The Hidden Charms of Samar

If tourism in Samar, Philippines continues to expand and gain widespread attention, it will only be a matter of time before the province is lifted from poverty and becomes one of the premiere sightseeing spots in the country. Even today, there is already plenty to marvel at.

Probably the biggest attraction right now in the province is the Calbiga Whitewater River. Stretching to over 18 km, the river also has over a hundred drops, and passing as it does over stunning hills and valleys, it has become one of the best places to go whitewater rafting.

On the other hand, if venturing in the bowels of the Earth is your thing, you can head over to Bito Cave in Cagul Island just off Northern Samar. It features a host of impressive rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites and is becoming one of the bigger prospects for tourism in Samar, Philippines. Other caves that explorers can go to are the ones at Kinagatusan, Paninirongan, and the one at Sohotan, which is largely unexplored.

There are also several beaches that you can relax in. Guitagican Beach is at Barangay Santa Maria in Borongan, and its white sands make swimming fun and thrilling. Also in Borongan is San Julian Beach, Other beaches that swimmers will love include Catawgan Beach, and also the beaches at Langtaran, Tatalora, Spice of Life and Gamma, all of which are in Allen, in Northern Samar. These hold great potential for helping give tourism in Samar, Philippines a big lift.

Other unique attractions that you can enjoy when you are in the province are the various lighthouses. The Capul Lighthouse is in Northern Samar and was built by the US military and used during World War II. Another is the Batag Lighthouse, which is some 20 miles from Catarman. Another historical edifice is the Church of Immaculate Conception.

Unlike other ancient shrines, this one, built in the 1600s, remains intact. Meantime those who want to go island hopping and diving should check out Bani and Divinuvo Islands, which hold great potential not just for diving but also tourism in Samar, Philippines.

There are other places to explore. The Basey and Sohoton National Park contain some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the province, and also in the area are the Punta Mapa Caves. Less than 20 miles from Catbalogan is the equally lovely Nasarang Falls, and less than 30 miles is Blanca Aurora Falls.

For a totally different kind of entertainment, you can participate in the Embajada Festival. The main thrust of this fiesta is a comical display of the conflicts of the Christians and Muslims through the centuries. Such is the popularity of the event that it is held twice a year, once in January in Laoang and another one in June in Catarman. The Kadayaw Festival takes place on the first full moon in January and is mainly celebrated in Pambujan, and it is a thanksgiving to God.

For someone who has never been to the province, tourism in Samar, Philippines will be a pleasant surprise. So many hidden wonders are awaiting, and the sense of adventure that awaits the tourist / explorer can be felt.

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Appreciating the Beauty of Mother Nature Through Boracay Island’s See Floor

The Wonders of the Boracay Island Seafloor

Though submarines may not be able to ‘dock’ at the vicinity of the island of Boracay, there are still numbers of ways where tourists and visitors alike can still appreciate the white sand beach floors of this blessed island. Reef Walking or Marine Walk is the real deal wherein tourists will be able to walk beneath the waves of the white sand beaches of the island of Boracay and have a chance to really appreciate the beauty of the sea floor and at the same time do some feeding of some fishes just like feeding birds in the park comfortably. On the other hand, if individuals are not really adventurous and the idea of being soaking wet does not ring the bell of interest, then the best thing for these individual is to take or experience the Glass Bottom Boat adventure in the island of Boracay wherein folks will be able to see the wonders of the Boracay Island seafloor without being soaking wet in the water.

If individuals want to take it slow or be away from some water sporting activities within this blessed island, the glass bottom activity is the perfect thing for these individuals since all they have to do is to board a specially-customized sea vessel that is constructed with a see-through or a transparent boat floor that enables passengers to see and check the seafloor just like some semi-submarines that can slowly go under water in order to have a better view of the submarine environment. This famous glass floor boats or its concept originated in Los Angeles City in California which is near the Catalina Island and since its introduction, lots of tourists have become very attracted for some tourists and vacationers and the like. The usual fee or leasing cost ranges from around 300 Philippine Pesos to 750 Philippine Peso per head and the glass bottom vessel adventure usually starts by two of the afternoon until four of the afernoo; however, passengers should all be boarded before 1:30 pm.

What is expected to be seen in a Glass-Bottom boat navigator is to ensure that folks will have a clear view of what is all about with the sea floor of some of the white sand beaches of the island of Boracay. Glass-Bottom boat adventure is relatively a safer alternative for some aquatic activities in the island and this activity will be able to renew the fire in the every customer’s heart about taking care of Mother Nature.

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Araw ng mga Natibo Festival

Davao City is known for its varied native cultures that mixed together to create what we now know as Davao. It is known to be a melting pot of peoples and their cultures in the south, as may be gleaned from its Araw ng mga Natibo Festival.

A “Special Day of the Natives” the festival highlights the different tribes that decided to migrate to an area near the Davao Gulf and settle there a long time ago. In fact, according to tradition, the site is the present Osmena Park, on C.M. Recto Street, near Davao City Hall. It’s also among the places where the Araw ng mga Natibo Festival is often held.

The tribal natives in the city and region come together during Araw ng mga Natibo Festival to display the different traits of their customs and culture. Some residents also take part in this, though not really Davao natives. Indigenous tribes like Tagacaolos, B’laans, and Manobo participate in this occasion. But of course, they’re not the only tribes that historically first occupied the city.

Among the popular tribes that also lived in the city in times past was the Bagobo. Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz of Guipuzcoa of Spain invaded the area by driving out the Bagobos. After a fierce battle the Bagobo chieftain and his warriors retreated beyond the river called Bolton River today, just several meters off city hall. Another tribe is the Kiblawan, also a district in Davao. The Araw ng mga Natibo Festival is also observed there.

Aside from tribal dances, singing, and other such performances, Araw ng mga Natibo Festival also features horse fighting in a milder version. After New Year’s and Three Kings, on the 28th day of January each year, colorful ethnic presentations are readied for the Araw ng mga natibo Festival in the city. The event is managed by the Tagacaolo, Bilaan, and Manobo Associations or the TABIMA.

Davao tribal people in early times were known to be peace-loving folks that managed to stay together in unity. The Mansakas, Tiboli, and Mandayas, together with the other aforesaid tribes, merged language and cultures and together formed the term “Daba-Daba” to name their locality.

Today, that same spirit of peace and unity characterizes Davao people, adopting people of diverse intentions, religions, backgrounds, origins and nationalities. This spirit is enhanced in special celebrations like Araw ng mga Natibo Festival when not only tribal people celebrate but Davao City as a whole.

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Be Ready to See Monitor Lizards in Palawan, Philippines

Also known as Varanus salvator, monitor lizards are carnivorous animals that usually feed on snakes, birds, and crabs. Technically speaking, these animals can grow as short as 12 centimeters and as long as seven feet. Aside from being carnivorous, the animals have the capability to stay in land, as well as in water for long times. For those who want to have close encounters with monitor lizards, they are very popular in some Asian countries including Philippines.

Many monitor lizards in Palawan are sheltered in some wildlife sanctuaries. Some of the inviting wildlife sanctuaries in the island that play home to these reptiles are Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocodile Farm and El Nido Marine Reserve. Another interesting and attractive place where travelers and tourists can see the animals is Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park. In order to have a closer look at how people and the local government of Palawan treat the reptiles, it is best to look at the special facilities assigned by these sanctuaries for the protection of monitor lizards.

Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Found in the municipality of Busuanga in Palawan, Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary shelters rare animals that are present in the island. Some of the animals featured in this sanctuary are peacock, mouse deer, and bear cats. However, one of the main attractions in this place is the well-protected and special area developed for the different reptiles that thrive in Palawan, including monitor lizard. With the 3,700 hectare of land occupied by Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary, tourists can definitely see numerous monitor lizards in this captivating and attractive tourist destination.

Crocodile Farm

Another special sanctuary that shelters monitor lizards in Palawan is the popular Crocodile Farm. To make sure that it will take good care of the reptiles, the management of this place assigns a nursery room for the different species of lizards including monitor lizards. Situated between Puerto Princesa and Iwahig, Crocodile Farm Palawan is accessible to different types of land transportation available in the island.

El Nido Marine Reserve

Meanwhile, for those who like to visit the appealing places in El Nido that play homes to numerous monitor lizards in Palawan, they can always visit and spend some time at El Nido Marine Reserve. To ensure the protection of wildlife in this sanctuary, the Philippine national government protects El Nido Marine Reserve. Situated in the serene area of the municipality, El Nido Marine Reserve surely attracts a great number of tourists who want to have quality time with their loved ones and children.

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Memorable Stay in Red Tulip Hotel at The Heart of Angeles City, Pampanga

Staying at the Entertainment Capital of the Philippines

Visitors and travelers all over the world are very welcome to stay at the city of Angeles at the Province of Pampanga in the Philippines and this region will never be called the ‘Entertainment Capital of the Philippines’ if the locals of Angeles City do not really care about their guests or tourists. Looking for the best place to have a lodging or an accommodation in the city of Angeles does not really mean that travelers have to really exhaust their budget in order to get the best deal Angeles City can offer. One of the best places in the city where travelers should stay is the Red Tulip Hotel where tourists can find reasonably priced accommodation rates plus great amenities in order to make the vacation worthwhile and memorable.

Checking on Some Room Rates

The Jacuzzi, the Executive, the Deluxe and the Standard rooms are the four types of accommodations in the Red Tulip Hotel which is also rated as a two-star hotel and on the other hand; these accommodations have special subclasses that will really go well with the travelers’ or the tourists’ budget. The Standard Plus, the Standard room with air conditioner and the Standard room with fan are the three subtypes under the Standard room and these lodgings are best for transient travelers but these accommodations can also available in weekly and monthly rental basis as well. A mini bar with drinks, a personal restroom, a television service with cable access, Internet connectivity, air conditioning, a king sized bed and of course, a Jacuzzi are some of the known amenities of the Jacuzzi room at the Red Tulip Hotel.

An Internet connectivity, a free use of refrigerator, a television connected with a cable access, a bathroom with shower and a queen sized bed are some of the items to expect when travelers take the Red Tulip Hotel’s Deluxe room. For more or less two thousand Philippine Pesos, these given features are also present in the Executive room accommodations of the Red Tulip Hotel at the city of Angeles at Pampanga. On the other hand, as low as around seven hundred Philippine Pesos, any tourist can rest his or her head in Red Tulip Hotel at the Standard room lodgings.

Where to Find the Red Tulip Hotel

If tourists are at the area of Balibago in the city of Angeles, the said hotel just located at the bend of Oak Street specifically at 209 Raymond Street and the location is actually less than ten minutes away from the Fields Avenue.

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Makati Business Club

Makati has been known as a haven for a string of business establishments. Thus, businessmen and business groups flock in this business district giving the city many economic opportunities.

One of the business-related groups in the city is the Makati Business Club. However, Makati Business Club is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in the area that was organized in the country as a mere forum for some constructive ideas.

Essentially, MBS is aimed at analyzing and addressing the social and economic policies that would likely affect the development of the country as a whole. Makati Business Club would often land on headlines at it is known to be active on many social issues, especially on policies that would adversely affect the public, not just the business sector.

Specifically, Makati Business Club aims to uphold the crucial role of the business sector in national development. It also wants to be consistently involved in the planning and implementation phases of certain social policies, which are not just constrained on economic policies.

To date, Makati Business Club has at least 800 chief executive officers from more than 450 corporations and companies in the Philippines. Through the years, Makati Business Club has proven itself as one of the most influential group in the country often serving as a pressure to the policies to be implemented. Makati Business Club usually address issues on labor and employment, investment policy, health, media control, and even politics in general.

The Makati Business Club was born in 1981 when Enrique Zobel decided to gather some of his friends within the business sector to tackle some issue concerning the business community. Zobel urged his friends that the business sector should be assertive enough in bringing about change in the community, and eventually in the country. However, the group made it clear that any criticism from them must be relevant and constructive, aimed for the advancement of the country. Thus, Makati Business Club was tagged as a “Forum for Constructive Ideas.”

Makati Business Club was formally launched on October 29, 1981 at Nielsen Tower in Makati City through a press conference initiated by the group.

Up to this day, the group continues to live to its principles of advocating development not just within their circle. Makati Business Club has been popular to be vocal on their stands not just on economic issues but on issues of governance as well. However, the group still holds to its initial aim that every criticism should be constructive as it should be.

Aside from helping the economy of the country through their respective businesses, members of the Makati Business Club have maintained to be guards against any form of social injustice in the country.

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Tourist Information When Traveling to Bacolod, Philippines

Money – ATMs – Money Changers

Of course, you will need money to buy anything in Bacolod. To be able to buy, you need to convert your money to local Philippine currency. That is not at all a tough job to do because money changers and international ATM consortia are available city-wide. It is not at all difficult for any visiting tourist to possess local money. There are many different ways they can change their money to Philippine peso so it becomes easier for them to shop and buy their way through the best seats at the local restaurants, which by the way offers the most delectable recipes.

Internet Providers

You should not worry about having no link to the world if you are settling down to or visiting Bacolod City. There are Internet providers that will service your online connection.

LaSalTech, Inc. is the leading Internet service provider in the city. It is a franchisee of Mosaic Communications, Inc., which boasts of the most advanced, the most extensive Internet infrastracture. Other Internet providers in the province include 1stSpeedCom, Internet Haven, and TeleGlobal of the Philippines, Inc. among others.

Visa for Foreign Tourists

For foreign nationals who decide to pay a visit to Bacolod, a Philippine tourist visa will be required. However, if you come from nearby countries such as Hong Kong and other member-countries of ASEAN or Association of South East Asian Nations, all that you need is a passport. To be safe rather than be sorry, you must check first with the Philippine Embassy regarding the required travel documents before deciding on a trip to Bacolod City.

For those whose intention is to settle down rather than just visit Bacolod City, you must obtain a Permanent Resident visa, which can be done by marrying a Filipino spouse. If that is not possible, you may resort to obtaining visa extensions.

Visa Extensions

Obtaining visa extensions to be able to enjoy Bacolod and the Philippines in general for all it’s worth is very easy. Initially, tourists may be entitled to 21-day or 59-day visa from your country of origin. In case the visa validity of three to six months expires, you may obtain visa extensions from the local immigration offices for a fee. You may extend your visa again and again by paying the price but you must leave the country at least once a year if you are not entitled to a permanent resident visa. A visa run, which is quite ordinary for some other South East Asian countries such as Thailand, is all about complying with the local rules regarding foreign visitors.

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Burnham Hotel of Baguio City

A cozy two-star hotel, Burnham Hotel offers people staying in Baguio City the wonderful chance to explore the area in a comfortable, convenient, and relaxing manner. Situated at 21 Calderon Street, this Baguio hotel has many convenient features including a first-class Chinese restaurant that serves sumptuous food specialties. For those who love to eat inside their rooms, this place provides efficient room service. At the front desk, people can easily request for their different needs, including business-related services, tour assistance, and currency exchange. Simultaneously, they can wait conveniently at the inviting and cozy lobby lounge.

Of course, the highlight of Burnham Hotel in Baguio City is on its guestrooms, where people can enjoy cozy, comfortable, and relaxing accommodations. In general, these rooms carry an inviting Filipino theme, comprised of elegant furniture made out of native materials such as narra and rattan. The lampshades are very beautiful as well. The beds have soft cushions to ensure guests comfortable and sound sleeps. The blankets are very nice and clean, which add greatly to the memorable experiences that people find inside this Baguio hotel.

More than anything else, many people love to stay at Burnham Hotel in Baguio City because of its highly reasonable rates. For only $25 or approximately 1,175 pesos, guests can already stay inside its Standard Rooms, with telephones and twin-beds. Meanwhile, overnight stays inside its Deluxe Rooms only cost $32 or approximately 1,500 pesos, which feature carpeted floors, telephones, and cable TVs. Add to that, this Baguio hotel has Junior Suites, with daily rates starting at $32 or an estimated 1,645 pesos. On the other hand, people can enjoy more space inside its Suites for the price of $45 or an estimated 2,115 pesos. All of these rooms come with continuous hot water supply, private bathrooms, and complete toilet fixtures.

Aside from its wonderful features and convenient room accommodations, Burnham Hotel in Baguio City also boasts of a highly accessible location along Calderon Street. People can easily locate this Baguio hotel with the help of neighboring landmarks such as Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, and Jollibee. Just a few steps away from this hotel, guests can shop for special items and souvenirs at the Baguio Public Market. Furthermore, this place is an excellent stopover for people who want to explore the beautiful spots of the city including Camp John Hay, Mines View Park, and Session Road.

People can find out about the other interesting features and facilities of Burnham Hotel in Baguio City by checking out its website www.burnhamhotelbaguio.com. The other contact details of this interesting Baguio hotel include the landline number (074)-442-2331 as well as the email address burnhamhotel@gmail.com.

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