Paradise Philippines

All of the Region V or Bicol will go to Naga to take part in the Peñafrancia Festival, the largest Marian feast of the nation. It is also considered one of the first festivals combining religion, culture and tradition in a 9-day range of festivities which include civic and military parades, sports festivals, fairs and exhibitions, regattas, cultural events , beauty pageants, and other dynamic competition.

The festival is the Bicolanos devotion to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, they fondly refer to as ” Ina ”

This year’s celebration will be more special than the “Gayon Bicol Fiesta III sa Peñafrancia,” a cultural year / trade exhibition. The festival will be brought over Intramuros, Manila. It includes Legaspi Ibalong Festival, Tabak Festival of Tabaco City, Tinagba Festival City of Iriga, the Festival of Lapay of Bantigue Masbate City, the Festival Catandungan of Catanduanes, Pili Festival of Sorsogon, and Pineapple Festival of Camarines Norte - all to be the closest fans who always descend on Bicol head of the commercial town to highlight in September.

In Naga, the whole month of September was abuzz with preparations for the festival. It is a religious practice starting at nine days (the second Friday of September) before the festival itself (the third Saturday). The first highlight of the festival is the traslacion during which the image of the patroness of the city is transferred to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. The festival reaches its peak during the parade to the Bicol River , where a raft (pagoda) of the Holy image is placed. Then it is brought to the Basilica. Escorting the pagoda are canoes and other rafts of bamboo and decorated motor boats. As the sky turns dark, candles are lit which lend jewel-like sparkles on the cover of darkness. Meanwhile, devotees echo the cries of “Viva la Virgen” and “Viva El Divino Rostro” for the Holy Images (the second is a framed picture of Jesus).

Only male fans are allowed to share the burden of the image to transport. They are known as “voyadores” and they walk on barefoot and with colored banners on their heads or arms. Women faithful say the novenas and pray the rosary. Everyone is oblivious to the lack of protection to his feet as they are crushed by other pilgrims. Tourists who wave their handkerchiefs to the sacred images or hold candles get down to their knees to murmur prayers. The rain is always expected on this day and it is considered a blessing.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Senator Richard Gordon, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo, Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Villafuerte, Jr., and Archbishop of Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi graced the opening ceremony of the “Gayon Bicol Fiesta III Sa Peñafrancia.” During the event, the key cities of Bicol held mini-exhibition to showcase their tourist attractions, food, arts and crafts, plus entertainment.

Baguio is also known as the “Flower Garden City of the North” of the Philippines. As such it is also where the famous and world renowned flower festival is celebrated in the month of February.This is also known as Panagbenga Festival; panagbenga is a local word meaning “a season of blossoming, a time for flowering”. It is also a tribute to Baguio after the city’s recovery from the devastating earthquake in 1990.The month-long festivities includes flower, flower exhibits, lectures, garden tours, floral contest and a parade of floats.

The Panagbenga festival started in 1995. It represents the many facets of the “Summer Capital”, its people and its heritage.It showcases the people’s talent, artistry and ingenuity through the various performances, exhibits and more. The festival starts with a grand opening- a shower of rose petals along Session Road with marching bands playing lively tunes and setting the festive mood for the parade. Local residents, students and participants from nearby towns and villages come in colorful costumes and perform lively dance numbers. Multicolored floats made entirely from flowers of every kind follows in the parade of floats.

Prof. Macario Fronda, band master of the St. Louis University composed the festival hymn.The rhythm and movements of the Bendian dance, an Ibaloi dance of celebration was adapted. The circular movements of the dance speak of unity and harmony among the members of the tribe.In the same way that the communities of Baguio gather together for the festival.

The famous summer capital of the country, Baguio City is located at the southwestern portion of the Cordillera Central mountain range. It is 57 square kilometers of hilly land and about 1,524 meters high in the in northern Luzon in the Philippines. It used to be a town completely surrounded by the province of Benguet before being made into an independent city. The municipality of Tuba surrounds Baguio City on the south and west, Itogon on the east and on the north by Benguet’s capital, La Trinidad.Baguio City is the main city of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). One can reach Bagiou City, also known as the City of Pines, by plane (35 minutes) or by bus (6 hours).

Places to Go in Baguio
Camp John Hay
The Camp John Hay grounds is nearly 250 acres. It was built as a recreation and resting camp for the US military men in 1903. Today it has an international hotel, Camp John Hay Manor. The Manor boasts of its five-star services and accommodations, and world-class facilities. While development has been ongoing, Camp John Hay is envisioned to be an eco-tourism destination; thus, it will be a protected and managed forest with foot trails, paths and flower gardens.

Burnham Park
Burnham Park is located in the centre of Baguio City. I was named after the town’s planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham. Burnham Park features the man-made lake with rowboats for hire, a childrens playground, the skating rink, the Rose Garden, the Orchidarium, Igorot Garden, Melvin Jones Grandstand, the Athletic Bowl, a Picnic Grove, the Japanese Peace Tower, Pine Trees of the World and Sunshine Park.
A day in the park can be a fun-filled activity day. You can hire a boat on the lake, play games at the tennis and basketball courts, hire a bike or grab a book and relax on one of the numerous benches. At night it becomes a lovers lane. No doubt it is one of the Philippines’ most well known and best-loved parks.
Burnham park is located at the center of Baguio’s developments. All other developments like Session Road, Baguio City Hall, Baguio Cathedral and the Baguio City Market were built around it.

Mines View Park
A must see in Baguio is the Mines View Park. It used to be a mining area before the American occupation but now it is the most visited spot in all of Baguio.The Park is about four kilometers from downtown Baguio and is very accessible by jeepney ride.
Visitors usually go to the Mines View Park after making a stop at the Mansion or the Wright Park. An observation deck can be found in the Mines View Park where you can see the breathtaking view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the beautiful contours of the Cordillera mountain region. A winding stone-covered stairway, which is right next to the parking area will lead you to the observation deck.
Up the park are benches for visitors where they can rest and enjoy the view. Binoculars can be rented for a minimal fee so you can take a spectacular view of the nearby valley and mountains. Native Igorot tribesmen also would be willing to pose for a picture with the tourists for a few pesos.
Found at the entrance of the Mines View Park are stalls and cafes.Native handicraft, silver products, jewelry, and a variety of souvenirs can be bought around. You’ll surely want to sample the juicy strawberries, corn-on-the-cob whether grilled or steamed, and other food served at the snack bars and small stores found at the Mines View Park.

Mansion House
The grand and palatial Mansion House was built in 1908 as the official summer residence for the U.S. Governors-General.Today is the official summer residence of the elected Philippine President. It is an elegantly-designed building and guest house. At the entrance is an elaborate main gate, made of ornate ironwork, which is said to be a replica of one of the main gates at Buckingham Palace in London. Tourists would have photos of themselves standing in front of this gate.
Tourists can visit the Mansion House’s museum containing presidential memorabilia.
From the Mansion House, one can also visit the Wright Park.Children are often seen riding the ponies that are available for hire at the park.
The Mansion House has also been the site of a number of international conferences.

Asin Hot Springs
Baguio is the coldest city in the Philippines with temperature dropping to about an average of 8 degrees Celsius less than most areas in the Philippines, but there is the unique opportunity to soak in natural thermal (or hot) springs.These are the Asin Hot Springs, located about 16 kilometers northwest of Baguio and can be reached by a 45-minute jeepney ride from the Session Road.The route down the Hot Springs passes through the green undergrowth and forests with an occasional waterfall.
The Asin Hot Springs has a swimming pool and, separately, the hot springs. You can enjoy the pools of hot sulphuric water, some of them with the water temperature at almost boiling point.

Session Road or City Market
The main thoroughfare of Baguio City is the Session Road.Local handicrafts,woodwork,silverware, jewelry, textiles and woven fabrics are found around the commercial district.This is where you find the department stores, banks, a movie house, and bazaars in the city. There are also some hotels, bakeries, restaurants, newspaper stands, bookstores, boutiques, cafes, and studios along. Baguio residents,students in the different schools and universities in the city and local and foreign tourists alike spend most of their free time just climbing up and down Session Road.Now with the SM Megamall opened where Pines Hotel used to be located, people will surely be walking up and down this road more frequently.

Other Sights and Destinations
Kennon Road
Lourdes Grotto
Convention Center
Catholic Cathedral
Phil Military Academy
Lion’s Head
Bell Church
Botanical Garden
Tam-Awan Village
Teacher’s Camp
Rizal Park
Easter Weaving Room
Maryknoll Eco. Sanctuary
Aguinaldo Museum
Good Shepherd Convent
Dominican Hill

When you visit the Bicol region, there’s more than one place to go. Religious festivals in every town and province remind every local and foreign tourists of the rich cultural influence of the Spanish occupation.
Remember these dates and enjoy your visit in the region:

Holy Week - Flagellation in Paracale, Camarines Norte
Feb 11 - Tinagba Festival In Iriga City, Camarines Sur
Apr 30/May 1 - Alinsangan Boa-boaban folk festival in Nabua, Camarines Sur
May 13 - Black Nazarene in Capalonga, Camarines Norte
Aug 10 - Nuestra Seniora del Salvacion in Tiwi, Albay
Aug 25 - Joroan Festival in Tiwi, Albay
Sep 19 - Penafrancia Fluvial Festival in Naga, Camarines Sur
Oct 23 - Sibidam Race in Legazpi City, Albay
Dec (movable) - Pastorea Belen in Legazpi, Albay
Dec 16-25 - Kagharong in Oas, Albay
Dec 31/Jan 1 - Vivahan in Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Manila is the ideal place to visit for someone looking for fun and frenzy. It is a fast growing cosmopolitan with countless opportunities and possibilities for the adventurous tourist. The original Intramuros is a nostalgic treat of history added to Metro Manila’s fourteen cities and three municipalities .

Some favorite places around Metro Manila (partial list):
· Visit the National Museum , Malacañang Palace, Intramuros and Fort Santiago
· Stroll along the National Park (Rizal Park)
· Feel the melancholic sunset in Manila Bay Sunset along Roxas Boulevard
· See the Bamboo Organ in Las Pinas.
· Shop till you drop at the Greenhills Shopping Center.
· Experience SM Mall of Asia, Pasay being the third among the largest shopping malls in the world· Find exquisite Asian merchandise, traditional Chinese medicine, and delicious Chinese food at the Manila Chinatown in Binondo.
· Treat your palate at Dampa in Paranaque serving the freshest catch/seafood.
· Experience solemnity at the Manila Cathedral, the Basilica of San Sebastian , and the San Agustin Church, and many other centuries-old churches
· Be a nature tripper at the La Mesa Dam Ecopark

Seventeen (17) regions, nine dialects, one national language and of course a diverse collection of Filipino cuisine.This is because every region has its own resources. Another reason is that Philippines have been influenced by several cultures, from neighboring Asia, Europe and America.

It’s hard to tell which region has the best Filipino cuisine to offer. There’s just one thing you can do…sample each and tell the difference of the most popular delicacies of my country.

Chili and Cocomilky Bicolano Cuisine
Gata (coconut milk) and sili (chili peppers) are the two staple ingredients. Coconut which is abundant in the region can be picked from the backyard and grated manually before squeezing the cocomilk. Every home grows a sili bush which people simply pluck and added to the daily meal. Some would even eat them raw! Meat and vegetable dishes are commonly cooked in coconut milk and spiced with chili.

Laing, or Pinangat the famous Bicolano dish, is made from shredded taro leaves, meat or seafood crumbs, and a variety of spices, wrapped in whole taro leaves. It is slowly cooked in gata (cocomilk). But perhaps the best known outside the region is the Bicol express. This is made from bits of pork and bagoong (shrimp paste), stir-fried in coconut cream with tomato, spices, and a generous dose of green chili.

Another Bicolano pride is the kinunot. Made from stingray meat , and malunggay (horseradish), an edible bitter leaf, it is cooked in coconut cream and with chili and spices added.

Vege-Ilocano Food
Typical of the Ilocano dishes are the vegetables.Grown from the Ilocano’s backyard, every dish is laden with vegetables.Because of its nutritious yet bland taste, commonly added as condiment is the patis or fish sauce .
Ilocano’s most famous dish is pinakbet. It is a combination of vegetables like okra, squash, bitter gourd (ampalaya), eggplant, and string beans cooked in ­bagoong (shrimp paste). Some varieties of pinakbet is cooking this dish with grilled fish; others also use stir-fried pork and several spices. Dinengdeng is another famous Ilocano dish. It is made from malunggay leaves and fruit boiled with bagoong and commonly eaten with grilled fish.
A carnivore person may like bagnet, a deep-fried pork belly crisped and seasoned with bagoong. A fatty sausage called longanisa is flavored with garlic and vinegar, and a popular breakfast in every Filipino table..

Bulacan and Pampangan Cuisine: So Sweet , So Sour, So Chicken
If you’re looking for Filipino desserts recipes, Central Luzon offers you its staple products of Rice and sugar.
In Bulacan, the popular meat dishes include pinaupong manok, galantina (chicken rolls), and pot roast.
Pampangan dishes are seasoned with sweet sauces or fermented in sugar. The best example is tocino which is a popular breakfast often eaten together with fried rice and salted fish. Pampangan delicacies consist of meat and seafood preserves specialty. Crabs, milkfish, and shellfish are fermented in buro or rice sauce giving it a strong, smoky flavor. Exotic foods like fermented frogs and mole crickets, mostly served onpublic occasions, are some of the region’s unusual treat.

Flavory Visayan Cuisine
Visayas ,a group of islands has no one specialty for the whole region. Being a coastline region, common among recipes is seafood.
Kinilaw, which is fish or shellfish marinated in vinegar or sour sauce, can be considered the most famous Visayan dish. Some islands prefer it cooked in different ways— with coconut cream, or chili, or lime and palm wine vinegar.
Pancit molo is an Ilongo dish . It is a popular choice for snacks influenced by Chinese cuisine. Dumplings, pork, chicken, and sometimes flavored with prawns make this dish more inviting. For vegetarians, lumpiang ubod (springrolls) is made with strips of palm heart as filling, with a soft egg wrap. It can be fresh and served with peanut sauce, or fried and dipped in spiced vinegar. Then there’s “La Paz Batchoy” made from pork organs (liver, spleen, kidneys and heart), crushed pork cracklings, vegetables, shrimp, chicken breast or beef loin, shrimp broth, chicken stock and round noodles or miki. The noodles are similar to spaghetti, but are generally a bit finer. The basic ingredients are stir-fried, added with shrimp and chicken stocks. It is added to a bowl of noodles and topped with leeks, pork cracklings (chicharon) and with raw eggs cracked on top.
Chicken inasal is Bacolod’s best known .It is a type of chicken barbecue marinated in calamansi and annatto seed . Another chicken dish, binakol, is cooked in coconut juice and makes a hearty afternoon snack.

Mindanao Cuisine: Nice Spice
Mindanao cuisine is largely influenced by Malay and East Asian food. It is located just a few hours away from Malaysian and Indonesian shores, with the bountiful seas in between. Spices from these countries such as turmeric, curry, and lemongrass. Can be had,too in Mindanao.
Seafood is basic to Mindanao cuisine. A seafood platter, which includes a mix of raw, fried, and grilled seafood and a variety of local sauces is always found in any restaurant in town.Snacks can be ginger and lemongrass soups. They also have coconut and papaya dishes.
Adobo, maybe a staple food for the Filipinos have an unusual variations from Mindanao. Zamboanga’s abobo, for example, is made with cream coconut for flavor. Other regions in Mindanao serve it with bananas, papaya, or other tropical fruits.

Check out these other delicacies:
Negros, Iloilo and Cebu - Lechon and Otap
Batangas - famous for its “bulalo” and Barako (coffee beans)
Davao - famous for its “inihaw na panga ng tuna” and exotic fruits like “durian” , mangosteen, rambutan and pomelo
Zamboanga - famous for its delicious prawns, crabs, lobster and “curacha”

Many tourists come to the Philippines for its rich cultural heritage. The 300 years of Spanish occupation is still impressed in the Filipino way of life, religious festivals, houses and churches, and cuisines.
Manila, the center of Philippine’s socio-cultural heritage, is our first destination.

Rizal Shrine.
The monument of Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine’s national hero, stands proud on the rhombic base of granite blocks and guarded by the loyal honor guards.It is a 50 ft high monument built in the early 1900s . The cast was actually done in Switzerland and supervised by Richard Kissling.

Manila Hotel.
It is one of the best hotels in Manila located in Rizal Park. Inspired by the urban design scheme of the American Colonial Period, it has always been a welcoming treat for all local visitors and foreign tourists alike.

Japanese Garden.
Also located in Rizal Park,Manila, the 9000 sq. m garden is a miniature Japanese garden. Trees, hedges, vines and rare foliage of local plants can be seen, too. Ornamental plants that are endemic to the Philippines flora can be found, too. It is the symbol of friendship and mutual understanding between the Japanese and the Filipino peoples.

Meban Garden.
It is the very first botanical garden in the Manila which is located near the Metropolitan Theater, The 2-hectare garden, which was put up by the Spanish Jesuits was left unkept for centuries; was rejuvenated. Today the garden is kept green and clean. A three century old narra tree stands on the foreground

Liwasang Bonficacio .
Located in Plaza Lawton , it is dedicated to the hero, Andres Bonifacio, the leader of the revolutionary group against Spain. A huge Central Fountain Park of Manila is found within it. The place is also the site of many political rallies on international and local issues.

Manila Zoological Garden.
This is located along Mabini Street cor. Quirino Avenue,Manila.It is a home to a collection of local and exotic African wild.The endanhered ingigenous Philippine Tamaraw and the Tarsier are among its local collections.

When you go to any country for a visit, the next best thing to the hotel rooms/suites that you carefully choose to stay in, is the array of food that meets your eye when you go to the different restaurants. Here in the Philippines, there is definitely a wide variety of food to pick from…For a country that boasts of its 7001 islands, there are dishes found common to the regions or localities.These dishes include adobo, sinigang, bistek, lechon, inihaw or broiled fish or meat, laing and a lot more.

Adobo or Pork Stew
Adobo is a common dish from chicken, pork, squid ( pusit ) or vegetables cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaf.

Lumpia
Lumpia or spring rolls in English is filled with vegetables and meat. Served with soy sauce, vinegar or a slightly sweet sauce, this is a tasty delight to enjoy.

Sinigang
Typically Filipino and maybe considered as one of the “national dishes”, the sinigang is a soup cooked using souring ingredients like unripe guavas, tamarind leaves and flowers, kamias and tomatoes. Different varieties of sinigang such as sinigang na isda (sour vegetable soup with fish) and sinigang na baboy (sour vegetable soup with pork) can be found and made healthier with the addition of vegetables like eggplants, kangkong, okra and long beans ( sitaw ), plus some green chili pepper for the aroma.

Bistek
Another popular national cuisine of the Philippines is the “bistek” or beef and onion rings braised in soy sauce. Originally derived from beef steak, bistek is the Filipinized and reinvented version with an Asian touch of soy sauce or oyster sauce.

Lechon or Roasted Pig
An important dish at many fiesta occasions, lechon or litson is served too as a dish in many restaurants. Lechon is a suckling pig, roasted slowly over live coals to make it crispy, tender and tasty . Often served with a thick liver sauce, simmered with vinegar, sugar and herbs, the lechon is a real treat for everyone to enjoy.

Welcome to Paradise Philippines.
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.7,107 island to explore…
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Experience the exciting, unique but diverse culture of the Filipino people. Come and see the Philippines!

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