Philippine Tourism

In the Philippines ... the 7,107 islands, its natural wonders, colorful history, and a warm and engaging people!




Over a hundred ethnic groups, a mixture of foreign influences and a fusion of culture and arts have enhanced the uniqueness of the Filipino and the wonder that is the Philippines.



Archipelago abundant in nature, rich culture and full of pleasant surprises. There are three islands in the Philippines - Luzon in the north, Visayas, a group of small islands in the middle, and Mindanao in the southern Philippines has the largest island.The Philippines has



a variety of destinations, activities and events that each browser of experience in this archipelago of wonders. Huge mountains and volcanoes of the great legends say. Ancient cities share stories of the past. Caves exciting. Water and a tropical climate attracts travelers from throughout the year.



Considered the third largest English speaking country in the world, the Philippines offers World CAL facilities and services - excellent accommodation, restaurants, shopping centers and modern communication services, efficient congress and exhibition organizers and professional tour operators.So Whatever the activity you intend to do on your next vacation, diving well-being, Golf City Life, cultural and



Adventure and Adrenaline Rushes Heritage - Create a place for the Philippines! In fact, more than the experience usual!



History



The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 ushered in an era of Spanish rule and interest. Manila has become the center of Asia to the fleet in Manila-Acapulco galleon. Christianity has been widely adopted. As the 19th century led to the 20 that followed in quick succession in the Philippine Revolution that led to the short-lived Republic of the Philippines, the first Spanish-American War and the War of the Philippines-United States. In the process, the United States emerged as the dominant power. Despite the period of Japanese occupation, the United States held sovereignty over the islands until the end of World War II when the Philippines became independent. United States has left the Philippines the English language and a strong affinity for Western culture.



Since independence, the Philippines had an often tumultuous experience with democracy, with popular "people power" movement to overthrow a dictatorship, in one case, but also highlighted the institutional weakness of his constitutional republic in others.



Culture and people



Filipino culture is a combination of Eastern and Western cultures. Philippines has features found in other Asian countries with legacy Malay culture but also show a significant amount of Spanish and American influences.



Traditional festivities known as Barrio festivals (festival in the District) to commemorate the feast of the patron saints are common. Moriones Sinulog Festival and the Festival is the most famous couple. These are the times for the celebrations of festivals, music and dance. Some traditions are changing, albeit slowly, or forgotten because of



modernization. The Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company was commended for maintaining many different folk dances found throughout the Philippines. They are famous for their iconic performances of Filipino dances like Tinikling Singkil and that the two depending on the use of bamboo poles contradictory.



Food



Filipino cuisine has evolved over several centuries from its original Malay-Polynesian cuisine to mingle with many Hispanics, Chinese and American influences, Asian and others have adapted to local ingredients and the Palace to create Filipino dishes at Philippine in general. The dishes range from very simple, like a meal of salted fish fried rice, development, and cooked like paella created for the holidays. The most popular dishes include Lechon, adobo, Sinigang, Kare Kare,crisp leg, Pancit, lumpia, and Halo. Some common ingredients used in cooking are local Calamondin, coconut, Saba (a kind of short-range plantain), mango, and fish sauce. Filipino taste buds tend to favor the robust flavors but the food is not as spicy as their neighbors.



Unlike many of their Asian counterparts, Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks, they use Western cutlery. But, perhaps because rice is the main staple food and the popularity of a large number of pots and main dishes of broth in the Filipino cuisine, the pair's most important tools on the table saw Filipino food is a spoon and fork. The traditional way to eat with your hands known as Kamayan seen more often in less urbanized areas.



Wonders of the World



Banaue rice terraces of Ifugao province is called the "eighth wonder of the world." Ifugaos sculpted terraces, Banaue rocky mountain, about 4000 meters above sea level, hundreds of years ago. Total contours of this architectural wonder which is also known as "stairways to heaven", is about 13 500 km in length, or about half the circumference of the earth, and ten times the length of the Great Wall of China.



To preserve the natural beauty of the place, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared a World Heritage Site. "For 2000 years, the rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountain. The fruit of knowledge passed from one generation to the next, of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they create a landscape of great beauty that expresses conquered and conserved harmony between humankind and the environment, "UNESCO said.



Recent improvements in the tourism industry in this country came with the passage of Republic Act No. 9593 or "Tourism Act of 2009." The law contains a new structure for the administration of tourism in the country through the reorganization of the Ministry and related agencies, creation of a Tourism Development Fund, and the creation of special tourist areas throughout the country.



Come and enjoy the wonders of the Pearl of the Orient Sea and the hospitality of the Filipino people.



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Wonders of the Philippines, Philippine Tourism, Travel Philippines

 

Fresh Coconut trip at Hillside Bar and Resto

Philippine Sea Foods (Pontevedra Capiz)

Landscape by Ricky Borres

My photo

White Penguin Dormitory

My coin collections

Hillside Bar and Resto

The Capiceños will now have a new place to go to for dining, drinks, and get-together with the recent opening of the HILLSIDE BAR AND RESTO along Malag-it Road, Pontevedra, Capiz. As its name suggests, the place is set in the down slope of a hill amidst coconut trees, various other trees and greenery. The structures are made of native and indigenous materials to fit in the cool and relaxing surroundings.

Opening last September 16, free bowls of batchoy were served to the first 100 customers who were delighted with the flavorsome rendition of the famous Ilonggo fare. The restaurant also serves delicious Pinoy cuisine such as inasal manok, pork barbecue, boneless bangus, sizzling sisig, and other delectable appetizers, all at very affordable prices! The bar is also well-stocked with beers and high-end hard drinks.
The writer with Dolly Buday, Chat Parreno and Sally Gadong.
A new business venture of Saranggola Multi-Ventures Co., a partnership of long-time friends Jose “Pepe” Borres and Virgilio “Tootsie” Casio, the Hillside Bar and Resto is an alternative destination for seminars, meetings, and gatherings at reasonable rates. The place also has cottages with complete amenities to cater transient lodging accommodation.
Good friends and customers dropped by during the soft opening to convey their best wishes to the owners. However, GRAND OPENING of HILLSIDE BAR AND RESTO will be on October 31, 2009, Saturday, with live band music and Halloween party galore! Everybody are invited to come!!! For inquiries and reservation of the place, call (036) 6340087 or text mobile no. 0920-9002379.
capiceno way on the The News Today
September 28, 2009 Iloilo City, Philippines
By Donna Casio

Eco Park

The association of resort, restaurants and hotels of Capiz made travel and tours as part of their regular activity in Capiz. They go to the different tourism sites in Capiz to make them familiar of the sites and at the same time as their regular meeting with the cooperation of the tourism of Capiz.
July 30, 2009, I joined them to Lolets Eco Park of Dao Capiz, as we arrive in the place; we were welcome by the hospitable owner. The native foods are waiting at the hall, the “balot” (18 days fertile egg of duck” which is famous in that place and other native foods from rice. After the heavy snacks, the meeting had come to order as the president presided.
The association is so young; they agreed to make a brochure for all the members of the association to be available on the upcoming travel fair in Manila, Philippines. The group also discussed related issues in tourism industry and that they could improve the services of their respective sites.
While the meeting is ongoing, the tourism officer of Capiz arrived to assist the group on whatever the group is planning to do. After all the agenda have been discussed, the good tourism officer discussed the upcoming national Indigenous People (IP) celebration to be held in Capiz on October 2 – 6, 2009, at Villarreal Stadium of Roxas City, Philippines. All the Indigenous People of the Philippines will be gathered here in Capiz. The purpose of the celebration is to deepen awareness, appreciation and understanding of the diversity of the Filipino culture and communities, to recognize the expertise and works of cultural community, and provide venue for advocacy to preserve and integrate traditional culture and its creative expressions as a dynamic part of national mainstream.
The celebration will in reach the unique culture and allowing cultural exchange that will foster cultural understanding of the role of Indigenous People in the community. The activity will include the building of houses of different IP’s, cultural show, craft making and way of life of the IP’s.
So come my friends to Capiz on October 2 – 6, 2009, and experience the different culture of the Philippines

Biggest Bell in Asia

Panay bell of Capiz in the Philippines is known to be the biggest bell in Asia and because of this, Capiz is one of the destinations of travel and tours in Panay Island of the Philippines. The church is also one the oldest church in the Philippines; it was built 1774 by Fr. Miguel Murguia. This 235 years old church as this blog being written is still standing with its original stone being used to build this church. Technically, the stone is not an ordinary stone, it is a corals cut into blocks by the locals of Banban as the name of the town before, established in 1572. Today, it is being named as town of Panay, province of Capiz, Philippines.
The church is being damage by the typhoon in 1875 and it was constructed again in 1884 by Fr. Jose Beloso, which is 9 years after the typhoon. After the construction of the church, Fr. Jose Beloso commissioned Don Juan Reina to cast a bell from the seventy sacks of coins donated by the town people. By virtue of National Historical Institute (NHI) board resolution No.3.s.1997, this was declared as national historical Landmark.
There are some theory being believe by the locals of Panay today that the original bell of the church of Panay in 1774 of Fr. Miguel Murguia was a pure silver from the coins of the town people, for it is not clear what was the bell being used by Fr. Miguel Murguia when he build the church during his time. When the typhoon came and damage the church, the bell was stolen and brought by the galleon to the sea for commercial purposes where during that time galleon trading by the Chinese merchant are present in the Philippines, in 1815, trading was open to the world, silver bullion and minted coins are being returned to Acapulco by the Chinese merchant with silk textiles and porcelain products. Another clue to consider is in 1868, the ilustrados in the Philippines had begun in conflict with the church when they ask an equal rights with the priest where they act as the government in a simple words. Some folks believe that the bell carried by the galleon boat was sunk in the sea and the bell was never recovered until now. Well it’s just a theory by the local folks of Panay, as they say, believe it or not.

Travel and tours of 1970's

Travel and tours of 1970’s in the Philippines is not that easy before, transportation from one place to another is hard during that time, considering the geographical situation of the Philippines. Boat and airplane are major transport during that time, but within the island is another question, some are horse or buffalo with cart or they call it “kalesa”.
Local tourist during that time enjoys the simple set up of nature in different places in the Philippines, the natural, God given beauty of nature are enjoyed most by the local tourist. Foods and accommodation during that time is so simple, travel and tours agencies are not well known, it’s a real adventure for the locals, even internet technology is not available were they could search for their travel, they are just dependent on the relatives and friends in the area of their destination, and from there the local suggest where to spend the vacation.
Amenities of the area are not that lucrative like banana boat, skydiving, even swimming pools are not available for them. Tourists are contented of nature trip, horse riding maybe, swimming in the clean and Cool River and beaches. Accommodation in a nipahouse is like a hotel to them.
I did this page in honor of my grandmother Salvacion B. Avaricio who just passed away last July 14, 2009. She also love travel and tours during her time, for 89 years of her life she just wanted to travel in the Philippines, many of her friends and relative wanted her to travel abroad, but she did not, for she said that she did not yet finish traveling the Philippines. She always brings something as remembrance from her travel like stone or wood where she found in the area. How I wish to travel with her today.
So friends, discover the Philippines first before travelling to other places, and that you will experience the God designed landscape and places to be with.

Dinner meeting with DOT

Travel and tours in Capiz is being strengthened by the local organization with the support of department of Tourism Capiz. Capiz Visitors Convention Bureau (CVCB) and Association of Resorts, Restaurants and hotels of Capiz were being formed to support the rapid increase of tourist in Capiz.
The Capiz Visitors of Convention Bureau (CVCB) and the Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Hotels of Capiz (ARRHC) in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Capiz headed by Alphonsus D. Tesoro had a dinner meeting with the regional director of the department of tourism region VI in the person of Edwin G. Trompeta last July 16, 2009. The meeting was being set in time of the celebration of the “dewal” festival. It is a celebration of a good harvest of “dewal” it’s a kind of shell that grows abundantly in Capiz for Capiz is known to be the sea food Capital of the Philippines.
The significance of tourism in development is being discus by the good director as the development of travel and tours in the Philippines. As he said that, if we treat tourism as a 3rd rate industry we will still be 3rd world country, forecasting 1.5 billion tourists visiting in the countries all over the world. So if the Philippines could share the market of tourism in the world, it will boost the tourism industry in the Philippines.
Further more, he also discussed some new trends of travel and tours in the world like, gay travels, the seniors travel and tours, extreme travel and even space travel is in the market now. Strategies on attracting tourist in the Philippines were added in the discussions, and the most important is that he announces the additional financial assistance to the tourism industry in Capiz.
Eco-tourism was given emphasis to the discussions, where, Philippines are more related because of our natural ambiance of nature. The Philippines tourism growth is about 8-10% over five years as the good director reveal. The projected arrival of tourist in 2010 will rise to 15.6% as being forecast by the DOT. The good director proudly present the numerology of the tourism industry in the Philippines, where, as of 2008 tourist receipt, we have US$4.885 billion, 100billion pesos tourism investment, 3.770 million pesos job generated, and its job well done by the Department of Tourism of the Philippines.
As the tourism industry in the Philippines grows, the greater economic impact to the country, where all sectors of the business industry is being affected positively, from transport industry to the farming industry, and the effect is more jobs in the Philippines.

Future Tourism Site In Capiz

Other duties of Department of Tourism is to explore and discover new sites for tourism in the Philippines, with this effort, one of the staff of DOT Capiz, Philippines went with my sisters in our place to look if our place is potential for tourism industry and that, we could find ways and means for the development of the place.
Yvette L Andion, tourism operation officer II, as sometimes being assigned to be the tourist guide in Capiz knows better what the tourists wanted in their travel. We walk through in our site at Malag-it Pontevedra Capiz Philippines, as we approach the hill she already convinces of the site where it is along the national road of the town of Pontevedra. If you are from Roxas city, the capital of Capiz, its 22kms passing route of Panay, and if you are going to pass Panitan route, its 25kms more or less. The roads from Roxas city are all concrete road. The site has already water system using the water district of the local government with telephone lines provided by one of the big telecom company of the Philippines and its just 1km away from the district hospital of Capiz. The site is so strategic as she says where with all of basic needs for developments are already in place. The view on top of the hill are, you could see the 250ft virgin Mary which is also one of the tourist attraction in Capiz, and aside from that you could see the “Tinagong Dagat” the sea that surrounds the island of Panay, one of the 7100 island of the Philippines.
As we discuss with her about the future development of the site, she suggest, horseback riding, camping with survival training, off road biking, and most of all, native foods for the guest and accommodation. Well in the future development if there will be investors interested the site is ready for swimming pool and hotels, things like that. The site is already approved by the local government land use program as an open area for commercial, the land is owned by my family.
As the trip ends, she recommend to look for investors, it could be foreign or local or maybe with the members of the family as a family corporation. The department of tourism is willing to support the future development on the site as their commitment to people of the Philippines, to boost the tourism industry in the country.

"travel and tour to Belo's private place"

We made a travel with my family going to Belo’s private place in Panitan Capiz, Philippines. It’s 20kms more or less, away from the city of Roxas passing a concrete road of Panitan and from the national road it’s more or less 700m going up and down the rolling hills. Up there is a lake on top of the hill decorated with travelers palm with floating cottage and private cottages with fully air-conditioned rooms, but the cottages are made in indigenous materials that can be found around their place. They have also a three layer tree house in a fully furnished room. I may say that their place is sanctuary of their own, away from the pollution of the city.
I like to thank my friend who is like my family also PJ that he open to my family their place. We experience to ride in a “balsa” going to the floating cottage in the center of the lake. The lake is abundant with “tilapia” fish that you can go fishing and made it grilled for your food. You can also go for boating in the lake while enjoying fishing. You can continue your lake activity even at night because the place is surrounded with floodlights. Again, thank you to PJ and to his family my family enjoyed very much, hope to see you soon. Philippines travel and tour.

Travel and tours in the Philippines II

There are still many tourism sites in the Philippines that have not yet been developed or either discovered by local or foreign tourist. Some are being maintained by the owner for private vacation site and some have no resources or have no idea how to develop. That is why many of the tourist that come to the Philippines came back not as tourist again but as a tourist investors for they know that Philippines has a potential for tourism business. There is no such country in the world with 7100 islands.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is giving effort for the development and improvement of the tourism industry of the Philippines. Promotions at all means and sites explorations are being conducted by the DOT in coordination with the different department and agencies of the Philippine government. Aside from the massive development of the tourism industry in the Philippines, the local indigenous people are also being protected by the government. They are being trained for employment as tourist guide and some other jobs in the tourism business as priority.

So come and visit the Philippines and have pleasure and business come in to one trip, and for local tourist in the Philippines, if you think that your site has a potentials for tourism business try to explore the resources that you have and visit (DOT) or simply click the related sites. Philippines is a tourism hub by nature so let it be.

Travel and tour in the Philippines Part I

Philippine tourism is one of the active industry of this country, because of the beautiful places that the Philippines have, many tourist in all over the world come to the Philippines and explore the natural treasure of this country.

Philippines has 7,100 island and because of the wonderful topography of this country, many beautiful beaches embrace the entire Philippines. Boracay island is known as one of the famous white beach in the world is found here, Panay bell as third biggest bell in Asia also found here, the under water caves in palawan island also known in the world of its magnificent natural landscape is one of tourist destination of this country.

Filipinos are hospitable enough to foreigners of their land, because the colonial culture they easily adopted with foreign cultures. Filipinos are also good in foreign language, they are hard working people and Filipinos are found all over the world.

So come my friends and visit the beautiful islands of the Philippines and have a wonderful experience of travel.