Baguio, Panagbenga Festival...

The Panagbenga Festival is held yearly during the month of February. The celebrations are held for over a month and peak periods are the weekends. The Panagbenga Festival showcases the many floral floats and native dances. The fragrant smells that could be presently teasing of a factory senses are probably less from the now-dried flowers from Valentine's Day than air floating all the way from Baguio City. At this time of year, the City of Pines is almost surely in flower fury over Panagbenga festival, the city's biggest festival.

Situated amidst the mountainous region of Cordillera, 1,500 meters above the sea, 250 kilometers north of Manila, Baguio City is one of the few place in the Philippines blessed with a cool climate. On average, Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. Not surprisingly, Baguio has become the "summer capital" of the country. It is gifted with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions which make it an important and interesting destiantion. As early as March, tourists and locals take the six-hour trek up the zigzagging Kennon Road. Within a mile of the city, the sweet scent of pine trees and flowers already permeate the air. Baguio is known as City of Pines or City of flowers, lies on a plateau 1400m above the sea level.

HISTORY
The arrival of the Americans in the early 1900s spurred development in the City. The American Governor Luke E. Wright commissioned Architect Daniel H. Burnham, a prominent Urban Planner to develop a plan for a health resort where the American soldiers and civilian employees could find respite from the sweltering lowland heat. This plan, better known as the Burnham Plan greatly altered the original mountain settlement and provided the first physical framework plan for the City.

Baguio has a number of attractions to please the most discriminating of sightseers. More importantly, most of these tourist sports are easily accessible via taxi or jeepney from Session Road. Burnham Park - Situated at the heart of the city, Burnham is the traditional venue of the city's numerous festivities. The park is named after the city's master planner Daniel Burnham. Its man-made lagoon is the site of many boating excursions, Bikers, hikers and skaters delight in the park's criss-crossing walkways. And of the romantic, a walk in the rose gardens is an absolute must. Mines View Park - Over the years, the Park has been transformed into a shopping showcase of sorts. It's here where you can load up on the province's bounties: hand woven jacket and blankets, silver knickknacks and jewelries, and various jams and preserve. Of course, none of these goodies could complete with the Park's breathtaking view of the hills and valleys of the Cordillera and the gold mines of Benguet.

Club John Hay - A tour of Baguio is incomplete without a bite of the Club's jumbo-sized burgers and sundaes. Formerly the R & R center of the United States Armed Force personnel in the Phillippines, the Club features hotel type rooms, seven food outlets, an 18-hole golf course, six tennis courts, a six-lane bowling center, basketball and volleyball courts, a heated swimming pool plus more for a definitively sporty weekend. Baguio Cathedral - Rising above the city skyline are the pinkish hues of the Baguio Cathedral. The cathedral is but one of a number of religious landmarks which dot the city. There is the Bell Temple, north of the city; the Maryhurst Seminary with its brilliant gardens; and Lourdes Grotto with its 252 steps to heaven. Banaue - Although Banaue is nine hours away from Baguio by bus, the tourist who takes the time to see this marvel of culture and architecture would be greatly rewarded. Known far and wide as the eighth wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces were carved from the mountain ranges centuries ago by the Ifugaos, one of the oldest known mountain tribes of the province. Sagada - One of the ten towns comprising Mountain Province is Sagada which is known for its numerous subterranean caves of their ancestors, the Sagadg area is a must-see for the archaeology buffs. Added attractions include the natural clear waters of Bokong Waterfall for a quick morning dip and the studio of renowned lensman Eduardo Masferres, whose collection of photographs of the Cordilleras is a photographer's envy.

Amadeo, Coffee Capital of the Philippines

Amadeo

Yesterday, the celebration of Pahimis Festival was a success, wherein people from all over the country, gathered together to celebrate the abundance of coffee. Besides from joyful sounds of band's trumpet, One of the events there is a fashion shows featuring the barong tagalog, sarong and other dresses with touch of coffee making it stylist & elegant. The early morning show, Unang Hirit was even there to celebrate. The best of all, the coffee here is over flowing. Can't wait to go there next year.


Geography
An upland and inland town with an elevation of 1,400 feet above sea level, Amadeo is approximately 60 kilometers south of Manila.
Amadeo was formerly called Masilaw, a Tagalog word meaning glaring. It used to be a forest with abundant dapdap trees that bore bright red flowers after shedding of leaves. These flowers that crown the trees produce a dazzling glaring light. The locality was originally a barrio of Silang. It was made a town in 1872, and was called Amadeo in honor of Prince Amadeo Fernando Maria of Savoy. The inauguration of the town (May 30) coincided with the birthday of the said Prince who was born on May 30, 1845 in Turin, Italy, as the second son of the King of Spain and Italy. It was given the Tagalog name Maypag-ibig (With Love) during the Philippine Revolution. Amadeo was recognized as a town for twenty-one years. It was reverted as a district of Silang, however, in 1902. Local leaders including Geronimo Bayot and Primo Villanueva, for the next thirteen years, continued to secure the separation of Amadeo from Silang. It was not until 1915 during the administration of Governor ANtero S. Soriano, that Amadeo regained its independence. In recognition in his presevering efforts in behalf of Amadeo, Geronimo Bayot was made the town's first municipal president under the American regime.

Brief History

The municipality of General Emilio Aguinaldo used to be a Catholic parish in the town of Maragondon. It was founded by virtue of the decree issued on August 28, 1857 by Archibishop Fray Aranguren, OSA, of the Archidiocese of Manila. The decree separated the barrios of Batas and Guyong-guyong from the town of Maragondon, naming the new parish Bailen. It is recounted that a group of citizens from barrio Batas petitioned Spanish Governor General Fernando Norzagaray to convert their barrio into municipality because of its distance from the town proper. Giving due course to the petition, the Spanish Governor approved the request on August 2, 1858. Bailen, the former name of the town, was coined from the Spanish word bailar, meaning to dance. Another claims that it was named after a Spanish town of the same name. The American civil government, from 1899-1901, reduced the number of towns to facilitate the military policy of concentrating the civilian population of the poblaciones. The Philippine Commission approved Act 947 on October 15, 1903, annexing the municipalities of Bailen and Mendez to Alfonso. Bailen, thus, became a barrio of Alfonso. The Philippine Commission, for the second time in 1904, reorganized the entire province of Cavite reducing its 22 municipalities to 9 groups of towns. Bailen was reconverted into a dependent municipality in 1915, with the complete restoration of peace and order in Cavite.
Source: The Phil Index, Millennium Edition Vol.I No.1

San Juan City,one of the newest city

San Juan City

The City of San Juan was formerly a part of the Rizal Province before Metro Manila was created. Now it is the smallest city found in Metro Manila based on its land area. The name of the place was in honor of their patron saint, St. John the Baptist. The celebration of their feast day is what made the place famous. Every 24th of the June, the people of San Juan celebrate their fiesta by dousing the streets with water, which obviously make the passers-by soaking wet, locally known as “Basaan Na“. This is likened to the baptism as described in the Bible. As this is their tradition, the people, even the newcomers are already used to it and are aware of this yearly event, so they just enjoy the celebration.

Greenhills Commercial Center

Greenhills Commercial Center, which includes a shopping center where good buys from cellular (mobile) phones, to computers, clothes, accessories, to exotic plants, home furniture and furnishings, jewelry, and precious stones and pearls can be found and the rows of restaurants where in and near Greenhills along Ortigas Avenue, and in Wilson Street can be found a variety of restaurants that cater to people of all walks of life and tastes. Other places of interest and are popular destinations in and around the city are the Agora Complex, the famous and elegant Club Filipino, the Music Museum, the Tanghalan ng Masa, The Arena and other exciting places which would surely fascinate everyone and entice your appetites

Club Filipino

San Juan City is also dubbed as “Town of Philippine Presidents”, although not officially. Among the last nine presidents since the Philippines became a Republic in 1946, four of them were official residents of San Juan when they took their office. These four Presidents are/were the Diosdado Macapagal, Sr., the incumbent, his daughter Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ferdinand Marcos (although from Ilocos Norte have frequented San Juan because of Dona Josefa Edralin and brother Pio who are long time residents), and Joseph Estrada. Also, the second President of the 3rd Republic, Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953) retired to this town after leaving his service at Malacañang Palace.

Pinaglabanan Shrine

Among the many interesting places in San Juan are the Pinaglabanan Shrine, which marks the first battle of the Katipunan - the site where the first gunfire was shot during the Filipino war against the Spaniards. Pinaglabanan Shrine (1974) was created by Filipino sculptor Eduardo Castrillo. Also known as the “Spirit of Pinaglabanan”, the sculpture is composed of three cut and welded brass figures upon a 10 x 4.3 x 4.3 meter molded concrete base. This was built in commemoration of the first battle of the 1896 Revolution that happened on that site.



To All, Happy People's Power Day! May we have a meaningful celebration of this day. Nationalism!

Tagaytay, a place to visit, to cherish & to enjoy!

History of Tagaytay
Legend has it that the word “Tagaytay” came from “TAGA” meaning “to cut” and “ITAY” which means “Father”. A father and son were said to be on a wild boar hunt when the animal they were chasing turned and attacked them. As the boar charged towards the old man, the son cried “TAGA- ITAY”. The boy’s repeated shouts reverberated in the valleys of the ridge. Heard by the residents, hunters and wood gatherers, the cries became the subject of conversation for several days among the people in the countryside. In time, the place where the shouts came from became known as TAGAYTAY.

Here are some of the best deals and free offers in Tagaytay offers:

Josephine's Restaurant Tagaytay - US$5 all you can eat buffet.

Royal Taal Inn - From just Php 2,300 (US$45) per night rooms with incredible overlooking views.

Palace in the Sky - A few pesos for the best overlooking view in Tagaytay.

Picnic Groove - Just a few pesos for fun for the entire family. sit down,relax & enjoy the nature.

The City Market/ Mahogany Market - Fresh fruit, where you can get one of the sweetest & most delicious pineapples you've ever
tasted for less than US$1. Very fresh beef? yes! so fresh that it's actually still moving. it's a must that you should
really, really need to see to appreciate.

Casino - Try you're luck and you may win your small entrance fee back!

Taal Volcano - The views are breathtaking and memorable. Best of all its FREE!

Boat Trip to the Volcano - About $7.50 each for a family of four.

TRIP TO TAGAYTAY

Last december, my sister have to attend a wedding nuptial in Taal Vista Hotel. I decided to accompanied her and at same time, avail my membership complimentary overnight stay in One Tagaytay Hotel Suites. Together with my sister,mom, wife & son, we went there and enjoy every step of the way.It's perfect climate and clean fresh air. We side trip to different beautiful places such as the ever famous Mushroom Burger where we eat our lunch & bought a mushroom seedling which we still harvesting, Bag of Beans Tagaytay with branches in Greenhills, famous with their pies such apple pies. Rosso Cafe? yup!same as in Gandara but with cozy ambiance & nice over looking of the creek. Even also offer an overnight stay, only four rooms are available that I suggest you to booked first. we even went for a horse ride for my son to experience & me as well,I haven't ride yet a horse before. After the ride, wow! it feels good & self-fulfilling but at the same time, my buttock really ache! Lastly, we went to the famous Sonia's Garden in Alfonso,Cavite. A spa, restaurant, panaderia & country store. Paradise some may say. Unfortunately, we are not able to dine there coz its already fully booked. Maybe next time. It's long day, it's time to go back home. On the way goin down, we passedby a pineapple farm & bought pineapple as pasalubong.
Tagaytay is really a place to visit, to explore, to cherish and to enjoy. Can't wait to go back there this coming summer.

Visit tagaytay, for reservation/membership in one tagaytay hotel look for Gel Pineda(0915)9808449

Caloocan City Day

In Celebration of Caloocan Day, I decide to post a little history & background of the city where i was born & grew up.

BRIEF GEOGRAPHY
Caloocan City, northern Philippines, on the island of Luzon, in the National Capital Region, and part of metropolitan Manila. The city has grown rapidly since World War II ended in 1945. In 1975 it was merged with Manila and other nearby urban areas to form a single administrative division under the Metropolitan Manila Commission.

BRIEF HISTORY of Caloocan
The name Caloocan came from the vernacular "lo-ok" meaning interior, and "nasa sulok" which means in the corner, implying its location. The original territory of Caloocan extended to the foothills of Marikina in the east, Tenejeros, Tanza, and Tala Rivers in the north, and San Francisco del Monte, Sampalok, Sta Cruz, and Tondo in the south. Caloocan became a municipality in 1815 after it was separated from the town of Tondo as one of its barrios. Seventy-seven years after it was proclaimed a separate town, Caloocan hosted the completion of the British-owned Manila-Dagupan railways in 1892, bringing the municipality closer to Manila and other points of Luzon. In 1896, the people of Caloocan, led by Andres Bonifacio, revolted against the Spaniards, followed by other uprisings in the different parts of country. Spain eventually surrendered to the Americans on August 1898. The arrival of the Americans in the country proved to be another test to the people of Caloocan. Their heroic defense reduced the town to rubbles. Years of reconstruction followed, with new roads laid out, public schools built, and the railway improved. However, Caloocan suffered three years of oppression under the Japanese occupation. It was when the Philippine Independence was finally proclaimed in 1946 that Caloocan gained its true freedom. In 1961, through a plebiscite, the municipality of Caloocan became city.
Truly Caloocan City is one of the colorful, finest,fast growing city in the Philippines. Happy Caloocan Day!