Do you need to stay in the Philippines for a short period of time? You'll need a Philippine visa known as a Temporary Visitor's Visa. This visa is issued to any foreign national who wants to travel to the Philippines for business, tourism, and educational purposes. The issued visa, however, is not a guarantee that the holder is automatically admitted. Immigration authorities assigned to every port of entry in the Philippines are the ones responsible for admission.
There are a nationals from certain countries who may enter the Philippines without a visa but should meet the following conditions. Their visit to the Philippines should not last more than 21 days. They should also hold valid tickets for their return trip or to their next destination. For the list of countries whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa you may visit the Philippine Government web site.
Brazil and Israel Passport holders may visit the Philippines even without a visa. These nationals should limit their visit to the country to 59 days or less.
The following passport holders are also allowed to enter the Philippines even without a visa. Those from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), British National Overseas (BNO), Portuguese Passports issued in Macao, and Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Passport holders. They are only allowed to stay in the Philippines for seven days or less.
You can only apply for a Temporary Visitor's Visa in person. Minors under 18 may be represented by someone responsible for them. But these minors will be required to appear in person with their representative for the Consulate interview.
You may apply for a Temporary Visitor's Visa at the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in your country. The minimum requirements for a Temporary Visitor's Visa are the following: (1) passport or any travel document that has a validity of over six months after your visit to the Philippines, (2) your visa application forms, (3) any document that proves that you are a businessman or a tourist, (4) your tickets for your return home or to your next travel distination, (5) your payment for the visa fee, and (6) two passport photos.
Having a visa in your hand is necessary to be able to enter legally in the Philippines. And if you want to extend your stay in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines will be happy to help you secure the extension of your stay. Other visa information is available at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration web site.
The Philippines is an archipelago blessed with 7,100 plus islands. Some of these islands are huge such as Luzon Island while others are quite small that they surface only during low tides. As such, traveling in the Philippines require different modes of transportation. Travel in the Philippines is done through air, sea and by land and each offers different experiences and rewards.
Traveling in the Philippines by air can be done without much hassle. There are several air carriers that offer reasonable fares to many tourist destinations in the archipelago. Traveling the Philippines by air will allow you a bird’s peak and will probably explain why the country is known as the Pearl of the Orient.
Another way to travel in the Philippines is by sea aboard a ship. Most ships offer luxurious amenities for those with discriminating taste. While on board, ship crews offer activities for the whole family or you may simply sit on the balcony and travel across the Philippines and enjoy rock formations or white beaches on isolated islands your ship may passed by.
The last but the most adventurous way to travel in the Philippines is by land. Traveling in the Philippines can be done by train, bus, jeepney, tricycle or even bicycle. Also each city or town can offer you its own unique ride through its streets. Jeepneys are based from jeeps used by Americans during World War 2. They have evolved through the years that some can now accommodate 50 passengers including those on the roof!
The tricycle is another mode of transportation that makes it exciting to travel in the Philippines. Each city or town has its own peculiar design. In Pagadian City in the island of Mindanao, tricycle passengers ride facing the sky. Drivers claim that the town is hilly and thus, passenger cars are designed that way to promote balance. You travel across the Philippines aboard a tricycle that appears ready to launch into space! Tricycles in other towns have seats in the back of the passenger car.
Travel in the Philippines can now be fun, rewarding and inexpensive. You can travel by air and reach your destination by an hour. Or if you have more time to waste, you can ride a ship and cruise across the archipelago and arrive by the following day. If you prefer more adventure albeit more taxing and rewarding, you can travel the Philippines by land. You can try riding a bus, a jeepney or even a tricycle. You will get there and still have fun.
Known as one of the largest cities in Mindanao, Philippines, Davao takes pride on several interesting, accessible and impressive shopping establishments in the area. To help enhance the economic conditions in the city, Davao shopping malls and souvenir shops sell high quality and reasonably priced merchandises. For the convenience of locals and tourists, most of these places are situated in the strategic areas of the city. Below are some of the most visited shopping establishments that tourists can find in Davao.
One of the biggest and most popular malls in Davao, SM City features different retails shops and boutiques. Customers who want to purchase branded but affordable clothes can always check out the available items at Surplus Shop. The other stores that people can find inside this shopping center are Ace Hardware, Watsons and Healthy Options. Parents can also purchase educational and interesting toys for their children at Toy Kingdom. For the entertainment and enjoyment of shoppers, this commercial establishment has four state-of-the-art cinemas. To satisfy the hunger of customers, SM City features several food stalls at the ground level, which offer affordable rice meals and delectable snacks.
Many tourists and residents in the area visit one of the newest and spacious Davao shopping centers, Gaisano Mall features numerous stores and dining establishments. Shoppers who want to get the best value for their money can check the merchandises at its department store. Customers who want to purchase high quality electronic gadgets can always go to Sony Square and Nikon Shop. When it comes to restaurants and fast food chains, shoppers can relax and spend some time at Space Burger, Pancake House, Jollibee and Kentucky Fried Chicken. For the convenience of shoppers, Gaisano Mall features a secured and spacious parking area where people can leave their vehicles.
Known as the oldest shopping center constructed and opened in Davao City, Victoria Plaza Mall started its operations in the early 1990s. This establishment plays home to several business centers, which include airline and shipping ticket offices and jewelry shops. Many Dabawenyos visit this place whenever they want to buy cheap clothes because it features numerous bargain shops. Tourists can also buy affordable keepsakes at the souvenir stores inside the mall. Before going home, shoppers can have snacks and taste the different local treats offered at food stalls outside the building of the mall. To ensure the safety of shoppers, the management of this establishment employs several security officers who are in charge of maintaining order in the premises of this mall.
Spanning the length from Cagayan in the north to Quezon in Southern Luzon is the undulating Sierra Madre mountain ranges. This more than 200 miles of contiguous mountains touching each other and even reaching out to the Cordilleras is said to conceal many secrets, among them a myth on how this mountain ranges came to be.
Sierra was a dedicated mother of two kids, named Iloco and Tagalo. The myth says they lived near a lengthy coastline where Bugsong Hangin, king of the mighty easterly winds, often chose to set foot on the ground and roam around the vicinity. The myth says Bugsong Hangin often brought with him the whole mighty horde of his wind army to wreak havoc on the land where Sierra and her kids lived. Bugsong Hangin, according to the myth, had vowed to regularly demolish the place.
The myth says Bugsong Hangin used to court Sierra in their younger years, but Sierra was in love with Lusong, a valiant warrior who had always faced up to any intruder coming from the sea. But, the myth says, Bugsong Hangin and his cohorts had proven too much for Lusong’s capabilities and he later on succumbed to Bugsong Hangin’s fierce attacks. Lusong died while Sierra and their sons watched. The myth says, however, before Lusong had breathed his last, he had Sierra promise that she’d love and protect their two sons.
So one day, the myth says, Sierra decided to lay on her side, putting herself between her two sons, Iloco and Tagalo, and the sea. Her back faced the sea while her face was toward her sons as they did their daily activities. Each time Bugsong Hangin came, the myth says, the two sons ran towards their mother to seek refuge under her arms while her back took all the punishment of Bugsong Hangin and his brutish army.
The myth says the mother’s protective arms and love proved invulnerable to any of Bugsong Hangin’s fierce attacks. The surroundings were devastated, but Iloco and Tagalo were always kept secure as Bugsong Hangin’s army wasted away everything else. So from that time on until now, the myth says, Bugsong Hangin went far away for a while to muster enough strength and think of new attack strategies and later went back to try to topple Sierra’s defenses and destroy Iloco and Tagalo.
A mother’s love, like Mother Sierra’s, is kept almost eternal, as this myth shows.
Christmas is a big holiday in the Philippines. It's so huge almost every Filipino really go out of their way and take time to prepare for this annual occasion. Though Christmas in the Philippines may have been influenced by European traditions in the latter part of its history, its own traditions have surpassed the changing times. This has made Christmas in the Philippines quite unique.
During the cold nights, people would crave for bibingka and puto bumbong. These are delicacies specially prepared during the Christmas season. They would often be served on banana leaves topped with butter or margarine and grated coconut meat.
It wouldn't be uncommon to find the local folks bringing out their Christmas decorations. The star of the season in the Philippines isn't the Christmas tree but the Christmas star locally known as the Parol. You will find Parols hanging just about anywhere from malls, to offices, and even in the modest Filipino homes.
Some places even host a Parol-making contest where people create many wonderfully spectacular light displays using Parols. These are sights to see and you can even buy the ingenious light display after the contest.
Starting on December 16, a large portion of the population would flock to attend Mass at their local Catholic congregation. This part of the Philippine Catholic tradition is called Misa de Gallo or locally known as Simbang Gabi in the native vernacular. It translates to Masses at Cock's Crow, which is usually held either very early in the morning (sometimes at the early hour of 3 a.m., others at dusk). This is a religious Christmas tradition that has been passed on through centuries.
Caroling would also be heard during the Christmas season in the Philippines. You'll get to see a gang of little kids walking from house to house (even car to car in some cities, but that is actually outlawed for security reasons) singing the old time favorite Filipino Christmas carols. Even the older generation may go about caroling as well.
Employees in the Philippines would usually be treated to a long five-day vacation during the Christmas week since some employers would want their employees to spend time with their families (though there are industries that would also require people to work during the holidays).
Christmas Eve is often celebrated by families at home enjoying a Christmas dinner at midnight. This tradition is called Noche Buena. It is a time for thanksgiving and a time for families to be together. Friends may also be invited to the Noche Buena and this is often a great honor. Gifts would usually be given during the Noche Buena or Christmas morning.
Christmas in the Philippines is a time for families. It is a time of gift giving and a time for warm friendships during the Christmas season.
Samar is an island south of the Philippines surrounded by Leyte Gulf, San Bernardino Strait and San Juanico Straight. It is blessed by natural wonders such as beaches, mountain ranges and rivers. It also has a rich history dating from pre-Spanish times. Samar has several destinations for sightseeing and other activities for tourists.
For a sightseeing historical and cultural tour, one should not miss visiting the Samar Archaeological Museum and Research Center. This museum showcases various artifacts from different periods of history. One can appreciate its collection of antiques dating from pre-Spanish times. Art works of Christian saints and martyrs showcasing the Spanish period are also displayed in the museum.
Another historical site to visit for a sightseeing tour is Homonhon Island. This is the site where Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan first landed on Philippine territory in March 14, 1521.
Caves scattered around the province are destinations for the adventurous travelers. Sohoton Cave, a fifteen-minute drive from Borongan, Eastern Samar, has magnificent rock formations and breathtaking landscapes. This is destination is ideal for activities like hiking, rock climbing and geology. The Calbiga Cave, located in Westeren Samar, is in a 3,000-hectare area. It is a series of caves with underground rivers, tunnels, caverns and rock formations. Hiking and spelunking are the popular activities in Sohotan Cave and Calbiga Cave.
While in Calbiga, one should not miss the Calbiga Whitewater River. This is an ideal place for activities like sightseeing, kayaking and white water rafting. The river having a length of ten miles showcases wild cool waters and lush vegetation along its banks. The numerous rapids and drops will surely add to the thrill of navigating this river.
Water activities enthusiasts should visit to the Marabut Marine Park. Located in Southern Samar, this destination boasts of beautiful corals, reefs and diverse aquatic life. This is ideal fro scuba diving, snorkeling or just beach combing.
For those who want rest and relaxation, there are several destinations for activities like sightseeing, picnics and swimming. Blanca Aurora Falls in Catbalogan offers families to have picnics and sightseeing. Resorts abound the area. The spectacular waterfall is a perfect backdrop to an enjoyable picnic and sightseeing. Guuian Island has a pristine natural beauty with clear deep waters and soft sands. This is why the island is visited by tourists. Scuba diving the waters will reveal colorful exotic fishes and coral reefs. Near this place is Mercedes Beach. White sands, gorgeous underwater life and a lovely sunset are the attractions of this place. These are the reasons sightseeing, swimming and scuba diving are popular activities in this place.
The pages of history could attest how colorful the events that trussed the heritage and culture of the city of Iloilo. Long before foreign fleets discovered the land, there were already local settlers living or staying in Iloilo curving their own version of civilization.
To know what the city of Iloilo is all about, tourists and visitors should witness the feast called Dinagyang. The festivity of Dinagyang is a cultural and religious feast in Iloilo City. It is being held annually after the Sinulog Festival in Cebu and Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan (this is celebrated every fourth (4th) Sunday of the month of January. Dinagyang Festival is celebrated and commemorated in honor of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus) and the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay.
The said feast was just introduced in the late 1960's by a local Catholic Priest Reverend Father Ambrosio Galindez. It started as a simple parish devotion until the Condradia tried to outline the devotion to the Aklan's Ati-Atihan Festival. This local annual celebration became famous for the neighboring locals and with some international tourists. For that reason, in the late 1970's President Marcos initiated several regions to come up with festivities or merriments to bolster development and tourism. Since then Dinagyang Festival had been the trademark of the city of Iloilo. This festival is parted into three (3) main events, the Miss Dinagyang, Kasadyahan Street Dancing and Ati-Atihan Street Dancing.
The richness of its cultural and historical heritage in the Dinagyang Festival's theme, the said event was chosen and voted several times as the best tourism event by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines. This annual occasion is also recognized by international organization such as the United Nations.
Tourism, particularly of the Dinagyang Festival, had been the main reason why the influx of tourists, visitors and possible business entrepreneur or investors are steadily growing. The next big task of the local government has something to do with using the power a worldwide network which is the internet or the World Wide Web. The local administration of Iloilo City official website (http://iloilocity.gov.ph/) contains a lot of information about history, culture, tourism and even business related details of the place. As potential visitor or financier, it is definitely a must to check and visit Iloilo City's website for real-time updates.