Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
The Caves of Bohol, Philippines
The Chocolate Hills are not the only reason to visit the province of Bohol in the Philippines. If you’re into caving or cave exploring then Bohol is a great destination. The province has over 1,400 caves. The name Bohol seems to have come from the word “buho” which means a “hole”. Locally, this means a hole where spring water would usually burst out; Bohol has lots of that along its coastal towns.
A lot of the caves of Bohol, Philippines have not yet been explored. It is not quite surprising that one might be following a stream during a cool day’s trek only to find that it leads to a cave somewhere. The caves of Bohol are home to strange invertebrates, like the albino crabs for instance, who have adapted to life in the dark.
At least two caves in the province of Bohol have historic significance in the Philippines. The first one is the Francisco Dagohoy Cave. This cave is located in the town of Danao and is the most visited by local and foreign tourists.
In 1744, Francisco Dagohoy, a patriot, started a rebellion against the Spanish Regime. This movement lasted until 1829. This cave served as their headquarters during the uprising. One of the passages in Dagohoy’s cave has an underwater route that leads to dry land within. It is said that this area was the movement’s hiding place when Spanish forces would raid the cave.
The other historic cave is found in the town of Antequera known as Buhong Tiawan, which is just one and a half kilometers away from town. The entrance to the cave is in a wall of a limestone hill. The entrance is three to five meters wide and leads to a cavern 100 meters long.
The cave was used as a refuge in World War II when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. The Japanese raided the place eventually when the imperial army discovered the hide out. Today, the cave is home to different species of birds and bats.
Another famous tourist attraction is the Hinagdanan Cave in the island of Panglao. The cave features stalactites with matching stalagmites that converge towards each other. The cave brings you to a cavern that has a pond about ten feet in depth. It isn’t advisable to swim in it since the water in the pond isn’t clean.
The caves Bohol, Philippines is a haven for those who love to explore the subterranean world. Some of these caves have been etched into the history of the Philippines through the people who seek refuge and hope for freedom.
Caraga: Mindanao’s Eco-Tourism Pride
World-class surfing beach, a blue lagoon, a mysterious 100-year old tree, marsh wildlife sanctuary, unique caves, strange rock formations, a magic whirlpool, breath-taking falls, a scenic Britannia island, and a “Jurassic Park.”
The above are just some of the things to see in an eco-tourist destination in Mindanao, called the Caraga region. The place is being specially spruced up for tourism by some private groups and local governments of several Mindanao provinces.
Local government agencies, like the regional eco-tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, identified the 127 eco-tourist destinations and are prodding local and foreign tourists to take a good long look at these paradises.
Caraga includes the provinces of Agusan north and south, Surigao north and south, Bislig, and Butuan. Most of the tourist spots are in Butuan.
Surfing tournaments are held yearly in General Luna, Dapa town, in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. The tilts are for locals and foreigners. Here, visitors and competitors alike get to enjoy the playful winds and waves from the sea conducive to the sport. Of course, not to mention the spectacular, unspoiled beaches and the homey tourist inns.
The marsh wildlife sanctuary in Agusan, a full 19,196.588 hectares stretching on the shores of 6 municipalities, is frequented by tourists. Marsh lands in the country used to be in a dire state due to rampant human spoilage. But stepped up government and private efforts have rendered several marsh wildlife areas fully rejuvenated and defiantly tourist-worthy, like the Agusan sanctuary.
Marsh lands are vital to keep marine life, especially the endangered, thriving and propagating. Marine life survives in natural habitats, such as marsh wildlife areas. The Agusan marsh wildlife is teeming with tropical marine life mostly unseen in other parts of the world.
To name some more southern wonders; the famous Sohoton cave is in Bucas Grande, Socorro town, Surigao del Norte. An interesting natural sculptured rock formation, called the Punta Calabera, is in Catadman. Another natural rock formation is in Zaragoza and the magic whirlpool in Bitaugan are both in Surigao City.
Several other tourist destinations in other parts of Agusan and Surigao, north and south, await discovery, harnessing, and promotion. These, too, are being conserved and protected by businessmen and local government units.
The tourist sites in Mindanao are accessible anytime of the day and night through land trips, except in Siargao Island where travel is more than an hour via sea craft.
Mindanao is a Philippine haven for astonishing, albeit, curious natural picturesque spots many of which are unequalled in the world. Caraga is one region among many that vividly illustrates this tourism fact—combining beauty, challenge, and mystery.
Cagsawa Ruins – A Legacy to the Bicolanos
For almost two centuries the Cagsawa Ruins has stood as a symbol of Bicol region’s impressive landscape, rich history and the people’s strength and resiliency to face and to rise from the ravages of Mother Nature.
Cagsawa Ruins Park is a few minutes jeepney ride from Legazpi City. Legazpi City is one of the most important cities of Bicol. By air, it is 55 minutes away from Manila. About 9 hours travel time by air-conditioned buses that ply the route daily.
Cagsawa Ruins Park is one of the most visited places in the area. From this point tourists are afforded with an unhampered view of the majestic Mayon Volcano with its world renowned perfect cone.
Folklore states that originally Kagsawa was derived from the word “KAG” meaning owner and “SAWA” meaning python. Kagsawa could also mean excesses or too much. The February 1, 1814 Mayon eruption was said to be a divine justice for the people’s overindulgence.
The 1814 eruption was recorded to be worst eruption of Mt. Mayon. Some 1,200 people who took refuge and sought the sanctuary of the church during the eruption all died when the church was engulfed by the flowing lava.
Only the Cagsawa church belfry remains today. It is a grim reminder of the events that took place and many people come to see the belfry as a reminder of times past. Through all the developments done by the local government, the Cagsawa church belfry remains standing, with the giant stones spewed by Mt. Mayon around and with the history of the region buried underneath.
The place is now called Cagsawa Park. It is managed today by the municipal government of Daraga, Albay.
At the entrance of the park visitors will find a wide variety of souvenir shops and stalls which showcase native products and handicrafts. A wide selection of T-shirts with native scenes and designs are also available.
Inside the park are restaurants where tourists and local residents feast on native food and delicacies. Inasal na sira (grilled fish) and Bicol express-a spicy shrimp dish with coconut cream is highly recommended. Both these dishes are quite famous all over the Philippines and should not be missed.
Cagsawa Park now boasts a modest sized swimming pool with plenty of loungers where visitors can laze and gaze at the majestic vista of Mt. Mayon.
Plants and flower lovers will be thrilled with the display of exotic flowers and orchids that are on sale. One needs to be a good haggler though to get a good buy.
Bacolod City: The City of Smiles
Cheers! Welcome to Bacolod, the great City of Smiles!
These are the slogans that will greet us as we enter this famous City of Smiles, Bacolod City.
People from all walks of life going in different directions are all eager to greet everyone with a big wide smile as they roam around to this famous City of Smiles.
The festive mood that can be experienced every October 19th as this is the Charter Day of Bacolod City. We can see different island souvenirs all lined up at the sidewalks; the carnivals that are full of varied rides and games not only for the young but for everybody are on display. The whole downtown area is roaring with music which adds to the joyous moods of everybody.
As we go around the city, we can not help but to smile back at people who makes everybody at home by giving an inviting smile.
But what is the meaning of these smiles? What do these smiles signify?
These smiles symbolize the positive outlook of the people to face all the adversities and crises in life. These show how they uplift each others spirit especially during hard times.
To prove these, we can see them dancing in the street, having the merrymaking and smiling as if inviting us to join and follow their dance steps. They do this barefooted under the heat of the sun or even when it rains. We can witness the strength of the character of these people to withstand all the trials as they dance gracefully around the city together with the beat of the drums.
We can also observe the audience dancing with their own steps, nodding their heads, clapping their hands, stamping their feet all in tuned to the sounds of the drums.
And who can afford to be just mere spectators in this festivity? The moods of these gaiety people are so inviting and contaminating.
So with joyful spirit let us join them. Let us not be onlookers only. Instead let us experience this memorable event. Anyway by joining the merrymaking under the sun, dancing to the beat of the drums we show to the rest that we too have the strength and stamina to fight all the trials that may come our way. How wonderful it is to live with these thoughts.
Indeed, this event is worth remembering and we cannot help but to look forward for the next celebration. The uniqueness of celebrating it makes the event meaningful. How nice it is to see the smiles of everybody freely given to everyone even to strangers.
At the end of the day after joining the fun we can claim that we have shared our big, wide smile to everybody without discrimination. That we have smiled against all odds and we had proved to all that Bacolod City is indeed the City of Smiles.
A Visit to UST, Manila
One of the oldest learning institutions in Manila, and in the Philippines, is the University of Santo Tomas, or UST. Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal studied Medicine in this centennial university. Other heroes and some Philippine presidents also graduated here. A short trip to this historic university captures the grandeur of the past in the present setting. It traces history back in 1611.
UST, or fondly called “uste” by generations of benefactors, was built in 1611 on approval of no less than King Philip II of Spain. Named after St. Thomas Aquinas the Dominican priest, UST was first situated inside the Intramuros Wall (Manila at the time was a walled city) as a convent and seminary. It mostly offered courses in theology, philosophy, grammar, logic, the arts, and other related courses.
In 1871 it began offering Medicine and Pharmacy. Later in 1927 UST was transferred in a 220,000 square meter lot in the Sulucan Hills in Sampaloc, Manila where it now sits right at the corner of Espana (or Quezon Boulevard Extension) and Lacson Avenue (former Forbes avenue). Well, the hills are gone today and UST campus in Manila is on a flat ground clustered with old and new buildings, a hospital, and abundant trees and parks. Other courses were eventually offered. Plans are made for an upcoming UST Laguna, General Santos City, and even Sri Lanka.
The main building was built also in 1927. This historical building in Manila allegedly boasts of being one of the first earthquake-proof buildings in the Philippines and Asia. This historical building in Manila is said to sway with earthquake motion. It is styled in classic Baroque architecture, of perfect symmetry, with an interesting look-out tower in the middle.
In World War II, the conquering Japanese Army converted UST campus into a prison camp. Lots of Filipino and American soldiers were imprisoned and reportedly tormented here. It was one of many buildings damaged when Americans attacked to liberate Manila from the Japanese. After restoring this historical building in Manila, other buildings were added, like the popular UST hospital.
Today, besides having its grand history preserved in the walls of its historical building, UST Manila boasts of some 35,000 students, state-of-the-art learning and medical facilities, a modern gym, managed parks and greeneries, and other modern amenities. Its remarkable historical, scientific, and medical museums are often field trip destinations of other schools. The air of past and present grandeur can still be had in a short visit there.
The Versatile Philippine Tricycle
Looking for a cheap ride that will drop one off at the exact address? A cab is too expensive and a jeepney will only go so far. A bus won’t fit in alleys. So what’s the remaining option? A tricycle ride.
The tricycle is a Philippine transportation vehicle that rules inner roads and alleys. Well, on second thought, it rules even highways at times. It can go from one street corner to the next, or one town to the next, or one city to the next. There are times when it goes from province to province. Why not, when in fact it is actually a motorcycle?
When the tricycle was first used as a Philippine transportation vehicle, no one seems to know. A few claim they hadn’t seen the thing before the Japanese time. Many aver tricycles started appearing on the road scene after World War II. Others declare it almost co-existed with the converted GI army jeeps. Accordingly, excess body parts left after the conversions were used to assemble sidecars attached to motorcycles, and thus the “tricycle” that has been known since in Philippine transportation.
The tricycle is a Philippine transportation vehicle that is so versatile. It is adaptable in rural and urban applications. It can serve passengers rain or shine. It can take one to several street corners, the next town, or even the next city or province for the right contract fare. Tricycles are known to rule even national highways.
For instance, they are seen amid MacArthur Highway leading a train of cars, buses, and trucks behind them, which often cannot overtake and have to keep pace with them. This Philippine transportation three-wheeled vehicle can traverse highways, city streets, inner roads, alleys, dirt paths, and even in places where there are no identifiable pathways. Tricycles strike anywhere.
Normally, a tricycle can accommodate 4 passengers (including the driver), if safety measures are considered. But often one will see this Philippine transportation vehicle carrying 10 to 20 passengers, mostly daring students or youths, squeezed in the sidecar and at the backseat behind the driver, some hanging from the rear and side of the sidecar and more atop its roof.
This Philippine transportation mini vehicle is often seen carrying loads of market goods, hardware, or furniture and appliances. Tricycles even act as ambulances carrying patients or the injured to hospitals.
Nothing beats the versatile Philippine tricycle, which can be the third wonder of Philippine transportation, following the crazy jeepney and the monstrous traffic.
The Philippine “Jeepney”
Nowhere else in the world can ingeniously innovated army jeeps be seen racing along inner roads and main highways except in the Philippines. The “jeepney,” a coined word in Philippine transportation jargon, means an army jeep in its civilian (not necessarily smaller) version. The jeepney, with its driver, is commonly referred today in Philippine transportation as the “King of the Road.”
It was first conceptualized after World War II when US army jeeps used in the war littered the war-torn streets of devastated Manila. After mapping and cleaning up operations the damaged army jeeps remained crowding up the city. The Americans were reluctant to take the huge junk back home so they left without the war relic with them. Philippine transport ingenuity came into the picture.
How could Filipinos re-use the metal scraps? The body was good and the motor was a bit salvageable. With a little imagination and tinkering skill, they came up with a demilitarized jeep they christened “Jeepney.” Furthermore, with a little art work and resourceful upholstery, the whole thing became transport-friendly and was soon test-run on the road.
The first jeepneys were short Philippine transport public vehicles with front and back seats. The back seats were lateral, making two rows of passengers facing each other. Only three persons per row could sit. The front seat accommodated three passengers, driver included. Later, these Philippine transport vehicles were embellished with waving bright colored ribbons, miniature metal models of horses or planes, toy wind mills, ribboned steering wheel and shift stick, and small mirrors and more hangings everywhere.
Much later the Philippine transport artists came in. They rendered the thing in full color, with liberal amounts of multi-colored stripes and arcs and curves, making it look like a Muslim vinta on the road. The jeepney’s ceiling was painted with rustic scenes of native huts and rice fields, coconut palms dancing in the wind. Right above the driver’s seat were painted names in wavy styles, often names of the driver’s wife and kids, or mistresses.
Today, the jeepney is a modernized 21-seater Philippine transport vehicle equipped with stereo components and loud speakers, push buttons, roving and fog lights, electric fans, tweeters, buzzers, and other fancy accessories for a hit-tech look. The driver even has a “co-pilot” beside him. Some jeepneys in Makati are even fully air conditioned.
Philippine transport has a superstar in the jeepney—this road king of a public vehicle ingeniously derived from a vintage US war jeep.
Philippine Transportation: Roaming with a Scooter
Heavy traffic used to be as seldom as ice hailstorms in the country. But today, light traffic is almost like a miracle in Philippine transportation. Heavy traffic has become a rule rather than an exception. But enter the scooter. Both motorists and commuters have discovered a new way of surmounting heavy traffic problems through the scooter, the latest fad in transportation.
Scooters have become a popular transportation option, not only on inner roads, but even on main avenues and highways. When going to the office, the mall, or making an inter-city trek, or just plain roaming around the vicinity or visiting the park, the scooter, as a new transportation alternative, has become a favorite among a growing number of people, in cities or in provinces.
The scooter is definitely cheaper transportation than a car or a van. It takes up less diesel or gasoline. It has lesser parts to maintain, repair, or replace in case of a breakdown. It is easier to troubleshoot. And in a worst scenario—in case of a breakdown in a major thoroughfare, this transportation vehicle is easy to push, or even carry, to a safer lane for repair. No need to worry about being towed.
Parking is never a problem. This transportation option needs a mere niche for a parking space. In fact, 12 scooters can be jam-packed in a car parking slot. This mini transportation is even more a wonder at home. Especially in today’s growing concern on availability of garages at home, owning a scooter is never a problem. Scooters can be parked right inside the living room or bedroom.
This road wonder of transportation is never daunted by any heavy traffic. No matter what traffic may be threatening out there, scooters can easily squeeze in and out of road jams and bottle necks. Some scooter motorists even use the sidewalks to bypass long queues of cars. Scooters may not be as fast as other posh cars on the road, but they are able to circumvent any Manila rush-hour heavy traffic. In that sense, they’re “faster” even than the fastest sports car in the world.
Finally, even on rainy days, this transportation vehicle is still on the go. By just cladding oneself in an armor of a raincoat overall and boots, the scooter driver can be back on the road as in sunny days.
This versatile Philippine transportation trend today, riding a scooter, seems to be the perfect transportation choice very compatible to the country’s declining traffic situation.
Negros Navigation: Philippines Shipping Pioneer
Nenaco is also known as Negros Navigation Co., Inc., a shipping company in the Philippines. Negros Navigation is among the oldest shipping companies serving domestically in the Philippines.
Negros Navigation started its business on July 26, 1932. They have been pioneering in a lot of shipping industry programs that the quality of shipping services in the Philippines might elevate to world class standards.
In the 1960′s, Negros Navigation was the first to have fast, luxurious, air conditioned, brand new passenger ships operating in the Philippines. In the 1970s, Negros Navigation was first shipping company in the Philippines to have a modern passenger terminal located in Manila’s North Harbor. They also started offering cruises to various tourist spots in the Philippines.
In the 1980′s, Negros Navigation launched what is called the containerization program in cooperation with the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) project of the Philippine Government. In the 1990s, Negros Navigation was included in the list of companies of the Philippine stock exchange.
Today, Negros Navigation is already known as the safest, most enjoyable, and most economical means of transportation in the Philippine seas. Negros Navigation is said to be the home of the Dancing Porters. Their porters don’t just transport the your baggage they also dance in choreographed numbers during the departure and arrival to entertain passengers.
On board the Negros Navigation vessels, various kinds of entertainment are available to all passengers. You can try their parlor games, videoke contests, bingo, variety shows, and comedy shows. Negros Navigation uses an online ticketing system to expand their clientele.
The following ports in the Philippines are currently being served by Negros Navigation: Bacolod, Dumaguit, Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Estancia, Ozamiz, Coron, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Dipolog, Iligan, Roxas, Dumaguete, Iloilo, and Tagbilaran. The company’s vessels are St. Peter the Apostle, St. Joseph the Worker, San Paolo, St. Ezekiel Moreno, Princess of Negros, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Mary Queen of Peace.
Negros Navigation’s passenger accommodations and services vary in every vessel. The accommodation classifications are Suite Room, Admiral Cabin, Business, Tourist, Tatami, and Budget room. All accommodations are air conditioned except for the Budget room.
Convenience, amusement, and comfort are the key attractions of Negros Navigation’s vessels. Enjoy the cuisine and the ship’s friendly ambiance. The crew is committed to give passengers a great experience aboard the ship. Well-trained and competent ship officers and crew assure the safety of Negros Navigation’s passengers.
Through the years, Negros Navigation renders excellent passage and freight services in the Philippines’ domestic shipping industry. They continue to bring innovative service to clients throughout the Philippines.
A Metro Leisurely Ride
Almost everything in Metro Manila is in a hurried pace. Even pedicabs (a manual tricycle with a sidecar) race each other to take in commuters. But it’s a different experience with the local Philippine calesa.
Inspired by the horse-drawn carriages of the Spanish elite in early times, Spanish-time Philippine transportation conceptualized the Philippine calesa. But it was a far cry from its Spanish counterpart which was elegant and more suited to the taste of Spanish elitism. The “carwaje” had stylish European features drawn by a handsome and decorated horse manned by a uniformed cavalier (just like the ones in Vigan and Fort Santiago in Manila), while this Filipino re-make was more suited for mass appeal, sometimes drawn by a small and sluggish potbellied horse driven by common folks.
Today, like the transformed Philippine jeepney and motored tricycle, this public Philippine transportation vehicle is overly dressed up and painted. From being a common side street makeshift vehicle that left a trace of horse filth along the way, the Philippine calesa is now one of the major tourist attractions in many places in the country. It is a major Philippine transportation sight in Zamboanga in the South of the Philippines, Vigan in Northern Luzon, and in Intramuros, Manila.
In the walled city of Intramuros, it is a thrilling experience to roam around the historic vicinity in a Philippine calesa. Once a visitor takes his seat in this Philippine transportation carriage, everything seems to stop. The fast city pace becomes arrested in a sudden nostalgic slow-paced tour of the walled city, taking one back to past times. For a tour fee of P250 or more (for a big group) a calesa trip will give the visitor a detailed inventory of the various historic sites in Intramuros. And coming from the calesa driver in the local dialect or in English, the P250 is a real bargain. These calesa drivers are no longer the Spanish-time common folks who plied the city route for a mere livelihood; these are well-trained tourist guides who can recite accurate details on the various sites plus a bonus of warm and enchanting public relations works. Drivers (and horses) of Philippine calesa in Intramuros can be so patient as to drop off and wait for tourists in certain Wall sites for picture taking and reflection. This Philippine transportation certainly adds tourism value to Intramuros.
The Philippine calesa is a vital legacy in Philippine transportation that benefits the tourism industry for all time. To miss riding them is to miss a part of the past.
