Archive for August, 2009

What is like to study in the Philippines? We know it is not like in Harvard or other well known schools and universities in the world that has an excellent and exceptional teaching method and facilities. However, if you like to study in the Philippines, there are handful known and respected university in the Philippines recognized by the world today. One of the Universities of the Philippines which are respected and well known is the University of the Philippines or UP.

University of the Philippines is the Philippines’ premier university that offers quality higher education. According to it, most of the 30 % of its faculties have doctorate degrees in their respective fields and 42 % has master’s degrees, thus, making it really the best University in the Philippines.

Actually, the University of the Philippines is the only university in the Philippines that has been noted and included at the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) whose membership is made thru casting votes. Therefore, it means the University of the Philippines has a win a vote to become a member of APRU.

Moreover, University of the Philippines is also the only Philippine university that has been included in the ASEAN-European University Network or ASEA UNINET, as well as one of the two universities in the Philippines in the ASEAN University Network or AUN. Wow that is really makes studying in the Philippines excellent and elevates into the ranking of the most respected universities and school in the world.

University of the Philippines have seven branches within the Philippine archipelago, namely, UP Manila, which is located of course at Manila Philippines; UP Diliman, which is located at Diliman Quezon City Philippines within Metro Manila Philippines; UP Visayas, which is located at Visayan region of the Philippines which comprises UP Cebu, UP Iloilo, UP Tacloban and UP Miag-ao; UP Los Banos, which is located at Los Banos Laguna Philippines ,which is recognized as the Agricultural Center of Asia; UP Mindanao, which is located at Mindanao Philippines of course; UP Baguio, which is located at Baguio Philippines, which is said to be the youngest constituents of UP; and UP Open University, which is a distance learning education system or it offers distance education to those who cannot afford to do the natural mode of studying.

Among these branches of University of the Philippines, UP Diliman is said to be the flagship campus among its branches or constituents and the seat of administration. Moreover, UP Diliman has an extension learning program at Pampanga Philippines which is located at Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga.

Not only in Pampanga Philippines UP Diliman has Extension Learning Program, but it has also at Olongapo city Philippines, which is located at Olongapo city Zambales Philippines.

The University of the Philippines is of course also known for its controversial Oblation Statue- the nude man, which its fraternities mimic it annually and make an “oblation run”.

Within our Philippine travel, Ilocos Sur Philippines is more depicted as the most cultural province in the Philippines and most popular cultural tourist spot in the history of Philippine tourism, due to Vigan City is at its center. However, Ilocos Sur Philippines is also rich in Philippine beaches and resort, a beach lover could enjoy. Its beach resorts are also one of the best Philippines resort and Philippines vacation destination.

Let’s take for example the Cabugao Beach Resort which is said to be the small Boracay Philippines of the North or Northern Luzon Philippines. Cabugao Ilocos Sur is second last municipality in the borders of Ilocos Sur Philippines. This Beach Resort is simple, quiet, and beautiful beach and inexpensive to unwind and relax yourself. It has white sand like to Boracay Philippines and Palm trees and a swimming pool in front of the beach itself, in case you are afraid surfing the waves you can instead swim at the adjacent swimming pool. Cabugao Beach Resort has its own restaurant which serves a free delicious breakfast to those tourists visiting the resort. Cabugao Beach Resort is formerly known as Cabugao Public Beach and Park, it is a municipality-owned beach resort at Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines.

However, aside from Cabugao Beach Resort you could found at Cabugao Ilocos Sur in the Philippines, there a private owned beach resort also which is, the Ponce Del Mar and Restaurant Beach Resort.

These two beach resorts at Cabugao Ilocos Sur in the Philippines are collectively known as the Pug-os Beach. These beaches were along the highway of Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines at barangay Pug-os.

However, there is an alternative beach resort at Cabugao aside from Pug-os Beach that is the Salapasap Beach. It is said this beach resort has cheaper rates that Pug-os Beach.

Aside from beach resort one could enjoy at Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines, there is this Salomague Island which is a favorite Port of seafarers, merchants, and traders from various Asian countries long time ago. This island is said to be best for scuba diving and sports fishing.

There are a lot of things you can do at Cabugao Ilocos Sur Philippines which I could no longer state here.

Other popular beach at Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Santiago Cove beach Resort; it is not a white sand beach but golden sand along the shores. It is indeed a unique and beautiful rare golden sand beach. Its resort is complete with amenities. Of course, it is located at Santiago Ilocos Sur Philippines. However, some thought the sand is white but actually it is really golden in the sense.

Another unique beach at Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Sulvec Beach. This Beach has a rocky shore and has a grotto atop a rock. This beach is favorite stop-over of commuters and those who are at Narvacan Ilocos Sur.

There are other two beaches one could visit at Ilocos Sur Philippines, namely, the Apatot beach resort where the beach is surrounded with apatot trees, and the Candon Beach.

Aside from beaches, Ilocos Sur has a mini-zoo park which is called Baluarte. It a 20 hectare land developed by Chavit Singson. This mini-zoo is located at Vigan City Philippines.

Aside from Vigan City Philippines’s ancestral homes, Sta. Maria Church, Tirad Pass National Shrine, and Bessang Pass, there are cultural heritage sites one could visit and witness at Ilocos Sur Philippines, namely, beautiful museums and churches.

One of these is the Bantay Church or the St. Agustine Church and the Bell Tower aloof only a few meters away from it. Both the St. Agustine Church and the Bell Tower were said to be built during 1530s at Spanish occupation in the Philippines. They were just reconstructed after they were hit by the calamities brought by World War I and II. St. Agustine Church and Bell Tower can be found at Bantay, Ilocos Sur Philippines.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines is the Father Burgos Museum. This Museum was erected in memory of Father Burgos or one of the three known martyred priest. The museum which is of course the former house of Father Burgos is full of memorabilia’s of Father Burgos as well as classical paintings Of Esteban Pichay Villanueva depicting the times of Father Burgos or 1800s. The museum is filled with antique collections, a library, dioramas, archeological and ethnological treasures and other artifacts. Father Burgos Museum is located at Vigan City Philippines.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur at Vigan City also is the Archbishop Palace and Museum or the Palacio Del Arzopispado. This archbishop palace is the only surviving 18 century palace in the Philippines which miraculously survived the vehement blows of World War II. This archbishop palace also serves as headquarters of Emilio Aguinaldo during 1898 and a garrison place during 1899.

There is a Museum within this palace, which is the Museo Nueva Segovia. It is a museum that preserved a large collection of ecclesiastical artifacts and relics from all the region of Ilocos Sur.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Crisologo Museum which is also of Vigan city Philippines at Liberation Boulevard. It caters Crisologos memorabilia’s. By the way, who are the Crisologo? This ancestral house turn into a Museum is a former house of the former congressman of Vigan, which is Floro Crisologo. In the Museum you could see a lot of paintings and pictures of the Crisologos and their vintage car that almost eaten up by rust but however, preserved in any way. Moreover, you could also see a vintage vehicle there which is somewhat a modern calesa with four to six seater on the back.

Another Cultural church in Vigan city Philippines that is beautifully crafted is the St. Paul Church or St. Paul Cathedral. The Cathedral has an earthquake baroque architecture style with white cream in color. Aloof a few centimeters away are its separate Bell tower. Its present baroque style is only a reconstruction of the original church during 1574 which was damaged by an earthquake during 1600s.The reconstruction took place during 1800s.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur is the Leona Florentino House and Statue where a large Statue of Leona Florentino was erected in front of the house. I guess the house already houses the Max restaurant. Leona Florentino is a famous Ilocano poet, satirists and playright artist during the Spanish times.

When Filipinos heard the word “Ilocos”, they already Know what the word connotes, that is, Pagudpud beach, Vigan ancestral houses, Laog city Philippines, Fort Ilocandia, Ilocos homes and architecture,Paoy church, the Qurino Bridge, former President Ferdinand Marcos or Sarrat Ilocos, ceramic products, Ilocos garlic and bagoong, etc.

As we or as Filipinos knew, Ilocos in the Philippines is divided into two regions, namely Ilocos Sur Philippines and Ilocos Norte Philippines. Ilocos Philippines is located at the northern part of Luzon Philippines, somewhere at the top of Baguio Philippines and La Union Philippines.

Ilocus Sur Philippines is closely adjacent to La Union Philippines or the southerpart of Ilocos in the Philippines. It is part of Ilocos Philippines that features cultural heritage or Ilocos Sur Philippines is so-called the Heritage Village of the Philippines. This is due because, Ilocos Sur Philippines capital is the well known Vigan City Philippines where the World Heritage Known Ancestral Homes where situated. Vigan City Philippines, as we all know boast of its 16^th century old ancestral homes where UNESCO World Heritage have noted it and included it on their List of World Heritage places in the world.

Another cultural heritage one could see at Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Sta. Maria Church. This church is an ancestral fortress of the Philippine Revolution during 1896.This church is a landmark church, thus you could immediately saw Sta. Maria Church the moment you foot set upon Ilocos Sur in the Philippines, specifically at the Municipality of Sta.Maria Ilocos Sur where Sta. Maria Church is located.

Another cultural heritage that can be found at Ilocus Sur Philippines is the Tirad Pass National Shrine. Tirad Pass is known as the last stand or last defense fortress of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s revolutionary forces. The young Filipino general whom General Emilio Aguinaldo has appointed to head over the forces to defend Tirad Pass is the young General named Gregorio Del Pilar. This National Shrine is located at Municipality of Conception which now known as the Municipality of Gregorio Del Pilar.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines is the Bessang Pass. Bessang Pass is the last stronghold of the Japanese occupation in the Philippines which fall at the hands of the forces of the United States. Actually, Bessang Pass is a controversial place at the time of Marcos Regime. This is so because President Ferdinand Marcos then claims that he is the “real hero” of the Bessang Pass which sparks shocks among the real Filipinos who suffer and fight at the place itself. Even the guerillas then were shock because they never see any President Ferdinand Marcos trace at the site. They even thought that President Ferdinand Marcos was at Nueva Viscaya Philippines then. But President Ferdinand Marcos then insist that he is the real hero behind it, and since he is dictator leader then no one can rebuke him. But until a late military man named Col. Bonifacio Gillego who becomes a congressman then make a probe of President Ferdinand Marcos claim. He has discovered at the archives of US military that indeed President Ferdinand Marcos is a big Liar or a real fake hero of Bessang Pass.

Arayat Philippines is a region in Pampanga Philippines where Mt. Arayat seated where residence of it were at the slope of the mountain. Yap, most residence of Arayat in the Philippines or rather Arayat Pampanga Philippines was living beneath the slopes of foot of this inactive mountain. The closest barangay at Arayat Pampanga Philippines to Mt. Arayat is San Juan Bano where the Mt. Arayat National Park is. The park itself have a direct access to mountain itself because it has man-made so called “hundred steps” that will lead you already on the mountain itself once you reach the hundredth step.

Mt. Arayat National Park is the one that makes Arayat Philippines famous or known in the Luzon part of the Philippines as well in Pampanga in the Philippines. It is noted for its very cool swimming pools which of course best during hot weather or summer time. The Park is indeed a very refreshing place due to its natural flora surrounding it. Mt. Arayat National Park is originally a project of the wife of former late Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon during the post war times.

Arayat Pampanga Philippines is located at Central part of Luzon Philippines and is nestled at the foot of Mt. Arayat. Actually, Arayat Philippines is not the only place in the world that has its name, for there is a place in Spain which is also called “Arayat”. Arayat Philippine historians say that it is from this place Arayat Pampanga in the Philippines gets its name.

During the Spanish times, an encomiendero who conquer Arayat whose name is Fernando de Arayat has renamed Arayat which formerly known then as “Alaya” which means “East” and Mt. Arayat was then called Mt. Alaya. And the inhabitants of it were Aetas. It is said it is kind of wilderness ambience at the foot of Mt. Arayat which the Spanish encomienderos has transformed it into a farm land irrigations.

By the way, aside from the Mt. Arayat National Park which some tourist visit, Arayat Pampanga is also well known of its dignitaries who live at early times like Jose Alejandrino (the statue at the Arayat municipal) who is a companion and contemporary of Dr. Jose Rizal (Philippines national hero), who is also my forefather in my mother’s lineage or genealogy. Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz whose name bears a district hospital at San Agustin Norte Arayat Pampanga is known or said to be lived during World War II.

Moreover, Amelito Mutuc and Leoncio Parungao is both secretary during Diosdado Macapagal Government who made also Arayat proud. There are also military dignitaries, like Major General Rene R. Cruz who is former RaCom Commander and PC-INP Commander, Col. (Ret.) Vicente A. Pascual who is former a Deputy Judge Advocate General, and Commodore Lodovigildo L. Gantioqui who of the Philippine Navy.

Another well known at Arayat Philippines is Arayat’s well known organized tricycle association which is the famous New 06 Association, Inc. Wherein, my father is the founder and I too have work as an assistant secretary of the associations during the 1990 and early 2000.

Who says “its April fool’s Day” during the month of April at the Philippines? The very start of the month the Philippines have already round-off revelries within the archipelago. Take for example the Butanding Festival at Donsol Sorsogon where street parades were held in thanksgiving for the blessings the whale sharks or butanding gave to Sorsogon. And in simultaneous celebrations are the Suroyta festival at Davao city Philippines where everyone have free tours in the city, the Annivesary of Enchanted Kingdom at Laguna Philippines that features fireworks competitions, the Fiesta Pasiklab at Commonwealth Avenue ,Quezon City Philippines where it highlights and celebrates the twelve famous and known festivals in the Philippines like the Ati-atihan Festival of Aklan Philippines, the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo Philippines, the Higantes festival of Angono Philippines, the Pahiyas Festival of Lucban Quezon Philippines, the Kadayawan Festival at Davao city Philippines, the  Viva Vigan Festival of Ilocos Sur Philippines, the Masskara Festival of  Bacolod Philippines, the Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga city Philippines, the Penafrancia Festival of Naga City Philippines, the Parada ng Lechon of  Batangas Philippines, the Pintados Festival of Tacloban City Philippines, and the Sinulog festival of Cebu Philippines; the Human Canvas Body Competition held at Mandaluyong city inside SM Megamall that celebrates body arts in order to drive out the misconception that this kind of Art is pornography.

Another April 1 celebration is the Banana Festival of Negros Occidental at La Castellana where of course showcases different varieties of banana. And the Kesong Puti Festival of Sta. Cruz Laguna Philippines also celebrates this festival beginning April 1, which of course features the Kesong Puti or White Cheese made from the carabao’s milk.

April 1 in the Philippines is not a ‘fool’s Day’ but the start of the April Festivities in the Philippines. But the Festivals which I mentioned above never stop at April 1 only but continue on the succeeding days of celebration.

Following the April 1 revelries is the Agricultural and Industrial festival in Liliw Laguna Philippines which parades floats relating to agriculture and industry. This festival is called Liliw Gat Tayaw Footwear Festival. This festival is held during April 3 which showcases of course Liliw’s agricultural and industrial products.

Another April Festival is the ASEAN Paragames which is held during April 7 -9 at Zamboanga city Philippines,however, it can also change the location of the games. It a Paralethics games of the paralethic of Visayas Philippines and Mindanao Philippines. Along with this Visayas and Mindanao festival is the National Invitational Skimboarding Competition being held at Misamis Oriental.

Of course, April festivities in the Philippines will not be completed without the April’s main event in the Philippines, that is, the Araw ng Kagitingan Day which is held at April 9. I thought this is a National Holiday in the Philippines. It celebrates the defense and bravery of the Filipino soldiers to defend Bataan Philippines, which eventually fall into the hands of the conquering foreigners.

There are still April festivities in the Philippines which we could no longer discuss on this brief article.