Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Sorsogon Hotels and Resorts
Overview
The Bicol Region is the province where Sorsogon can be found and it has 14 towns, the capital city being Sorsogon City. Because the Bicol region is quite a distance from Manila, when staying in this area it’s a good idea to find a hotel where one can stay at that will be mindful of all of one’s needs.
Sirangan Beach Resort Sorsogon
Sirangan Beach Resort Sorsogon is found in Bacon District which is an hour drive from Legazpi City. This hotel has been built on an expansive lot and facilities include a gym, business center, swimming pool and because it is so near the beach, diving is an activity that is commonly done here. The Sirangan Beach Resort Sorsogon is a 5-star hotel and they also offer massage and spa services. Booking online is available through their website with instant confirmation. Aside from the great services they provide, food is excellent at the Sirangan Beach Resort Sorsogon and there is room service available no matter what time of day. Since this hotel is a distance from the capital city, transportation can be arranged with front desk for a trip to the town and they also offer package tours. Room rates at Sirangan Beach Resort Sorsogon start at Php 3000 during off peak while during peak season the deluxe room rate is Php 5000.
Villa Isabel
However, if something closer to Sorsogon City is what one needs, then something that’s a little closer to it compared to Sirangan Beach Resort Sorsogon is Villa Isabel. Villa Isabel is actually just a small hotel with only 10 rooms and this means that their team is more dedicated to upgrading the service they provide their guests. Villa Isabel is right in the heart of Sorsogon City on Flores Street in Burabod. From the outside, this hotel looks like a very big house, a hacienda to be precise, and among the activities they are able to offer their guests are package tours and whale shark interaction. Villa Isabel is also a favorite among locals for events such as weddings and birthdays since their packages are very affordable, starting at Php 300 per head. The amenities of Villa Isabel include a bar where aside from the cocktails that they serve, one can karaoke one’s favorite songs. The banquet hall has a very romantic atmosphere. The rooms at Villa Isabel are tastefully furnished, modern, fully air conditioned with functioning hot and cold showers and the rates start at Php 200 per night.
Dipolog Shopping
Referred to by many people as the ‘Orchid City’ in the Philippines, Dipolog is home to numerous shopping malls, specialty stores and other commercial establishments. With all their beautiful features, efficient services and convenient locations, these facilities contribute to a very exciting and totally fun Dipolog shopping experience like no other.
Lee Super Plaza
As one of the newest malls in the area, Lee Super Plaza greatly helps in the continuous growth and development of the Dipolog shopping industry. Primarily a three-storey building, owner Dynamic Development Corp. has designed the place to become one of the largest, nicest and highly inviting shopping hubs in the city. It has a spacious supermarket where people can purchase their different needs including food, groceries and other important personal items. It also has a gaming area for kids and the young-at-heart, featuring a complete lineup of highly advanced videogames. For food enthusiasts, they will surely have fun at the spacious food court. More importantly, it features advanced cinemas where the entire family can watch their favorite films. People can find this mall just along Quezon Avenue.
Dipolog Shopping Center
Because of its position right in front of the public market, people find it very hard not to recognize Dipolog Shopping Center along Rizal Avenue. Comprised of three floors, this place features a number of fast food chains and restaurants inside including Greenwich. It also features Gibi Shoes, a specialty shop that offers various kinds of casual and leather footwear, both for men and women. There are also several appliance centers available inside, where customers can purchase some of the latest electronic home appliances. For medicine and other personal needs, this mall has an HBC outlet that guarantees new medicines all the time.
Dipolog Friendly Mart
People can find Dipolog Friendly Mart just close to Lee Super Plaza along Quezon Avenue. Made up of four floors, this building features a grocery store inside. Likewise, it also has a bakeshop where customers can buy bread, pastries and cakes. There is also a meat shop available, which offers some of the freshest cuts of beef, pork and chicken. For those who wish to go online, they can easily do so almost anytime they want by visiting the Internet café inside this mall. In addition, a bookstore is also present, which offers affordable school supplies like notebooks, pencils and pens.
Dipolog Center Mall
One of the highly noticeable shopping centers in the area, Dipolog Center Mall features different kinds of stalls and retail shops. For those who want to buy jewelries and other accessories, they can go to Broadway Gems. Meanwhile, individuals who want to know the latest trends in fashion can go to RRJ and purchase some of the coolest and hippest clothes including jeans, shirts and many others. Moreover, this mall also has a phone shop, numerous mobile phone stalls and a photo-processing center.
What Makes the Philippines a Pearl?
The Philippines is known as “The Pearl of the Orient” probably because of the treasure and the beauty that visitors can find in the 7,107 islands this archipelago has. This Southeast Asian country is divided into three major parts and these are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It has 15 regions: Regions I-XII, Cordillera Autonomous Region, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and National Capital Region.
Whatever your reason for visiting the Philippines is, there is a destination that can fit your personality. If you just want to take in the view and just relax, you can go to Baguio (which is the summer capital of the country) or to Tagaytay. If you are a water person, there are just a lot of beaches and dive sites to swim into. If you’re the adventurous type, you’ll never run out of mountains, volcanoes and caves to explore.
If you’re a first-time tourist, you definitely have to go to the world-famous Boracay Island. Everybody craves its sun, sea and sand. You don’t even need a map to go there coz everybody’s headed there. We’re not kidding you about this. People lovingly nicknamed the place “Bora” as the place is so friendly people want to be on a first name basis with the place.
There are endless events and parties that are happening where everybody seems to know each other and everybody is having a lot of fun. Aside from entertainment, the place boasts of its food, banana boats, jet-skiing, parasailing and other water sports, and of course, the white sandy beaches.
Since Manila is the capital of the Philippines, it is a must-see. Forget what Claire Danes said about Manila. Go to Manila to prove her wrong. Through the efforts of outgoing Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, he made the city alive again with his “Buhayin ang Maynila” program. Everybody loves the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard. You can chill in the many restaurants lining the area. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll be able to catch the lovely sunset at Manila Bay.
Want to see the eighth wonder of the world? Then fly to the Cordillera Autonomous Region where the Banawe Rice Terraces are. Be amazed to see the proof of Filipino ingenuity.
Are you curious about the world’s smallest monkey? Then off to Bohol you go! Not only will you be able to hold the tarsier in the palm of your hand (it’s that small!), there’s the view of the Chocolate Hills that can awe you.
Other favorite tourist spots include The Hundred Islands, Taal Volcano, Mayon Volcano, Palawan Coron Bay, Siargao Island and Puerto Galera.
Aside from these magnificent places, I’m proud to say that Filipino hospitality makes the Philippines a gem for tourists.
Ready to book your ticket?
Angeles City Destination Guides
Overview
Dubbed the ‘City of Angels’, there are many things to see and do in Angeles City. There are several Angeles City destinations that magnify the liveliness of this charming place where one can do more than just sightseeing. Different Angeles City destinations once visited help us understand the history of this place and help us appreciate how far it has gone.
Fort Stotsenburg
Because of its proximity to Manila, many locals drive over to Angeles City for the weekend but just as there are many locals visiting, there are also many tourists that go here. A large majority of the tourists that visit Fort Stotsenburg are Americans and maybe this can be attributed to the fact that this was the former site of an American military base. The history of Fort Stotsenburg though is longer than the RP-US agreement since this Angeles City destination was first built in the early 1900s. This Angeles City destination brings back many memories because of the numerous events and parades held here. In fact, Fort Stotsenburg is known today as the “Parade Ground” although this was really built initially to serve as a base for the US exploratory forces. This Angeles City destination derived its name from the leader of the exploratory forces in the early 1900s, Colonel John Stotsenburg. It was only in 1991 that Fort Stotsenburg stopped being the venue for parades and military events and that was when the American forces left the Clark military base. Some Americans who fell in love with Angeles City and opted to stay there still visit this Angeles destination and reenact in their minds the events that they could remember about this place. Fort Stotsenburg has many relics that make this Angeles City destination fall out of the category of just another historical site.
Bale Matua
Just outside the town proper lies another Angeles City destination called Bale Matua. Bale Matua is an old house that from the outside looks as if a family still lives there and it has just been preserved. This Angeles City destination is more than just a house though and its architecture will readily show that it has survived many significant events in the past. Bale Matua used to be owned by Don Alejandro Lopez in the 1800s. From the balcony to the staircase, it’s almost as if Bale Matua was built entirely by hand with the detailed designs and the way that the furniture was made. To enter Bale Matua, one has to pay Php 300 and this already includes transportation costs.
Iloilo Beach Guide
Iloilo is an island in the south part of the Philippines blessed with natural beauty including beaches. Many people are drawn to this place because of the hospitable people and the beauty of the place. There are several waterfalls and islands. The beaches
in Iloilo belongs to the best ones in the country. Each beach has many tropical trees and most of the beaches have white and fine sand. The island also has several resorts and hotels where you can stay and enjoy the beach.
1. Antonia Beach – Antonia is a beach you can find in the Isla de Gigantes in the town of Carles. It is an ideal getaway place for people who have been busy working and would want to take a break from their hectic life. You can spend your day in this beach snorkeling,sunbating and swimming with your family or friends.
2.Bolobadiangan Beach – This beach is popular in Iloilo. This is situated in Concepcion. There are many corals in this beach. The sand of the beach is white and very fine like powder because of the lime stones. There are areas of the beach where the sand
looks yellow. Many locals come here to swim in the beach because the water is pristine. A feature of Bolobadiangan beach is a sandbar which becomes a structure that barricades the beach.
3.Agho and Tambaliza Beaches – These beaches are also popular choices of many Ilonggos. They are both in Concepcion. These beaches have remained to be pure because of the less commercialism of the places.
4. Anhawan Leisure Camp – This is a perfect vacation place for those who love playing sports in the water like sailing, speedboating, windsurfing, scuba diving and kayaking. There is also an area in this beach where sunbathing can be done privately without other people passing by.
5. Puerto del Mar – This is one of the best beaches in Iloilo. Many of the rich families go here for a good vacation. This beach resort is situated in Guimaras. They have several amenities with good cottages where guests can stay. Guimaras is a lovely island on its own. You can do many water activities here with your family like parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat riding.
Other beaches in Iloilo are Coco Grove, Shamrock beach,Lorenzville, Tobog, Bogtong Bato and Basang-Basa. The water in these beaches are also gentle and calm especially during summer. Most of these beaches offer cottages or villas with a good view of the beach in front. Many tourists also prefer beaches in Iloilo because it is not as crowded as other beaches near Luzon and some are more affordable.
Starting a Bakery in the Philippines
For Anna, baking was a hobby she enjoyed as a young teenager. Now that she has a family, she never thought that baking goodies for her children will turn out to be a profitable home business. Let’s find out more from her.
Q: What are the products that you sell?
A: My product line is basically different kind of cookies, brownies and sometimes cakes. For the cookies, I have oatmeal and choco chips, then the chocolate crinkles. I also bake brownies with a variety of toppings like marshmallows and nuts. Then for the cakes, I offer chocolate and cheese cakes. I also accommodate orders for cakes for special occasions like weddings and birthdays.
Q: How many people do you employ?
A: I started with one assistant but later hired two more to assist me in the kitchen and one driver since I just entered into agreements with three restaurants to supply them with my products.
Q: How profitable has this business been?
A: For someone who did not really plan to start this business, I can say that I am satisfied with the profit that I have earned from this. It really is profitable since the ingredients are basically the dame, with little variety, so you get to use most of what you buy. And there is no spoilage since you bake according to the orders you get.
In terms of pricing, I have to keep my prices lower than the known bakeshops. Otherwise, customers would rather buy from them. Besides, clients expect lower prices from me. Mark up would probably be from 35% to 50% depending on the product and quantity.
Q: How do you market your products to get orders?
A: It was difficult at the start, It’s funny to think that when I was just baking for my family and friends as a hobby, I did not feel tired baking all those goodies. But when I decided to continue this as a business, I felt the pressure to think of ways to get additional orders. And at the end of the day, I really feel exhausted. I guess it was a normal reaction since you start to think of earning profits.
Initially, I asked the help of family and friends and had them taste my products. Actually, they were my initial clients. Then, their friends also started to order from me. And when I had the opportunity, I joined small bazaars in subdivisions to introduce my products. I got several orders through it. I also got to advertise my business through the mothers of my eldest son’s classmates.
Actually, I must say that this business continues its existence through referrals and being able to maintain loyal clients who order from you for several occasions.
Q: What advice can you give to those who want to start this kind of business?
A: First and foremost, you have to love baking. It’s a must! Otherwise, you cannot start this kind of business. Then you have to be patient. When I started to think of this as a business, I was so eager to earn the profit right away but it took some time. So you really have to be patient. Also, you must be very realistic and set reasonable goals for yourself and your business. Lastly, you have to make sure the quality of your products remains consistent.
Dumaguete City Travel Information
If you’re traveling to the Philippines, you will not want to miss Dumaguete, the City of Gentle People. Europeans and Japanese love the place, and after making that vacation trip, you’re going to love Dumaguete too.
Dumaguete City is the center of education in the region. The large number of universities and colleges in Dumaguete has made the city a favorite converging point for students from nearby provinces who wish to pursue a college degree. Silliman University, named after philanthropist and Presbyterian layman Horace Brinsmade Silliman of New York, was established in 1901 and is the first Protestant school in the Philippines; it is also Asia’s oldest American university. So don’t be surprised if you bump into someone who can fluently talk about marine biology when you visit Dumaguete.
Dumaguete offers sea lovers easy access to nearby water havens. A favorite stop is Bais Bay, where one can watch whales and dolphins frolic in their sea paradise. There are also many beach resorts to get a good tan and several dive sites to explore. Among the best beach resorts to go to in Dumaguete are Atlantis, El Dorado, and Antulang. If you plan to dive, go check out Sumilon and Apo Islands and experience the diversity of the sites’ marine ecosystems. Incidentally, Silliman University has its Marine Preserve in Apo Island.
If you would rather scale heights and go on a trek that will take you 1,864 meters above sea level, you can opt to hike to Mount Talinis. Also called Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros), Mount Talinis is adorned with rare flora and fauna. If you’re lucky enough, you can get a glimpse of the Visayan Hornbill (Penelopides Panini), a critically endangered avian species. Once you’re reached the top of Mount Talinis, you won’t regret having made the whole-day trip. The orchids, lakes, and virgin forests are eye candy to the nature lover. Don’t forget to bring a camera or you’ll regret it.
Travelers who need a cyber fix or simply want to e-mail messages and photos to loved ones back home can choose from several Internet cafes in Dumaguete.
There are also several food stops with the traveler in mind. Persian Palate serves hummus, kababs, and curry dishes. If you’re a Chinese food lover, you can drop by the air-conditioned Chin Loong; just make sure to come in early because it won’t be easy to find an empty table at night. If you fancy pizza and pasta, Buonissimo Pizza Flight 2000 is the place for you; it’s an open café that offers large servings to the hungry traveler. You may also want to end your day by checking out the bars and restaurants along Rizal Boulevard.
Travel to Dumaguete and spend an activity-filled vacation. Meet its warm, friendly and educated people or check out the sorcery and witchcraft of Siquijor. Enjoy the cool waters and dive your heart out. Climb scenic Mount Talinis. Surf the Internet. Savor the flavor of international cuisine. Go for that nightcap. Experience Dumaguete.
Baguio Transportation
Overview
The summer capital of the Philippines and named so because of the cool weather the visitors and residents experience even during the peak of summer, is a great place to visit and to spend a vacation. Because of its relative proximity to Manila, Baguio is very accessible and once in the city, the different modes of Baguio transportation that will help one get around the city are in abundance and are very affordable.
Getting to Baguio
Because Baguio is on the top of the list when it comes to tourist destinations, it comes as no surprise that it’s actually very easy to get here using different modes of Baguio transportation. If one is planning a trip to Baguio with Manila as the starting point, the easiest and perhaps the most budget friendly would be take the bus. The bus ride is a mode of Baguio transportation that is used by locals when visiting as well as foreigners and one can choose between a fully air conditioned bus to one that isn’t. There is a significant difference in price, with the non-air conditioned bus at only half the price but if one is worried about getting to Baguio all sticky and sweaty, this shouldn’t be a concern. Once outside Manila, the temperature is slightly cooler and the breeze that constantly blows is refreshing. There are several different bus companies that make several trips to Baguio on a daily basis so if one is geared to leave today, there are different schedules to choose from. Bus companies such as Dagupan Bus, Philippine Rabbit and Victory Liner make trips to Baguio almost every hour.
Traveling to Baguio by air is also an option and this Baguio transportation entails a very short trip with Baguio’s Loakan Airport as the final destination. The plane ride is less than half an hour and it costs about Php5000 per person.
Another mode of Baguio transportation is by renting out a private vehicle or taking one’s own. Prepare to spend about Php1000 for gasoline, maybe more for luxury vehicles. What’s good about this type of Baguio transportation is if one is traveling with friends, this could be a really fun ride and one can make as many frequent stop-overs as necessary.
Getting Around Baguio
Finally, in Baguio City, the most common mode of Baguio transportation is the van or jeepney. Vans are actually taxis that will take one to any Baguio destination at a minimal cost but if one is a bit more adventurous or is somewhat familiar with the area, the jeepneys have designated routes that can get one where one wants to go.
Traveling the Philippines: Panglao Paradise
Dolphin watching has never been as exciting and easy as tourists travel to Panglao, one of the 7,107 islands in the Philippines. This destination boasts of pristine beaches, spectacular coral reefs, honest and endearing local guides and most of all, peaceful waters under the hot sun.
Panglao Island has many beach resorts lined on its coasts. The place welcomes both back packers and first class tourists. Travelling to Panglao is an hour plane ride from Manila, the Philippines’ capital, to the province of Bohol. When the traveler reaches the Tagbilaran Airport, they then take a 30-minute taxi ride to the Panglao resorts. It’s that simple!
Tourist packages include sea tours and land tours. While the land tours will bring tourists to amazing destinations such as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the emerald green Loboc River, pools under caves, viewing of the smallest primate in the world called the Tarsier, and walk the aisles of century old churches with walls made from egg shell concoctions, the sea tour should not be missed by first time travelers to the island.
The sea tour starts at 5 am when tourists clad in favorite swim outfits are welcomed by the sunrise with breakfast in motorboats. The motorboats’ destination is the breakfast areas of the dolphins a few kilometers away from Panglao shores. Due to the keen skills of the boat drivers, tourists will see the dolphins in no time. It would be hard to get camera shots of these beautiful harmless creatures because they would be swimming here and there and everywhere by the dozens!
After two hours of sheer madness looking at dolphins bobbing up and down, swimming right beside one’s motorboats, the sea tour will bring the travelers to Balicasag Island for snorkeling. Balicasag reef is a protected sanctuary where fishes abound due to the untouched corals. Big motorboats park in deep waters while smaller canoes called “bancas” bring the sea travelers to the snorkeling site. The boatmen let the swimmers bring small pieces of bread because once in the waters just barely half a foot deep, the bread will entice fish to go near it. Literally dozens of fish in varied sizes and colors instantly appear right in front of one’s mask. The famous Captain Jacques Cousteau once said that the Philippine coral reefs diversity is the best in the world and Balicasag Reef Sanctuary is living proof of this remark.
After snorkeling for an hour or two, the travelers grab early lunch at the Balicasag Island where fresh fish can be bought and have a friendly local cook prepare it. By 1pm, the swimming travelers would be back in their resorts in Panglao and laze away the whole afternoon, reminiscing the excitement of Philippine dolphin watching at its finest.
Philippine Milkfish Sinigang
How about a super healthy, super yummy native cuisine of stewed milkfish? This one’s stacked with vegetables loaded with fibers, Vitamin A, antioxidants and lycopene that can only do one’s health good. And then the fish meat is cooked just right to get all its juicy, flavorsome quality all intact. This native dish is an all-time favorite in Filipino dinner tables.
“Sinigang” has several variants and they always come a bit sour. The origin of this native dish is not exactly known and one of the versions says it was accidentally discovered in a hasty preparation. A mix of ingredients was there but what to do about them was the problem. So the stuffs were all poured into a pot, boiled, and out came the native cuisine “sinigang.”
Cooking this native dish: for a kilo of milk fish (choose a single piece weighing a kilo, with gills, bile, and scales taken off) prepare the following: a bundle of “kangkong” leaves picked off from branch, 3 pieces eggplant sliced into 3 each, one piece peeled and chopped radish, a bundle of okra chopped in halves, 2 pieces long chili or “siling pula,” 7 pieces “kalamansi” or lemon squeezed in a cup (seeds taken out), sliced tomatoes, a teaspoon of salt or fish sauce (“patis”), and 4 cups water. Now we’re readu for this native cuisine.
After washing the fish, put it into a pot with the 4 cups of water, eggplants, radish, tomatoes, long chili, and boil. When boiling, watch if the fish’s eyes have popped out. If so, bring this native dish into a simmer. Add lemon, okra, “kangkong,” and teaspoon of salt or fish sauce. After half a minute, serve while hot. This native cuisine serves 4 to 5 people.
This native cuisine is best served with a small saucer of fish sauce where the long chili from the milkfish stew is sliced. This makes for an excellent dip for the Philippine milkfish “sinigang.” This menu also comes with pork or beef. But for the longer hours of boiling to tenderize the meat, everything in the procedure stays the same. Philippine milkfish “sinigang” is superb with its traditional partner, “tortang giniling” or ground pork (or beef) omelet. Eaten together, the chemistry of the native dishes bring out a subtle taste that is contrasting yet complementary.
Philippine milkfish “sinigang” has been a proven native cuisine that continues to satisfy discriminating gourmets. For decades it has been a reliable native dish in spur of the moment dinner preparations because it’s easy to cook.