Archive for March, 2009

From the Philippines’ conglomerated culture into its division island per island, the Philippines sprang up a multitude of colorful variety of festivals within the entire archipelago. Each island and places in the Philippines are proud to have their respective colorful festivals they could contribute to Philippines’ culture and tourist’s attractions. Their respective festivals have sprung up in accordance to the culture they have influenced by the conquering foreigners then.

So therefore, if you are planning to discover what festal activities Filipinos are busy of Here are our lists of them that you could reckon.

January Festivities

1. First of All, the Sto.Nino Festival – this festival is held almost nationwide, however it is mostly revel at Cebu Philippines. In Cebu Philippines it is called Sinulog Festival. This festival is held by dressing a two hundred Sto.Nino statue (they called Child Jesus) in many different ways and parades them on the streets or held processions of them.
2. The Bulaklakan Festival – this Philippine festival is held during January 01 at Muntinlupa City Manila Philippines. It is a yearly parade of different flowers.
3. The Feast of the Black Nazarene – this feast is held at Quiapo Manila Philippines during January 09 at Quiapo church wherein a black Nazarene statue is being parade and millions of devotees of it flock into this statue to ask blessing. Believing that this black Nazarene statue have powers to heal and bless them once they touch it.
4. Biniray Festival – this Philippine festival is also called Ati-Atihan Festival. This festival is held every January 09 at Romblon Philippines. This festival is similar with Sto.Nino festival – a feast in honor of Sto.Nino. However, there are also similar festivals like this across the Philippines. That is, Ati-atihan in Aklan, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo Philippines, Halaran Festival of Capiz Philippines, Binirayan Festival of Antique Philippines, and MassKara Festival of Bacolod Philippines. It seems they copied one another, but anyway it is still in the Philippines.
5. The Lingayen Gulf Landing Anniversary or Commemoration – this activity is held at Lingayen Pangasinan during January 09. This celebrates the return of General Douglas MacArthur at the shore of Lingayen on January 09, 1945.This historical return marks the liberation of Pangasinan Philippines from Japanese occupation.
6. Coconut Festival – this Philippine festival is held at San Pablo Laguna Philippines. It is celebrated in a “mardi-gras celebration” to pay tribute to Laguna Philippines’ main crop – the Coconut.
7. Caracol Festival – held every January 19 at Glorietta Makati city Philippines. This festival invites anyone to come out of their respective shell (Caracol : Spanish term for snail) and make revelry and merrymaking.
8. Chinese New Year – held at January 30 –February 2 at almost nationwide but basically at Binondo Philippines and at Chinese garden at Rizal Park at Manila Philippines.

February Festivities

1. National Arts Month –tribute to Filipino talents and creativity, held at Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila Philippines.
2. Kite Festival – held during February 02 at Dumaguete City Philippines in Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum. Every year a kite flying competition held here.
3. Pamulinawen – this festival is held in honor of Saint William the Hermit at Laoag city, Ilocos Norte Philippines during February 2 -11.
4. Chinese Food Festival – in celebration of Chinese New Year held at Makati city during February 03 -05.

What can a tourist expect to this northern top island of the Philippine archipelago? Well, if you like historic adventure or tracing the roots of Malay people in the Philippines, Batanes Island Philippines is the answer. This island is famous for its Ivatans inhabitants. Ivatans are said be descendant of Malay people who cross through the island of Formosa (now Taiwan) into the Philippine archipelago. Thus, Batanes Island Philippines is called “The Land of The True Insulars”. For the Ivatans who dwell in this island are called “True Insulares”. The word “insulars” means “isolated, deeply private” Which gave us an impression that this people and the Batanes island Philippines itself is indeed a frontier or untouched people and place, respectively, exhibiting a beautiful virgin place. So let us now look the insularity of this island.

The People

Stepping into this island, a Malayo –Polynesian which has kind of resemblance to Japanese and Chinese countenance people will welcome you. These are the so called Ivatan people of Batanes. They are kind of race of people that can only be seen in the Philippines. You can see their naturally crafted beautiful native houses built in stones and dried cogon grass along the roads of Batanes.

Take out your camera and have a souvenir picture with this rare race of people in the planet.

Hit its Beautiful Green Hills and Relax.

Yes, Batanes have green hills where cows roam up it and you also could do quiet meditation up the hills. And up hill see the picturesque landscape of all Batanes Hills.There are trekking activities held in two Batanes Hills,namely the Marlboro Hills and Naidi Hills.

Beaches

One of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines listed by the Department of Tourism is Batanes’ Sabtang Island. This island remains undisturbed and unspoiled with intermittent white sand beach, steep mountains and deep canyons. However, you can visit it for sight-seeking purposes.

Another white sand beach in Batanes is the Di-atay Beach. This beach has multi-colored rocks and beautiful coves.It is best and ideal for picnics and beach combing if you want to visit this beach.

Another white sand beach is the White Beach located at Vatang, Hapnit, and Mavatuy Point.

Mountains and Volcano and Caves

If Batanes have many hills, surely it ha also mountains (or mountain volcanoes) and caves for mountain lovers – Batanes’ Mt. Iraya and Mt. Matarem. Mt. Iraya is a dormant volcano best for mountain climbing,trekking and trailblazing activities,while Mt,Matarem is an extinct volcano.

Not only mountain lovers could enjoy Batanes Mountains and hills but also its famous enchanted cave –the Chawa cave. This cave has salt beds and an open mouth channel leading to South China Sea. Another famous cave is the Nakabuang Cave.

Aside from all what we have mentioned, there is another activity that is worth doing if you are tourist here at Batanes, that is you can do bird watching at Cuyab Batanes. Like in Pampanga Philippines, many migratory birds from China flock into region of Batanes to seek refuge from cold weather from China during winter.

There is also a beautiful white lighthouse tower at Basco Batanes.

The Relaxing Side of Leyte Philippines

Aside from Leyte Philippines rich historical tourist places, there are also places in LeytePhilippines which was weaved not by history but by nature itself. Leyte has also beaches a beach lover tourist seek, such as the White Beach located at Brg. San Jose where one could do what one is commonly doing in a beach. That is, swimming, skiing, fishing, boating, etc. Another beach which we mention in my article about historical Leyte Philippine or about General Douglas MacArthur historical landing upon the shore of this beach is the Red Beach located at Palo Leyte.

Leyte Philippines have also cool and relaxing places aside from beaches; such is the cool climate of Mt.Kankahanay located at Jaro Leyte. It has scenic virgin forest which nature lovers could appreciate. And from Mt. Kankahanay we may visit Leyte’s cool Parks which also exhibits natural beauty like the scenic virgin forest of Mt. Kankahanay. We may start nature trekking from Mahagnao Volcano National Park where we could see awe inspiring volcanic craters as well as the multi-colored muds and rocks and witness the gigantic ferns and orchids of the virgin forest of this park as well its beautiful lagoons. Then from Mahagnao Volcano National Park we may cross the Lake Danao Natural Park where we could witness a spectacular fall called Guinaniban Falls as well as we could view the breathtaking Amandiwing Mountain Ranges. Not to mention also the beautiful lakes, namely, Mahagnao, Malagsum, Casudsu-ran and Danao Lake of course. Then we could go at   Mt. Pangasugan Ecopark where could see the endangered species of Lemurs and Tarsiers. After we have treaded from this nature trekking we may take a bath at Tongonan Hotsprings National Park to relax our tired feet and body as well.

Like island hopping in Leyte? We may start at San Juanico Straits where it is said that it has beautiful islets, infinite whirlpools, and rushing water sceneries. From San Juanico Straits we may swim first at Amihan Cebu Woodlands which is said to be a perfect site for swimming while watching cattles roams within their grassy pasture. Then after we have taste the swimming experienced at Amihan Cebu Woodlands, we may hop into Himokilan Island to watch how this big delicious coconut-cracking crabs crack our own coconuts. Surely, your own coconut will be crack because of it very delicious taste that will drive you to snorkel or scuba dive them at Mahaba Island in obsession. Or it will drive you nuts to drive Leyte’s longest beautiful bridge in the Philippines which is the San Juanico Bridge into the endpoint of it. It will be tattooed on you mind these beautiful islands of Leyte and will be drive to join Leyte’s Pintados festival where the participants where all tattooed throughout their bodies at Tacloban city.

Perhaps, you have to relax already at The Leyte Park Resort Hotel before you drive your body into the next trip. This resort hotel in Leyte was build by the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. She builds it in 1979 and now has become a major tourism and convention complex.

The Historical Leyte Philippines

If you are looking for a rich historical tourist attraction in the Philippines, Leyte Philippines is the one you are looking for. That is if you are up to historical trip and adventure. Let us just summarize like this, Leyte Philippines is filled mostly with vestiges of World War II remains which has developed into a historical tourist spots. However, there is some other historical sites goes way back before World War II. So our trip to Leyte is like a flashback in the past.

Take for example the landing site of General Douglas MacArthur (remember his famous word “I shall return”?).As you recollect your mind who is General Douglas Macarthur, in case you do not know him or have forgotten your history class about him, I will refresh you about his landing site at Leyte Philippines. He and his companions of American Liberation Forces step in the beach shores of Palo Leyte Philippines in 1944.This Palo beach has now become the tourist-known Red Beach Resort. It is indeed a very beautiful beach in Palo Leyte, where of course, a memorial bigger than life-size statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur was erected there at the lagoon site of the beach. This particular site is called MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, just like the Rizal Park or Luneta at Manila Philippines. The statue erected on the lagoon was not only him but also with his Allied forces then, in a reenactment act or mode. You better visit Palo Leyte to see these reenactment statues on the lagoon. However, if this not your trip and but want to climb up high from this body of water to keep your foot from getting wet, well try climb the three historical hills of Leyte.

Hill 522 and Hill 120 and Buga-Buga hills are historical tourist hills in Leyte Philippines where one could still see the remnant of World War II between Americans and Japanese, like for example the foxholes which the Japanese soldiers then made at Hill 522 which is also called Guinhangdan Hill. However, there is also a panoramic view of Leyte gulf at Hill 120 where one could relax at concrete canopies and tables surrounded with the landscape of flowers and shrubs while viewing the Leyte Gulf and the coastal lines around the town. But at Buga-Buga hills you will have a creepy feelings while up on it, because thousands of Japanese soldiers died on it and were buried on it as well as hundreds of American soldiers died on it during World War II. Actually, there a bone hunting expedition on it to those who do pilgrimage and foreign tourist.

But if you like banging and get noisy on your historical adventure trip to drive away the spirits of the past lest you will spirit possess by your historical creepy adventure, why don’t you ring a bell at Hilongos Bell Tower at Hilongos Leyte? You could see a huge highest existing Spanish inspired Bell tower here where you could climb it and get Leyte’s attention.

Scared already at your Leyte trip, relax and rest for a while at Japanese War Memorial Cemetery, a site where the fiercest battle for freedom in Leyte took place during World War II. Oops! Seems it is really scarier place for relaxation or rather a wrong place. So let us rather go to this place which they call Dio Mainland Resort. This place they say have native cottages, native beach kiosk, swimming pool, and other you could find in a resort. However, we heard that this resort if formerly called Baluarte San Jose, where remnants of Japanese pill boxes and canon of World War II still exist. Ngek! It seems, there is no place in Leyte where there are no historical vestiges of World War II.

Swim With The Whale Sharks At Sorsogon Philippines

Have you tried swimming with the whale sharks on your next summer adventure trip? If not, then this is your once in a lifetime chance to dive into their world and swim together with them as if you are a mermaid in a fairy tale story. This is an extraordinary summer adventure trip different from common wind surfing, sun bathing, snorkeling, and other common summer activities every summer.

So if you happen to be in the Philippines, take your chance to experience this extraordinary adventure at Sorsogon Philippines. Where is Sorsogon Philippines? Sorsogon Philippines is one of the six provinces of Bicol Philippines located at the Southern part of Luzon Philippines. It is 50 minutes away from Manila Philippines if you are taking a flight into it. However, if you are taking a tourist bus from Manila Philippines into Sorsogon City Philippines, it will surely take hours to reach Sorsogon City or according to Sorsogon city’s travel time guide, it will take 12 hours before you reach the city if you try to reach it by land.

After hitting the city, you can hire a motorized bancas to go to  either Donsol Sorgon, Pilar Sorsogon, Castilla Sorsogon or Magallanes Sorsogon where the famous “Whale Shark (or locally called “Butanding”) Interaction” activities took place. However, it is said that Donsol is the most visited because of the satisfaction it gives to tourists.

There two things you can do when you reach these places, one is of course have personal interaction with these Butandings or Whale Sharks, second, just stand by and watch. However, if you are planning to have personal interactions with these Whale sharks, you have to attend first the Butanding Interaction briefing, wherein you will be assigned to a particular boats and boat crew, including the Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO) where you will submit your Butanding Interaction Research Form after your briefing, which you will fill-up of course.

Once you saw these whale sharks, you do not have to freak due to its very huge body or just because it a shark, because these Butandings are gentle and friendly creatures, thus you will surely enjoy interacting with them and swim and play together with them on the waters. Furthermore, if you like to document your rare and once in a lifetime summer adventure trip, underwater video cameras are allowed but not with artificial illumination device or gadget for it may distract the Butandings.

This Whale Shark Interaction activity only happens every October, February, March, April and May. For these months, the Butandings appears in the waters of Donsol Sorsogon. Thus, this is really a rare experience. However, despite of its rare happenings, Sorsogon Philippines have been dubbed already as the “The Whale Shark Capital of the World” Thus, due to this rare phenomenon, the local government of Sorsogon has created a feast or festival for these creatures, they call this festival “Butanding Arriba Festival” This festival is to welcome the return of the Butandings or Whale Sharks at the waters of Sorsogon. This is held every first week of March at the town of Donsol.

Landlocked Bukidnon Philippines

Like Baguio Philippines and Sagada Philippines, Bukidnon Philippines is also a perfect place to unwind from our daily stress we face daily on our lives. For Bukidnon Philippines is a landlocked elevated plateau right smack in the middle of the boundaries of Misamis provinces, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Lanao Philippines. It has an average of 1,700 feet above sea level which really makes it a cool place to dwell. Rain pours every afternoon and mornings are mostly cold.

Bukidnon Philippines’s capital city which is Malaybalay Bukidnon is dubbed as Bukidnon’s “little Baguio” because of its resemblance to Baguio Philippines which has a fine forests.

Aside from its Baguio-like capital city, most tourists could also visit and take a spiritual retreat at Bukidnon’s lovely Mt. Kitanglad, which kind of have a resemblance of Sagada Philippines’ mountain experienced.( Speaking of spiritual retreat, you could held it also at Bukidnon’s Monastery Of Transfiguration).However, Mt. Kitanglad is the second tallest mountain in the Philippines, second to Mt. Apo the tallest mountain in the Philippines. You could scroll its beautiful sceneries and ambience through horseback riding, if you like. However, if you are adventurous tourist like you like mountain climbing activities, its local government patronizes this kind of activity on Mt. Kitanglad. However, aside from Mt. Kitanglad, there are also two major mountains in Bukidnon, namely, the Mt. Kalatungan and the Mt. Tangkulan.

River-rafting is also patronized on Bukidnon’s bodies of water especially at Pulangi River which is one of the longest rivers in Bukidnon. Aside from Pulangi River, there are other five major rivers at Bukidnon which can be enjoyed by tourist if they like river-rafting adventure, namely, the Manupali, Tagoloan, Bobonawan, Cagayan, and Muleta Rivers.

Perhaps, if it is your first time to hear Bukidnon Philippines, you have not yet heard that Bukidnon Philippines is the Pineapple capital of the Philippines, and mind you it is considered “The Pineapple Capital of the World” as well because of its biggest pineapple plantation of the world. Don’t you know that the world famous pineapple products maker Del Monte Inc., the pineapple plantation on Bukidnon is theirs? Why Del Monte Inc. choose Bukidnon Philippines to be its major pineapple farm? For Bukidnon’s almost perfect location for farming, which is a fertile land, no typhoons vehement it, and sufficient regular distribution of rainfall, convinced Del Monte Inc.

Furthermore, pineapple is not only the crops that grow on Bukidnon’s fertile lands, Bukidnon Philippines is also well known as a major producer of rice, corn, bananas and sugarcane. So if you are visiting Bukidnon, do not just look and pick a pineapple into your shopping and souvenir list, try also their corn, bananas, sugarcane and rice. For if their pineapple is sweetened by its fertile lands surely Bukidnon’s other crops are also well mothered. That is why it is called the paradise of Mindano Philippines.

There are also other places of interest in Bukidnon Philippines; there is the Mangima Canyon Park, where of course you could a river canyon and an Olympic size swimming pool, as well as a relaxing resort. There is also the Del Monte Golf course for golf lovers, and the Sumalasag Cave for cave adventure lovers

The Camiguin Island of the Philippines

Where does all lanzones come in the Philippines? Yup, major lanzones productions or lanzones farms come from Camiguin Island Philippines. For Camiguin Island Philippines is the lanzones capital of the Philippines. Every October, this island held a Lanzones Festival at the town of Mambajao where there are street dancing and parade and beauty contests.

Although there are lanzones fruit throughout the Philippine archipelago, Camiguin Island Philippines is the major producers of it. Its lanzones proves to be more tasty and sweet than other lanzones in other regions of the Philippines. That is why more tourists flock at Mambajao Camiguin during October or during the Lanzones festival.

However, lanzones is not entirely the main tourist destination at Camiguin Island. There are also places that really stunning, like the sunken cemetery and the cross marker erected there. This place is like a sea having a cross above it. This Sunken cemetery is located at Bonbon Catarman. This cemetery was sunken by a great volcanic holocaust at 1871. Speaking of Volcano, Camiguin Island has an active volcano – the Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Thus, there is a PHILVOCS Observatory Station there to monitor the Mt. Hibok-Hibok’s seismic movement. Furthermore, from a volcanic devastation, aside from the sunken cemetery you can see at Catarman, there is also this Gui-Ob church ruins that has not been sunken but rather have been volcanically devastated and its remains become a tourist spot at Catarman. This church ruins is a Spanish-old church during 1871.

Camiguin Island Philippines has also a lot of water treasuries a tourist could admire, namely, the Katibawasan Falls, Tuasan Falls, The Taguines Lagoon, The Tangub Hot Spring, the Macao Cold Spring, the Ardent Hot Spring, the Jicduf Shoal, the Burias Shoal, the Sto.Nino Cold Spring, and the White Island. These water treasures of Camiguin Island can be enjoy while feasting on their sweet lanzones fruit. For example, after bathing of Camiguin Island Springs, you take a pick of lanzones, while relaxing. What a relaxing mood is not it?

The Two Falls of Camiguin Island Philippines, namely, the Katibawasan and Tuasan, have majestic beauty wherein beside these falls you could make picnics while swimming in their ice-cold water which is perfect for summer, for there are rock picnic tables and seats at these falls.

The Taguines Lagoon is a man-made lagoon where visitors could relax with its serene ambience and nature picturesque.

The two hot springs of Camiguin Island, namely the Tangub Hot Spring and the Ardent Hot Spring are volcanic springs by the sea. However, the Ardent Hot Spring is the hotter for it is 40 degrees centigrade hot. This is so because this spring springs out from the depths of Mount Hibok-Hibok.

The two cold springs of Camiguin Island, namely the Macao Cold Spring and the Sto.Nino Cold Spring. However, the Macao Cold Spring is the one more refreshing and has cold feeling for it has cool crystal clear blue-colored water with school of fish swimming together with you under huge century-old trees. Wow a cold and refreshing swimming experienced.

The two shoal of Camiguin Island, namely the Jicduf and Burias Shoal are best diving spots in Camiguin.

Anyway, Camiguin Island Philippines is small province in Northern Mindanao. It is 90 kilometers away from Cagayan De Oro City Philippines.

Welcome to Puerto Princesa City in the Philippines

Having the title as the “cleanest city in the Philippines”, Puerto Princesa Philippines strives to maintain its clean image by fining those who ever caught any littering act either by its local citizen or by tourists. Yup, cleanliness is a serious matter in Puerto Princesa city Philippines even before you put your first step into this city, a flight attendant will warn you like this: “Reminder to travelers: Puerto Princesa is a city that values cleanliness and fines anybody caught littering” You better keep your dirty acts before you step in into this city lest they will thrown you into garbage pit for the city hates dirtiness. To prove to you how strict Puerto Princesa Philippines in their cleanliness policy, here is an example of a true story about this city’ strict policy : There was once a penniless tricycle passenger who was caught throwing a cigarette butt in the streets of the city and was charged to pay fine for it. But because he has no money to pay the fine he was punished to go around the city to seek 10 cigarette butts in the streets. However, he did not able to find any, so he just buy a pack of cigarettes and chain-smoked them and present them to the officer of the city who caught him. What a strict cleanliness policy is not it?

Puerto Princesa has not only gain a respect for its cleanliness policy, but its Oplan Linis policy has gain the More tourists visits and most conferences and conventions have choose their place for their venues. Moreover, it prevents most of its residence from serious health problems.

However, Puerto Princesa Philippines is not all about Cleanliness but it has also places of interest one could visit and explore. Like its parks : Mendoza Park, Capitol Park Square, Baker Hills, Coliseum Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and others.

There are also, beaches and bays like Puerto Princesa Bay which is best for mangrove cruises. The Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Islands which are powdery white beaches and dive sites. In the Pandan Island, one of its islands, there is an aquarium of fishes and coral reefs you could found there. Another Puerto Princesa Bay is the Puerto Princesa Ulugan Bay. It is a deep channel in the northwestern coast of Puerto Princesa Philippines where you could find a mangrove forest.

Aside from beaches and bays and parks, there is another interesting place at Puerto Princesa Philippines, namely the Puerto Princesa Cuartel where you could see a restored ruins of a Japanese old garrisons where 143 American soldier prisoners where buried and burn alive there by the Japanese during World War II; the Puerto Princesa Palawan Museums where you could found the Tabon Cave where it is said that the remains of a First Filipino was found; the Puerto Princesa Vietnamese Village, the Puerto Princesa Limestone and Marble Cliffs or Karst Mountains where mountaineers could climb, the Puerto Princesa Waterfalls, and other Faunas and Flora sites.

Anyway, if you wanted to visit Puerto Princesa city Philippines, the city is located at the Palawan Philippines. Actually, it is the capital city of Palawan Philippines.