Tag Archives: Beaches

Zambales In The Philippines

Leave a reply

Zambales in the Philippines and its Popular Municipalities/Cities

This province adjacent Pampanga Philippines is well known of course as the region where Mt. Pinatubo erupted during 1991 where it devastated almost the entire central Luzon Philippines. However, despite of this famous natural disaster, Zambales Philippines still stands out among the provinces of central Luzon Philippines. This is so because of Zambales Philippines prominent municipalities and cities like Olongapo city, Subic Bay Freeport, San Felipe Zambales, Iba Zambales, Botolan Zambales, Palauig Zambales and other famous Zambales municipalities.

Olongapo city Zambales is said to be the first class city in Zambales Philippines. It is said to have 227,270 dwellers within the city and one of cleanest city at Zambales Philippines. However, it is distinct city among the cities or municipalities of Zambales in the Philippines for it is a chartered city. That is, it has its own government and legislation in the city and not in compliance with the local governance of Zambales Philippines. This is due because Olongapo city before it has become One of the Philippine cities or rather one of Zambales municipality, it is under the governance of United States and part of United States naval reserves in the Philippines, it was only by the untiring effort of James Gordon, Olongapo city become Zambales own city but with chartered governance.

Another Zambales City which is adjacent to Olongapo city is the Subic City or Subic Bay Freeport Zone which is of similar situation with Olongapo city. As we know, Subic Bay is a home or former home of United States Military facilities outside the US mainland jurisdiction. And the US Naval Base location at Subic Bay is the one called Freeport Zone where the entire tourist (local and foreigner alike) flocks to play Casinos, rest and unwind at its beaches and resorts, etc. Like Olongapo city, Subic Bay was formerly held in administration of the United States Government but Like James Gordon have done to Olongapo city, his Son Richard Gordon lobbied its independence also.

Another famous Zambales Municipality of town is the home of Mt.Pinatubo which is Botolan Zambales. Botolan Zambales is the host of two major festivities at Zambales Philippines, namely the Domorokdok Festival held during May, and the Fiesta Poon Bato held during January. Botolon Zambales also boast of its fast growing recreational and resort areas like hiking near a waterfalls for example as a recreational activity.

San Felipe Zambales in other hand boast its best access routes into the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo and its Mountain ranges and rivers and beaches.

Iba Zambales,as we all Filipinos know that it is the birth place of former President Ramon Magsaysay and the Provincial Capital of Zambales Philippines. Iba Zambales has also beaches and rivers and its beaches is one of the busiest and most flock beaches in Zambales Philippines.

Palauig Zambales, however, home the highest peak mountain in Zambales Philippines, which is Mt. Tapulao with 2037 meter peak high. It is best for those who love mountain hiking. Actually, a Korean tourist who was impressed by Mt.Tapulao’s beauty has dubbed Palauig Zambales as the Baguio city of the Philippines of Zambales Philippines.

Iloilo city in the Philippines

Leave a reply

Iloilo city Philippines

Iloilo city is one of the largest cities in the Philippines and at the Western Visayan Region as well. It is the capital city of the province of Iloilo Philippines. It is 55 minutes away from Manila Philippines if you happen to took a flight from Manila into this city. However, if you like sea adventure trip, it will take you 19 hours before you reach it if you travel from Manila Philippines.

Iloilo city Philippines is said to have a strategic location for business opportunities, thus Iloilo city is now known for it very robust Banking industry. Did you Know, Iloilo city host a variety of banking institutions? That is, from small into large bank companies, from commercial into universal, from thrift banking into saving, from rural or cooperative. And from local banks into foreign banks, all are in the heart of Iloilo city Philippines. Thus, it is now a hub for most trades, commerce, and industry business.

Iloilo city Philippines has two largest local banks and three foreign banks, namely the Valiant Bank and Queen City Development Bank, and Citibank, Maybank, and Standard Chartered Bank, respectively.

However, aside from banking and commercial industry, Iloilo city is also one of the largest Fishing Industry in the Philippines. That is because of its rich fishing grounds. Its Fish Port is funded in a multi-million budgets. For it is where the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center conducts aquatic research. Moreover, the center for marine and aquatic studies in the Philippines is in it. Did you know that the Iloilo Commercial Port complex is the first island Pier to exist in the Philippines?

However, if you love beaches, Iloilo city has also beaches you could enjoy. You could see it white sand beaches at Sicogon Island. Sicogon Island is of the Higantes Island within the municipality of Carles. Carles is a municipality at Iloilo Philippines. To get to Sicogon Island, if you happen to be at the Iloilo city itself, you can take a public transportation toward the municipality of Carles. The travel is 3-hours. And from the municipality of Carles, you could ride a motor boat to get into the island. However, if you happen to be at Manila Philippines, you could take the Roxas city route for it is said that it is near the municipality of Carles. Moreover, did you know that the beaches at Sicogon Island is more older and most famous beaches among tourist before Boracay Beaches is discovered and known?

There are also some historical sites one could visit at Iloilo Philippines, like the For San Pedro site,the La Villa Rica de Arevalo where Spaniards rule at that time.The Museo Iloilo where one could witness the preserved sunken British ship and Spanish artifacts memorabil,as well as the Local ILonggos crafts.

Aside from Museo Iloilo as a landmarks you could saw at Iloilo city, you could also see Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, the Molo Church, the Jaro Belfry, the Calle Real, the Arroyo Fountain, the Distrito Jaro, the Muelle Loney, and other beautiful landmarks which your eyes could feast.

Batangas in the Philippines

Leave a reply

The First Class Batangas Philippines

This Province in the Southwestern part of the Philippines is known as the most popular tourist destinations near Manila Philippines and at the Philippines. And why is it so? Of course because of Batangas Philippines famous beaches and resorts and diving spots, like Matabungkay, Anilao, Punta Fuegeo, Calatagan, and other famous tourist spots. Moreover, the famous Taal Volcano was also located at Batangas Philippines where most tourists flock to see the volcano. Taal volcano is the smallest active volcano known in the world and famous for its crater which has a lake in it. Its crater with lake is now called “Crater Lake” which most tourist love to look into. It is a volcano within a lake (Lake Taal) and the volcano itself has also a lake with its crater. Amazing is not it?

However, there are also interesting stuff about Batangas Philippines than its popular beaches and resorts. That is, Batangas Philippines’s famous fan knife or in local dialect “balisong”. Batangas Philippines has been known of this famous product in connection with its urban legend that a “Batangueno”(or local residents of Batangas ) always carry a secret “balisong” in anticipation to defend oneself from any outsiders who would challenge or offend one Batangueno to fight. Thus, there is a scare saying that “don’t mess yourself with a Batangueno” if you love your life. Batangas knife is a folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotated at the grip of the blade of the knife. The knife can be concealed and surprise revealed when an enemy is attacking you. That’s really quite terrifying if you happen to bull with a Batangueno.

Batangas Philippines is also known for its cattle species, throughout the Philippines the “Batangas Cow” is sought after and almost every Saturday there is an auction.

However, like other region in the Philippines, Batangas in the Philippines has also other products which it can be proud of like pineapples, tuna fish, bangus, tilapia, coconut belt, etc.

Batangas Philippines is also known as the Cradle of Noble Heroes in the Philippine history because of heroes and statemens it produced, like Teodoro Kalaw,Apolinario Mabini,Jose Laurel,Claro M. Recto, and others. There are number of museums also which depicts this historical side of Batangas Philippines like Marcela Marino Agoncillo Museum and Monument which immortalized the contribution of this semi-hero Marcela Agoncillo who sew the first Philippine flag which was raised and wave during the times of Emilio Aguinaldo. This museum is actually an ancestral house of Marcella Agoncillo or where Marcela Agoncillo used to live during her times.Actually, I thought this was called Apolinario Shrine.

So where Batangas Philippines does located? Batangas Philippines is located at the CALABARZON region of Luzon Philippines, confined with the provinces of Cavite and Laguna. If you are from Manila Philippines, Batangas in the Philippines is 110 kilometers away southward through land transportation. Once you get there, you can ride a passenger jeepney or tricycle to go around the province or you can ride boats if you want an island-hopping adventure.

Batanes Island Philippines

9 Replies

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.