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Batangas in the Philippines

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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.

Leyte Philippines Beach Vacation

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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.