Trends and Spots

Divine waters. Great flora and fauna. Heaven on earth. Indeed, a feast for the soul!

I used to see Potipot Island in Candelaria, Zambales only in photos. I already wrote one post about it. But yesterday (April 15) was one of the best trips I had. Our friends from the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) and my sister Stef joined me in the trip to the amazing island. I enjoyed the ride from Botolan, Zambales to Candelaria which is only about 1 hour 20 minutes. As soon as we reached the village of Uakon, we rented a bangka (boat) for P400 to take us in a 10-minute ferry to the white-sand island. Most of the people in Uakon are fishers while they earn extra for boat rentals. One can also reach Potipot island via Barangay Dawal, where a small hotel can be found. It is the village next to Uakon. Potipot has fine white sand, which could be finer than Boracay’s and it seats in deep blue sea like a halo looking from atop. You can go around the island in just 25 or 30 minutes. The shoreline is perfect for beach lovers. You can play, sit, watch, relax or swim in

Holy Week. Destination Pampanga. This is the time and place of the mystic and tradition. Passion of the Christ, flagellants and crucifixion. At the foot of the hills of San Pedro Cutud, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, thousands witness the crucifixion of several men who pay homage to the death of Jesus Christ. In this part of the world, the faithful, fanatics and Catholic believers meet every Holy Week, especially during Good Friday. And every year, the crucifixions never fail to attract tourists and international media. Many Caucasians and Americans, intrigued and fascinated to this Filipino-Catholic tradition, excruciatingly endure the heat, humidity, blood spray, dust and mixed sweat during Good Friday just to watch the ceremony.

It is the longest march in the history of the Philippines and a bloody one at that. Some 60,000 American and Filipino soldiers walked to death in between railway stations from Bataan to Capas, Tarlac after the fall of Coredigor, the United Allies headquarte5rs in the Pacific during the World War II. And for the brave souls who fought against the Japanese in the ‘40s, the Philippine government has built a monument that will remind younger generations of this important event in history. The Capas National Shrine, located in Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac, stands as a memorial for all the soldiers who were part of the famous Death March. President Aquino proclaimed the shrine as a national memorial in December 7, 1991. It has 54 hectares of parkland, 35 hectares of which have been planted with rows of trees to represent each of the deceased. According to Wikipedia, in April 9, 2003, a new memorial wall and obelisk was unveiled. The 70-meter obelisk towers above the grounds of the forme

I'm very happy to hear from one of my closest friends in Baguio City. Ivy Salupen or "Ïbiang" for short gave me a fresh picture of the city and informed me that Gimbals is no longer operational. It's been years since I was in Baguio. No wonder that I missed new spots to explore like Ms.Rhona Carantes' leather clock showcase at the DENR compound. And yes, I almost forgot the Tam-awan village is a must-see destination. Photo by Camgray06 Here is the full comment of Ibiang on our post "Summer Capital" , please read on: ...gimbals is no longer operational,closed down a few years ago. must see place should include tam-awan village owned by the famous artist ben cabrera, more popularly known as "bencab". it is reminiscent of the old villages of the mountain provinces. also owned by bencab is the bencab museum in asin road. showcases artworks of various artists. it is a haven for art enthusiasts... along the roads of asin are woodworks of varied desi

It is the home of the now famous Panagbenga Festival or the flower fest in Northern Philippines. Thousands of tourists visit this place because of its beautiful weather. In a tropical country like ours, having a 25 degree-Celsius temperature or lower is a divine consolation from the typical hot and humid summer. That is why Baguio City is known as the country’s Summer Capital. I used to live in Baguio in the mid-90s. My memory of the place is a mixed emotional experience. I spent my happiest teenage years there. I love the people and their culture. But most of all, I love the pine trees. I remember walking up the sloping streets to UP Baguio at 7 in the morning. The air I exhale is usually smoky due to the cold temperature. And the scent of the pine trees is very strong. Until now, if I close my eyes and think of it hard enough, I could still recall the scent. That’s how distinct it was. Also, Baguio City is the best place for liquor drinkers. You can drink vodka, gin, tequila or brand

(Bararing,Cuyo, Palawan. Photo from cuyonon/Dante Garcia) When the sun sets in perfection at the horizon of Sulu Sea, the archipelago of the Cuyo Islands up north is a golden scene to behold! Cuyo archipelago consists of 40 islands and islets. Unlike other beautiful archipelagos, Cuyo is still unspoiled and less discovered. Peace is an ultimate friend in this part of the world. The most popular island in Cuyo is the Pamalican Island where the world-class resort Amanpulo is located. Amanpulo is a very exclusive getaway resort spread on the 89-hectare Island of Pamalican. Fishing and socking is prohibited in Pamalican as it was declared as a marine sanctuary. The island has a magnificent white sand beach with a must-experience weather and terrain. South of Cuyo is the village of namesake with a 17th century fort built by the Spaniards to protect early inhabitants from Moro pirates. The high stone walls protect a church, convent and a chapel. Cuyo archipelago is a tapestry of earth colors

(Photo from peakware) One thousand nine hundred seventy six meters above the sea. The majestic Mt. Isarog, a dormant volcano in Camarines Sur province, covers about 10,112 hectares. It is a beautiful peak with the rarest flora and fauna including exotic orchids and herbal plants. Wild life is also a sight at the mountain’s peak. Mt. Isarog can be seen from Naga City. Best months for trekking is during summer in the months of March, April and May. At the foot of the mountain, the Mainit Hot Spring Resort can be an extra treat to trekkers. Grab your backpacks and visit Bicol region. After a trek at Mt. Isarog, also visit Mt. Mayon in Legaspi and heritage sites like the Church of Nueva Caceres in Naga City.

April 9 is the birthday of my eldest nephew, Allen. But April 9 is more than just a date. It is a very significant part of Philippine History. It was in April 9, 1942 when Bataan fell to the power of Japanese invaders during World War II. But prior to the defeat, American and Filipino soldiers fought hard for 27 days protecting the island fortress of Corregidor. It was then the headquarters of the Allied forces under the leadership of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and also the seat of the Commonwealth Republic of the Philippines. Its downfall was a significant symbol of the Allied forces defeat during the World War II. Corregidor was made a memorial to the courage and heroism of hundreds of American and Filipino soldiers who fiercely fought the Japanese troops during the war. Today, the rocky island about 48 kilometers from Manila, stands as a memorial to these heroes. The war ruins, huge guns and tunnels in the island now serve as tourist attractions, especially to those who romantically in

(Photo from flicker) Simply divine! Mouth-watering, crunchy, savory, spicy and gloriously delicious original pizzas can only be found at Armando’s Pizza at Camalig ! Located at the heart of Angeles City, Armando’s Pizza is housed in old grain storage ( camalig ) that dates back to 1840. No other pizza house in the country can match Armando’s genius in concocting its own pizza favorites using native ingredients such as such as salted egg ( ebun buru ), smoked fish ( tinapa ), and processed meat ( longganisa ). The rich history of the old Camalig makes the pizza experience more overwhelming and heavenly. Armando’s Pizza at Camalig is not only known for its original thin crust pizzas but also for its advocacy in promoting environmental awareness. It is the only pizza store in the Philippines and possibly all over the world which uses bilao, a native flat round container made of bamboo originally used by the old Kapampangans in preparing food especially rice. Armando’s Pizza owner Marc Nep

Its length is enormous. The beauty of San Juanico Strait unmistakably wondrous! A 2.16 kilomete bridge that connects Samar and Leyte provinces in the Philippines, San Juanico Bridge is considered as the longest bridge and known to be one of the most beautiful structures ever built in the country. Constructed during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the $21.9 million San Juanico bridge was designed to endure time and style. Its large arch beneath was designed to allow boats and ships to pass through the strait. It is supported by 43 spans rising 41 meters from the sea. Aside from the newly-built 93-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Central Luzon, San Juanico Bridge could be the only world-class infrastructure ever built during the past Philippine administrations.

Diverse marine life in one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the country. An ideal place for beach lovers, researchers, botanists, geologists and scuba divers. Puerto Gallera, an island in oriental Mindoro, is a leisure and educational spot rolled in one. Declared by the United Nations Man and Biosphere Program International as a marine sanctuary in 1934, Puerto Gallera remains a preferred destination to nature lovers. Spectacular is one word to describe its beauty. A major destination for middle class tourists, Puerto Gallera offers only the cheapest services and food for great value! Best sites for snorkeling and diving sites are the beaches near Sabang: Coco Beach , Big and Small La Laguna, Paniquian and Verde Islands . Also, visit the restaurants, inns, excavation museum and shell shops. Sabang never runs out of booze, food and fun, fun, fun. To reach Puerto Gallera, ride a bus from Manila to Batangas Port and then from Batangas, ride a ferry to CValapan Cit

Are you tired of touring the islands? Or watching the sun over a sandy beach? Are you getting burns all by your own? Or are you missing your kids’ laughters while bathing under the heat? Here is a breaker that suits the whole family. A luxurious leisure park in the bustling province of Pampanga, Philippines – The Lakeshore! Lakeshore offers beautiful scenery of the famous Mt. Arayat . It is a haven to the whole family who wants to have a little picnic, boating, kayaking or jetskiing at the enchanting 12-hectare man-made lake. An island resort with many amenities and facilities including shops, stores, restaurants, a romantic lighthouse and a white water jet fountain shooting up to 18 meters high that is fun to watch. Lakeshore also offers villas and houses in the most secured, friendly and family-oriented estate north of Philippines. For inquiries, please call: Manila: +63(2) 725-9518, Pampanga: +63(45) 455-5253, +63(45) 455-2234 and USA: 1(310) 622-9142 or Email: ccei97@pldtdsl.net.

(Photos from visitmaldives) A magical paradise southwest of Sri Lanka! Enjoy the sun in one of the best tropical islands in the world! Sand…sun…beach…underwater treat…beautiful islands…lovely people…This is Maldives. This magical place is a melting pot for Arabians, South East Asians and Africans. It is likewise a haven to spiritual people, mostly followers of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Since it is near the equator, the weather is dominated by the monsoons. There are at least 87 exclusive resort islands in Maldives. Generally developed for tourism, Maldives has 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. The major language spoken in this paradise is Dhivehi although in resorts, several languages are spoken such as English, Italian, French, German and Japanese. For interested to hop from one island to another, call the TRANS MALDIVIAN AIRWAYS at (960) 325708 and (960) 323161 or the MALDIVIAN AIR TAXI (PTE) LTD at (960) 315201 and (960) 315203.

One of the oldest Spanish-built churches in the Philippines is the famous San Guillermo Parish in bicolor, Pampanga. Built by the Augustinians in the 1500s on a land owned by Don Guillermo Manabat, the church became more popular after it was buried in lahar in 1995 four years after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 . The church was however named after the patron saint San Guillermo. It is one of the best tourist destinations, especially for those who pay homage to old churches and disaster relics. The church is still being used today after the local folk excavated the altar and the retablo, which is decorated with century-old statues. The people of Bacolor consider the church as a monument of their resilience as people and a reminder of their religious faith in the face of danger, depression and challenges. You can visit the San Guillermo Church daily. For more information, you can call (045) 9614528 and 9614317 or visit the Bacolor Municipal Hall and look for Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dung

The only difference of Boracay’s white sand is it is fine. The rest of the island is predictable. Now try the white sand beaches of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The rock formations along the South China Sea coast are also equally magnificent. If you want relaxation, sand, sun, cheap but sumptuous food, fun and good time, then Pagudpud is the best place for you. Saud White Beach is one of the many destinations in Pagudpud. You can also visit Maira-ira and Pansian. Saud is just about three-hour drive from Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte. Going back to Pagudpud, the town has a booming tourism industry. With a population of about 19, 400, Pagudpud is fast becoming a top destination in the north since it has so much to offer. A $12-dollar tricycle tour around Pagudpud will bring you to Patapat Viaduct, Patapat Falls, Agua Grande, Paraiso ni San Anton, Kaibigan Falls, Bantay Abot Cave-Maira-Ira and Beach Resort-Blue Lagoon. The eateries around the town are as wonderful as

The Philippine Tarsier or Tarsius syrichta is now considered highly endangered specie. Its name is derived from the mammal’s tarsal bones which enable it to leap from tree to tree at lasteral distances up to 3 meters. Tarsiers can be traced from the Eocene era some 45 million years ago. Today, they can only be found in few places around the world and this includes the Philippines. In the country, there are said to be three races of a single specie and can be found in Samar and Leyte (T. philippensis), Bohol (T. fraterculus), and Mindanao (T. carbonarius). The other remaining species can be found in Borneo (Tarsius bancanus), Sumatra, the spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrum), the lesser spectral tarsier or pygmy tarsier (Tarsius pumilus), and Dian's tarsier (Tarsius dianae) of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The pygmy tarsier, by the way, is considerably smaller than the Philippine tarsier. Tarsiers are primarily insectivorous and mostly weigh 70-160 grams and grows 10-15 cm excluding tail. To

(Photo from caramoanisland) Swimming, trekking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, snorkeling, spelunking, star gazing, island hopping and more fun under the sun! Visit the virgin islands of Caramoan, a secret paradise in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. ‘Survivor France,’ a franchise of the well-known reality show Survivor taped its 28-day show in this magnificent pool of islets by the bay near the Philippine Sea. The place has attracted more tourists since and now being seen as the next Boracay! The Caramoan Coast is very accessible and can be reached by land from the town proper.

(Photo from airportdirecttravel ) Grab your beach bag and book a flight to one of the best tropical countries in the south eastern coast of Africa! Dominantly French, the island of Mauritius is best for nature-lover, sea divers, beach buffs and bikers. Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, endemic and exotic flowers and simply have fun touring the island. Mauritius is a very historical place with a fusion of different cultures and religions like Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans. Flights to Mauritius are scheduled almost everyday to and from all the major cities in Europe including 15 combined flights with Air France to and from Paris. Top European airline British Airways flies to Mauritius four times a week. Mauritius is located approximately 2000 kilometres to the south eastern coast of Africa and lies east of Madagascar on 20°5, 57.5E. It has about 330 kilometer of coastline. For tourists, it is very important to have a valid passport and a homeward ticket.

(Photos from royalgardengolf) Play like a royalty! If you love nature, European architecture, arts and sports, then the Royal Garden Golf and Country Club (RGCC) is your home. Enjoy the tropical greens, cool breeze and the challenging 18-hole course located in Angeles City, Philippines. Royal Garden Golf and Country Club is a joint-venture development project of the Royal Garden Estate, represented by renowned Angeles City master craftsman and industrialist Ruperto Cruz, and South Korea’s Nam Suek Leisure Estate Corp., represented by its president Nam Suek. Greco-Roman statuary for fountains, handcrafted gazebos for tee houses and replica of the ruins of the Roman Empire are just few of the attractions spread all over the velvety golf course. The facilities are equally magnificent. The country club is a glimpse of Renaissance – frescoed ceilings, Roman arches, richly carved cornices, and walls adorned with reproductions of the works of the masters themselves. There is also a coffee-

The province of Bataan in Central Luzon, Philippines is known for its coastal towns and beaches. It is also the home to the largest white elephant structure of the Philippine government – the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. But unknown to many this province has also abundant mangroves that can be found in the village of Mabatang in Abucay, Bataan. Lush greens along the river leading to the Bataan Bay. Hundreds of mangroves provide habitat to marine life like crabs, shrimps, and fish. Nature lovers and environmentalists will surely love this place not only for the relaxing green but also because of the people’s hospitality. Several groups in the Philippines such as the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) are working hard on promoting the propagation of mangroves to increase marine life and provide livelihood to local folk. The mangrove forest resources of the Philippines have significantly deteriorated in the last 50 years. DENR reports that the country has now less than 12

(Story and photos from the Philippine Tourism Authority) Clear blue crystal waters, breathtaking underwater paradise, coral reefs and colorful sea life! That is Balicasag Island, a 25-hectare marine haven located in Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines. Out of the 25 hectares, 1.5 hectares was developed into a resort. This "Special Interest Resort" has been operational since October, 1989. PTA together with the Philippine Navy promote underwater sports and protects a marine life sanctuary showcasing a model for marine environmental conservation, ecological preservation and tourism. Hailed as one of the best dive spots in the world, it boasts of native-inspired 10 aircon duplex cottages (with 2 room/cottage, average size of its room is 19.64 sq.m), has a private toilet/bath and individual veranda where guests may enjoy the breathtaking view of sun, sea and surf.

White sand. Cozy blue waters. Lush green. Serenity. Magic. That is Potipot Island. Located in Candelaria, Zambales northwest of Philippines, Potipot is a private island about 250 kilometers from Manila. The Zambales coast is known for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea abundant with coral reefs but Potipot Island gives a totally new experience to those who frequent the waters of South China Sea. You can walk around the island for 30 minutes and from atop looking down, the whole place looks like a halo. An overnight stay at this paradise is truly therapeutic, especially to those who seek solace and solitude. To reach Potipot, you have to ride a boat from the mainland Barangay Uacon in the town of Candelaria. Candelaria is about 45 kilometers from the Municipality of Iba, the capital of Zambales. There are small inns in Uacon but for those who want to stay at the island, it is better to bring water, food, camping gear, first-aid kits and other useful things you might need for a beach c

In this province north of Philippines, food is life and almost everything is all about food! From the ordinary to the exotic, Kapampangan people are known for their culinary expertise and hospitality. The food is an important part of their culture. In this province, every day is a feast! To start with, meat lovers can enjoy some of the best Kapampangan dishes like sisig (spicy chopped and grilled pork with onion, lemon, pepper, garlic, liver and salt to taste), caldereta (could be pork, duck, goat or beef slightly boiled in soy sauce and lemon and sautéed in tomato sauce, garbanzos, peas, bell pepper, red pepper, spices and liver paste), and embotido (flavoured ground meat mixed with egg, carrots, onion, raisins and rolled into a foil). For those who love seafood, your can try pesang bulig, fried crablets (small crabs in flavoured flour paste and deep fried until crisp), crab in garlic sauce, steamed fish covered with onion, ground pepper and salt and sizzling pusit (stuffed squid with

I visited the Island of Siargao in Surigao del Norte, Philippines in 2005. I still remember the place. The thick forests, the endemic Bermuda grass, the giant ferns, misty palms, white sand , friendly people and most of all, of course the beautiful waves and waters! Renting a multicab, my friends and I toured the whole Island in a day! Yes, in a day. One of my favorite destinations in the island is the Magpopongko Lagoon (that’s how I remember it) and Cloud Nine (C9), which is located off Tuazon Point. C9 is considered as one of the world’s best waves. Surfers from all over the globe visit this part of the country every year during the now-famous Annual Siargao Cup, a surfing competition promoted by the provincial government and the Department of Tourism. It was reported that the 10,000-meter deep oceanic trench called the Philippine Deep can be found in the eastern part of Siargao causing the beautiful waves near the shore. The island became more known under the brilliant stewardship

If there is one spot in the world that has gained so much attraction, that would be no other than Mt. Pinatubo and its magnificent crater. Several years after its eruption in June 1991, Mt. Pinatubo became one of the most famous destinations, especially to the nature lovers and trekkers. If you are a mountaineer and haven’t yet scaled this volcano, then you are missing a lot! Pinatubo’s 2.5 kilometer crater-lake is a scene to behold. At afar, the water looks green and very calm. The walls of the mountains surrounding the crater create a feeling of nature’s mystic. The whole experience to Pinatubo is therapeutic. The adventure is priceless. For those who want to visit the crater, you can actually take several routes via Tarlac, Pampanga and Zambales provinces in Central Luzon, Philippines. The most developed and popular route is via Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. An hour ride by four-wheel drive and a two-hour trek will take you to the crater. The route passes through the riverbed of Sta

Photo by DOT, Region III Visit Clark and experience the fun at the festival where everything flies!!! The Department of Tourism Region 3 is inviting everyone to visit Clark, Philippines on February 12 to 15, 2009 and witness the exciting events at the Philippine Air Force Ramp, Clark Freeport Zone (former Clark Air Base) in Pampanga. The ballooning event is hosted by Clark Development Corporation led by its president and CEO Benigno Ricafort, Philippine Air Force, Clark International Airport Corp., and a host of private sponsors like UPS, Cirrus, ABS-CBN, among others. Some 25 balloons including seven special-shaped ones are expected to fly the friendly skies of Clark. The event was first organized by the Department of Tourism in 1994 during the incumbency of then Secretary Mina Gabor in the hope of uplifting the spirits of the Capampangan at the height of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. It was then handled by Dir Tiotuico as the event organizer with the help of Sung Kee Paik, a Korean

If somebody will ask me where I want to retire, I can always say Aurora is not bad at all. We recently visited the place and it was as beautiful as I have expected. Aurora is a province in North Eastern Philippines along the Pacific Ocean coast. The ambience is cool and cozy. The weather is just fine, not too cold and not too hot. The water is abundant anywhere, even at the heart of the capital town of Baler. The forest and fauna is amazing matched with breathtaking beaches and rock formations. Almost everything you see is either moist green or earth brown and it soothes not only the mind and body, but one’s spirit as well. Aurora reminds me of the unspoiled island of Siargao in Surigao Del Norte. I am not quite sure if the island remained the same nowadays. But as I remember it, it has a resemblance to Aurora. The costly Bermuda grass we painfully buy to dress up our lawns here is endemic both is Siargao and Aurora. This is maybe because of their similar climate and topography. Both a