Posts Tagged ‘in the Philippines’

Continual Religious Hegemony in the Philippines

Religion in the Philippines become like a bread and butter in terms of morality. However, is the predominant religion in the Philippines which is Catholicism/Christianity a homegrown belief system in the Philippines?

Any Pilipino historian would say, it is Not, as well as the Philippines’ National heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio who have a non-catholic/non-Christian religion will utterly deny that Catholicism/ Christianity is the homegrown religion of the Philippines.

Actually, Philippine’s National heroes –Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio- fought against the hegemonic rule of Catholicism/Christianity during the Spanish times. Moreover, the Catholics/Christians during the Spanish times even snatch without mercy the native lands of the “Pilipino Katutubos” at that time. Just like what the Spanish priest missionaries were doing on remote areas in the world not only in the Philippines during the Middle times.

Up until now, the Spanish religion still has hegemony over the majority of the Pilipinos and trying to meddle again on the moral and political affairs of the Philippines. The most recent is the use of condom to prevent sexually transmitted disease which the Catholic Church have opposed and trying to impose her own power over it.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines or the CBCP is the seat of the continuing proof of religious hegemony in the Philippines that tries to intervene and meddle in the Philippine affairs.

Is the Philippine Movie Industry Slowly Dying?

Despite of some recent movies that hits really the box-office, still filmmakers complain of a dying movie industry in the Philippines, for according to them movie entertainment industry in the Philippines, especially original Pinoy movies produced every year have reportedly dropped almost 70% these recent years. It was said, before, a movie producer produces almost 100 movies per year but now it drops tremendously into only 30 movies per year.

The Philippine entertainment industry has blamed this sudden decline to movie piracy. Yes, Pilipinos themselves cheat their own fellow Pilipinos when they pirated original movie DVDs produced by original film makers. The reason for their pirating activity is of course, poverty. Majority of most Pilipinos do not have jobs that could augment their respective live, thus some resort to this cheating act.

Original film makers cannot blame some Pilipinos patronizing pirated movie version of their films because most pirated copies are very cheap and affordable than the original ones. Moreover, you can watch in advance movies which are soon to show on movie theaters through pirated copy of it. Thus, the piracy industry cannot be totally be stop and abolish by the original film makers though there are chances they caught some who are involved in movie piracy and destroyed lots of pirated movie DVDs.

First in the Philippines

Changes in a country are inevitable because of a demand for improvement and economic progress, and this change is what we called “firsts”.

So what’s new in the Philippines this 21^st century that marks first? I can say so far there are three, namely:

1. The First Automated National Election. In the history of Philippine National election, the election 2010 is the very first Philippine National Election to use a high technology that automatically canvass votes and transmit results from an election precinct into Philippines’ National Board of Canvassers, electronically.

This high-tech automated machine is what is called the PCOS Machine or Precinct Count Optical Scan machine produced by Smartmatic. Inc which has won the bidding among other bidders to provide a high-tech automated machine for Philippines’ 2010 National Election.

The Philippines’ first automated national election was held successfully though there are handfuls of electoral protests that complain electronic cheating.

2. The First Nine year-term Philippine President. Who will know that former 14^th Philippine President Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will spend a nine year term in her presidency successfully though there are many attempts to disempower her and destabilized her administration? In addition to that, she is a woman and not a man, is that inspiring for women out there? Who says boys are the only ones who can beat the hardest odds?

She too exemplifies woman power aside from late ex-Philippine president Corazon Aquino.

3. The First Pilipino boxer to be recognized as the World’s Boxing Champ. Who says a poor Pilipino underdog boxer could not arise beyond the rings of boxing arena and idolized by many in the world as the “world’s boxing champ” and become instant multi-millionaire?

Yes, who is the one today who doesn’t know Manny Pacquio?

Truly, this is the first time the Philippines have been put into pedestal in the name of boxing sports.

In the Philippines

CLIMATE CHANGE:  The Catastrophic Phenomena
By:  Charlemagne P. Adriano

Planet Earth is slowly dying.  Its imminent demise is brought about by climate change, a phenomena of global magnitude.  The destruction of the ozone layer has caused this change in modern climate; and it has caused a devastating effect the world over.  The polar ice caps is slowly melting and is bound to trigger a worldwide innundation.  Hundreds o thousands of kangaroos died in Australia.  Flash floods killed thousands of people in Indonesia, and just recently, in the Philippines, where for the first time, the country has experienced a country-wide floodings.  Tthe Amazon Rriver is drying up that resuts in massive fish kills.  Tsunamis have nearly destroyed Malaysia and Maldives, and many extinct volcanoes are becoming active again.

If we, the people of the earth, would not do something about it, then we are seeing the last generation.  It is the time we unite together and come up with solutions to stop this deluge.  We should set aside political bickerings, and misunderstanding among countries, and focus our attention on this one problem that brings our world to a deterioting scale. We should stop ravishing Mother Nature because we are already feeling its scourge.  We should do away with toxic chemicals that destroy the ozone.  We should recycle our garbage instead of dumping it in vacant lots or in rivers.  Polluted rivers should be rehabilitated.  And its time too, to change our lifestyle.  Its time that we go organic.  It doesn’t only ensure us of a healthy lifestyles, but we also help in preserving the ozone by not using chemicals in spraying vegetables and fruit-bearing trees and in feeding livestocks.

I believe that there is still hope for our world.  If we could only band together, and do our share, we can still save our planet from the destructive effect of climate change.

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.

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.

This very expensive Palace in the Philippines, which is of course made of coconut materials from the exterior into the interior of it, was somehow wasted for its prime purpose why it was created, that is this palace was made originally for the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1981 which the Pope himself decline to stay in it due to he was burden by his own conscience through the poverty he has seen in the Philippines at that time. However, the Coconut Palace was somehow serves as a guesthouse for a handful of personalities who visit the Philippines during the early times, like the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, the Hollywood actress Brooke Shields and George Hamilton, as well as the Amazing race team.

But that was then because now the Coconut Palace is just a mere Museum in the heart of Metro Manila Philippines between the Folk Arts Theatre and Sofitel Philippine Plaza at the Cultural Center of the Philippines or at Eduardo A. Makabenta Street.

This palace was originally a project of former first lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II but the Pope has not acknowledged its worth, which of course disappoint Imelda Marcos and the Philippines then. However, it was justified in the public that Imelda Marcos has already this luxurious project in mind long before the Pope plan to visit the Philippines. The Coconut Palace was originally conceptualized and created, as their justification says, to promote the wonders of the coconut to be the “tree of life”. Every bit of the coconut tree can be useful or can be use for house infrastructure. For the coconut materials of the Palace from coconut’s roots to its flowers and fruits has craftily engineered to make it a coconut palace itself. Yes, with a $10 million in budget, surely you can make a very beautiful palace out of coconut materials. What a luxurious project is not it?

The Coconut Palace has seven suites which were named after the different regions in the Philippines. And each suite has in display the handicrafts of a specific region in the Philippines. Moreover, the palace has hundred and one coconut shell chandeliers and forty thousand tiny inlaid coconut shells. Its roof was shaped in a traditional salakot shape hat, of course to represent Filipinos. The shape of the entire palace as well as its courts is pentagon –like shape. I do not know it is pentagon in size, whereas a coconut fruit is not pentagon in size.

Although, it is now a museum, still anyone who can afford to lodge at its beautiful suites can be accommodated to check-in to it. The Coconut Palace can also be a best reception venue for weddings or rather a venue for garden-like wedding. It is perfect venue! Yes, it can be rent for this purpose. You can contact the Coconut Palace customer service for reservations.

Furthermore, The Coconut Palace is alternatively known as the Tahanang Pilipino or the Filipino Home. However, today it is widely known as The Coconut Palace. You can take a peak of it for free at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Pangasinan Philippines is well known to Filipinos as the provincial home of the famous tourist attractions in the Philippines, that is, the Hundred Islands or so-called now the Hundred Island National Park. However, these group of islands which they so-called Hundred islands is actually a cluster of more than a hundred and not only 100 hundred islands, as some Filipinos thought they are just 100 in number. But actually, it is already officially announced that these islands are 123 islands and islets all in all. This tourist attraction is located at Alaminos City, Pangasinan at Lingayen Gulf. Most of the native folks at it have legends and myths to tell why Hundred Islands is a scattered group of islands and islets. These myths are the Anita and Akong legend, the Greed Tale, and the Giant’s Tears.

Most of the islands on Hundred Island National Park in the Philippines are not relative in a size that is there are small and there are big. Of course, the small ones cannot be habited but the big ones have beaches to enjoy and picnic adventures for both local and foreign tourist alike. The largest island among them is called the Quezon Island. This island has the well-developed facilities which a tourist could benefit not like to other islands which have none or have some facilities but not like to Quezon Island.

The Quezon Island is the most frequently visited island at Hundred Island National Park. The island has two dining pavilions, a grilling areas, cottages, nipa huts for one to relax, restrooms, etc.

However, aside from Quezon Island in the Philippines, there are other islands also that have facilities but the Quezon Island is the largest. These islands are the Governor Island, Children’s Island, Lopez Island, Milagrosa Island, Scout Island, Old Scout Island, Romulo Island, Monkey Island, Marcos Island, Shell Island, Devil`s Island, Sison Island, Martha Island, and Century Island.

The Governor Island has an accommodation facility if one wanted to stay longer on the island and a Pinoy Big Brother house was erected on it which can be used publicly. The beach shore of this island is said to be best for sunbathing.

The Children’s Island is designed for family get-together especially with little children on the side. For the waters of this island is too shallow that you don’t have to worry for your children to be drown on the beach shore. Thus, it is called ‘children’s island’.

The Lopez Island is said to be a haven for sunbathing activities and its water under it is best for snorkeling.

The Marcos Island is adjacent to Quezon Island and Old Scout Island. This Island is named after former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. It is said to be one of the islands that has natural handiworks, for it has three natural mounds in the island itself; a natural helipad and would you imagine a naturally formed mermaids –like statues as if it a mermaids’ island. Moreover, it has rock pathways that lead to different outlets in the islands or vantage points which brings you more to its different angles of it beauty.

Like the month of April in the Philippines, a Philippine May festivity also starts at very first day of the month. But May 1 is not a really boisterous festivity in the Philippines, for as we know it, it is a Day of all the workers not only in the Philippines but also to other countries in the world. It is day of political and social demonstration of the workers who wanted to voice out their voice to their respective governments. Most Filipino workers take advantage also of this special day to protest complains.

Coincide with this May 1 Labor Day demonstration and protests of the workers of the Philippines, is an Aliwan Grand Fiesta celebration being held at CCP Complex at Roxas Boulevard, Manila Philippines celebrating the Philippines’ 16 Regions in all grandest with floats and carnival-style parades, fireworks, and all the pride products of the 16 Regions of the Philippines all in displayed.

Moreover, alongside with this Aliwan Grand Fiesta celebration at Roxas Boulevard Manila Philippines is a similar float parade competition at Davao Oriental Philippines. This May 1 Davao celebration is called “Davao Gulf Regatta”. This celebration features decorated bancas and vintas in celebration of Davao gulfs.

May 1 is also the start of Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan in the whole month of May in the Philippines. All the regions of the Philippines held this kind of parade procession. It is the reenactment of Queen Elena of Constantinople in her search for the holy cross of Jesus. Queen Elena is said to be collecting all the memorabilia of Jesus. Similar with this religious festivity that is also held during May 1 is the Antipolo Pilgrimage which is held at Antipolo Rizal. This religious festivity is a long pilgrimage or like the santacruzan, from Manila Philippines to Antipolo Philippines. It is religious pilgrimage for Our Lady of Good Voyage.

Another solemn festivity during May 1 in the Philippines is the Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts held, of course at Vigan City Philippines, Ilocos Sur Philippines. It is a festival commemorating and reminiscing the history and cultural treasures of Vigan City.

May 1 festivity in the Philippines does not end at Vigan City, it still extends to Calape Bohol Philippines that celebrates Pahinungod Festival, the Pilipinyan Festival at Tagaytay city Philippines, the Balangay Festival at Butuan City Philippines, the 100 Island Festivals at Aliminos Pangasinan Philippines, the Araw ng Santiago at Santiago city Philippines, the Pista ng Produktong Pilipino at Subic, Olongapo City Philippines, the Boa- Boahan “Alinsangan “ Festival at Nabua Camarines Sur Philippines, and the Magayon Festival which celebrates Mt. Mayon at Albay Philippines.

Following the May 1 festivity is Dayaw Dalan Festivity held during May 2 at San Jacinto Ticao Philippines, simultaneous with Holy Cross Festival at Alitagtag and Baun Batangas Philippines. Then on May 3 the Carabao-Carroza Festival is held at Iloilo city Philippines where of course decorated carroza being pulled by carabaos. On May 3 also is the Feast of the Holy Cross held at Sta. Cruz Marinduque Philippines.

Like May 1, May 3 also is full of festivity in the Philippines aside from what I mention above,on May 3 also the Sublian Festival is held at Batangas City Philippines as well as the Garlic Festival at Sinait Ilocos Sur Philippines.

This a continued article from “Flights to Philippines Part 1”, in that we discuss flights to particular Philippine destinations, if one is planning to have a Philippine vacation and Philippine travels and if one is coming from Manila Philippines. In that article we have discuss flights to Philippines most tourist destination, namely, Boracay Beach Island Resort Philippines, Baguio City Philippines, and the cultural Vigan City Philippines. In it also we discuss bus travel if one prefers it in their Philippine travels. And now for a continuation of our discussions, let’s begin with top number four most visited tourist Philippine vacation destination.

The second most tourist visited Beach resort in the Philippines following Boracay Philippines is the Pagudpud Beach Island Resort at Ilocos Norte Philippines. Some tourist loves to visit this Island Beach because according to them, Pagudpud is a resemblance of Hawaii or it is like Hawaii due to its long shores and secludedness.

Therefore, if you happen to be at Manila Philippines or Metro Manila Philippines, if you prefer flights to Philippines’ Pagudpud, chances are you will buy a ticket for Laog city Philippines. As I know so far, this is still the well means to get To Pagudpud if you prefer flight travel. This is quite similar if you want to go to Vigan City Philippines. You can ride the Philippine Airlines (PAL) or Cebu Pacific Airline that travels to Laog City. You could check their flight package at their respective websites.

However, if you prefer bus ride or land transportation, you can ride at this terminal if you happen to be at Manila Philippines. Go to Partas Bus Company which is located at Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City in the Philippines which caters travels to Laog City. It is approximated to have 10 hours of travel. Then, if you are already at Laog city, you could ride another bus going to Pagudpud.

Another favorite tourist Philippine vacation destination is Palawan Philippines. If you are from Manila Philippines and wanted or prefer to buy an air ticket going to Palawan Philippines, you could ride the Philippine Airlines or Air Philippines that will took you directly into the heart capital of Palawan Philippines which is Puerto Princesa city, which is only a one hour and five minutes trip. However, if you wanted to go directly to a specific location at Palawan, like El Nido, Cuyo Palawan, Busuanga, or your desired specific destinations at Palawan Philippines, there are flights you can choose to ride depending which location in Palawan you would like to visit. Examples of these alternative flights to different locations in Palawan are the Asian Spirit Airlines, SEAIR Lines, Pacific Air Lines, and the Soriano Airlines. You can inquire about their flight package in their respective websites or hotlines.

However, there is also transportation by sea going to Palawan from Manila Philippines. But it is a twenty hours trip. If you prefer this, you could buy a ticket at WG&A Shipping Company.

There is no by land transportation means going to Palawan if you happen to be at Manila Philippines because Palawan Philippines is an island far away from Metro Manila Philippines.