Ahh, yes! The land of smiles. Home of the best beaches. The Pearl of the Orient, no less. The Philippines.

Philippines’ rich culture

Who wouldn’t want to see the magnificent Spanish walled city called Intramuros, the house of preserved infrastructure like houses and hotels in manila, while riding the kalesa? Or maybe you can play barter trade and join Carlos Celdran on one of his tours around Binondo. How about flying to Mactan, Cebu to visit Magellan’s cross or see the Sunken Semetery of Camiguin Island or ride a boat to the historical Corregidor and remember the Death March? The Philippines boasts a very rich and unique culture on its every corner. Its culture before the Spanish colony, during the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupation are still evident in the lives of the Filipinos.

Best beaches and the topical weather

Lounge in your sundress and party in your polka dot-bikini on the pristine white-sand beaches of Boracay. Opt a non-party place? Then head on to the virgin islands and islets of the little town called Coron Island in Palawan. The best beaches in the Philippines are everywhere. Staying in Manila for just a couple of days and no extra time to book an additional flight to Pearl Farm in Davao City? Go to Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, and while you’re there, don’t forget to drop by the Bangui windmills. Or maybe you can go to the nearby beaches of Laiya in San Juan, Batangas which is just a two-hour drive from Manila. The beaches are the best with fine grain sand that wouldn’t hurt your soles. Find a resort with outdoor spa service to complete the trip and there goes your one-way ticket to heaven. Remember, it’s always sunny in the Philippines!

Festivities

Where else can you find a country celebrating more than one fiesta in a month? With the kick-off of fiestas of all fiestas in January with the celebration of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila every 9^th day of January, it is closely followed by Ati-atihan in Aklan and SInulog Festival in Cebu City every third weekend. Let us not forget the infamous Dinagyang Festival and Panagbenga in February. How about the Pintados Festival and Moriones Festival in March? Not to mention the Semana Santa’s Senakulo which typically takes place in April, and the Flores de Mayo in May. These are just a few festivities to begin with. Almost every province celebrates its own town fiesta. No matter what month you come, you will surely chance upon a popular town fiesta so be sure to go and experience the tradition and the food each province offers.

Best chefs

And speaking of food… Every country offers its own signature delicacy: Indonesia’s Nasi Goreng, Bangladesh’s Biryani, Malaysia’s Nasi Lemak, Korea’s Kimchi, Vietnam’s Pho, the Philippine’s Adobo. Chicken or pork, it doesn’t matter so long as it is cooked with just the right amount and right kind of vinegar, and that it wouldn’t perish in less than 10 days. Not, not adobo, maybe lechon: suckling native pig roasted to perfection. Crispy roasted skin on the outside and soft chewy meat on the inside. Or maybe Sinigang na Manok or Baboy just across the street from Tita Pining’s carinderia. But how about Bacolod’s famousChicken Inasal, or Bicol Express, or Batangas’ best bulalo? And oh, that’s only the main dish. How about cassava cakes, and bibingka, suman, and puto for dessert, and a wide array of fresh fruits to finish off your meal? You can go an entire month not repeating a single Filipino delicacy and none of them will even dare fail you even on your first try. Just stop thinking about counting calories for a while.

Best chefs are everywhere. You can find them at the luxury hotels of Shangri-la Edsa and Sofitel in Macapagal to the downtown well-known carinderias of a local joint. But the best and cutest chefs? They are few and numbered. Google about Rosebud Benitez, Henny Sison, Paulo Sia, and Tristan Encarnacion, and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Let’s not forget about the couple Rob and Sunshine Pengson. That’s the extra oomph in that Sinampalukang Manok. Delicioso!

World-class entertainment

From the Disney Legend and Miss Saigon’s Lea Salonga to the YouTube sensation Charice Pempengco and international singer and heartthrob Christian Bautista, the Philippines is undeniably at par with the international performers and are recognized worldwide. Local performers like Ballet Philippines, and theater shows like the remakes of the Broadway musicals Sound of Music and Mama Mia are featured on-stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines or at the Resorts World Theater. Finding it a bit too expensive and posh? Try signing up for Jim Paredes’ art workshop or seek tickets to the Cinemalaya festival.

There are just too many festivities to participate in, delicacies to taste, natural landmarks to see, and new experiences to try in the Philippines that a week wouldn’t suffice to know everything about this humble land. And there are just about a bunch of activities waiting for you – whether it be indoor or outdoor, religious or historical, modern or traditional. What’s even better is that even tricycle drivers can speak basic English so you wouldn’t worry about buying an English-Tagalog Dictionary or finding a translator. You can roam around the city by yourself without worrying about getting lost.

Call it your silent sanctuary, your home away from home, or the inexpensive trip across culture, history, religion, and modernization all in one country. If you are dreaming of that perfect vacation where you can worship the sun, watch world-class performances, visit the museum, eat like a King, shop like a rock star, and even have enough bucks to buy a drink or two at sunset, then you are with me on this. The truth is there are even more awesome reasons why it is more fun in the Philippines than there are islands on this little piece of heaven on Earth.

This is a guest post from Abigail Ang. If you want your articles to be published in this travel blog please check the guidelines here.

Author Bio:

Abigail Ang is an aspiring writer and a former Backpacker. She is into almost all types of music. She also has a passion in singing and an interest in sports particularly Ultimate (Frisbee) and running. Abigail is also one of the editors of Uratex Philppines a renowned Bed Mattress Manufacturer.

Riding the wave of success, City Shack relocated to a bigger and more accessible site at the city’s biggest wharf. It was during this time in 1998 that City Shack became Whitetip Divers Davao, servicing a large portion of the diving community in Davao City.

By year-end of 2002, Whitetip was ready for another change. This time, the change included the introduction of kayaking, windsurfing, and kite boarding to the water sports enthusiasts. It also continued its commitment to the community in supporting the programs of the government and non-government organizations in promoting awareness and conservation of marine and aquatic resources as well as providing training for water safety and rescue operations. To encompass the expansion of its services, Whitetip needed a new identity. Hence, Wind and Wave Davao emerged as the embodiment of all of these.

A place to have a great experience in Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Wind Surfing, Wake Boarding, Jet Ski Riding, Banana Boat Riding, Island Hopping, Sunset Cruise and some more. You can also rent and buy your diving gears at them. A place were I obtain my Scuba Diving Introduction. They simply are amazing!

photohunt

Cancun is a coastal city in Mexico’s easternmost state, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun is located on the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico from the island of Cuba in the Greater Antilles. The Cancun region is sometimes known as the Mexican Caribbean.

Cancun is the municipal seat of the Benito Juarez municipality and a world-renowned tourist resort. The city centre is located on the mainland which connects the Nichupté and Bojórquez lagoons to a narrow “7″ shaped island where the modern beachfront hotels are located. The island of Isla Mujeres is located off the coast and is accessible by boat from Puerto Juarez.

So, if you guys are one of those people who wanted to have an adorable and yet memorable vacation this summer better book your reservation now at them. Rest assures that with them you’ll definitely had a great vacation ever!

New York is the most populous city in the United States. It is a leading global city, exerting a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment. The city is also an important center for international affairs, hosting the United Nations headquarters.

So, what are you waiting for? Book now your online reservation and feel the difference you can only have by visiting this place. Rest assures that vacation in New York will definitely give you peace of mind. Aside from that, it will let you experience the fast and advance life of American people.

It was actually about a life at ease you’ve found to somebody. Something like a new found friend along your journey whom you never expect that there are people like them. Friends who are accepting you as what you are despite the lapses you’ve done at first meet. Friends whose also keeping your secrets the way you wanted to. Friends whom you never expect that they are true to you. Why did I say so? ‘Cause in our world today we often meet people who are back fighters, perfectionist, tactless and judgmental. People who claim that they are clean well in fact, they’re not! And thank’s God ’cause those friends I’ve found does not posses those qualities.

First time in my whole twenty-fifth of existence just only now I’ve feel this overwhelming feelings that I’ve found from them. I never wanted this to end. I wanted to treasure it as long as I live though time will come that I’ll have my own family. I know everything happens for a reason and I guess, I meet them for reason too. Whatever the reason is or maybe I’m so glad to meet them to be part of my life’s journey.

To my new found friends specially to Da, thank you for coming into my life and accepting me as what I am. I know I did some lapses from the start but you still accept me. I hope to be part of your life, dreams and plans as we traveling along. There might be some barriers we will encounter in the coming days I hope it won’t be the reason to stop the connection we created. To my new friends, thank you for accepting me! I can never tell how much I value each of you. I know your all wondering if I am a good person. Honestly, I can never tell too if I am! But rest assures, that I’ll try to be the best person as I can. As I ever wanted to join a journey with you guys! God Speed!

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Actually, when I first arrive Abu Dhabi last year I was really shock on their weather condition ’cause its really hot but as time passes by I was used on it. For your information you’ll already reached Dubai from Abu Dhabi for about 2 hours by Bus and maybe 1 and half hour by personal car. So, if you got a plan to spend your Holidays in Dubai drop me a message here I’ll meet you too.

Anyway, I’m already half excited on my Dubai exit this weekend. I’ll be seeing my friends there and probably they’ll tour me around to those places I have never been yet like The Pyramids. Wish me luck everyone!

The HUDHUD Epic is the only Southeast Asian Cultural Piece selected in the UNESCO list. This was the first time that the UNESCO gave the awards. It was the second time that UNESCO honored Ifugao, after the province’s famous rice terraces was included among UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1995.

The HUDHUD, once chanted, will go on for two to three days. The epic is chanted by Ifugao women, usually at harvest time, funeral wakes, and wedding time. There used to be many versions of the HUDHUD but the advent of Catholicism in the province has helped dilute this heritage.

The late anthropologist Fr. Francis Lambrecht, CICM brought HUDHUD to the international scene, which he claims has been sung by generations of Ifugaos since the late 17th century and still is a central part of the Ifugao life.

The social characteristic of the ancient Ifugaos as seen in the HUDHUD showed a strong matriarchal society.