This world’s heritage town of Ilocos Sur due to its baroque church inscribed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will launch its maiden 3- day “Panagungar” Festival on April 12 to 14.

This developed when local officials headed by Mayor Thelma S. Florendo through the initiative of Councilor Rodrigo “Henry” Cabatu in coordination with Rev. Father Amor Cabaccang – the parish priest of the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion church, came to realize the significance of having a unique festival to promote tourism and the town’s local products.

According to Councilor Cabatu, the chairman on tourism committee in the town’s council and the lead organizer of the festival, told that the “Panagungar” Festival will be formally open on April 12 coinciding the Easter Sunday- the last day of the Holy Week celebration. Continue Reading

It was my birthday last February 10 when I visited La Trinidad to buy and pick fresh strawberries. I woke up early for a short jog in Camp John Hay before heading to the strawberry fields of La Trinidad Benguet.

After less than 20 minutes, I finally arrived in La Trinidad’s famous tourist spot : The Strawberry farm. This progressive town in Benguet produces 95% of the country’s strawberry requirement.

Although its a huge farm, The pickings were limited since the area is frequented by visitors and the farm is too huge to explore.

Fresh Strawberries

I enjoyed seeing the natives carrying their “kayabang” – a native basket tied to the foreheads that is usually full of vegetables or strawberries. During the strawberry season, the farmgate price of strawberries plummet down to P60 per kilo but it can go up to P150 per kilo depending on the demand and size of the strawberries. Continue Reading

Boracay Island, the Philippines’ tropical paradise is one of the best beaches in the world, according to Grazia, a weekly Australian magazine featuring the high life of fashion, celebrity life and travel.

Reviews have noted it as ‘an absorbing, exciting and eminently readable magazine that features an unrivalled mix of news and trends in travel and beauty.’

According to Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism, “Our country’s exposure in different renowned publications abroad show that we are continually on the world’s blue list.”

Boracay Island Paradise Philippines

The tourism chief was referring to the number of investments in one of the country’s prime tourist destinations. He added, “Boracay is an undisputed wonder. Travelers who have been here know that it is indeed among the world’s best.”

The island, blessed with crystal-clear waters, ultra-fine white sand, has been a constant in beach lovers’ top ten list. Continue Reading

The fist cruise ship to fly the Philippine flag has made Subic Bay its home port, giving an added boost to this free port’s claim of being one of the country’s most spectacular tourism destinations.

Esteban Tajanlangit, chairman of the 7107 Islands Cruise, said the 370-passenger ship would now start its twice-monthly inter-island tours here, after cruise line officials saw Subic’s advantage as a nautical gateway.

“This is the Philippines’ first cruise ship and Subic Bay is the ideal home port for it,” Tajanlangit said when the ship first sailed to Subic on February 14.

Coron Palawan Island Hopping

He noted that Subic’s Alava Pier, where US warships used to dock, offers an instant panorama of the freeport zone, unlike in Manila where containerized cargoes blocked the view of the city. Continue Reading

As the sun continues to heat up, San Miguel Beer continuous to freeze the summer with the coolest Sarap Magbabad this summer parties and events.

And as if the beer, the beach and the babes aren’t enough, you next San Miguel Pale Pilsen Sarap Magbabad parties will now filled with adrenalin-pumping activities to satisfy the thrill-seeking party animal in you.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen Sarap Magbabad this Summer Launch

Zip up the wet suit and go jet skiing in Zambales beaches or brave the Mindoro waters with your family and barkada on a banana boat ride on April 11,2009. Continue Reading

When you are in Puerto Princesa City, a taste of the Vietnamese food popularly known here as “Chao Long” is a must.

Aside from local seafood delights, Puerto Princesa food scene is also well-known for its Vietnamese eateries managed and owned by Vietnamese nationals that offers a rice-based noodle soup called Chao Long.

Few Vietnamese nationals, especially those married to Filipinos opted to stay in this city of Palawan decided to integrated themselves in the province, socially and economically. Continue Reading

My Baguio trip would not have been complete without visiting Tam-Awan Village.

It has been five years since I first celebrated my birthday in Baguio and I just celebrated my fifth year a week ago.

Rice God

Baguio City if my place of comfort, apart from the cold temperature that everyone loves, this place never runs out of things to offer. Continue Reading

Ive been receiving a lot of contacts from some readers about the best place to stay in several local destinations. Ive been traveling around the Philippines since 1992 and I practically stayed in different types of hotels and resorts in the entire archipelago.

Last week while having a breakfast in a free wifi cafe in Baguio, I got an email from a reader asking for some recommended cheap London hotels. I haven’t been to London and I cant really recommend a specific hotel, so I just searched online and found a website that lists almost all hotels in London.

London Hotels provides accurate information about a specific london hotel and this hotel reservations site is composed and operated by Londoners to assist London visitors to gain valuable first hand information.

Have you ever wondered where all the flowers in almost all flower shops in Manila come from?

I recently celebrated my Birthday at Baguio and I always make sure to visit the Strawberry farm in La Trinidad Benguet to go strawberry picking and to experience, once in a while, the taste of Benguet’s unique strawberry Taho.

Flower Farm in Bahung La Trinidad Benguet

I noticed that the flower farm in the area was recently replaced by vegetables and strawberry crops. While walking around, I asked a local for directions to place I can visit if I want to buy flowers and she immediately advised for me to visit Bahung – a not so small sitio which is a part of La Trinidad Benguet. Continue Reading

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) “Sayaw Pinoy” will be adding color to Iloilo’s Paraw Regatta Festival as the touring dance troupe is scheduled to perform simultaneously with the highlights of the festivity here on February 21-22.

Iloilo City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena said the group is composed of the Bayanihan Dance Company, Silanganan of the University of the East, and Halili Cruz Ballet School.

They will be joined by local dance troupes such as the Kawilihan Dance Troupe and the Annie Sartorio Divinagracia Performing Arts. Continue Reading