The Bicol Region is a place that is rich in natural resources and beauty. One of its famous lakes is Lake Buhi. Lake Buhi is located in Buhi, Camarines Sur. The depth of this lake is estimated to be about eight meters average. Lake Buhi itself covers an area that is about 4,447.9 acres. There are two theories of how Lake Buhi was formed.
The first is when Mt. Iriga's side collapsed due to an earthquake in 1641. A landslide resulted creating a natural dam in which Lake Buhi came about. The second theory is when Mt. Asog erupted thus resulting to the beautiful Lake Buhi.
Lake Buhi is rich with marine life. Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis) is one of the fish species that can be found in Lake Buhi. This is the world's smallest fish. The famous Tilapia is commercially harvested in Lake Buhi. You can even buy these fresh and alive. Other fish species are also found in Lake Buhi.
Aside from marine life, the surrounding forest of Lake Buhi is also a home to different bird species. No less than 25 bird species live here. Black-naped Monarch, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, White-eared Brown Dove, Elegant Tit, and the Philippine Hanging Parrot can be found here. The Philippine Cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fasicularis) also makes its abode in the forests surrounding Lake Buhi.
Today, Lake Buhi is the main source of livelihood for the residents in Buhi, Camarines Sur. The fishing industry thrives lively in Buhi. A Hydroelectric Plant gets its water supply from Lake Buhi. The National Irrigation Administration also uses the water from Lake Buhi to irrigate farms and rice fields in the Rinconada towns including Iriga City.
How do you get to Lake Buhi? From Manila, you can have a 12 to 14-hour ride on a bus to Iriga City, Camarines Sur. From Iriga City, a jeep will take you to Buhi town for about 15 minutes.
And right there, in the middle of the town, you can view the crystal waters of Lake Buhi. Aside from getting on a bus from Manila, you can also fly to Pili Airport for about 45 minutes. And from there, you can travel from Pili, Camarines Sur to Iriga City.
Buhi, Camarines Sur, the town where Lake Buhi is located is a peaceful place. Prepare to be greeted by fresh air and friendly people. The clear water of Lake Buhi reflects sunlight that gives peace to the soul. Visiting Lake Buhi can be considered as a great experience.
The moro-moro seems to have its origin from the crusaded which, according to history, was a combat between Christians and Muslims. Its characters were drawn from the royalties of both protagonists who were kings, emperors, queens, princes, princesses, and respective warriors who wore costumes that glitter in the evening.
On the other hand, the zarzuela is woven from the common Filipino plot involving a girl from the elite and rich, and a poor but good-looking boy who fell in love with each other against the good wishes of the former’s parents. Among the commoners, a zarzuela is rated as good it is could make them cry.
Between the two entertainers, the elderly folks prefer the moro-moro to the zarzuela. They readily forked out their contributing to the assessment for the fiesta provided that the entertainment would be a moro-moro which lasts for five to seven nights of presentations.
The nightly entertainment is a welcome interlude of the young people of opposite sexes to see each other. Especially from the female gender, it is a good excuse to give to their parents, to go out in the night under the pretext of seeing the moro-moro or zarzuela.
The highest point of interest in the moro-moro is the so called encanto because it showed colorful and varied fireworks. It usually drew a huge number of spectators, coming even from neighboring towns.
The encanto was spawned by the fight between the hero and the forces of evil, consisting of giants and their minions, who called for the lightning and thunder as aids to the combat. Then, after the smoke and fury of the firefight, the hero proudly stood as the victor against the monstrous and fiery villains and allies.
In recent years following my retirement, I visited my native place. I was sad to note, however, that while there have been still the nine-day novena, solemn mass, grand ball, and procession, there was no more diana, bispera, moro-moro, and zarzuela.
The membership of the town band, otherwise called Macrohon Veteran Band which did the early morning Diana, was dissipated because of death or migration to other places for greener pasture. The old members passed away into the great divide while the younger ones migrated in search of better livelihood.
The grand ball or baile in the dialect, was no longer held in the open air municipal tennis court but in a covered court constructed in front of the area where our ancestral house used to stand. It was erected in place of the old and dilapidated school building which, according to our elders then, was constructed by the Japanese.
Well, enough of childhood memories but by the time I was finished reminiscing, the arrival area of the airport announced the new balikbayans. I was excited to meet my cousins and share with them my fiesta memories. In time, they too will form their own memories to share with the rest of the family.
When the Department of Interior and Local Government or DILG initiated a clean and green drive amongst the cities all over the Philippines, the city of Ormoc had been the steady victor or winner of the Cleanest and Greenest City program since 1995. After achieving such feat, Ormoc City did not stop as such; rather they made their way to gain the most business-friendly city in the Visayas Region honor in 2005 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and industry. Ormoc City would never accomplished recognition without the places natural beauty combined with historical and cultural heritage.
Since the tragic event that took place way back 1991, the city of Ormok bounced back drastically and became a very competitive city in terms of tourism and economic stability. The following are some of the must-see places in Ormoc City. The Agua Dulce Artesian Well had been built during the Spanish regime and the Ormocanons are still benefiting from its sweet tasting water until today. In commemoration of the victims of the 1991 flash flood, the locals had built a Mass Grave where the remains of the casualties had been buried and yearly (during November) they offer a Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist and flowers for their dearly beloved. Ormocanons value for international pact and friendship can be seen at the Philippines-Japan Peace Memorial. It served as an obvious memento of the post-Second World War between Japanese and Filipinos. The Puente de la Reina is the oldest known bridge in the city dating back the mid-1800. During the Spanish regime, it served as docking spot for traders. The Veterans Centennial Park is another prominent Ormoc City landmark in honor of the Filipino war veterans for the liberation of Leyte. This park is very suitable for picnic and family bonding. Its captivating view of the city leaves visitors captivated.
The growth of the city of Ormoc in terms of tourism and economic permanence depends on strong networking. To keep up with the pace of international competitiveness, the local government of Ormoc City is using the World Wide Web or the internet for potential tourists and business financiers. To give these visitors and investors a glimpse of what to expect in the city of Ormoc by just a few clicks, the local government created an official website (http://www.ormoc.gov.ph/). This website will allow easy access to the beauty and wonders of the city of Ormoc.
Seclusion. Great food. Warm people. Luxury. Paradise. You though you can’t have all of them in one great vacation? Well think again because the Club Panoly Beach Resort in the Philippines’ beach paradise island of Boracay can give you the best vacation time of your whole lifetime.
Boracay is now very accessible from the nation’s capital. A lot of airlines are making it possible to get more and more people to get into this heavenly island by offering cheaper rates and faster flights. It would take you less than an hour to fly into Kalibo, Aklan and from there; a shuttle from The Club Panoly Beach Resort would be there to take you directly to the white beach, hassle-free!
Once you dock into the white powdery sands of Panoly, these red-clad men and women of the resort would give you a warm welcome coupled with a refreshing cold drink to wear you off your tiredness. One cannot help but be astonished at this beautiful sight, the white beach, which happily greets them on their arrival.
Club Panoly has got to be one of the bigger beach resorts in Boracay. It has its own beach front away from the crowd and madness in the downtown stations. Should you want to go mall’ing or eat in the main beach, a modest and comfortable shuttle is ready for you to bring you there and pick you up as well.
The kids would surely enjoy the big and beautiful pool and the adults can enjoy having their tan in Panoly’s comfortable sun beds. There is also a poolside bar to make it an even more enjoyable experience for everyone! Panoly would even let you get a taste of the wildlife because of the wild animals it houses in its mini-zoo. The Club Panoly Beach Resort has also not forgotten to provide something to the athletic: a spacious tennis-court is available for the tennis-goers.
After enjoying the beautiful sands and water of Boracay, you would surely want to take a long and luxurious rest. Panoly is a five-star hotel and you have the option to stay in the nipa huts for a more native feel or in the main hotel for luxury. Food is plentiful and you would surely never go hungry in your stay here! Café Havana is also there to get you into the dancing mood.
You have made the right choice by exploring the Philippines’s most treasured island of Boracay. You would certainly make a smarter choice by letting Panoly complete this experience for you. A great place and great accommodation, the Club Panoly Beach Resort would surely be perfect this vacation that you truly deserve.
Many of us know Boracay and fondly call it “Bora” because we have at least heard of it or been there once and admired its beautiful beaches. However, it is not accurate to think Boracay is just about pristine white sand and perfectly calm waters, it’s also an island that holds several festivities throughout the year. If one chances upon a Boracay festival, one will be in complete awe of how well planned these events are and how much fun it is to be able to witness and even participate in one.
One might say that every part of the country celebrates the Ati Atihan Festival and although the island of Boracay is not an exception, its version is very fascinating. This Boracay festival is held the day after New Year’s Day and there’s no missing out on the hypnotizing sound of drums that signal the start of the event. The theme of the Ati Atihan Festival is the different religious beliefs held by Filipino ancestors and it also includes a tribute to Christianity, a religion introduced by the Spaniards. The participants of the Ati Atihan Festival paint themselves to look exactly like our ancestors from centuries back. What makes this Boracay festival such a colorful event is the fact that all these dancing in colorful costumes and body paint is done on shore with the beautiful beach of Boracay in the background. What can be said to be the trademark of this Boracay festival are the dancers that have painted their bodies in black with streaks of bright colors on their faces. During the Ati Atihan Festival a contest is held to determine which is the “best tribe” in terms of costume, body art and dances. The Ati Atihan Festival is very much like the Mardi Gras only with a touch of something very Filipino.
To those who have been to the Philippines before and are familiar with the customs and culture of the Filipinos, then one is bound to notice that the Filipinos love to eat. It is only in the Philippines that people eat “merienda” which is an afternoon snack before dinner. It should therefore come as no surprise that the Boracay Food Festival is a highly anticipated event. This Boracay festival exhibits the best Filipino dishes including delicacies unique to this country. The Boracay Food Festival is also known for its sumptuous array of desserts and since this Boracay festival is held right on the beach, one can say this is the perfect combination.
For mountaineers and explorers or plain nosy tourists who ask what else is awaiting discovery in this modern planet, Mount Guiting-guiting is quite another world out there. This is a strange and extraordinary tourist spot which is ready to satiate the interest of the ravenously curious tourist.
Sibuyan Island, host to this enchanting mountain, is one of the biodiversity tourist spots of the country. It is one of the islands of Romblon in the Visayas. A fifteen-hour boat ride from Manila to Cajidiocan brings the traveler to this mango-shaped tourist spot island.
The whole mountain spot sprawls across the island’s three municipalities. It is Sibuyan’s center of adventure and scenic spots. Declared a national park in 1996, it is almost 936 miles high (or 2,058 meters), and the summit is rich in native flora and fauna found only in the Philippines. And many are yet to be discovered.
Aside from the usual wild gardens, waterfalls, streams, and rock formations that most mountains have, Mt. Guiting-guiting’s special attractions are the wild ferns and orchids that freely proliferate everywhere.
The grand display of unique shrubberies is strictly for “the eyes only”—do anything else with them and that’s enough to warrant penalties. The reforestation efforts of the government paid off and thick forests and vegetation shade the forest floors. Ferns of various kinds—Adiantum, Christella, Lecanopteris, Microlepia, Nephrolepis and Pteris flourish.
Just try to picture the biological prospects here—an army of tiny Hymenophyllums clinging to huge trees while dark green Teratophyllums crouch up, coiling around branches. Bulbiferous Asplenium Macrophyllum and Asplenium Tenerums are not to be left behind. They amass profusely on logs and damp places. See?
Of the ferns that abound on the mountain spot, Cyathea Sibuyanensis is the most well known. This is a midget sized tree fern growing on some 637 miles elevation (1,400 meters)—a special treat for fern lovers. In open areas of this tourist spot lay the Blechnum Orientale, a pinkish fern.
We’re talking of nature-farmed bonsai gardens in this scenic mountain spot for botanist-tourists.
The Sibuyan Island generally grows ordinary-looking “weeds” but don’t be fooled by their looks. These “weeds” in this mountain spot are hot items in other parts of the world. Just look at the Pitcher plant plenteous on this scenic spot—Nepenthes Sibuyanensis. This sells for a small fortune in some parts of the world.
Mt. Guiting-guiting in Sibuyan is like a smaller, eerier world in a small eerie world. If the quest is an in depth scrutiny of the veiled nooks and crannies of Mother Nature, of the quiet and unnoticed prolific kingdoms of miniscule creatures, then just look long and hard enough round this tourist spot, trekking the slopes and peak of this mountain spot, Mt. Guiting-guiting.
When starting a business in the Philippines, one of the very first things anyone needs to think about is the business name. After all, having a cool business name distinguishes your business from the rest of the pack. Other than that, a cool business name usually gives a great first impression to potential customers and lures them in. Usually out of curiosity, people would check out your business and sample what you have to offer.
So what do we need to apply for a business name? Is there an age requirement? Yes, in the Philippines anyone who is at least 18 years of age can apply for a business name. Anyone who plans or proposes to do business in the Philippines should follow the business name law.
In the Philippines the Business Name Law is also known as act Number 3883, as Amended by Act Number 41476 and Republic Act Number 863. Let's discuss that law first.
The Business Name Law states that any business that'll be established whether it's a partnership, a corporation, or even simply a sole proprietorship (i.e. just one owner) should register their business names with the Department of Trade and Industry (a.k.a. DTI) before your business starts its operation.
Now the next question is what does the DTI require from us to get a business name? Here's a list of stuff you need to prepare. First is your chosen business name. It should be unique and it will be compared with current registered business names.
A good tip would be to submit at least three business names just in case one gets disapproved you have a back up business name to get you going. If you want to check it yourself you can go online at DTI's web site and check if your chosen business name is already taken.
After your business name is settled you need what is called a business applicant profile registration form at the nearest DTI branch. You can also download it online to register your business name.
You'll be required to submit a Tax Identification Number (if you don't have one you need to get one at the Bureau of Internal Revenue), your email address, and the Zip Code of your business location.
Once you submit all that when applying for a business name you'll be given a Transaction Reference Number form. Take that document to a payment officer and pay for the application for a business name.
Now you get a certificate acknowledging the registration of your business name. Your business name registration should be renewed after five years.
These are the steps when applying for a business name in the Philippines. There are additional requirements if you're putting up a corporation or a franchise. Remember that your business name establishes your identity in the market and helps lure in customers.
[Tags]Philippines Business, Legal Matters, Business Name, Philippines, DTI[/Tags]
Most kids would love to see a mountain made of chocolate. How about 1,268 hills made of chocolate as a substitute? That would be a treat, but that's not exactly what you'll get when you come to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines. One of the famous tourist attractions in the Philippines is Bohol's Chocolate Hills.
The Chocolate Hills is declared as a National Geological Monument in the Philippines. It is recommended and is part of the major tourist attractions in the country.
When you get to the Chocolate Hills you'll be immediately convinced that this is not man made. A lot of reactions go like the Chocolate Hills are man-made when they see a picture of this tourist attraction for the first time.
The name Chocolate Hills come from the grass on the hills that turn chocolate brown during the dry season in the Philippines. The hills are cone-shaped, about the same size, and cover an area of 50 square kilometers. It's a natural wonder once you get a chance to see them.
There isn't an exact count of the hills comprising the Chocolate Hills. Though the estimate of 1,268 hills isn't really off (there are those that claim that this is the exact number).
The Chocolate Hills baffle geologists. There is a debate among them regarding the origin of the Chocolate Hills. There is an explanation of the origin of the Chocolate Hills in a bronze plaque on the observation deck you'll find there. The plaque says that the Chocolate Hills were the result of erosion, but you can be sure that is not the only explanation geologists have given.
There are two famous legends that explain the origin of the Chocolate hills. The popular one is about two giants who hurled rocks and boulders during a fight between them. They got really exhausted after a few days of fighting. They soon forgot what started the conflict and left the place as friends. The funny part is that both giants forgot to clean up the mess they made, which became the chocolate hills.
The romantic one associated with this tourist attraction is about a giant named Arogo who fell in love with a mortal named Aloya. When Aloya died Arogo cried in anguish, his tear drops fell to the earth and dried up forming the Chocolate hills.
When visiting the Chocolate Hills you'll have a place to stay at the Chocolate Hills Complex, its a little hotel-restaurant with a swimming pool and an observation deck. You may also go to the Sagbayan Peak mountain resort. It also has its own observation deck, swimming pools, a children's park, a butterfly dome, a hotel, and a tarsier sanctuary. A golf course is also in the making.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines is a must see for kids and the child of heart. It's a wonder of nature and is one of the most recommended tourist attractions in the Philippines.
Trying out a business in the Philippines is a sure risk. The options are numerous, but so are the perils. But once the right business is hit, the rewards are sure to pour in.
Let’s start realistically. The usual way is doing employment first then business, if we want to play it really safe. Either earn the capital from the work pay or avail of a business loan with the employment as collateral—like a salary loan.
At least have 30 percent of the total capital needed for a desired business. Say, the initial capital for a medium size ice cream and soda stand is $500 or P 23,500 (at a rate of P 47 to a dollar). Thirty percent of this is $150 or P 7, 050. Add to this your loan of, say, $200 (P 9,400) or $300 (P 14, 100). So initially, you have at least P13, 000 plus or about $277. Start a small ice cream stand.
Then accurate information comes in. Seek professional mentorship. Seek out several friends, relatives or referrals that are in the business of one’s choice and have them as informal mentors. This is often given for free. This way you save money intended for a seminar fee.
Learn as much as possible. Be sure to get hands-on experience. Learning merely in theory won’t get anywhere but a downward spiral. Getting the basics and some secrets of trade is crucial.
One of the vital things in a starting a business is location. It often decides whether the business thrives or dies. Choose several places and survey human traffic at specific times of the day—preferably morning, lunch time, and at 6 pm. If the location is mostly packed with crowds, and the rent is reasonable (which is about P2,500 or $53 a month for an ice cream stand), then the place is worth trying.
Strong will. Many will dissuade you. Proceed with sturdy confidence but put allowance to some letdowns—first times are prone to mistakes. Feel free to go back to the mentors for further enlightenment.
Hard work is a given. Often it means the owner will man it himself for months or even years.
If an initial $8,000 is desired as net income for the first year (that’s P 376,000), each month ought to yield at least $667 to $700 a month (P 31,349, at least). That’s $167 to $200 net gain daily (P 7,849, at least). This is conservative.
A European waffle franchise can cost $450 or P 21, 150 in Manila, complete with the collapsible booth, ovens, display rack, initial flour pack, boxes and waffle packs.
All the business success elements must be there: information, will, hard work, and faith to sustain all three. Then scratch starts to translate into cash.
Tourists and visitors would usually equate visiting Sorsogon to whale shark interaction. However, there are more interesting sights that can be found in Sorsogon than we usually know. The sights here may not be the same as the others you’ll find in the Philippines, but they are worth looking into. We have a Sorsogon sightseeing guide below for some of the interesting places in the Philippines’ southernmost province.
Our little Sorsogon sightseeing guide starts with the province’s most popular attraction, whale shark interaction. Sorsogon is admittedly the whale shark capital of the Philippines. The place to go to would be the little quiet town of Donsol. Whale sharks, locally named ‘butanding’, usually converge in the waters of Donsol starting in October and would last until May. You can get to Donsol from Legazpi City, where the airport is, by taking a taxi, bus, or air-conditioned van. The drive to Donsol will usually take an hour.
The beaches and tropical water fun is the next part of our Sorsogon sightseeing guide. Rizal Beach is located in the town of Gubat, which is about 25 minutes away from Sorsogon City. After getting into Gubat, you’ll have to switch to a jeep or another vehicle headed for Rizal Beach to get there. This is a favorite hang out and picnic area complete with resorts and other accommodations.
If you’re looking for one of the exotic sights in the Philippines then you might want to get to the Bacon District then to the small island of Paguriran. This is a picturesque island, with a matching lagoon, that has been made into a marine sanctuary. You’ll have to take a 20-minute boat ride from Bacon to get to the island.
Our Sorsogon sightseeing guide won’t be complete without any historical sites. One such site is the Barcelona Church that was constructed in the 19th century. There is also a nearby ruin of an old Spanish fort. You’ll also find a lot of old houses lining the streets of Juban and an old Spanish shipyard in Pilar.
As part of our Sorsogon sightseeing guide, we have a few travel tips when roaming around the province. First is that you should check with the local tourism office for information. However, if you hired a guide or have arranged your trip with an agent then everything will be taken cared of. The tourism office will usually give you a brief orientation. This is especially important for people interacting with the whale sharks for the first time.
The usual means of transportation within a town is usually by tricycle. Jeepneys are also available if you prefer to get on them than get cramped in small vehicle like a tricycle. There will always be vehicle terminals for buses, jeepneys, and other vehicles. When looking for public transport, simply ask anyone to point you to the terminal.
Not that many visitors to the Philippines would usually think to tour the province but they could be missing out on a lot of tropical adventures unique to the place. Thus making a Sorsogon sightseeing guide necessary. The province has a lot more interesting sights that you won’t find anywhere else in the Philippines.