goes beyond other provinces generating 70% of Mindanao’s electricity. This means that during these days of El Niño, Mindanao is greatly affected with rotating brownout.
Maria Cristina Falls Flowing Water
Mark at Maria Cristina Falls 3 yrs ago
There are several names associated with Maria Cristina Falls. Some would call it “Twin Falls” because the flow is separated by a rock at the threshold of the waterfall. Other people tagged it as “now-you-see-now-you-don’t falls”. Wondering why? That’s because National Power Corporation operates the man-made controls of the waterfall which is important for producing electricity. 90% of the water from the falls is being utilized for hydropower plant but in spite of that its cascades are still alluring and splendid, attracting both the local and foreign tourists. Maria Cristina Falls is open for public viewing during Sundays and other special occasions as these are the days the plant closes for one hour, allowing the river to run free and return to its natural split-double waterfall. Lisa and I together with our friends went to see the falls. We went up to NPC’s viewing deck at the 3rd floor of the building. All of us were amazed of the falls despite the fact that it has decrease the flow of the waterfall because of El Niño. It continues to mesmerize us as it reach to the pool plunging some of its water to the people in the viewing deck. Swimming in Maria Cristina Falls is strictly prohibited because of the uncontrollable strong current of the water. At the NPC viewing deck, you could also find a small glass room full of pictures of Maria Cristina FallsMaria Cristina Falls got its name. It all started because of the two sisters named Maria and Cristina who lived near the falls. Below is the whole story: and the hydroelectric plant as it evolved through the years. It also has an interesting story on how
The Legend of Maria Cristina Falls
Once a upon a time, Lake Lanao in hands of Omaca-An, A giant monster, eating human beings and animals and even fishes in the water. There were thus a few people around the lake because of the monster that ate everything he saw. Many years passed when Rajah Indarapatra came with his beloved brother Rajah Solaiman. Rajah Solaiman was the first to come and he fought the giant but was killed. Rajah Indarapatra followed, looking for his brother Solaiman. Indarapatra encountered the giant Omaca-an and killed the giant man eater. On land, he looked for the ring of his brother by asking the small and b ig animals he met. On water, however, he went swwimming everyday and gathered both big and small stones beneath the water. He stayed for several years along the shores of the lake, but still he did not find the ring. He constructed an irrigation system that went very far and covered a big distance which later became a river (now the Agus River). The river had a portion which dropped down a deep ravine now the Maria Cristina Falls. Many years passed, and there lived in Maria Cristina Falls two loving sisters, namely : Maria the younger and Cristina the elder. These two beautful ladies loved each other very much. Maria gace everything she had to Cristina, her beloved sister. Many People knew they were the ones living near the falls. They also loved their neighbor as they loved themselves. Datus and Sultans came to ask for their hands in marraige but the sister refused. There was a man, however, son of a prominent Sultan living somewhere beside the Lake Lanao. For many years he was unhappy because he could not find a suitable partner. He romaed around the lake until he saw the two maidens of the falls. He fell in love with the two sisters but the two sisters did not know whom he really loved. Many days passed and Maria dicovered that she loved him very much, which made her very sad and she went to the top of the falls and jumped. When Cristina found out the Maria was dead, she likewise went to the top of the falls and threw herself down the deep ravine. When the handsome young man discovered the situation and found the bodies, he burried them carefully under the falls. After the death of the two sisters, he never married until also died. He also named the falls, Maria Cristina after the two sister he loved.
National Power Corporation has just recently developed the National Power Nature Park. They now offer zipline adventure and rock climbing. There are also tables and chairs for those who want to have some picnic while viewing the falls. There’s also a souvenir area where you can find printed t-shirts and other items of Maria Cristina Falls. Other proposed amenities are still in progress. Getting to Maria Cristina Falls is easy. You can take a Buru-un line jeepney for P12.00 from the Iligan City port area to Agus Bridge and from there you can walk the rest of the way for about half an hour. It’s a good opportunity for brisk walking. Or you can take a cab which will cost you P100.00 to P150.00.
The term "travel" originates from the Middle English word travail.[2] The term also covers all the activities performed during a travel (movement).[3]
A person who travels is called a traveler in the United States, and traveller in the United Kingdom.
Motives to travel include relaxation, discovery and exploration, interpersonal relationships and getting to know other cultures. Travel may be local, regional, national (domestic) or international. In some countries, non-local internal travel may require an internal passport, while international travel typically requires a passport and visa. A trip may also be part of a round trip, which is a particular type of travel whereby a person moves from their usual residence to one or several locations and returns.
In the 14th cent. Arab traders from Malay and Borneo introduced Islam into the southern islands and extended their influence as far north as Luzon. The first Europeans to visit (1521) the Philippines were those in the Spanish expedition around the world led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Other Spanish expeditions followed, including one from New Spain (Mexico) under López de Villalobos, who in 1542 named the islands for the infante Philip, later Philip II.
revolution began in the province of Cavite, and after the execution of Rizal that December, it spread throughout the major islands. The Filipino leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, achieved considerable success before a peace was patched up with Spain. The peace was short-lived, however, for neither side honored its agreements, and a new revolution was brewing when the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898.
the Philippines with the first liberation forces, which surprised the Japanese by landing (Oct. 20, 1944) at Leyte, in the heart of the islands, after months of U.S. air strikes against Mindanao. The Philippine government was established at Tacloban, Leyte, on Oct. 23. 
charging that a Communist rebellion threatened. The 1935 constitution was replaced (1973) by a new one that provided the president with direct powers. A plebiscite (July, 1973) gave Marcos the right to remain in office beyond the expiration (Dec., 1973) of his term. Meanwhile the fighting on Mindanao had spread to the Sulu Archipelago. By 1973 some 3,000 people had been killed and hundreds of villages burned. Throughout the 1970s poverty and governmental corruption increased, and Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand’s wife, became more influential. 
Cute but slightly tacky for us hehe 
