Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Philippine Myth: Origin of the Moon and Stars
A long, long time ago, some Filipinos thought the moon was a silver crescent comb and the stars were necklaces of diamonds. The sky was said to be a mere arm-stretch away overhead. The Philippine myth goes this way.
The myth says that once, a small community lived in the middle of a rice field. They focused on rice and corn agriculture and they brought in abundant harvest each year. One of the families in the community was Maria’s family. The myth continues that people in the community were so close that they knew each other well. Maria was know there as a pretty girl.
Particularly, she was known for caring too much for her long, silky hair. The myth says it was her pride, and lots of other girls in the neighborhood envied her for it. And Maria loved it. She fancied herself the star of her village. So, the myth goes that she worked double time on her beauty, especially her long, jet black hair.
Maria cared so much for her hair. The myth says, aside from daily comprehensive herbal rituals, she regularly brushed her hair with a special silver crescent-shape comb. The myth says she let nothing touch her hair except the best material around. Even as she went about her daily chore she wore a coiled string of jewels and diamonds (supposedly common as ordinary rocks that time) to crown her hair—that’s aside from the jeweled necklace she wore.
One day, according to the myth, as she was pounding grains of corn and palay (rice stalks) in a native wooden pestle with a wooden mortar, her mother noticed the jeweled string around her head , the silver comb stuck in her hair, and the jeweled lace round her neck. She scolded her and told her to lay aside everything while working. So, continues the myth, Maria hanged the comb and jewelry on the sky above her. Wanting to finish her work in a hurry, she pounded the grains hard by raising the mortar really high. She didn’t notice hitting the sky which went up higher as she hit it with her pounding. Soon the sky went all the way up, along with her comb and jewelry. And they became the moon and the stars, according to his Philippine myth.
The myth’s lesson? Don’t be too preoccupied with vain personal beauty. Work always comes first. Too much self indulgence is bound to compromise on things that really count.
Myths Surrounding Balete Drive
Balete Drive ghost stories have been around allegedly since the 1950s. The most popular is a “white lady” that haunts the long avenue and seems to target cab drivers in particular—but not exclusively. The hair-raising accounts went through the years, many claiming to have personally seen this mysterious lady. This has somewhat become part of Philippine folklore unofficially. Other ghost tales of Balete Drive include spirit kingdoms, spirit creatures, and haunted houses.
Balete Drive connects the long span between E.Rodriguez and N. Domingo Avenues in New Manila, Quezon City. It’s about 45 minutes travel from Manila via the Cubao route through Espana and E. Rodriguez Avenue. The Balete Drive corner at E. Rodriguez is a bustling business area mushroomed with fast foods and other establishments.
According to some Balete Drive ghost myths a tentacled, gargantuan Balete tree used to stand in the middle of the road. The tragedy began there. Some late night a cab driver was said to have violated a pretty girl on her way home. Since then, the ghost stories started and circulated in the metropolis. Some say the Balete Drive ghost tale was a brainchild of a news reporter who ran out of interesting stories to cover. Others say the Balete Drive ghost tales were testings for a school project on how fast and to what extent rumors would traveler.
Balete trees in Philippine folklore are said to be mysterious. They’re often a haunting place for evil spirits. Another version says they conceal mythical kingdoms unseen to the naked eye. Thus, Balete Drive is said to be a haunting spot for other spirit creatures like Philippine elves (“dwende”), smoking giants (“kapre), other monsters (“malign”), and fairies (“diwata”).
Actually, three haunted houses are said to remain in the vicinity. These are old mansions haunted by wandering spirits of their former owners. The myth is that their rich owners never bequeathed the mansions to anybody to ensure that they never fall in poor people’s hands. So they have become vacant for years, turning out to be what folks call haunted houses.
Also along Balete Drive is a 200 year old house that serves as antique shop, not for ghost stories, but Philippine heritage. It’s called “Bahay Sentenaryo” or Centennial House.
Balete Drive ghost stories are well circulated that they form part of local folklore—it was even a theme of a local movie. Its haunted house and spirit tales or myths thrill the imagination of adults, the young, and even skeptics.
Ghost Myths of San Juan, La Union
A headless nun, a faceless cigar smoker, a mysterious white lady at the old tower—-these are among the spooky tales that itchy ghost hunters can pry into during a short stay in the coastal town of San Juan, La Union.
San Juan was a quiet fishing town of La Union province in the North before the Americans came. Most tales are said to have originated around this time and handed down to generations. It’s still a quiet town, but pompous cottages and mansions have popped along its shores.
Modernity has caught up among its very old Hispanic buildings, with a few shops and inns budding along the main highway. It is an 8-hour trek from Manila by bus or private car.
The eerie tales persist today, though in mumbled whispers by folks wistful for the past. The present generation would just shrug apathy on them. But now and then fleeting shadows are said to cast themselves on a chosen few—-perhaps just for a fun scare.
One of the myths goes that old historical ruins of a Spanish convent were burned by the Japanese and a nun was killed and beheaded. The old ruins of the covenant still stand. On some nights when an unfortunate vacationer happens to pass by on a full moon at midnight, some bell would toll spookily. It supposedly signals the approach of the nun from behind.
First it’s a cool, creepy breeze. Then wavy long hair brushing against the nape. Looking behind, the victim would discover the spooky tale for himself.
Another myth is that, before the war, youths around an abandoned man-hole used to smoke cigars at midnight. Once, a stranger came, face overshadowed by a straw hat, asking for light. When they lent a lit cigar, the man looked up to light his, showing a spine-chilling blank where a face should have been. The faceless man allegedly still shows up, though rarely, because he prefers unbranded, native tobacco to imported ones.
The pristine beach of San Juan attracts foreign fishers who brag on their big catches of sword fish and tuna or “bariles” from the sea, which is also ideal for surfing. Old historical ruins of red bricks still stand there. It used to be part of a watch tower in pre-Hispanic times. A look-out sentry was posted watching out for pirates from the China Sea.
One of the tales on it says, in an attack, the sentry alerted the whole town. A mural on this is painted on one of the walls of the town plaza.
In recent times, tales say a laughing white lady is said to have been showing herself periodically in the old historical ruins, especially to handsome young men who brave the seashore at midnight.
Spooky tales of ghostly nuns, faceless creatures, and laughing white ladies may sound absurd and kids-stuff, but there’s always a child in us that want to find out. Well, San Juan, La Union is the perfect town to go spook-busting while checking out its historical old ruins and immaculate azure waters.
A Visayan Genesis Tale
A love story turned sour. This folklore says the world started in romance but ended in fierce rebellion. Like many Philippine history events that started in the invader’s love for the islands and how the natives rebelled against it.
According to this tale, long before anything was created save sea and sky, two gods ruled: Maguayan and Kaptan. The first had a daughter, which was the sea, and the second a son, the wind. Maguayan’s daughter was Lidagat, Kaptan’s son was Lihangin. The gods agreed to their marriage.
Sea and Wind had 4 kids: Likalibutan, Liadlao, and Libulan were boys and Lisuga was a girl. The folklore says Likabutan, the eldest son’s body was of rock. He was brave and very strong. Liadlao’s body was of gold. He was a happy kid. Libulan’s was of copper—he was weak and timid. Lisuga, the girl, was of pure silver. She was a gentle, sweet girl.
The parents, Wind and Sea, died. So Likabutan, took charge of wind control. The tale says grandpas Maguayan and Kaptan reared the growing siblings.
Likabutan, turned power greedy and sought to challenge grandpa Kaptan, the sky god. He tried to enlist his brothers’ help, which they gave reluctantly. Soon the trio was storming the heavens.
But they couldn’t topple the steel gate that barred their way. Likabutan, summoned enough wind power and blew the thing down. The tale adds that this so infuriated grandpa Kaptan that he struck them with a bolt of lightning each.
Libulan the copper and Liadlao the gold both melted into balls, turning into “moon” and “sun” respectively. The folklore continues that Likabutan was demolished into huge pieces and fell in the sea. His shattered body became “land.” Lisuga, their sister, wasn’t spared either. A lightning bolt shattered her into tiny silver pieces which became “stars.”
Later, the tale adds, out of a bamboo tree a man and woman came out. Later they had offspring. Their youngest, Pandaguan, was fierce and adventurous. He caught a big shark, thought it was a god, and adored it. Later, it made him think he was a god-conqueror, so he turned on the two gods. Angry they sent him a low-voltage lightning–just enough to get him back to his right senses. The folklore says that burned him black. From his darkened body came Negritos.
This folklore certainly mirrors how Filipino folks saw life around them. This affected some of their values and character—a romantic and adventurous people. Even tales attest to that.
Hidden Treasures in the Philippines
Is it true that caches of treasures–notably, Yamashita treasures– are buried in secret places in the Philippines? How did they get there in the first place? Treasure hunting in the country is accompanied by numerous Philippine myths or tales on them—from word of mouth and some even from the news.
Treasure hunting takes place in the country now and then, more so for the Yamashita treasures. Lots were illegal. Philippine legends say treasures are said to come from two sources—the Second World War and the unseen supernatural world.
According to a Philippine myth, Hitler tied up with Italy and Japan, worrying the Allied Forces about Vatican treasures that might fall in The Fuehrer’s hands. They were said to have secretly smuggled out some treasures and kept in England. But Hitler was gaining more ground faster than expected. So they were shipped out to Hongkong. But the Japanese intercepted it and diverted it to Australia.
But a super typhoon destroyed the Japanese fleet and the treasures ended up somewhere between the Visayas and Mindanao. That’s how it came to the Philippines, says a Philippine legend.
The treasures were gradually transported to Manila, says the myth, and portions were stashed away in remote mountains, caves, old churches, old monuments, old trees, or underground.
Then Americans came to free Manila forcing General Yamashita to divide his forces, each carrying enormous amounts of treasures. Some headed north, some to provinces around Manila. Filipino slaves were said to have carried the bulk of the treasures and did lots of the digging, says Philippine legends about them.
The Filipinos were later killed, along with scores of Japanese soldiers, to ensure the treasures’ secrecy. Later, According to the Philippine myth, ranking Japanese soldiers reportedly returned to the country as tourists after the war and recovered a lot of the treasure—again with the help of Filipinos.
Souls of those killed in the course of treasure hiding are said to be guarding them. So ghost stories accompany tales of the Yamashita treasures. They say, where ghosts of Japanese soldiers abound; there a treasure might be hidden. Tales of white ladies are also connected to treasures, more of the Yamashita treasures, according to Philippine myths-—they were rape victims of Japanese soldiers.
The local version of fairy tales has its own story. Local, flat-nosed nymphs, fairies, leprechauns, gnomes, and the like are said to be spirit guardians of unimaginable hoards of wealth—fact is, the tales say, Filipinos are sitting on a mountain of gold. And these are not just natural resources; they are literally treasures of gold.
Philippine myths or legends of treasures never die. They’re taken seriously even by respectable people. And who knows? They might indeed be real, and those of us who laugh at these tales might one day discover too late that the joke was on us.
Katipunan Tales in Quezon City
With some facts, a little of folklore, and lots of imagination, a visit to the north end tip of Quezon City—once the “backwoods” of the city in katipunan days, would prove a realistic travel back in the past.
The Katipunan in the mid 1800s was partly in some wild thickets of far flung hills north of Manila, which is now Quezon City, among other places in Luzon. Today it is known as Project 8, Project 6, and the long stretch of Tandang Sora Avenue. Original old folks in the places still recall some katipunan tales.
Tandang Sora, a heroine, actually lived in a hut in Banlat. Skirmishes with Spanish soldiers were felled members of the rag tag band, either dead or wounded. The wounded were brought at the hut for herbal treatment and care.
A shrine stands where the hut used to be along Tandang Sora Avenue at the edge of Project 8, Quezon City. A jeep from Quiapo, Manila to Project 8, about 45 minutes, brings one to General Avenue in G.S.I.S. Village, Project 8.
From General Avenue, the Tandang Sora old residence is walking distance. Tricycle drivers there may be of help. The place brings one to where fierce fightings erupted between Filipino insurgents and Spanish troops a hundred years ago.
Several places managed to retain their century-old names to this day—Balintawak, Banlat, Bahay Toro, and Pugad Lawin—once the “hot spots” of the Philippine Revolution.
Places with original names reflect some local facts about the vicinity in its early years. Like Kamuning and Kamias, also in Quezon City—so named because long ago the places were profuse with kamuning and kamias trees.
Balintawak Market in EDSA, Quezon City, sits right smack at the edge of the Grace Park Interchange—main route to the northern countryside. Nearby is where Andres Bonifacio led Katipuneros shout the fierce “Cry of Balintawak.”
But further down, kaingin, which today is crowded with shanties and factories, the “real” Cry of Balintawak was said to have taken place.
In Kaingin Road, a neglected shrine used to stand, its caption saying it is the actual place where Katipuneros shouted the first battle cry.
Balintawak was strategic to the insurgents. Manuevers to and from the North could be easily done from there.
A mile away from Balintawak is Pugad Lawin, where hawks called “lawin” nested. “Pugad” or nest was attached to denote a high place where hawks haunt and use as a look-out.
Lawin is an alias given to proven warriors. The place was said to be where fierce Katipunan sentries were on the look out for coming Spanish troops.
A mile from Pugad Lawin is Banlat. It was said to be a place hides or balat of the native buffalo called “kalabaw” were dried, cut, and turned into leather crafts, especially leather sheathes of the native sword or taga, or the daga or dagger—common Katipunan weapons.
Bahay Toro in English is a barn for bulls. Thus, native bulls or “kalabaw” were said to be abundant in the place. Bahay Toro is near Banlat and was purported a trade route for kalabaw raisers and kalabaw hide manufacturers.
A nostalgic tourist raring for a re-make of the historic past will only take a 45 minute trip from Manila to Tandang Sora (about $ 0.50), and some imagination. Then roaming around the adjacent vicinities where the real action took place, the tourist could be transported back to the actual events, lost to all the world, relishing in golden times past.
A Philippine Tale on Black Cats
Other races on earth are also familiar with the black cat superstition, how it’s bad luck when it crosses one’s path. But the Philippine tale on black cats has a moral story on the side. The tale warns people not to be like a black cat. So, here’s how not to be like a black cat.
The tale says long ago there was a delinquent dark-colored boy in a barrio who kept doing mischief in the neighborhood. It was not the kind that most rustic lads would do. The tale says the boy stole food, tools, utensils, money, and even farm animals. Nobody knew where the boy came from; he just appeared out of the blue—and the bad tales started going around.
The tale says he was stealing from everyone in the village, so the whole village came together to cast a spell on him. Philippine myths and folklores are full of tales that have to do with cursing and casting spells on an antagonist—and the thing actually worked.
The tale says that the whole village agreed on wishing that the boy one day crawl on all fours to beg for mercy but to no avail. The kind of creature he will turn to will be quite unsightly that everyone would shoo him off on sight. The creature, according to the tale, would forever be untame to all and carry the stigma of being an omen of bad luck.
Soon, a black cat was seen prowling in neighborhood backyards. Sure enough, the tale adds, everyone who saw it was aghast at the sight and shooed the cat off. Since then the tale went around of meeting any black cat as a sure omen of bad luck. But tales aside, most black cats are sweet pets to have.
A last side story on black cats: this Philippine tale further adds that killing a black cat hands-on at midnight during a Good Friday endows special powers to the perpetrator. After killing the poor thing, the tale says it is to be buried at said day and time. The following year, same day and time, it is to be exhumed. The remains are said to be magical.
Black cats are just like people; they’re here for a purpose—and it’s not to carry bad luck or any evil omen. And Filipino boys are sweet and kind with potentials to turn into good citizens someday—not into black cats.
Makati Prime Tower Suites: Hotel in a City’s Heart
Makati City, Philippines is the business district of the country. If you are going here for business purposes or for pleasure, staying at the Makati Prime Tower Suites is a good idea. Located at the heart of Makati City with 110 service suites, this hotel is a good choice for short or long-term stay. Hotel rooms like executive studios, suites with one or two bedrooms and luxury penthouses are available. All hotel rooms in the Makati Prime Tower Suites are fully air-conditioned.
The Makati Prime Tower Suites has easy access to the Domestic and International Airports due to its strategic location. Bar-hopping at night is not difficult at all. If you are into a shopping spree, popular malls like Ayala Center and Power Plant Mall are just nearby. This hotel also has function rooms that can accommodate up to 45 people. A hotel like this is a great venue for company meetings, conferences, and family gatherings.
The Makati Prime Tower Suites is located at Kalayaan Avenue Corner Mercado St., Bel-air, Makati City, Philippines.
There are five types of hotel rooms available in Makati Prime Tower Suites. These are Studio Suite, One-Bedroom Suite, Two-Bedroom Suite, Penthouse Suite, and Presidential Suite. All hotel rooms have air-conditioning, cable television, internet connectivity, balcony or deck, shower with bathtub, telephone, private toilet and bath, and free breakfast.
A Studio Suite hotel room has a queen-sized or twin beds with a maximum of 2 guests per room. It’s lowest rate is at USD $38.
A One-bedroom Suite hotel room also has a queen-sized or twin beds. If you want an extra bed you just add $10. It has a maximum of 2 guests per room and the lowest rate is at USD $48. The Two-bedroom Suite hotel room has a queen-sized bed with an additional $10 charge for an extra bed. Lowest rate is at USD $68.
A Penthouse Suite hotel room has a bedroom with a spacious living room. The lowest rate is at USD $78. The Presidential Suite hotel room has two bedrooms with the lowest rate at USD $88.
The Makati Prime Tower Suites also offer their facilities and amenities with warm smiles of their experienced, professional, and friendly hotel staff. The hotel’s facilities and amenities include a cafe and restaurant, 24-hour internet connectivity, outdoor swimming pool, hotel room service, 24-hour transportation, car rental service, laundry service, parking facilities, safe deposit box, foreign exchange counter, minimart, hair and beauty salon, and massage service.
If ever you visit Makati City, the Makati Prime Tower Suites is the perfect place to stay. Your comfort and convenience is rest assured.
Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel: A Good Getaway
Batangas, Philippines is a place of many beaches. The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel is a popular destination for weekend trips and holiday vacations. A beach resort that’s great for swimming fanatics and rigorous sports lovers. The beach resort also has day spas available for relaxing opportunities.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel is located in Lian, Batangas. It is about a two and a half-hour drive from Manila. To get there, you’ll have to go through South Superhighway, then to Tagaytay. From there you head on to Nasugbu and then to Lian.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel is a multi-awarded resort. The latest award is being the “Most Outstanding Beach Resort” given by the Parangal ng Bayan Awards Foundation and National Consumer Council.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel offers modern amenities and facilities. These include swimming pools, indoor games, outdoor games, 14-hole putting green, indoor kids’ corner, spas, steam baths, water sports, Fortune Island Adventure, and other services. The beach resort also has some dining facilities that offer local and international cuisine, grilled local dishes, cocktails, and entertainment.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel has Executive and Superior guest rooms in addition to suites and villas. All rooms are fully air-conditioned with their own bathroom and veranda. Suites and executive rooms have hot and cold baths. Suites also have mini bars and cable television.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel’s Executive Room has cable television and a mini bar. It can accommodate up to four people for a rate of USD $70+. The Junior Suite Room is a one-bedroom suite with a queen-sized bed, cable television, mini bar, and a lounge and dining area. The rate of this room is around USD $82+.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel also has Senior Suite Room. This is a two-bedroom suite with a queen-sized bed, cable television, mini bar, and a lounge and dining area. Good accommodation for eight for a rate of USD $101+. The beach resort also has a Villa, which is a room with an attic bedroom. It has a terrace and a lounge and dining area. It can accommodate eight people, rates are at USD $91+.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel also offers a promo package good for two persons. The package includes an overnight stay in an Executive Room, breakfast, and full body massage. Price is at USD $87.
The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel is a good getaway destination for both business and leisure. Once visited, it will become a favorite place. The Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel guarantees customer delight every time you visit Batangas, Philippines.
Maximizing One’s Stay in a Philippine Hotel
Philippine hotels are exciting lodges to stay in. A couple of days stay will surely be pure delight, especially when it’s a luxury hotel. Though they can also be a bit expensive, there are ways of maximizing one’s stay in a Philippine hotel.
Most Philippine hotels are historical. They may not have figured in major Philippine historical events but they nonetheless have some olden story highlights in their existence. Just lift the phone receiver and ask operator service for some historical background on the hotel, especially if it was originally started before Word War II, or at least circa 1950s.
Dig up history facts some more by asking for archive records on the hotel; there might be a file somewhere in its database. Or search it on the Internet. The point is, it’s a different experience when one’s aware of the hotel’s past. For instance, a premier Philippine hotel in Cebu built in the 1950s used to be a humble four-table restaurant. Some hotels in Intramuros used to be mansions during Spanish times in the Walled City.
Philippine hotels often have a Filipiniana section usually in their lobbies. This is a good place to know more of the people and famous places in the country. Some Philippine hotels offer whole shelves of old books on Filipino culture and tradition, polished native and rare implements and tools as hotel decors, old photos, and special nooks for native delicacies and dishes. It will be worthwhile sampling these rare features.
Another way of maximizing a stay in a Philippine hotel is hanging out awhile at the lobby. The lobby and café (often adjacent to each other) of luxury Philippine hotels are favorite hang outs of well-known people in town. One may see movie or political personalities being interviewed there, or simply relishing a brewed cup of coffee or sipping a cool drink. Or one can try to meet new people to befriend at the lobby. It’s a safe place to gain new acquaintances from the city or locality.
Finally, catch a view of the sunset at an open lounge, at the pool area of the hotel, or on a terrace roof top. Don’t leave without even a glimpse of it, and the city skyline. Those are likely to make memory impressions that last.
A short stay at a Philippine hotel can have more delights than may be expected. It’s just a simple roaming around the hotel in thrilled expectation of something worth discovering.
