Day 1 : After four bus stops and almost 11 hours of land travel, we finally reached the City of Tuguegarao in Cagayan Valley. It may take forever before you reach this northern province but I really don’t mind since its one of my favorite destination among all the provinces in the entire archipelago. For the unfamiliar, Tuguegarao is the center of trade, education, culture and tourism in the province of Cagayan Valley.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao

It was almost 6:30am when we arrived in the City and upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by the local tourism officials including the one of the most accommodating DOT Regional Director Blesilda Diwa of DOT Region 3.

Continue Reading

A tourism leader and member of the executive committee of the Baguio Flower Festival 2010, Anthony de Leon lauded the classification of the annual event by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as one of Philippines’ best events.

Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City

Earlier, Philippine Department of Tourism regional director Purificacion Molintas said that during the Cabinet meeting here, DOT officials revealed that the Panagbenga Festival is the biggest tourist drawer to this city especially during the summer months.

The festival which has been going on for the whole month of February about 14 years ago has been attracting an average of one million domestic and foreign tourists who are enthusiastic with major activities like float parade, streetdancing, trade fairs and arts contests. Continue Reading

The Museum and Cultural Affairs Office and the Makati City Government is now all set to celebrate the Caracol Festival 2010 this Sunday at 4pm at the Paseo de Roxas in the center of Makati City.

Makati’s Caracol Festival is the city’s unique version of the Mardi Gras, according to Mayor Jejomar C. Binay who will lead other city officials, family members, residents and guests in a grand parade marking the opening of one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

“The annual celebration of Caracol is part of the city government’s continuing commitment to preserving our cultural heritage and promoting the importance of conserving our environment and natural resources,” Binay said.

Caracol was conceptualized in 1986 and ushered in the Fiesta Islands Program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in 1989. It features students from the city’s public schools wearing nature-inspired costumes and performing dances, with the objective of instilling appreciation and respect for the bounty of Mother Earth and making them active participants in the protection and conservation of nature. Continue Reading

The Grupong Kabog in the Tribal Big Category won the coveted title as 1st prize in the Tribal Big Category during this year’s Ati-Atihan Festival 2010 competition held in Kalibo, Aklan from Jan. 15 to 17.

The Grupong Kabog romped off with a hefty sum of P50,000 cash and a trophy. On the other hand, Libtong’s Boys was placed second to win P40,000 cash while the Black Beauty Boys was declared third placer and was awarded P30,000 cash prize.

In the Tribal Small Group Category, Tribu Eamang won 1st prize, bagging P30,000 cash prize; Usmanong Mangingigi got the second prize , winning P25,000 cash; and Morongga Tribe received P20,000 cash prize for winning 3rd prize.

In the Modern Group, Scorpio 11-19 was declared winner to earn P20,000 cash prize, 2nd placer Aeang-Aeang went home with P15,000 cash and 3rd placer Enchanting got P10,000 cash prize.

In the Balik Ati Category, Lilo-anong Ati nga Mananggiti was declared winner with P20,000 cash award while Salimuno Falls Group was placed second.

In the Individual Category, Mascarade was adjudged as most original, Pink Lady as most modern, Lady Pink Gaga as most fantastic, Adan as most symbolic, and Absurongsong as most comical as minor awards to receive a cash award of P2,000 each.

Meanwhile, the Ati Bantiling of Tangalan, Aklan was declared Hall of Famer for winning anew in the 2010 Higante contest held at the Kalibo Pastrana Park. Continue Reading

While roaming around Sentosa Island, we saw a huge resort and a theme park being constructed near the entrance gate of Sentosa Island. I learned from our tour guide that the huge park was the Universal Studios which is also located inside Resorts World Sentosa. The resort is expected to open this year and this will be the largest Universal Studio theme park outside Hollywood.

Universal Studios Singapore

Packed with 24 attractions, 18 of them were new and some were adapted for Singapore. The theme park boasts a collection of many world firsts: the world’s biggest single collection of DreamWorks Animation attractions; the world’s first Far Far Away Castle from the world of Shrek; the world’s first Madagascar theme park ride; the world’s tallest dueling roller coaster Battlestar Galactica, the world’s first Sci-Fi zone, and more. Continue Reading

Are you planning to visit Malaybalay Bukidnon for the upcoming Kaamulan Festival 2010? This years festival will start on February 18 and will end on March 10, 2010 which makes it the longest Kaamulan Celebration ever!

Malaybalay Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities

Considered as the country’s most authentic festival, the gathering of tribes showcases the diverse culture of Bukindon’s seven prominent tribe : Tala-andig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tigwahanon, Matigsalug and Bukidnon.

Representatives from the seven hill tribes of Bukidnon gather in unity with the local dwellers in town, proudly wearing their colorful woven costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses and amulets. Most of their accessories are made from colorful beads and Male tribes are usually wearing Tinalak.

Checkout this years Kaamulan Festival schedule of activities :  Continue Reading

Want a perfect date this Valentines Day? Watch the launch of First Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (P.I.P.C) in SM Mall of Asia this Valentines Day!

1st International Pyromusical Competition on Valentines Day

SM Mall of Asia has always been the perfect location of fireworks display activities in the country. This February, SM Mall of Asia and in partnership with Platinum Fireworks Inc will be launching another event which aims to be the first successful PyroMusical International competition in the Philippines. Continue Reading

First of all I would like to apologize for the delay in the announcement of winners for our most recent online contest here in Out of Town Blog.

I would like to congratulate Koi, Mark and Suzzane Delos Santos for winning in our most recent raffle contest. The Schützen Planners is now all yours:)

Conducting a short survey is one of the reasons why I had this contest. Based on the contest entries from Out of Town Blog readers, Here’s the list of Pinoy’s Favorite Destination for 2010 : Continue Reading

Are you planning to visit Marinduque this Holy Week for the Moriones Festival 2010? You can now reach Marinduque in just 30 minutes! With less travel time, you can definitely have more time to enjoy your vacation.

Moriones Festival 2010 in Marinduque

The island province of Marinduque lies south of Quezon, east of Mindoro and north of Romblon. It features untouched beaches and islets, underwater caves, coral reefs, and therapeutic sulfur springs. Marinduqueños are known for their very hospitable nature, which is reflected in putong, a custom of “welcoming” where visitors are seated and crowned with flowers while local women dance and sing for them. Continue Reading

SEAIR launches a special promo as the airline flies daily to Batanes in its winter season. By just typing ilovebataneswinter09 in the promo code field when booking online at www.FlySeair.com, one can get a 10% discount in Batanes airfares. The booking period is from December 1, 2009 – February 28, 2010 and travel period is from December 1, 2009 – February 28, 2010. The promo is for limited seats.

Experience Winter in Batanes

Due to its proximity to Taiwan, Batanes experiences 4 seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter. As the year comes to a close the weather gets cooler and cooler to as low as 7 degrees Celsius.

With green pastures overlooking the sea, windmills on sprawling countryside, lighthouses guarding immaculate shorelines, and cool weather especially in certain months, Batanes is most often likened to European countries like Ireland and Scotland.

To avail of the promo, purchase tickets online at www.FlySeair.com. For packages call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at (+632) 8437308