Santa Maria in Davao Del Sur
Monday, April 22nd, 2013 /

Travelling to the Philippines and want to see some attractions? The municipality of Sta. Maria in Davao del Sur, Philippines is an enticing haven that is a perfect getaway from the stress and strain of modern living. This quaint picturesque village is located 96 kilometers south of Davao City. You can reach Sta. Maria by land in either a bus or a private car and your first view of Sta Maria is over a cliff after a panoramic view of Malalag Bay. This tranquil town called Sta. Maria that appears to have been forgotten by the outside world boasts of secret wonders that are delightful as well as spectacular. Meandering through byways and pathways past sleepy barangays will bring visitors to highlands and coastlines flaunting natural riches such as extensive virgin forest, cultivated farm lands, beautiful beaches of different colors and textures, meandering rivers and a rich flora and fauna.

Santa Maria, Davao del Sur

The warmth and friendliness of the Philippines tribal communities like the Tagakaolos, a highland tribe that continues to perform tribal rituals, adds to the allure of Sta. Maria. Sta Maria’s coastline is lined with enchanting beaches, from beaches with pristine white sands to beaches with volcanic black sand. One place worth mentioning is the Colagsing Point which embraces a secluded but spectacular powdery white strip of sand. There is a huge mystical rock at the tip of the cove that look like a male human face which locals call Lungag Bato or Hole in the Rock to describe a small cave next to it. The most popular beach in Sta. Maria is Little Boracay, a secluded picturesque cove that is a favorite haunt of people who long for a private hideaway. During the low tide at noon, the sea pulls back to expose a long expansive soft and velvety white sand that is perfect for family outings. To tour the coastlines of Sta. Maria, there are boats for hire for less than US$1per head manned by young strapping men while fishermen sell their catch fresh from the sea. Another favorite activity is trudging through rocky cliff sides scarred with fascinating configurations created by the impact of the waves. To reach Sta Maria, there are daily flights from Manila to Davao City and from Davao there are airconditioned and non-airconditioned buses that will bring visitors to Malita. From Malita a tricycle will bring visitors to Sta. Maria where locals are friendly and welcoming and are just too willing to show the secret wonders of Sta. Maria.

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Zamboanga City Review
Wednesday, March 06th, 2013 /

Zamboanga City, the City of Flowers is an urban center located in the Zamboanga Peninsula, in Mindanao, Philippines. It has one of the busiest ports in the country catering to passenger ships that carry passengers to the other major cities in the country and even Sandakan, Malaysia. It has also earned the title “”Asia’s Latin City”" because the local dialect in Zamboanga City called Chabacano is a blend of Spanish, Tagalog and Cebuano. The title “”Asia’s Latin city”" is also well-earned since here in Zamboanga City you can see traces of its colonial history not only in its dialect but also in its cuisine, architecture, even its airport.

Zamboanga

Things to do in Zamboanga City: Water sports and swimming Zamboanga is proud of its beautiful white sand beaches and most particularly of the exceptional white and sand beach in Greater Sta Cruz Island. Other beaches that encircle Zamboanga and the islands close by are ideal for all types of water sports other than swimming in the cerulean blue waters. Snorkeling and scuba diving in the extensive coral reefs formation of the area are two of the more popular water sports that Zamboanga offers its visitors. Sea boarding, water-kiting, water-skating, banana boating are other water sports activities that can be enjoyed in Zamboanga. Other beaches that has gained repute are the white sand beach of Little Sta Cruz Island and the La Vista del mar Beach.

Sight Seeing: Tourist visiting Zamboanga City will enjoy a sight- seeing tour of the city because of its many places of interests. Two of the most notable sights are the Pasonanca Park, a nature lover’s paradise with its beautiful tree house built on top of the highest tree, an abundance of flowers, ferns, shrubs and trees, an aviary with the Philippine Monkey – eating eagle as its star and a butterfly sanctuary. Another must- do is a trek up the Abong-Abong Ecumenical Hill where from its top one can have a panoramic view of the city. Go on a historical and cultural tour Zamboanga is one place in the Philippines where the traces of its Spanish heritage is still very much in evidence from its Chabacano dialect to some of its edifices. To have a deeper insight into Zamboanga’s and the Philippine history, a visit to the Fort Pilar is highly recommended. Fort Pilar is considered a National Cultural Treasure and it houses a very comprehensive museum of Zamboanga’s distinctive culture and heritage. Another historical landmark is Plaza Pershing. Photo by headlessspider

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Corregidor Island
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 /

Island is one of the most significant and famous points of encounters in the Pacific Theater throughout the 2nd World War. Now that the cannons are completely quiet, Corregidor Island has become the country’s symbol of courage and valor of the Filipino people in the midst of the unutterable horrors of war. It is a destination for people coming from near and far, all walks of life and of all sexes and ages who want to learn, understand and appreciate this symbol.

Corregidor Island-Picture

Corregidor is a tiny tadpole-shaped island, volcanic in origin and located in the mouth of Manila Bay. It is part of the Corregidor Caldera, a volcano that was knows to be last active in more than a million years ago. It was the location of some of the most intense encounters between the Japanese Imperial Army and the Allied Forces, made up of Americans and Filipinos. Corregidor Island’s rich and valuable history has attracted both domestic and foreign tourists making Corregidor one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country.

Corregidor Island

The historical treasures found in Corregidor are as follows:

Malinta Tunnel: Malinta Tunnel is found beneath Malinta Hill and was once an underground hospital and arsenal and was a bomb-proof headquarters of the Allied Forces during World War II.

Lighthouse: The Lighthouse, the oldest landmark in Corregidor is 628 feet above sea level located at Topside that offers a fantastic vista of the Manila Bay. It was built by the Spaniards in 1836 General Douglas MacArthur Park This is located at Bottomside where a statue off the American General stands at the Lorcha Dock. This is where MacArthur embarked on a boat to Mindanao on March 11, 1942 from where he sailed to Australia where he dispatched his famous promise “”I shall return”"

Middleside and Topside: There is where a vu=ritual museum of the remains of officers and soldiers barracks such as the Mile-Long Barracks, the Battery Hearn and other artillery batteries can be found.

President Manuel L. Quezon Park: This is found at the mouth of the Malinta Tunnel, a 1,000 bed- hospital of the Allied Forces where a statue of President Manuel L. Quezon is located. This is the site of the President’s 2nd term’s inauguration as Commonwealth President of the Philippine.

Japanese Garden of Peace: This is a Shinto Shrine that has a 10-foot statue of Buddha and many other Japanese soldier memorial shines and relics of anti-aircraft weapons. The park is located at Tailside.

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Mindanao Island – The 2nd Largest Island in the Philippines
Thursday, February 14th, 2013 /

Mindanao Island is the 2nd largest island in the Philippines and the World’s 19th largest. It was once called the Land of Promise and is now tagged as the Treasure of the South. Mindanao is a land of imposing mosques, audaciously- striped vintas, stunning sceneries, ethnic tribes, towering mountains, and the home of some of the country’s most beautiful tourist destinations.

Aerial View of Matina Area in Davao City

Davao

Photo by ppborla

Mindanao is located in the southern most part of the country and has a completely different feel and impression from the rest of the Philippines because of its Muslim heritage. The beautiful stretch of land in the northern part of Mindanao from Siargao Island to Cagayan de Oro , however, is predominantly Catholic.

Children having fun on the beach of the Siargao Island

Siargao

Photo by  smallislander

Notable places of interest between this stretch are Siargao, a tranquil island known worldwide as a first-class class surfing destination and Camiguin, an enchanting island of volcanoes, white sand beaches and the sweetest lanzones ever is a land of peace and tranquity. Mindanao is a land of incredible beauty but of startling contrast from its culture, topography and people.

Camiguin – Volcanoes Island

Camiguin

Davao, where you will find Davao City, the country’s largest city in area and one of the Philippine’s most progressive city and Mt. Apo, the country’s highest mountain are located in Mindanao. So is Zamboanga, a nature-lover’s paradise known for its white-pink sand beaches and undulating greens of golf courses. Lanao del Norte, another province in Mindanao will delight its visitors with its surfeit of waterfalls. The famous Maria Cristina Falls located in Iligan, the capital of the province, is 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls.

Maria Cristina Falls

Maria Cristina Falls

Photo by  eeggee

Surrounding the grandiose Lanao Lake is the Islam Center of the South where you will find very strong evidence of the Muslim culture in institutions such as the King Faisal Center of Arabic Studies, Aga Khan Museum and the Mindanao State University. While Lanao del Sur, a province distinguished for its completely Muslim heritage is home to a number of imposing Muslim mosques Torongan, abodes of the Maranao royalty and Tugaua, the center of the famed brassware industry.

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Mantigue Island in the Philippines
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013 /

Mantigue Island or Magsaysay Island is a tiny island located off the shores of Camiguin, a province in the Philippines. It is only around 4 hectares in size but it is 4 hectares covered with green lush vegetation skirted with a lustrous white powdery coral sand beach that gleams from afar. This glowing beach creates a dazzling sight as visitors approach Mantigue Island.

Mantigue Island in the Philippines

The clear waters of Mantigue expose the soft and hard corals and sea weeds surrounding the Island. One side of the Island is the white powdery beach and the other side makes available a deep drop-off for diving and snorkeling. Mantigue Island is more than just a tourist destination. A visit to Mantigue Island is a total experience. Only 10 families inhabit Mantigue Island. These 10 families will be your host when you visit Mantigue. They will cook for you, make a boat available for you, lend you snorkeling gears and be there to attend to your needs. These 10 families also maintain the peace and cleanliness of the Island.

Mantigue Island – Life

Mantigue Island is a Nature Park and Marine Sanctuary. It is one of the country’s best diving sites and offers great snorkeling experience because of its rich marine life. Here at Mantigue visitors can also commune with nature, enjoy a close encounter with exotic and interesting wildlife and hike under the shade of a virgin forest. Visitors can reach Mantigue Island by way of a 20 minute boat ride from the shores of Barangay San Roque, Mahinog in Camiguin and the best time to visit Mantigue Island is between October and June. For tourists who are tired of fighting for a beach space in the more popular but crowded beaches in the Philippines such as Boracay, Panglao or Puerto Galera. Mantigue Island is the best alternative. Being in Mantigue will give you that Robinson Crusoe experience where the locals can serve as your Fridays.

Clear Water

Photos by 3dom & Maria Vorraa

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Luzon Island Review
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 /

Luzon is the biggest and the principal island of the Philippines. It is also the 17th biggest and the 4th most inhabited island in the world. This huge mass of land has a spectacular topography that ranges from the mountainous landscape of the north through the flat planes of Central Luzon to the volcanoes and lakes of the southern regions. Its long coastline is strewn with the some of the most beautiful beaches famous the world over. Metro Manila, an agglomeration of several cities and municipalities, is the complete urban area that is located in the very heart of Luzon. It is a major tourist destination in the Philippines and is the center of education, commerce and entertainment. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s principal airport is located in this huge metropolis. Notable cities of Metro Manila are the City of Manila, the nation’s capital Makati City, the financial hub of the Country and Quezon City, the most populous city of the Philippines.

For those who prefer the beach and enjoy all sorts of water sports, Luzon is home to some of the best beaches as well as world-class diving and surfing destinations. La Union in the northern part of Luzon is where one can find one of the best surfing sites in the country. For diving and snorkeling, Batangas, a province in the southern part of Luzon has some of the best diving and snorkeling sites this side of the Pacific.

On the northern part of Luzon is the Cordilleras where Baguio City, the summer capital of the country and the Banaue rice terraces, two of the country’s most popular tourist destinations can be found. Baguio City is characterized by its cool mountain air so unlike the weather in the rest of the country. The Banaue Rice Terraces is also called the “”Stair to the Skies”", a breathtaking vista of steps carved out of the mountains is deemed one of the world’s greatest engineering achievement.

In the southern most part of Luzon is the Bicol Region where the Mayon Volcano with its near perfect cone can be found. Caramoan, the hidden paradise of the province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region is where one can find some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. Luzon has so much more to offer its visitors. Most of the places of interests are accessible by land from Metro Manila, the gateway to the Philippines.

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Dinagat Island
Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 /

Dinagat Island is located on the southern side of the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. It has been given the title “Mystical Province of Love” by tourists who have been fortunate enough to have visited this favorite destination for extreme adventurers and rock climbers. Dinagat Island is home to caves, white sand beaches, bonsai forests, waterfalls, mountain lakes and other natural marvels. It is a fascinating and exciting tourist destination.
Some places of interest that can be found on Dinagat Island:

• Mt. Redondo Natural Bonsai Forest
Mt Redondo, rising over a thousand meters above sea level, is the second highest mountain of Dinagat Island. It is amazingly covered with natural bonsai trees. Mt Redondo Natural bonsai Forest is one of the only two natural bonsai forest in the Mindanao area and the only one that can be reached by land transportation.

• Esperanza Spring
This spring has crystal clear and nippy waters that flow in the midst of a tropical woodland

• Ouano Lagoon
This lagoon is admired by both tourists and locals for its serenity and tranquility and its clear deep blue water that is ideal for swimming

• Campijagit Point
This islet has an air of mystery around it and offers majestic waves that are great for surfing

• Pangabangan Island
This tiny island (only 2.5 hectares in size) is blessed with pristine and untouched fine white sand, towering rock formation rising from the deep blue sea and fantastic coral reefs. From this beautiful island, visitors can also view lovely “Kisses Islets” scattered around the Island similar to the Hundreds Islands of Pangasinan.

• Bitaug Beach
This new paradise of Dinagat Island has soft white powdery sand and majestic rock formation

• Sundayo Beach
This beach is perfect for snorkeling and is surrounded with islets in different shapes and sizes.

• Lake Bababu
This is a mountain lake snuggled in huge walls of granite and enclosed by huge trees. The lake can be reached by a steep descent that will add thrill to the adventure and a fascinating view of a number of mysterious looking small caves.

• Pig-ot Hideaway Beach
This is a group of islets that appears like a necklace of broken emeralds laid on the surface of an aquamarine blue sea. It is also blessed with beautiful coral reef filled with colorful aquatic species.

• Sangay Beach and Dive Site
An ideal surfing and diving site.

• Baing Beach and Dive Site
A white sand beach that is ideal for snorkeling and diving because of its magnificent coral reefs.

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Sibuyan Island Review
Monday, May 21st, 2012 /

Sibuyan Island, a crescent shaped island, is one of the three biggest islands that comprise Romblon Province in the Philippines. This lovely, secluded island has so much to offer visitors; beautiful beaches, amazing waterfalls, lush and verdant jungle, and the world-renown Mount Guiting-Guiting. This extraordinary island this side of paradise is called the Galapagos of Asia by scientists.

The forests of Sibuyan Island have a diverse environment with heath land and mangroves spread between soaring trees. It is protected as part of a national park of the island. Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park was created to protect these forests. The park is amazing for its exceptional scenic landscape, with twin soaring peaks resting amidst the green lush forest canopy.
More than 130 bird species fly over Sibuyan Island and a remarkable number and specie of reptiles, mammals and rodents call the island home. Night time is for the 10 different species of Sibuyan bats including some endangered species and other rare animals.

Some of the most fascinating waterfalls that could be found in Asia are in Sibuyan Island. Cawa-Cawa, Lambingan, Cataja and Lagting Falls are only four of these amazing waterfalls.
Sibuyan Island’s precious gem is Crista del Gallo, a true paradise! A place where the sun, fine white sand and the aquamarine blue sea meet every day. It has fabulous underwater scenery that will give Boracay a run for its money and a quiet and tranquil environment.

The 2,000 – meter peak of Mt. Guiting-Guiting and a series of smaller slopes were formed by seismic forces that pushed the earth crust. Because of the steep slopes of Mt. Guiting-Guiting or “saw – toothed mountain” much of its original forest stayed untouched.

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Best Philippine Islands – Nogas Island
Thursday, December 29th, 2011 /

For the adventurous traveler who is in search of a slice of paradise here on earth, there is Nogas Island, part of the province of Antique, Philippines that would tickle their fancy. Nogas Island is a 24-hectare government naval reservation surrounded with flourishing mangrove, beautiful white sand beaches and the perfect vacation place for water loving vacationers. Nogas Island also has astonishing marine life and a wide variety of fish species as well as amazing and colorful coral reefs even at shallow waters.

Nogas Island is a haven for scuba divers, shell hunters and snorkelers plus of course for those whose only desire is to laze around in the sun and swim in the placid crystal blue waters surrounding the island. It is also a favorite haunt of bird enthusiasts because of the 32 bird species that are said to inhabit the island. The underwater “garden” off Nogas island is incomparable in beauty and in its pristine condition.

Photo by Cutterpillow

The only “concrete” structure in the island is a light house that can be reached by passing through a pathwalk lined with fragrant frangipanis tress or kalachuchi, its local name, a beautiful and sweet unforgettable experience. The view from the lighthouse is also a breathtaking and a one-in-a-million panorama, a canopy of trees topped with white frangipanis, a wide vista of pure white sand that slopes down to crystal blue waters and the distant shores of lovely coastline of the town of Anini-y, Antique.

From across Nogas Island is the beautiful and interesting town of Anini-y. This town has a charm all its own, with natural beauty spots such as green covered mountains, rich mangroves and hot springs. Anini-y is a great place for trekking and along the forest trail are cool and refreshing places to rest and cool down.

Nogas Island can be reached from Iloilo City by a bus that goes all the way to Anini-y from the Antique Transport Terminal in San Pedro, Molo, Iloilo City. From the Sirian Hot Spring in Anini-y a pump boat can be rented to bring visitors to Nogas Island.

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Best Beach Vacations in the Philippines
Tuesday, November 08th, 2011 /

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is considered one of the world’s beach vacation capital in this part of the world. This “Pearl of the Orient” with crystal clear waters of the China Sea, strong vigorous waves of the Pacific Ocean and placid waters of the inland seas plus the finest white sand has been endowed by Mother Nature with everything it needs to produce the most breathtaking beaches.

Boracay
Boracay Beach with its very fine white sand beaches and crystal blue waters is hyped as the “finest beach in the world”

Pagudpud Beach

Photo by purploony

Pagudpud Beach in the northern part of the Philippines has a bluer than blue seas and whiter than white sugary sand and combine it with a surging surf that is ideal for surfing whether wave or wind surfing, and you have a most exciting beach vacation ahead of you.

Panglao Island

Photo by jaker.

Bohol’s pride is a small island in the Central Visayas blessed with several islets with the most beautiful beaches one can ever imagine including Balicasag Island, Pontod and Gak-ang among others. It is also world famous for its amazing dive spots and fantastic coral formations.

Siargao Island

Photo by smallislander

Siargao Island is a haven for sun, sea and surf lovers. This tear shaped island in the southern tip of Mindanao boasts of white sand beaches, colorful reefs and magnificent waves. It is considered the leading surfing destination in the country.

Samal Island

Photo by kitakitts

Samal Island is an archipelago made up of nine islands found in the Davao Gulf that boasts of thick mangroves, magnificent coral reefs and beautiful white sands.

Bohol

Bohol is a province in the Philippines with numerous islands and islets famous for its powdery white sand beaches and exceptional dive spots that include the islands of Pamilican, Panglao, Cabilao, Mahanay, Lapinipin and Jao.

Palawan

Photo by chooyutshing

Last but not the least is Palawan with more than a thousand islands and islets that are famous for its magnificent rock formations, mysterious underwater rivers and caves and beautiful white sand beaches.

These are just some of the best beaches Philippines has to offer. There are more equally beautiful beaches that visitors will delight in discovering since some of them are mostly uninhabited and virgin island destinations.

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