SPAIN INSANE

by

Elaine Emily T. Abonal

I was the team leader of a group of college students for one of the Institute for Foreign Study’s (IFS) semester break exchange program to Salamanca, Spain. I have never been to Europe before then and I am minoring in Spanish so needless to say, I was so excited and so ready to go! It was a dream come true! Being an exchange student and experiencing first hand a culture completely different from your own and away from the protective wings of your parents is one of the life-changing things that I would never have gotten if it weren’t for the programs like these.

Four years ago, I went to Appleton, Wisconsin for a whole year as a high school exchange student for a gap year. I can still say today that I am a much better person because of it. I gained life lessons that have helped me throughout college and I know will help me in the future. That experience also helped me be a good team leader or an “ate” to the other girls who have never been away for so long before. I was also living proof and a spokesperson to the parents in letting them know that they were making the right choice in letting go of their kids – even for a little while – so they can experience the world on their own.

Four words: Best. Sem. Break. Ever.

Everything was completely different in Spain. Everything was in Spanish (of course), they ate at the weirdest and latest times (lunch at 3 and dinner at 10!), there was public display of affection everywhere (which actually made for an interesting way to watch people – hah), the weather was almost close to freezing (remember, it was November!), they strictly obeyed the siesta (the town is dead for 3 hours) and then party like crazy during their fiestas (there’s no way anyone would go home at midnight – it only starts then). Salamanca is also known as a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most popular and most beautiful places to visit. I never cared much for architecture before, but there definitely was magic in the golden walls of Salamanca. There were students from all over the world and of course, being a majority of girls that we were, we definitely went loca seeing all those guapo Spanish boys, from the Universidad students, Prince Felipe of Spain (Yes!!! He was in Salamanca for the day and we were so lucky to see him!), Andre – that one Brazilian student in our school that all us Filipino girls loved, David Beckham during the Real Madrid game (Okay, he’s not Spanish, but still!), to even the chico that sold stamps in magazine stands. It was fun for us to get the attention that we did since we were the foreigners – like someone staring in your face, a non-Spanish university student saying that you were a 15 (“quince”) on the 1-10 belleza (beauty) level, and some good looking boy saying, “Hola guapa, que tal?” We took things in stride and just laughed at ourselves and what was going on because everything was different, and the Spanish just loved to live life. We were young and I don’t think there was a better time in our lives to be in Spain.

The first time I had desayuno (breakfast), I was shocked and said to myself, “That’s it?!” My host mom – Leonor – left a glass of orange juice, butter, and one piece of toast on the table for me. I realized that in Spain, they really don’t eat so much in the morning. After breakfast, I would walk for around fifteen minutes through the cold but sunny streets of Salamanca to get to Spanish class. Everyone walked in the morning – people going to work, grandparents doing their daily routine, parents dropping off their children to school, and hundreds of colegio and Universidad students rushing to their classes.

Then, I would see the other Filipino girls and other foreign students in our language school, Enforex, and give each other the double, and get to class. I had the coolest, craziest and most interesting profesores who made learning Spanish not only challenging and easy at the same time, but also fun and up-to-date. Did you know that Spanish girls never change their surnames and that only one person is supposed to pay when a group of friends go out? My class was made up of one Japanese girl who was so much better in Spanish than I was (but couldn’t pronounce the rrrr’s!), an older guy from Slovakia who just wanted to learn a new language after he retired, a Brazilian boy who was cool and nonchalant because Portuguese was close to Spanish anyway, another Filipina friend whose presence made me feel more comfortable, and a sweet blonde German girl who would always invite me to parties. I looked forward to go to class everyday and was muy excited about what new thing I would learn next.

Classes would last from 9 to 2 pm and siesta would begin. Everything was closed and during that time all of us Filipinos would go back home and have lunch with our host families. I would be insanely hungry by then since I wasn’t used to the eating schedule, but since it was their biggest meal of the day, I was eventually full right away. My host mom always prepared soup, two (note: TWO!) main courses, a lot of bread, and yogurt for dessert. Honestly, the food for me was okay and I guess the weirdest thing I ate was rice and tomato sauce – nothing else. It’s for sure though, that the españoles loved their olive oil because I must have had it in every meal (olive oil is cheap there). My host parents were home during the siesta for their work break so I would talk to them a little bit and get to practice my Spanish before I took a nap.

By 5PM, everything comes back to life. Tiendas would start putting back their abierta (open) signs, people would start filling the streets again, and others would start walking back to work. In my case, I would meet up with the other Filipinos or other friends I made in classes, and we tried out the different cafeterias and restaurantes near the Plaza, went shopping crazy by going to Mango, H&M or Zara and had our daily routine of Spain’s well-known and muy rico chocolate con churros. We saw movies in Spanish and didn’t care if we didn’t understand most of it, just hung out and sat around the Plaza Mayor – the most beautiful part of the city – to watch the people, walked around in the cold of the city to see the sights and just for the sake of it, took hundreds of pictures of anything and everything, and just breathed in the culture and magic of everything that was going on around us.

After having dinner out, going back home to do homework, resting or hanging out with our families again, I would meet up with mis amigas under the famous clock of the Plaza Mayor an hour before midnight. Late at night, high school to university students would go out for a night of ir de marcha (going out) and stay out until the madrugada (wee hours of the morning). Hundreds of people, mostly students, would wait and meet up with their own friends before they went to the bars and discos. Thursday was the official night of going out and everyone, of all shapes, sizes, nationalities, ages, and even genders – go out. No other people party like the Spanish do and they know how to have a good fiesta. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a good and fun way to meet other students and also to dance to Spanish music. (Bailamos!) With everything that was going on around you, and all the guapos y guapas, you just had to dance. I don’t think I’ve ever danced that much in my entire life! All the bars were next to each other so we would walk from one place to the other and completely forgot about the cold. Who would have thought that the streets could be alive and scattered with young people at 3AM – on a Monday? Friends met up and enjoyed before finally going home and walking through the well-lit and safe streets of Salamanca.

On weekends, we went to school-arranged trips and with that we saw the Aqueducts of Segovia, toured around the magical and caste-like city of Toledo, visited and went in the different museums of Madrid, like the Museo del Prado (my favorite) and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. I was able to see the most famous paintings of Picasso, Dali, Miro, El Greco, and more. We even got to watch a Real Madrid soccer game and saw the most famous futbol players in the world play – Beckham (!!), Ronaldo, Raul, Robinho, etc. Those names may not seem much to you but being the ex-futbol player that I am and futbol being practically a religion in Spain, it means mucho mucho mucho!

I had the BEST time – and I’m sure everyone did too. But I have to say that it was not always the easiest, like everything else. There was definitely a feeling of being overwhelmed in a completely new place, loving and being scared of everything in it, missing and actually not missing home at the same time. Some people got homesick for a couple of days, a couple got intimidated by the language, and one girl even got an allergy and had to go to the clinic to get a shot. I thought that being an exchange student for a year in high school would easily prepare me for everything. But to be a team leader was different. It was daunting in the beginning because I thought about all the responsibilities that I had but I quickly learned that nothing really prepares you to be one. You just do it. I became a team leader by using the skills I learned in life and in my past exchange experience, by sharing what I knew to the others and telling them that what they were going through was completely normal, and by having understanding and a lot of sense of humor, and by giving lots of love and hugs. Being a team leader multiplied my usual growing up during any trip. And that will definitely always be a good thing.

I think the other, and major, thing that I loved best about Spain didn’t actually come from there. It was the group that I was with. For some reason, we instantly bonded and mixed together all our different and crazy personalities. We made for an interesting group – one girl shopped almost everyday, another girl broke a poor German boy’s heart, the only guy with us for sure had a renewed understanding of the female psyche, another girl learned to laugh at herself when she said the wrong thing to a waiter. Being in a loving group like that made it easier to have a better time in a foreign land because there was always someone to lean back on, complain to, and have fun with.

Three weeks may seem like a short time, but I feel that personally and for the other Salamankers (that’s what we call ourselves), we left Spain and came back being a little bit different, more open minded in our perspectives, a lot more thankful for our parents and the things that we have here at home, and a hundredfold richer as persons. We have more than a thousand digital pictures from all of our collections put together and we will never forget what we experienced in Spain. Being there and experiencing everything that happens when you’re an exchange student again, and actually helping the others have that kind of experience too, made me remember that being an exchange student is one of the best things anyone could ever experience. You gain so much more than you can imagine and the effects can last you a lifetime. If I could be an exchange student in every part of the world, I would. I wish I could share what I know now to everyone and I just wish people actually get to experience the same thing.

When we were going in the airport to leave the Philippines, some girls were reluctant to say goodbye and some parents were beginning to cry. It IS hard to let go but deep inside I knew that the same parents would be happy and proud of the same thing. I knew that we were going to have the best time ever. And we did. Muchissimo.

email: elaineabonal@yahoo.com

Elaine Abonal is in her senior year in the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, as of 2006.

Doljo beach is becoming a tourist attraction in Panglao island in Bohol. It is known for the pretty seashells. It is a beach full of marine biodiversity.

Bohol is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines today. In going to Bohol you could go by air or by sea through a ship. Traveling by air is definitely much faster because it usually just takes about an hour while traveling by ship may take almost a day however it is less expensive thus saving you some cash. From Manila you can get a flight going to Tagbilaran. You can take any flight from Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, Air Philippines and Philippine Air lines that will first have a stop on Cebu.

There is also a boat taking you to Tagbilaran which is just one and half hour ride to save some money. The boat should be the fastest kind because the regular kind of boat usually takes four hours of travel. After arriving in Tagbilaran Doljo beach is just twenty minutes away. The best way to save money however is to take a regular ferry ride from Cebu which would go to Tubigon and then after getting there you should take the bus going to Doljo beach. The cost of an airplane ride to Tagbilaran is usually priced at two thousand pesos up to three thousand pesos.

Doljo beach is a beach located on the island of Panglao. This island is on the north western side of Bohol. This beach is three kilometers wide and it is not so much explored and developed yet. The sand is white and this beach slopes in a gentle way to the part of the sea that is deep. Doljo beach is also filled with many coconut trees which makes it all more appealing. The beach is also known for the beautiful and unique seashells. There is a lot of marine creatures that can be explored under the clear Doljo beach waters. There are local folks who have set up their own business by renting out chairs for those having a day trip like picnickers.

The first explorers to see Panglao was the Spaniards in 1803. The Spanish conquerors at that time saw some locals fishing by the shore and they asked the name of the island. The locals who could not understand them answered “panggaw” which is actually the device they were using to fish. Panglao came from the term “panggaw” which was a device used by Filipino ancestors for fishing. Today Panglao island is a leading spot attracting more tourists every year and Doljo beach is one of the main attractions of the island.

There are many attractive diving spots that can be found on Doljo beach. Some of the most popular spots are the House Reef and the Point diving site. The spots are teeming with a variety of corals and fishes. During the season where southwest monsoon winds is strongest then snorkeling is a better choice of activity. There are many resorts in Doljo beach which can offer an affordable price and it is advisable to check their website and inquire their current rates first before going to Doljo beach.

Angeles City is a popular city located in Pampanga province in the Central Luzon region of Philippines. This city with its rich heritage has been fascinating tourists since a very long time. This is a flourishing city and is comparable to Manila, the capital city of Philippines. There are lot many things in this city that attracts vacationers and the booming nightlife of the city is one such thing, which lures everyone. The hotels in Angeles City are also significant in drawing people with its warm hospitality.

Various appealing things in the city include the old and historically significant buildings of the city that holds notable charm. Another interesting place close to the city is the adjoining Clark Freeport Zone. This is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty-free shops and beautifully landscaped golf courses. Balibago, the capital of this zone is called as the entertainment district mostly because of its popular bars and nightclubs. Tourists generally head for this place to enjoy various shows, dancing events and beer parties. Angeles city, along with the rest of the Pampanga region, is also known as the Culinary Center of Philippines.

Other attractions in the city include Fort Stotsenburg, Old Pamintuan Residence, Founders’ Residence, Post Office Building, Camalig, Holy Rosary Church, Holy Family Academy Building, Museo ning Angeles, Bale Herencia, Lily Hill, Mount Pinatubo, etc.

How to reach Angeles City

Angeles is served by the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Freeport Zone, approximately 5 kilometers from the city. The airport generally receive flights by budget airlines. A few direct flights from Hong Kong and Korea also arrive here.

Buses are the most economical way to get to the city from Manila. There are several air-conditioned buses that ply from the capital to Angeles City and take about one to one and a half hours time. The best way to reach the city from Manila is via car through the North Luzon Expressway. Rental car companies are found all over Manila and Angeles. If you don’t know the routes, you can hire cars with drivers who are well acquainted with the roads.

There are a large number of Hotels in Angeles City including different lodges and resorts offering variety of accommodation options. Travelers can choose to stay at the luxury hotels or the budget accommodations at cheap prices. You can book a hotel in Angeles City with the help of the online Internet reservation facility. You can directly visit the official website of the hotel or use any other reliable website for booking.

Cagayan de Oro City Philippines is the “City of Golden Friendship.”

In my younger years, I often found myself wondering why my city was called such. Back in the 1970s, people in Cagayan de Oro City Philippines knew each other. Well, almost. In my young and seemingly innocent mind, that was the reason I had. Every time I walked the streets of Divisoria, I would meet people I knew. Someone would always stop by to chat with me. A few would even call out my name. I enjoyed those walks.

When my family moved to Manila, I had to adjust to almost everything; the people, the places, the culture. Suddenly, I was in an entirely new environment. There were no more afternoon walks in Divisoria. In short, I missed my home: Cagayan de Oro City Philippines.

We lived in Manila for 12 years. I don’t know how I would have survived if I didn’t spend my summers here in Cagayan de Oro. At the end of every school year, my sister and I would always try to find a way to come home. Even when we started working, we always found a way to spend our summers in Cagayan de Oro City Philippines.

Manila was not bad. In fact, I learned a lot there. I formed lasting friendships. I have endless memories and a thousand and one meaningful experiences. But it isn’t quite like my hometown. There’s nothing like Cagayan de Oro City Philippines where the people smile at you in the streets, no matter what time of day.

Although traffic in Cagayan de Oro City is not really free flowing, it is nothing compared to the terrible chaos in Manila roads and highways. If I leave home 30 or 45 minutes before a meeting, I can still get to the venue on time. In Manila, you’ll have to leave at least an hour and a half or two before an appointment.

There’s no fresh air in Manila. Cagayan de Oro City Philippines, though not entirely pollution-free, is way, way cleaner.

More than the sights and attractions; more than the excitement of the weekly night cafes; more than the thrill and adventure of White Water Rafting, Cagayan de Oro City Philippines is proud of the friendly Cagay-anon. The simple charm of the Cagay-anon is the secret behind the city’s golden glow.

My young and innocent mind was right all along, Cagayan de Oro City Philippines is really the “City of Golden Friendship” because its people are simply friendly.

WHEN IS ANGER JUSTIFIED AND PROPER?

ZENAIDA SALCEDO CABANGON

Lopez National Comprehensive High School

Lopez, Quezo

The growing complexities of life requires the proper weighing of the pros and cons to free oneself from problems. Life is competitive and so difficult that it needs pointers to the right direction so that fruitful results be obtained. “The heavy crosses which many us carry are the crosses of our own making.”

Yes, the weaknesses of humanity if controlled or prevented will make man stronger in his struggle for beneficial existence – one of these is ANGER.

ANGER refers to a strong passion or emotion of displeasure usually excited by a sense of injury condition. It inflicts pain and disturbs health condition. Theirritated and excited man is never health nor prosperous. In any day, while we are working, the first act that could couse failure, generally speaking, is ANGER.

Anger, observations reveal, binds the mind’s reasoning power and frustrates the calm deliberation of good judgment. These result from passion and emotion of displeasure. Indeed, one never gets angry unless an injury was done, or believe it was done. But not all anger is wrong as there are some which are “justified and proper.”

Biblical stories tell us that the Lord himself in chastising the money lenders in the House of God, walked without fear in the midst of the improper even more compelling than the use of bullets, upset their tables.

Likewise, when the Lord imposed a high penalty on an offender the feeling of the soldier was hurt. The Scriptures in describing His actuation, state: “If I have evil, give testimony of the evil, but if well, why strikest thou me?”

Self-defense, defense of the country, and God are good causes to apply a justified anger. Take the case of war for peace and war for defense. They had been possible out of a motive. The Filipino’s campaign for independence actually brought havoc to the Filipinos, but despite of the losses of lives and properties, the Filipinos who fought in the war were not persecuted nor condemned because they should and expressed their anger for a cause – Philippine Independence.

The same is true when thousands of Filipinos gathered at EDSA and comprised the human barricades to protest the rule of Ferdinand Marcos. The strength of the Filipino character manifest this bloodless revolution. The same sentiment and similar aspirations drove these people to show openly their anger toward the Marcos regime. Such a gesture of the Filipinos proved very remarkable and very significant. Their sense of unity was greatly felt that then President Marcos, despite of his opportunity and power, remained unmoved and never took any step that would endanger the Filipinos and the country as a whole. The higher ups, through they felt insulted by the actions made by the Filipinos, were unable to exact the punishment expected. Such an anger proved to be justified and proper. Thus, through the EDSA Revolt the Filipinos realized the importance of unity and brotherhood which in return made them more freedom – loving and responsible.

Anger brings out tremendous damaging effects in life and property. Police blotters and daily papers and prove these. Fire, for instance, caused by arson, originates from anger. The desire to make revenge drives one to ignite fire in one’s properties. Even crimes like murder and homicide are also motivated by anger. Numerous cases have shown people put to jail because of anger. Likewise, many lives have been wasted all because of anger.

Remember, Getulio Vargas, “Strong Man” and President of Brazil for 24 long years, underwent a crucial struggle following the people’s weakening popular support, against his combined political opponents, the military and businessmen, and was forced to shoot himself. This was a suicide that shocked the world. It was due to strong passion of anger.

A young lady after having been scolded by her parents, committed suicide due to madness or anger; an employer reprimanded his employees due to anger; a man burned his 6 sleeping children and wife and property because of anger. The past world was destroyed by blood due to anger of God upon sinners. The present could be destroyed by means of flood of fire, known as the hydrogen or cobalt bomb by the unscrupulous itchy hands of sinners, possibly due to anger.

Without sense of firmeness and determination, people become too weak to control their outburts, thus they are turned down and suddenly become weary. They lose their equilibrium and finally come in conflict even with their nearest neighbors and friend.

Anger can be controlled and subdued. Infact, God wants us to temper our actuations by saying, “Be angry and sin not.” Let not the sin go down upon your anger. Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. Revenge is mine”

When anger is truly unavoidable, apply tact and intelligence. When reasoning does not help, never rise force, threat, or anger. Instead, be calm, wait and listen for anything that may spring up to your advantage. Shattered nerves…………… Cast them away. They weaken the heart, the mind and the whole of you.

Jefferson further advises that whenever we are angry, counth ten, if more angry, count one hundred, and if very angry, “Swear.” Pull yourself away from the place where anger is caused or keep yourself at rest, and this will give you some “relief.” Seneca also advised that “the best remedy for anger is delay.” A cooling period is necessary.

Anger can therefore serve as an instrument that will give life its utmost advantage. According to an experiment of DR. G.E. Hall., prominent scientist of Toronto, Canada, anger stimulates the nerve fiber. It oozes a sercretion, called “acetylcholine” which, in excess, is a “poison” that causes indigestion, ulcer, and disease of the heart. Acetylcholine poisons the body and results in low spirits and misery. So, when you’re angry you will surely hurt yourself, not your intended adversary.

Kind looks, kind words, kind acts, and warm handshakes are means of graces to men who are in trouble and are fighting their unseen battles. “Kind words, Pascal said, produce their own image in men’s souls; They soothe and quiet and comfort the hearer; they shame him out of its soul, morose, and unkind feeling.”

Why feel angry and suffer the consequences when its easier to stay calm, and deliberate? Remember Syrus, “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.”

Bibliography

Davis, Keith, Ph.D., Human Behavior At Work (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.) c 1884

Devito, Joseph A., Human Communication (United States: Addison Wesley Pub. Inc.) c 1997

Paredes, Cirilio J., The Way of Life (Manila: Philipine Book Co.) c 1989

Walter, Kenneth D., Employees’ Right to Blow The Whistle Harvard Business Review, July – August 1985

Whyte, William Jr., H., The Organization Man (New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.) c 1982

Manila is an enchanting tourist destination, situated at the mouth of the Pasig River on the eastern shores of the Luzon Island – the largest island of the Philippines. The capital city of the Philippine, Manila is regarded as a gateway to the nation’s remarkable attractions.

Manila is home to a vibrant metropolitan area, the Metro Manila area, sometimes referred to as the National Capital Region (NCR), of which city forms a part. A fine blend of ancient traditions and modernity, Manila showcases an exceptional range of attractions, from colonial structures and parks and museums to fantastic restaurants and exotic shopping malls.

The city is also much famed for its breathtaking vistas comprising the exceptional Manila Bay as well as its scenic golden sunset. Equally worth mentioning is the Manila’s nightlife, with an astounding array of bars, casinos, clubs, and discotheques. Above all, Manila serves as an excellent base to enjoy a variety of exciting activities.

Erected in 1571 by the Spaniards, Intramuros is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Manila. A tour to this amazing walled complex is a great way to experience the rich heritage of the place. Found within the complexes are attractions such as Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church – the oldest church of the city, Fort Santiago – a 16th century fort built on the ashes of a Muslim king, and Casa Manila – a 19th century mansion graced with beautiful furniture

There is also a museum within the old monastery of the San Agustin Church, exhibiting a rare collection of oil paintings. Further, attractions here cover the Rizal Park – a sought after area for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities. Named in the honor of Jose Rizal – the national hero, the park also holds the distinction of being the largest park in Asia. For those who want to experience the influence of China on the Philippines, a great option would be visit China Town, dotted with superb malls, shops, and restaurants.

Your Manila vacation would not be complete without taking a tour to museums in Manilas, such as, the Metropolitan Museum of Art displaying both classical and contemporary fine arts and the National Museums, or the Museum of the Filipino Peoples, with exhibits portraying the ancient history of the place.

A good number of parks and gardens also form Manila’s attractions. Some of the renowned parks in the area are Greenbelt Park comprising small malls and Paco Park, a well-manicured park which was once a cemetery. Most prominent among the gardens are Chinese Garden, Everest Hills Memorial Garden, Father Blanco’s Garden, and the Japanese Garden. Also, while your stay at Manila take a tour to some of the ancient churches in the area like Bonifacio Shrine, Manila Cathedral, and Quiapo Church.

In addition, Manila is a venue to enjoy a great number of leisure activities. A trip to such destination as Tagaytay, which is much famed for its Taal Volcano, would be unforgettable. Another must-see spot nearby Manila is Laguna, an amazing spot blessed with hot sulphur springs. Similarly, an excursion to Pagsanjan via a canoe ride offers a unique experience.

Above all, Manila is home to a number of festivals, which among many others, are Cinemanila International Film Festival, Chinese New Year, Fiesta of the Black Nazarene, Bailes de Los Arcos, Likhang Kamay, Senakulo, and Metro Manila Film Festival.

Above mentioned are just few among many of the attractions in Manila. Hence, no wonder why tourists flock to Manila all-year round. Manila has accommodation options to cater every taste and pocket. From budget villas and hotels to high-end resorts and apartment, Manila’s accommodation choices are superb.

If you are ready to spend extravagantly, you can go for accommodation that are complete with comfortable rooms, automatic wake-up call, voice mail, air conditioning, data port, and satellite TV. Such facilities as business center, private parking facility, currency exchange facilities, and internet access, are also made available. Further, many of them are within the easy reach of the city’s top attractions. There are also some hotels and resorts, providing packages inclusive of accommodation, dining, and facilities to explore the attractions of the place.

Since many of the hotels, resorts, and other service providers have their own websites, it enables for easy booking of rooms online. All you have to do with regard to online booking is to just enter their website, and inform your budget and preference. Some of them even arrange transportation facilities to pick you to and fro the airport.

The Philippines is where hard-earned money can go very far, a nice place to buy into. Vacation islands in the Philippines like Cebu, Bohol, and Davao can be really cheap or be really expensive. But, if you know your way around, you may have a Philippine vacation where every penny spent is worth it.

Sanctuary at Davao Pearl Farm (Under $120 a day) Refreshingly far from Manila and the giddy island beat of Boracay, the Samal Island in Davao has made a name for its idyllic atmosphere and dramatic coastline. Its Davao Pearl Farm Resort offers luxury, native-inspired rooms that flank the Davao beachfront.

The Pearl Farm Davao Resort combines indigenous touch and modern living to refreshing effect. Leisure, spa, and conference facilities are available, too, but the real luxury in staying at Pearl Farm consists of swimming with turtles, getting close to sunken war vessels, or simply finding your own stretch of white beach far from the madding crown.

Heritage tour in Cebu City (Under $110 a day) Called the “Queen City of the South,” Cebu is magnificent in the right places. Centuries-old churches and forts stand in the same locale as the commercial hubs in the port city of Cebu. A day at the Crown Regency Cebu Hotel acquaints guests with the modern ethos of luxury hotel living, then with the quaint charm of Cebu City the next day.

With the tree-lined Osmena Boulevard as backdrop, Crown Regency towers above the Fuente Osmena in Cebu City and brings guests to the nightlife center and cultural hub of the island. Equally interesting is the Peak Restobar at the 23rd floor of its hotel in Cebu, the tallest in the city, which gives guests a panoramic view of Cebu while sipping cocktails and taking comfort food.

Bohol island adventure (Under $100 a day) Composed of posh beachfront villas, each with it own plunge pool, balcony, and landscaped garden, the Amorita Resort in Bohol offers the perfect place to enjoy the sun, beach, and crisp sea air of the island. With a Mandala Spa set to break cover in its resort in Bohol, Amorita guarantees luxury and comfort in island living.

But Amorita is more than just for relaxation. The water off the Amorita Resort in Bohol is a marine sanctuary, where a glass wall can be seen enclosing an area to protect an array of marine life. From here to the far reaches of the Bohol Sea, various natural wonders, old houses, and cultural sites await resort guests for a tropical island adventure.

Not to miss is a lunch on a boat ride down the Loboc River in Bohol, with thick rainforests sliding along as you feast on favorite Philippine delicacies.

Cebu City is one of the most important cities in the Philippines. It is hailed as “The Queen City of the South” due to its importance in trade, shipping and tourism in that part of the country.

Geography

Cebu City lies along the eastern shore of Cebu Province in the Visayan region. It has a total land area of 291.2 square kilometers and a population of some 800,000 people according to the latest census. The city consists of 80 barangays divided into two districts. The native dialect is Cebuano.

Trade and Economy

While the cities of Manila and Makati are the business centers of the northern Philippines, Cebu is the trade capital of the south, Visayas and Mindanao.

Because of its location, it is only natural that business in Cebu would revolve around the sea and seafaring. The city is the country’s largest shipping hub, being home to 80% of all domestic shipping lines. Seafood is abundant in the area, and in fact one type of fish was named after the hero Lapu-Lapu (see below). Recently the outsourcing of companies to Asia has benefited the Cebuano people. Many have found jobs in call centers since English is widely spoken.

One of the Philippines’ two international airports, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, is a half-hour drive from the city. Due to its strategic location, Cebu is often used as a hopping point by travelers to other tourist destinations in the region.

History

Even before the advent of Spanish rule, Cebu was already a well-developed and prosperous city that enjoyed trade relations with other Southeast Asian countries. On April 7, 1521 the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the island. He was welcomed and befriended by Raja Humabon, the king of Cebu. Humabon and his people converted to Catholicism and became the first first Filipino Christians. But the people of nearby Mactan Island were not so friendly, and Magellan was killed in battle by their king, Lapu-Lapu.

In 1562, more than forty years after the death of Magellan, the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi returned to the islands. Legaspi then established a new Spanish colony with Cebu as its capital.

Sights

Cebu City is a major tourist destination in the Philippines. Its best-known landmark is the Cross of Magellan. Legend says that it was erected by the explorer upon his landing on the island. It is sacred among Filipino Christians, who regard it as the symbol of the birth of their faith. In 1835, the local bishop ordered that the cross be moved to a wooden case and guarded in a chapel. This was to protect the cross from being vandalized by devotees who would chip away pieces at a time.

Nearby is the Minor Basilica of the Holy Infant (Basilica Minore de Santo Nino). The church is home to the country’s first religious image, the Santo Nino.

Every year in January, the famous Sinulog festival takes place. Originally a dance ritual in which dancers mimicked the motion of the river (sulog), it is now performed in honor of the Infant Jesus.

Lechon is a dish popularity found on the country where it’s founded, the Philippines. Philippines is among of the many Asian countries that holds some of the most delectable collections of dishes unique to its country, and lechon is one of them.

Lechon is the Spanish word for suckling pig. In the Philippines, it connotes a whole roasted pig, litsong baboy. Chicken and beef are also popular. Visit any In Lechon Philippine site to learn more of about the lechon

The popularity of Lechon in the Philippines had been proven because of a festivity in the province of Batangas in Balayan that is centered mainly on Lechons. The Parada ng Lechon is a festival held in the province of Balayan Batangas is centered on displaying whole roasted pigs or Lechon sporting different kinds of costumes such as a wearing a policeman’s suit, barong, superman costume, and many more. Send lechon as gift with any In Lechon Philippine site.

But commonly, lechons are usually seen on any kind of festivies or occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, special gatherings, graduations, and many other occasions. The lechon is usually the highlight and the most popular dish of these events. It is usually served with a liver-based sauce. However, in some cases, it may be served Chinese style with steamed buns and a sweet plum sauce.

But because of the lechon’s Hispanic decent, the dish is also popular in other countries other than the Philippines such as in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and many other parts of the Spanish-speaking world. But lechon is still Philippines’ number one dish. See what any In Lechon Philippine site can offer on lechon.

The pig had always been the center of communal feasts in pre-Hispanic Philippines, and “lechon” is the normal manner it is prepared. The most popular restaurants specializing in lechon in Manila, the Philippines’ capital, are Lydia’s Lechon and Mila’s Lechon. But nothing compares to lechon from Cebu. Some Manileños even order Lechon from Cebu days before their event and have the Lechon shipped via ship.

But other than ship, there are also other ways of buying lechon, such as in Express Regalo. Express Regalo is an online shops that offers a wide variety of gifts including foods such as the popular Lechon. For more information about this, visit Express Regalo at expressregalo.com.

The Philippines is one of the most sought after travel destinations in Asia. With its unique and diverse culture, visitors from both sides of the world cannot help but wonder at the beauty and attractiveness of this country. Its diverse and interesting culture is a result of its colorful past.

After being colonized by various countries for several centuries, it has emerged to become one of the most beautiful countries worldwide. Among the most visited parts of the Philippines are Manila, Baguio, Boracay, Palawan and Cebu.

Each of these travel spots has certain things to offer which are completely different from the other. Among the places mentioned, Boracay is probably the best. Despite being commercialized all over the world, this beautiful tourist spot has maintained its quality, as well as its reputation as one of the top beaches in the world. It offers good food, cozy hotels, exciting outdoor activities and endless partying with its beautiful crowd at night.

The most important part of this country is Manila, which serves as its capital city. Most of the important events in business, politics, as well as in arts and entertainment, take place in this area. One of the major events flocked by both local and foreign devotees is the feast of the Black Nazarene, which is held annually in Quiapo.

Meanwhile, Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. Visitors can enjoy the good weather and outdoor activities offered by this place. Among the top outdoor activities in Baguio are horseback riding and boating. Another main feature of this place is the flower festival, which serves as a garden show for home gardening and small businesses within the area.

Palawan is undoubtedly one of the best tourist spots in the country. This place combines urban development with exotic wildlife and natural resources. The discipline and cooperation of its local residents help maintain the natural balance of the environment. Besides its beautiful white sand beaches as well as its azure waters, visitors can also visit good places like the Calauit Island in Northern Palawan and the Tabon Caves in the southern part of the region.

Cebu will not be outdone by its counterparts. It is known as the oldest colonial city in the country. Among the most frequented places by visitors in the area are the Kawasan Falls, Fort Santiago and the University of San Carlos, which is known as the oldest university in Asia.

These tourist destinations serve as national treasures for the Philippines. They play a very significant role for the country’s economy. Taking care of these resources is of utmost importance, both for the government and its citizens. They offer insurmountable fun and adventure for thrill seekers who want to experience the very colorful culture of this country. These places provide visitors something worth remembering for.