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Milla On Manila

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Comic Books in the Philippines is never as famous as it is on other countries but the famous Marvel and DC comic writer Mark Miller who writes about the famous comic superheroes X-Men, Superman, Spiderman, and the comic superheroes that has made into movie, The Avengers, visits the Philippines for the comic book signing of his latest comic book “Supercrooks” for as the report says, the Philippines gets the number of big sales on his latest comic Book “Supercrooks” whereas, he thought the Philippines would not patronize largely his latest comic book “Supercrooks” for there is no previous records that comic books are super hit in the Philippines but actually he is expecting to come on New York, Los Angeles or London as the expected winner for his “throw the dice” competition of what country will got the big sales in on latest comic book, ”Supercrooks”, will got his signature or will grace a book signing event or activity.

“I thought it was going to be New York, Los Angeles or London because they had famous comic book stores. But I’m really delighted it’s the Philippines because I’ve never been here before, and I’ve got friends here. And it gave me an excuse to hang out with my friends and pretend to my wife that I’m working”

To his surprise, the Philippines got the big number of sales.
The famous comic writer, Mark Millar, is the famous Scottish comic writer of the comic books and comic book series:“Wanted”, ”The Authority”, ”Superman: Red Son” ,”Wolverine” “Enemy of the State”, ”The Ultimates”,” Marvel Knights Spider-Man”, ”Civil War”, “Ultimate Fantastic Four”, ”Kick-Ass”, and so forth which recently held a world competition that will won his signature and luckily, the Philippines through Philippine National Bookstore got or have won his signature to sign his latest comic creation, ”Supercrooks”
“Earlier this year, Mark Millar had announced that whichever comic book stone ordered the most copies of the first issue of his brightly dark new mini-series, ”Supercroooks” would win a visit from him, whenever in the world it was”

And the winning country that has great number of sales of new comic book “Supercrooks” is the Philippines.

An owner of the Philippine National Book Store (NBS) Miguel Ramos has express excitement and gladness about winning the coveted visit and signature of the famous comic book writer Mark Millar. But actually, the NBS or the National Bookstore they themselves bought the number of copies aside from other buyers who actually bought the comic book and distribute it to people as free comic books just to make Mark Millar come into the Philippines or just to get Mark Millar’s signature.

“Just like everyone else, we at National Bookstore are just fanboys and fan girls who have the best jobs in the world because we can do things like this. And this auction was really a once in a opportunity for us to get Mark Millar, Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan together in one room. You can bet Sonny Gho is going to get an email from me tomorrow!!!”

As expected, Mark Millar arrived last May 27,2012 and held a book signing at Glorietta 5,Ayala Center,Makati City organized or prepared by National Bookstore(NBS).

“The response to his arrival has simply stunned Millar, who gamely battled jet lag throughout his stay. He was received like a rock star at the Summer Komikon. On the day of his signing at Glorietta 5 in Makati, fans lined up hours prior to the signing. Millar would eventually sign for more than 1,000 fans…”

Mark Millar was so overwhelmed about the support the National Bookstore has done for his comic works, ”Supercrooks” to be number one best sold comic book in the Philippines.

“…I’m not sure congratulations are in order because this means poor Miguel gets stuck with ME for a few days. Although, I suspect Scotland will be more pleased to be rid of me for a while! But I couldn’t be more delighted to be going somewhere so warm and sunny for a signing. We’re friends with Leinil and his wife Anna so this is a great chance to get a wee holiday out there at the same time as meeting all the very cool Filipino readers who support the Millarworld titles. I can’t wait. We’re looking to fly very soon after our big Kapow! event in London on the 19th and 20th of May www.kapowcomicconvention.com and will let you know as soon as we have a date booked. Huge thanks to Miguel for his support and to all the retailers who have made Supercrooks #1, I think, the biggest pre-orders we’ve had on ANY Millarworld launch so far…”

The book signing at Glorietta 5 according to Mark Millar himself was overwhelming for the reception of Filipinos to be able to get sign their Supercrook comic book by him was warm, “The Manila signing was the best signing I’ve done and amazed at the patience of the people queuing up to eight hours. What a lovely country and people!..”
Together with his success on the Supercrook comic book was with Leinil Francis Yu, a Filipino comic graphic artist that has won a recognition from “…after winning the Wizard’s Drawing Board Contest, his first published work…. He was first hired by Whilce Portacio to do some work for Wildstorm, but that work fell through. Portacio then passed on samples of Yu’s work to Marvel Comics, who subsequently hired him to work on Wolverine……”; and with Gerry Alanguilan, another Filipino comic graphic artist who works also at Marvel and DC comics, and with Sunny Gho, an Indonesian comic colorist artist also.

The Supercrooks, comic book by Mark Millar, Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, and by Sunny Gho narrates the story of a super villain name Johnny Bolt which discovers many superheroes in the United States and make a living out of them and organize a mafia gang, to quote, “..tells the story of super villain Johnny Bolt, who realizes that the United States has way too many superheroes for a villain to make a living. So he organizes an ambitious heist, where he recruits his former colleagues (and one surprise) to steal from a powerful super-villain in Europe – where there are no superheroes…”

Mark Millar commended his Filipino partner on the making of his or their Supercrook comic books to be of able the one who make the comic book a hit because of his graphic depictions of the story in it. “You guys might not be aware of what a big deal Leinil is, but he is a really big deal in the States. There are maybe three artists in the world who work for Marvel and DC who have made a big impact, and I think Leinil is one of those three guys. I think a lot of the people in the States aren’t even aware he lives in the Philippines. I think that’s what makes the work interesting, because he’s bringing a fresh perspective to American comics. You know we’ve gotten used to the same old stuff, but Leinil’s got a fresh take on it, all of which I absolutely adore. I am very fortunate to have done “Supercrooks” with him and hopefully we’ll work together forever. He likes working with me and I like working with him. It’s like a marriage..”

Two Pinay Won Cooking Fest

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Who says recycling a Vietnamese recipe into a brand new recipe or should I say tweaking some ingredients to it and the way it is cook, could won an international award in line of culinary arts contest by a culinary student?

Recently, a neophyte Filipino culinary student who according to her it is her first time to be on the international competition regarding of course cooking contests, ecstatically overwhelmed by her winning on the recent 35th World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) World Congress which was held in Daejeon, South Korea last May 1-5,2012. She won the silver medal on the Ethic Asian Meal Category which is the highest award on particular category.

“It is my first time to compete in an international culinary competition. When I was plating, I couldn’t mix the pesto with aspic. It didn’t blend well. It ate so much of my time. I panicked. Good thing, chefs Guia Angkaw and Mira Cruz pushed me and cheered me on. It merged well in the end. I also made sure my plating and presentation were clean and presentable.”

She is Maria Arneli Flores who is now graduating this year 2012 this coming August from Culinary Arts in Center for Culinary Arts – Manila (CCA-Manila) wherein before she enters or pursue culinary arts at Center of Culinary Arts – Manila, she have finished a course, which is Food Technology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila Philippines; and she is only 25 years old.

According to her, she done many practices, before the competition in order to prepare yet still something went wrong, that is she can’t mix the pesto with aspic, which doesn’t blend well, but however, chefs on their team pushed her to continue what here doing and cheered her that is okay; and viola! According to her it blend well in the end; as if a miracle of her food course which she prepared panicky, have won her an award or a silver award on the Ethic Asian Meal category at the 35th World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) World Congress held in Daejeon, South Korea last May 1-5,2012.

She prepared three courses of three meals at the competition, namely: (1) Vietnamese Spring Rolls, wherein she tweaks upon (2) Stuffed Spicy Duck in Orange sauce with Stir-fried Rice in an Omelette Crepe with Broccoli Fan, and (3) a Rice Cake stuffed with Purple Yam filling topped with Sesame Tuile and Vanilla-flavored Red pearls with a coconut Pandan sauce; which is a dessert course or a dessert for a meal.

The stuffed Spicy Duck in Orange sauce with Stir-fried Rice in an Omelette Crepe with Broccoli Fan on it, is her main course which also won aside from the Vietnamese Spring Rolls which she tweaks; wherein she stuffed first the duck with a sautéed banana blossoms and marinated some meat in ginger, fish sauce (Patis in Tagalog or Filipino language) red chili, and orange juice. Then, she seared the stuffed ducks until it is golden brown.

After she seared the stuffed duck until it is golden brown she baked it on the oven of course, where she will bake it anyway. And then after the duck has been stuffed with Sautéed Banana Blossoms, marinated in Ginger, fish sauce, red chili and orange juice; Seared and then baked; she braised the stuffed duck in orange marinade and then serve.

But however, she didn’t serve the stuffed duck that has been stuffed with sautéed banana blossoms, marinated with ginger, red chili, fish sauce and orange juice, and seared until golden brown; baked, and then braised in orange marinade; with just stir-fried rice and put the duck on top. And for the dessert, she put a simple purple yam filling or ube in a molded rice cake rather than a mung beans or monggo fillings.

Anyway, for the Vietnamese Spring Rolls, which she tweaks, she rather instead put lettuce and aromatic leaves in the Spring rolls and then stirred up the aromatic leaves with mint and basil into a thickly pesto sauce and then the mixture of these leaves which she convert into a thick pesto sauce, she then use it as dipping sauce for the Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

However, she left the Vietnamese Spring Rolls unrolled or unwrapped yet its fillings were expose which are pork, prawns, wood ear mushrooms, crab meat, and vermicelli noodles.

Both of Maria Arneli Flores’s course or meals won a prize or award at the 35th World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) World Congress that was held in Daejeon, South Korea, last May 1-5,2012.
Meanwhile, for another Pinay who has won an award from the recent 35th World Association of Chef Societies(WACS) World Congress that was held in Daejeon, South Korea, last May 1-5,2012,she won an award from the Petit Fours/Pralines-Senior Category of the World cooking fest for her recipe praline recipe, Almond Malibu Globule.

She is a chef-instructor from Center of Culinary Arts-Manila (CCA-Manila), that is, chef May Martinez which she has won a bronze award for her praline recipe.

Accordingly to her, her winning praline recipe which is Almond Malibu Globule has a Hawaiian theme. According to her, it is a Hawaiian theme Pralines because: “I choose it because it’s easier to mix and match the ingredients, like nuts and fruits, nuts and chocolates, and nuts and liqueur.”

The name of her winning praline recipe, Almond Malibu Globule, according to her got its name from the shapes of the recipe itself; that is, globe, bonbons, and teardrop; with Malibu almond fillings and white chocolate base with curacao pulled with sugar to add elegance to the look, according to her.

Moreover, she said it is her first time to join a pralines category in a cooking fest.

“I used to work at Sofitel Hotel and was assigned and was assigned to the chocolate room. That gave me an inspiration to at least try in the praline category.”

In addition to that she says, she has been teaching baking for five years at Center for Culinary Arts, which gave her an advantage to join the praline category on a world food competition.

President of the Cravings Group of Companies ( the food company that conceptualized and gave birth to Center for Culinary Arts or CCA in Manila; CCA was established on August 26,1996 which then followed by the Philippines having a very first formal culinary education program in the Philippine education; Center for Culinary Arts, Manila (CCA-Manila) “.. is an institution which provides culinary education in the Philippines…” –Wikipedia) ;president Annie Guerrero express gladness and moral support of congratulations for what her winning team has achieved in the 35th World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) World Congress which has held last May 1-5,2012 at Daejeon, South Korea.

“I am so happy they won. For me, it is an inspiration to all our chefs and students. We should work hand-in-hand to achieve our goals..”

Moreover, Cravings Group of Companies, CEO or Chief Executive Officer, Badjie Guerrero Trinidad, expresses also proudness, for what their team has achieved on recent world food competition.

“We intend to actively participate in international competitions. The motivation we give then is that, win or lose, we are able to fulfill our mission to globalize Filipino cuisine..”

Pinas Top News # 3

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From May 23 To May 31

1. Tropical Storm Chedeng, et.al. As if a storm has a logical thinking that it will waste its time storming regions in the Philippines that are already well-prepared against an incoming storms that it will not hit big its presence in the Philippines but only minimal at certain regions which are unprepared for its coming. This is what has been the case of the Philippine tropical storm “chedeng”.

This tropical storm was expected to land on certain Luzon regions as it was forecasted but it hits regions which are not somewhat forecasted and even detour quickly out of the Philippine archipelago into area of responsibility of Japan.

Remember also the tropical storm “Juan” dubbed as a forthcoming super typhoon then but it was not be, because the Philippines is very well prepared then. But the tropical storm “Ondoy” becomes a major blockbuster typhoon overnight in the Philippines then and it becomes a major hit because the Philippines then is not well prepared or unprepared and not expecting the forthcoming of “Ondoy”.

Therefore, are tropical storms like typhoons, hurricanes, cyclones, etc. have their own thinking or is there someone manipulating and controlling their paths like puppets out there, now that there are rumors about weather warfares?

2.  Special Treatment for Rich and VIP Prisoners. After Tony Leviste’s escape and capture, lingering suspicions about special treatment for rich and very important person prisoners has come up into the surface of public scrutiny and the self-righteous and hypocritical administration of PNOy has to distance itself by laming all these to director of Bureau of Correction Ernesto Diokno which Aquino have warned to axed from his position and Aquino’s DILG secretary Laila De Lima want to file a case against Diokno but Diokno is quick to defend himself that he is innocent of the allegations thrown against him by the self-righteous PNoy and immediately resign from his post to avoid the humiliation Aquino administration will incur on his name. And upon his own resignation, the self-righteous PNoy thought that Diokno’s resignation is a self-admition of the allegations and want Diokno to give a new position of that action of Diokno.

How many innocent people will the self-righteous and hypocritical Aquino administration will demonized for the sake of personal gains and papogi points of his own administration that his administration is flawless and just and good whereas it is not, not only because of many “kapalpakan” but also because the Aquino administration loves to pinpoint or to blame others instead of making an accurate, correct and fair investigation first.

3. Reaping Coral Reefs and Aquatic Lives. It is like a bountiful harvest of undersea crops swept and scraps almost from the sea bed and to be selling to those who are interested to buy or to those people who are in great demand of marine decorative species and of exotic jewelry. This is how it was described the aquatic disaster discovered on the coast of Cotabato Philippines from the two container van containing alleged smuggled black corals, dead turtles, and other thousand pieces of marine lives.

4. More Reproductive Health Bill Debates and Sentiments. The war of the Catholic Church in the Philippines against the bill is still burning and would not let go until their desire about the bill should be done or fulfilled by the PNoy administration.

In my opinion, if PNoy has a firm decision regarding the bill, he should have already approved it a long time go or the bill have already been imposed and should not be indecisive only because of the catholic church threats; the state is stronger than the church because the church is only under the state’s authority and not all Filipinos are Christian or Catholics in religion. Why bother listen only to the Catholics in the Philippines?

5. No Smoking on Manila and PNoy’s “wa” say to it. Ban of smoking activities within the public metro is good but does only the ordinary Pinoys should be under it wherein there is a big Pinoy in the Palace that should become the role model of it. The palace can never excuse that Malacanang is a residential place thus PNoy is exempted because Malacanang is not just an ordinary private residence but a public place actually.

The Flag of the Philippines

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The national flag of the Philippines is composed of 4 colors; red, blue, white and yellow. It has equal bands of blue and red, with a white equilateral triangle based at the hoist side.

In the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with 8 primary rays, each containing 3 individual rays and at each corner of the triangle is a 5-pointed yellow star.

The flag is displayed with the blue field on top, in times of peace and at times the red field on top in times of war.

The 2 fundamental colors of the Philippine flag are royal blue and scarlet red.

The meanings of the colors of the Philippine national flag are as follows:
The white triangle stands for equality and fraternity, the blue field for peace, trust and justice, and the red field for patriotism and valor.

The 8 primary rays of the sun represent the 8 provinces which declared themselves in state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated. The 8 provinces are Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas.
The 3 stars represent the 3 major geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

There are also a few flag protocols in the Philippines. The flag must be flown at half mast as a sign of mourning. Like a death of a president or a former president, historical figures and anyone that is recognized and declared by the Philippine government.

Land Transportation in the Philippines

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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.

Makati City in the Philippines

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Makati City and Metro Manila in the Philippines

Makati City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, which is the greater metropolitan area of the National Capital Region of the Philippines.

Makati City is also the major financial, economical and commercial hub in the Philippines. It is often referred to as the financial capital of the Philippines.

Makati City is the home to the influential Makati Business Club and the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Ayala Avenue in Makati City, which is running through the heart of downtown Makati Central Business which is often called the Wall Street of the Philippines. Because of it’s close resemblance to the Wall Street of New York City.

Makati City is noted for its highly cosmopolitan culture. That’s why many expatriates live and work in the city. The barangays (villages or districts) in Makati City are way different than the other cities in Metro Manila. Because they offer ample free services and health assistance to its residents. The public parks are full of trees and are decently clean.

Makati is also home to many first-class and high-end shopping malls. Targeting the city’s expatriates and the business working class.

Makati City also has the tallest buildings in the Philippines. Almost like skyscrapers, like the PBCom Tower and G.T. International Tower. The city also has many of the country’s 5-Star hotels which are The Peninsula Hotel Manila, The Shangri-La Hotel Makati and Hotel Intercontinental Manila.

Makati City is the home for some embassies too. Like the Australian Embassy, Canadian Embassy and the German Embassy, all are located at the RCBC Tower.
So if you want to experience the clean, hustle and bustle of a city, Makati is worth giving a visit.

Hotels in Manila in the Philippines

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A tourist wherever he or she may visit a country like the Philippines. A hotel is the first sought after tourist spot in the country he or she visit, is not it? However, with a lot of hotels to choose from or with a lot of hotels in the  Philippines have which one is better and which one is not? Confused which hotels in the Philippines will you stay and check-in? Let me help you find one. Here I made a list of hotels in the Philippines.

Manila Hotel

Hotel in manila

In Metro Manila Philippines there are beautiful hotels to check-in, however, they are confusing to which suites your budget and tiring to go from one hotel into another hotel just to inquire. But actually they have created a websites for this matter, is not it? Here is their recommended list of hotels beginning at Manila Philippines.

* The Heritage Hotel – it offers $110 both on superior and deluxe rooms. It offers free buffet breakfast and a shuttle ride to SM Mall of Asia. If you can afford this budget, then why not try it? Prices may change without prior notice, thus if you are interested to this hotel, you can search their website for updates on their hotel package.

* The Manila Pavilion Hotel – it offers Php. 3,800 for standard rooms with buffet breakfast.

* The Century Park Hotel – it offers Php. 4,350 for superior rooms without a buffet breakfast. You must cater yourself your own breakfast.

* The Bayview Park Hotel – it offers $ 53 for Superior rooms with buffet breakfast. If you do not have much budget, you can choose this hotel, for imagine it is only $53 for a superior room with buffet breakfast?

* The Bellevue Hotel – it offers Php. 5,000 for deluxe room with broadband internet on the room with computer having access to internet, however, it has no free buffet breakfast but with free shuttle service to Alabang city, if you are going to Alabang.

* The Copacobana Apartment Hotel – it offers Php. 2,300 for studio room with free breakfast. However, if you do not like this kind of hotels Philippines has to offer you, you can reject it anyway.

* The Casa Bagobo Hotel – however, you can try this simple but beautiful and economical Philippine hotel, it only offers Php. 1,800 for a beautiful solo room with free buffet breakfast and free wi-fi connection. Yeah, it is simply beautiful Philippine hotel.

* The Hotel Indah Manila Hotel – it offers also economical for a standard room with free breakfast. It offers Php. 1,850 only.

* The Nicols Hotel Manila Hotel –this Philippine hotel offers superior room with Php. 1,950 only but with no free breakfast to offer you.

* The Mabuhay Manor Hotel – this hotel offers free buffet breakfast for superior room with Php. 2,399 only.

Manila Hotels

Pan Am Hotel in Manila

The list above are the recommended Hotels you can choose from after arriving at Manila Philippines if you wanted to check-in into a Philippines hotels in Manila Philippines. The lists are hotels in Manila Philippines which are recommended for hotel-seekers like you in Manila.

Calamba Laguna in the Philippines

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Calamba Laguna Philippines

Perhaps most Filipinos already knew what’s in this place, yeah, it is the home place or birth place of Doctor Jose P. Rizal –the Philippines’ National Hero, A renaissance genius man. He is an artist, a doctor (ophthalmologist), a poet, a publicist, an engineer, a sculptor, a novelist, a teacher, a linguist who could speak 21 languages, and of course a martyr hero. Actually, his ancestral house at Calamba has now become a tourist attraction for those who visit Calamba Laguna Philippines where a memorabilia about him was on display. They call it Rizal Shrine.

Actually, his ancestral home was destroyed during World War II but was restored during the presidency of Elpidio Quirino, which is during 1950s.

However, it was not only Dr.Jose P.Rizal is the known hero that Calamba Laguna have produced, actually, there are still other four National heroes, namely General Paciano Rizal, Teodora Alonzo, General Vicente Lim, and Lt. Geronimo Aclan. Thus,an association have arise,that is the Calamba Association Of Northeastern USA,Inc. base on New York.This Calamba organization have established by the former residents of Calamba Laguna Philippines to promote Calamba Philippines itself and for the welfare and improvement of the lives of Filipinos in line with the heroic deeds of the national heroes which have sprouted from Calamba Laguna in the Philippines.

Anyway, what are other places of interest at Calamba Laguna Philippines aside from its hero’s zone area? At Laguna Philippines there are many resorts and hot springs you could visit, however, we will discuss them at my article Laguna Philippines. Calamba Laguna is only at the footstool of Laguna Philippines’s famous Enchanted Mountain –Mt. Maria Makiling,thus you could tread upon the Mt. Maria Makiling through Calamba Laguna. Moreover, Calamba has rich source of fresh clean water due to Laguna Philippines have many hot springs within its vicinity. Calamba Laguna has also hot springs at Laguna de Bay- the Wonder Island Resort.

Another place of interest at Calamba, is the St. John the Baptist Church. It has a beautiful ambience and most tourists attend mass on it. I remember, when I was a child we attend mass in it after we visit the Rizal Shrine. For it is said that on this church, Dr. Jose P. Rizal was baptized. Furthermore, at the front of Calamba Laguna Municipal Hall, there are a beautiful potted plants and flowers for sale that could awe your site.

Aside from Rizal’s memorial statue at Luneta Park, he has also another memorial statue at Rizal Memorial School at Calamba Laguna.

However, if you want to visit Calamba Laguna Philippines, it is only 53 kilometers away from Manila Philippines and lies at the southern terminal of South Luzon Expressway. And they say it is a gateway to many part of Laguna in the Philippines and to other adjacent cities and regions.

Calamba Laguna is the largest city of Laguna Philippines which largely are migrants from Manila Philippines and Tagalog regions of the Philippines, as well some religious groups and foreign tourists. Thus, it has many real estate businesses within its region.

Iloilo city in the Philippines

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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

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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.