Corregidor is a tadpole-shaped island at the mouth of Manila Bay, making it a natural site for erecting a fortification in defense of the bay. It once served as an initial checkpoint for visiting ships during the Spanish-era and may have functioned as a correctional facility for criminals of that time, hence the translation of its name as “Island of Corrections”. Its most recent use came during World War II, when American and Filipino defenders battled the invading forces of the Japanese Empire. Today, Corregidor stands as a testament of heroism during those terrible days of conflict.

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Posted in Attractions, Philippines |

Nestled within the heart of the Philippines are the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. If it weren’t for the fact that there are so many hills one might believe that these hills were man-made, though they are not. These incredible natural hills remind many of “giant mole hills” and draw more tourists than any other area in the country.

About the Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Chocolate Hills

Image Credit : wisdoc

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Posted in Philippines |

The first part of our trip to Coron has been quite an experience and we haven’t even visited the beach yet.  We had an incredible time catching the glorious sunset at Mt Tapyas, buying souvenirs and other delicacies from the Coron Public Market, and capturing the majestic sunrise on Lambingan Bridge.

On the day of our scheduled tour, we had our usual morning breakfast of delicous danggit (a kind of dried salted fish) which we enjoyed together with fried rice and perfectly done sunny-side-up eggs.  At around 8:30 am, our tour guide Arjel loaded our picnic basket to our shuttle service then we left for the pier located at the back of  the Coron Public Market.  We met our designated boatmen also at the pier.

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Posted in Guides, Philippines |

Busuanga is in the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Palawan is locally considered as the last frontier of the Philippines mainly because it is blessed with virgin beaches and pristine waters that are home to the most colourful corals and fishes that one can only sometimes see in picture books. A very short plane right brought us to the newly opened Busuanga Airport. Our shuttle pick up service met us outside of the airport to bring us to our destination, Coron.

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Posted in Guides, Philippines |

It is April once again and this month signals the start of the summer season for all countries in Asia and the start of a couple of weeks of school’s summer. In the Philippines, April marks the start of celebrations leading to a famous festival.  This festival is none other than the Bangus Festival, one of the most prominent local celebrations that last for almost the whole month of April.  For 2009, celebrations will start of April 16 all the way until May 1. Bangus or Milk fish, the national fish of the Philippines, can actually be cooked or prepared in about a hundred ways.  This kind of fish is so close to the hearts of Filipinos that they have even organized a festival just to give honor to the Bangus or specifically to the Bonuan Bangus which is believed to have delectable taste of its own that cannot be found in other varieties of Milk fish.

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Posted in Events, Philippines |

Tagaytay, a fast-growing city in the mountains of Cavite Province some 55 kilometers south of Manila, is quickly emerging as another popular summer destination of the Philippines. As Baguio City is becoming too crowded with development, industries, and pollution, and Sagada is a bit too far off for short term visits, Tagaytay retains the cool air, sparse environment, and majestic landscapes that makes it the new getaway destination all-year round. And with the added advantage of being relatively close to Metropolitan Manila and especially the central business district of Makati, Tagaytay is already the favorite place for executives to escape the stresses of office life, a spot where the busy executive could sip a cup of steaming coffee and get lost in the majestic spectacle of Taal Volcano. Organizations, clubs, and work teams also do seminars, retreats, and team-building sessions in the various resorts, hotels, and convention centers in the city.

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Posted in Philippines, Things to do |

One of my all time favorite movies would have to be “River Wild”.  Watching this movie back in 1994 and seeing Meryl Streep’s character brave the strong rapids stirred within me great interest in the extreme sport of white water rafting.  I wondered as to when I can get the chance to try this for myself and where in the world will I get to do this for the very first time.

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Posted in Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Things to do |

Boracay is the premier beach destination in the Philippines, an incomparable island of white sand, turquoise waters, outstanding corals, and plenty of fun in store. As you get off the main road and head for the beach, past the houses, diners, and shops, the blue sea bathed in bright sunlight proudly proclaims your start of a glorious stay in the island.

Boracay is a small, dumbbell-shaped island off Aklan. The best thing about it is the fine, white, powdery sand filling the principal beaches of White Beach, Puka Beach, and Bulabog Beach. Boracay is so popular all over the country that many choose it as a beach wedding destination, where the bride, groom, and loved ones stroll over the fine sand, a very memorable occasion, indeed. The officials on the island have wisely moved ferry-docking off White Beach, leaving the area clear for beachbums and sun-lovers. A continuous row of stores, diving shops, resorts, and dining establishments stretches throughout the beach, while tradesmen line the beach and offer services with a smile. As you spend the rest of the first day taking in the beauty of the sea, you can start feasting on seafood the very affordable restaurants, and even bar-hop during happy hour as the night draws on.

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Posted in Beaches, Philippines |

Although visitors can enjoy the rustic simplicity of Palawan to get away from the stresses of modern living, they may experience a culture shock as they try to cope with the less-than-efficient ways of getting there. Traveling to any specific place require the boarding of several vessels and vehicles, and the operators of each these transports need to be approached to engage their services.

There are two primary ways to get to Palawan: by air and by sea.  Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, and ZestAir (formerly known as Asian Spirit) all make daily flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to Puerto Princesa, which takes more than an hour. From there, smaller airlines can take you to different points in the region, or you may take land vehicles or ferries, instead. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Philippines, Transportation |

Palawan is commonly referred as the Philippine’s last frontier. Lush vegetation, scenic jungle terrain, a multitude of beaches and islands, and the resplendent blue-green waters are barely compromised by commercial establishments and overreaching human population. This region northwest of the country has plenty of attractions to explore, from an international animal sanctuary to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You can start your Palawan journey in El Nido Marine Reserve, one of the best dive spots in the Philippines, with 96,000 hectares of protected ecosystems and 50 nearby islands providing numerous opportunities for beach-hopping, snorkeling and diving. The rainforest, mangroves, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs all make El Nido a sight-filled spot for you to use up your camera’s memory card. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Attractions, Philippines |