A couple of weeks back, I visited Boracay with Shellaise – an officemate and fellow blogger. As a first time visitor on the Island, Shellaise shares her short and yet so inviting tale of her first-time trip to the Paradise called Boracay. Read on….

Gray clouds and moist.. A gloomy morning greeted our Boracay arrival. Technically the downpour begins when May ends so it didn’t come as a surprise, I arrived expecting it. I must admit, it suited my melancholy mood and lacking sleep didn’t help much either.

We got to the hotel and check in wasn’t till another couple of hours, again this did not help brighten my mood.

Paradise Found

We decided to tour the length of station 2 where the white sand held semblance to rock salts, all the way to station 1 where the rock salts seemed to have been pulverized into fine powder -it makes me wonder why that is… Continue Reading

Starting July 29 to August 10, 2009, Intramuros History Town formerly known as WoW Philippines will showcase the Wonders of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

The Department of Tourism will launch tourism promotion that will showcase MIMAROPA Region at Intramuros: History Town Philippines with Secretary Ace Durano and Senator Richard Gordon as the guests of honor on July 28, 2009.

The MIMAROPA region composed of the island provinces of Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, with DOT’s Regional Director Louella Jurilla, leads the collaboration of efforts with the Governors, Mayors and tourism business movers to package the elements of an enriching travel experience when visiting the region.

Kayangan Lake, Coron Palawan

Home of the country’s premier adventure destinations, and finalist in the search for the New7Wonders, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the region has occupied the top slot in the domestic travel market for several decades. Continue Reading

Next month, The province of Cebu will once again prove that Cebu is indeed an island of colorful festivals. Last year, I was lucky to witness the first grand Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival.

Now on it’s second year, The Festivities will start with the coronation of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival 2009 Queen on August 12 following a colorful parade of dances will showcase best of the best street dancing festivals of Cebu on August 15, 2009.

Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival 2009

Last years grand price was bagged by Palawod Festival of Bantayan Island while the Haladaya festival of Daanbantayn finished second, followed by Siloy festival (Alcoy), Ani-anihan festival (Tabuelan), Banig festival (Badian), Tostado festival (Santander), Sinamay festival (Carmen)and Soli-Soli festival(San Francisco, Camotes) respectively. Continue Reading

There are now more reasons why tourists should flock to Alaminos City in Pangasinan province, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said as it announced various new amenities available at the famous Hundred Islands National Park.

DOT Region 1 Director Martin Valera said the tourism potential of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) has been further enhanced by other leisure activities “that would surely make every tourist’s stay a memorable one.”

Valera said the HINP is no longer known for just island hoping but also for other activities such as snorkeling, spelunking, fun-fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, diving, bird watching, and rides like the infamous banana boat ride.

The area, he added, also abounds with scenic spots like the Governors Island, which was used as one of the homes of the hit reality show Pinoy Big Brother.

Cuenco Cave, on the other hand, is another scenic spot that boasts of its twin white beaches.

Milagrosa Island is among the area’s islands that has a cave filled with stalactite and stalagmite formations but is only accessible during low tide.

For those craving for an underwater experience, the Scout Island is the choice spot to visit, Valera said. Continue Reading

Are you looking for a secluded tropical beach without the crowds?

If you are searching for a great romantic and adventure getaway, Let me share to you another tropical beach I just discovered a couple of weeks back.

On my second day in Boracay, I planned to visit Carabao Island in Romblon – a beautiful island fronting Boracay’s famous Puka Beach but few minutes after reserving an outrigger boat to tour us around, we were informed that we cant proceed to Carabao Island due to unexpected high waves brought by the southwest monsoon.

Ariel’s Point wooden Diving Board

I then asked the boatmen where to go for Island hopping and he recommended a place called Ariel’s Point which is formerly called Batason Point. A friend asked me, Why would I go somewhere else if I’m already in the Island Paradise? Well, the question is valid and I know there’s plenty of things to do in Boracay but Ive been to this place numerous times already and I just want to explore new activities near the island. Continue Reading

The Caticlan airport reopens in September for bigger aircrafts, following the order of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to commence initial phase of runway rehabilitation, which involves contouring of the bordering hill.

The DOTC issued the order to the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC), a private consortium which was granted the 25-year airport upgrade project.

Recent flight incidents in Caticlan prompted the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to prohibit larger aircrafts of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Airways from using Boracay’s closest gateway. At present, the airport is limited to one way landing or take-off for smaller planes.

Boracay Island Paradise 

“With the wind factor and the hill obstructing the airstrip, pilots perform an abrupt maneuver to a steep degree of ascent for larger planes. Passenger safety is our priority in rehabilitating the runway,” revealed Secretary Ace Durano, representing the Department of Tourism (DOT), one of the board members of CAAP.

“The CAAP, concerned government agencies and private sector are consolidating all efforts to complete the runway upgrade. We have been assured that it will be fully operational in September, the start of Boracay’s peak season,” added the tourism chief. Continue Reading

National artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco was one of the greatest Filipino visual artists and muralists, best known for his vibrant, sprawling murals specially commissioned by the Malacañang Palace, Manila City Hall, Philippine General Hospital and Fort Santiago.

His masterpieces include the Malacañang mural “Fiesta”, “Code of Kalantiao (private collection), “Blood Compact” (Yuchengco Museum / RCBC Building), “First Mass at Limasawa” (National Museum), “The Martyrdom of Rizal” (Fort Santiago), “Bayanihan sa Bukid,” “Stations of the Cross” (Far Eastern University), “The Invasion of Limahong,” “Serenade,” and “Muslim Betrothal.”

Botong was also a multidisciplinary artist, working in the movies as a scriptwriter and production designer.

Book about Botong Francisco

But more than anything, Botong was an artist who addressed the issue of national identity. Yet, despite his great impact on Philippine art, his works have grown obscure to the younger generations of Filipinos.

A GREAT SENSE OF EPIC

To rekindle interest in Botong Francisco, Vibal Foundation, Inc. (VFI) introduces a new addition to its Art Series of imprints: The Life and Art of Carlos V. Francisco. Continue Reading

CALABARZON’s new adventure and wellness packages was launched by the Department of Tourism on Monday noon at the Clamshell at Anda and Sta. Lucia Sts. in Intramuros:History Town Philippines.

CALABARZON is composed of the five provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Dubbed as ‘Excite! Delight! @ the Sights CALABARZON,’ event will formally open to the public from July 14-15, where top travel stakeholders will offer their latest tourism packages to local and foreign clients.

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban Quezon

Secretary of Tourism Joseph Ace Durano said. “We have come up with some of the most unique and exciting packages with the support from the local government in CALABARZON, and business movers such as travel agencies, hotels, resorts, tour operators, and travel boutiques.

“This regional showcase will likewise introduce the newest first-class hotels and resorts in the area.”

These packages, said Durano, include wellness and spa sessions, cuisines, hot spring baths, beach hopping, dive safaris, golfing, pilgrimages, and heritage exploration.

Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. added: “With CALABARZON highlights which are its beaches, volcanic springs and historical landmarks, we have also put together other alternative activities that cater to a diverse market of foreign and local tourists.” Continue Reading

On my most recent trip to Boracay, I noticed an extra ordinary trash bin right beside the luggage x ray machine in NAIA Terminal 3.

What made it Extra ordinary? This transparent container serves as the trash bin for confiscated items which were not allowed inside each passengers hand carry baggage.

Different countries may have different rules on restricted and prohibited items. Would you believe Rosary and other religious artifacts like bible is not allowed in any Saudi Arabian airport?

Prohibited Items inside the aircraft

In the Philippines, we follow IATA rules; Here’s the list of things that are considered dangerous or prohibited goods; Continue Reading

You heard it right! The worlds most prestigious fireworks competition is back!

According to our source, The 2009 World Pyro Olympics fireworks competition will be held this year in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. This event is scheduled to kick off this November and winners will be announced on the first week of December 2009.

The World Pyro Olympics 2009 is an annual fireworks competition that showcases some of the most prestigious fireworks manufacturers in the world.

The event started in 2004 but it was just considered as an exhibition event. In 2005 it was declared as the worlds largest international fireworks competition.

The first years Peoples choice winner was Show Fx. Pty from Australia and the last years winner was Parente Fireworks from Italy.

The yearly event was temporarily stopped in 2006 but in 2007, United Kingdom’s Westcoast Fireworks won while Italy’s Parente Fireworks was recognized as the best last year.

Visit this link for more World Pyro Olympics 2009 updates