Archive for the ‘Philippine tourism’ Category

The Philippines is Not a Scary Place..Hehe

Just like Mindanao Philippines or should I say with bad reports and news which include largely the Mindanao region of the Philippines that besets the entire Philippines like too much politicking, reports of corrupt government officials, natural calamities, etc. the Philippines still remains the most safest place to live in the world with its balance weather condition, low-cost of living for foreigners, caring and hospital people, good medical facilities, natural attractions and beach places, good for business investment, no death penalty, though the Philippine is a predominantly Christian religion it still respect other religions or one is free to live by one’s personal beliefs, it is a democratic country, low crime rates so far and it should be, and the Philippines is in tune with what is the latest happenings in the world or have progressing civilization.

City Highways in the Philippines

This report was said release through a foreign survey group, and if this is true then it could be a good news for the Philippines but though this kind of reports is not yet published, the Philippine has still of course good points that every Filipino must be proud of their country just what I enumerate above about some good stuffs in the Philippines despite of some bad news and activities going on compare to other countries that are really dangerous to live in because of high crime rates, too much poverty, anarchy, and bad weather condition.

So despite of the negative things happening in our country, let us count our blessings and be thankful about it. For money is not the only thing which makes a man happy, is not it? (We all know that the Philippines is not actually a financially rich country)

Big Flower; No Dew?

No matter how big is your flower if it does not receives any dew to refresh it and make it more beautiful, it will wither and dry and eventually die because no any dew has touch it. What is the use of her bigness? I can say, sometimes virginity kills. This is what is now happening to Philippines largest flower – Rafflesia Schadenbergiana. This big flower seems to have no more to cleave unto to give her dew.

Rafflesia Schadenbergiana

Rafflesia Schadenbergiana is known on the tribes of Bukidnon as “kolon busaw” and “bo-o” on Bagobo tribes that is parasitic in nature or known as a parasitic flower that need to cleave and cling to others in order to live; that needs the touch of others to make it live. It is one of the rafflesia species in the Philippines that grows big in size or its flower. It is said to be the second largest flower in the rafflesia family that grows as big as 80 centimeter in diameter.

The reason for its threatened extinction as reported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was the exploitation or destruction of its habitat; thus the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued an administrative order to protect Rafflesia Schadenbergiana and her habitat and to monitor the communities that surrounds it to ensure her species will not eventually extinct. For Rafflesia Schadenbergiana is Philippines one of nature’s treasures which the Philippines could be proud of to the world that the Philippines have this kind of flower.

Rafflesia Schadenbergiana

Rafflesia Schadenbergiana was first discovered in the Philippines at Mount Apo and rediscovered at Mount Matutum in South Cotabato Philippines in year 1994 and in Baungon Bukidnon.

Rafflesia Schadenbergiana

Birds and Eggs Festival

Candaba Pampanga Philippines is well known in the Philippines to be the home of variety of migratory birds that migrates on its Candaba swamp during the winter seasons from the respective countries these birds came from to seek abundant food on the Candaba swamp. This natural bird sanctuary in the Philippines is one of the best tourist attractions for most tourist adventurers who are fond of nature’s beauty or are nature lovers.

This February 4-5, 2011, the Candaba Pampanga will be holding their own conceptualized festival, the “Ibon-Ebon Festival” or Birds and Eggs Festival that will surely attract more tourist and gain municipal revenues. This colorful festival whose participants mimics the migratory birds through a colorful bird-costumes is one of a kind festival in Pampanga Philippines, as well as in the Philippines and the Filipinos could took pride of it because it is originally Filipino festival not a “copy-cat” colonial festivity like the sinulog and similar sorts. Moreover, it is not motivated by a religious influence rather by a grateful heart for the migratory birds that choose Candaba swamp as their second home and gave them an income from the tourists who visit the nature’s attractions. The festival will also showcase local duck-egg industry in Pampanga, street-dancing, exhibits, bird watching tours, parade, boat race, Candaba swamp and river cruise at the Pampanga River and “bird kite” flying.

Ibon and Ebon are two Kapampangan words which mean:

Ibon = which means “Bird”

Ebon = which means “Egg”

Thus, it is alternatively called “Birds and Eggs Festival”.

Ibon-Ebon Festival Participant on "Ibon" custome

So Beautiful Philippines?

Hmm, let me think about it….There seems to be a little bit irony of Department of Tourism’s newest slogan logo – “Pilipinas Kay Ganda”(Philippines So Beautiful)- though the Department of Tourism explains that the new slogan that has replace the old one –“WOW!Philippines”- depicts Filipinos warmness and hospitality and Philippines beautiful tourist spot sceneries. For the Philippines has been recently included on the list of most corrupt country in the world, not to mention the ever growing problems of poverty and unemployment, annual floods, crimes, and sexual perversions. Moreover, recently a young Filipino man has been arrested for doing serial killings of foreigners in the city of Angeles Pampanga which of course could bring fear and dread to some foreign tourists who visit the city and could abort, postpone or even cancel their plan tourist adventures in the Philippines.

Pilipinas Kay Ganda Slogan

Oh, who can forget the traumatic experiences of the Hong Kong tourists on the bus hostage tragedy last August 23,2010 wherein up to now, the case is not settled and there are many leaks of biases and power control on the reports. Has the Hong Kong already well satisfied about the reports?

We could state more disgusting things happening in the Philippines which bring great irony to the Department of Tourism’s newest slogan, but the question is why the Department of Tourism has made a slogan contrary to what is really happening now in the Philippines? The newest slogan for me, is not quite appropriate to what is currently happening in the Philippines, rather the old slogan is the more appropriate one – “WOW!Philippine”

Yes, “WOW!Philippines”. The recent happenings in the Philippines make us exclaim, “WOW!Philippines” on either good or bad happening now in the Philippines.

The Slogan Launch

However, it is well understood that it is just a marketing strategy to lure foreign tourist to visit the Philippines and enjoy Philippines’ beautiful tourist attractions or even to invest on the Philippines for the Philippine is such a beautiful place, on scenery landscape sense.

Actually, there is no any country in the world that is so beautiful on moral and economic sense but on geographical sense there are many as many as the grain of sand. For there is no perfect governance; every country is tainted by crimes, sexual perversity, economic depression, corruption, etc. though their countries is rich in geographical gems and treasures. The problem actually is spiritual poverty. Perhaps, the country will only be so very “beautiful” if the country is not only rich in astounding beautiful geographical landscape but also rich in spirituality and economically.

Recently, this new Philippine tourism logo has already been scrap or removed due to heavy downpour or negative criticism about its designs even by lawmakers; especially the issue of plagiarism wherein the new Philippine tourism design or logo was allegedly an imitation of the Poland’s tourism logo. Moreover, the heavy downpour of negative criticism as well the plagiarism issue has led the new Philippine tourism secretary to resign on his office with great disappointment and left the design for the Philippine tourism logo on the Filipino public.

“The “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” slogan has been bitterly criticized by not only tourism industry leaders but also lawmakers.

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago described it as “ignorant.” Other critics called it bland and unimaginative, and said that its being in the national language, not English, made it incomprehensible to the targeted international market.

Its logo also bore a strong resemblance to Poland’s tourism logo, prompting some critics to cry plagiarism.”

—Asian Journal

PNoy himself have ordered the scrapped of this new Philippine tourism logo and have planned to revert back the former Philippine tourism logo “WOW Philippines” coined by former Philippine Tourism secretary Richard Gordon.

Philippine Coral Reefs on the Rocks

Local Pinoy scientists who diligently watch and monitor Philippines under sea wealth of natural resources, recently reports a breaking news of pending under sea catastrophe that will explode under the Philippine area of responsibility causing the dearth of marine life in the Philippine seas wherein eventually it will affect greatly Philippine Marine Industry and Philippine Tourism industry. Soon, if this pending under sea danger is left un check, there would be no more “galunggong” and “tilapia” on every Pinoy’s plate and no more fishing and scuba activities. Yap the continual bleaching coral reefs will wipe out and rift off the Marine life on the Philippine waters if left unsolved. It is indeed a catastrophe in the making and that need Philippine utmost attention.

Bleaching Coral Reefs

So, what is this bleaching effect all about? According to marine expert, it is the whitening of coral reefs from once techno-color features and characteristics into a loss of vibrant colors. The loss of vibrant colors and turning into whitish color connotes illness and lack of life and vigor and a nearing death or demise. If coral reefs shrink to death, what will happen to the fish and aquatic life that relies on the vigor of the coral reefs? Either they will succumb to death or migrate outside the Philippine seas into bodies of water where coral reefs are richly alive. For all we know that coral reefs is the source of food and sanctuary of fish and aquatic life.

Coral Reefs

The bleaching is caused by the change in temperature that causes the death of a marine organism called zooxanthellae which gives the corals colors and vibrant.

There are many areas in the Philippines that have been reported experiencing this aquatic phenomenon, like the El Nido beach in Palawan Philippines, the Calatagan beach, Nasugbu Batangas, and others.

So what must Filipinos do to combat this pending danger on Philippine marine industry and Philippine tourism?

According to the expert, there are three ways how to combat it merely:

1. Effective reduction of the stressors that stress the coral reefs, which could be manmade or not. This could include chemicals and pollution in the water cause by dynamic fishing and garbage dumping on the bodies of water.

Stressor

2. Do an effective recovery and restoration program.

3. Wait for the coral reefs to recover naturally and monitor for stressors that could impede and hinder their speedy recovery.

MT ARAYAT: The Mystic and Majestic Mountain

Mt. Arayat is a 2000 ft. looming land mass that stands majestically against a stark-blue horizon in myhome province of Pampanga. It is known for its beauty as well as for its mystery.  Legend has it, that Mariang Sinukuan, the local goddess of nature, lives in the interior of the forest.  She is very beautiful as well as kind-hearted.  She is generous in giving gifts to the local folks, and she helps lost travellers find their way out of the mountain.  But she also punishes those who ravish nature.  Many inhabitants of the mountain see her bathing in the river on a clear moonlight.  Sometimes, she is seen prominading the hills and glens.

But aside from the legend, Mt. Arayat is often visited by local and foreign tourists.  The mountain is very beautiful.  A trek to its summit is a delightful adventure.  You can view the skyline of the whole province.  On its top, one can commune with nature to his heart’s content.  The many colorful florals and faunas, the chirping birds atop the branches on sun-drenched, emerald-green, trees, the swaying grass that dances in rhythm with the gentle breeze are a sight to behold.  The tranquil forest and the serene mountain lake send bliss to solitude.  So, if you want to escape the hussles and bussels of city life, Mt. Arayat is the place to be.  In this mountain, you can have everything that nature has to offer.

The goverment has also seen the potential of the mountain.  Plans are in the offing to develop it as a nature tourist spot.  To plant floras of export quality that will generate income and create jobs for the locals.  It will also be developed into a wildlife sanctuary.  If plans push through, Mt. Arayat will gain prominence as one of the foremost tourist destination in the Philippines.

There are a lot of ways and means of transportation to get around the Philippines. In Manila, there are 3 types of railways. The first one is the Light Rail Transit or commonly known as the LRT, which connects to major cities and municipalities around Metro Manila. The second one is the Metro Rail Transit or MRT, also connecting to various cities and municipalities in Metro Manila.

Nowadays, LRT’s and MRT’s are crowded with passengers everyday. Because it makes the traveling time way shorter than traveling in jeepneys and buses. The railways avoid the daily heavy traffic in Manila.

The third one is the Philippine National Railways or PNR. This has several stations in Manila. It offers daily trips outside Metro Manila. Like in Sorsogon, Davao, Pampanga.

Other public utility vehicles are the taxi, jeepney, mini-bus, tricycles, buses and pedicabs.
Taxis are mainly found in Metro Manila and are metered-operated. You can find jeepneys all over the Philippines, with a standard fare rate of seven pesos. But it also changes depending on how much gasoline is in the world market. Tricycles are only allowed in small roads, mainly inside villages and small districts. Tricycles are motorcycles assembled with a side-car. They can accommodate 4-6 passengers at a time, depending on how big or small they are. Pedicabs are bicycles assembled with a side-car. They are only allowed inside villages and very small roads.  Mini-buses and buses can be found in main in the Philippines.

Some of the major bus companies in the Philippines are Baliwag Transit, The Philippine Rabbit and Victory Liner. The bus fare depends on how many kilometers the destination will be.

The main ports and harbors in the Philippines are: The Manila International Cargo Terminal and Eva Macapagal Port Terminal. They’re both in the pier of Manila. Also frequently used port and harbors are the Batangas Port and the one in Subic.
There are also a lot of local airlines in the Philippines. But the most well-known is The Philippine Airlines which is also the national flag carrier.

Mounted naturally in the fields of Bohol Philippines is the well known a thousand hills in the Philippines that is the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Yes, so far as the latest survey, the hills are estimated 1,776 in numbers. That is really a thousand hills on a 50 square kilometer terrain.

The Chocolate Hills is actually the third National Geological Monument of the Philippines and is being proposed to include at UNESCO World Heritage list. This is so because the Chocolate Hills is one of a kind in the world and it is naturally formed not like the Pyramids of Egypt which are man-made only. For every one who views it personally were really amazed that these hills were not man-made or were done by nature.

The hills are cone-shaped like hills with mixture of brown (the chocolate-color ground) and green (The grassy parts) color. However, its chocolate-colored ground stand outs more that it grassy part, thus they are called Chocolate hills, that is because of their chocolate color. Some who personally visits it says that their shapes are almost relatively symmetrical, thus every tourist has the reason to exclaim “wow” about their beauty. The Chocolate hills are a rolling haycock hills and said to be compose of limestones within them. Their grassy parts have a grass species like Imperata cylindrical, Saccharum spontaneum, and some ferns.

The Chocolate Hills are said to be like the Karst Hills similar to Slovenia and Croatia, however, the Chocolate Hills does not have caves. Their existence is being compared or studied in accordance to Karst theory. You can google about the Karst theory if you wanted to know about this theory. However, there are also legends about their formations, that is it is said that a two feuding giants throw mud, hurled rocks, sand, etc to one another until they finally exhausted and end up their feuding issue.

The flat land in between the hills is being used for vegetation purpose where rice and other crops were planted on it. For these hills were distributed throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan in Bohol Philppines. However, it is mostly concentrated at the town of Carmen. Actually, there is a government owned resort at Carmen Bohol where you can view the Chocolate Hills that is the “Chocolate Hills Complex” where you can view the hills. But, you can also view them at Sagbayan Town at “Sagbayan Peak”,a resort at Sagbayan Bohol.

The “Chocolate Hill Complex” is originally a two hills which were developed into a resort and viewing facility. The higher hill has viewing deck which you can view the Chocolate hills in a 360 degree view. Similarly, the “Sagbayan Peak of the town of Sagbayan also offers similar viewing angle with the exception only that at Sagbyan Peak you can also view the sea coast of Cebu city Philippines.

The Chocolate Hills is already a famous tourist destination long before the popularity of white sand beaches in the Philippines come into consciousness of the world about Philippine Tourism. It is already then the flagship Philippine tourist destination.