Dumaguete is a place that holds many wonderful surprises for visitors and among the main attractions here are the beaches amidst a tropical island background and the encounter with the indigenous groups. A variety of activities can be done here and of course several visits can be made to Dumaguete’s historical sites. These Dumaguete destinations all hold a piece of the puzzle to this city’s rich history, culture and heritage.
Apo Island is synonymous to a great beach experience in Dumaguete. This Dumaguete destination is a good way to cool down this summer and it is a 2 hour boat ride from Siliman Beach. Apo Island is also a favorite spot for divers in the Visayas and the best part about it is that one does not have to be a certified diver to be able to enjoy the underwater paradise. Diving lessons are offered on Apo Island and everything one needs to become a certified diver including equipment is provided by the dive shop in this area. This Dumaguete destination is a marine sanctuary protected and maintained by the Global Science Community. Apo Island is said to be home to close to 700 species of fish and about 400 different types of corals. If one does not want to venture into diving while on Apo Island, snorkeling is also an option and because the water is so clear, many fishes can be seen just swimming by.
Dolphin Watching is one of the things that one must do while in Dumaguete. Dolphin Watching can be done at Tanon Strait and this Dumaguete destination is where one can watch the playful creatures of the sea frolic in the water with sperm whales. Although Dolphin Watching can be done pretty much all year round, the best months to go would be anytime between May and September since these months are the times when numerous dolphins are here. Dolphin Watching is supervised by the city hall of Bais and the cruises made to this Dumaguete destination are under their close watch for the protection of the species.
After Dolphin Watching, a visit to the Canlaon Volcano is a must. This Dumaguete destination is said to be the tallest peak in the whole of Visayas and the Canlaon Volcano stands at about 8,100 feet tall above sea level. Many mountain climbers attempt this active volcano found in Canlaon City. Canlaon City is about 170 kilometers from the bustling Dumaguete City.
An island once used to monitor sea vessel activities coming in and out of Manila Bay is now a scenic tourist spot. It is a favorite both of American and Japanese tourists who once had their histories clashed in the historic spot, the island of Corregidor.
Daily trips to Corregidor are available from the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex at the reclaimed area along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. This tourist spot is about an hour yacht cruise from Manila to Corregidor, one of the tiny islands off southwestern Bataan some 26 miles from Manila.
In Spanish times this tourist spot used to be a fishing village also used as a checking station for incoming and outgoing sea vessels so a lighthouse and signal station was built on it for this purpose. The checking of and signaling to ships and vessels—plus its later role of being a penal island colony---later gave it the name “corrector” or “Corregidor.”
In the seventeenth century this historical spot was said to have been the base of Limahong, the notorious invader of the Asian seas. In 1906 the Americans started converting it into a military fort, eventually mounting long-range canons and anti-aircraft guns besides arsenal storages, battery stations and a military hospital. The war with the Japanese aggravated beginning in 1940 costing lives of Filipino and American heroes, but which later ended in 1944 with Japan’s surrender.
In 1947 Corregidor was turned over to the Philippines by America and eventually became the tourist spot is has become. It is a verdant island lush with huge trees and thick wild shrubberies sheltering natural wild life.
One of its famous historical spots is the Malinta Tunnel which is an underground network of 21 tunnels designed as a covert tunnel system to facilitate movement safe from air and bomb attacks. The tunnels were started in 1922 and finished in 1932. But even all these proved futile to the all-out attack of the Japanese. Some 12,000 men died.
Located in the middle of this tourist spot is the Eternal Flame Monument to remember the Filipino and American heroes. The Filipino Heroes Memorial is one of the new structures on the island on a 6,000 square meters facility. It features 14 murals showing Philippine heroic battles from the 15th century to the present.
Arrangements for special tours, lectures, seminars, weddings, baptismal events, adventure camps, and others at this tourist spot are facilitated with Corregidor hotels. Since early times until now Corregidor Island has been the historical spot favored by most adventurous spirits.
Tagbilaran hospitals and health care is known for being of high quality and efficient. As a result, the residents of the city can look forward to getting improved medical, health, and hospitalization. Here we will look at the different trustworthy hospitals that Tagbilaran City has to offer.
Borja Family Hospital started out as a family clinic and has grown to become a private infirmary. It is classified as a general infirmary and primary medical establishment among medical facilities in Tagbilaran. This 40-bed capacity hospital has fully operational hospital equipments and facilities.
Aside from providing medical and health care, Borja Family Hospital is also a maternity facility accredited by the Newborn Screening Resource Center since 2005. Already offering efficient medical and health care services, the hospital is still aiming to improve the skills of its personnel and upgrade its facilities to better serve the city constituents.
Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital or GCGMH is one of the top government-owned hospitals in Tagbilaran City. Serving both as a hospital and teaching and training ground, the GCGMH is a 127-bed capacity hospital offering the best skills and facilities compared with other government hospitals in Bohol. People who have experienced animal bites usually come to this hospital because of their specialization in the field. It is working on creating a rabies-free Tagbilaran.
Ramiro Community Hospital is a pioneer medical facility serving communities within Tagbilaran. It is a general hospital and tertiary sanatorium with 100 beds for providing medical and health care services to the people of the city. It is very popular because it offers quick service and efficient hospital billing.
Aside from being Tagbilaran's leading general hospital, infants and children have a special place in St. Jude General Hospital. It places a high priority on newborn screening, an important medical procedure for newborn babies to determine hidden or inborn defects at their early age. It provides special facilities for children with minor defects.
St. Jude General Hospital is one of the many hospitals in Tagbilaran that is pediatric in nature. However, as it is ranked as a primary general hospital, it also offers other medical and hospitalization services with its 25-bed capacity.
Tagbilaran Community Hospital is a private general hospital accredited by several health care providers such as Intellicare, MEDIcard, among others. It also caters to newborn screening and has been successful in addressing the health care needs of the people of Tagbilaran as it is located right in the heart of the city. Its simplicity and homey appearance has been of great assistance to the people of the city.
Tagbilaran hospitals and health care can provide a guarantee that your visit to the Chocolate Hills will be healthy and worthwhile.
“Zurecht ein Platz fur einen unvergesslichen Tauchurlaub!” says an online ad in German on a resort in Sabang, a coastal barangay of Puerto Galera. It’s “a place for an unforgettable diving holiday” in English. Sabang boasts of 20 world class dive sites. It is one of the favorite dive destinations worldwide.
Puerto Galera is known for fine sand beaches, the blue sea, tourist hotels and inns, sea foods and delightfully grilled sea-side cuisine, and its unique wildlife and lush forest. Divers frequent the Puerto for pristine diving alcoves in different spots of the province. Yet, Sabang is fast becoming the favorite among vacationers.
Sabang is best for swimming, snorkeling, and skin and scuba diving—which the village is known for. Vacationers do that day and night. The remarkable waters of Sabang never tire there. Well, for night-time rest hours, there are several night spots in the area fit for evening socials—affordable but cozy.
To get to Sabang, a land trek to Batangas International Port (about three hours from Manila) is made. Sea crafts such as taxi ferries, outriggers (pump boats), and ro-ros (the latest sea craft model) abound at the port. Outriggers are the favorite. It’s old-fashioned but makes the tour a short, fast, and relaxing one-hour sea trip costing only P 150 or a little more than $3.
During off season, visitors number below average, which is about a thousand. The numbers dwindle on rainy days. So the best time to go there with less crowding hassles is from January to February. Rates are lower compared to the just concluded Christmas season. But around end of February, expect prices to start jacking up.
Tourists flocking to Sabang from March to May (peak season) are about 1,500 to 2000 daily. In other nearby villages tourists also come in by the droves. Both foreign and local tourists love Sabang.
Sabang is easily the favorite, even when compared with other well-known tourist destinations in the country like Boracay, because of its low-budget accommodations, homey feeling, service, and of course, accessibility.
According to a shipping lines plying the Sabang-Batangas route, some 98 percent of the tourists take the outtriggers to Sabang.
Sabang, along with other five diving sites (Meulle, Balatero, Minolo, White Beach, and Talipanan) is presently reached through the one entry point, Balatero. But this is still being contested and other entry points may soon begin to re-open. While the single entry-point policy is in effect, a challenging tricycle ride—a trek closer to the wildlife of the backwoods—is the main access to Sabang.
For a most memorable vacation site even Germans flaunt online, a perfect hideaway from the bustles of daily life into an amazing undulation of coral reefs and sea life in clear sea water—not to mention the people—set out for Sabang in the Puerto.
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 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.
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.
The Philippines has lots of scenic spots worth travelling to and seeing, and Metro Manila can show off urban tourist travel destinations like no other city in the world can. However, it isn’t all sunny days in the Philippines. Stormy weather may spoil a long planned trip---or even just going to work. But it doesn’t have to end this way. Some wise traveling tips can push a travel plan to fulfillment, come rain or shine.
First, always check the weather forecast on TV or in the radio. It’s one of the most important traveling tips. When it’s particularly rainy, the weather bureau often comes out with early advices. So does the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in charge of traffic situations. Make sure to bring the following aside from the usual raincoats and umbrellas: if you have a car, bring a pair of boots, if not wear them along. Travel with a penlight, an extra shirt and pair of pants, extra cash, a transistor radio with ear plugs, mobile phone (loaded and charged), two or three paracetamol pills, and a bottle of purified water. If one’s just off for work, the pair of boots and extra shirts will do.
Other safe traveling tips: If it’s a down pour make sure to get on a bus. Buses have better chances in flooded situations and less wet inside, especially air conditioned ones. Before taking a cab, make sure the fare meter is on or “working.” Some cab drivers pretend their meters are busted and insist on a contracted ride. This is illegal. If in case one’s in the middle of it all before discovering a “busted” meter (which is the usual scenario drivers come up with), a fair traveling tip for cab contract can rate at P75 per 4 to 5 kilometers. So if the travel is 20 kilometers, it’s safe to pay P300 to P375, or even P400 if there’s heavy traffic. When one’s obviously a foreigner, it’s best to have a local talking to cab drivers.
If it’s too windy, an important traveling tip is watch out for flying or falling debris, like roof sheets, metal pieces, or tree branches. In this case, it’s best to stall the travel and just enjoy malls or have sessions at a bowling lane. Or eat out, in a restaurant, that is.
With safety traveling tips a long-planned or long-awaited travel need not be spoiled. It just takes preparation and a little adjustment.
The “maka-hiya” (or "prone to shyness") weed is a common wild and thorny shrub found in thick undergrowths. A slight touch would render its tiny row of leaves to fold close and re-open after a few hours. A myth about the “maka-hiya” tells of a man who once took a risk with love but failed and vowed never to try again.
The myth about the “maka-hiya” started a long time ago. Roque Mejia was a lad who helped his father farm a small field at the outskirts of town. Though folks sometimes called him Roque, his friends were fond of calling him “Mejia.” Maestro Dominic, their teacher in poetry, also called him Mejia. The surname described him well because he was too shy to do anything, especially when it came to young beautiful ladies from town. Mejia sounds like the vernacular for “shy,” which is “hiya,” and which connects well with the myth about the “maka-hiya” weed.
Of all the pretty girls in town, Alona was Mejia’s fancy. He enjoyed watching her but avoided her eyes up close—which augurs well for the myth about the “maka-hiya” plant that closes at a mere touch. Eventually the girl noticed Mejia’s real feelings and Alona, being a bit conceited with her good looks and often flirted because of that, tried to playfully entertain Mejia’s affection. She pretended to befriend Mejia and tried to make him feel that she cared.
Eventually Mejia fell head over heels for her, and obviously at that, so that the whole town and even the scattered pueblos around knew of it. But Alona was never serious about anything between them, and in fact had a fiancé, Carlos, while making Mejia fall for her. One day Mejia saw Alona sweet in Carlos’ arms at the plaza garden and later heard of their impending wedding. That’s when Mejia started to be more deeply withdrawn from people, and when the myth about the “maka-hiya” started taking shape in his life.
Mejia never went to town again since. There were young ladies who sincerely took interest in him but to no avail. Mejia grew old and died a loner. On his grave grew a wild, groping weed with thorns. It easily bent and folded even at a mere touch. People called it “maka-mejia” or “like-Mejia.” And later, due to this myth about the “maka-hiya,” it was called “Maka-hiya.”
Never be too trusting in a person—this is what the myth about the “maka-hiya” reminds us of.
Davao City has many firsts in the Philippines and abroad. Among these is being the world's second largest city in terms of land area. Davao City also boasts of having the second largest urban market in the East ASEAN Growth Polygon.
But there is more to Davao City than the huge market of fruit and fish sold at eye-popping low prices. It is also rich in many things that nature offers. Let's have a look around the wonders of Davao City, Philippines.
One of the best things the people of Davao City enjoy is the weather. It hardly ever gets any storms. Davao City always gets fair weather, some rain showers and humidity come by every now and then but no typhoons ever get there.
The Davao City economy had a huge upsurge in the 90s and is still thriving past the next decade. The next thrust of economic growth in Davao City seems to veering away from the agriculture sector in recent years. It still remains as one of the top exporters in the region.
Let's take a look at some of the tourist spots Davao City is famous for.
Mount Apo, known locally as a tribal god's abode is located at Cabarisan, Davao City. This is the tallest peak in the Philippines standing at 10,311 feet above sea level. It is a favorite climb among local mountaineers. The climb to the top of Mount Apo would take a group about four days along the many trails climbers often ascend.
Those who would dare the peak will have to contact the Department of Tourism in Davao City before proceeding or the Mt. Apo Climbers Association. The local government of Davao City also organizes Holy Week Climbs and the Octotrek, a climb to the top on October; both are peak seasons when large groups of climbers join in the challenge.
Philippine Eagle Nature Center is a nature reserve where the world's largest species of eagles (formerly known as the monkey-eating eagle) are kept since they've been declared as endangered species. The Philippine Eagle's base diet in the wild are monkeys (thus the name). The nature center is located at Calinan, Davao City.
Pearl Farm Beach Resort is the perfect get-away to revel in tropical pleasures offered in Davao City. The farm is located in a secluded cove on Samal Island off Davao City's coast.
Crocodile Park, Davao City, boasts of having bred one of the biggest crocodiles -- measuring 18 feet. Other than watching these enormous reptiles one can also enjoy horseback riding, and a day at the park, or, if you're up to it, you may have a chance to feed young crocodiles.
These are only some of the many wonderful places we can head to for a great tour of Davao City. Accommodations in the city range from $60 to $470. Airfare from Manila to Davao City would cost more than Php 3,000.
Take time to try out the cheap buys and great sights all over the many wonders of Davao City, Philippines.
[Tags]Davao, Philippines, Mindanao, Philippine Eagle, Mt. Apo, Mount Apo, Davao City, Tourist, travel, tourism[/Tags]
Angels are popular spiritual creatures in Philippine religions, folklores, and tales. The tale is believed even by many modern Filipinos. The tale says angels live among us, taking active parts in our daily lives. The most popular tale on angels is that they are guardian spirits of long departed family members and relatives.
Philippine Myth has it that good people can turn into angels when they die. If a person has been good all his earthly life and dies, the tale says the choice is between being a saint or an angel. If a person chooses to be a saint, a supernatural event will happen back here on earth confirming this decision. This person’s portrait or statue may suddenly manifest supernatural qualities that will attract people and later decide on making this person a saint. Or there may be tales on spiritual apparitions.
But if one chooses to be an angel, this tale says, a new member will be added to the myriad of angels soaring and crisscrossing from heaven to earth, and vice versa. These angels, according to this tale, many of whom were former people, are often times our guardian angels. So if a good family member decides to be an angel after dying, the person becomes a “detailed” guardian angel for the family. So, the tale adds, if a mysterious rescue from danger happens to someone, a relative guardian angel is responsible.
According to this same tale, dead babies easily make it as a guardian angel in the after life. Being innocent of any wrong doing, babies, on dying, instantly grow feathered wings and a halo on the head. According to this tale, some babies just have their heads growing a cute pair of wings and flying off to report for duty. From this army of infant guardian angels comes “kerubin” and “kupido,” the tales’ local versions of cherubim and Cupid---the latter being the so-called guardian angel of hearts.
Infant angels are also guardian angels, so this tale goes. They’re assigned to children and youths. So when news or stories of kids and young people being mysteriously rescued from danger go around, they often end with a guardian angel tale. These guardian angels also baby-sit and play with infants, says this tale on angels.
A Philippine tale on angels tells of good people opting to be guardian angels when they die. The tale is still strongly believed by most Filipinos. It tells us much of how Filipinos generally look at heaven as an extension of an extended family.
When it comes to Butuan hospitals and health care, the city has 27 urban barangay health stations, 3 principal health centers, and 59 rural barangay health stations. It has a couple of government-owned hospitals namely City General Hospital and Medical Center, a 150-bed capacity facility, and the 100-bed capacity Provincial Hospital of Agusan del Norte. It has 6 private capacity with a total capacity of 521 beds. The health centers and hospitals in Butuan serves not only the residents of the city but also from other municipalities.
In 1991, total health spendings of Butuan amounted to P12.3 million which represented 10 percent of total expenses. From the overall spendings, 34% was allocated for basic health services and 66% for building hospitals. In 1994, health expenditures increased to P27.5 million representing 10 percent of overall expenditures. Allotment for basic health was 43 percent while hospital expenses dropped to 55 percent.
A year later, Butuan's health allocation was P29.1 million comprising 8% of the total budget. The allocation for hospitals was 54% against the 46% alloted for health, miscellaneous services, and nutrition.
In 1990 and 1995, Butuan health care represented a drop in infant and child mortality which is far lower than the national averages in the two years. The rates for maternal mortality, although decreasing, was higher than the national averages. The malnutrition rate in the city showed a significant decrease at 58% and 32%, respectively.
Butuan health care catered to nutrition activities intended to address malnutrition in the city. It includes food assistance, nutrition education, livelihood assistance, supplementing micro-nutrients, among others. The Butuan Nutrition Committee holds quarterly meetings. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Education (DepEd) is actively involved in the health care efforts of the city.
In addition, the City Agriculturist's Office is responsible for production and security of food. The Budget Allocation Office is responsible for the funding while the Philippine Information Agency is charged with disseminating information and nutrition.
The City Nutrition Office, which is under the City Nutrition Officer, acts as the Secretariat of the Butuan Nutrition Committee and coordinates all nutrition-related activities. The agency has two assisting nutritionists managing 43 barangays. It has a feeding center and barangay nutrition scholar. A barangay nutrition scholar, with a monthly salary of P400, mans the feeding center in each barangay.
These are the different agencies that play a significant role in the implementation of programs of Butuan hospitals and health care.