'Love, Peace and Progress'. These three (3) simple words are the motto of wonderful city of Davao. This city is considered one of the best known places for eco-tourism and business ventures in the southern part of the Philippines. There are actually ten (10) good reasons why Davao should be considered first in the list of 'where to go next'.
One of their city tenets in their motto is 'Progress' and it is not just written in their city provision but it is also seen or could be realized in the place. Modernization is the focus of their development. Since this has been their élan for expansion, they made sure that accessibility (building seaports, airports, roads, bridges and all related infrastructures) is their priority. For this reason, sustainable development could be achieved.
The city of Davao knows how to do business, and commerce does not only mean providing materials like network of accessibility (such as roads, bridges, etc.) but the locals of Davao approach doing business with a humane consideration. They provide this consideration by giving professional attention or guidance putting up business in Davao City.
The city of Davao is very blessed in terms almost all types of frits grow in profusion. There are many fruit plantations in the vicinity of the city. Davao City holds the prestige of one of the Asia’s principal banana exporters.
Davao City really values human resource as one their assets in keeping the business sustainable. Professionals and laborers of the city of Davao are cost-effective, can speak English, highly literate and competent.
Quality does not mean spending to much in Davao City. Compared to other major cities in the Philippines, quality products are cheaper and more affordable. The city’s reasonable rates in terms business related inputs are main factors why the place is best in putting up a business.
Believe it or not, in 10000 persons, only 0.8% is Davao City’s monthly crime rate. The implementation of similar laws of peace and order and the established central communications and emergency hotlines with the authorities made sure that everything is under control.
Davao City is the financial center of the Mindanao Island composed of financial and lending agencies. For this reason, small businesses have a place in the city of Davao to thrive and develop.
Davao City is a highly developed place that is very conducive for business and for residential living as well. Basic needs, supply of eater and electricity, communications and transportations are well provided and readily available. The local government of Davao City continues to improve such amenities.
Davao City is definitely a very fortunate city considering the fact that it is situated in a typhoon-free zone the all-year round. Weather has been relatively predictable compared to other places in the Philippines. This makes the city a location very strategic for leisure, business, agriculture and other related activities.
The city of Davao is advantageously situated in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines and has an air and sea connections in the country and all over the world (like the Philippine-Japan highway). The existence or emergence of the Davao International Airport had made Davao City very accessible within local and international investors, tourists and visitors.
To answer the calls of changes, the local government of Davao City uses new innovations to keep up with the fast pace demands of tourism and economic wave. To present the beauty and advantages of Davao City, the local administration make use of the power of the internet (http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/) to make Davao City accessible by just doing some few clicks. The official website is very user-friendly and full of helpful information. It is certainly a glimpse of Davao City’s definition of 'Love, Peace and Progress'.
The island of Palawan is not just home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, it is also a place where celebration happens pretty much all year round. Palawan Festivals and Events are among the factors that draw in tourists to this island and these showcase the warmth and hospitality of the inhabitants. Palawan Festivals and Events also give us a chance to learn more about the history, culture and values of the inhabitants of this island.
The first event up on the calendar when it comes to Palawan Festivals and Events is the Tarek Festival. The Tarek Festival is held in the municipality of Aborlan, some 75 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City. The Tarek Festival is a ritual performed every year by two indigenous groups, the Batak and the Tagbanuas. This is held every 3rd weekend of January and among the highlights are traditional dances performed by the tribes complete with their colorful costumes. This is also a time when we can see the importance of the local priests in the lives of the indigenous community and the Tarek Festival is an opportunity for them to establish contact with local deities.
The next on our list of Palawan Festivals and Events that occurs after the Tarek Festival is the Puerto Princesa Foundation Day. As can be concluded from the name of the event, this is held in the capital city of Palawan and it commemorates the day that Puerto Princesa by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation was declared a highly urbanized city. Puerto Princesa Foundation Day is on the first week of March and here Palawan’s strengths are on display such as their agricultural powers, their skill in dancing and sports and there is much merry making that happens on this day. Puerto Princesa Foundation Day is an event that hasn’t been celebrated for over a decade since the declaration of Puerto Princesa as a highly urbanized city happened less than 5 years ago.
Of all the Palawan Festivals and Events, they say that the most unique is the Cuyo Festival. Similar to the Puerto Princesa Foundation Day, a lot of merry making happens at this event and it involves painting one’s entire body in soot. The highlight of the Cuyo Festival is the street dancing to the beat of drums as compared to choreographed dancing during Puerto Princesa Foundation Day.
As part of the beautiful province of Leyte, Ormoc is a first-class city in the Philippines that boasts of a good lineup of shopping malls, retail shops and specialty stores. These commercial establishments offer people great products, services and merchandises in order for them to experience what Ormoc shopping is really all about. These facilities play host to various restaurants, stalls and supermarkets, all of which offer extensive lists of products that are of great importance to the daily lives of their customers.
Although this place is just a small boutique shop, people just cannot help but pay a visit to Tshilys Store in an effort to shop for different kinds of beautiful merchandises. As part of the extensive Ormoc shopping experience that it provides, the place offers a wide variety of Havaianas slippers. Many people love these items because of their rich colors, durability and attractive styles. Aside from such beautiful footwear, the store also offers different kinds of beauty products including imported perfumes, body sprays and special lotions.
For people who want to buy beautiful items at super affordable prices, they must check out Stars and Stripes, which is a shopping store offering all sorts of products for the price of 99 pesos each. For such a very low price, customers can purchase different kinds of special items like cosmetics and vitamins. Furthermore, it also sells different kinds of cheap chocolates, all of which are simply delicious. Many individuals check out this place because all the items available here are imported from the U.S. including home improvement items as well as toys.
Unlike huge shopping complexes, Ormoc Centrum is just a small commercial establishment with limited number of stalls. Among the popular items inside this place are Sony PSPs, iPod and mobile phones. Additionally, the place also houses stalls that sell different kinds of footwear like rubber shoes, leather shoes and even slippers. Meanwhile, other stalls offer various types of clothing including underwear, t-shirts and jeans. Moreover, shoppers will never go hungry at this commercial center because of the numerous food stalls available, offering super delicious food such as burgers, donuts and waffles.
The Point is another highly noticeable commercial establishment available in the City of Ormoc. The place houses products of top clothing brands such as Human, Bench and Penshoppe. Likewise, there are also different authentic brands of footwear available inside. For those who wish to avail cellphone repair services, they can find numerous stalls inside offering their services at reasonable prices. There is also a separate location for inexpensive footwear, accessories and clothing.
Expatriate life in the Philippines is often lonesome at the start. It picks up after a while, but it often takes a while before everything becomes a comfortable routine. The first challenge usually is how to get used to a place. But one must first learn to love the place before any thought of it can get settled in the mind.
For expat life to be pleasant, one must learn to like people around one’s environment. That’s the main key. Then getting used to the place becomes automatic. But how does an expat learn to like strange people? There are often 3 groups of people in an expat life: people at home, in the community, and in the workplace.
The first phase is home. Learn to like it and one realizes there’s no place like it. By “home” of course, we mean the Philippine residence of an expat, not where an expat’s family is---except if the whole family’s with the expat here. In such case, expat life becomes simpler and “home” will be easier to like. It will just be a matter of getting used to the physical house---rooms, toilet, dining, kitchen, TV programs, water, and food.
But often, expat life is living away from family. And what is called “home” is a strange residential unit---a lonely one if occupied alone---and an uncomfortable one if shared with others, at least for the moment. So the best thing is to like the unit and its occupants.
How does one do this?
Come to terms with reality. Learn about them or play some sports or games with them, or share hobbies. Go out with them. Take note of their strong and weak points. Expat life is helped here especially when properly relating with them.
To like the community around, often roam around in free times. Expat life eases a bit when meeting some neighbors. Frequent the local stores---in the Philippines, this is one way of helping expats begin to like the place and the people in it.
In the office, where expat life will mostly be spent, having snacks and spending lunch breaks with co-workers is advisable. Don’t be a lone ranger and always isolate oneself especially during breaks. If possible, invite officemates over to one’s place on weekends, or join them sometimes in weekend escapades.
Expat life can be lonesome but it doesn’t need to be. Just learn to like people and getting used to the place will be spontaneous.
Bataan is home to one of the country’s export processing zones. It boasts of sea coasts rich in sea life and beach resort spots. It is also known for big types of mangoes. How did it get its name? This folklore will tell us how.
According to this folklore, when the Spanish Dominican Friars arrived in the Phillipines, they went around to different parts of the country to organize communities and spread their faith. They built big churches in every place they went to. And one of the places, the folklore says, was a locality bordering the central and northern Luzon.
One day, according to the folklore, two Dominican friars arrived in Abucay, one of the small towns in the locality. The place appealed to them at once because the people were kind and courteous. The folklore specifically mentions that they were specially friendly and helpful. The friars noted that people readily made themselves available for whatever help the friars might need. They also noted that the place had lots of happy, playing children everywhere they went, the folklore adds.
One day, as they were walking through the fields, the folklore says that the friars saw boys playing with a big, ugly frog they called “Batan.” The friars could not see how such a repulsive creature could bring about happiness to children. Most children they knew back home would scream and run away from ugly, big frogs. So, the folklore says, they thought, the place probably was lacking sufficient knowledge about things to like and things to reject. So they went over to a group of adults nearby and asked who the kids were, at the same time pointing to them, the folklore adds.
The adults told them over and over that they were “mga bata, nilalaro si Batan” (“kids playing with Batan the frog). The folklore says the friars were unable to comprehend what the folks told them, but did remember the often mentioned “bata” and Batan.” From that time on, the friars referred to the place as Bataan. Soon, the folklore says, folks in the locality also adapted the friars’ term for the place, and took “Bataan” to mean as “the place where kids are fond of Batan,” the folklore concludes.
Filipinos of long ago easily gave room to foreigner’s opinions as part of their hospitality. They seldom argued with whites. This folklore shows how most Filipinos in the past readily took in most of their conquerors’ opinions.
Camachile trees sweep across the Northern landscape, especially along the Tarlac highway. They are known for their edible seeds protected inside a knuckled skin protection similar to the tamarind fruit. Seldom do people climb the thorny body of the tree, so people merely pick up the camachile seeds that fall on the ground. How did the camachile tree begin to have thorny trunks and branches? This myth gives us an idea.
A long time ago, the myth says that the Camachile tree had no thorns when it first appeared on the Earth. It was popular for its beautiful and colorful flowers that were the envy of other trees in the forest. It literally dazzled passersby of its rich array of multi-colored flowers that almost covered the entire tree---it was like a blooming flower with blooming flowers. According to the myth, the tree also radiated with the dominance of the red flowers. Thus, it was sometimes referred to as a bed of red and red orange flowers.
The myth further says that because of its beautiful flowers, children and old alike would climb it and pick the flowers. But gradually, without being aware of it, the myth says that the people were slowly destroying the tree by the indiscriminate climbing and picking. Lots of times, branches were broken off and a lot of young leaves and flowers were also destroyed just to get fully blooming flowers at the top of the tree, the myth adds.
Then, fed up by the people’s carelessness, the myth says the camachile tree finally voiced out its helpless situation to the heavens. It wished to have something on its trunks and branches to protect itself from the careless and thoughtless people who seemed hellbent on destroying the whole tree. The myth adds, the flowers were only thrown away later, anyway.
The god of the forest took pity and thought of something he could give the tree for protection. The camachile tree, according to the myth, was given thorns which grew all over its body, twigs and branches. The camachile tree also lost its flowering ability to make sure no one will ever dare climb it again. But, still being kind to its admirers, the myth says that the camachile opted to have edible seeds, in place of its flowers, to give to the people.
This Philippine myth on the camachile tree serves as a warning that nature should never be abused.
Let us capture the best sunrise and sunset in the Philippines.
And where else can we see this if not in the famous white beach at Boracay?
Let us enjoy the comfort of staying in a home away from home, Crystal Sand Beach Resort.
Crystal Sand Beach Resort is located in the midst of the long white crystal sand of Boracay beach. This is the reason why it is named Crystal Sand Beach Resort. It has enough rooms to accommodate visitors coming from the different parts of the world.
Indeed, the comfort of the visitors is the top priority of the hotel that is why first class amenities are offered to visitors.
The 24 hour air conditioning to make the occupants of the room warm and comfortable is the number one feature. Added to this cable TV, in case the visitor gets tired of roaming around the island, is provided in all rooms. A telephone and hot and cold shower are other plus factors in their room accommodations.
For those who are occupying the suite and superior rooms a refrigerator is an additional provision. To assure that there are always lights around the vicinity even in case of brown outs there are 2 standby generators. And of course to add colors to the experience of the visitors the resort has its bar and restaurant where different people meet and exchange stories. As the saying goes, this is where East meets West.
For the rates of the hotel these vary according to season and the type of rooms one is occupying. But definitely, the price is fair and reasonable.
For the super peak season which covers the period from December 23 to January 23 including the Chinese New Year as well as Holy Week the prices are a little bit higher. For standard a single room the charge is 10445 PhP and an additional fee of 4400 PhP for an extra night. For a double room the price is 6300 PhP and an additional payment of 2200 PhP for an extra night.
For superior single room the resort is charging 12150 PhP and an additional 5250 PhP for extra night. In case it is a double room the cost is 7450 PhP and an extra fee of 2630 PhP for another night. Again, this is for super peak season.
During the super peak season the cost of single suite room is 14745 PhP and an additional charge of 6550 PhP for an extra night. For twin or double room the rate is 8310 PhP and an additional 3275 PhP for extra night.
However during peak season which starts every January 24 to June 15 the rates per type of room are different. For single standard room the rate is 8550 PhP and an additional payment of 3400 PhP for extra night. For double or twin room the hotel is charging 5390 PhP and an extra fee of 1700 PhP for an extra night.
For single superior room the charge is 10150 PhP and an additional 4250 PhP for another night. For double or twin room, superior type the rate is 6200 PhP and an extra 2125 PhP for an additional night.
For single suite room during peak season the cost is 12745Php and an additional 5550 PhP for an extra night. For double or twin room the charge is 7480 PhP per night and another 22775 for extra night.
The lowest rates of the hotel can be experienced by the visitors during the low season which starts every June 16 to October. For a single standard room the rate is only 6100 PhP and an additional of 2085 PhP per night. For a double room the charge is 4400 PhP and an extra payment of 1300 PhP for an extra night.
For single superior room the rate is 6900 PhP and an additional charge of 2500 PhP for an additional night. For a double or twin room the cost is 5100 PhP and another 1570 PhP for an extra night.
For the single suite room the hotel is charging 8250 PhP only and an additional 3290 PhP for an additional night. For double or twin room the cost is 5500 PhP and an additional charge of 1800 for an extra night.
So we can see that the rates differ according to the seasons which are all reasonable in the sense that all these payments include 3 days and 2 night’s room accommodations, daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfer and welcome drinks.
Indeed visitors who will come to this white beach of Boracay in the Philippines will really experience the first class hospitality of the Filipinos once they decided to check in at Crystal Sand Beach resort. From the time they arrive to the airport up to their stay at the hotel until their departure they will feel their being important as visitors and will never regret that they have chosen this resort to be their home away from home.
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is a vibrant city with many malls and establishments to visit like restaurants. There are many restaurants in Manila where you can dine and eat with your family and friends.
1. Abe
Abe is a restaurant that offers Kapampangan dishes or meals that originated from Pampanga a province in the north of Manila. Many kapampangans are known for their culinary skills and their dishes are very tasty. Their desserts are also delicious as well. Some of their best sellers are kare-kare, fish, vegetables, peanut soup. This is a restaurant where you can try some of the Philippines’ best cuisine. The restaurant is usually packed so it is advisable to get a reservation ahead of time. Another restaurant which is just across the Abe caters to the same type of cuisine. It is called Larry’s Café and it is Abe’s partner company. This restaurant is situated on Serendra Piazza at Bonifacio High Street in Global city. You can contact them at 02-8560526. The cost of each meal is between ten dollars up to twenty dollars.
2. Cafe Juanita
This restaurant can be found in a corner in Pasig City. This is twenty minute ride from Makati without the heavy traffic. Finding the place can be adventurous because it is like discovering a hidden place. The restaurant’s design transports you back to the old time with unique and old artifacts which customers can buy for reasonable prices. They serve Filipino meals in fusion with European dishes. You can have the Filipino Bagnet which is fried pork with fermented sauce from fish and the Ratatuy which is their vesion of the popular French dish. It is situated at West Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. You may get a reservation by calling their telephone at 02-632 0357. The prices range from ten dollars up to twenty dollars.
3. Cafe Ysabel
This is a restaurant designed with the theme about the long history of the Philippines. It is managed and owned by one of the Philippines’ best chef, Mr. Gene Cruz. Café Ysabel serves international dishes as well as Kapampangan dishes. They also offer several concoctions for coffee. You can taste different kinds of how to make coffee here. This restaurant is found on Guevarra Street in the corner of Claro M. Recto in San Juan City. The price of a dish starts at twenty dollars. You may visit their website on www.cafeysabel.com for more information and call them at 02- 726 9326 for reservations.
4. Heaven ‘n' Eggs
This is a restaurant in the Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City. The offer continental food as well as Filipino dishes. They are popular for the pancakes, pasta and sandwiches they offer. You can also order the longanniza they buy from Vigan which is the Filipino version of sausage made of garlic and pork. You may call them at 02- 912 1172 for more information. The food there is priced at five dollars up to twenty dollars.
5. Razon's of Guagua
This can be a smaller restaurant in comparison to others in this list because they only serve desserts with ice like the Filipino halo-halo. Halo-halo is the Philippine’s best dessert especially during summer. It is made with different fruits and topped with a sweet flan or ice cream. The price of the desserts starts at two dollars to five dollars each.
6. The Red Crab -
This is the best restaurant for those who love seafood. They specialize in crabs and they offer different types of dishes with the crab. They also offer a table for buffet customers who are interested to try everything on their menu. They have many branches all over the city. One of the popular branches is in Greenbelt in Makati City. The price of a dish starts at ten dollars. You may call them at 02-757 4129 for your reservation.
Food is always apart of a country’s culture. We can really experience and appreciate another country when we try the food they offer. In the Philippines there is surely one dish that you would keep asking for more.
Aside from its beautiful natural surroundings and booming tourism industry, the City of Legazpi is also a very good place to find quality education. It features prestigious universities and colleges, all of which are part of a dependable Legazpi education system. Many students find these educational institutions very attractive because of their low tuition fees, decently good facilities and impressive academic programs.
Found along Rizal Street, AMA Computer University is one of the highly reputable computer schools in the Philippines. As part of the globally competitive Legazpi education system, it features a wide variety of graduate and undergraduate programs. Under its College of Arts and Sciences, students can enroll in courses like Philosophy, Mass Communication and Economics. Meanwhile, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy offers courses majoring in Marketing, Management Information Systems as well as Financial Management. Furthermore, it also boasts of graduate programs in Public Administration, Business Administration and Computer Education. More importantly, this school has received special certifications from highly successful international organizations like iCarnegie, Cisco Networks and Microsoft.
Divine Word College is founded in 1961, a private educational institution that is managed by the Society of the Divine Word. It offers academic programs like Masters in Business Education and Masters in Public Management. In addition, it also features Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. This is also a very good school for students who want a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Its modern facilities include the Nursing Skills Laboratory, Physics Laboratory and Chemistry Laboratory. It has a College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and College of Engineering.
For students who want to study within a state university setting, Bicol University is one of the best options in the area. It features several centers and institutes including the Sentro ng Wika, the Regional Science Teaching Center and the Institute of Local Governance. It also offers different kinds of recreational and sports facilities to its students including swimming pools, a soccer field and basketball courts among others. It was established on June 21, 1969. Its main campus within Albay in Legazpi City is comprised of the College of Science, the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Nursing. It also has the Graduate School and the College of Education.
The campus of Aquinas University of Legazpi is found within the area of Rawis. Under its College of Business Administration, the school is proud to present an impressive lineup of academic programs such as Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Under the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, the school offers Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. It also has the College of Nursing and Health Science as well as the Polytechnic Institute.
The Mines View Park is a highly recommended tourist spot to visit when in Baguio. The place is a must see for all visitors. Here's what you can expect when you visit the Mines View Park.
A trip to Baguio won't ever be complete if you won't ever get to Mines View Park. You'll be treated to a really breathtaking view of Benguet's gold and copper mines and the beautiful contours of the Cordillera mountain region. The Mines View Park is the most visited spot in all of Baguio.
Mines View Park is just four kilometers from downtown Baguio. It's just a jeepney ride away and is very accessible. If you plan to go to Mines View Park you should plan ahead to go there in the earlier part of the day. The regular afternoon fog might restrict your view of the landscape in the Mines View Park if you come there late in the afternoon.
The Mines View Park used to be a mining area for small-scale miners before the American occupation. Most visitors usually visit the place after making a stop at the Mansion or the Wright Park. An observation deck can be found in the Mines View Park. To get to the observation deck visitors will have to take the winding stone-covered stairway, which is right next to the parking area. The steps on the stairway can be quite slippery after some rain, so be very careful.
There are benches for visitors where they can rest and enjoy the view. For about Php 10 you can rent binoculars and take a spectacular view of the nearby valley and mountains. Native Igorot tribesmen also frequent the Mines View Park and would be willing to pose for a picture with the tourists for a few pesos. They may even rent their outfit to some tourists who would like to try them out.
At the entrance of the Mines View Park are stalls and cafes that cater to visitors. You can buy native handicraft, silver products, jewelry, and a variety of souvenirs. You'll sure be tempted to sample the abundant strawberries, grilled or steamed corn on the cob, and other food served at the snack bars and small stores found at the Mines View Park.
A kilo of strawberries would cost around Php 150, but prices change every now and then. The food costs as much as regular food including the coffee.
A short walk from the Park is the Good Shepherd Convent where you can get delicious jams and native delicacies. While at the Mines View Park you might like to try horseback riding. Horses at the Mines View Park can be rented for a small fee. This is a favorite activity among the little kids.
If you want to see Baguio's best, make sure to visit the Mines View Park first. You'll get a panoramic introduction of what Baguio has to offer.
[Tags]Baguio, Mines View, Philippines, Luzon, Tourism, Horseback Riding, Tourist Destination, Travel, Filipino[/Tags]