Travelling around cities in the Philippines can be very confusing even to locals. How many times have we heard tourists taking cabs to get to a place which turns out to be just at the next corner? Or first-timers taking tricycles or pedicabs to get to another city? So to keep traveling blunders to a limit here’s a summary of short city travels.
But often we find ourselves travelling around cities alone. In such case we need to know where we’re going. Most first-timers travelling around cities often take confidence in taking cabs. But often (not always) cab drivers would take unsuspecting passengers around the locality (or even around the city) when actually the destination is just right at the next corner. So it’s vital to get an idea where one is going. How far is it? Five kilometers? How long to get to it? An hour? One may ask around; ask a traffic police or traffic aide, go to a barangay post, or call operator service. These are safe people to ask directions from when travelling around cities and will readily lend a hand. But don’t ask just anybody.
Get a handy map, too. A city atlas will help pinpoint a street or locality and the access roads leading to it. With this, one gets a better grasp of how to get there. If it’s more than 2 or 3 kilometers, it’s probably a jeepney ride. Farther destinations may need a bus ride or a combination of jeepney, bus and tricycle. The general rule is, buses are for highways, jeepneys for main roads and inner streets, tricycles are for streets and alleys inaccessible to jeepneys. Again, as one is travelling around cities, don’t hesitate to ask directions.
A cab is only advisable when one gets familiar with travelling around cities. Blindly trusting a cab to take us places we don’t have an inkling of is a pitfall. Check a route in the map and insist on taking that path. Cab drivers are known to offer “short-cuts” that later churn up the meter like crazy---though some drivers do care for passengers to get cheaper and shorter rides travelling around cities. It’s best to sit at the back where checking the atlas would be undetected by the driver and one doesn’t appear new in the territory.
So when travelling around cities just keep cool and know first where one’s going. Then the rest of the travel ought to be smooth sailing.
Bohol is considered an island paradise when it comes to vacation in the Philippines and the capital city is Tagbilaran City. It is less than 700 kilometers towards the southeast of Manila and a closer distance of 72 kilometers from Cebu City. About 14 kilometers of beaches are in Bohol and to maximize one’s vacation, it’s imperative to find a good hotel when in Tagbilaran City.
The Bohol Tropics Resort Club is a 3-star hotel in Tagbilaran City which boasts of the convergence of charm and hospitality. The rooms at this Tagbilaran hotel are meticulously designed by a panel of interior designers and the architects made sure that many of the guest rooms look out to the beauty of the Tagbilaran Bay. The rooms at Bohol Tropics Resort Club are very large and can comfortably accommodate 4 people although the protocol for the standard and deluxe rooms is that only two people are allowed. This Tagbilaran hotel also has large swimming pools that are meant for children and adults alike, elegantly separated by a wading pool. Room rates start at Php 4,235 for Bohol Tropics Resort Club and its most expensive suite with a triple bed is Php 5,305. One might wince at the prices but this is actually very affordable because these rates are not just for an overnight accommodation. The rates include lodging for 3 days and 2 nights at the Bohol Tropics Resort Club, a tour of the Chocolate Hills and the country side, lunch while on a river cruise, breakfast daily and use of all the facilities of this Tagbilaran hotel.
Also found in Tagbilaran City a couple of meters away from Bohol Tropics Resort Club is Hotel La Roca. The facilities of this Tagbilaran hotel are comparable to a 4-star one with 2 restaurants, a swimming pool, a convention hall, a poolside patio and a secure parking lot that can accommodate up to 30 cars. Hotel La Roca is less than 10 minutes away from major destinations in Tagbilaran City and a shorter distance from the airport or the seaport. This Tagbilaran hotel only has 2 stories and 25 rooms and most of the time small families and travelers stay here. Rates at the Hotel La Roca start at Php 3,750 for a package for 3 days and 2 nights and that is for a deluxe twin room. The package for Hotel La Roca includes tours of the city and complimentary breakfast during one’s stay.
It’s impossible to say whether Hotel La Roca or Bohol Tropics Resort Club is the better Tagbilaran hotel to stay at because these are both very good hotels and there are many more in the city. The decision really boils down to what the guest needs during the time that one is in Tagbilaran City.
Flies are abundant in tropical countries like the Philippines that locals are sometimes wondering how the creature came to be. This folklore seems to say it all.
The folklore goes that once there was a resident fly of the tiny coconut kingdom of Agama Niyog (coconut). This was no ordinary fly that we see around today. The foklore says this fly was God’s favorite. It didn’t fly around working to seek food. All it did was wish (or pray?) for something and God would give it that.
For a long time the fly enjoyed God’s uncommon favor, the myth folklore says. But one day, while idly flying around, it inadvertently entered a mysterious palace. There was the palace sultan surrounded by his wives and mistresses. Envious, the fly asked God to be a sultan. The fly’s wish was granted immediately, the folklore says.
Just like other sultans, the fly had several wives and concubines. But, the folklore says, it got fed up of its families. It sullenly asked the Archangel Gabriel to ask God to make him a prophetinstead, the folklore says. So the Archangel begged God, saying, “Oh God! This special fly desires to be a prophet.” Behold, it became so.
But prophesying was no easy job, the fly discovered. According to the folklore, it had to travel from one place to another talking to people about faith and love---which nobody wanted to listen to, coming from a fly. The folklore says people started to hate it. One day, the folklore continues, the fly really got tired of everything and called the Archangel Gabriel again. “Please tell God I’m tired of being a prophet, too.”
“So, what now?” Archangel Gabriel asked.
“I think being a god is what’s really exciting,” The fly said. “Perhaps I’d be satisfied when I become one.” However, the folklore says Archangel Gabriel thought this was too much. Just the same, he begged God and said: “Oh God, now it wants to become a god! Is this possible?”
The folklore says that when God heard this he promptly changed the fly to its original form. So today, one would notice that a fly keeps on rubbing its front and hind legs together. It’s the punishment for wanting (or praying?) to become a god.
This folklore teaches that wishy-washy thinking never really pays. And it’s always wise to be realistic in one’s ambitions.
I answered the simple question with these following statements and descriptions. I lived at a city that is a expansive metropolitan area of more than a million residents situated in Mindanao particularly in the southeastern part of it. For a fact, my place is considered as one of the largest cities in the world. Natural advantages are the blessings of this place that the soil is so rich in minerals and very fertile. Our local government has always been taking benefit of its strategic location which is a typhoon-free region and balance or equal distribution of climatic conditions defines its weather the whole year round.
Our mountain stood tallest amongst any mountains in the Philippines. This mountain seems to overlook our humble city and appears to be a vigilant sentinel watching us for anything that could harm us. Climbing the peak of this mountain would make one realize how blessed this modest land is: intact forest, productive valleys, traversable river, extensive metro and first-rate beaches facing the gulf.
We value education as we had been recognized one of the cities with high literacy rates in Asia. Workforce is one of the best because we can speak English and we were trained to be industrious and self-reliant. Our city is a sort of melting pot of cultures and differences are respected and developed in a pleasant and peace-loving atmosphere.
Our metropolis has bee the center of services, trade and commerce in Mindanao and our facilities are among the best providing an avenue for further economic expansion. Urban living is at its best because we have the usual amenities and facilities and we can have them in reasonable prices as well. Accessibility to the usual needs is never a problem in this place such as communication, recreation and leisure. We have had the basic needs covered with a plus.
The economic pace of this metropolis is on the rise but the great outdoors and breathtaking wonders of nature make the stability between work hard and relaxation. The question I was trying to answer was 'where do you live?' Of course, the simple answer this question was Davao City. I did not answer it directly because I wanted them to realize that the word 'Davao' was not just another ordinary place. In a way, as I answered the query, I also set their expectations of this beautiful place called Davao.
Rising from the ashes of the old mall that was destroyed by fire about 4 years ago, you can now experience General Santos shopping at the newly-constructed and airconditoned KCC Mall. The old building used to be located at Osmena Street at the now Koronadal City as a fabric store. Eventually it developed into a shopping mall located at General Santos Drive.
Afterwards, the KCC Warehouse Club was established in General Santos City. The new building was destroyed by fire paving the way for the establishment of KCC Mall of General Santos, the biggest mall in Cotabato.
KCC provides a wide array of the best products General Santos shopping has to offer. You can get local and imported clothing at wholesale price. Its supermarket located at Level 1 has 82 checkout counters. There is a Food Court as well as popular American restaurants such as KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut, to name just a few.
Planning to book tickets for your trip to Manila or other places? KCC is home to a couple of travel agencies. Level 3 is the haven of gamers as well as six mini-cinemas complete with Digital Sound. Aside from that, there is a Skin Center, Dental Clinic, Spa, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop as well as regional offices of the two leading telecommunication companies Globe & Smart.
KCC also has an Internet cafe with over 30 computers providing the lowest rates at PHP20 an hour. Likewise, there are cellphone shops, a hardware, and a computer shop. Operations starts at 9 am and ends at midnight after the last full show in the cinemas. There is free parking space at Level 3 and supermarket level.
The store also sells clothes made by local manufacturers at affordable prices. Looking for souvenir shirts? They are available at US$3 per piece. There are discounted models of cellphones, Filipino crafts, religious items, among others. KCC Mall is located at J. Catolico Sr, Avenue, General Santos City.
General Santos shopping will become even more worthwhile as the SM Group of Companies is expected to open SM City General Santos come 2011, simultaneous with that of SM City North Davao. It will be first SM mall in General Santos City and the third in the whole Mindanao peninsula after SM City Davao and Cagayan de Oro. It will house common fixtures in any SM establishment such as SM Appliance Center, Movietime, Department Store as well as stores like National Bookstore and Toy Kingdom.
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.
Legazpi is the home of the majestic Mayon volcano. This attracts more tourists every year. To have an enjoyable stay in this city you must stay in a good hotel which the city has several.
1. Alicia Hotel - This hotel is closest to the city airport. It is one of the best choices for your accommodations. This hotel has many amenities. The stay in this hotel is always comfortable. They have thirty rooms which have air-con, bathroom and cable for the televisions. The rooms offer a good view of the volcano. They can also provide a shuttle for you for the airport. This hotel is at the F. Aguende Drive. You may reach them at 63-52-481-08-01 and 63-52-481-48-08.
2. Casablanca Hotel - This is a hotel offering accommodations for the guests exuding elegance. This hotel has twenty seven rooms which have the standard amenities and more. Their rooms include the standard, deluxe, junior and executive rooms. They also offer room service and massage for the guests. They also have a broadband access for the Internet. Many locals celebrate big celebrations in this hotel. It is located at the Penaranda Street. You can reach them at 63-52-480-8334 for your booking. The accommodation can begin at four thousand pesos.
3.Hotel Venezia - This is a hotel which have rooms that resemble villas. They have a wide reception area. The price of accommodation here can start for three thousand eight hundred pesos. They also offer buffet breakfast meals for all the guests. They offer suites, junior suites and standard rooms. Each room has a television with table, air-con and coffee maker. This place is one of the choices of most businessmen. This is situated at the Renaissance on Washington Street. You can reach them at 63-02-910-4203.
4.Hotel Villa Angelina - You might prefer this hotel because this
is situated in the center of the city. It gives a good view of Mount Mayon.
The rooms are executive suites, celebrity deluxe, condo suites and presidential
suites. Their rooms have air-con, television and Internet. The accomodation is priced at one thousand five hundred pesos up to three thousand five hundred pesos. They also have their own pool and restaurant for the convenience of the guests. It is at Rosario Street in the city. You may call them at 63-52-435-2855.
5. Legazpi Tourist Inn - This hotel can be found in the center of Legazpi. This is a good place for many people on a tight budget. They have rooms which costs nine hundred pesos up to one thousand two hundred pesos. This inn is near the malls of the city. It is situated on Quezon Avenue in Legazpi city.
Laoag is known as the capital of Ilocos Norte. The city has many restaurants offering varying cuisines. Most of them combine the local and the international cuisine. Most of the restaurants in Laoag can be found in good locations near most of the other business establishments.
1. Max’s Restaurant - This is a successful branch of restaurant that can be found in General Segundo Avenue. This is a good restaurant which offers Filipino dishes and their best selling fried chicken. The atmosphere inside is warm and cozy. They also serve Filipino's best dishes like Sinigang na Hipon, Crispy Pata, Bicol Express. They also serve Kare-kare and Lechon Kawali.You may spend around five hundred pesos for a complete meal for two persons.
2. La Preciosa Restaurant - This is a restaurant in the city. It is a fine dining restaurant. They also serve catering for occasions in hotels and private celebrations. They offer delicious Ilocano food and other Filipino dishes. They specialize in Bagnet, Pancit molo and Pinakbet. They also serve Patatim and crispy chicken. For a couple you must have at least four hundred pesos to enjoy a complete meal. Their restaurant is also designed with
good architectural styles which adds to the luxurious appeal of their place.
3. Sansu’s Chinese Food - This is a restaurant along Samonte Street in the city. This is a popular restaurant where you can find delicious Chinese dishes. Their best sellers are chopsuey,crab meat dishes and pansit canton. The ambience in this restaurant is very casual. For two hundred pesos you can already enjoy a complete meal along iwth other seafood meals. They also offer a set menu priced at two thousand two hundred pesos which can feed at least ten persons.
4. Macy’s Diner - This is also in Gen. Segundo Avenue. The restaurant is a classic one which offers American and Filipino dishes. The place offers casual and cozy ambiance.
For two hundred pesos a person can already have delicious burgers, fried and tacos. Their Filipino best sellers include bopis and tapa.
5. Ravanden’s Grill - This is another restaurant in Laoag in Rizal Street. The atmosphere in this restaurant is very homey. Guests can eat outside or inside the restaurant. They specialize in Filipino dishes. You can have ninety pesos and enjoy a complete meal. Their best sellers include Kare-kare, grilled sisig and Chopsuey. They also offer their own version of Pinaputok na Tilapia. They can also cater to private gatherings in hotels or houses.
The Philippines is boasting with islands and cities full of nature, sights to see and special phenomena such as volcanoes, marine life, special hills or rice terraces. There is yet another city that boasts of the rich Filipino heritage, but this time it is not about special natural phenomena or volcanoes, it is about the colonial past of the Philippines. This place is called the little Spain of the Philippines and you will be part of the Zamboanga Travel Guide where we will take you on a tour around the most important parts of this place and where we also show you where to stay and to dine.
Before setting out on the places to go in our Zamboanga Travel Guide, you need to relax for a while and store your luggage safely somewhere. The hotel Lantaka is a Spanish style hotel with an ocean front view. This hotel is affordable and comfortable and you can make yourself on your way for our first stop on the Zamboanga Travel Guide tour. The most popular attraction as well as the most reminiscent Spanish attraction is the Fort Pilar. The Fort Pilar was a fort used to defend the people from invaders and outside attack. The Pettit Barracks are located right within the fort and have been captured by Americans and Japanese during the different wars and occupations in the Philippines.
Since the travel to Fort Pilar is a little tiring, let us settle to the next stop in the Zamboanga Travel Guide which will be a restaurant where you can munch your lunch. Today we opted for seafood since Zamboanga is famous for it and our favorite place to go is the Alavar Seafood Restaurant which serves Filipino seafood and will be the best place to show you how and what to eat from the local seafood cuisine in the Philippines. After your hunger and thirst have been thoroughly satisfied, we should move on with the Zamboanga Travel Guide to Abong-abong. Abong-abong is a pilgrimage site and came about by no one else than the Spaniards. This pilgrimage includes thirteen stations that you have to visit during holy week in the Philippines and one of them includes a volcano shaped like a turtle and a heart. It doesn’t only sound interesting but it looks interesting as well.
The last stop in our Zamboanga Travel Guide is a rather seasonal stop which means you have to plan your stay with the festival during the month of October. We are talking about the Regatta de Zamboanga where hundreds of colorful boats compete in a regatta during the Hermosa Festival in this city. After the day of excitement and sightseeing, you might probably slump back into the bed back in the hotel. You will be able to find many more things to do and see in little Spain of the Philippines.
The 'City of Gentle People' or Dumaguete City, has its own way of ‘snatching’ the hearts of every tourist and visitor who had a chance staying in this very attractive city. History attested that the place of Dumaguete had been very enticing. The word 'danggit', a root word of 'Dumaguete' literally means 'to snatch'. The place was so-called because of the looting assaults of the Muslim raiders on this coastal municipality. Another word, however, could be attributed was the word 'dumaguet' (to swoop) because of the influence or attraction to keep the place’s visitors to stay and live for good.
The city is well-known as an educational destination for the surrounding provinces and municipalities in Mindanao and Visayas Regions. The presence and existence of seven universities and noted colleges are the reasons why it is place of established educational system. Siliman University is one of the distinguished universities in Dumaguete and the first American founded university outside the Metropolitan Manila. Aside from these tertiary education establishments, Dumaguete City has all in all, nine secondary education schools (high school) and twelve institutions for primary or elementary education.
Best dive spots have characterized the area of Dumaguete City as a coastal area. The Sumilon and Apo Islands are some of the noted world-class diving sites in Dumaguete City. Other marine related activities like dolphin watching (nearby Bais Bay) and kayaking are popular among tourists and locals alike.
The onset and the wave of business process outsourcing or BPO in the international market has also been one of the major commercial drive in the growth and progress in the economy of the city. The booming outsourcing process venture is widely branched out with diverse services (editing, medical transcription, publishing, call center industry et al). There are other business drivers in Dumaguete City such as medical services and real estate industry.
The natural beauty of this place since time immemorial, has been one of the reasons why those who had a chance to be in the place, seemed to be 'swooped' to stay in the place. To have a real account, to be a witness, and to have a first hand experience of what it takes to be 'captured' by this place is to stay in Dumaguete City. Dumaguete Travel and Tours is a service travel and tours office or agency based on the city itself (Perdices Street, Dumaguete City).
Since its foundation way back 2000, the agency had served a lot of tourists regarding their travel needs (visa and passport processing). The agency also arranges domestic and international trips and they are also specialized in providing educational and cultural field trips for the students. Dumaguete is certainly one of the best havens of total getaway and vacation. As always good and relaxing timeout has something to do with the right timing and being at the right place.