I visited Lake Sebu back in 2006 to experience the Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City for a local travel magazine.
After more than four hours of road trip with a short stopover in the city of Koronadal, I finally arrived in Lake Sebu also known as South Cotabato’s Summer Capital.
Lake Sebu is a protected landscape located South Cotabato. Aside from being a sacred lake to its dwellers, the lake is also part of the several bodies of water supplying important irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.
South Cotabato’s Summer Capital
Previously called the village of Surallah, the whole area are considered as the ancestral domain of T’boli and Ubo tribes. Currently, the lake and its sourrounding rolling hills are now being promoted as one of the countries top eco-tourism destination. Continue Reading
Starting September 4-6, 2009, Southeast Asian Airlines will offer a “Buy 1, Take 1” Batanes roundtrip promo and almost 75% off on Boracay roundtrip tickets at the 20th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) Grand Vacation Sale ng Bayan at the SM Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall.
Philippine Travel Mart 2009 is the biggest travel, tourism and trade show in the country and is spearheaded by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA).
By visiting the Philippines Biggest Travel Fair, you can purchase “Buy 1, Take 1” Batanes roundtrip tickets for only PhP 14,344, all in. You can also avail of Boracay discounted roundtrip tickets for only PhP 3,500, all in. All purchased SEAIR Travel and ticket will valid until October 15, 2009.
Batanes Rolling Hills
Being the only airline flying in the Caticlan airport, SEAIR recently increased Caticlan flights to up to 27 per day and will step up to as many as 32 flights per day on October 15 and onwards. Starting from October 12, 2009 and onwards, SEAIR will be offering daily flights to Batanes to accomodate increasing demands.
SEAIR is currently the only airline that flies directly to Basco, Batanes. The picturesque Batanes, located at the northernmost tip of the Philippines, is now becoming the next best year-round destination in the Philippines.
With green pastures overlooking the Pacific Ocean, windmills on the sprawling pastoral landscape and lighthouses guarding immaculate shorelines, Batanes has a rustic and distinct beauty similar to the idyllic European countryside. Continue Reading
This September, book lovers, retailers and authors will gather again in SMX for the forthcoming 2009 Manila International Book Fair.
Now on its 30th year, the organizers expects bigger and better book fair this year for Filipino Book lovers.
The most awaited book fair will be held this coming September 16 – 20, 2009 at the Exhibit Halls 1 – 4, SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia.
Book sellers, book retailers and fellow book buyers are now excited for the upcoming event.
I cant wait to buy new travel related books even though I havent read yet the ones I bought last year (LOL)
As one of the longest-running book fairs in Asia, the MIBF is also considered one of the most accessible venues for showcasing published works.
This year, the MIBF celebrates its 30th anniversary with various special events that is expected to double if not triple visitor turnout than in previous years.
Preparations are up for the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival 2010, according to the Kalibo Ati-atihan Management Board (KAMB).
In a press conference, Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo said next year’s festivity will be launched during the foundation of this Ati-atihan town on November 3.
”We are now studying how we could be able to minimize commercialism and political showdowns for next year since we expect that politicians will take advantage of the revelry given the forthcoming election,” Rebaldo said.
Already, the participating tribes were made to understand that they are prohibited from displaying political and commercial posters while conducting a free-spirited street dance along the major thoroughfares of Kalibo.
But Rebaldo admitted that the local government unit might be having a hard-time preventing the festival from being tainted with politics and commercialism.
“Nevertheless, we are also currently working to make the century-old festival a spectacular event; we are now trying to revive the original ati-atihan tribes as much as possible,” he said.
The highlight of the festival, which has been dubbed as the mother of all festivals in the country, is set on January 15-17.
Next month, thousands of tourist and devotees will flock to Naga City to celebrate Peñafrancia Festival 2009. This years team is “Sharing the Future in Hope”.
This Festival is undoubtedly the biggest Marian parade in the country which is annually celebrated in honor of the Divino Rostro and Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
The famous Virgin Mary image is believed to have miraculous powers. This yearly religious festival dates back to the 17th century and some devotee believes that their illnesses were cured after joining the previous festivals.
Yearly Parade will not be complete without Brass bands and thousands of devotees shouting “Viva la Virgen” and “Patrona del Bicol, Viva” as the image of the Virgin finally approaches the Peñafrancia Chapel.
Each year, millions of tourist and devotees visits Naga City to celebrate and to join the Philippines most celebrated Marian Parade.
2009 Peñafrancia Festival Schedule of Activities
September 2 – 10 04:00 AM – Penitencial Procession from Metro Naga Parishes to Peñafrancia Basilica
05:30 AM – Novena Mass
04:30 PM – Confession
05:00 PM – Solemn Novenary Masses in honor of the Divino Rostro at the Basilica of Peñafrancia Continue Reading
Tourists now flocking to this province for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 competition slated Aug. 23 won’t find the stay complete without setting foot at the Gota Village Resort nestled in a serene coastal ecotourism complex here.
“It is of no doubt, had become a leading destination for tourists coming from France and other European countries after it was adjudged ecotourism destination of the year and included among the 14 best tourism destinations in the world by Top Resa 2008 in Paris,” Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte said here Thursday.
All the about 100 close cottages and villas at the resort have been booked for occupancy since two weeks ago, the governor said.
Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur
The Top Resa 2008, now on its 30th year and held for the first time in Paris, was attended among others by travel professionals such as delegates from travel agencies, corporate travel managers and members of the media.
It was the biggest travel and trade show and tourism forum in France with strong influence all over Europe. Continue Reading
The grand opening of the 24th Kadayawan sa Dabaw festivity was moved on Friday (Aug. 21) for the greater viewing of both citizens and tourists, this was explained Wednesday by City Tourism Officer Rizal Giovanni Aportadera.
Aportadera, said the soft opening of the festival on Monday should not dampen the spirits of the Dabawenyos who were expecting some grand event to open the city’s equally grand festival.
“It doesn’t mean that we didn’t start the Kadayawan celebration with a big bang that this year’s festivity wouldn’t be good. There has been a reshuffling of the events para rin mas marami ang makakita,” Aportadera said.
Kadayawan Festival 2009
While Kadayawan is a whole-week affair, it has been the custom of visitors to arrive in droves towards the end of the week when the festival highlights like the Indak-indak (street danding) and floral float parade are scheduled. Continue Reading
The municipality of Libacao, located 29 kilometers southwest of this capital town, occupies an important spot in the province of Aklan.
It serves as the main watershed of Aklan River, which holds considerable economic value to Aklanons as source of potable water supply, farm irrigation, food, and sand and gravel, among others.
Libacao’s forests, which lie upstream of the river, are said to be one of the largest remaining forest covers in the entire island of Panay, which has a total land area of 45,091 hectares.
The municipality, whose hinterlands serve as home to one of the island’s notable indigenous communities, is considered as the repository of Aklan’s ethnic culture.
These indigenous people have distinct ethnic culture and traditions that have been spared from the influence of modern ways of living. Continue Reading
The official flagship and sail training ship of the Republic of Colombia Armada de la Republica de Colombia (ARC) Gloria, was warmly welcomed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) at the Pier 13 of Manila South Harbour recently.
On a goodwill mission to the Philippines, the Colombian naval training ship carried a crew of one hundred forty-two (142) members composed of ship personnel and school navy cadets, under the command of Captain Luis Jorge Tovar Neira.
The ARC Gloria, a Brig Barque first commissioned on September 7, 1968, measures a length of 249.3 feet or 76 meters, with a sail area of 15,070 square feet or 1,400 square meters.
The DOT ushered the marine students to a tour of historic Manila, featuring Casa Manila, Fort Bonifacio and the San Agustin Museum, with the Mabuhay Guides, the country’s premier group of tourguides, leading the delegation through the city’s landmarks.
The heritage tour was capped with a traditional Filipino lunch at Barbara’s Restaurant in Intramuros.
Photo shows the ship’s contingent along with DOT staff and the Mabuhay Guides.
San Miguel Oktoberfest 2009 made even bigger and more exciting with millions of cash prizes up for grab for San Miguel Beer fans.
As early as July, the team behind the staging of San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest is announcing this year’s line-up of festivities for the country’s biggest and much-anticipated annual beer event.
The Oktoberfest season officially starts with the celebration of the San Miguel Beermen victory party held tonight at the SMC Head Office Complex in Mandaluyong City, a timely occasion to welcome Oktoberfest’s winning line-up of activities for the year.
San Miguel Oktoberfest
Excitement is brewing among the San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) marketing unit as this year’s Oktoberfest is, as they describe it, “an Oktoberfest like no other” with the goal of bringing the occasion “right at the footsteps of the Filipino people.”
“We recognize now more than ever, consumers seek higher value for their hard-earned money. However, the fun never stops for San Miguel Beer.
To make the celebration grander this year, we are offering consumers nine brands to choose from and enjoy: San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Miguel Premium All-Malt Beer, San Miguel Super Dry, Cerveza Negra, San Mig Strong Ice, Red Horse Beer, San Mig Light, Gold Eagle Beer and the limited edition Oktoberfest Brew.
If nowadays, consumers prefer to spend more time celebrating at home with their friends, then we will bring Oktoberfest to them,” says SMB Group Brand Manager Charmaine B. Bautista. Continue Reading
Already, the participating tribes were made to understand that they are prohibited from displaying political and commercial posters while conducting a free-spirited street dance along the major thoroughfares of Kalibo.
Recent Comments