Baguio

Situated amidst the mountainous region of Cordillera, 1,500 meters above the sea, 250 kilometers north of Manila, Baguio City is one of the few place in the Philippines blessed with a cool climate. On average, Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. Not surprisingly, Baguio has become the "summer capital" of the country. It is gifted with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions which make it an important and interesting destiantion. As early as March, tourists and locals take the six-hour trek up the zigzagging Kennon Road. Within a mile of the city, the sweet scent of pine trees and flowers already permeate the air.Artists are particularly drawn to this serene city. The annual Baguio Arts Festival attracts aspiring painters and sculptors from all over country. Writers convene in Baguio to meet and recharfe.However, Baguio wasn't always a place of peace and leisure. In the early 19th century, the Spaniards stumbled upon this ore-rich valley - and fought feverishly with the local tribes to gain control of the land's bounties. While the Spaniards succeeded in founding some form of governance in the area, the mountain tribes proved too diffcult to rule. Thus, the Spaniards parceled out the province to the landed gentry.It was the Americans, perhaps longing for colder climates who saw the vast recreational potential of Baguio. After building Camp John Hay, the Americans proceeded to carve Kennon Road from out of the mountain - and limked Baguio to Manila - and eventually to visitors of all creeds and races.

Ilocos-Norte

When you start your Ilocos Norte adventure, you are most likely to start in Laoag. It’s the capital of Ilocos Norte and the hub of everything Ilocano. Just go to Museo Ilocos Norte and you’ll see. The region’s main offices and universities are also located here. World-famous sights such as Pagudpud, Paoay andVigan are less than an hour’s journey away.Ilocos Norte is a coastal province so different colors of sand can be found here — the blackest of black in Laoag, the brown sands in Currimao, the white sands in Pagudpud. Some parts in Pagudpud are also lined with a rocky shore.But over all, Pagudpud’s beaches are amazing — stretches of white sand lined with coconut trees and crystal-blue water. It’s not overrun by tourists yet, but it’s getting there. So head out now.Saud Beach is where the action is as many of the newer and more posh accommodations are here.If you want a more secluded beach, try Blue Lagoon. A good place to stay there is Kapuluan Vista Resort.You can reach Pagudpud through the Maharlika Highway. It goes up the coast with rolling tropical hills on one side and the blue water on the other. No traffic here, so if you have a chance to drive, this is the place to do it. Having your own car will let you stop by the charming towns and take as many pictures of the view along the way.The terrain is relatively flat and dry, but it gives way to hills the farther north you go. They make for an interesting hike too, as the hills sometimes conceal verdant valleys, forests, and rivers.And we mustn’t forget the flavors of Ilocos, one of the more well-known types of Filipino cuisine.Ilocanos love matching bagoong (fish paste) with just about anything, using souring agents such as native palm vinegar. They also have a penchant for bitter things like veggies andpapaitan. A few of the dishes you shouldn’t miss: pinakbet,igado, dinakdakan, and poqui-poqui. They love pork too. Proof—the deep-fried pork belly called bagnet and the native sausage, longganisa.

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ilocos-norte/

Palawan

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park encompasses one of the world’s most impressive cave systems, featuring spectacular limestone karst landscapes, pristine natural beauty, and intact old-growth forests and distinctive wildlife. It is located in the south-western part of the Philippine Archipelago on the mid western coast of Palawan, approximately 76 km northwest of Puerto Princesa and 360 km southwest of Manila.The property, comprising an area of approximately 5,753ha, contains an 8.2km long underground river. The highlight of this subterranean river system is that it flows directly into the sea, with its brackish lower half subjected to tidal influence, distinguishing it as a significant natural global phenomenon. The river’s cavern presents remarkable, eye catching rock formations. The property contains a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem which provides significant habitat for biodiversity conservation and protects the most intact and noteworthy forests within the Palawan biogeographic province. Holding the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit, the park’s effective management system is a symbol of commitment by the Filipino people to the protection and conservation of their natural heritage.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652

Bohol

The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol's most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills, or as some say, women's breasts, and remind us of the hills in a small child's drawing. Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. The chocolate hills consist of are no less than 1268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. At other times, the hills are green, and the association may be a bit difficult to make.However, up to this day, even geologists have not reached consensus on how they where formed. The most commonly accept theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of a impermeable layer of clay. If you climb the 214 steps to the top of the observation hill near the complex, you can read this explanation on a bronze plaque.Legend has it that the hills came into existence when two giants threw stones and sand at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When they were finally exhausted, they made friends and left the island, but left behind the mess they made. For the more romantically inclined is the tale of Arogo, a young and very strong giant who fell in love with an ordinary mortal girl called Aloya. After she died, the giant Arogo cried bitterly. His tears then turned into hills, as a lasting proof of his grief.

http://www.bohol.ph/article6.html

Zambales

Zambales is one of those places that pretty much has it all – untainted forest landscape, the Sierra Madre mountain range, communities that practice living traditions and 107 miles of pure beach. Plus a whole bunch of cool islands and shoals for day trips and quiet camping trips.The province has 13 towns and one city, Olongapo, that are all accessible via public air-conditioned buses from Cubao or Pasay in Metro Manila.Despite its proximity to major cities, Zambales remains the bastion of the Aeta. There are several Aeta dialects in the province.Some Aeta guides hold Jungle Survival classes within the Subic Freeport zone. Perfect if you’re a fan of “Man vs. Wild” scenarios. You could also be lucky enough to interact with the Aeta in their own mountain villages.Of course, this is more likely to happen should you choose to go hiking.If you want to go hiking, you have lots to choose from as about 60% of the area is covered in mountains. Some of the more popular ones are Mt. Tapulao, Mt. Cinco Picos and Mt. Balingkilat.Of course, since you’re in the Philippines, there must be a beach or a lake somewhere. Here, there are beaches with wreck drives, snorkeling options and even pine-tree lined beaches like the ones in San Antonio!San Antonio is where you’ll find the coastal town of Pundaquit, the jump-off point to Anawangin Cove and Nagsasa Cove. The mountains, pine trees, and rivers here seem a landscape more apt for Colorado – except, it’s a beach! This unique scenery has made the coves a favorite spot of photographers. And because these are coves, the water is calm and the shore gently slopes. Feel free to pitch a tent and stay the night, just don’t go looking for a cellphone signal!Right across Pundaquit is Camara Island and Capones Island. Though both islands are around 30 minutes away by boat, Capones gets more attention because it’s bigger and offers more activities. You can surf, sunbathe, have a picnic, explore the different sides of the island, or hike up to the Faro de Punta Capones lighthouse.Zambales faces the West Philippine Sea, so surfers, expect to get stoked here, especially in San Narciso and San Felipe. These beachside towns don’t have a shortage of resorts, butThe Circle Hostel in San Felipe is the hot new thing. It’s stripped down to the bare minimums (think three-level bunk beds, no air-conditioning), but hey, you can paint art on the wall, try slacklining (tightrope walking), or join the weekly yoga classes.Farther north in Candelaria, you’ll find Potipot Island. And the name is perfect, because it’s a cute name for a cute island. In fact, the island is tiny enough for you to walk around it in less than an hour. The beige sand is fine and it’s perfect for sunbathing. Sun too harsh? Don’t worry, the large camachiletree provides ample shade.Pine-tree-lined beaches, untainted forests, challenging waves, art and yoga by the beach — all within a few hours away from Manila. Zambales is not to be missed!

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/zambales/

picture: Jaromanoy skimboards Facebook page

Mayon Volcano

Mayon, the most famous of the active volcanoes of the Philippines, is a perfect stratovolcano rising to 2462 m on Luzon Island. It erupts very frequently.Mayon is the archetype of a symmetrical stratovolcano and one of the world most active ones. It has frequent eruptions producing pyroclastic flows, mud flows and ash falls that repeatedly triggered large-scale evacuations. Mayon's most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1200 people and devastated several towns. the volcano rises 2462 m above the Albay Gulf and has very steep upper slopes averaging 35-40 degrees capped by a small summit crater. Historical records of eruptions date back to 1616 and range from strombolian to basaltic plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often devastated populated lowland areas.

GVP / Smithsonian Institution

Tubbataha Reef

    Since divers discovered Tubbataha in the late 1970s, it has become recognised as one of the most remarkable coral reefs on our planet. The CNN travel website, cnngo.com, ranks it among the top eight dive sites in the world.Because of its isolated location, Tubbataha can only be visited on a liveaboard boat. Divers can experience the reefs' dramatic underwater terrain, awe-inspiring biodiversity and encounter large marine animals such as sharks, turtles and manta rays.As a visiting diver you play a key role in Tubbataha's future, as your conservation fees provide the funds we need to protect the park from illegal exploitation.

http://www.tubbatahareef.org/home

White Beach Puerto Galera

       

            

         White Beach Puerto Galera is one of the tourist destination in the Philippines, it is located in the Province of Oriental Mindoro. The white sands of the beach, coral reefs, night party`s and the beautiful views are some of the reasons why it is a tourist attraction. You can reach it through the use of a boat from Batangas Pier, and if you want to visit first Calapan City there are also some boat that is bound to Calapan City and there you can ride a jeep or van to reach the White Beach and on the travel you can see wonderful sites from the mountains of Puerto and San Teodoro, you can also stop at the Tamaraw Falls to see a beautiful scenery.

Philippines

    Philippines is a beautiful archipelago, comprising over 7000 islands; full of lush, tropical forests, white sand beaches and coral reefs. Through ancient times, waves of different people have settled on the islands, bringing their culture with them. 
The earliest settlers of Philippines, the Melanesian and Austronesian people, traded extensively with China, Japan, India, and the Middle East, hence, you will find that the legends from these places have blended into the traditional lore. In the 16th and 17th century, it was governed by the Spanish, from Spain and Mexico, so you will also find Spanish and Hispanic influences. Thus, the Philippine culture is truly a potpourri of different groups, who brought with them a rich treasure-trove of myths and legends.

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/philippines-legends-and-myths.html
Image: http://www.apolstravelandtours.com/product/boracay-tour/