Palawan – The Island Paradise

Few places in the Philippines, indeed in all of Southeast Asia, can compare with Palawan. Throughout the years it has remained consistently one of the top tourist spots in the continent.

Among the numerous attractions of the island, nothing is perhaps nire enthralling than its sheer bio diversity. Not only are there all kinds of creatures in the island, but over 200 of them are unique to it. The pheasant peacock, bearcat and ant eater are just among the species that can only be seen on the island. There are over 500 different types of butterflies in Palawan alone.

Moreover, the flora is just as extensive, with over 1,500 plants and flowers. Unlike in other parts of the country where deforestation is rampant, the forest cover in Palawan is still over 50%, in large part due to conservation efforts on the part of both the local government and its citizens.

There are an endless number of nature spots in Palawan worth checking out, several of which have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the most prominent is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Its most outstanding feature is the river which runs in an underground cave. The river will then go up and converge with the open sea. This connection has made it a natural breeding ground for an entire ecosystem.

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park is a reserve encompassing the south and north atoll reefs. The coral reef is full of unique and diverse marine life and at the same time the atoll is home to other types of animals including sea turtles.

While tourism plays a vital role in the economy of Palawan, it is not the only source of income of the province. With its well protected environment, it has become a great source of all kinds of fish. Nearly half of the fish supply in Metro Manila stems from Palwan. Another important source of income is logging. However, the continuous replanting in the province ensures that the forests remain strong.

Other vital industries in Palawan include the mining and production of such resources as sugar, coconut, corn and more. These products are shipped throughout the country, providing income for the province.

Equally as diverse are the people and the culture; there are several tribes and minorities that still flourish, including the Batak, Molbog and Palawano groups. Aside from these tribes, there is also a significant Muslim segment in the population and of course, several other peoples from all over the country have made the island province their home.

The mix of peoples in Palawan has resulted in a growing diversity in the religious practices as well. Although the bulk of the population are still Roman Catholics (as is most of the Philippines), there are a growing number of Protestants in the province, including Methodists, Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons. Other Christian sects like the Iglesia ni Cristo and El Shaddai can be found there.

In the southern part are located those who adhere to Islam, and there are also Buddhists in various locations, due mostly to the number of Vietnamese who have settled on the island.

Visit Bohol and Find a Super Destinationwith All to Give to the Tourist

Bohol may be one of the largest islands in the Visayas area, however that does not mean that there isn’t everything a traveler’s heart could hope for, does it? Well, yes it does indeed; everything which one could wish for as a visitor in one place. You can uncover a rich culture, great adventure, relaxation, shopping complexes, and great tasting food in this one island and one will through this article learn the many specialties which the tropical island Bohol has waiting for you.



Tourists can get to Bohol easily via fast craft such as Ocean Jet or Weesam express from Cebu and from Dumaguete City. Tourists can likewise use a Fast Ferry from Manila or even better yet a domestic flight with Air Philippines, Philippines Airlines or Cebu Pacific. Visitors really do not need to be concerned about one’s sleeping arrangements as there are beach resorts in just about every corner of Bohol and almost all of these resorts are operated by German or Swiss people so if you speak German, you will feel right at home.



If you are not keen on travelling too far away from the capital Tagbilaran, then you can visit the Bohol Tropics Resort Club which is said to be one of the best known and famous sites because of its abundant function rooms and amenities.



However, if one is on the adventurous side, one may grab a cab and drive down and ship your self to Cabilao Island as it is one of the most amazing diving sites as well as its white sandy beaches.



Speaking of SCUBA diving, Bohol is famous for their dive sites and their coral reefs. You will find many large turtles, groupers, barracudas and lots of banded sea snakes. The diving spots Bohol has to offer are considered world class, additionally there are sites for starting divers, advanced as well as expert divers. If you hit the big jackpot then you might see a Hammerhead shark. Ensure that you have your PADI ID card with you always to avail of dive spots and get reduced rates in various dive shops.



Bohol is not only good for diving, but it is also popular for sightseeing. The most popular spot in Bohol is a place right before Carmen where the Chocolate Hills are found. The Chocolate Hills are hills which extend in equal size and color over a vast space and during the dry season, the green grass turns brown and thus the name Chocolate Hills. Yet another little wonder is a primate which is unique and can only be found in Bohol. This animal is one of the primates, the tiniest in the world to be exact, and is called the Philippine Tarsier. This little creature is only as large or we should say, as small as a regular mango tree leaf. The Tarsiers are under protection and travelers can visit their sanctuary in the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Bohol.



Bohol has even more than nature to offer, visitors can also relax in one of the three major shopping malls which one can discover in Tagbilaran City.



You can see that Bohol is truly a tropical paradise for every visitor as you can find everything for every taste such as diving sites for the adventurers, sightseeing for the culture lovers and shopping malls for those who desire to shop. Come to Bohol now and let this tropical paradise experience change your opinion of a ordinary vacation forever.

THE POLITICS OF VIOLENCE

THE POLITICS OF VIOLENCE
By Sunny Rasheed Lucman Pacasum

The recent elections gave us an indigent insight into the complex character of our People. The events have become another, among many other motivating reasons for Filipinos to live anywhere else but on this country. Their main argument is that the bleakness of the political landscape will eventually kill whatever chances we have for improving ourselves as a people. But can anyone blame us? Look at our situation. Investors are starting to move away. Leaving our economy hopelessly indebted.

Our politics has lost its dignity and turned into a circus. We are the only country where Mexican soap opera stars are received like royalty in the presidential palace. There are lesser and lesser job opportunities for Filipinos and one of the few more lucrative occupations involves talking to foreigners on a phone with a false accent. How miserable Filipinos must be…

A cousin of mine bluntly retorted that I should be making only constructive and positive suggestions instead of destructive and negative ones. But there is nothing positive about affirming what is nakedly wrong and incorrect. And there is nothing destructive about remembering the sins of the past. There is nothing negative about criticizing the diseases of the present. What this country needs is something I am skeptical any of our leaders have the balls to offer. The truth. If only Filipinos were more objective and politically mature things would be different. Our mind set is focused on ourselves to utter disregard of others and the truth. It has never changed.

In the elections, whoever loses claims to have been cheated. I can’t blame them because if they won, they would have been the cheaters we love to indulge in gossiping instead of devoting time reading good literature such as success stories. It gets even worse, crab mentality in the Philippines is so blatant that every election, everyone tries to put one down.

Even most of the media people who have a hand in molding the peoples opinion cannot even do what they are supposed to do and report there events without pre-judgment. They could say, whatever they desired against Muslims and only a few people would challenge them because there is no organized way to challenge stereotypes & bias in media. What is also obvious is the widespread bias of Filipinos, which are their love for Americans and their hatred for Muslims.

The media has to understand that we Muslims are mutually sympathetic to one another. When I hear the news that a Muslim brother in any part of this country is in pain. I am instinctively sympathetic to my Muslim brother. I may know little about the problem he is facing but I cannot and should not suppress my natural sympathy. This love is born of the bond of brotherhood, which the Islamic religion is keeping to establish between its followers. Everyone in our generation dreams of being rich successful and happy. But the dreams require us to hop on a plane and become domestic helpers.

In short we think that being a Filipino is a liability because this nation does nothing to help the youth. It’s depressing that our leaders think that only people who are 18 and above should be served well because their political careers depend on their votes.

What our leaders should understand is that the opinion of everyone matters even if those opinions wont necessarily be expressed through the ballot on election day as a citizen of this country. I’m sick and tired of hearing statements that seek to convince that the Philippines is a good country. The truth is its not.

It’s far from good. That’s why staying in the Philippines has simply become intolerable. A clear example to justify my stand are leaders who claim that the Philippines is one of Asia’s growing economies.

As far as I know we have been a growing economy ever since Martial law. I never heard anywhere or at any point that the Philippines had already grown to a strong economy. How can the government make me believe that our economy is getting better when I constantly see Sampaguita girls carrying babies and risking their lives just to beg for coins in the streets. Is that how they picture a growing economy? This country is poor. Very poor our minimum wage earners can hardly get enough food and shelter our national debt has reached trillions of pesos and god knows when we will be able to pay for it.

I have come to a conclusion that the Philippines is a country of beggars. Begging is no longer taboo. Decency is no longer a practice. Our Peoples change of character is the direct result of the educational system. Education in the Philippines is mediocre.

In my province I have seen students cross a river in a Banca, walk in muddy roads and flooded streams to reach their classes. School buildings with broken roofs, classrooms with no blackboards and tables with no chairs. One can hardly study let alone learn in such an economically challenged atmosphere. The department of education should look into this outrageous problem that mocks the constitutional obligation of the state to provide free quality education to all children including Muslims.

Our leaders say that we should be proud because we are run by a democracy. Clearly the voting public and the candidates feed on each other to create an incestuous relation of the rule of the corrupt and the corruptible.

In the past few elections only the elite have successfully influenced the outcome of our election. Worse even drug lords and loan sharks have also found a way to use their dirty money to win polls. This brand of politics is destroying the image of the Bangsamoro. Making us dirty and corrupt. Something is wrong with a people who instead of putting a drunkard into therapy we send him to Malacaٌnang.

Something is very wrong with a people who instead of throwing a coup leader behind bars we send him to senate. Something is obviously wrong with a people who instead of holding grafters, tax evaders and rapist to account for their sins against society we send a number of them to congress. This country is run by corruption not democracy. And yes were even proud of it.

The military is tasked with the burden of protecting its citizens. But for such a strong organization it is very alarming and upsetting to see that it is the most vulnerable entity to political pressure. This vulnerability can be traced to the military’s utter ignorance of the constitution, it’s role in defending it, and its ignorance that the dishonest and greedy generals capitalize upon.

The Bangsamoro people continue to suffer the agony of war waged by the government troops against our mujahideens. Thousands of my Muslim brothers have left their homes and livelihood due to these hostilities. The truth should come out that the military is the one provoking us to fight in order to justify and raise government funding for its war against terror.

Have you noticed the standard of living in Mindanao is low compared with that of Visayas and Luzon? Government records attest that Mindanao only gets 10% of the national budget. Considering it’s the second largest island and provides most of the country’s resources. If there are any investments coming in, the Bangsamoro people aren’t enjoying them. But those in places like Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and other non-Muslim dominated provinces. The truth is the government regularly manipulates population statistics to minimize the Muslim count. Since only Christian birth and death records are recognized as official. There is no accurate census available on the current number of the Bangsamoro population. Thus voter representation in Muslim Mindanao and the need for government infrastructure in our province is denied.

The government is responsible for steering this nation. Without that responsibility the government has no purpose and would have no right to exist. This country needs to be told the plain truth that this country is doomed and should work towards a miraculous cure. This government must take heart and at least have pity on the poor of this nation, especially the Bangsamoro who has no ambition but to be free. Free from this wretched country.WASSALAM

Mr. Sunny Rasheed (23yrs old), is currently working as a marketing executive in Makati. You can e-mail him at Santino_101@hotmail.com

Must see attractions in Malaysia

Redang Island A Divers Paradise

Redang Island is located in the South China Sea. It lies just off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia and is considered one of the most spectacular dive locations in Malaysia. The island 45 kilometers north-northeast of the state capital of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, and approximately 22 kilometers from the Merang Jetty, which is the main boarding point for visitors to the island

Visitors to Redang Island will board at the Merang Jetty for a 45-minute boat ride.

Upon arrival at Redang Island, visitor will be overwhelmed with the reception they receive. Crystal clear water and white sandy beaches are in abundance at Redang Island.

There are currently 17 resorts operating on Redang Island ranging from budget accommodations such as beach huts and chalets, to four-star hotels. Most of these resorts are located on the two main beaches at Teluk Kalong and Pasir Panjang on the eastern coast of the Island.

Redang Island is rich with diverse marine life in the surrounding waters. 80% of the species found in the “coral triangle”, an area bounded by Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. This “coral triangle” is known to have the highest number of marine species in the world.

Divers can select from a wide range of diving experiences at Redang Island. From Beach Dives, Shallow Water Dives and challenging Deep Dives, the diving sites are near the islands and easily accessible by speedboat. Dive centers can be found at most resorts and most dive centers offer PADI/NAUI certified courses.

There are three dive sites towards the north of the Island. Tanjung Tokong and Tunnel Point are the most popular of the northern sites. They offer divers abundant marine life with a maximum depth of 30 meters. Tanjung Lang, the least popular, has a maximum depth of 18 meters. The northern sites are the most popular sites among divers and are also the healthiest in Redang. They are located away from most of the resorts and in close proximity to the protected beach Chagar Hutang, which hosts SEATRU’s conservation efforts.

Pasir Panjang is a popular dive and snorkeling site. The beach is easily accessible and the house-reefs are good for snorkeling, beach dives and also discovery dives. Other popular snorkelling locations not far from Pasir Panjang are Pulau Paku Besar and Pulau Paku Kecil. These are popular snorkeling locations but have enough marine life to keep divers happy too.

In the vicinity of Teluk Kalong, Cina Terjun has become a photographer’s heaven. The sandy bottom at Cina Terjun is home to stingrays and scorpion fish and stone fish nestled amongst the reefs. Divers are almost certain to encounter eels and lion fish at this location. This spot offers divers an excellent location for day or night dives with a maximum depth of 18 meters.

The southern dive sites are among the most popular in Redang. Terumbu Kili is a rocky outcrop that appears above the water and slopes down to a sandy bottom at approximately 20 meters deep. It is one of the top dive sites in Redang. Pulau Ling and Batu Chipor were once the most popular dive sites in Redang. It still offers divers a rich biodiversity in marine life but both these sites are less visited due to the increasing traffic of large boats surrounding the area. Another popular dive site on the southern side of Redang is Pulau Ekor Tebu.

With the rich diversity of the marine life at Redang, the island has grown into one of the top dive sites in the world. Visitors to Redang Island can expect to have an enjoyable time whether they are there for relaxation or for adventure.

Things to do in San Franciscos Golden Gate Park

Whether you are a tourist exploring or a local looking for something to do with your weekend Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California has something for everyone. The attractions, activities and dining choices are numerous and varied enough to appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Golden Gate Park is one of the most highly visited city parks in America with over 13 million visitors enjoying the grounds every year. The parklands are over 1000 acres in size and have been built on top of what was once quite a harsh landscape of sand dunes ravished by ocean winds.

ATTRACTIONS:

Some of the most popular attractions In Golden Gate Park include:

The Japanese Tea Gardens-explore 5 acres of Japanese style gardens with winding paths, sculptures, ponds, bridges and teahouses.

Conservatory of flowers-the conservatory of flowers is a greenhouse filled with thousands of plant species including tropical, aquatic and seasonal flowering plants. One section you can enter features live butterflies.

Koret Children’s quarter-enjoy the children’s playground, complete with carousel. There are swings, slides, tubes to crawl through and planks to balance across.

The De Young Memorial Museum- houses art and cultural displays from around the world. Popular installations include work from America, Africa, New Guinea, New Zealand and the Philippines.

California Academy of Science-one of the biggest natural history museums around the globe this museum contains an aquarium and planetarium. It has recently been rebuilt as a sustainable building with solar panels, natural light and recycled materials. You will find exhibits on botany, geology, space and water. Some of the most popular attractions are; the rainforests of the world exhibit, a 3D theater and a discovery interactive tide pool.

The San Francisco Botanical Gardens-contains over 7000 plant varieties and the largest horticultural library in the state. There is even a garden of fragrance with Braille signs and free guided walks are available.

ACTIVTIES

Some of the numerous activities available in the Golden Gate Park include:

-Archery

-Basketball courts

-Pathways suitable for walking, bicycling and skating-with JFK drive shut off to cars on Sundays. Bikes and skates can be rented from park suppliers.

-9 hole golf course

-Lawn Bowls, including free lessons

-Swing dancing with free beginners lessons on Sundays

-Sea Lion watching

-View Bison, bears and

Is Philippine Dreams Right For You at This Time?

If you had the choice between waiting to go live in an inner city ghetto, a retirement home, a nursing home or retiring to the Philippines, which would you choose? Follow your dreams and retire to the Philippines and live a life of luxury depending upon your resources. The Philippine Dreams Home Study Travel Guide which you can use in place of a Philippine Travel Agency is the secret discovered by Perry Gamsby, who has lived the dream for the last 6 years. Although he spent many vacations there for 13 years before making the final move, he is now a permanent resident and would have it no other way. The Philippines is the only Asian country that the language spoken is English.

The call of the Philippines allows you to live in happiness for much cheaper than almost any place else in the world. Way below average rents, live in maids, and about any category of pleasure that you can think of – golf, fishing, night life – is ready and waiting for you in the country of the Philippines and it can be your very own way of living if you choose Filipino Travel.

The number of folks who Travel In The Philippines and retiring to the Philippines is increasing as more retirees understand Philippine Dreams. If you are a divorcee or haven’t married yet the options for a new living with a Filipino girl is an option that many men are finding that Philippines and Travel is exactly what they want. The beauty of the country and the beaches have a magnetic attraction that you do not want to leave behind after spending any substantial amount of time in this amazing country.

Philippines Travel Information

Some of the hot topics of this course include how to mingle with cool singles, what to say and to make sure you don’t mingle with the wrong ones. It’s easy to get lost in a country like this only if you don’t know where to go. This guide will not only show you all the hot spots, it will let you know what places to avoid as well. If you need income assuming you don’t have a fixed source of income, you’ll find out how you can start your own business out there, and if needbe, you’ll find out how to get a job as well. It’s all included in this Filipino Travel Guide.

The folks of the Philippines are beyond polite and soft-spoken folks who are some of the nicest folks you will ever meet. To realize their politeness you need to live amongst them and realize how ecstatic they are to have you for their neighbor and colleague. If you are sick and tired of the rat race and want to live where living is much simpler and a colleague is truly a colleague, you definitely need to at least take part in Philippine Air Travel and visit the Philippines to get an idea of what you are missing.

This guide to the Philippine Dreams will show you how to Travel to Philippine any time you need to and why you don’t need a Filipino Travel Center and is yours for a small fee that includes updates for life. Their free monthly newsletter will keep you in the know about events and you will get a 100% money back warranty if you are not fundamentally ecstatic. All the information that you will want about the hospitals, schools, and where to find domiciled help is all contained in the guide.

Travel In Philippines

When you are ready to take charge of your life and live a life of dignity and independence, reading the Philippine Dreams Travel Guide instead of using a Philippine Travel Agency might just be the right solution for you. This manual is loaded with different Website URL’s, that will teach you everything you need to know about the country. Whether you need a helper, driver, cook or maid, you can get them all for about $30.00 a month each. For just a grand or two per month, you can live like a king would out in the United States. Whatever your decision is, we wish you the best of luck in your travels and in your life.

About Hawaii –Ten Fun Facts

Hawaii is a paradise island that begs everybody to step their feet on its beaches. With its golden sandy beaches and crystal clear water, renting or buying a beach house in Hawaii for your holiday getaway seems to be a perfect plan. However, picking the best beach house in terms of facilities and location is crucial in order to make the most out of your vacation. Don’t let the dream vacation ruined just because of your poor selection of a beach house. To consider Hawaii as travel destination, one must know following fun facts about Hawaii:

1) Hawaii has eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the “Big Island” of Hawaii.
2) Hawaii is the most isolated population center on earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.
3) Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee.
4) More than one-third of the world’s commercial supply of pineapples comes from Hawaii.
5) From east to west, Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.
6) The Hawaiian Islands mountain range tops are the biggest in the world.

7) Honolulu’s zenith star (the star that rises directly above it) is named Arcturus. The Hawaiians called it Hokule’a (Hoo koo lay uh).
The first Asian-American in the U.S. Senate was Hawaii’s Hiram Fong. Senator Fong was descended from Chinese immigrants.
9) Hawaii was the 50th state admitted to the U.S. union on August 20, 1959.
10) Hawaii has its own time zone (Hawaiian Standard Time). There is no daylight savings time. Hawaiian time runs two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, and five hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

As a focus for our trip we decided to visit Royal Dornoch three or so hours north of Edinburgh, and Machrihanish over on the Mull of Kintyre about as close to Ireland as you can get on mainland Scotland.

So we had booked a two night stay in the beautiful little town of Dornoch during our first week, and another two night stay at a quaint old bed and breakfast in Campbelltown about ten miles from Macrahanish.

Both of these towns have an interesting history going back hundreds of years. But of course, our primary interest was the golf courses that lay just outside of town. These are two ancient golf courses at opposite ends of Scotland, both with a well-deserved reputation for authenticity. Their remote locations almost guarantee they will not be overrun by masses of golfers.

We spent the first couple days at Linlithgow seeing the local sites. The first night there just happened to be a jousting match on the grounds of the Linlithgow Palace — an historic ruin that was once the home of Mary Queen of Scots.

Before leaving for Dornoch on Wednesday we wanted to play at least one round in the south. Our host had recommended we go over to North Berwick just south of Muirfield on the east coast (the St. Andrews side).

So we played our first round of golf in Scotland at North Berwick. This was a fitting start to our trip, since North Berwick is considered a “primitive” links course with quirky features such as blind shots and walls you have to shoot over. It is the home of the original “Redan” par three — which at the time seemed fairly unremarkable. Since then we have learned this hole has been copied by golf course designers more than any other in the world.

My own most memorable shot was the approach at #13, “The Pit”. I hit what I thought was a beautiful iron just over the stone wall onto the green (yes, there is a wall in front of the green!) When we got there it was down in the “pit” behind the green and required a massive uphill putt, which turned into at least a four-putt before I got it down.

The next day we visited St. Andrews. Having played at North Berwick we were now accustomed to the “public” nature of these courses. People are perfectly free to walk across the fairway to and from the beach. So this gave us the opportunity to walk parts of The Old Course. We walked out a couple holes along the beach side, then came back along the famous “Road Hole” (17) and along the road to the even more famous Swilcan Bridge over the “burn” on 18.

On Tuesay we played the local course at Linlithgow as a guest of our host. This offered an interesting taste of the other kind of course in Scotland — an inland or parkland course — more like what we Canadians are used to, but a bit more rugged.

Ideal vacation spots

Acapulco was named by the Nahua tribe, the name means “where the reeds stood” or place of giant reeds” Archaeological finds show that when the Spaniards arrived, people had been living around the bay area for about 2,000 years. The Nahua were conquered by the Aztec empire about a hundred years before it fell to the Spanish conquistadors. By order of Hernan Cortez, Spanish sailors took the Bahia de Acapulco in 1521. Port and shipbuilding facilities were established and it was the jumping-off point for further explorations and conquests, such as that of Peru. It became the only port in the New World authorized to receive Spanish Galleons from the Philippines and China.

All this treasure was an open invitation Dutch and English pirates could not resist, and by the 17th century, their ships abounded in the Pacific and along the coastline of Mexico and Baja California. To ward off the pirates, Fuerte de San Diego was built atop a low hill overlooking the bay. Because of the sea port’s strategic importance to the Spanish crown, Fuerte de San Diego became a focus of rebellion in1812 when the discontented population rose up against their Spanish colonial rulers in the war of independence. The royalists were besieged in the fort for four months before finally surrendering to the Mexican troops. As the capital grew, its citizens began flocking to the Pacific coast for vacations. A new international airport was built, and by the 1960s Acapulco was a booming resort, its reputation as a playground for the rich and famous set, often from within Mexico, rather than from outside the country.

The city is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains on the other. Along the Costera Miguel Aleman, the cities principle thoroughfare, you’ll find most of the major hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.

You will also find the cultural heart of the city, known to the locals as Acapulco Traditional. Among the sights is the Fort San Diego, which protected Acapulco from Dutch and English pirates in the days of Spanish Rule. Originally constructed in 1611 and rebuilt in1776 following a massive earthquake. It is a classic five-point fortress surrounded by a moat.

Acapulco was fist inhabited by primitive Indians. Later on people of Nahuati stock, the Nahoas, came and settled the area. The name Acapulco derives from the Nahuatl words”acatl” (place of canes). “pol”(to break) and “co”that indicates place. The first “tourist” to visit Acapulco was a Chinese Monk by the name of Fa Hsien. As the legend goes, he arrived in Pre-Historic times around 417 AD, long before Columbus crossed the Atlantic to “discover” America.

Beginning in the 50s the area became a playground for the Hollywood set, and such personalities such as Elvis came , visited, and made movies, thus making it a popular world wide destination for many years. One of the major attractions, the Cliff Divers, continue to be to this day one of the main attractions of the area.

Travel destinations: The Philippines – Part 13

Here are the reasons why you should visit the Philippines:

1. The Place: It is so unique. The Philippines, also called the Pearl of the Orient Seas, consists of 7,107 islands. Far from being a mere cluster of islands on the southeastern corner of Asia, the Philippines is an archipelago blessed with an endless Array of landscapes. It brims with unspoilt white beaches, virgin forests & mountains, cascading waterfalls, endless plains, breathtaking cliffs, marvelous caves, wild marshes, unpolluted lakes and rivers, centuries all churches and other buildings, all, set amidst a stunning backdrop of clear blue skies and emerald seas. Go scuba diving, surfing, or swimming in Boracay, Cebu, Davao, La Union, or Ilocos Norte. Go hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, or bird watching in Mountain Province or Baguio. Explore the caves and the waterfalls in Pagsanjan or Cagayan. Visit the almost 400-hundred year old churches in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Stop by the “mansion” full-house-sized mausoleums at the Chinese cemetery in Manila. The list of things to do and see is endless.

2. The People: The Philippines is home to multi-ethnic people – a varied blend of races, beliefs and customs borne from centuries of foreign influence. We are a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, American, Arab and European ancestry. Despite this diverse background, we have managed to produce an identity of our own. We call ourselves “Filipinos”. We are a fun-loving and gentle people. And when you come visit our country, you will find that we are courteous, friendly, and we put your needs and interest above ours. Almost everyone speaks English.

3. The Food: Food, glorious food! Filipinos love to eat! We eat four or more times a day! Majority eat breakfast, then a segundo almuerzo (second breakfast) around 10:30, lunch at around midday, followed by a merienda, or afternoon snack between 2-3 p.m., then dinner, and sometimes a midnight snacks. Sample our delectable and tempting delicacies which is a unique mixture of eastern and western cuisine. With nearly 400 years of outside influences, the Philippine cuisine is a fascinating blend of Malay, Spanish, Western, and Chinese cultures. Rice is served in almost every meal. We have abundant shrimps, lobsters, crabs, fish and shells- perhaps the freshest and biggest! And when you happen to attend a party or a festivity, try our whole roasted pig and an Array of meat, vegetable, seafood, and pasta dishes. Sample

Movers: Virginia and Everywhere Else

Moving out is one way of saying goodbye. Well, at least for me. Whenever I hear someone moving away from me, even if it is just temporary, I feel really, really sad.

Now if I were given a chance to move though, from my place in Los Angeles, California, I would like to move to Virginia. Moving companies going to that state must be in demand for Virginia is known for its sensational sunset sightings. Movers Virginia bound can enjoy the view themselves that is why Northern Virginia moving companies and those from neighboring Maryland and DC moving companies are also enjoying whenever they assist a move.

Anyone know any Manassas moving company? I personally like that state: nice hotels, motels and inns.

Now let’s get back to the topic of moving. By nature I love sceneries. If I could capture the beauty of the sunrise and the sunset plus the majesty of the mountains and the vastness of the horizon, I would have put it in all the walls of my house, most especially my room. So if I were to move out of California and into another place, I guess I’ll go to the Philippines.

Most people if not all think that the Philippines is one hellhole. In the last couple of years, there have been a widespread of diseases and the scare of terrorism escalates as each day goes by. Add the government conflicts, the Philippines is one country that most people would stay away from.

But the last time that I spent my vacation in the Philippines is one of the best months of my life. I was able to take beautiful pictures both on my camera and my mind of the most beautiful beaches, most majestic mountain ranges and some of the grandest nature wonders I have ever had the pleasure of seeing and experiencing.

The Rice Terraces in a local area called Ifugao is my personal favorite. History wise, these nature wonder of stair-like structures is bursting with local urban legend. Just like the other mythologies from all parts of the world, The Ifugao folklore also talks of how the beginning of the earth went, the origin of the place, and the start of the Ifugao race.

Also among the places I wouldn’t mind visiting again in the Philippines is El Nido and the beautiful Amanpulo. These paradise beach resorts are located in a local province known as Palawan, and are considered to be two of the country’s most prestigious beach resorts. To quote, it is the realization of a dream.

Of course, just like all countries that are struggling for development, there is a vast improvement of the mentioned places, but personally, I would prefer it if technology would keep these places out of their reach. Most of the time, technology improves the way they look, but it does not improve the quality of the places. There is still beauty in its virginity.

It’s all about perception and appreciation. Appreciate and you’ll be rewarded.

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