Paradise in the Pacific

Saturday, February 21, 2009

2008 Panagbenga Flower Festival

Wait for my post when I get there in Baguio on Friday next week!

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

2007 Panagbenga Festival

This year's Panagbenga flower festival lacks the luster the previous ones had.Though, there were some 37 floats parading on the second day, politicians spoiled the event which was not in the first place aimed at showcasing clowns and jogglers but an event that's supposed to depict the cultures and traditions of the Cordillerans like the Igorots. The float parade was ruined with the participation of some politicians as they disrupted the flow of the participating entries parading their well conceptualized floats. Some rode their own floats while some on horses.Another thing is, the organizers should have made the street dancing and float parade more authintic by sticking to original concept depicting their mode of clothing, dancing movement and more likely their kind of people that they are. Not the fair skinned ones with their spaghetti strapped western-style gowns and skimpy dresses waving to the crowds. The street dancing and float parade should not be made like a pageant-type presentation. They should stick to what is Cordillera, the people, the culture and their way of life!I understand, that this basic dance of Cordillera people has a variety of movements of the hand depending on the kind of tribe. A Kankana-ey friend from Mankayan, Benguet has explained to me that the movement of hand differs from tribe to tribe. The Kankana-eys has different hand movement than their fellow Ibalois. This is what the organizers should present to the tourists for them to appreciate and learn the dance movement and for them to understand what they see. They should not adulterate the culture with modern and western style of dancing. That is not what I intend to see when I go up to Baguio every year since 2000. The organizers should take pains in letting the audience or crowd of tourists understand what is being presented to them.The traditional way of their clothing should not also be mixed with modern clothing. It should be authintic as it is. I think the organizers should hire creative artists who have extinsive knowledge about the local traditions and cultures of the Cordillera tribes.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Calicoan Island . . . Awakening of a Sleeping Beauty

Move over Boracay!

Here comes Calicoan Island .... it's awakening as a sleeping beauty lying in between Pacific Ocean and Leyte Gulf.

It's now ready to welcome every enthusiastic visitor to frolic its waters and seas, play on its ground of prestine white sand and natural coraline shoreline. Pure and virgin.

A real beautiful paradise now awakening - Calicoan Island in Eastern Eastern Samar!

Welcome to Eatern Visayas.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Amazingly Romantic Sunsets

Amazingly beautiful sunsets!

How to get there? Ride a plane from Manila to Tacloban, then ride a bus going to Naval, Biliran. In Naval, look for Sabang. That's it.........

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Amanpulo: Exlusive Paradise

Amanpulo, Palawan

Amanpulo, the only exclusive resort in the Philippines is located in an island in Palawan. Only the ultra rich people can afford the price of this resort. A lot of Hollywood celebrities and business tycoons would secretly slipped into this private resort of the Amanpulo group.

But of course the base price I am quoting is of Philippine standard which is way way below the Caribbean and European prices. Try it!

Banaue Rice Terraces

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Philippine Festivals

Philippines - Land of Festivals

Masskara Festival – Masks
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Negros Island

Panagbenga Festival – Flowers
Baguio City, Benguet
Luzon Island

Adivay Festival – Harvest
La Trinidad, Benguet
Luzon Island

Kadayawan – Harvest & Cultural
Davao City, Davao del Sur
Mindanao Island

Pintados Kasadyaan Festival – Tatoo
Tacloban City, Leyte
Leyte Island

Sinulog Festival – Religious
Cebu City, Cebu
Cebu Island

Ati-atihan Festival – Religious
Kalibo, Aklan
Panay Island

Dinagyang Festival – Religious
Iloilo City, Iloilo
Panay Island

Kaamulan Festival – Cultural
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao Island

Pahiyas sa Quezon – Harvest
Pagbilao, Quezon, Luzon Island

The Nautical Highway

THE NAUTICAL HIGHWAY

The Philippine’s nautical highway is a roll-on-roll-off land transport system which is shortened for RoRo. The system is a combination of both land and sea transport of passengers by bus and the bus is ferried island to island until it reaches its final destination.

There are three main Nautical Highways that traverse the entire Philippine archipelago serving transit passengers going to and fro in all the island provinces. The oldest and the pioneering Nautical Highway which is otherwise called as the Maharlika Highway spans from Apari, Cagayan all the way to General Santos City or Zamboanga City in Mindanao. The highway is in the eastern seaboard of the Philippine archipelago.

The second Nautical Highway which is now nicknamed as Strong Republic Highway is in the western seaboard. The system which basically starts in Manila and ends in Mindanao has been established to promote the development of the western side of the country mostly in the field of tourism because it passes through the island of Boracay. In fact, you can reach Boracay island by bus for as low as one thousand two hundred pesos. If you travel by plane, that is only one third of a one-way ticket. And yet, before, there was no way you can reach Boracay by land transfer as an alternative to air travel. This was only possible through sea voyage overnight in twenty hours. With the Nautical Highway, the travel only consumes about seven-eight hours or less.

The middle Nautical Highway is at the central seaboard of the archipelago that begins in Manila upto Mindanao. The central Nautical Highway has less frequency of travel schedules due to a longer sea lanes in its route unlike the other two. The Maharlika Highway has the shortest sea lanes in its route with only two ferries while that of Strong Republic Highway has four ferries en route to Mindanao.

The ferries are wide-bodied vessel that transport the busses port-to-port from island-to-island. The central hub of the buses are in Manila and it spread out to the various towns and cities in the provinces. Bus travel is an enjoyable experience for it gives the traveler a chance to see the provinces in the route. When the bus is ferried in the sea, you can enjoy whale watching and flying fishes. You’ll also the experience of the various linguistics and cultures of the Filipino people. A province or two may speak different dialect each and they could only overcome language barrier through their common tongue – Pilipino, the national language and based in the Tag-alog dialect. Most Filipinos speak and understand English.

And if you look like a foreigner, chances are they will speak to you in English especially if you look like a Caucasian. Filipinos tend to identify brunes and brunettes as Americans even if you are a Russian or European. So traveling by land is always a pleasure for you!

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Calauit Island - Safari Land

If you think Safaris are only found in Africa, you are wrong because in the Calauit Island, Philippines you have the chance to see the breathtaking sight of seeing the wildlife. Come to the Philippines, we will bring you to Calauit Island to experience the real thing - seeing the Zebras, Giraffes and Deers roaming freely in the island.

Plus, you’ll get extra bonus, swimming in the pristine beaches, diving underwater or surfing the giant waves or just simply allow us to hike you to the Cordillera Mountains for the magnificent rice terraces built thousands of years ago.

Welcome to the Philippine Islands. Home of the best beaches in the world and great dive sites! Explore the hidden wonders of the land or even live here for pleasure. This country is ideal for expats and retirees. Bargains have very, very low prices. The locals speak English as a second language and are very hospitable.