Travel and Tourism Industry [Archive] - Page 49

s_w_stars

June 5th, 2011, 04:59 PM

Read this awhile back in LP forum about Marinduque. Hope Dept of Tourism staff are trawling the forums, as they give valuable insights:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2048067
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What I wish I had known about Marinduque (Moriones) before going...
Gathering detailed information about the island and this event proved quite difficult so I have decided to sum up some of my insights and experiences here.

I arrived to Marinduque with Zestair on Monday of Holy Week, intending to spend 3,5 days on the island before moving on to Pampanga for the rituals and particularly the crucifixions that take place there on Holy Friday. I had booked my flight from Manila to Marinduque several months in advance. Schedules change frequently, but these days Zestair have one daily flight on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. As I intended to travel from Marinduque to Pampanga on Maundy Thursday I was preparing for a long overland trip as for the longest time there were no flights scheduled for that day, despite the increased demand during Holy Week. Just a couple of days before actually travelling to Marinduque I checked Zestair’s website again (they are presently the only airline that flies between Manila and Marinduque) and voila, an additional flight had been added on short notice for Thursday. I went ahead and booked a ticket right away (1200PhP =24US$). Other options for returning to Manila would have been bus/ferry/bus or private minivan operators offering door-to-door service between Marinduque and Manila. The latter have to be reserved ahead of time though. In my case there were no minivan shuttles scheduled to travel between Wednesday and Saturday of Holy Week. The bus/ferry/bus combo would have been my only option if no additional flight had been added by Zestair.

Prior to my arrival to Marinduque I was concerned that the Moriones festival might only get into full swing by the end of Holy Week and I would miss the best part of it. Fortunately that didn’t turn out to be the case. There’s a lot going on throughout the entire week. I would have been happy to stay until Easter Sunday and take in the whole festival, but gave preference to seeing the crucifixions in Pampanga on Holy Friday.

As mentioned, there are events scheduled in several of the island’s municipalities throughout the entire week. Boac is the epicenter of activity though. Here is where most parades and all the Senakulo’s (passion plays) are being staged.

There was quite a lot of stuff happening on Holy Monday already. There were several parades of the different Moriones factions through town, including a torch parade in the early evening. At any time there were a significant number of Moriones roaming through town, including lots of kids who were obviously having a lot of fun with their costumes and chasing each other around. Tuesday was a bit slower with only one parade being staged in the morning. On Wednesday things really started happening. There were parades, a community parade of costumes (lots of people wearing costumes inspired by biblical characters turning the town center into a small Jerusalem), and most importantly the first passion play (Senakulo) in the evening (Theme: The Creation). It was staged in a large arena by the river. For the best views it’s necessary to arrive early and secure some space on the large stone steps on the sides of the arena. The plays don’t only take place on the main stage, but all around the arena. The higher up you sit the better your view is going to be. The play was presented in a very professional manner. The narrative was all in Tagalog (?), but for anyone only remotely familiar with those popular bible stories it’s certainly not difficult to follow. I didn’t sit through the whole thing and left early. As nicely as the Senakulo was done I had too little patience to watch the re-enactment of those stories for the entire duration.

Two more Senakulos were staged on Thursday (Theme: The Last Supper) and Saturday (The Beheading of Longinus), but I already left the island by then. Other notable events scheduled for Thursday were the “Battle of the Moriones”, the “Way of the Cross” along the streets of Boac on Friday, and the “Chase of Longinus” on Easter Sunday.

By the river, just opposite the arena where the Senakulos are staged there was a fun fair with live music, food stalls, souvenir shops, acrobatic performances, and dancing. It was good fun to wander around and strike up conversations with locals around there. It kicked off every day in the late afternoon.

Marinduque is a sleepy island province throughout most of the year, and people haven’t become jaded by tourism. Everywhere I went I drew curious glances and smiles, and lots of locals were eager to strike up a conversation. It seemed as if after the first day half of Boac’s kids already knew me by name. I only spotted a small number of other foreign visitors during the first few days of the week. By Thursday a significant number of Filipino tourists arrived.

“Kusina sa Plaza” restaurant and café right at the main square is a very good place for food, snacks, and drinks. They cook surprisingly good meals in their upstairs restaurant, and fix up remarkably good sandwiches, shakes, and coffees in their ground level café. There’s also free WIFI. This came as a welcome surprise considering the dearth of good food options in many other provincial destinations in the country.

I stayed at Lucky 7 Guesthouse in the town center. It’s very conveniently located, but bring ear plugs as there is a karaoke bar on the terrace that comes alive in the evenings, and especially on weekends. A basic but clean ensuite room with a/c and TV was 700PhP per night. The staff was polite but not very helpful answering the few basic questions I had (where is the post office, where can I rent a motorcycle, where can I get my laundry done etc…) Making reservations ahead of time is essential during Holy Week. That goes for all guesthouses in Boac.
A sight that shouldn’t be missed is the old cathedral that looms over the town center (don’t confuse it with the larger, more modern church on the hill above the market). I have seen too many churches in my life to easily become excited about them, but this one I thought was really nice. Great rustic architecture and beautiful decorations on the inside!

Always high on my list of activities I enjoy in the provincial Philippines is renting a motorbike and exploring the countryside. This proved to be quite a lot harder than I thought. There is no shop that rents out motorcycles in Boac. I asked around a lot, and some people offered to ask their friends if they were willing to rent me their motorcycles for a day. Unfortunately this didn’t work out. That surprised me as I had been successful renting motorcycles from random people all around the Philippines in the past. I guess I could have tried harder if I had wanted to, but actually there was so much going on in Boac that I didn’t feel like I desperately needed to go anyway. For this reason I cannot give any information other than about Boac and a beach resort near the airport where I was invited to by its manager for spending a pleasant afternoon.

Overall I have been very happy with my time at the Moriones festival in Marinduque.

mao rong

June 5th, 2011, 05:31 PM

aha! ikaw naman pala ang starring dun sa kabila a. :lol:

tsaka di bagay sa personality ko... mas bagay sa kin director. :lol:

^^i get it...:lol:

Mercato

June 5th, 2011, 05:41 PM

Im going on July 16-18th.

I want to do snorkelling & meeting/living with local people. Hmm I dont think PG is for that- what you guys think about Marinduque ...

Bauan/ANilao.. will search about it !Ye Yes Yo, try Cebu then hie off to Malapascua Island. :yes: try Cebu. one of the top diving destinations in the world :)Do you have any material about Malapascua for our guest? Thanks :D ^^i get it...:lol: ganyan talaga tayong matatangos ang aquiline nose, Cholo power forever ... :lol:

urban Iegend

June 5th, 2011, 06:37 PM

Which resort is this one ?? Looks realy grand !!!

Calicoan Surf Camp :)
http://www.calicoansurfcamp.com/

wakeuptoreality

June 6th, 2011, 12:41 AM

Do you have any material about Malapascua for our guest? Thanks :D

here :D

Malapascua Island, Cebu

BQrrW9VRMFQ

hakz2007

June 6th, 2011, 01:50 AM

22nd Philippine Advertising Congress teaser shown at the Genting Club, Philippines, last May 18, 2011.
To be held in Camarines Sur this November

super duper like this :okay:

More tourists will be coming :cheers:

Jd6c0HuyUaQ&feature=related

Mercato

June 6th, 2011, 05:45 AM

here :D

Malapascua Island, Cebu

BQrrW9VRMFQ The thresher shark is awesome! :cool: It's perfect for a logo or mascot ... Thanks :D

:pepper: :pepper: :pepper:

Fraulein

June 6th, 2011, 09:51 AM

Speaking of Puerto Galera...

=============================
DOT, Marina seek solution to boat congestion in Puerto Galera

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=693377

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is currently working with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Puerto Galera local government to determine the best way for boats ferrying passengers to and from this favorite tourist spot to drop off and pick up passengers so the beaches would not be crowded with bancas.

Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim said that docking of boats anywhere on the beach has become a concern because it disturbs guests and endangers those wading or swimming by the beach.

That is why they are studying what will work best given the local conditions in Puerto Galera. Will it be a few ports strategically located on the long stretch of beach? Or would it be a single port?

DOT is also working closely with Marina to ensure passenger safety and professional operations. “We are working with Marina to impose stricter standards on all seacrafts crossing the channel. Larger seacraft are generally safer. They are also more professionally run,” Lim said.

Earlier, a tourist and his family complained about the poor service rendered by some liners servicing the Batangas — Puerto Galera route.

The tourist said some boats are regularly delayed to the consternation of most passengers whose times are wasted. “It is such a disgrace to both local and foreign tourists,”the tourist said.

It was noted that passengers sometimes have to wait for almost two hours just for the boat to set sail and way past the time indicated on their tickets.

Kintoy

June 6th, 2011, 10:06 AM

they should ban Malate creatures from Gallera. especially on Holy Week.

pthfndr19

June 6th, 2011, 10:45 AM

:D

Calicoan - Samar Surf Camp

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/surf-camp-restaurant.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/calicoan-surf-camp.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Calicoan3.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samar1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/4-km-white-beach.jpg

mao rong

June 6th, 2011, 11:32 AM

^^nice one path...:okay:

icarusrising

June 6th, 2011, 01:01 PM

Aquino leads online voting for Puerto Princesa underground river (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/222685/nation/aquino-leads-online-voting-to-for-puerto-princesa-underground-river)
AMITA LEGASPI, GMA News
06/06/2011 | 06:12 PM

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Monday led the text and internet voting to help the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) be named as one of the seven wonders of nature.

In his speech during the official proclamation launch of the PPUR as one of the 28 finalists in the search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, Aquino urged the country's 80 million cellphone subscribers to type PPUR and send it to 2861.

“We send two billion text messages a day, all we need is one billion text votes for the Puerto Princesa Underground River so (we can accomplish) that in half a day," the President said.

“I’m urging everyone again, sorry if I’m sounding makulit, I urge everyone to vote to the maximum for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Let us make the PPUR one of the New Seven Wonders of the World," he reiterated.

Filipinos can also vote for PPUR through the internet by going to the website www.new7wonders.com, the President said.

“Voting would take mere seconds but the benefit to our people will last a lifetime," Aquino said as he emphasized the importance of supporting PPUR in the contest.

He said PPUR’s inclusion in the search would boost the tourism in the area and will in turn create opportunities to the people there.

“We can help the PPUR as well as the entire Philippines garner a distinct spot in the international tourist spot. While winning the place in the top seven bolsters our sense of national pride, recognition is not the only thing we can get, we must also remember that the tourists we can potentially attract will redound to thousands of employment opportunities," he said.

He believed that the 3.52 million total visitor arrival last year will increase with PPUR’s inclusion in the top seven spot.

“The possible benefits of being one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature are enormous especially for the tourism industry," Aquino said.

If the PPUR garners a spot, the amount of tourists visiting here will obviously skyrocket, new facilities, flights and tours will be created, new job opportunities will be created for local community," Aquino added.

The 8.2 kilometer PPUR, believed to be formed some 30 million years ago, is considered as the longest underground river in the world with unique and outstanding scientific, biological, and geological features.

It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1999 and declared as a National Geological Monument in December 2003.

Recently, a group of scientists and explorers from La Venta Geographical Exploration discovered a well-preserved fossil of a sea mammal of the Miocene Age, some 20 million years ago, confirmed by paleontologists as Sirenea or sea cow. - VVP, GMA News

mao rong

June 6th, 2011, 06:08 PM

^^done voting....:cheers::cheers::cheers:

lealfonse

June 7th, 2011, 04:54 AM

I am going to vote more than 10 times through SMS.

r0mm3l

June 7th, 2011, 05:25 AM

DONE voting! i hope we could be one of the 7 wonders.., ^^ ^^

reign

June 7th, 2011, 06:05 AM

Done voting. Send PPUR to 2861. Pls vote, its just 2.50 pesos per text.

Manila-X

June 7th, 2011, 07:08 AM

That voting thing has been there for years. It seems like this site doesn't seem to progress.

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 07:34 AM

Just got back from Mongolia. While I was in Beijing queueing at the airport, there was a Mongolian family in front of me. Probably around 10 people, and then my friend pointed out that they have Tarsier stuff toys and Bohol shirts, Manila Ocean Park ballers and Toy Kingdom shopping bag. So I introduced myself and they said, 'We had wonderful holiday in your country!" And I said, well, "I am about to have my holiday in your country too!"

What can I say, Mongolia is STUNNING. Will post photos later. :D

wino

June 7th, 2011, 07:36 AM

^^ haha that was nice!!
isn't travelling really nice! :D

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 07:47 AM

^^ haha that was nice!!
isn't travelling really nice! :D

Yep. Next stop: PHILIPPINES. :)

Then Maldives. Yay!

Sleepwalker

June 7th, 2011, 08:25 AM

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 08:42 AM

You got a life that I envy....Heheheheh...I love traveling, but it seems i can't have the time to do it... :)

You gotta make time. ;)

icarusrising

June 7th, 2011, 08:42 AM

That voting thing has been there for years. It seems like this site doesn't seem to progress.

It's done in stages- Stage 1: voting for nominees (from December 2007 to the 7th of July 2009) ; Stage 2: shortlisting of 28 finalists from the top 77 by a panel (announcement made on July 29, 2009); Stage 3: global voting for the 7 Wonders of Nature from the 28 finalists (announcement to be made on the 11th of November 2011).

Source (http://www.new7wonders.com/new7wonders-of-nature)

manila_eye

June 7th, 2011, 10:01 AM

You got a life that I envy....Heheheheh...I love traveling, but it seems i can't have the time to do it... :)

You gotta make time. ;)

The last time I planned to travel, I had to cancel it due to my work schedule. Sana this October sa Shanghai eh wala nang hadlang.

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 10:11 AM

The last time I planned to travel, I had to cancel it due to my work schedule. Sana this October sa Shanghai eh wala nang hadlang.

Forget China. Go to Mongolia. Ganda sobra.

hakz2007

June 7th, 2011, 11:03 AM

^^Mongolians are fond of greasy foods, have you tasted one in the market of Ulan Baatar? I am not sure if it's a cheese, butter or something...

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 11:11 AM

^^Mongolians are fond of greasy foods, have you tasted one in the market of Ulan Baatar? I am not sure if it's a cheese, butter or something...

I dint get to go to the market, mostly we ate with the nomadic families we stayed with. The food is mostly lamb, goat.. cant stand the smell actually. At the steppes, I had to be careful with what I eat because I cant afford to have a bum tummy knowing some of the places I stayed had no toilets, let alone a long drop. At one point, I had to dig a hole myself before I had to go. :D Had a bit more mainstream stuff such as goulash, etc when I was in UB.

I will definitely come back soon.. maybe at least in 2 years time. The pace of economic growth is astounding, I wont be surprised Ulaan Baatar be a way more advanced city in the near future...

wino

June 7th, 2011, 11:17 AM

^^ eweeee... haha

sounds like you had quite an experience in Mongolia.

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 11:39 AM

^^ eweeee... haha

sounds like you had quite an experience in Mongolia.

Yeah, aside from the little inconveniences, I quickly grown to love the country. I was a little teary eyed when it was time to say goodbye, first time ever happened to me for a country that is not my own. Mongolia will occupy a special place in my heart.

wino

June 7th, 2011, 11:44 AM

^^ It's like what they say..

"it is the little things that really matter in our hearts"

EMO!!

Sleepwalker

June 7th, 2011, 12:10 PM

^^
+1

Yeah, little "thing" does matter... :D

manila_eye

June 7th, 2011, 12:11 PM

Forget China. Go to Mongolia. Ganda sobra.

Shanghai Masters (tennis) kasi pupuntahan ko not the city per se but yeah I'll visit Mongolia someday. Unang kita ko pa lang ng lugar sa Amazing Race sobrang nagandahan na ako.

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 12:18 PM

^^ It's like what they say..

"it is the little things that really matter in our hearts"

EMO!!

Just got an idea where to go Christmas next year: (Tashkent and Samarkand) Uzbekistan; Ashqabat (Turkmenistan) and perhaps Tajikistan. :D

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 12:19 PM

Shanghai Masters (tennis) kasi pupuntahan ko not the city per se but yeah I'll visit Mongolia someday. Unang kita ko pa lang ng lugar sa Amazing Race sobrang nagandahan na ako.

Aww kaya naman pala. HEHE.

wino

June 7th, 2011, 12:36 PM

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 12:44 PM

^^ Btw, I think I'll be cancelling my Philippine trip this July....
I will miss my chance to visit Palawan this year... :( :( :(

pampalubag loob ko sa sarili ko.. I'll be spending my new year in Las Vegas.. (crossing my fingers.... again...)

Sayang naman. Pero malay mo magkita kayo ni jbkayaker dun at magkaalaman na kung totoong cabbie sya. :D

wino

June 7th, 2011, 12:47 PM

^^ oonga eh... di kasi ako pede mag leave ng matagal...
eh, I was hoping to stay at least 1 month sa Pinas...

short vacation lang pede ko kunin...

rain34

June 7th, 2011, 01:31 PM

Just got an idea where to go Christmas next year: (Tashkent and Samarkand) Uzbekistan; Ashqabat (Turkmenistan) and perhaps Tajikistan. :D

Why not try Christmas Island :lol:

amigo32

June 7th, 2011, 01:38 PM

Sayang naman. Pero malay mo magkita kayo ni jbkayaker dun at magkaalaman na kung totoong cabbie sya. :D

such a waste of time:D ewww:lol: kay jbkacker

s_w_stars

June 7th, 2011, 02:49 PM

Just got an idea where to go Christmas next year: (Tashkent and Samarkand) Uzbekistan; Ashqabat (Turkmenistan) and perhaps Tajikistan. :D

It gets cold in that region, hope you're prepared. I remember meeting a Brit in Ukraine. He raised 2 sons as a single father, worked his butt in home construction. When the kids were in late teens, he decided one day to just up and leave and backpacked his way through all the -stan countries. Didn't seem any problems, even Afghanistan. There's also an Australian tour company that cover that region. A friend (Filipina) and her girl friend wanted to just travel. She said, the only place they could go without so much hassle was Tibet. So off they went to Tibet.

xxxriainxxx

June 7th, 2011, 03:16 PM

Why not try Christmas Island :lol:

LOL not soon. Maybe when I am based in Oz. ;)

such a waste of time:D ewww:lol: kay jbkacker

Magbabayad naman daw sya ng pamasahe pag nagkataon ah. :D

It gets cold in that region, hope you're prepared. I remember meeting a Brit in Ukraine. He raised 2 sons as a single father, worked his butt in home construction. When the kids were in late teens, he decided one day to just up and leave and backpacked his way through all the -stan countries. Didn't seem any problems, even Afghanistan. There's also an Australian tour company that cover that region. A friend (Filipina) and her girl friend wanted to just travel. She said, the only place they could go without so much hassle was Tibet. So off they went to Tibet.

Tibet is a no go now, so much hassle just trying to get through the visas, you will also need a special permit to get into Tibet, esp when you wanted to go outside Lhasa. Not sure if there are other flights straight to Lhasa without having to go through China. As for cold, I think I can better handle it now.. Afghanistan is no-no right now. Just trying to get a Chinese visa from Hanoi is a mess. I dont think I'd want to go back to/through China in the foreseeable future.

Kintoy

June 7th, 2011, 03:32 PM

Shanghai Masters (tennis) kasi pupuntahan ko not the city per se but yeah I'll visit Mongolia someday. Unang kita ko pa lang ng lugar sa Amazing Race sobrang nagandahan na ako.

i'll be watching Malaysia Open in Oct. Planning to see US Open next year :)

manila_eye

June 7th, 2011, 03:41 PM

i'll be watching Malaysia Open in Oct. Planning to see US Open next year :)

Hindi naman masters series ang Malaysian Open and most likely mga journeymen ng ATP ang makikita mo doon. Swerte na kung sumali sina Andy Roddick or Djokovic.

Kintoy

June 7th, 2011, 04:20 PM

manila_eye

June 7th, 2011, 04:32 PM

yup, but im saving money for the US open thing...

this one will be closer and cheaper. http://www.malaysianopentennis.com/kl_comingsoon/
last year Soderling, Berdych, Baghdatis, Ferrer, Youzny were there. so ok lang.

Go for the US Open o kaya Australian Open para mas mura. Sayang yung nasa US ako dati nagkuripot ako pumunta ng New York. Hopefully this year kung papalarin ulit makabalik pupunta na talaga ako :naughty:

Kintoy

June 7th, 2011, 04:53 PM

i wonder if I can get a training in the US in September...

s_w_stars

June 8th, 2011, 02:39 AM

LOL not soon. Maybe when I am based in Oz. ;)

Magbabayad naman daw sya ng pamasahe pag nagkataon ah. :D

Tibet is a no go now, so much hassle just trying to get through the visas, you will also need a special permit to get into Tibet, esp when you wanted to go outside Lhasa. Not sure if there are other flights straight to Lhasa without having to go through China. As for cold, I think I can better handle it now.. Afghanistan is no-no right now. Just trying to get a Chinese visa from Hanoi is a mess. I dont think I'd want to go back to/through China in the foreseeable future.

Something different - how about South America? Filipinos can come in and out of these countries (US in some countries they are required visa), better feeling for Filipinos, you feel welcome there. I would suggest to anyone wanting to go there - Cuzco, Machu Pichu, the Andes, and places in the Amazon are difficult sometimes very far to travel. You think traveling on land in the Philippines is bad, try it there. The cities are kinda like Manila, like Intramuros a few times over. It's actually very affordable if you want to go local.

hakz2007

June 8th, 2011, 04:28 AM

SC stops Boracay reclamation project
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the provincial government of Aklan to immediately stop a controversial P1-billion reclamation being implemented at the jump-off point to the island-resort of Boracay in Aklan province.

Midas Marquez, Supreme Court administrator and spokesman, said the high court issued a temporary environment protection order (TEPO) based on the petition filed by members of the Boracay Foundation Inc. The TEPO is similar to a temporary restraining order.

The petitioners, mostly Boracay business owners, asked that the reclamation project be suspended pending the conduct of an environmental impact assessment and for the reclamation permit to be revoked.

“This means that the respondents are being ordered to cease and desist from conducting reclamation activities along the coastlines of Caticlan in Malay, Aklan,” Marquez said in a news briefing.

Aside from the Aklan Capitol, also named respondents in the mandamus petition were the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the Environment Management Bureau.

Marquez said the high court took note of the petitioners’ claims that the 40-hectare reclamation project would only destroy the world-famous white-sand beaches of Boracay.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/13124/sc-stops-boracay-reclamation-project

South African tourist robbed after stepping out of Manila airport
MANILA, Philippines—A South African tourist was allegedly robbed Monday afternoon of cash by a taxi driver and his cohort in Manila.

Peter Neeskens, 59, a coffee house manager, lodged a complaint before the Manila Police District General Assignment Section (MPD-GAS) claiming that he lost P4,000 in cash, 200 euros, a mobile phone, and several of his identification and automated teller machine cards to the driver of a taxi he flagged down at the international airport and the driver’s accomplice.

He jotted down the license plate of the white Hyundai taxi as UIY 615 or UIY 613. Neeskens’ uncertainty about the license plate, MPD-GAS investigators explained, was due to the fact that the cab markings were fading.

Neeskens’ complaint stated that the robbery happened at around 1 p.m., along Quezon Boulevard in front of the Quiapo Church where the taxi driver allegedly picked up his knife-wielding cohort with Neeskens still aboard the cab.More:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/13017/south-african-tourist-robbed-after-stepping-out-of-manila-airport

xxxriainxxx

June 8th, 2011, 04:43 AM

Something different - how about South America? Filipinos can come in and out of these countries (US in some countries they are required visa), better feeling for Filipinos, you feel welcome there. I would suggest to anyone wanting to go there - Cuzco, Machu Pichu, the Andes, and places in the Amazon are difficult sometimes very far to travel. You think traveling on land in the Philippines is bad, try it there. The cities are kinda like Manila, like Intramuros a few times over. It's actually very affordable if you want to go local.

My South America trip will probably sked around 2013. :D But yea, I am setting my sights on those countries... :)

hakz2007

June 8th, 2011, 05:40 AM

PHL Gov't Urged To Tap Tourism, Outsourcing Potentials
The World Bank, in its latest report on the Philippine services sector, has highlighted the importance of developing the country’s tourism sector.

Philippine tourism accounts for about nearly 7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and directly employs about 3.5 million people. However, the World Bank pointed out in its study that the Philippine tourism sector could contribute more to help address poverty.

The World Bank study said the major impediments to tourism competitiveness are largely associated with weak ground and air transport infrastructure—roads, railways, ground transport network, and airports. Weak physical infrastructure, it says lowers accessibility to tourism destinations and discourages private sector investments in accommodation facilities.More: http://news.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=64587

Bricken Ridge

June 8th, 2011, 09:18 AM

South African tourist robbed after stepping out of Manila airport

MANILA, Philippines—A South African tourist was allegedly robbed Monday afternoon of cash by a taxi driver and his cohort in Manila.

Peter Neeskens, 59, a coffee house manager, lodged a complaint before the Manila Police District General Assignment Section (MPD-GAS) claiming that he lost P4,000 in cash, 200 euros, a mobile phone, and several of his identification and automated teller machine cards to the driver of a taxi he flagged down at the international airport and the driver’s accomplice.

He jotted down the license plate of the white Hyundai taxi as UIY 615 or UIY 613. Neeskens’ uncertainty about the license plate, MPD-GAS investigators explained, was due to the fact that the cab markings were fading.

Neeskens’ complaint stated that the robbery happened at around 1 p.m., along Quezon Boulevard in front of the Quiapo Church where the taxi driver allegedly picked up his knife-wielding cohort with Neeskens still aboard the cab.

Seriously? Anyone can just pick up a tourist at the airport?

Bricken Ridge

June 8th, 2011, 09:25 AM

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the provincial government of Aklan to immediately stop a controversial P1-billion reclamation being implemented at the jump-off point to the island-resort of Boracay in Aklan province.

Midas Marquez, Supreme Court administrator and spokesman, said the high court issued a temporary environment protection order (TEPO) based on the petition filed by members of the Boracay Foundation Inc. The TEPO is similar to a temporary restraining order.

The petitioners, mostly Boracay business owners, asked that the reclamation project be suspended pending the conduct of an environmental impact assessment and for the reclamation permit to be revoked.

“This means that the respondents are being ordered to cease and desist from conducting reclamation activities along the coastlines of Caticlan in Malay, Aklan,” Marquez said in a news briefing.

Aside from the Aklan Capitol, also named respondents in the mandamus petition were the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the Environment Management Bureau.

Marquez said the high court took note of the petitioners’ claims that the 40-hectare reclamation project would only destroy the world-famous white-sand beaches of Boracay.

I wonder if the fickle supreme court plays the yo-yo on this issue.

Manila-X

June 8th, 2011, 10:24 AM

With this incident, South Africa might post a travel advisory on The Philippines.

xxxriainxxx

June 8th, 2011, 10:52 AM

^^ As if. South Africa is probably one of the most crime ridden countries in the world. My uncle got robbed there in Cape Town.

manileño

June 8th, 2011, 10:57 AM

^^ i think Johannesburg is more crime-ridden than Cape Town, which as i heard from white south african friends is one of the safest places there as thats where them pooties live and congregate in SA. :lol:

dandy13

June 8th, 2011, 01:29 PM

With this incident, South Africa might post a travel advisory on The Philippines.

--

Robbery is taking place all around the world not only in the Philippines.

In australia,

No let-up in Australias Gold Coast armed robberies
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/no-letup-in-gold-coast-armed-robberies-20110606-1fo0d.html
June 6, 2011

AS A new police squad to fight violent crime on the Gold Coast set up its office, another armed robbery was taking place just a few kilometres away.
A gunman, lying in wait outside a sports club at Kirra, bailed up a worker who arrived to open the doors at 6am (AEST) today, forced him inside, and stole all the cash from the safe.

The worker was not injured.

The latest episode in what has become almost a daily occurrence on the tourist strip comes as the final arrangements are being put in place for tomorrow's funeral for slain detective Damian Leeding.

The father-of-two was gunned down a week ago at an armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern.

The funeral with full police honours will be held from 11am (AEST) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the only venue large enough to accommodate the thousands of people expected to attend.
The premier, police commissioner and other top ranking officers will flank Det Leeding's wife Sonya and the couple's children, two-year-old Hudson and three-month-old Grace.

Sections of the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach will be closed, and traffic will be diverted for four hours.
The service will be broadcast live and commercial free on television.

In response to Det Leeding's death, police set up a special task force to investigate the spate of armed robberies in the region.

Money is still flowing into a remembrance fund, set up for the Leeding family by the police union.

It has already raised more than $120,000, with donations being taken by all Westpac banks.

---

Compare that philippine incident to vietnam where robbers are lurking everywhere.

http://www.vietnamcustomizedtours.com/vietnam-travel-news-2334.html

Robbery stalking travelers in Vietnam
At the meeting with HCM City’s authorities last week, Deputy Chair of Amcham Christopher C.Twomey advised the local authorities to take necessary measures to prevent robbery, or Vietnam will lose a reputation as a safe destination.

Robbers lurking everywhere

According to the HCM City Police, traveler property robbery cases have been taking place in different situations. On March 3, on the cross road of Pham Ngu Lao – Nguyen Thi Nghia streets in district 1 in HCM City, Anna Julia Urban, a German traveler, was walking on streets when two men, riding a motorbike, pressed against her and snatcher her bag. Luckily, the policemen who were on the duties, discovered the robbery, captured the robbers and gave the property back to the woman.
Most recently, at the road junction of Dong Khoi – Mac Thi Buoi in District 1 of HCM City, Kanda Michiyo, a Japanese traveler was walking when two young men on a motorbike tried to snatch her bag. They unsuccessfully snatched the bag, but the woman fell into the road and was heavily injured.

Many travelers were robbed, even when they were sitting at shops or restaurants. On March 4, Toru Yamada, a Japanese traveler, was sitting at an Internet shop at No 38 Ton That Tung, when his bag with many valuable properties inside was snatched.

On February 10, when Shuichi Kitahara, also a Japanese traveler, was eating pho at a restaurant, a man came closer, snatched and ran. Local residents chased the robber and got back the bag, but the perpetrator escaped.

One month ago, Liu Rui Zeng and Yuan Mei Xia, Chinese travelers also had their handbag snatched when they were walking on Tran Quy Road in District 11.

The areas, where most of travelers had their properties robbed, are Ben Thanh market, the area around the War Remnants Museum or in front of the city’s Post Office.

Le Hoai Nhon, a worker of the traveler protection team, called “the green shirt team”, related that several days ago, he and his colleagues chased and caught a robber, who snatched a gold bracelet. The victim, a Thai traveler, said that when she came to HCM City for the first time, she also lost the mobile phone in a robbery case.

Nguyen Minh Tuan, another member of the “green shirt team”, said that robbery cases have made Japanese travelers become more vigilant. “They do not want to see anyone come close to them. I once tried to help them find ways, but they refused my help,” he said.

“I always advise travelers not to ware gold bracelets,” he said. “One time, I advised a woman to do that, but she did not listen to my advice, and she witnessed the bracelet robbed just some minutes later”.

According to “green shirts”, robbers regularly snatch properties of travelers when they try to cross the roads and they have to pay attention to avoid traffic accidents.

Robbery spoiling national image

Pham Xuan Anh, Director of a travel firm, specializing in serving cruise travelers, said that more robbery cases have happened recently. Especially, robberies taking place right at the center of HCM City, where there are many people, because robbers think that travelers lack vigilance there.

Therefore, tour guides always have to advise travelers to be careful when visiting excursion places. They should walk on the pavement instead of streets, keep cameras tightly and leave bracelets and valuable properties at hotels.

Many travelers have complained about the robbery with foreign travel firms, the partner companies of Vietnamese travel firms. They have also written on tourism forums about their feelings after the trips. “Vietnam is a wonderful destination. However, in Vietnam, I was, for the first time, robbed near Rex Hotel. Therefore, I do not dare to bring valuable properties with me,” a foreigner wrote on Tripadvisor.

VEF

wino

June 8th, 2011, 05:45 PM

With this incident, South Africa might post a travel advisory on The Philippines.

OA Nila pag ginawa nila yan.. :lol:

Mercato

June 8th, 2011, 06:20 PM

^^why not?...starring role ka...:D O ano ka ngayon, monsieur mao? :D :D :D sabi sa yo e...

Basta kami sa Cebu, maghahanda kami ng maraming french fries kasi makikita kami ng mga French speaking movie audiences sa France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco at Switzerland. Sasabihin nila, "oi saan yan? ganda beaches a!! inggit kami, o sige punta tayo, tara na, let's go!" :lol: dami cameo roles at background scenery ang Mactan International Airport at mga Cebu beaches. :cheers2:

Parlez-vous français? Parlons français!
shot in cebu, french film le marquis

0htrrYm8IDo
more trailer of this film...nakita diri ang Mactan Cebu Int'l Airport and more..hehehe:cheers:

BI8r0Dq2ySU
http://images.allocine.fr/r_760_x/medias/nmedia/18/79/51/31/19660038.jpg
http://images.allocine.fr/r_760_x/medias/nmedia/18/79/51/31/19632092.jpg
http://images.allocine.fr/r_760_x/medias/nmedia/18/79/51/31/19505783.jpg
http://images.allocine.fr/r_760_x/medias/nmedia/18/79/51/31/19632083.jpg
http://images.allocine.fr/r_760_x/medias/nmedia/18/79/51/31/19632091.jpg

xxxriainxxx

June 8th, 2011, 06:45 PM

Mercato

June 8th, 2011, 06:57 PM

great shots!
http://shareimage.org/images/zkz4poca4gkb6lgi4keq.jpgoi, akala ko avatar ko nakaalpas :D

did you actually sleep overnight in that Mongol tent? How is it? You must've been buried in a ton of sheets to keep warm. The panorama (last pic) is undeniably breathtaking.

xxxriainxxx

June 8th, 2011, 07:02 PM

great shots!
oi, akala ko avatar ko nakaalpas :D

did you actually sleep overnight in that Mongol tent? How is it? You must've been buried in a ton of sheets to keep warm. The panorama (last pic) is undeniably breathtaking.

Haha. Thanks..onga no, hindi ko napansin ang avatar mo. :D

Yeah I slept in that tent for 1 night, and in another tent the following night, it wasn't so bad it was actually comfy, it got pretty cold the following morning, but otherwise, it wasn't so bad because it's basically the start of summer na sa kanila. Tent is called ger. Most people stay at the tourist camp, we chose to stay with nomadic families so bare basics talaga, but I had one of the best sleeps in my life. Cant wait to come back. But somewhere further deep into the country na..

Mercato

June 8th, 2011, 07:18 PM

FlashCollider

June 8th, 2011, 11:23 PM

Some of my captures of Mongolia. First batch, I'll post the rest sa gallery ko.

http://shareimage.org/images/vmdgnhlm35gvopzq53xj.jpg

Love this to bits Riain...

Ady001

June 9th, 2011, 02:58 AM

^^ It's called the Yurt...

As well.

Hope you heard throat singers as well. I can only be a throat singer in the bathroom while my log goes down.

amigo32

June 9th, 2011, 03:00 AM

Mongolia

ice cream naaalala ko:D

hakz2007

June 9th, 2011, 03:23 AM

Some of my captures of Mongolia. First batch, I'll post the rest sa gallery ko.

http://shareimage.org/images/zkz4poca4gkb6lgi4keq.jpg

http://shareimage.org/images/9k0fnkoje9uz5wcm6opt.jpg

http://shareimage.org/images/vmdgnhlm35gvopzq53xj.jpg

http://shareimage.org/images/es2ryuz557wfu1uw4pi3.jpg

You can also post your photos in the Asian Forums as well - Mongolia photos (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=479576) :okay:

Great shots btw :cheers:

hakz2007

June 9th, 2011, 03:32 AM

Pan Asian at the WelcomHotel Sheraton New Delhi presents Traditional Filipino flavours- Presented by visiting lady celebrity chef Myrna Dizon
New Delhi, Delhi, June 8, 2011 /India PRwire/ -- Pan Asian, the restaurant serving the 'Flavours of East Asia' at the WelcomHotel Sheraton New Delhi presents culinary delicacies of Philippines in an eight-day promotion by visiting celebrity Chef Myrna Dizon Segismundo from Manila, Philippines, for lunch and dinner. Adding special flavour to the festivities will be traditional Filipino performers, flown in especially for the occasion.

Chef Myrna advocates the preservation of traditional Philippine cooking by spreading the flavors of her country's cuisine through Philippine dishes served in Restaurant 9501, the executive dining restaurant of ABS-CBN Corporation, the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines. She also promotes Philippine Cuisine through cooking demonstrations and lectures, and by managing a culinary competition in the Philippines called The National Food Showdown.

Chef Myrna and her team will be serving authentic Philippine dishes - popular fare served at home and at parties in the Philippines. Many of the recipes are from her best-selling cookbook, Philippine Cuisine - Home cooked Recipes Wherever You May Be. These are traditional family recipes from her home and many of the dishes are those she grew up with and continue to enjoy.

For a taste of what most Filipinos consider comfort food, Chefs Myrna, Miguel and Ruth will be offering Lunch and Dinner Set Menus during the 8-day food festival at the Pan Asian with entrees like: Fresh and Fried Lumpia (Vegetable Spring Rolls), Tinola Soup (Chicken in Ginger Soup), Spicy Lamb Kaldereta (Lamb in Spicy Tomato Sauce), Chicken and Pork Adobo (Stewed Chicken and Pork in Soy Sauce, Garlic and Black Pepper), Lechon Kawali (Crisp Pork Belly), Seafood Kare-Kare (Seafood and Vegetables in Peanut Sauce and Shrimp Paste), and Bicol Express (Fiery Finger Peppers in Coco Cream).

To end the meal on a sweet note, desserts include Banana-Langka Turrones (Banana and Jackfruit Rolls), Leche Flan (Caramel Custard), Palitaw (Glutinous Rice with Grated Coconut and Toasted Sesame Seeds), Guinataang Halo-Halo (Mixed Fruits in Coco Milk) and Maja Blanca (Corn Pudding).More: http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/leisure-travel/2011060888760.htm

** The Philippine Food Promotion at Pan Asian, WelcomHotel Sheraton New Delhi is supported by Philippine Airlines and Philippines Tourism.

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 04:26 AM

^^ oh boy. sounds interesting... I've never slept in that kinda tent in a cold environment before... parang Nat Geo & Discovery, the real deal. How was breakfast? It must be mutton or beef with bread and milk... (sana puede sumama....... , just kidding) :D :D

Diba they have a gigantic statue of Genghiz Khan on horseback? My german friend showed me his pic.

It was warm naman because of the heater thing inside. Breakfast was whatever there was, I can eat most of it save for a few. I am not a big lamb person and most dishes served were lamb - I found it stinky.. I am coming back maybe within 2 years, but planning to go to the Northwest, or down at Bayanzag in the Gobi..pwedeng sumama basta wag lang maarte. hehehe. Bawal maarte dun kasi back to basics talaga.

I am not sure about the statue, but I saw the one at Sukhbaatar Square. Btw, they say it as Chinggis Khaan, quite different from the one we learned at school no?

Love this to bits Riain...

Thanks!! will post more maybe over the weekend. Our guide was using an old box to carry stuff, and it's a box used to carry bananas from Davao. :D

^^ It's called the Yurt...

As well.

Hope you heard throat singers as well. I can only be a throat singer in the bathroom while my log goes down.

I believe yurt is different, we stayed in a ger. Yea, I was able to see a live performance of throat singing.

You can also post your photos in the Asian Forums as well - Mongolia photos (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=479576) :okay:

Great shots btw :cheers:

Thanks, posted na.. I dont like the Chinese there claiming Mongolia was part of China. Really stupid.

amigo32

June 9th, 2011, 04:46 AM

I dont like the Chinese there claiming Mongolia was part of China. Really stupid.

Well, they claimed every country in Asia as part of China:lol:

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 05:08 AM

Well, they claimed every country in Asia as part of China:lol:

Yep, bunch of idiots.

hakz2007

June 9th, 2011, 05:24 AM

^^Actually, China has Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 05:38 AM

^^Actually, China has Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Yep I know. But the comments by some Chinese on that thread were talking about Mongolia to 'rejoin' China. Mongolians kicked their asses before.

amigo32

June 9th, 2011, 05:43 AM

ayaw:D

paano na lang ang mongolian barbq, eh di maging chinese barbq na?:D

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 05:51 AM

ayaw:D

paano na lang ang mongolian barbq, eh di maging chinese barbq na?:D

yuck. :lol:

Manila-X

June 9th, 2011, 08:42 AM

ayaw:D

paano na lang ang mongolian barbq, eh di maging chinese barbq na?:D

Mongolian BBQ is actually Taiwanese in origin.

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 08:52 AM

Mongolian BBQ is actually Taiwanese in origin.

Mongolia has actual Mongolian BBQ called Khorkog.

Manila-X

June 9th, 2011, 08:54 AM

Mongolia has actual Mongolian BBQ called Khorkog.

There is but most if not all popular Mongolian BBQ places around the world is that of Taiwan and not of Mongolia.

leechtat

June 9th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Nice that share about Mongolia... @riain do you have a blog so I can read on your travel tips? We plan to try exotic destinations too...

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 02:06 PM

Nice that share about Mongolia... @riain do you have a blog so I can read on your travel tips? We plan to try exotic destinations too...

I just started a sort of a blog of my own, just random musings and some photos, will fix it first... :) If you have any questions about destinations just let me know and maybe I can help... :)

Mercato

June 9th, 2011, 02:28 PM

http://shareimage.org/images/es2ryuz557wfu1uw4pi3.jpgIt was warm naman because of the heater thing inside. Breakfast was whatever there was, I can eat most of it save for a few. I am not a big lamb person and most dishes served were lamb - I found it stinky.. I am coming back maybe within 2 years, but planning to go to the Northwest, or down at Bayanzag in the Gobi..pwedeng sumama basta wag lang maarte. hehehe. Bawal maarte dun kasi back to basics talaga.

I am not sure about the statue, but I saw the one at Sukhbaatar Square. Btw, they say it as Chinggis Khaan, quite different from the one we learned at school no?

Thanks, posted na.. I dont like the Chinese there claiming Mongolia was part of China. Really stupid. Yes, in the Skybar the Chinese nationalists are even claiming 20% daw of Tajikistan, a former Soviet Republic pero naghaggle ang mga intsik and now 3% na lang daw payag sila.

pero teka muna, saan naman tayo pag may "call of nature" ika nga? Walang matakbuhan na bushes man lang o trees! di naman puedeng lumublob sa ilog na yan my ass might freeze off? Atsaka how bout takin a bath, meaning kasama ko mga sheep at cattle in that river? Is the water temp warm enough to wear just boxers? By bare does it mean walang electricity to charge my electric toothbrush, iphone at ipad? kasi may heater kamo diba, so may electricity? Baka kaya diyan ang satellite plan... hmmm.

I can pro'lley eat lamb as a last resort but it has to be well grilled, minimal bloody juices... :lol: yea i think Chinngis Khaan and Genghiz Khan are the same person.
Well, they claimed every country in Asia as part of China:lol: They claim by boasting about their oldness and other countries as the "young" countries... iba talaga the way they think. The New Order for them is one of heirarchy... There was an article I posted on the Defense Thread about their need for Heirarchy and a New world order centred around them. Even overseas chinese born in southeast asia are considered of lesser calibre than the real mainlanders, that is how many Peranakan Singaporeans perceive mainlander mentality.

Dun sa skybar ko napulot yung map na yun. Walang matirang dagat sa 4 ASEAN members pagnagkataon. :lol:Yep I know. But the comments by some Chinese on that thread were talking about Mongolia to 'rejoin' China. Mongolians kicked their asses before.They cannot take Mongolia. :) Outer Mongolia's independence was guaranteed, I recall offhand, by the old Soviet Union as a buffer state. And it is still honoured by today's Russia. Mongolia has the backing of Russia.Mongolian BBQ is actually Taiwanese in origin. :D :D :D. So Mod, paano ngayon kasi you're technically a "mainlander" and part of the "fatherland" na. E di kung push comes to shove, where will your loyalties lie? ;)

xxxriainxxx

June 9th, 2011, 02:46 PM

Yes, in the Skybar the Chinese nationalists are even claiming 20% daw of Tajikistan, a former Soviet Republic pero naghaggle ang mga intsik and now 3% na lang daw payag sila.

pero teka muna, saan naman tayo pag may "call of nature" ika nga? Walang matakbuhan na bushes man lang o trees! di naman puedeng lumublob sa ilog na yan my ass might freeze off? Atsaka how bout takin a bath, meaning kasama ko mga sheep at cattle in that river? Is the water temp warm enough to wear just boxers? By bare does it mean walang electricity to charge my electric toothbrush, iphone at ipad? kasi may heater kamo diba, so may electricity? Baka kaya diyan ang satellite plan... hmmm.

I can pro'lley eat lamb as a last resort but it has to be well grilled, minimal bloody juices... :lol:
They claim by boasting about their oldness and other countries as the "young" countries... iba talaga the way they think. The New Order for them is one of heirarchy... There was an article I posted on the Defense Thread about their need for Heirarchy and a New world order centred around them. Even overseas chinese born in southeast asia are considered of lesser calibre than the real mainlanders, that is how many Peranakan Singaporeans perceive mainlander mentality.

Dun sa skybar ko napulot yung map na yun. Walang matirang dagat sa 4 ASEAN members pagnagkataon. :lol:They cannot take Mongolia. :) Outer Mongolia's independence was guaranteed, I recall offhand, by the old Soviet Union as a buffer state. And it is still honoured by today's Russia. Mongolia has the backing of Russia. :D :D :D. So Mod, paano ngayon kasi you're technically a "mainlander" and part of the "fatherland" na. E di kung push comes to shove, where will your loyalties lie? ;)

Amazing, they would steal, lie and cheat everyone. Most if not all of China's neighbours hate them. Tajikistan? Patawa sila? Dapat dyan sa mga yan, binobomba ng nuclear eh.

As for 'call of nature', I have to walk really far and find a taller bush, and start digging a hole.. ahem....As for paligo, isang araw akong hindi nakapaligo.. haha.Buti na lang at hindi humid, kundi nagkalintikan na ang alingasaw namin. :lol: Yung guide namin 3 araw di nagpalit ng damit, ako yata naka ilang costume change sa isang araw. HAHA.

Yeah, kailangang may loyalty check sa atin. San ba ang loyalties ng mga Chinoy pag nagkagulo na?

Sleepwalker

June 9th, 2011, 02:58 PM

^^Unahin nati'ng tanungin si PNoy, Mayor Lim at iba pa'ng tsinoy na nasa katungkulan... :)

Parchie

June 9th, 2011, 04:22 PM

^^Unahin nati'ng tanungin si PNoy, Mayor Lim at iba pa'ng tsinoy na nasa katungkulan... :)

Mas maigi siguro kung sina Mr. John G. at Mr. Lucio Tan ang tanungin. Meron silang mga relatives na talagang dun nakatira sa mainland, that I was told!

manila_eye

June 9th, 2011, 04:26 PM

^^ since the marcos days eh puro mga chinoy na ang namumuno satin.

slerz

June 9th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Sarap ng buhay nila... Pagala gala lang sa ibang bansa... Wishing too someday...:yes:

mao rong

June 9th, 2011, 07:00 PM

mayayaman...:D

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 04:02 AM

So Mod, paano ngayon kasi you're technically a "mainlander" and part of the "fatherland" na. E di kung push comes to shove, where will your loyalties lie? ;)

China is more "motherland" than "fatherland".

Where my loyalty is? Its to Hong Kong.

Not I'm a mainlander since I don't carry a Chinese passport. My nationality is considered as British since I have a BNO passport. Most HK locals carry a SAR passport if not The BNO.

HK has a different system of laws and government despite being under China.

So I'm from HK, not China.

As for Taiwan, I still don't consider it a country it is still a province. And that is what most countries see Taiwan including The Philippines.

Mercato

June 10th, 2011, 04:54 AM

China is more "motherland" than "fatherland".

Where my loyalty is? Its to Hong Kong.

Not I'm a mainlander since I don't carry a Chinese passport. My nationality is considered as British since I have a BNO passport. Most HK locals carry a SAR passport if not The BNO.

HK has a different system of laws and government despite being under China.

So I'm from HK, not China.

As for Taiwan, I still don't consider it a country it is still a province. And that is what most countries see Taiwan including The Philippines.Fair enough, the passport has it then. :D

I was thinking more along the lines of China versus the Philippines re the Spratlys... :D But since it was mentioned, I consider Taiwan independent just as much as when Ireland broke off from the former United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland (which became in 1927 the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland). Also as much as when Timor Leste seceded from Indonesia. Also when West Pakistan and East Pakistan seceded from India. (Later on East Pakistan seceded from West Pakistan to become Bangladesh). West Pakistan became simply Pakistan.

Among the strongest aces Taiwan's government has up its sleeve is that it is in fact one of the original co-founders of the United Nations. :colgate: Yup yup, the Nationalists under Chiang Kai Shek were the original signatories in June 1945. The Communists only won the civil war in 1949. But of course, people are people. :lol:

I was thinkin about Tibet when I just came back sauntering from the Skybar and oh boy was it fun watching. :lol: 2 Threads heating up quite fast. I posted some thought provoking questions about Tibet there ...

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 05:06 AM

Fair enough, the passport has it then. :D

Funny thing you mentioned Taiwan, I forgot about it. :D Since it was mentioned, I consider Taiwan independent just as much as when Ireland broke off from the former United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland (which became in 1927 the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland). Also as much as when Timor Leste seceded from Indonesia. Also when West Pakistan and East Pakistan seceded from India. (Later on East Pakistan seceded from West Pakistan to become Bangladesh). West Pakistan became simply Pakistan.

Among the strongest aces Taiwan's government has up its sleeve is that it is in fact one of the original co-founders of the United Nations. :colgate: Yup yup, the Nationalists under Chiang Kai Shek were the original signatories in June 1945. The Communists only won the civil war in 1949. But of course, people are people. :lol:

I was thinkin about Tibet when I just came back sauntering from the Skybar and oh boy was it fun watching. :lol: 2 Threads heating up quite fast. I posted some thought provoking questions about Tibet there ...

The Republic of China is independent to some extent like its government can run things without major interferance from other countries. In fact its citizens carry a Taiwan passport which is valid including Mainland China but its holders do not get stamped in most countries puts a visa on a separate sheet. But it cannot setup embassies or consulates in countries that do not recognize Taiwan as independent.

Mercato

June 10th, 2011, 05:15 AM

The Republic of China is independent to some extent like its government can run thing without major interferance from other countries. In fact its citizens carry a Taiwan passport which is valid including Mainland China but its holders do not get stamped in most countries puts a visa on a separate sheet. But it cannot setup embassies or consulates in countries that do not recognize Taiwan as independent.yes, indeed, that is the realpolitik happening right now. I was thinking more along the lines of, isn't it sad that an original co-founding signatory and member of the United Nations would be sidelined just like that ;) ... aaah, times had changed since 1945. But people are people... :)

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 05:18 AM

Check in in PVG T2
http://www.globalphotos.org/shanghai/20091228/IMG_9062.jpg

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 05:20 AM

yes, indeed, that is the realpolitik happening right now. I was thinking more along the lines of, isn't it sad that an original co-founding signatory and member of the United Nations would be sidelined just like that ;) ... aaah, times had changed since 1945. But people are people... :)

Yes but again, there is a One China Policy. Its history.

pi_malejana

June 10th, 2011, 05:27 AM

from Yahoo :banana:

12 Most Beautiful Lakes in the World
By Beth Collins

Philippines
Taal Lake

This dangerous beauty, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two distinct claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines, with a depth of 564 feet. It is also home to one of the world's smallest but most active volcanoes, the Taal Volcano, which sits within its waters on the island of Luzon. The lake itself was formed when a larger volcanic crater here collapsed; now seismologists spend a lot of time monitoring this spot for tremors, and sending out frequent eruption warnings through the country's Department of Tourism. Plenty of tour groups offer trips to the natural wonder—in spite of the fact that it has been declared a permanent danger zone. A safer way to see the volcano is by taking a drive along the Tagaytay-Taal ridge in nearby Tagaytay City.
Nearby: Adjacent Tagaytay City offers some well-priced accommodations, in addition to the best views of the lake.

the other 11:

Lake Malawi-Malawi
Peyto Lake-Alberta, Canada
Crater Lake-Oregon
Lake Atitlán-Guatemala
Loch Lomond-Scotland
Lake Garda-Italy
Lake Annecy-France
Plitvice Lakes-Croatia
Lake Nakuru-Kenya
Lake Matheson-New Zealand
Lake Bled-Slovenia

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40253002

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 05:31 AM

Fair enough, the passport has it then. :D

I was thinking more along the lines of China versus the Philippines re the Spratlys... :D But since it was mentioned, I consider Taiwan independent just as much as when Ireland broke off from the former United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland (which became in 1927 the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland). Also as much as when Timor Leste seceded from Indonesia. Also when West Pakistan and East Pakistan seceded from India. (Later on East Pakistan seceded from West Pakistan to become Bangladesh). West Pakistan became simply Pakistan.

Among the strongest aces Taiwan's government has up its sleeve is that it is in fact one of the original co-founders of the United Nations. :colgate: Yup yup, the Nationalists under Chiang Kai Shek were the original signatories in June 1945. The Communists only won the civil war in 1949. But of course, people are people. :lol:

I was thinkin about Tibet when I just came back sauntering from the Skybar and oh boy was it fun watching. :lol: 2 Threads heating up quite fast. I posted some thought provoking questions about Tibet there ...

Kaya hindi talaga ako nagpupunta dun kasi baka marami lang akong makakaaway.

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 05:33 AM

Its American radicals that hyped the issue against Tibet. Most Asian countries do not even pay attention to it.

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 05:37 AM

Its American radicals that hyped the issue against Tibet. Most Asian countries do not even pay attention to it.

Tibet was an independent country STOLEN by Chinese imperialists.

Someone posted this on a news article:

List of China's Territorial Disputes:

List of China's territorial disputes:
1. Tibet in 1949 which they eventually INVADED and the communists is trying to ERASE the Tibetan cultural identity
2. India's Aksai Chin in the Kashmir region in 1959, which lead into a brief war with India
3. Bhutanese enclaves in Tibet and Kula Kangri, all against Bhutan
4. Ieodo island and Suyan Rock against South Korea
5. Tumen River and Yalu River, against North and South Korea
6. Tarabarov and Bolshoi islands in 1969 against Russia, also lead to a brief battle, now settled
7. Vietnam's and Taiwan in the Paracel islands, which also lead to a naval battle with Vietnam
8. Japan's Senkaku islands, they don't have balls to attack Japan
9. Philippine's Spratly islands, Scarborough Shoal and Reed Bank, which they keep on bullying the Philippines

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 05:38 AM

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 05:46 AM

Tibet was an independent country STOLEN by Chinese imperialists.

Someone posted this on a news article:

I keep myself neutral in this issue.

Anyway, I agree with Taal Lake. It is a volcano within a like within a volcano.

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 06:50 AM

I keep myself neutral in this issue.

Anyway, I agree with Taal Lake. It is a volcano within a like within a volcano.

I cant be neutral when an entire country and culture are being ruthlessly murdered.

http://www.judiciaryreport.com/images/tibetan-monk.jpg

LuckyLady

June 10th, 2011, 07:25 AM

The Republic of China is independent to some extent like its government can run things without major interferance from other countries. In fact its citizens carry a Taiwan passport which is valid including Mainland China but its holders do not get stamped in most countries puts a visa on a separate sheet. But it cannot setup embassies or consulates in countries that do not recognize Taiwan as independent.

it's independent to most extent unless the dirty hands of chicom is out again to suppress taiwan and it's supporters. Except going to the communist china, visa is on the same sheet of the passport. It also has representative offices to countries that more or less function as their embassies or consulates.

LuckyLady

June 10th, 2011, 07:28 AM

Its American radicals that hyped the issue against Tibet. Most Asian countries do not even pay attention to it.

I don't think it's only the american radicals hyping it. You better lsiten to the real voice of the Tibetans.

Mercato

June 10th, 2011, 07:34 AM

@xxxriainxxx, whoa, thats kinda gory. baka ma-trace ng mga mainlanders ang thread na to.
there is a One China Policy. Its history.no offense, anyone :nocrook:. this is kinda worrisome too. Coz it eeriely reminds me of the exact same policy of another group of ultranationalists before, Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac9wcIRKf_8)~ One People, One Empire, One Leader ... but I can't print the bloodcurdling lines though...

Plus the natural consequence of that policy led to this policy,Lebensraum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebensraum). The road to expansionism, the road to war. Is it happening in Asia, all in the name of history?

from Yahoo :banana:

12 Most Beautiful Lakes in the World
By Beth Collins

Philippines
Taal Lake

This dangerous beauty, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two distinct claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines, with a depth of 564 feet. It is also home to one of the world's smallest but most active volcanoes, the Taal Volcano, which sits within its waters on the island of Luzon. The lake itself was formed when a larger volcanic crater here collapsed; now seismologists spend a lot of time monitoring this spot for tremors, and sending out frequent eruption warnings through the country's Department of Tourism. Plenty of tour groups offer trips to the natural wonder—in spite of the fact that it has been declared a permanent danger zone. A safer way to see the volcano is by taking a drive along the Tagaytay-Taal ridge in nearby Tagaytay City.
Nearby: Adjacent Tagaytay City offers some well-priced accommodations, in addition to the best views of the lake.

the other 11:

Lake Malawi-Malawi
Peyto Lake-Alberta, Canada
Crater Lake-Oregon
Lake Atitlán-Guatemala
Loch Lomond-Scotland
Lake Garda-Italy
Lake Annecy-France
Plitvice Lakes-Croatia
Lake Nakuru-Kenya
Lake Matheson-New Zealand
Lake Bled-Slovenia

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40253002It’s great to be recognized as such. Another potential beautiful lake sana would be the biggest one, Laguna de Bai. (and may I also include the connecting lake of the highlands, Caliraya Lake? The central island of Talim at Laguna de Bai has a huge potential to be a high class resort casino or for residential living. Something needs to be done to dismantle all those ugly bamboo fishpens though.

Not to mention the fact that properly managed, Laguna de Bai has the potential to be the biggest source of freshwater supply for all towns and cities around it, including Metro Manila.

Bricken Ridge

June 10th, 2011, 07:51 AM

Tibet was an independent country STOLEN by Chinese imperialists.

The Chinese are getting bolder after they mercilessly invaded Tibet. Tibetan culture is almost on the verge of extinction, thanks to China's preoccupation with 15th century Age of Discovery, they're playing catch up with old Europe expansionist/colonization of other lands. This is one villain that will eventually have the same fate as Japan during WW11. It would be a waste to see a decimated Shanghai and Hongkong but at the rate they are pushing all their neighbors patience to the limits, we might see his happen in our lifetime.

Bricken Ridge

June 10th, 2011, 08:08 AM

Its American radicals that hyped the issue against Tibet. Most Asian countries do not even pay attention to it.

You might have just insulted the Tibetans struggle to regain their freedom which they have fought blood and tears for so many years now. We should not trivialize their legit struggle simply because we haven't heard much from the press. The Tibetans are peace loving people- a trait the Chinese took advantage of. Filipinos should take this as a warning that being nice regarding our Spratly's position would not do as any good.

Kintoy

June 10th, 2011, 08:12 AM

^^Unahin nati'ng tanungin si PNoy, Mayor Lim at iba pa'ng tsinoy na nasa katungkulan... :)

Tanungin mo si Gloria. Siya ang nambugaw ng pinas sa china

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 08:22 AM

I don't think it's only the american radicals hyping it. You better lsiten to the real voice of the Tibetans.

Finally we are in agreement about something.

@xxxriainxxx, whoa, thats kinda gory. baka ma-trace ng mga mainlanders ang thread na to.
no offense, anyone :nocrook:. this is kinda worrisome too. Coz it eeriely reminds me of the exact same policy of another group of ultranationalists before, Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac9wcIRKf_8)~ One People, One Empire, One Leader ... but I can't print the bloodcurdling lines though...

Plus the natural consequence of that policy led to this policy,Lebensraum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebensraum). The road to expansionism, the road to war. Is it happening in Asia, all in the name of history?

It’s great to be recognized as such. Another potential beautiful lake sana would be the biggest one, Laguna de Bai. (and may I also include the connecting lake of the highlands, Caliraya Lake? The central island of Talim at Laguna de Bai has a huge potential to be a high class resort casino or for residential living. Something needs to be done to dismantle all those ugly bamboo fishpens though.

Not to mention the fact that properly managed, Laguna de Bai has the potential to be the biggest source of freshwater supply for all towns and cities around it, including Metro Manila.

When I was in Beijing, they were showing the Kalayaan Islands on TV and saying it was on their maritime trade route. Stupid. If we go by such logic, then Philippines own half of the Pacific Ocean because of the Manila-Acapulco trade.

You might have just insulted the Tibetans struggle to regain their freedom which they have fought blood and tears for so many years now. We should not trivialize their legit struggle simply because we haven't heard much from the press. The Tibetans are peace loving people- a trait the Chinese took advantage of. Filipinos should take this as a warning that being nice regarding our Spratly's position would not do as any good.

That's right. Tibet is an ongoing struggle. The Chinese basically raped the country. Around the time the Chinese invaded Tibet, Bhutan closed its borders to China.

In all, China is a dangerous neighbour. It will cheat, lie, steal its way to get what they want. It can never be trusted.

Tanungin mo si Gloria. Siya ang nambugaw ng pinas sa china

Isa pa yang Gloria na yan. P*****ina, binenta ang kaluluwa at dangal ng Pilipinas para yumaman at bumango ang pangalan sa Beijing. Bwisit. Traidor sa bayan.

Manila-X

June 10th, 2011, 08:31 AM

I will still keep myself neutral to this issue. And you seem to view China as an axis of evil. Of course we cannot deny the fact that there are cases of human rights violation in The Mainland and its not just in Tibet but other cases such as The Falun Gong.

But again, China is slowly changing at least for the better. At least they have kept their word with HK in keeping the one country two system policy. And there is a good reason for that.

Bricken Ridge

June 10th, 2011, 09:08 AM

When I was in Beijing, they were showing the Kalayaan Islands on TV and saying it was on their maritime trade route. Stupid. If we go by such logic, then Philippines own half of the Pacific Ocean because of the Manila-Acapulco trade.

talking about putting their foots in their mouths. by this logic alone, china should also own the entire southeast asia, south asia, korea and japan. :lol:

That's right. Tibet is an ongoing struggle. The Chinese basically raped the country. Around the time the Chinese invaded Tibet, Bhutan closed its borders to China.

In all, China is a dangerous neighbour. It will cheat, lie, steal its way to get what they want. It can never be trusted.

I know this is already OT but here's the obvious: they are not privy about their intentions to be the best villain in asia and the entire world. and they are already succeeding.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13723443

Isa pa yang Gloria na yan. P*****ina, binenta ang kaluluwa at dangal ng Pilipinas para yumaman at bumango ang pangalan sa Beijing. Bwisit. Traidor sa bayan.

she was the classic japayuki. we can safely call her tsekwayuki for selling the philippines to china so she can brag to her countrymen that the wannabe superpower is head over heels for her. what a loser.:nuts:

Kintoy

June 10th, 2011, 09:21 AM

How many Tibetan monks did China murder?

http://www.freetibet.org/

Bricken Ridge

June 10th, 2011, 09:32 AM

'Chinese couple involved in smuggling of corals now abroad'
By Roel Pareño Updated June 10, 2011 12:00PM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Police here disclosed yesterday that the Chinese couple implicated in the alleged smuggling of endangered corals and shells have reportedly slipped out of the country.

Zamboanga City police chief Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo said Olivia Lim-Li and her husband Li Yu Ming alias Joe Pring, owner of the Lim & Li Trading, have already abandoned their house in Tetuan.

“They’re no longer there. We can’t say if they’re in another place or in another country,” De Ocampo said.

Police sources said the couple went into hiding even before the Senate issued the subpoena and arrest warrants after they were cited for contempt for failing to attend the public hearing conducted by the Senate committee on environment and natural resources.

The source said the couple even talked with a police official last week before they allegedly fled the country.

Chief Superintendent Elpedio de Asis, Western Mindanao police director, said they have been looking for the suspects and a task group was formed to track them down.

De Asis said they have coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to place the couple on the bureau’s blacklist to prevent them from slipping out of the country.

The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has not filed a single case against the Li couple, two weeks after they were implicated in the attempt to smuggle an estimated 40 tons of assorted corals and shells that were discovered at a local warehouse.

Zamboanga CIDG director Superintendent Mario Rariza said they are waiting for the results of the inventory of the recovered contraband at Yuscom warehouse in Barangay San Roque last June 4 before they could file the charges against the Li couple.

“As much as possible we want an airtight case to be filed against the subjects,” Rariza said, explaining that the team conducting the inventory have so far accounted for about 35 percent of the total haul.

Rariza said they are still gathering more evidence that will implicate several more personalities involved in the recent recovery of a big volume of prohibited marine products. – With Evelyn Macairan

mao rong

June 10th, 2011, 10:29 AM

Kintoy

June 10th, 2011, 10:39 AM

di pwedeng sumali sa spelling bee. tsk tsk

Skyprince

June 10th, 2011, 11:04 AM

icarusrising

June 10th, 2011, 11:09 AM

Intramuros to rise again, government vows (http://interaksyon.com/article/5396/intramuros-to-rise-again-government-vows)
10-Jun-11, 12:00 PM | Mynardo Macaraig, Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines - After enduring wars, earthquakes, fires and poverty-driven neglect, the walled city of Intramuros that makes up the Philippine capital's historic centre may rise again as a tourist attraction.

Government planners see the UNESCO World Heritage listed but famously dilapidated site becoming one of Manila's biggest drawcards, similar to Singapore's Clarke Quay but with the added colour of centuries of history.

"We're going to make this the 'in' place to be," said Intramuros Administration chief Jose Capistrano.

"It will be a living Intramuros with tabernas and tapas," he said, referring to Spanish-style restaurants and their signature finger snacks.

Eventually, the administration hopes to have fireworks displays and light shows projected on the structure's six-metre (20-foot) high walls at night, Capistrano told reporters.

The ambitious project will involve rehabilitating and reconstructing buildings, as well as developing a riverside area called the Maestranza Park into a mall for upmarket restaurants and shops.

But this endeavour will require tens of millions of dollars in investments which the cash-strapped government cannot afford, so it is hoping the private sector will sign up.

Administration officials have been meeting with some of the country's real estate giants to drum up their interest in investing in the project, and Capistrano said their reactions had been very favourable.

"They are interested in the projects. We feel confident that they will be coming in," he told AFP.

Capistrano said that, although a definitive cost estimate for the renovation had not yet been finalised, the potential investors were not intimidated by the large scope of the project.

"No one said it might cost too much. The reaction when we tell them what these projects are has been very good," he said, adding he hoped to start a bidding process by the end of the year.

The 64-hectare Intramuros area, whose name literally means 'within the walls', served as the heart of Manila's political, religious and cultural life from its founding by Spanish colonial rulers in 1571.

Its 4.2-kilometres of walls surrounded most of the government's offices as well as major churches, schools and trading centres during the three centuries the country was under Spanish rule, which ended in 1898.

It was designed with walls, gates and gun emplacements to protect the Spanish residents from the Filipino masses, as well as guard the mouth of Manila's main river, the Pasig.

Chinatown was also famously placed within cannonball distance of Intramuros so the Spanish could fire down on the Chinese traders whenever they became too troublesome.

But Intramuros started falling into decline after the Spanish left, with most of the damage occuring during World War II when US forces shelled Japanese troops hiding inside the walls.

Many historic buildings, including nine of the 10 churches within Intramuros, were destroyed in the war. Some of these derelict structures are still standing, a reminder of the area's lost grandeur.

Over the centuries, earthquakes and fires have also taken their toll.

And while Intramuros's value is in its history, modern pressures have continued to erode its structures.

Parts of Intramuros today include a busy commercial and government district, containing several government offices, four major universities and a variety of businesses.

All of this results in congestion, noise, frequent traffic jams and a chronic lack of parking space.

The area also houses more than 3,000 families of squatters who often can be seen asking tourists for alms while their shanties and graffiti mar the image of the walled city, according to Capistrano.

He said the administration had limited power to evict the squatters. Many of them are on private property and are protected by laws designed to help the urban poor.

Tourism professionals operating in the area look forward to the upgrade but question whether the government can deliver amid the deterioration, overcrowding and squalor that have become common in parts of Intramuros.

"We need restructuring of the buildings, getting rid of the slumdwellers, beautifying the place. There is so much garbage, there are eyesores," said Jose Mananzan, head of the Intramuros Tourism Council.

Nevertheless, even without private investors, the government has taken the first step, spending 150 million pesos ($3.5 million) to turn the ruined shell of a church into a museum housing religious artifacts, Capistrano said.

Portions of the old historic wall in Maestranza that were torn down in the 1900s have also already been reconstructed through a Japanese grant, he said.

This time, instead of housing gunpowder and cannon balls, the wall's vaulted inner chambers will hopefully house cafes and shops.

More restoration work is underway at the Intramuros's garrison of Fort Santiago, where workers trained under a Spanish government grant are pulling down cement walls and replacing them with more authentic adobe and lime.

Under the Spanish programme, two masons from Mexico taught the Filipinos how to mix lime and shape stone to recreate the original look of the building, which will become the new Intramuros visitors' centre.

"We replaced the old timber that had rotted but we are bringing it back to its original look," said the workers' foreman, Jose de Lara.

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 05:38 PM

where's the link to the previous thread?

xxxriainxxx

June 10th, 2011, 05:40 PM

wino

June 10th, 2011, 06:22 PM

pthfndr19

June 10th, 2011, 10:02 PM

Dear Pinoy frens.. I am just about to book flight from Manila to Davao for next month...

I heard that Manila & Northern Half of Philippines is stormy for the whole of July ! But not Davao which is still sunny during that season

But before I proceed.. may I know if Samal Island is really a fantastic place ? Anyone has been there ?? What is Davao/ people in Davao famed for among the Filipinos ( this is not stated in Wikitravel though ) .

^^Davao is a very good place and one of the safest place in the Philippines.

Here are some of the best places you must visit there:
Crocodile Farm –- The only crocodile park in the region provides home to locally bred crocodiles including the country's biggest crocodile named Pangil (or fangs) measuring over 18 feet (5.5 m) in length. On display are also dozens of species of birds and snakes, as well as tigers and great apes. One can take pleasure from viewing, horseback riding around the park, or feeding the young fierce reptiles.
Davao Museum -– Houses artifacts of Davao's indigenous tribes and photographs of the city's historic events and history of its pioneering families. (Insular Village I, Lanang)
Davao Historical Society Museum -– Features the historical and indigenous collections of the Davao Historical Society (Magsaysay Park)
DECA Wakeboard Park -– considered to be the biggest wakeboarding park in the Philippines, offering the best venue for the extreme water sports, the wake-boarding and water-ski. The park also offers you the scenic view of Mt. Apo that boosts your amusement while riding.
Eden Nature Park -- A very popular mountain resort located in Eden, Toril District, some 40 min away from the city center. It is situated 3,000 ft (910 m) above sea level, giving it a cool and moderate climate. It is 95% man made with pine trees dotting the landscape. It covers 40 hectares worth of developed land.
Philippine Eagle Center -- Home to the Philippines National Bird, The Philippine Eagle (previously named Monkey Eating Eagle), the largest eagle in the World. It is where they are bred in captivity in order to increase their population and prevent extinction. Located in Malagos, a 45 min drive from the city center. Aside from being a temporary home for the Monkey Eating Eagle's, it also hosts some other exotic animals native to Davao's forest. As of April, 2010, 18 eagles are on display. Note that if you first visit the Crocodile Farm, you must wait 4 days before entering the Eagle Center to avoid disease transmission.
People's Park -- On December 15, 2007, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte led local officials in opening the P 72-M People's Park (old PTA Ground) in Davao City, which features a mini-forest and large sculptures (many by the same artist from Ponce Suites, located in Bajada at Roads 4 and 3 in Davao City, which you should go see also, as the artwork at the hotel location is also a once in a lifetime experience worth looking at) representing indigenous groups in Southern Mindanao.
River Rafting at Davao River -- An hour ride from downtown area, the starting point is near Tamugan Bridge along the Davao-Bukidnon Highway. With a 13-km stretch of whitewater adventure, the rafting will end near the Lacson-Lamanan Bridge. The trip package can be availed by booking with River One Adventure, 082 305 7624 or with Davao Wildwater Adventure at Crocodile Park.
Camp Sabros Park
Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island.

metrosuburban

June 11th, 2011, 02:29 AM

^^^ i couldnt agree more.. Davao City is not only good.. Its the best place!! Our folks from Davao City thread might be able to treat skyprince.. :)

pthfndr19

June 11th, 2011, 04:01 AM

^^^ i couldnt agree more.. Davao City is not only good.. Its the best place!! Our folks from Davao City thread might be able to treat skyprince.. :)

^^haha.. tomo! :lol:

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

June 11th, 2011, 05:49 AM

12 Most Beautiful Lakes in the World
By Beth Collins

These 12 lakes go to all the right extremes—highest, deepest, clearest—and showcase nature at its most spectacular. Soak up the views from a boat, a cable car, a trailhead, or a castle tower.

Malawi
Lake Malawi

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/malawi.jpg

Home to 1,000 species of fish—estimated to be more than anyplace on earth—Lake Malawi (also called Lake Nyasa) is Africa's third largest lake at 363 miles long and up to about 50 miles wide in spots. Located in a depression 2,300 feet below sea level, it's positioned at the crossroads of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, and supports hundreds of local villages with its rich underwater stock (which is, unfortunately, gradually being depleted due to over-fishing). The lake's southern portion—as well as a bordering nub of wildlife-rich land, Cape Maclear—represents the world's first freshwater national park; it was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A star of the waters here is the mbuna, a native freshwater fish known for eating directly from people's hands. Bring your snorkel gear—as beautiful as the scenery is, the best part about Lake Malawi is what's swimming beneath you in the crystal clear water.
Nearby: Cape Maclear, located within Lake Malawi National Park, is a perfect base for exploring the area.

Alberta, Canada
Peyto Lake

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/peyto.jpg

Alberta's Lake Louise is the famous one, on all the postcards and posters. But Louise's sister lake 29 miles north along Icefields Parkway, a two-laner that winds 142 miles through the Canadian Rockies, is even more picturesque. Thanks to glacial rock flour that flows in when the ice and snow melt every summer, the waters of Banff National Park's Peyto Lake are a brilliant turquoise more often associated with warm-weather paradises like Antigua and Bora-Bora. For the most dramatic views of the 1.7-mile-long stunner, encircled with dense forest and craggy mountain peaks, pull into the lot at Bow Summit, the parkway's highest point, and follow the steep hike to the overlook.
Nearby: The town of Banff, the heart of the park, is 62 miles south of Peyto Lake.

Oregon, USA
Crater Lake

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/craterlake.jpg

Thousands of years ago, the top of a 12,000-foot-high volcano in the Cascade Range exploded. The massive pit left behind became known as Crater Lake, the centerpiece of a national park in southern Oregon that displays nature at its rawest and most powerful. Forests of towering evergreens and 2,000-foot-high cliffs surround the lake, where extraordinarily deep waters—at 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the United States—yield an intense sapphire-blue hue. If winter hiking and cross-country skiing aren't your thing, wait until early July to visit, when the roads have been plowed and the trails cleared. Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake, has picture-perfect views from all sides. For a closer look, follow the mile-long Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shore. Brace yourself before diving in: The water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nearby: The laid-back mountain town of Bend, 112 miles away, makes a nice home base for a Crater Lake day trip.

Philippines
Taal Lake

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/taal.jpg

This dangerous beauty, situated just 37.28 miles south of Manila, has two distinct claims to fame: It is the deepest lake in the Philippines, with a depth of 564 feet. It is also home to one of the world's smallest but most active volcanoes, the Taal Volcano, which sits within its waters on the island of Luzon. The lake itself was formed when a larger volcanic crater here collapsed; now seismologists spend a lot of time monitoring this spot for tremors, and sending out frequent eruption warnings through the country's Department of Tourism. Plenty of tour groups offer trips to the natural wonder—in spite of the fact that it has been declared a permanent danger zone. A safer way to see the volcano is by taking a drive along the Tagaytay-Taal ridge in nearby Tagaytay City.
Nearby: Adjacent Tagaytay City offers some well-priced accommodations, in addition to the best views of the lake.

Guatemala
Lake Atitlán

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/atitlan.jpg

Nearly a mile up in the highlands of Guatemala, Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) rests at the foot of three massive conical volcanoes. Small Mayan villages line its shores, which are set off by steep hills draped with oak and pine trees and nearly 800 plant species. There's no single, must-see view of the lake, so try several vantage points: from up high on Highway 1; from the town of Panajachel, the buzzing market hub that juts out into the water; or aboard a lancha, one of the many small boats that ferry visitors from village to village. We're saddened to note that the lake has built up high levels of blue-green algae over the years (in October and November 2009, a film of green scum began briefly marring its surface; since then there have been ambitious efforts to solve the problem).
Nearby: Panajachel is about 2.5 hours by car from Guatemala City.

Scotland
Loch Lomond

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/lochlomond.jpg

With a backdrop of windswept rolling hills and medieval castles, Loch Lomond feels like it's straight out of a Victorian romance novel. The 24-mile-long lake is dotted with islands, some so small that they disappear when the water levels are high, and others large enough to be (sparsely) inhabited. Most ferries stop at the largest island, Inchmurrin (population 11), so visitors can get a look at the remains of a 7th-century monastery and the 14th century Lennox Castle, used often as a hunting lodge for kings.
Nearby: The lake is 24 miles north of Glasgow and 66 west of Edinburgh.

Italy
Lake Garda

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/garda.jpg

If the shape of Italy is a couture boot, think of the imprint of Lake Garda as a design from the funky sister line—long and skinny at the top, opening up toward the bottom. Garda is the country's largest lake and one of the most popular vacation spots among Italians. The southern shore is home to hot springs, resort towns with pastel villas and terra-cotta-roofed hotels, and most of Garda's 28 miles of serene, pebbly beaches. To the north are the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, a magnet for hikers and bicyclists who want to test their endurance. In Malcesine, an adorable speck of a town with cobblestoned streets and a medieval castle, you can board a cable car up to Mount Baldo for one of the best aerial views of the lake.
Nearby: Lake Garda is about halfway between Milan (89 miles away) and Venice (109 miles away), but to get the full, relaxing effect, stay in one of the south shore's many small towns.

France
Lake Annecy

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/annecy.jpg

This alpine lake in the heart of the French Alps is a looker, but don't expect to spend your visit gazing over the water in quiet reflection. Lake Annecy is all about activity—particularly in August, when Paris shuts down and the French take extended holidays. Sailors, kayakers, and water-skiers crisscross the water; bikers and hikers hit surrounding nature trails; and refugees from the city fill the outdoor tables at the lakeside restaurants and bars. Repeat visitors know to plan their trip for the first Saturday of August, when a staggering, nearly two-hour-long fireworks display illuminates the water.
Nearby: The closest major city is Geneva, 30 miles north, in Switzerland, but most people stay right on the lake.

Croatia
Plitvice Lakes

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/plitvice.jpg

These 16 blue-green lakes, hidden by thick vegetation and connected by hundreds of waterfalls, could be the set for the next Jurassic Park. For adventure as well as killer views, start at one of the lower lakes and work your way up following the sturdy wooden planks that turn what could be a treacherous trek into a fun hike. Take a detour along the 10-minute loop that leads to the region's tallest fall, 230-foot-high Veliki Slap ("Big Waterfall"), a breadth of streaming white water that collects in turquoise pools. While hiking, keep your eyes peeled for deer, wildcats, boars, wolves, and bears—a more likely sighting than a T. rex.
Nearby: There are four hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park, but most people drive in for the day from Zagreb, about 2 hours by car.

Kenya
Lake Nakuru

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/nakuru.jpg

The water is blue enough, and the backdrop—grasslands and rocky hillsides—has the makings of a nice photo, but neither is what sets this lake in central Kenya apart. The real draw here is the mass of pink on Nakuru's edges. Flamingos are one of the few species that can withstand the lake's hostile conditions—the water has so much sodium carbonate that it burns nearly everything that touches it —and they flock to the lake en masse. There can be as many as a million birds feeding on algae in the shallows at one time, wading side by side.
Nearby: The lake is in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for black-and-white rhinos, three hours by car from Nairobi.

New Zealand
Lake Matheson

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/matheson.jpg

Alternately known as Mirror Lake, this South Island lake is famous for its reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Visiting just after dawn is ideal, when the water is at its calmest and mirror images are impossibly perfect. The lake itself is well worth exploring, too. Park near the Clearwater River suspension bridge and follow the 1-mile loop past kahikatea and rimu trees, which have extra-tall trunks and fanciful bushy tops and look like something from a Dr. Seuss book.
Nearby: Fox Glacier township, a village that serves as a base camp for trekkers, is three miles east of the lake.

Slovenia
Lake Bled

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/tr/lakes/bled.jpg

Why not get to the good stuff right away? To take in this Slovenian lake's most breathtaking vista, head immediately to Bled Castle, at the edge of a sheer, 460-foot-high cliff. You'll see mountains in every direction—the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range—and below, the Alpine lake and its main attraction, Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that's home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption and its prominent baroque clock tower. Down on the lake's shore, board a pletna boat (similar to a gondola) to the island. Be sure to ring the church bell and make a wish before returning to the mainland. Mountains shield the water from icy northern winds, so Lake Bled is warm, relatively speaking (79 degrees Fahrenheit). If that's still too chilly, head to the lake's northern section, where three hotels have built pools around natural thermal springs.
Nearby: The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana is an easy 35 miles away.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40253002

r0mm3l

June 11th, 2011, 07:27 AM

Skyprince

June 11th, 2011, 07:55 PM

dear Davao frens, so sorry, within just 24 hours the airfares of Zest Air from Manila to Davao & back has shot up double . So I must leave this plan. :(

Let me tell u... I just booked flights to Cebu ! Philippine Airlines offers 70% discount wow ! So see you Cebu on July 16th ! :)

pthfndr19

June 11th, 2011, 08:16 PM

^^since you will be in Cebu.. you can just hop to Bohol.:cheers::)

Skyprince

June 11th, 2011, 08:51 PM

wino

June 11th, 2011, 08:59 PM

^^ just spend your 2 days in Mactan and Cebu city. that will be worth your time already :D IMO

Skyprince

June 11th, 2011, 09:04 PM

^^ After Cebu I have 1 more day in Manila... so may visit Taal Lake.. ( I know Manila rains like crazy in July )

wino

June 12th, 2011, 02:17 AM

^^ Awesome! I wish I was there, i could personally tour you. :)

donut_bai

June 12th, 2011, 02:43 PM

bakasaurus

June 13th, 2011, 05:33 AM

^^ Hmm lets see.. I have only 2 days in Cebu. I plan to go snorkelling in Hilutungan/Nalusuan and if I have time on 2nd day, maybe Ill head to Bohol.

Bantayan & Malapascua are too far from Mactan ! I don't think I will head there !! They should build another airport in northern or southernmost Cebu to facilitate tourists , because I think best island paradise in Cebu are located in the northernmost & southernmost tip of Cebu Island ! :cheers:

Bai (Cebuano street language for "friend"), have you had your queries answered by the guys over at SSC-Cebu thread? You should definitely meet them. They'd be glad to show you around.

What's your ETA at Mactan Airport?
It's not the best, but definitely Hilutungan/Nalusuan snorkelling is interesting enough and very accessible. For the rest of your 1st day after your island hopping, you can meet up with SSC Cebu forumers and they can show you around the city and the places at night. They may even accompany you on your island hopping if they're available.

The following day, you can head out early to Bohol and do a countryside tour and spend a night there or come back to Cebu at the end of the day from Tubigon Port (Starcraft Ferry takes only an hour). You can rough it up with a motorbike (for a much cheaper rate if you're alone) or a car/van (Van 14-seater is around 3,500 for the whole day including the driver/guide).

It's a pity though because I think you would have enjoyed Bantayan Island knowing that you are a self-proclaimed "beach" person, who likes to observe locals and soak in the culture. Bantayan would have been perfect for you.

Hope you enjoy though!:cheers:

One more thing: Are you staying at ShangriLa for this trip?

davaob4now

June 13th, 2011, 05:35 PM

Poor intl connectivity, weak airports hinder PHL tourism growth–WB
Sunday, 12 June 2011 19:55 Cai U. Ordinario / Reporter .
THE country’s poor international connectivity and weak international airports were identified by the World Bank as the main constraints preventing the country from reaching its full potential as a main tourism destination in the region.

In a presentation, World Bank Philippines senior economist Eric Le Borgne said while the country has a comparative advantage in tourism, with various tourist destinations, affordability and the wide use of the English language across the country, its full potential has not been realized. 

“What we know about tourism in the Philippines is that not all its comparative advantage is realized. The number of visitors has been growing very fast as we can see, but actually represents a small share of what we see in the region. The Philippines has been lagging behind,” Le Borgne said. 

Le Borgne said there are many constraints to tourism in the Philippines but the main constraint is its poor connectivity to international destinations, like Europe and Russia. Currently, only Dutch airline KLM is offering direct flights to and from Europe. 

He added that “Russia is underserved,” since there are currently no direct flights to and from that country, from and to Manila or any of its secondary destinations, like Cebu or Davao. 

Another main constraint, Le Borgne said, is the country’s weak international airports. Last year’s downgrade of the quality of Philippine airports, he said, may have also affected recent tourist arrivals. 

Tourism Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz admitted that in terms of some airports, the country is already operating over and above its full capacity. This presents a daunting challenge in the near term due to the recent announcement of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to acquire new equipment.

Corpuz disclosed that Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is already operating at 162-percent capacity, exceeding its utilization rate. Terminal 2, more commonly known as the Centennial Airport utilized solely by Philippine Airlines, is already operating at 119-percent capacity. 

Secondary destinations, such as the Cebu and Davao international airports, are already operating at 141 percent and 133 percent, respectively. Naia Terminal 3, on the other hand, is operating at only 62 percent of its capacity. 

“The average growth rate in terms of visible arrivals is 9 percent. We are rebounding strongly when we posted a 17-percent increase in 2009 [from estimates of 3.14 million in 2008]. However, we are partly lagging behind our friendly Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] competitors. Malaysia in 2009 was the benchmark, having 29 million visitors; Thailand with over 14 [million]; Singapore more than 7 [million]; Indonesia 6 [million]; and then Vietnam overtook us with 3.9 [million],” Corpuz explained. 

However, Corpuz gave assurance that the government is already implementing various projects and programs to improve the situation. He said the government is already tapping the private sector’s help in developing airports. 

Corpuz said the construction of the Panglao airport and the Daraga airport will be done through the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. The government will also submit the privatization of the Languindingan airport for PPP. 

He said the Department of Transportation has met with the Department of Public Works and Highways to set aside some $6 billion to improve road networks in specific destinations, like service roads in Boracay and the circumferential road in Bohol and Panglao
---------------------------------------------------------------------

clearly there is a need for expansion sa mga airports ng pinas.

wino

June 13th, 2011, 06:08 PM

NAIA Terminal 1-- 162% Capacity.
NAIA Terminal 2-- 119% capacity
Cebu -- 141%
Davao -- 133 %
NAIA Terminal 3 -- 62%

OMG.. no wonder T1 is a mess.. it's like the airport is being raped.

TambayBlues

June 13th, 2011, 10:41 PM

wino

June 13th, 2011, 10:43 PM

^^ That is the ideal.. but most if not all of this "dream bridges" are not economically viable.

s_w_stars

June 14th, 2011, 04:02 AM

I've been reading the travel website Travelblog.org and it seems that foreigners visiting our country would rather not take airplanes and ships to visit different islands. I wonder why the government doesn't interconnect at least our major islands with bridges and/or rail networks instead airports.

They can also charge toll rates to cross the bridges in case they invite a private partners to finance these projects. It's also a speedier mode of moving goods compared to the RORO system. And to top it off you don't have to comply with so many air safety regulations that more often than not only serves to jack up the cost of operating and maintaining airports.

I don't think it is the lack of roads but the lack of transport. Riding public provincial buses is a crap shoot. Unfortunately, the country is an archipelago, so there has to be a combination of ground, sea and air. It would be nice to have railroad lines through Luzon, revive the ones in Panay and Cebu, and create the one for Mindanao. Properly regulating the transportation industry might be a good start.

juniordiscovery

June 14th, 2011, 05:37 AM

Hi Guys!

I've been to underground river last June 12 and I could say that the place is deserving to be included in the new 7 wonders of nature.

Please support Puerto Princesa Underground River to be included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

http://www.new7wonders.com/archives/wonder/puerto-princesa-underground-river

http://d30mmglg94tqnw.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/puerto-princessa1.jpg

For text voting

text:PPUR
send to: 2861 All Networks

Thank you!

Mercato

June 14th, 2011, 06:09 AM

All pictures are from Nat Geo. I omitted their Manila photo because it depicted a not so flattering view of the city, nothing like the shots I'd seen at SSC. Hilig hilig kasi sa haves & have nots tong ibang writers ng Nat Geo e. Witness the last pic on Banaue, may pa punditry effect pa about rice imports.

But on the brighter side, :lol: I just love beach pictures and sea photos. Coz it shows that Blue is always above the Green :lol: goodness, nature never intended it to be the other way around. :D Diyan sa 2nd pic on Palawan, hindi nga pure green pero daming halong blue kaya naging cyan. :D

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/philippines-photos/#/sinulog-festival_12082_600x450.jpg

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSy2eqlfSAoPiOL3onpIYih71k3w1c9YE-UbD7NK850j5EFX456Fg

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/sinulog-festival_12082_600x450.jpg

Sinulog Festival

Photograph by Harel Gur, My Shot

A tropical archipelago of more than 7,000 islands splashed between China and Indonesia, the Philippines is known as one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hot spots, hosting endemic plants and animals and coral reefs teeming with life. With a history of colonization by Spain and the United States, the heavily Roman Catholic nation has retained a unique blend of cultures and traditions.

On Cebu Island, bright colors and ritual dances distinguish the popular Sinulog festival, a celebration of the child Jesus, patron of Cebu City.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/palawan-islands_12086_600x450.jpg

Palawan Islands

Photograph by Per-Andre Hoffmann, Aurora

Glassy water and coral reefs surround Palawan, the westernmost province of the Philippine Islands. Called one of the last unspoiled frontiers in the nation, Palawan shelters a multitude of endangered endemic animals, including the glorious Palawan peacock pheasant.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/calle-crisologo_12080_600x450.jpg

Calle Crisologo, Vigan

Photograph by Laurie Noble/Getty Images

Streetlamps illuminate historic Calle Crisologo in the 16th-century town of Vigan. Located in the province of Ilocos Sur, Vigan’s well-preserved mix of Spanish colonial planning and Asian architectural influences earned it a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1999.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/rice-terraces_12081_600x450.jpg

Banaue Rice Terraces

Photograph by Jerry Alexander, Getty Images

Productive for centuries, the irrigated rice terraces of Banaue are still harvested by hand. The Banaue terraces are part of the rice terraces of the Philippine cordilleras, some 2,000 to 6,000 years old and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/christmas-tree-worm_12087_600x450.jpg

Christmas Tree Worms

Photograph by Craig Starger, My Shot

More than 500 coral species and 34 kinds of endemic fish—not to mention this Christmas tree worm—thrive on pristine Philippine reefs, "rain forests of the sea." The Philippines is often called the hottest of biodiversity hotspots, with the loss of many species all but inevitable.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/mambukal-mudpack-festival_12084_600x450.jpg

Mambukal Mudpack Festival

Photograph by Alfonso Lizares, My Shot

Held at the height of monsoon season, the Mambukal Mudpack Festival in Murcia, Negros Occidental, celebrates the harmony of man and nature and encourages environmentalism among young people. To get in the spirit, participants cover themselves with the rich soil known as Mambukal clay.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/fountain-of-wisdom_12083_600x450.jpg

University of Santo Tomas, Manila

Photograph by Pidolpis, Flickr

Located on the campus of the historic University of Santo Tomas—a large Catholic institution in Manila—the Fountain of Wisdom depicts a woman holding a globe, while the statue on the nearby Fountain of Knowledge holds a book.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/sprouting-coconut_12088_600x450.jpg

Coconut, Palawan

Photograph by Tim Laman

A coconut sprouts on a beach in Palawan. The Philippine Islands are incubators of life, soaked by both southwest and northeast monsoons, wind-whipped by as many as 33 typhoons each year, and beset by earthquakes and at least 17 active volcanoes.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/120/cache/rice-harvesting-banaue_12085_600x450.jpg

Rice Harvesting, Banaue

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Continuing a 2,000-year-old tradition, women harvest rice by hand on the Banaue terraces. Even record harvests haven't been able to support the nation's 90 million people, forcing it to become the leading rice importer.

noli-kun

June 14th, 2011, 06:40 AM

^^As usual, splendid pictures from NatGeo! I hope more unknown and underrated tourist sites and destinations in the country join the league of these mainstream field players. :okay:

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 06:47 AM

Beautiful photos! Walang ganyan sa China. :D

Manila-X

June 14th, 2011, 06:53 AM

You people really hate China huh?

amigo32

June 14th, 2011, 07:05 AM

I hate China because it's getting uglier. Prefers bullying neighboring countries.

Manila-X

June 14th, 2011, 07:15 AM

The Spratlys issue has been going on for decades. It heats up then it cools down.

In the end, The Philippines is better off trading with The Mainland than confronting even if its a word war.

dancethingy

June 14th, 2011, 07:17 AM

Manila-X

June 14th, 2011, 07:21 AM

^^ But lots of Filipino-Chinese in the country, in fact the connection between both runs as thick as blood.

Diplomacy should triumph over hate. We must refrain from ad-hominem attacks. The only thing that disappoints me is that China is using its obvious might to intimidate lesser powerful neighbors. A country with such tremendous power, yet vulnerable I may add, should exercise greater restraint in dealing with its neighbors.

There are Chinese is almost every part of South East Asia. The relation with Filipino Malays and Filipino Chinese is either tense or relaxed and this is also the case in other ASEAN countries.

In fact the relation between Chinese and its native got hit hard in Indonesia especially during The Jakarta riots of 1998.

Mercato

June 14th, 2011, 07:46 AM

alright, alright already, I'm just ventin out my frustration at bein the only filipino who hasnt gone to Boracay yet. :cry: pero okay lang, sana paglaki ko makikita ko rin to. :D First 10 pics were picked out randomly but the 11th is from Travel and Leisure Mag.

http://www.suplado.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/shangri-la_boracay.jpg

http://images.hotels-world.com/2//org/319/hotelPhoto/7684_Shangri_la_s_Boracay_Resort_and_Spa.jpg

http://bestboracayhotels.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/5.jpg

http://www.concierge.com/images/destinations/hotels/asia/philippines/boracay/shangrilaboracayresortandspa/shangrilaboracayresortspa_001p.jpg

http://www.shangri-la.com/uploadedImages/property/Boracay/slbo.jpg

http://static.laterooms.com/hotelphotos/laterooms/175390/gallery/shangri-la-s-boracay-resort-spa-boracay_110120100545084247.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3503962024_589fa7c262.jpg

http://hotel.priceline.com.hk/img_server/hotel_property/70001076_p_1.jpg

http://www.theweekendtraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/boracay-shangri-la-boracay-resort-193529.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/4053366024_d2b2324914.jpg

http://static3.travelandleisure.com/images/amexpub/0011/9767/201006-it-list-shangri-la-boracay.jpg

Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa, Boracay, Philippines

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-new-hotels-2010/35

A longtime backpacker haven 200 miles south of Manila, Boracay finally has a five-star property worthy of its white-sand coastline. Situated in a sheltered cove alongside two private beaches, the 219 rooms and villas are decorated with indigenous touches (woven abaca rugs; capiz shells). Four hillside restaurants and the cliff-top Solana bar have panoramic views of the azure Sulu Sea. But for an especially memorable stay, you’ll want to snag the vertiginous Tree Top Villa, which has a whirlpool and some of the resort’s best vistas. Doubles from $428.

Yre

June 14th, 2011, 07:46 AM

The Spratlys issue has been going on for decades. It heats up then it cools down.

In the end, The Philippines is better off trading with The Mainland than confronting even if its a word war.

I just found out our trade with The Mainland is so very one sided. For the last couple of years, we received ZERO direct investment from our chinese "friends". But fil-chinese has invested a lot in China.

Baliktad yata parang mas nakikinabang pa sa atin ang China...:bash:

Kintoy

June 14th, 2011, 09:33 AM

xxxrianxxx, somebody in NAIA thread said that Ho Chi Min's terminal is better than T3. is it true?

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 10:08 AM

You people really hate China huh?

We're sick of being treated like a doormat.

Friends dont bully weaker friends. Or steal from them.

xxxrianxxx, somebody in NAIA thread said that Ho Chi Min's terminal is better than T3. is it true?

LOL.

Teka, natatawa ako. Let's say, if I can help it, I would never transit there again. It's one big palengke, people spit inside the domestic terminal, no air conditioning. Our cats were hyperventilating from the extreme heat. And yeah. For 5J flights coming from Manila which arrive around midnight, and if you are transiting to Hanoi, you will have to spend your night outside the terminal because it's closed until the morning. No food, no nothing. I took the PR flight going there.

All our expat friends who transit there, hated it.

:lol::lol::lol:

Yre

June 14th, 2011, 10:16 AM

We're sick of being treated like a doormat.

Friends dont bully weaker friends. Or steal from them.

LOL.

Teka, natatawa ako. Let's say, if I can help it, I would never transit there again. It's one big palengke, people spit inside the domestic terminal, no air conditioning. Our cats were hyperventilating from the extreme heat. And yeah. For 5J flights coming from Manila which arrive around midnight, and if you are transiting to Hanoi, you will have to spend your night outside the terminal because it's closed until the morning. No food, no nothing. I took the PR flight going there.

All our expat friends who transit there, hated it.

:lol::lol::lol:

Eewwww...sagwa naman niyan :bash:

Pero diba domestic terminal ng NAIA ganun din closed pagka gabi?

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 10:23 AM

Eewwww...sagwa naman niyan :bash:

Pero diba domestic terminal ng NAIA ganun din closed pagka gabi?

Maski closed ang domestic ng NAIA, maraming pwedeng kainan sa labas... unlike yung sa HCMC.

Nashock talaga ako, the floor was dirty and ang init.. and then may biglang naghack and then he spat..Culture shock kagad ako. Also, the queues are so long and people push, as in push talaga, hindi marunong luminya.

Manila-X

June 14th, 2011, 10:29 AM

I just found out our trade with The Mainland is so very one sided. For the last couple of years, we received ZERO direct investment from our chinese "friends". But fil-chinese has invested a lot in China.

Baliktad yata parang mas nakikinabang pa sa atin ang China...:bash:

The question here is what kind of investment that would come from China that will benefit The Philippines.

For now, I've seen their car Chery being sold in your country.

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 10:31 AM

The question here is what kind of investment that would come from China that will benefit The Philippines.

For now, I've seen their car Chery being sold in your country.

Ahh that Jejecar.

Only thing I can see benefiting the Philippines is tourism. 'Investments' in infra do not come without strings attached.

Manila-X

June 14th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Ahh that Jejecar.

Only thing I can see benefiting the Philippines is tourism. 'Investments' in infra do not come without strings attached.

Good thing though is The Philippines is getting a good share of tourists coming in from The Mainland or even HK. At they are now coming, ignoring the travel ban.

As for Chery, they are mostly bought by multinational companies such as Coca Cola and are used as a service vehicle for their sales staff. At least in The Philippines.

Kintoy

June 14th, 2011, 10:45 AM

most of them are spies

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 10:45 AM

Good thing though is The Philippines is getting a good share of tourists coming in from The Mainland or even HK. At they are now coming, ignoring the travel ban.

As for Chery, they are mostly bought by multinational companies such as Coca Cola and are used as a service vehicle for their sales staff. At least in The Philippines.

Yeah, Chinese tourists usually ignore travel alerts. No wonder, even Kalibo have direct flights to Shanghai, and apparently Beijing soon too.

Kintoy

June 14th, 2011, 10:46 AM

LOL.

Teka, natatawa ako. Let's say, if I can help it, I would never transit there again. It's one big palengke, people spit inside the domestic terminal, no air conditioning. Our cats were hyperventilating from the extreme heat. And yeah. For 5J flights coming from Manila which arrive around midnight, and if you are transiting to Hanoi, you will have to spend your night outside the terminal because it's closed until the morning. No food, no nothing. I took the PR flight going there.

All our expat friends who transit there, hated it.

:lol::lol::lol:

sagutin mo nga sa NAIA thread, pls. :lol:

Saddhim

June 14th, 2011, 11:06 AM

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 11:11 AM

sagutin mo nga sa NAIA thread, pls. :lol:

Done! :lol::lol:

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 11:15 AM

Hindi naman ganun na experience ko. I've been in and out of HCMC in the last 2 years and so far ok naman ang naging experience ko sa airport nila. Or may be I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings everytime na pumapasok ako ng airport nila. Comparing the cleanliness of T3 and HCMC International Airport, sa tingin ko malinis pa rin ang T3 pero hindi naman ganun ka dumi ang sa HCMC. Anyway, siguro next time mag oobserve na ako. hehehe!

Hindi mo ba napansin pag labas mo ng international terminal parang palengke? :lol: And then you have to walk to the domestic terminal kasi hindi sya interconnected. Walang transit area. I got there around 11am.. And while waiting for check in for the Hanoi flight, we waited inside, the floor was dirty and people spit.

Other friends who werent so lucky, took 5J, and they have to wait outside the terminal for several hours, kasi nagsasara yan. I heard they moved the flights of PR to afternoon na, so you will be forced to stay overnight in HCMC. That's why next na uwi ko dyan, I will fly via HK - KA/CX.

Saddhim

June 14th, 2011, 11:35 AM

Oh well, iba na talaga ang usapan pag labas mo ng terminal :lol::lol::lol:

I still love HCMC though. I dunno why....:)

xxxriainxxx

June 14th, 2011, 11:46 AM

Oh well, iba na talaga ang usapan pag labas mo ng terminal :lol::lol::lol:

I still love HCMC though. I dunno why....:)

spitting inside terminals lol. the outside is palengke, the inside is parang palengke din. :lol:

Kintoy

June 14th, 2011, 02:33 PM

Done! :lol::lol:

+1

mao rong

June 14th, 2011, 07:04 PM

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224996_1841218201673_1577112731_31769632_5015364_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222430_1841202641284_1577112731_31769571_2850773_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3769/122/17/1577112731/n1577112731_30220340_1682646.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1841202801288&set=a.1097845897830.2015407.1577112731&type=1&theater

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217112_1841202481280_1577112731_31769569_6360634_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8324_101851503166926_100000262314690_47242_6734105_n.jpg

wino

June 14th, 2011, 11:16 PM

bakit may katabing piso ang starfishes?? :D LOL

amigo32

June 15th, 2011, 12:49 AM

nagpalimos?:D

mao rong

June 15th, 2011, 04:03 AM

^^trip lang...:D

xxxriainxxx

June 15th, 2011, 04:35 AM

^^trip lang...:D

I hope binalik mo sa tubig ang starfishes.

mao rong

June 15th, 2011, 04:51 AM

^^i did...wala pang 1 minute...:)

Sleepwalker

June 15th, 2011, 05:25 AM

I hope binalik mo sa tubig ang starfishes.

@riain, what will happen to those confiscated corals? Di na ba pwede'ng ibalik sa dagat? I mean, I know, patay na yon, pero baka, makatulong pa rin, especially as shelters sa mga maliliit na isda.

Bosnyboy

June 15th, 2011, 05:30 AM

I just found out our trade with The Mainland is so very one sided. For the last couple of years, we received ZERO direct investment from our chinese "friends". But fil-chinese has invested a lot in China.

Baliktad yata parang mas nakikinabang pa sa atin ang China...:bash:

Magulo kasi kausap ang gobyerno natin. Hindi sumusunod sa usapan. Even thieves follow a certain code or principle. Mga basalubas kasi. Anyway meron din namang investment ang china sa atin but course through the private sector. Meron silang investment sa mining, mfg and agriculture.

Bosnyboy

June 15th, 2011, 05:33 AM

The question here is what kind of investment that would come from China that will benefit The Philippines.

For now, I've seen their car Chery being sold in your country.

Chery is setting up a mfg facility in cebu. Jac trucks are assembled here in the phils too. Funny coz back in the 90's people would smuggle motorcycle into china but now china has their own motorcycle brands, car brands, appliances and we still have none.

xxxriainxxx

June 15th, 2011, 05:44 AM

@riain, what will happen to those confiscated corals? Di na ba pwede'ng ibalik sa dagat? I mean, I know, patay na yon, pero baka, makatulong pa rin, especially as shelters sa mga maliliit na isda.

The thing is, those corals will stand as evidence. Btw, umeskapo na ang mag asawang Chinoy papuntang China kahit may hold departure order. Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong.

There's a coral planting program with different diving groups. That's what we have been pushing kaya lang itong WWF PHL, gusto clam restoration.

^^i did...wala pang 1 minute...:)

Okay. Just checking. :)

Manila-X

June 15th, 2011, 05:52 AM

Chery is setting up a mfg facility in cebu. Jac trucks are assembled here in the phils too. Funny coz back in the 90's people would smuggle motorcycle into china but now china has their own motorcycle brands, car brands, appliances and we still have none.

The Philippines has Sarao :D

I'm sure The Philippines manufacture its own appliances like Standard.

http://www.designparticle.co.cc/images/big/big-standard.jpg

xxxriainxxx

June 15th, 2011, 05:57 AM

^^ In fairness okay ang Standard electric fan. :D

mao rong

June 15th, 2011, 06:17 AM

The thing is, those corals will stand as evidence. Btw, umeskapo na ang mag asawang Chinoy papuntang China kahit may hold departure order. Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong.

There's a coral planting program with different diving groups. That's what we have been pushing kaya lang itong WWF PHL, gusto clam restoration.

Okay. Just checking. :)

^^no need to worry...:)

Manila-X

June 15th, 2011, 06:17 AM

Chery is setting up a mfg facility in cebu. Jac trucks are assembled here in the phils too. Funny coz back in the 90's people would smuggle motorcycle into china but now china has their own motorcycle brands, car brands, appliances and we still have none.

Its not just motorcycles but also Mercedes Benz. And there does the smuggling happen, In HK's territorial waters.

xxxriainxxx

June 15th, 2011, 06:24 AM

^^no need to worry...:)

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

amigo32

June 15th, 2011, 06:30 AM

The Philippines has Sarao :D

I'm sure The Philippines manufacture its own appliances like Standard.

http://www.designparticle.co.cc/images/big/big-standard.jpg

pero China na rin ang planta ng standard:ohno:

at sabi ng mga nakakabili ng produkto, mukhang substandard:lol: na sya ngayon:rofl:

Manila-X

June 15th, 2011, 06:38 AM

pero China na rin ang planta ng standard:ohno:

at sabi ng mga nakakabili ng produkto, mukhang substandard:lol: na sya ngayon:rofl:

But again, its a Philippine company.

Parchie

June 16th, 2011, 07:32 PM

bakit may katabing piso ang starfishes?? :D LOL

Size comparison?

mao rong

June 16th, 2011, 07:45 PM

^^yes...:okay:

mao rong

June 16th, 2011, 07:49 PM

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/155624_476358236008_249388896008_5709822_4200555_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/76675_476359851008_249388896008_5709853_253860_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/76696_476626076008_249388896008_5713355_3164359_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/154170_476626221008_249388896008_5713360_3736238_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/154603_476627626008_249388896008_5713409_7161975_n.jpg

shanswizard

June 16th, 2011, 10:51 PM

Juan Pilgrim

June 16th, 2011, 11:01 PM

^^Nice!

Is this really in the Philippines?
Where are the basura and the slum colonies by the river bank?

:horse:

amigo32

June 16th, 2011, 11:46 PM

^^Nice!

Is this really in the Philippines?
Where are the basura and the slum colonies by the river bank?

:horse:

tanong mo kay ex-filino jbkraker:lol:

mao rong

June 17th, 2011, 01:44 AM

Samar is lovely...:)

xxxriainxxx

June 17th, 2011, 04:26 AM

^^Nice!

Is this really in the Philippines?
Where are the basura and the slum colonies by the river bank?

:horse:

Maraming lugar sa Pilipinas na malinis at walang basura.

hakz2007

June 17th, 2011, 06:58 AM

Nueva Ecija builds P100-M water tourism park
PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, June 16 (PNA) - The provincial government is constructing a P100-million tourism park and watersports complex here aimed at converting the province into a sports-adventure zone and tourist mecca in the country.

Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali said the tourism project focuses on the development of the Aulo Dam irrigation project as the nerve center of water sports activities, taking a cue from the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC).

The development of the 27-meter high Aulo Dam, which irrigates 810 hectares, will be undertaken by the provincial government through a P100-million loan package in collaboration with the Department of National Defense, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Irrigation Administration.

“This development of the Aulo Dam is very much like CamSur (Camarines Sur) except that what we are developing is a dam, unlike CamSur which developed a man-made lake,” Umali said.

He said the provincial government has hired CamSur Governor Luis Raymond “LRay” Villafuerte as consultant in developing the tourism park and sports complex.

Umali, together with Vice Governor Jose Gay Padiernos and other local officials in the province, recently visited CamSur and were awed by its success story in tourism which propelled it into greater economic heights.

He said prior to the establishment of its Camsur Watersports Complex, Camarines Sur was ranked as the 39th poorest province in the country but has since emerged as the 10th richest province.

The CWC is a world-class six-hectare complex with a six-point cable ski system for cable skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, water skiing and wake skating. It is now widely known as the best cable park in Asia.

Across the road from the CWC is the Lago del Rey family entertainment and water sports facility where a giant man-made lake features water slides, an aqua obstacle course and boat-towed wakeboarding and skiing. Families can go swimming, kayaking, dragon boating, aqua wall climbing or play water volleyball and water polo.

Tourists and water sports enthusiasts from around the world have flocked to seek out adventures in CamSur, which will host the 22nd Philippine Advertising Congress in November.

It has hosted several high-profile events, including the annual Summit Water CamSur Marathon and the Ultimate Wake Championship, two of the country’s most important sporting events which include athletes from as far as the United States, Europe, South Africa and from all over Asia.

Umali said in the case of the Aulo Development Park, it will feature a zipline, zafari and zoo and offer activities for wakeboarding, motorbike, mountain trail and camp site.

“Nueva Ecija is the next big thing to Metro Manila and we will capitalize on our water resources to breathe life to tourism because water is life,” he said.

He said the provincial government’s tourism enterprise will be eco-friendly with only e-vehicles allowed to come inside the facility. http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=6&rid=353102

manila_eye

June 17th, 2011, 09:36 AM

^^ We already have that in Camsur, Davao and Batangas. Seems like everyone wants to build the same facility. Is this good or bad? :dunno:

amigo32

June 17th, 2011, 09:38 AM

^^ We already have that in Camsur, Davao and Batangas. Seems like everyone wants to build the same facility. Is this good or bad? :dunno:

good pa rin, para magpagandahan sila:D ang pangit lalangawin:D sa dami ba ng tao sa Pinas, kikita pa rin yan kahit local lang ang pupunta.
nabalitaan ko, pumangit na raw ang sa Camsur:D sana matauhan sila, na may iba pang ganun sa Pinas at ayusin nila magtrabaho:D

mao rong

June 17th, 2011, 09:40 AM

^^if they're very near each other then that's bad...if it's the only available facility in the region then good...:D

Kintoy

June 17th, 2011, 11:31 AM

nakakalat si cab driver sa Manila Wow thread...

xxxriainxxx

June 17th, 2011, 11:52 AM

nakakalat si cab driver sa Manila Wow thread...

Wala kasi tayo dun kaya dun nagkakalat. May sayad yata sa utak ang mamang yan. :ohno:

manila_eye

June 17th, 2011, 12:06 PM

good pa rin, para magpagandahan sila:D ang pangit lalangawin:D sa dami ba ng tao sa Pinas, kikita pa rin yan kahit local lang ang pupunta.
nabalitaan ko, pumangit na raw ang sa Camsur:D sana matauhan sila, na may iba pang ganun sa Pinas at ayusin nila magtrabaho:D

yup ang daming angal ngayon sa CWCC. yung mga banyo daw barado tapos may mga ipis. kung ako kay sa management private entity na dapat ang humawak.

^^if they're very near each other then that's bad...if it's the only available facility in the region then good...:D

you're correct but knowing the pinoys, if it sells everyone will be selling it.

reyvil888

June 17th, 2011, 02:30 PM

Wala kasi tayo dun kaya dun nagkakalat. May sayad yata sa utak ang mamang yan. :ohno:

Oo nga. Todo promote yun mga kabayan natin sa pag post ng mga photos don si Kayaker nman puro paninira pinagsasabi sa Pnas at sa mga Pnoy.Nasabihan tuloy cya ng isang pnoy don na isang Gay Impersonator work nya sa Vegas. Palagay ko nga me sayad yan. :lol:

xxxriainxxx

June 17th, 2011, 03:04 PM

yup ang daming angal ngayon sa CWCC. yung mga banyo daw barado tapos may mga ipis. kung ako kay sa management private entity na dapat ang humawak.

you're correct but knowing the pinoys, if it sells everyone will be selling it.

Uy, tama yan, dun sa barangay namin, may isang magtayo ng tindahan ng ginat-an, biglang nagsulputan din ang iba at magtatayo din ng ginat-an. OT, hindi ko malilimutan na may naglanding na bato sa ginat-an ko. Bad trip. Ilang taon ko rin ito kinimkim. HEHEHE.

Oo nga. Todo promote yun mga kabayan natin sa pag post ng mga photos don si Kayaker nman puro paninira pinagsasabi sa Pnas at sa mga Pnoy.Nasabihan tuloy cya ng isang pnoy don na isang Gay Impersonator work nya sa Vegas. Palagay ko nga me sayad yan. :lol:

Ewan ko ba, either utak talangka, may sayad yan or baka isang baklitang KSP (marami nyan dito, yung mga tipong hindi mo naman kinakausap tapos biglang mang-aatake :lol::lol::lol::lol:).

Ph Man

June 17th, 2011, 03:04 PM

[CENTER]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/155624_476358236008_249388896008_5709822_4200555_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/76696_476626076008_249388896008_5713355_3164359_n.jpg

:okay: looks like Samar has a lot to offer, and not everybody is aware. Anything nature is good to see. I should include Samar in my "should visit" list. :)

Thanks for sharing...

Skyprince

June 17th, 2011, 05:32 PM

Oh sorry for the delay , I've been very busy with my Shangri-la job.

Mactan Island is mostly rocky and the white sand paradise you are looking for are inside high-end resorts. It would be better if you ask some tips from SSC Cebu and point you to some backpacker type adventure there.
If Bantayan & Malapascua is too far for you, I suggest Camotes island. It takes you just half the time getting there than Bantayan. The beaches are relatively untouched and much cheaper. Perfect for backpackers.

Hmm Camotes sounds very nice too.. What do you think about a day trip ? Ill arrive Cebu airport at 8 am.. so maybe I'll reach Camotes around 12 noon.. Are snorkelling spots within easy reach from the pier in Camotes ?

Bai (Cebuano street language for "friend"), have you had your queries answered by the guys over at SSC-Cebu thread? You should definitely meet them. They'd be glad to show you around.

What's your ETA at Mactan Airport?
It's not the best, but definitely Hilutungan/Nalusuan snorkelling is interesting enough and very accessible. For the rest of your 1st day after your island hopping, you can meet up with SSC Cebu forumers and they can show you around the city and the places at night. They may even accompany you on your island hopping if they're available.

The following day, you can head out early to Bohol and do a countryside tour and spend a night there or come back to Cebu at the end of the day from Tubigon Port (Starcraft Ferry takes only an hour). You can rough it up with a motorbike (for a much cheaper rate if you're alone) or a car/van (Van 14-seater is around 3,500 for the whole day including the driver/guide).

It's a pity though because I think you would have enjoyed Bantayan Island knowing that you are a self-proclaimed "beach" person, who likes to observe locals and soak in the culture. Bantayan would have been perfect for you.

Hope you enjoy though!:cheers:

One more thing: Are you staying at ShangriLa for this trip?

Oh thanks bai for the great description. Yes, I'll stay in Shangri-la Mactan. This is a Highly top-selling resort and I can't wait to see it by my own eyes :cheers:

Hmm for my 2nd day- do you think Balicasag is a good idea ? I couldn't find in the net - how many hours it takes to reach Balicasag from Mactan ?

What other islands in Bohol ( Jetafe ) are within easy reach from Mactan , and really worth visiting ? I found so many islands in Jetafe but could not find any info in the net :(

icarusrising

June 17th, 2011, 05:48 PM

Asian budget carriers spread wings as demand surges (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/06/17/11/asian-budget-carriers-spread-wings-demand-surges)
Agence France-Presse
Posted at 06/17/2011 1:21 PM | Updated as of 06/17/2011 4:38 PM

SINGAPORE - Multi-billion dollar orders for more than 100 new planes this week underscored the difference between the thriving budget airline sector in Asia-Pacific and the gloom-hit global aviation industry.

India's GoAir and Cebu Pacific of the Philippines on Thursday said they had each signed deals with European planemaker Airbus that would see them massively boost their fleets.

"A low-cost carrier boom is undoubtedly taking place in Asia-Pacific," said Daniel Tsang, chief analyst of Hong Kong-based aviation consultancy Aspire Aviation.

"Low cost carriers could easily capture up to half of air travel within the next 20 years or so, which is, quite frankly, a conservative figure," said Tsang.

The International Air Transport Association, which represents 230 carriers that account for more than 90% of worldwide scheduled air traffic, but excludes many budget operations, has halved its 2011 profit forecast for the world airline industry to $4 billion.

The figure, which would represent a 78% fall on profits last year, reflects the challenges posed to the industry by the March tsunami in Japan, unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and high oil prices.

But Asia-Pacific budget carriers appear unfazed and have continued to ramp up their service.

GoAir said it had placed an order for 72 new A320 Airbus aircraft in a deal worth up to $7.2 billion at list prices, while Cebu Pacific announced it had ordered 37 new Airbus jets worth an estimated $3.8 billion.

Industry players expect Malaysia's AirAsia, which sparked the growth of budget travel in the region, to ink a new deal with Airbus for up to 200 aircraft at next week's Paris Air Show.

US plane maker Boeing on Thursday hiked its 20-year forecast for the size of the global commercial aircraft market by eight percent to 33,500 planes worth $4.0 trillion, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for a third of sales.

AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes said in May that he may boost the firm's Airbus fleet five-fold to 500 as more people in the region demand cheaper flights.

"We have 600 million people just in ASEAN," he said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

India and China, which are already served by budget carriers from ASEAN cities, have a combined population of two-and-a-half billion.

Rapid economic growth in ASEAN, China and India, coupled with falling air fares means millions more can now fly rather than travel by land or sea compared to the pre-budget airline era.

"The exponential growth for low-cost carriers in Asia-Pacific is supported by emerging economies and their citizens' soaring income," Tsang said.

The European and US markets, by contrast, are facing "sluggish economic recoveries and cautious consumers," he added.

The boom in budget travel has prompted more established airlines to explore the no-frills market as well.

Singapore Airlines, a leader in premium travel, announced in May that it will launch within one year a no-frills brand that will fly on medium- to long-haul destinations -- an indication it could fly as far as Europe.

"Legacy carriers previously did not do a good job of developing and taking advantage of the rising demand for leisure and cheap travel as well as leveraging on the significant change that the Internet introduced to the consumer," said Singapore-based Standard & Poor's analyst Shukor Yusof.

AirAsia's long-haul arm, AirAsia X, already flies to 15 destinations including London, Taipei, Tehran, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, Christchurch in New Zealand and several cities in Australia, China and India.

Brendan Sobie, Southeast Asia specialist at aviation intelligence firm Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, said established names like Singapore Airlines have realized they can no longer bank on their current clients for growth.

"As low-cost carriers continue to grow more rapidly than full service carriers, we expect low-cost carriers to continue growing their share of the market by roughly two percentage points per annum," he said.

It's not only the Asian middle class that benefits from the boom in low-cost carriers, which are able to slash fares by cutting out in-flight entertainment, using cheaper airports and charging for food and amenities.

Filipino domestic worker Nida Jumawan, 49, told AFP she had no wish to return to the old days when ferries were the only affordable means of transport between the Philippines' far-flung islands.

She said the plane fare from Manila to her hometown of Pagadian in the southern Philippines, could drop to as low as P800 ($18.35) compared with the ferry fee of about P3,000.

"Flying is much easier compared to ferries. It is terrifying at sea when you are caught up in a typhoon -- you can't sleep, you get dizzy and you throw up," Jumawan said.

mao rong

June 17th, 2011, 06:42 PM

mao rong

June 18th, 2011, 07:00 AM

:okay: looks like Samar has a lot to offer, and not everybody is aware. Anything nature is good to see. I should include Samar in my "should visit" list. :)

Thanks for sharing...

^^you should...try also Sohoton National Park, Guiuan and Biri...:)

Sohoton
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/38010_432470151008_249388896008_4888201_4794322_n.jpg

Biri
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199371_10150135079521009_249388896008_6619084_1704714_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190505_10150135079086009_249388896008_6619075_5468890_n.jpg

Guiuan
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/46539_438006726008_249388896008_5028996_7494428_n.jpg

reyvil888

June 18th, 2011, 02:24 PM

^^^^
Wow ! Its soooo beautiful ! :cheers:

Ph Man

June 18th, 2011, 02:44 PM

Awesome Samar!
Would love to see those things up close!
I prefer nature over theme parks.

amigo32

June 18th, 2011, 03:21 PM

walang ganyan sa China:D

pthfndr19

June 18th, 2011, 05:36 PM

Oh sorry for the delay , I've been very busy with my Shangri-la job.

Hmm Camotes sounds very nice too.. What do you think about a day trip ? Ill arrive Cebu airport at 8 am.. so maybe I'll reach Camotes around 12 noon.. Are snorkelling spots within easy reach from the pier in Camotes ?

Oh thanks bai for the great description. Yes, I'll stay in Shangri-la Mactan. This is a Highly top-selling resort and I can't wait to see it by my own eyes :cheers:

Hmm for my 2nd day- do you think Balicasag is a good idea ? I couldn't find in the net - how many hours it takes to reach Balicasag from Mactan ?

What other islands in Bohol ( Jetafe ) are within easy reach from Mactan , and really worth visiting ? I found so many islands in Jetafe but could not find any info in the net :(

^^Wow! you'll be staying in Shangri-la Mactan..that's nice... Plantation Bay is also a great resort.
For your second day, the best time to visit Balicasag island is in the morning during sunrise. So that you can experience to see the dolphins in that area and after that, snorkeling around the island's marine sanctuary... you can go there by boat from Panglao, Bohol... But the problem is, I think you're still in Cebu in the morning of your 2nd day.
So the good idea is to hop to Bohol via ferryboat/SuperCat, then go around Bohol's tourist spots, like Chocolate Hills, Loboc River Cruise, visit the Tarsiers and man-made forest,etc...Then stay in a hotel in Panglao (Alona Beach or in Bohol Beach Club) :D.And then the next morning you can visit Balicasag.

xxxriainxxx

June 18th, 2011, 05:49 PM

Samar looks fantastic, one of the places I regretted not having the time to visit. :(

pthfndr19

June 18th, 2011, 05:56 PM

^^ We already have that in Camsur, Davao and Batangas. Seems like everyone wants to build the same facility. Is this good or bad? :dunno:

^^ang dami ng options ah.. Dati sa batangas lang ang may Wakeboarding..sumunod sa CamSur.. then Davao..at magkakaroon din sa Nuvali sa Laguna...may narinig din ako dati na sa Pampanga din daw gagawa din... at ngayon Nueva Ecija naman...

Parang Zip Line lang din yan... ang dami na rin may Zip line ngayon..:lol:

Buti nalang sa Samar hindi nag-water rafting...para maiba, nag-Torpedo extreme boat ride nalang.. hehehe

pthfndr19

June 18th, 2011, 06:00 PM

Caluwayan Palm Beach Resort
Marabut, Samar

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/marabut1.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/marabut.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/western_samar_islands2.jpg

mao rong

June 18th, 2011, 06:04 PM

^^^^
Wow ! Its soooo beautiful ! :cheers:

Awesome Samar!
Would love to see those things up close!
I prefer nature over theme parks.

Samar looks fantastic, one of the places I regretted not having the time to visit. :(

^^please do habang di pa fully developed yung place...:okay:

pthfndr19

June 18th, 2011, 06:10 PM

BIRI ROCK FORMATIONS
Biri, Northern Samar

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Biri1a.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/wow12.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/biri2a.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Biri3a.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/biri-1.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/magasang-rock-formation.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Biri-magasang-rock-formation.jpg

pthfndr19

June 18th, 2011, 06:27 PM

Ang "Banog" - Waray term for "Lawin" or Philippine Hawk.
We can still see few of them soaring above the rice fields, fish ponds, and the sea or even along the highway. :).
FYI. Philippine eagles can be found also in Samar's rainforests.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Lawin.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/eagle.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/eagle-4.jpg

This is a Samar's Tarsier.:)
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/tarsier-5.jpg

xxxriainxxx

June 18th, 2011, 06:50 PM

mao rong

June 18th, 2011, 06:50 PM

^^kinda familiar...:D

mao rong

June 18th, 2011, 06:51 PM

I think we can all agree, soon enough, it will be Eastern Visayas time to shine!

^^we hope so...:)

pthfndr19

June 18th, 2011, 07:08 PM

^^Hopefully. We are just starting to be known. :D Some backpacker tour groups are now making Samar and Leyte their tour destinations..Wowtripper group already visited Samar and Leyte last April and they are coming back this August..Travel Factor group will also visit Northern Samar especially Biri and other sites in Samar next summer. They will have a Photoholic sessions there.

mao rong

June 18th, 2011, 07:14 PM

^^to that :cheers:

Greypilgrim

June 19th, 2011, 02:45 AM

The Philippines has Sarao :D

I'm sure The Philippines manufacture its own appliances like Standard.

http://www.designparticle.co.cc/images/big/big-standard.jpg

We also have Condura by Concepcion Industries.

pthfndr19

June 19th, 2011, 04:23 AM

CAVING IN SAMAR
Samar is now called as the Caving Capital of the Philippines

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave8.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave5.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave1.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave7.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave10.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave11.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave2.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave6.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave3.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave4.jpg
FB Find.

mao rong

June 19th, 2011, 05:29 AM

^^this is in Calbiga right?

pthfndr19

June 19th, 2011, 06:12 AM

^^yup. Calbiga, Samar

Bricken Ridge

June 19th, 2011, 07:00 AM

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/samarcave4.jpg

wow wow these elephant ear stalactites are amazing, stunning!

Bricken Ridge

June 19th, 2011, 07:05 AM

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Biri-magasang-rock-formation.jpg

crazy crazy where are all these beautiful samar pictures coming from? and this ^^ honeycomb formation rocks :rock: ( pardon the pun).

chrismartin02

June 19th, 2011, 07:17 AM

Sana mapangalagaan yan mga cave sa Samar. Nakapanghihinayang yan kung masisira ng dahil sa mga turista at greedy businessmen na walang pakialam sa kalikasan. :D

Ph Man

June 19th, 2011, 07:31 AM

I think we can all agree, soon enough, it will be Eastern Visayas time to shine!

hopefully yes, but not to the point of being overly developed and saturated. we would want to see nature in its pristine state.

amigo32

June 19th, 2011, 07:32 AM

di ba maraming NPA sa Samar:D

Dito kasi sa Leyte marami pa rin pero patay na sila:D

pthfndr19

June 19th, 2011, 07:47 AM

^^Yup, maraming NPA sa Samar.. kahit saan naman may NPA.. pumunta ka sa Bicol, Negros, Surigao, Quezon,Bulacan , Sierra Madre mountains, etc. maraming din dun...

mAiNsTrEaMhunter

June 19th, 2011, 09:15 AM

wow! thanks for those Samar pictures! very magnificent and truly stunning! :okay::okay::okay:

wino

June 19th, 2011, 10:45 AM

wow! I never imagined Samar to be this BEAUTIFUL!!

thanks for the pictures.

urban Iegend

June 19th, 2011, 10:50 AM

more of Samar's hidden gems..

Canhugas Beach
Hernani, Eastern Samar
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/13736314.jpg
source (http://pinoycaver.blogspot.com/2010/12/discover-best-spots-in-samar-island_19.html)

Tarangban Falls
Calbayog City, Samar
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bUuu92ZEZHc/TQ9snTL2SrI/AAAAAAAAANc/_3aA4qD63i8/s1600/Tarangban%2BFalls%252C%2BCalbayog%2BCity%252C%2BSamar.jpg
source (http://pinoycaver.blogspot.com/2010/12/discover-best-spots-in-samar-island_19.html)

Pinipisakan Falls
San Jorge, Samar
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bUuu92ZEZHc/TQ9tVh20v0I/AAAAAAAAANk/Kz6pYYlWQxE/s1600/3-Tiered%2BPinipisakan%2BFalls%252C%2BSan%2BJorge%252C%2BSamar.jpg
source (http://pinoycaver.blogspot.com/2010/12/discover-best-spots-in-samar-island_19.html)

Mantikawol Falls
Gamay, N. Samar
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bUuu92ZEZHc/TQ9vOtwTgFI/AAAAAAAAAN8/FL1SA2OQMq0/s1600/Mantikawol%2BFalls%252C%2BGamay%2BN.%2BSamar.jpg
source (http://pinoycaver.blogspot.com/2010/12/discover-best-spots-in-samar-island_19.html)

Sanizzi Falls
Jipapad, Eastern Samar
http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq264/j-anne/1_616920900l.jpg
source (http://pinoycaver.blogspot.com/2010/12/discover-best-spots-in-samar-island_19.html)

mao rong

June 19th, 2011, 12:08 PM

^^:cheers::cheers::cheers:

mao rong

June 19th, 2011, 12:56 PM

Calanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/183108_10150109569311009_249388896008_6393195_1508588_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180556_10150109570321009_249388896008_6393204_4066672_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181744_10150109979466009_249388896008_6396231_4812537_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182212_10150109980411009_249388896008_6396247_8111939_n.jpg

amigo32

June 19th, 2011, 01:33 PM

ganda ng samar.

maganda rin tong sa palompon ah. white sand pa

pthfndr19

June 19th, 2011, 02:23 PM

urban Iegend

June 19th, 2011, 02:33 PM

^^
1 hour from Palompon.. 1 hour rin from Malapascua.. :D

mao rong

June 19th, 2011, 05:05 PM

ganda ng samar.

maganda rin tong sa palompon ah. white sand pa

^^kasing ganda mo...:D

Fraulein

June 19th, 2011, 05:55 PM

Worth reading from a British tourist who visited Manila and Boracay... :D

==================================

Philippines: Eternal happy hour on the white sand beach which will never burn your feet

By Carol Mcgiffin

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2005494/Philippines-Eternal-happy-hour-white-sand-beach-burn-feet.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Last updated at 1:03 PM on 19th June 2011

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2005494/Philippines-Eternal-happy-hour-white-sand-beach-burn-feet.html#ixzz1PjnBI83G

The only thing I knew about the Philippines was that the wife of a former president famously owned a lot of shoes. I probably couldn’t even have pointed to the islands on a map.

But now, thanks to my brother, who got a job there two years ago, I know more, I’ve been there and I can’t believe I left it so long.

There are no direct flights from the UK to the capital, Manila, but getting there is worth the trouble of a stopover - and it gives you the opportunity to experience another dynamic Asian city, be it Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seoul or Shanghai.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/19/article-2005494-0C8E73C500000578-860_634x197.jpg
Raise a glass: Carol takes it easy with friends in one of the many bars

Being used to Asian cities I thought I was prepared for Manila, but when I arrived I quickly realised it is like no other. It’s busier than Bangkok, crazier than Kuala Lumpur, as swish (in parts) as Singapore and easily as happening as Hong Kong.

The city’s sprawling size is mind-*blowing. One big bonus is that the airport is very close - in theory it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to get to the centre of Manila, although it often does because traffic can be a nightmare.

My other half, Mark, and I were staying in Makati, which is the main business district and shamelessly upmarket - a world away from the extreme and desperate poverty you can’t help but notice on the journey from the airport. Certainly it’s tricky when your hotel room costs more for one night than some of the staff earn in a year, but if the guests didn’t come then they might be earning nothing at all. We made sure we tipped well.

Our hotel was the Makati Shangri-La, a fairly new property with one of the grandest lobbies I have ever seen.

As I walked in, I suddenly felt decidedly out of place and underdressed, having travelled for almost 48 hours and then been ravished by the Philippine heat. So it was straight into the giant walk-in shower and then straight out to explore the cosmopolitan bar scene.

The prices came as a shock - after the skyscraper-high costs in Hong Kong, Manila seemed very reasonable. A glass of wine in an upmarket bar costs about £3. We took root in a bar/restaurant called Spicy Fingers, which stayed open late and had a live band. Live music is huge in the Philippines; almost every bar has a band playing and they really get into it. It was a late night. Late but cheap.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/19/article-2005494-0C8E761D00000578-561_634x424.jpg
Worth splashing out on: The pool at the Shangri-La Boracay

The next day we got up way too late and, of course, missed breakfast (hardly surprising) but, undeterred, set out to explore the city in daylight. Well, explore the shops!

Manila is home to the Mall of Asia, reputed to be the biggest on the whole continent, but it seemed easier to just nip across the road where there were two massive shopping malls. Greenbelt is packed with luxury brands while Glorietta is a more realistic and affordable option.

A few hours were enough for me, so I headed back to the sanctuary of the pool terrace at the Shangri-La and booked massages before dinner for myself and Mark.

That night we didn’t leave the hotel, spending a good few hours in the pool bar before tucking into an all-you-can-eat buffet in the Circles Event Cafe, one of the hotel’s three restaurants. It is the least formal, with a buffet most nights.

Next morning we sped to the domestic airport terminal to get the flight to Boracay, a small island in the Visayas region, about 200 miles south of Manila and the main attraction of our holiday.

The airport for Boracay, Caticlan, is on the island of Panay, a short ferry trip away. As you fly in, you can see how tiny Boracay is, so narrow in the middle that you can literally walk from one side to the other in five minutes. Boracay is famous for its White Beach, consistently voted one of the best in the world. It’s certainly not difficult to see why. The sand is like flour, as soft as feathers and, amazingly, it never gets hot because there’s no iron in it.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/19/article-2005494-0C8E778F00000578-768_634x441.jpg
Thank God it's Fridays: Carol with the iconic sign on Boracay

The beach stretches almost the entire length of the island’s west side and is the main focus for 99 per cent of the tourist activity. Hotels line the beach but none is overly intrusive and there’s still tons of space, unlike some beaches I’ve been to in Thailand that are smothered in sunbeds.

And it’s cleaner than clean because there are rules and people respect them. No smoking (yes, really), no dogs and no littering.

Even though the island is very small, there are lots of areas to explore, which is why we chose to stay in three different hotels.

First up was Fridays, one of the oldest and most established on the island, positioned near Boat Stop 1 at the north end of White Beach. The hotel’s houses are built using only natural materials, primarily bam-boo, although its famous sign, which must be one of the most photographed in the world, is moulded driftwood.

Our room was right on the beach and so close to the bar and restaurant that they didn’t mind setting up a table on our terrace for us to have our breakfast. Breakfast always consisted of mangos and mango juice.

The Philippines are famous for mangos and we enjoyed the sweetest, most delicious I’ve ever tasted. One morning I ate five and spent the whole day racing around due to the massive sugar rush.

Fridays is one of the best places to be at sunset. Happy hour runs every day from 3pm till 6pm. They don’t mess about, either - it’s simply two for one and you can have the second drink when you’re ready or, if there are two of you, have one each. Boracay is big on happy hours. Every single bar has one and it’s very competitive, some lasting seven hours. With offers such as ‘All you can drink between 5pm and 8pm for £4’ at the Obama Grill, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to indulge most nights.

Be warned, though: leave yourself time to eat because the restaurants on the island finish early - round about 10pm.

I was more than happy on White Beach, but we did take a stroll to Bulabog Beach, just a few minutes away on the other side of the island’s narrowest middle section.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/19/article-2005494-0C8E752E00000578-766_634x416.jpg
Bird's eye view: Tree House Villas at the Shangri-La Boracay

Wild, windy and wavy, Bulabog couldn’t have been more different from White Beach where the sea barely moves. Bulabog is perfect for all the wind-based watersports that are offered there and consequently is a haven for young, toned and tanned surfers. It’s more informal and relaxed than White Beach, but it wasn’t for me: I prefer calm serenity to the action-packed and rough and ready, despite the eye-candy.

The main drag for nightlife is a sand road that starts around Boat Stop 1 and carries on all the way down to 3. We never made it down to the far south end, but most of the action goes on around The Mall, a shopping and entertainment centre with bars, fairground rides, restaurants and shops selling everything from spectacles to fashion and pharmacy essentials.

Our favourite bar was the Mango-Ray because it had a Mongolian Barbecue stand where we ate almost every night. Many of the bars along the strip set up live music stages on the beach and there was an awful lot of fire-dancing going on, too. As a result, there’s a strong smell of paraffin everywhere and a feeling that it could all go off any time - so be careful how you light your ciggies!

The second hotel we stayed in was the Boracay Regency. It’s much less back-to-nature than Fridays but right in the middle of everything. As much as we loved Fridays, it was nice to have a bit of modern luxury with a giant, comfy bed, silent air-conditioning and tea and coffee in the minibar. It also had the massive Kai Regency Spa, which I immediately booked in to. My feet emerged ten years younger, my toenails delicately painted in a gorgeous gold.

We had one night left so decided to go mad. Having loved the Makati Shangri-La in Manila, we checked in to a Tree House Villa at the Shangri-La Boracay. The hotel is right at the northern tip of the island on its own headland with a private beach. Although it’s big, because of the amount of space it occupies it doesn’t feel it.

First, a golf buggy ride to the villa. I hate golf buggies - they make you look like a lazy American - but I caved in and accepted the lift, and a good job too. The Tree House Villas are so high up the hill that my ears popped. The view was breathtaking and provided a fitting (if expensive) climax to our time in Boracay.

The room cost so much that for 24 hours we hardly left it. We watched the sunset, filled the Jacuzzi, ordered room service, watched the giant TVs and retired to the biggest bed yet, with the most amazing picture window looking right out over the ocean.

And so for the first time in weeks, we actually made it to breakfast before we checked out and deposited ourselves in the speedboat at the hotel’s private pier. It took us all the way back to Caticlan airport in ten minutes flat.

And despite the long, long three-flight journey home, I’ve already booked my next visit.
Travel facts

Audley (01993 838 155, www.audleytravel.com) offers two weeks in the Philippines with two nights in the Shangri-La Makati Manila, five nights in Boracay at either Fridays, Regency or the Shangri-La, and five days touring in another part of the country from £2,600pp for B&B, return long-haul and domestic flights plus boat journeys and some private guiding. Philippines Department of Tourism, 020 7835 1100, www.wowphilippines.co.uk.

Fraulein

June 19th, 2011, 06:01 PM

^^Also this one... :cheers:

======================

Remote and unspoilt Philippines, the ideal lair for Dragon James Caan

By James Caan

Last updated at 1:00 PM on 19th June 2011

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2005506/Remote-unspoilt-Philippines-ideal-lair-Dragon-James-Caan.html

The Philippines attracted us because they seemed so unspoilt.

On previous holidays we had been to exotic Indian Ocean island destinations such as the Maldives - but this time I wanted to step outside the normal commercial holiday options.

Slightly harder to reach than the better-known destinations of South-East Asia - guide books describe them as being on the ‘wrong’ side of the South China Sea - the Philippines are definitely well off the beaten tourist path.

Typically, I like to combine a break in a resort with a couple of city stops en route. This time we flew to Dubai, then to Shanghai before hitting Hong Kong. Travelling with my wife Aisha and our daughters Jemma-Lia, 23, and Hannah, 24, we thoroughly enjoyed our initial three-city tour, and at the end of it we were really looking forward to chilling and relaxing in the Philippines.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/19/article-0-0C8E7BB300000578-508_634x608.jpg
He's in: James Caan with daughters Hannah and Jemma-Lia

We knew that the Philippines as a tourist experience probably wouldn’t be as polished as, say, the Maldives, but they were every bit as attractive - and never felt ‘touristy’.

Our first glimpse of the Shangri-La at Boracay confirmed that it was a stunning property, beautifully done.

The resort’s website had painted an alluring picture of somewhere that was both tranquil and very remote. In real life it was absolutely amazing. I’ve previously stayed at a number of other Shangri-La hotels in India and China. The Boracay property was even better than the others as it is one of their newer properties: everything beautiful and spotlessly clean.

The hotel beaches are fabulous and the service second to none. Most impressive, perhaps, was CHI, the Shangri-La spa that claims to be ‘a place of personal peace, enchantment and wellbeing’. Situated on a rocky peninsula overlooking a private bay, the detached spa village complex is designed to be a sanctuary within the resort. Treatments here are based on Chinese and native Philippines healing concepts, including Hilot, the traditional Filipino healing massage.

I love the spa - it’s one of my favourite holiday experiences - and the one at Boracay proved exceptional. The one thing that makes me slightly uneasy about having a massage is the amount of time it takes. My life is all about getting the most out of every hour in the day, so while I love a massage, I’m not convinced it needs to take a couple of hours. When I was shown into the treatment room by my masseuse, I saw there were three other girls there who didn’t seem occupied. As the masseuse began massaging my head, I discovered that the three other girls had nothing planned.

So I quickly took things over: I said that while my masseuse continued on my head, one of the other girls could massage my back while the other two took a leg each.

I can tell you now that having eight hands massaging me is the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. I think I had a four-hour massage in 60 minutes - perhaps they’ll add it to the spa menu as The James Caan Massage!

The other thing I really enjoyed at Boracay was the Helmet Dive. If you don’t like snorkelling and lack the qualifications to scuba-dive, a Helmet Dive opens the undersea world to anyone.

You are connected by an air pipe to a pump on the boat. As your helmet is filled with air, it keeps out the water but you can put your hand inside to adjust your glasses if you wish (yes, you can wear your glasses or contact lenses).

You can walk about 15ft down on the ocean bottom with fish swimming right up to your face. It is the most marvellous experience.

And it’s one of those things you will instantly want to try out on holiday. But if somebody had come up with this as a business proposition on Dragon’s Den, I can imagine it would have had a rough ride. For various reasons, I would have said ‘I’m out’. But I’m definitely ‘in’ as far as the Philippines are concerned.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2005506/Remote-unspoilt-Philippines-ideal-lair-Dragon-James-Caan.html#ixzz1PjppcbIX

KnightOfTheFlag

June 19th, 2011, 07:18 PM

Philippine province may be among the world's top tourist destinations
By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO
June 19, 2011, 5:19pm

MANILA, Philippines -- The province of Catanduanes is poised to become the next tourist destination in the Bicol region as almost P700 million in infrastructure projects geared to improving access there rolls off and roars on.

In particular, Gotta beach, in Caramoan town aims to rival the island paradise of Boracay, considered one of the top beaches in the world. Gotta beach was put on the world tourism map with the filming of the international franchise ‘Survivor’ TV series by several countries.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said P682.73 million worth of infrastructure projects have been allotted to Catanduanes this year that seeks to address the access problems there.

“The province has a lot of potential in terms of tourist destinations. They have beautiful and unspoiled beaches which are now gaining popularity for aqua sports such as surfing, scuba diving and sports fishing,” said DPWH 5 Regional Director Danilo Dequito following inspection of the completed Codon Rockcauseway in the municipality of San Andres.

The completion of the Codon Rockcauseway, financed to the tune of P48.2 million, provides a gateway to Gotta Beach. The Port of Codon is just a 30-minute boat ride to Gotta beach, which has become the favorite location shooting of the international reality television show Survivors.

In 2009, Caramoan was introduced to Europe when the Serbian, Bulgarian and Swedish versions of the Survivor series were filmed there.

The place also hosted French version of the series where television director Corinne Valiant gushed at the “powdery sand” and the “wild” natural atmosphere.

In June this year, the Poland edition is set to be shot also in Caramoan.

Dequito said the DPWH project is like hitting two birds in one stone.

“We developed Catanduanes and at the same time opened a convenient gateway to Caramoan peninsula where the future Boracay waits,” Dequito said

mao rong

June 19th, 2011, 07:21 PM

^^mukhang umaariba ang Bicol Region..:okay:

Ady001

June 20th, 2011, 02:58 AM

^^ Goes to show that with WORK our LGUs will prosper.

The next thing we know it, Bicol's cities will join the ranks of major Philippine cities.

s_w_stars

June 20th, 2011, 04:00 AM

^^ Kudos to Bicol LGU's. They're working on a community based, oriented tourism unlike the other developer's model for tourism. I like what the erstwhile unknown town of Donsol did in ten years. More power to them, and forget about the DOT. The Survivor series all over Europe will probably do the promotion for them. Btw., Catanduanes is also known for surfing a few years back.

s_w_stars

June 20th, 2011, 04:03 AM

^^ Re the articles in Daily Mall. The Brits who have been to, and know Boracay are very much sold on the island, and the Philippines. I've seen UK families, tourists on Boracay since first time I was there in 1993. A young Brit from Manchester befriended my niece, visiting the island. He has been there 3 times, with his friends. He said it is favourite place and it's not easy to get to from the UK.

icarusrising

June 20th, 2011, 04:47 AM

NAIA-1 to undergo renovation (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=697967&publicationSubCategoryId=63)
By Rudy Santos (The Philippine Star)
Updated June 20, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Airport authorities disclosed that the 28-year-old Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) would be renovated in August after an architectural and engineering firm was picked to conduct an assessment of the project.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Honrado said P-Square, an engineering and consulting firm, was selected to start the month-long study worth about P9.4 million.

He said the firm would conduct various tests to know the load-bearing capacity of the building before any improvement could be done, as well as do an analysis to determine which part of the building is already unsafe.

NAIA-1 is being refurbished to keep up with the demand as it has already exceeded its capacity of 10 million passengers a year several years ago.

Most of the estimated 28 foreign airlines that operate at the NAIA-1 had expressed their intention to stay at the old terminal and almost all are reluctant to transfer to the NAIA Terminal 3 until all legal problems are settled.

Cebu Pacific, AirphilExpress and All Nippon Airways are the three airlines operating at the NAIA-3.

Although the planned structural tests had been announced earlier this year, the process was fast-tracked after the styrofoam insulation of the ceiling on the ground level, as well as some plaster concrete pieces from the façade, fell off last May. These were attributed to deterioration due to fatigue or effects of previous earthquakes.

Structural tests would start in August and are expected to be completed in January 2012.

The MIAA would later announce a bidding to determine which architectural firm would conduct the renovation of NAIA-1.

“We want the public to know that the MIAA is upgrading not only the toilets, water supply and carpeting, but is also determined to upgrade the NAIA-1 to international standard,” said airport senior assistant general manager Antonio Bautista.

He pointed out that the NAIA-1 arrival area has been completely refurbished, with its walls and ceiling sporting a new look after these were clad with a metal finish to cover the old style “washout.”

Bautista added the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines is assisting the MIAA to come up with a new NAIA-1 that would be attuned to the needs of travelers.

The project would cost about P500 million or more.

“The MIAA has the money to fund the airport’s renovation,” he said, adding that the board of directors would have the final say with the concurrence of Honrado.

Critics of the old terminal have pointed out that nearby airports look modern because of their glass and steel facade, which gives them an airy, spacious and traveler-friendly look with amenities for sleeping.

On the other hand, NAIA-1 looks stodgy and cramped and still sports the washout finish fashionable in the 1980s.

This is the grayish brown color that people see when they look at NAIA-1’s façade since its builders covered the concrete with washout brown pebbles during construction.

Bautista said that architects would surely keep that in mind when remodeling NAIA-1 and would probably wrap the premier airport in gleaming faux stainless steel or similar-looking material to make it look modern and tasteful.

“We will spare no expense to give the NAIA-1 a modern look that Filipinos could be proud of and make it user friendly with various amenities for the satisfaction of users,” Bautista added.

KnightOfTheFlag

June 20th, 2011, 05:26 AM

^^ Goes to show that with WORK our LGUs will prosper.

The next thing we know it, Bicol's cities will join the ranks of major Philippine cities.

Bicol region could move and prosper faster if all the RO-RO projects that pnoy stalled and delayed because of his insecurity and ego-tripping would have finished on time. Vital infrastructure projects like these should never be politicized further more projects that are forged with foriegn government with better reputation than ours.

hakz2007

June 20th, 2011, 05:35 AM

Bicol region could move and prosper faster if all the RO-RO projects that pnoy stalled and delayed because of his insecurity and ego-tripping would have finished on time. Vital infrastructure projects like these should never be politicized further more projects that are forged with foriegn government with better reputation than ours.

RoRo in Caramoan commenced last June 15 with daily trips from Nato Port at 6:30 am to Caramoan :cheers:

During the Arroyo administration, there was a plan for a RoRo from Pasacao Port in Camsur to Romblon...I don't know what happen to the plan with Noynoy as President...:)

Philippine province may be among the world's top tourist destinations
By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO
June 19, 2011, 5:19pm

MANILA, Philippines -- The province of Catanduanes is poised to become the next tourist destination in the Bicol region as almost P700 million in infrastructure projects geared to improving access there rolls off and roars on.

In particular, Gotta beach, in Caramoan town aims to rival the island paradise of Boracay, considered one of the top beaches in the world. Gotta beach was put on the world tourism map with the filming of the international franchise ‘Survivor’ TV series by several countries.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said P682.73 million worth of infrastructure projects have been allotted to Catanduanes this year that seeks to address the access problems there.

“The province has a lot of potential in terms of tourist destinations. They have beautiful and unspoiled beaches which are now gaining popularity for aqua sports such as surfing, scuba diving and sports fishing,” said DPWH 5 Regional Director Danilo Dequito following inspection of the completed Codon Rockcauseway in the municipality of San Andres.

The completion of the Codon Rockcauseway, financed to the tune of P48.2 million, provides a gateway to Gotta Beach. The Port of Codon is just a 30-minute boat ride to Gotta beach, which has become the favorite location shooting of the international reality television show Survivors.

In 2009, Caramoan was introduced to Europe when the Serbian, Bulgarian and Swedish versions of the Survivor series were filmed there.

The place also hosted French version of the series where television director Corinne Valiant gushed at the “powdery sand” and the “wild” natural atmosphere.

In June this year, the Poland edition is set to be shot also in Caramoan.

Dequito said the DPWH project is like hitting two birds in one stone.

“We developed Catanduanes and at the same time opened a convenient gateway to Caramoan peninsula where the future Boracay waits,” Dequito said

This article is misleading the way it was written. Caramoan is in Camarines Sur.