Coron Island Palawan

Coron Island Palawan is a wedge-shaped limestone island, with few of its coastal areas being covered by mangrove forests. It has seven lakes, famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines, the Kayangan Lake. It also has a number of islands with white beaches and clear blue waters perfect for snorkeling, deepsea fishing and shipwreck diving. Coron is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 32,243 people in 6,264 households. Municipality of Coron from the Mount Tapyas view deck Coron PUV Terminal The municipality covers part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island. Both islands are part of the Calamian Group of Islands in northern Palawan. The main industries of Coron are fishing and tourism, being a popular diving location. The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world.

http://www.coronphilippines.com/

http://www.corontours.com/

Father Burgos Museum of Vigan

Father Jose Burgos was born in this ancestral home to Florencia Garcia and Jose Burgos in February 1837. He finished his primary schooling in Vigan but his higher studies were completed in Manila’s San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo Tomas, where he studied priesthood. He showed remarkable characteristics even as a young student; and as a young priest fought with quiet courage for equal rights for the Filipino clergy. The just cause he took on made him a target of the machinations of Spanish friars. When a mutiny broke out in Cavite, the Spanish friars saw it as an opportunity to get rid of Father Burgos, including him amongst those who they accused as supporting the rebellion. He was tried in Fort Santiago and executed in February 1872 at Bagumbayan, presently known as Luneta Park in Manila. He died by strangulation with an iron collar together with two other priests, Fathers Gomez and Zamora. The priests’ deaths further fueled the efforts of Filipino revolutionaries and awakened the lukewarm hearts of some countrymen.  Father Burgos’ home is now a satellite museum of the National Museum. Walking to it from Plaza Salcedo or the center of Vigan City will only take ten minutes. It stands near the provincial jail made famous by being the site of President Elpidio Quirino’s birth, and a school named after the martyred priest. The ancestral home is well-managed and charges only a minimal fee. It is open to the public Tuesdays up to Saturdays, closing for around two hours during lunch time. Tour groups may also schedule viewing during weekends and holidays. Inside the museum, visitors will see a collection of Father Burgos memorabilia and photographs, family antiques and jewelry, Father Burgos’ quarters and a mini library containing his student Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which the teacher received as a gift. Visitors will also be able to view dioramas depicting local history, Ilocano and Tinggian archeological and ethnographic displays and a hall of fame for the heroes and achievers of Ilocos.  Visitors are also enjoined to allot time to take a special look at 14 paintings that were done by Esteban Villanueva which shows scenes of the 1807 Basi Revolt.

http://www.vigan.ph/father_burgos_museum.html

http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/ASBMD/padreburgos.gif

Vigan Cathedral

            The St. Paul’s Cathedral is also known as the metropolitan Cathedral. It is considered a major religious landmark not only of northern Luzon but the country as well. Visitors must include a visit to the cathedral when in Vigan as it has been a center of Roman Catholic devotion for centuries. The church as it stands now was completed in 1800. The original structure was built in 1574 upon the command of the Spanish founder of Vigan, Juan de Salcedo. It was a mere chapel then, made of wood and thatch. In 1641, the chapel was replaced by a church.

When the seat of the Nueva Segovia Diocese was transferred to Villa Fernandina de Vigan from Cagayan’s Lal-lo in 1758, the church was elevated to the status of a cathedral and became the center of Catholic faith in the north. Another structure was ordered by then Governor Jose de Basco to be built to replace the existing church in 1786. With the Augustinians, the cornerstone of the new church was laid in the beginning of 1790. Overall, the cathedral follows a Baroque architectural design that has been modified by Ilocanos to strengthen the structure against earthquakes. This is now known as earthquake Baroque. Testament to the style’s effectivity is the fact that the structure’s original interior walls have remained complete. Other influences can be observed from the architecture of St. Paul Cathedral, that of neo-Gothic, pseudo-Romanesque and Chinese craftsmanship.  Facing the cathedral, visitors are greeted by the statue of St. Paul above the main opening. There are also carvings of Fu dogs or lion dogs by the outermost doors. In the alcove are scenes of Saint Paul’s conversion. Though some people may find that the façade is not as impressive as other churches, the cathedral’s interior is something to be admired. The presence of a silver-paneled main altar, three naves, 12 minor altars and brass communion handrails forged in China gives the inside of the church a feeling of grandeur. The area for the choir is located at the loft, making use of the big church’s acoustics.  Surrounding St. Paul Cathedral are the other historic buildings of the city. There are the Episcopal Palace or the bishop’s residence, the diocesan seminary and the Vigan Municipal Hall. It is also beside two plazas, one named after Vigan’s founder, Plaza Salcedo, and another named after a revolutionary hero, Plaza Burgos. It shows how central the cathedral’s role is not only in the religious life of the people, but the social, economic, educational and political aspects as well.

http://www.vigan.ph/st.paul_cathedral_vigan.html

http://www.fabulousphilippines.com/st-pauls-cathedral-vigan.html

Camarines Sur

        If you fancy a rough, rugged, and wild getaway — Survivor style — then Bicol’s Caramoan is for you. Even castaways can’t get enough of the island. The 2008 seasons of the French and Bulgarian versions of the hit reality TV show Survivor were shot on location here, and now the Israelis are filming in these Virgin Islands as well. You can hire a boat to take you from one island to the next, until you find your dream getaway. Then you can ask the boatman to leave you there with only your camping gear. (Of course, he can come back for you too.)

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/off-the-beaten-track-islands/#

Palawan Honda Bay

Palawan Honda Bay is one of the tourist spots in Palawan that any traveler should go to. Famous for its clear water and the different islets scattered around it, you can experience the best of Honda Bay by going in an island hopping day trip adventure. The islets that comprise of Honda Bay Palawan have their own specialties and all of them are perfect for water sports such as diving, swimming and snorkeling.

How to get to Palawan Honda Bay

Honda Bay is only 12 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City proper. From Puerto Princesa City, one can either take the jeepney or get in a tricycle to get to Santa Lourdes wharf and the ride should take less than half an hour. From the Santa Lourdes wharf, several pump boats await ready to take one to any island that one desires and all one has to do is simple tell them to go to Honda Bay.

You can also ask your hotel or travel agency to arrange a Honda Bay Island Hopping day trip. It would only cost PhP 1,100 per person and that is inclusive of land transfer to Sta. Lourdes Wharf, boat ride for the island hopping, entrance fee to the islets, lunch, and a tour guide.

http://philippinetouristspots.net/tourist-spots-in-palawan-honda-bay/#more-87

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/