'Kani na kamo Butuan!' a simple, yet striking Butuan dialect phrase: 'come and visit Butuan now!' The said statement or phrase suggests to tourists and visitors to be at Butuan City as soon as possible. It seemed to entice or a sort of a teaser to find out what Butuan is all about.
It is one of the majestic places in Butuan City. The mountain is located at the Southwest part of Agusan Valley. The mountain had its own significance in the history of early civilization of the Butuan (the anciend Madjapahit Empire and the Sri-Vishaya era.)
Bringing out the good times in Butuan City would never be completed without the 'Laksoy'. Made out of indigenous or local Nipa Palm, Laksoy is the local wine of Butuan City. Its taste can only be produced exclusively by native Butuanon. The wine is definitely an original Filipino spirit.
Agusan River is the epitome or personification of the history, culture and arts of the Butuanon and the place itself. It is the longest and the biggest river in Mindano and this is also the site of fluvial procession as they celebrate the Abayan Festival that commemorates their patroness Señora Santa Ana.
Banza Church had been built in the early 1600's by the initiative of the Recollect Friars who were the early missionaries stationed at the place. However, the said church was devastated by the attacks from the Moro pirates in the mid 1700's. The remnant of the once majestic church was the bell tower made of banyan or balete tress.
The first recorded celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Philippines was said to be during Easter of the 1521. It was Magellan and his fleet that partook or participated in the said thanksgiving. The place is very romantic as it is overlooking the whole of Butuan Bay. The park is also surrounded by the local Hadlayati Tree.
This place had been very significant historically and culturally in terms of heritage for Butuan City and its locals. Butuanons celebrate annually the Mazaua Discovery Day in commemoration of this historical event. Speaking of Ferdinand Magellan’s successful landing in the place, natives of Butuan are very proud of the momentous event that took place in Butuan: the first celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Philippines.
Butuan National Museum
The proofs of Butuan City's great cultural and historical heritage or customs are displayed at the National Museum of Butuan. Exhibits such as the ancient tools of the early settlers of Butuan and contemporary cultural materials of Butuan locals are being shown to visitors and tourists alike to give them a glimpse of the glorious past of Butuan.
Balangays had been the ancient vessels used by the early pioneers of Butuan. Anthropologists and scientists were able to dig up and discover nine balangays to date in Butuan City. The contemporary Filipino word 'Barangay' (municipal division or demarcation) had its etymology in the word balangay.
Making sure of the stability of Butuan City's tourism is dependent on information dissemination. The best way to make known to others the wonder of the place is through the means of internet. The official website of Butuan City (www.butuan.gov.ph) is loaded with a lot of information regarding Butuan City itself, tourism, local directory and some events being celebrated at Butuan City all year round. As a traveler, tourist should consider checking the websites, especially the official website, for updated and real-time announcements in Butuan City. 'Kani na Kamo Butuan!'
Bacolod is popular among Filipinos as the City of Smiles. Found in the Visayas group of islands more particularly in the Panay Island. This quiet and unassuming city is just an hour’s flight away from Metro Manila. However, its nearest airport is in its neighboring city of Silay, Bacolod is just thirty minutes away by private car.
Once you reach Bacolod, you are welcomed by the warmth of its inhabitants. A walk along downtown Bacolod can bring you just about anywhere. Its plaza is a great place for musings as you admire the city’s simple landscaping. Malls are just a stone’s throw away as well as localized tiangges to satisfy the bargain hunter within.
The primary means of transportation in the city is via the jeepney. Although its jeepneys look a little bit different from those seen in Metro Manila, these jeepneys are pretty much the same. It wouldn’t take you minutes before you learn the vernacular as to how to stop the jeepney or to give your payment.
One must try in Bacolod is its chicken inasal. Why the Ilonggos, those in Bacolod are commonly called, even have their own haven of chicken inasal that they fondly called Manukan Country. Manukan is the Ilonggo term for chicken.
Feast your eyes on a series of simple stalls all serving chicken inasal. Chicken inasal is barbecued chicken with the Ilonggos own kind of marinade. These are served on a banana leaf with white rice mixed with garlic. And if you should try the chicken inasal, you might as well try it the way the Ilonggos try it! Drizzle chicken oil generously on your rice and dip your chicken in a mixture of sili (local chili), vinegar and soy sauce. It is absolutely delicious.
Sampling the chicken inasal in Manukan Country is definitely better than any other commercialized representation of the inasal in Bacolod. Its simplicity is what gives it that edge.
Just an hour away from Bacolod’s city proper is Mambukal Resort. The resort is located on a mountain. Hot springs could be found all over the resort. It is said that these springs have a therapeutic effect on those who try it. Be careful though because the resort also offers several safety measures to visitors.
Another sidetrip that one can try at the resort is a trek to visit the seven falls. As the name suggests, seven falls can be seen during the hike. These falls offer cool and calming water to every Bacolod visitor.
These are just some of the attractions one could find in Bacolod. Of course, all these are best enjoyed among the Ilonggos who never seem to fail to smile.
Also known as the City of Friendship, Tagbilaran serves as the economic center of the province of Bohol. To contribute to the improving tourism and economy of the city, Tagbilaran shopping centers offer affordable and high quality products to local travelers and foreigners. Aside from malls, people can also have a nice and enjoyable experience at nearby dry markets. To have a look at handicrafts and native products, tourists are encouraged to visit the famous and accessible souvenir shops in the area.
Considered as the premier and largest shopping center in Bohol, Island City Mall features different boutiques, specialty shops as well as a department store. To offer comfort to shoppers, this mall has a secured and capacious parking space. Some of the shops featured at this mall are V. T. Cellmart, Bench as well as Dickies. When it comes to dining, people who want to eat at fast food chains can try the delicious and affordable meals at McDonalds, Jollibee and Pizza Hut. In addition to this, the mall has a food court where shoppers can eat delectable snacks for as low as 50 pesos. Customers can also visit some of the fine restaurants inside this establishment like the famous Prawn Farm.
Aside from Island City Mall, local tourists and foreigners in Tagbilaran can also visit the popular Bohol Quality Mall. Some of the stores that shoppers can find inside this place are the National Bookstore, Bargain Shop, Sports World and Dakki. Customers who are in search for home improvement stores, this shopping center features Handyman and the Do It Best Home Center. Shoppers who crave for delicious Filipino meals and grilled dishes can relax and have an enjoyable dining time at Gerry’s Grill. To accommodate customers who have limited budget, the establishment features different fast food chains, which include Jollibee and McDonalds.
Plaza Marcela is a simple but convenient Tagbilaran shopping center to visit. Like the other malls, this establishment features retail stores such as Hammerhead Jeans and Shirt as well as Mona Lisa. Additionally, it has a home and fashion department store. For the recreation and enjoyment of shoppers, this mall features an inviting gaming center. In terms of dining, Plaza Marcela plays home to different fast food chains including Greenwich and Jollibee. Moreover, it has a small food court that offers Filipino delicacies and sizzling dishes. Tourists can easily find this mall because it is very accessible to the different modes of transportation available in the city.
There are a lot of activities that you can do when in this beautiful city, but definitely one of the most exciting would be to go visit the beaches in and around the area. This General Santos beach guide can give you an idea of where to go.
One of the destinations that would definitely be worth checking out is Gumasa Beach, which is only a couple of hours away. This General Santos beach guide can inform you that there are several valid reasons why it is so popular among tourists. The waters are very clear and unspoiled, with none of the problems that afflict other beaches that are frequented by too many people. Moreover, the sands around the beach are exceedingly fine, perfect for daily strolls.
Another site that should be in any General Santos beach guide is London Beach off Siguel. Siguel is only a few minutes away by motor vehicle from General Santos, and once you get there, you will be able to savor the pure air and water around the area. There are also resorts nearby so finding a place to stay in will not be a problem.
Nearby is Tropicana Beach. Compared with other beaches, it is quiet and serene, which would be welcomed by tourists and travelers who just want to spend some quiet time by the ocean shore. The cool breeze that emanates from the sea can be felt night and day, so you can visit it at any time and still savor the breeze.
Tuka Beach is also a place worthy of inclusion in this General Santos beach guide. It is situated off Kiamba in Sarangani, which is not that far off from General Santos. The beach is divided into Tuka Beach 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each one is filled with interesting sights, not the least of which are the hills and mountains covering the surrounding landscape.
All of the beaches in Tuka have their own distinct features, and there are several things that you can enjoy. You can go on a boating trip, or as most people now do, go to the nearby theme park, for which the entire place is named. This General Santos beach guide can point out that you will see a wide array of exotic animals in the area, several of which are located only in the local seas.
This General Santos beach guide only gives you an overview of the features of these sites. Once there, you will find other hidden treasures and thrills that will make your stay even more exciting.
Tourist destinations are aplenty in the Philippines, but, as this Cebu sightseeing guide will indicate, few can compare with the sights and sounds of this beautiful island.
Cebu sightseeing guide: historical landmarks
Home to some of the most significant events in Philippine history, there are several locations that you will want to pay a visit to. One of them is Fort San Pedro, the most ancient bastion in the archipelago. Covering over 2,000 sq meters, the ruins of the walls and towers are still visible and give you a glimpse of its past glory.
Another fabled landmark is the Cebu Monument. This tableau is a showcase of the significant events in the island’s history. Other historical sites are the University of San Carlos, the oldest school in the Philippines, the Capitol building and the Lapu Lapu Monument.
Cebu sightseeing guide: cultural sites
The Casa Gorordo Museum was actually the residence of a Filipino bishop, and has now been converted to a repository for antique artworks, relics, furniture and a place where one can view the Filipino lifestyle in the 1800s.
Other cultural haunts in Cebu include the Southwestern University Museum, which houses the vast collection of Lydia Alfonso, which consists of relics culled from different periods of Philippine history. Other sites worth a visit are Julian Jumalon’s Butterfly Sanctuary, the Rizal Museum, the Sala Piano Museum, and the Rose Ong Collection, repository of various orchids.
Cebu sightseeing guide: natural wonders
If you want to get in touch with nature, you can go to Mactan Island, which has become a beach resort and a haven for scuba diving enthusiasts. Another popular site is Kawasan Falls, where some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the island can be seen.
The Olango Wildlife Sanctuary is the place to go to for bird lovers, as it hosts thousands of different types of birds from various parts of the country. The Nonoc Cave on the other hand, is perfect for those that love diving and trekking.
Cebu sightseeing guide: religious shrines
The Taoist Temple is a shrine dedicated to the conservation of the words and sayings of Confucius. A site for religious pilgrims, it is also a popular spot for tourists. You may also want to visit the church in Mandaue to have a look at the Chapel of the Last Supper, a sculpture of the famous painting by Da Vinci. The Celestial Garden is also popular among devotees and tourists mainly due to the religious statues scattered across the hills.
As this Cebu sightseeing guide makes clear, there are several locations that you can go to. If you want to get a taste of Philippine culture and glimpse its natural beauty, this island paradise is a good place to start.
Bohol in the Philippines is one of the best places to be if you’re looking for diving adventure. And you will not just find yourself enjoying in one diving spot but from various diving sites. But how will you enjoy if you don’t know where to go? So take on this ride and find out more how to have a great time of diving adventure in Bohol.
Panglao Island, one of the most famous islands has some of the many diving sites that are located at the southwestern part of Bohol with coraline and limestone look. Here in Panglao is where you can find Kalipayan that is just off the white sand Alona Beach which is also known as the “Happy Wall” . If you’re diving starters, it is best to try it out first here because the difficulty rate is just easy. But still the rating is equally good. Its average depth is 10m and maximum up to 20m.
Hole in the Wall, this is what Arco point is often known due to its vertical funnel with entrance of 9m and exit of 18m. Here you can very much enjoy sea sight seeing because you can see a lot of sea creatures. It is located near the private Bohol Beach Club and if you’re in Alona Beach, you can reach it through banca in 12 minutes. Carrying an average depth of 10m and maximum of 25m, the condition here is normally calm and easy.
Pungtud Wall, a popular coral garden which is also great for snorkeling. The difficulty rate is normal and is advisable to go here when the conditions are calm but it is excellent to try it out here. You can reach it through banca in 35 minutes from Alona Beach to the south west side of Panglao Island. Here, you can also enjoy seeing sea creatures like sea urchins, sea starts, putter fish and lots more.
Now, if you’d like to venture to another wondrous island, then you’d better visit Balicasag Island. Rico’s Wall, another beautiful coral garden that is located just near Balicasag Island and Alona Beach. If you’re in Alona Beach, you can take a banca for 45 minutes to get there. Difficulty is normal but is rated really high according to reviewers. There are lots you can see in the coral garden, from all types of smaller reef fish, anemones, sea stars and many more.
Black Forest or Northeast Slope is also one of the best diving stops just like Rico’s Wall. Difficulty is advanced and divers should stay careful at all times. It is located Northeast of Balicasag Island and about 6 kilometers southwest of Alona Beach. Again, if you’re in Alona Beach, take a banca for 45 minutes and you’re there.
Once you’re in Bohol, take time to know and learn the best diving sites and at the same time know the precautions too. By this means, you will always find yourself enjoying your diving adventure like never before. It is good to enjoy and be safe all at the same time. The diving sites included here are not just the ones you can find in Bohol. It still would be a lot better to see it for yourself and discover it on your very own. Because that is what adventure really is and Bohol is the absolute place for it.