Holy Week Destinations in the Philippines

Holy week is just around the corner. for some its a season to pray and for forgiveness for all the sin they have committed while for some its a time for a vacation over a hard days of work. well for me i usually celebrate my holy week with family except for last 2006 as i went to Boracay with a friend. but for this year i will just stay at home. and for those of you who are going to visit Philippines for the holy week here are some of the places worth visiting for the Lenten season.

La Union is fast becoming a favorite among local and foreign tourist especially for surfing enthusiast it is dub as the "Surfing Capital of the North" as well as " The Pilgrimage Capital of the North". The stretch of white and gray sand beaches along the towns of La Union is the main attraction to tourists. beaches to check out are Buang Beach,San Juan Beach, Agoo -Damortis National Seashore Park,Agoo,Caba and White Sand. while in La union you can also enjoy its historic landmarks, cultural and man made attraction such as Museo de La Union and La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden.

Pampanga- province is located in the Central Plain of Luzon hemmed at all sides by all provinces in the region. Pampanga bound Bulacan on the south and southeast, on the north by Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, and on the northeast and westwise by Zambales. if you want to experience different kind of holyweek like men and women crucified live at your very eyes or men carrying cross and whipping their self to blood then head on to Pampanga. lots of activities going on there during holyweek. you can as well try to sing the pasyon is some places. plus you got to taste Pampangas best cuisine.

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 places in the Philippines blessed with a cool climate. "The Summer Capital of the Philippines" is gifted with majestic mountain view,well preserved cultural and historical attraction. surely a one great destination for the whole family.

Bohol- is one of the most sought after destination in the country. and the province is not about chocolate hills. it also boost majestic white sand beaches. some old churches and one of bohols pride a visit to the tarsier sanctuary. how nice eh?

Cebu- of course not to be outshine it wasnt dub as "The Queen City of The South" for nothing. i consider cebu to be one of the must visit place for the holyweek. you can do almost everything there wether you are feeling relegious or just wanna lay down on cbu's finest beaches.

Camiguin is a small volcanic island in the Philippines actually its the second smallest province in the country but as they say small things comes with big package cause this tiny town has a lots to offer from its white sand,hot springs and dive spots.

Batangas this is the place for those who dont want to be far away from the city. especially for diving enthusiast.

Palawan Coron- doesnt need a further introduction as it is one of the most favorite among the top dive site in the country. but just for those who are clueless about Coron it is famous for its wreck diving not only in the Philippine but in the whole world it has a large amunt of historic sunken ships which can be visited and seen with great clarity. some of these famous wrecks are Irako Wreck,Okikawa Maru Wreck,The Akitsushima Wreck,Kagyu Maru Wreck,Olympia Maru Wreck and more.

Puerto Galera- one of the most visited place in the Philippines during the holyweek. aside from its being near to manila it is also a good destination for a group of friends or family on a budget. good beaches and hard core party.

and finally

Boracay. do i need to say more?



Images Via
jiformales,

Vote For Tubbataha Reef

Please Vote for our very own Tubbataha Reef to make it to the New7Wonders of Nature. along side with the other natural wonders of the south east asian region. Tubbataha's currently at rank 28. so what are you waiting for? if we help our Ms. Philippines bring home the miss Photogenic award in the Ms. Universe pageant every year im sure we can put Tubbataha to the 7 wonders of the world.

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12th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Are you ready for a weekend of everything that flies? then head on to Clark Pampanga and experience "biggest aviation sports event in the country today". Hot air balloon and airplane pilots from all over the world fly into the Philippines to join their local counterparts in this breathtaking event. In addition to daily flights of the hot air balloons, other activities include: skydiving, daily flag jumps (a skydiver jumps with the Philippine flag while the National Anthem is played to the start of the day's activities); micro light demonstrations; small planes fly-bys and fly-ins; remote controlled airplanes exhibitions; aerobatics; light airplane balloon bursting competition; ultra-light formation flying and bomb dropping exhibitions; helicopter fly-ins and exhibitions; an air rally from Clark to Vigan; rocketry demonstrations; kite flying exhibitions; and races between ultra lights and motorcycles.

Twenty one balloons are due to show-up this year with 19 hot air balloons flown by foreign pilots from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, England, Sweden, Hungary, The Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea. The other two balloons will be flown by Filipino pilots.

Joining this years lineup are some balloons of unique designs. These new and colorful balloons include two innovative balloons – an octopus from Japan and a tiger from Germany.

This years Hot Air Balloon Festival is to include a new and exciting addition called the “Clarksiyahan” – a “packet of activities” to be held from Feb. 8-10 at the CDC Parade Grounds. Clarksiyahan, is to feature a drag race, bikini open, spelling quiz/bee, PEP squad competition, inter-school street dancing, locators’ product selling, and the Johnny Walker rave party and fashion show.

Getting There:

Getting to the Clark Freeport Zone, otherwise known as the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. Simply needs to take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. After your exit, a left turn towards Angeles City, and a little Angeles City/Dau traffic, will bring you to within an easy right turn of the Clark Zone itself. The trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila without heavy traffic.

TENTATIVE HOT AIR BALLOON SCHEDULE FOR 2008









Entrance fee for each day of the the balloon festival event is P100

Note: The above schedule is from the official Philippine International Hot Air Balloon site. Clark Subic Marketing makes no claims or guarantees as to its accuracy. This schedule is subject to change without notice.

Trip To Puerto Galera

I had an emergency trip to Puerto Galera last week i havent been there in 2 years so i was so excited about it. my friend ela went there first then i follow on sunday morning. there are lot of changes starting from the port its more organize now not to mention the x-ray machine they have a very convenient way to check out luggage and no more unauthorized people inside the port asking you to do this,do that can i bring this etc etc. the only hassle i experience was when i rode this boat to white beach, i arrive at the Batangas port at 11 am and most of the boat are already leaving next trip will be 11:15 to 11:30 i was so excited and i don't feel like staying at the port for a about 15 mins so i decided to take the 11 am trip with this Father n Son Lines and i tell you its a waste of time the trip was supposed to be less or at least an hour but mine was an exhausting 2 and half hours. they didn't tell us that they are not going directly to white beach instead they will dock first to the port of Muelle then transfer you on another boat that will bring you to white Beach. i was having BF the moment i transfer to the next boat going to white beach then it all gone when i saw the beautiful island again. i arrive at around 1pm then went straight ahead to the VM Resort next to White Beach Resort its 2 of the best place to stay in the island. after eating our lunch what else to do but hit the crystal clear water of white beach. we are feeling kinda sporty that afternoon so we decided to do the banana boat and we did have fun. after the banana boat and swimming went back to our room took a nap and prepare for the evening. i wake up at around 6 pm went to the internet cafe then hit the bar for some warm up drinks. then cameback to the room and ask ela and the gang if they want to eat dinner. after dinner its party time. im telling you guys Puerto Galera is one of the best place to party in the Philippines the party was just nonstop not to mention the funny ladyboys entertainers and delicious drinks. such as mindoro sling and ware house. i woke up at around 9 hit the beach then we are on our way home at around 1 pm. yes its a very short trip but i really have a goodtime like i had in the past.

Getting There:

Puerto Galera is 3hrs away from Metro Manila. for the non adventurous tourist you can take the Sikat Tourist Service at the City State Tower on Mabini St. Manila at 8 am with a roundtrip ticket cost around 25$ includes bus fare and ferry transfer. and if your feeling a bit adventurous and wanna explore a lil bit of the city there are several bus terminals going to puerto you can try the buendia station,cubao and alabang.

Where To Stay

Click Here

Photo Gallery Of Puerto Galera



























Puerto Galera Yacht Club at Muelle





Islands Along the way











A Very Beautiful House on the Island

























The Main Beach





The Beautiful and Funny Ladyboys of White Beach

The Girls Of Hiyas Bar


Beautiful Diane


Dancing Girls of Tipsynaku Bar


Exotic Beauty


A Good Friend of Mine John


The Very Funny Joan and Michelle of Hiyas Bar


Jonah The Superstar of Hiyas Bar


Mikos Bar


So Pretty Eh


Morning Scene at White Beach



















My Favorite Spot



















The Bars Undergoing Some Construction



Tipsynaku Bar


My Fave Hangout Hiyas Bar