Corregidor Island

Corregidor is a tadpole shaped island on the mouth of Manila Bay. When the Philippines was yet a colony of Spain, Corregidor Island served as a fortress; an early warning outpost to warn Manila of any hostile ships; a customs outpost; and a correctional (prison). Because of the corrective effect of hard labor on prisoners, the island was named Corregidor, from the Spanish word "corregir" meaning the corrector.

Places of Interest in Corregidor:

● Malinta Tunnel

● Pacific War Memorial

● Filipino Heroes Memorial

● Spanish lighthouse

● Gun emplacements

● Eternal Flame of Freedom

● Aviary and Theme Park

● Filipino-American Friendship Park

● Barracks ruins


Where to stay in Corregidor:
Corregidor Hotel is a comfortable place to stay for visitors and tourist who would like to relax after a long day visiting the sites. The hotel has a pool, souvenir shop, bar and restaurant. For those who still have energy to spend, the hotel has tennis and basketball courts. Corregidor Hotel is walking distance to the North Dock, wharf and beach.


How to go to Corregidor:
An air-conditioned ferry departs daily at 8:00AM from the ferry terminal at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila and returns in the afternoon. Day tour includes the ferry transfers, fees, lunch and guided tour of Corregidor. Extended or overnight stays can be arranged with the ferry's operator, Sun Cruises at telephone # (632) 834-6857 and 831-8140. Package day tour is priced P1,690/pax (as of August 2007).

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Its been awhile since I last posted a blog. I never thought I will be missing writing a blog. Frustrated writer? I guess I just wanna enjoy or reminish what I have experience. As the month of June starts it marks the opening of school. I guess, summer vacation is over but it doesn't mean we stop exploring new adventure, places & enjoying different places.

Enjoy the holiday, Happy Independence Day Philippines!

Batangas

Batangas is the capital of the province of the same name. Aside from being a popular destination for beach lovers, Batangas also possesses some of the best dive sites in the Philippines. Its proximity to Manila, about two and a half hours by car, has made the province the diving center of Luzon. Its coastline is dotted with numerous dive camps and resorts. Here, the major dive sites are Balayan Bay and Nasugbu.

Known as the "Industrial Port City of CALABARZON and classified as one of the fastest urbanizing city in the country today and the home of approximately 211,606 peace-loving, hospitable and hardworking inhabitants. It was proclaimed as a city on July 23, 1969 which became the accelerating point of trading, commercial and industrial activities in the locality. The city is presently classified as a Regional Growth center and identified as one of the sites for the Regional Agro-Industrial Center and Special Economic Zone as mandated by the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan and the Ecozone Act of 1995.

Batangas Hotels:
Acuatico Beach Resort & Hotel
Al Frontera De Taal
Bahay Marikit Resort & Hotel
Balai Anilao Resort
Batangas Country Club Resort Hotel
Balai Laiya Beach Resort
Bezo (Solana) Beach Resort
Brine Valley Resort
Canyon Woods Residential Resort Club
Carfel Vistamar Beach Resort & Hotel
Coral Beach Club
Days Hotel Batangas
Dive and Trek Resort
Eagle Point Resort
El Sombrero Beach Resort
Evercrest Golf Club Resort
Kabayan Beach Resort
Hotel La Corona de Lipa
Hotel Las Corona
Hotel Pontefino
Jonhdel Resort
Lago De Oro Beach Club
Laiya Coco Grove
Laluz Resort
Las Haciendas
Lima City Hotel
Matabungkay Beach Resort
Maryland Beach Resort
Maya Maya Reef Club
Microtel Inns and Suites
Munting Buhangin Treehouse
Outrigger Resort
Pacifico Azul Beach Resort
Pontefino Hotel Batangas
Punta Baluarte
Punta Fuego
Sea Gaian Resort
The Alpha Hotel
The Farm and San Benito Spa
Twins Beach Club Resort
Verde Island Resort
Villa Cornelia Nature Park & Resort
Virgin Beach Resort
White Cove Resort

Boracay, my dream vacation

Boracay, my dream vacation, a paradise, stunning beach with fine white sand, relaxing scenery, luxurious hotel & dining place. What can you ask for? I will no longer comment nor describe it further on how beautiful the place is but rather I will be showing you guys the beauty itself through photos.

Mindoro, home to Tamaraw

Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located southwest of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. In past times, it has been called Ma-i or Mait by ancient Chinese traders and, by Spaniards, as Mina de Oro (meaning "gold mine") from where the island got its current name. The island was divided into its two present-day provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, in 1950. Logging and the mining of marble and copper are also their source of livelihood. Tourism is a lucrative business as well, with locations such as Apo Reef National Park, Lubang Island, Puerto Galera, Sabang Beach, and Mount Halcon. Puerto Galera's beaches are the island's most known tourist attraction and are widely visited. The principal language in Mindoro is Tagalog, although in some parts it has been greatly influenced by the native Visayan and Mangyan languages. Mainstream Filipino and Taglish are, indeed, present in and around such areas as Puerto Galera, Pinamalayan, and Calapan City. Visayan and Mangyan languages, too, are spoken on the island, as are Ilokano and some foreign languages — e.g., English, Fukien, and, to a much lesser extent, Spanish. The common religions on the island fall under Christianity. The religion of the indigenous Mangyan population is animism. Though they are into animism as a religion, the Catholic Church in some of Mindoro's parts is also active. Mindoro is also home to the Tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis), which is endemic to the island. The Tamaraw is a bovine related to the water buffalo and is an endangered species. Tagalog is spoken by 69.78 percent of the people. Other dialects are Ilokano (10.63 percent), Hiligaynon (6.47 percent), and Kinaray-a (5.84 percent). The working population can read and speak Filipino and English.

Puerto Galera
The foremost asset of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is blessed with one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, it is world-famous for splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites for new and experienced divers alike. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting rock formations, and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.

Mangyan
The province’s existing ethnic tribal groups, the Mangyans, are gentle and withdrawn people but many of them have managed to integrate into the cultural mainstream, largely in the municipalities of Mansalay, Baco, Puerto Galera, Roxas, and Bongabong. The Mangyan tribe consists of various smaller tribes like the Iraya, Alangan, and Tadwanan. They are skilled weavers and craftsmen, producing intricate tribal finery, including baskets, mats, and other items, both functional and aesthetic.

Mt. Halcon
Towering 8,488 feet above sea level, Mt. Halcon is the country's third highest peak. It is a favourite destination for nature tripping and mountain climbing. Mt. Halcon is located in Baco. It is accessible in two hours, by taking a jeepney to Baco, the jump-off point. Tamaraw Falls. The 423-foot waterfalls, situated alongside the road, is actually a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to the grand one, dropping to a frothy waterbed below. The cascading waterfalls is a great attraction to passers-by. Tamaraw Falls is located in Barangay Villaflor, Puerto Galera. It can be reached in two hours by taking a jeepney bound for Barangay Villaflor from Puerto Galera, or Calapan.

Beaches
In nature-blessed Oriental Mindoro, you can choose your own beach among the many that abound, from fawn beige to powdery white. To name a notable few, there are the beaches of Sabang, Suqui, Banilad, Bongol, La Laguna, Small La Laguna, Talipanan, Melco, Punta Guarda, and White Sand, drawing local and foreign water enthusiasts alike with majestic sites ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Sabang Beach
The beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A cluster of nightspots abound in the area, which make it popular for evening socials. Cottages with entertainment facilities stand close to each other. Low-budget accommodations are available. Sabang Beach is located east of Puerto Galera. It can be reached in 15 minutes from the Puerto Galera pier by taking a jeepney or an outrigger banca.

Banana Festival
Held every March 18 to 19 in Baco, Mindoro Oriental, the festival is a celebration of the abundance of bananas. It features a banana cookfest and a "saba"-(type of banana)-inspired street dancing competition and beauty pageant. Festivities coincide with the town fiesta held in honor of the patron, St. Joseph.

Ermita, Manila

Last week, I featured Manila's Landmarks. I realized Manila, besides from being big in area, it has many interesting places to explore, events to experience and to enjoy, rich history to tell. I will be categorizing it according to its municipality , starting with....

Ermita was founded in the late 16th century. The name was taken from the Spanish word for "hermitage", after the fact that on this site was built a hermitage housing an image of theVirgin Mary known as the Nuestra Señora de Guia (Our Lady of Guidance). The hermitage has since evolved into Ermita Church, which has been rebuilt several times since the early 17th century.

Ermita gained renewed prominence during the American colonial period. It became known as the university district, containing the campuses of the University of the Philippines, the Ateneo de Manila, the Assumption College and the St. Paul College for girls. Dormitories for students also flourished in the area. The residential portion of Ermita was populated by American residents, who set up such establishments as the Army and Navy Club, and the University Club.

Ermita also hosts a number of coin shops and antique shops, as well as some artists who remained in the area, such as the novelist and National Artist F. Sionil Jose who maintains a modest bookstore, La Solidaridad, on Padre Faura Street.

Several government institutions are housed in Ermita, includes:

• Philippine Supreme Court
• Manila City Hall
• Philippine Postal Office
• Department of Tourism
• National Museum of the Filipino People.
• Rizal Park, location of the monument to the national hero Jose Rizal, is a prominent feature of Ermita.

Other sites of interest in Ermita include the

• National Library of the Philippines
• Quirino Grandstand
• Manila Ocean Park
• Bonifacio's Wall
• Metropolitan Theater
• The Manila Hotel
• Masonic Temple
• San Vicente de Paul Church
• Philippine General Hospital, the country's largest hospital.

A number of educational institutions are also found in Ermita, including the

• University of the Philippines - Manila campus
• Adamson University
• Santa Isabel College
• Philippine Normal University
• Technological University of the Philippines
• Universidad de Manila (formerly the City College of Manila)
  
• Manila Science High School, It is also the pilot science high school in the Philippines.

Bohol, a haven for nature lover

Bohol, as one of the best tourist destination especially for the nature lover.The island is very rich in natural resources that it has wide range of nature tripping you can enjoy from Chocolate hills, beaches(Alona, Dumaluan,Bikini, Doljo, Momo), forest(Raja Sikatuna National Park, Man made forest), farm, river particularly Loboc River, falls & more.

The Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol's most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills, or as some say, women's breasts, and remind us of the hills in a small child's drawing. Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. The chocolate hills consist of are no less than 1268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. At other times, the hills are green, and the association may be a bit difficult to make. Legend has it that the hills came into existence when two giants threw stones and sand at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When they were finally exhausted, they made friends and left the island, but left behind the mess they made. For the more romantically inclined is the tale of Arogo, a young and very strong giant who fell in love with an ordinary mortal girl called Aloya. After she died, the giant Arogo cried bitterly. His tears then turned into hills, as a lasting proof of his grief. However, up to this day, even geologists have not reached consensus on how they where formed. The most commonly accept theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of a impermeable layer of clay. If you climb the 214 steps to the top of the observation hill near the complex, you can read this explanation on a bronze plaque.

How to get there
Plenty of tourist guides and tour operators will be happy to bring you to the chocolate hills, either as a separate trip or as part of a day tour. However, if you want to go here on your own, from Tagbilaran, you will have to go the integrated bus terminal in Dao and catch a bus going to Carmen. If you look like a stranger, you will have a hard time not finding one. At the entrance of the bus terminal people will point you to the right bus. Make sure it is the first one to leave, and ask the driver to drop you off at the Chocolate Hills complex, about 4 kilometers before the town of Carmen. From there it is a 10 minute walk along a road winding up to the complex. To get back to Tagbilaran, you will have to walk back to the main road, and wait for a bus to pass by. The last bus from Carmen to Tagbilaran leaves at four P.M. Alternatively, you can use the services of the motorcyclists who often wait here for tourist, and ride 'habal-habal,' or motorbike taxi. If you're coming from Tubigon (arriving from Cebu by boat), a few buses go to Carmen daily, but sometimes you'll have to wait for some time for the bus to fill up. When you arrive in Carmen, you can catch the next bus or jeepney in the direction of Bilar, Loay or Tagbilaran, or ask a 'habal-habal' driver to bring you to the Chocolate Hills Complex.

Panglao Island
Alona Beach Probably the most beautiful, and surely the most developed beach on Panglao is Alona Beach. Located at the Southwest of the island, this beach is about one and a half kilometers long, lined with nice resorts, which are great to stay for a some time, a number of well equiped diving establishments and pleasant places to eat out, if you do not want to eat at your resort's restaurant for a change. Probably the only drawback of the beach are the large numbers of sea urchins that inhabit the water, starting some twenty or thirty meters out of the coast. You will just have to be careful when wading. Don't forget to bring your snorkling equipment. When you swim about one hundred meters off the beach, you will reach the edge of the 'house' reef, at between three and five meters deep, and thus can be easily observed even without scuba equipment. If you are into scuba diving, though, don't forget to have a few dives here as well, as it is certainly worth it, not bad at all, even compared with the reefs the boats will bring you to. Dumaluan Beach, also on the south of the island, is about two and half kilometers east of Alona Beach. Here you will find some of the more exclusive beach resorts of Bohol, such as the Bohol Beach Club. Bikini Beach is about eight kilometers from Tagbilaran, and hence a popular location for local pick-nickers. Momo Beach is on the north side of Panglao. This again is a shallow beach. Doljo Beach (pronounced 'Dolho' beach) is on the Northwest of the island, not far from Momo beach, and is also a nice beach, mostly free from sea-grasses. This beach is known for the beautiful sea shells that can be found here. Southern Coast Between Tagbilaran and Anda. Eastern Coast Between Anda and Lapinin Island. Northern Coast Between Lapinin Island and Jeta Fe. Western Coast Between Jeta Fe and Tagbilaran.

The Philippine Tarsier

The Philippine tarsier is very peculiar small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates, no larger than a adult men's hand. Mostly active at night, it lives on a diet of insects. Folk traditions sometimes has it that tarsiers eat charcoal, but actually they retrieve the insects from (sometimes burned) wood. It can be found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao in the Philippines. If no action is taken, the tarsier might not survive. Although it is a protected species, and the practice of catching them and then selling them as stuffed tarsiers to tourists has stopped, the species is still threatened by the destruction of his natural forest habitat.

Tarsier was first introduced to Western biologists through the description given to J. Petiver by the missionary J.G. Camel of an animal said to have come from the Philippines (Hill, 1955). Among the locals, the tarsier is known as "mamag", "mago", "magau", "maomag", "malmag" and "magatilok-iok".

The species is believed to be about 45 million years old, dating back to the early Eocene period, and probably one of the oldest land species continuously existing in the Philippines.

Physical Description

General. The Philippine tarsier has a gray fur and a nearly naked tail. The middle finger is elongated. Head and body length are around 118-149 mm; It weighs 113-142 grams. Males are larger than females.

Eyes. In comparison with his body size, the eyes of the tarsier are enormous. In volume, the capacity of the bony eye orbits, or eye sockets, is larger than that of the brain case, and also larger than its stomach.

Tail. The tarsier has a relatively very long tail , generally naked except for a tuft of hair at its end. The underside has dermal ridges like those found on human hands and feet. Its tail is used for balancing like a tripod; they prefer an erect posture at all times.

Head. Like an owl, the tarsier has a joint between its skull base and spine to allow head movement of a 180-degree arc. Its upper lip lacks a cleft yet, but still has muscles, so that it can make facial expressions. The adult brain weighs about 4 grams.

Teeth. Tarsiers have sharp teeth, enabling them to catch their prey easier. Unique among primates, tarsiers have only two, rather than four, incisors in their lower jaw.

Ankle bones. The name "tarsier" or "tarsius" is derived from the animal's very long ankle bones. The tibia and fibula of the tarsiers are fused in their lower portions, acting as a shock absorber. This is considered a primitive trait, which can normally be seen in quadrupeds. The lower limbs are twice the length of its trunk. These enable the tarsier to leap about three meters from tree to tree. Its movements are similar to that of a frog.

Behavior. The Philippine tarsier is nocturnal; they hunt at night, exclusively for animal prey. At day time, they hide in hollows close to the ground. When kept in captivity, individuals may huddle together or intertwine their tails. They are believed to live in groups.

Diet. Tarsiers live exclusively on animal prey. Their diet includes primarily insects such as cockroaches and crickets, but may occasionally be extended with reptiles, birds, and bats. A Philippine tarsier in captivity will eat live shrimp and fish in a bowl of water.

Sounds. The tarsier produces a a number of different calls. The loud call is a loud piercing single note. When opponents meet, they produce a soft sweet bird-like trill. When several individuals communicate, they can produce a locust-like chirping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiP4VWTwOt4

Where to Meet the Tarsier

You can visit the tarsier at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, and see it in its natural habitat.

The Philippine Tarsier Foundation,
Km. 14 Canapnapan Corella, Bohol 6300 Philippines
Tel: (0912) 5163375
Mobile: (0918) 6021326
Email: tarsier@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.philippinetarsier.org/.

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.