The tiny city Dumaguete has always been on the Philippine map; it is a coastal city situated in Negros Oriental. Contrast to the size of Dumaguete City, it offers greatly awesome things for you to discover. The beauty in the panoramic view of Dumaguete City will inspire the old traditional wonder of the place with the reconciliation of the modern amenities it can provide its guests. Being a peaceful bay area, people are warm which earned Dumaguete City the title, City of Gentle People.

The city of Dumaguete has finally ended its silence. The beauty of Dumaguete City has caused the influx of tourists. Many people heard of the city’s name for the reknown beautiful outdoor adventure experience it has offered its visitors.

Presently, industrial technology is continuously developing in Dumaguete City since it is also known as the “Center of Learning in the South” or as the “University Town”.

Dumaguete City’s most tempting quality is the adventure outdoor that can lasts your whole life. Paradise in its own simple luxuries are offered in Dumaguete City through the shiny crystals of white sands surrounding the beaches.

Finding the place called Dumaguete is synonymous to finding a place of haven. Imagine the modern amenities within the city with historical beauty and wonders all rolled into a little corner in the Philippine Islands. You can always find a diving site, a vacation home that can assure to make you feel at home. Getting from other famous places from Dumaguete to other neighboring areas famous for tourism in the Philippines is another convenience of the city’s location as well.

Visit the city named Dumaguete in the Philippines and plunge into the lure of different gifts of nature in the small coastal city. Experience the breath-taking relaxation of the soul, mind and body. Find the perfect nature’s beauty in Dumaguete City; beauty at its purest form. Discover the relaxation and splurge into the magic of the place.

Endless journeys in search for the perfect paradise with the sun, sand, and water can be finally brought to an end in Dumaguete City!

With hundreds of destinations in the country, the top 3 on my list are the following:

1. Boracay

Boracay is located in the northwest corner of Panay Island that belongs to the Visayas island group of central Philippines in the Pacific. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, and now, became an international destination too. The White Beach and Bulabog Beach are just the two primary tourism beaches, which are located on opposite sides of the island.

Aside from taking dip of the crystal blue water, you can also take a boat around the island, hire a motorbike or scooter to explore the place, or go horse back riding, and experience the native villages and sceneries that usual visitors don’t do.

And, did I tell you that Boracay has one of the most beautiful sunsets? Well, you don’t surely want to miss it. And, the fun doesn’t end there yet, since Boracay nightlife is pulsating with so many bars and restaurants around that will give you fun until dawn.

2. Bohol

Located in the Central Visayas region, Bohol is the home of hospitable and warm people. Boholanos, as what the natives are called, are very proud of the natural wonders that are bestowed in the island. To name a few, it is the home of the famous Chocolate Hills! Imagine seeing no less than 1268 hills, that are uniform in shape and will turn chocolate brown during summer, and from which the name was derived. You can also see the Tarsiers, one of the smallest known primates and be amazed when they turned their heads by 180 degrees.

Bohol is also blessed with a numerous white sand beaches, and Panglao Island is one of the famous destinations, having powdery sand. It has a large number of top class diving sites, which both foreign and local divers would consider it as diver’s haven.

3. Palawan

Palawan is located in the Western Visayas Region and the islands stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. The place is for adventure seekers and nature lovers and its famous for its marine sanctuaries, white sand beaches, and exotic wildlife.

One of the “a-must-see” in Palawan is the Tabon Cave. It is a 138-hectares, of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. Because of its importance to Philippine History and heritage, the site was declared a Museum Reservation Site by virtue by the Philippine Government.

Another is the El Nido marine reserve. The scenic landscapes, crystal clear waters and the isolation from the big crowd of the city usually attracts and fascinates the travelers of the place. Kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking to the peak of the island, bird watching, sunbathing in a white beach are just some of the activities you can enjoy.

There are still a lot of things that Philippines offers, and it’s just there, waiting to be discovered. So, travel in the Philippines now!

I have taken all forms of transportation in my travels since then, but travel for me is not about being somewhere but about going. When I am down or deeply depressed, I recall my previous travels or fantasize about new ones. I would reminisce the city, the food, the people, the culture of the place I had just been and it’s guaranteed to lift me up better than an anti-depressant.

Travel gives me self confidence, like for example, I was in Singapore and although their train system is very easy to learn, it was my first time to go around by train. After I navigated the whole city by train, alone, I felt that I could tackle anything after that. And I did. When I went to Costa Rica, my hotel reservation was messed up, I ended staying in another hotel which was really a run-down hostel. Then I got lost in the city with only 1 Spanish word under my tongue. I started to panick but then I stopped to remind myself of the previous travel mishaps I had and how I had handled them successfully.

My travel experiences helps me deal with different kinds of people in my work as a customer service rep, using it a base for subject of conversation. Travel preparations may get me anxious, but the overall benefits more than compensates for it. Travel is not always good for the pocket but it is always good for the soul.

Boston-based medical travel facilitator, Healthbase Online Inc. has partnered with The Medical City (TMC), a JCI-accredited multi-specialty hospital in the Philippines to provide uninsured and underinsured Americans, Canadians and others with more affordable global healthcare solutions.

“We are excited to have The Medical City onboard,” says Saroja Mohanasundaram, CEO of Healthbase. “TMC is a renowned healthcare provider that has shown its commitment to providing top-notch medical care for the last 41 years. Our collaboration with them will prove to be very beneficial for our customers throughout the world who now have even greater options to choose from for their health care needs. TMC has world-class facilities, is experienced in serving international patients, is safe for our customers to travel to and offers a significant cost advantage,” adds Mohanasundaram.

The award-winning (”Best Website for Accessing International Medical Information for Patients/Consumers” awarded by Consumer Health World 2007) medical tourism company, Healthbase connects patients to low-cost high quality medical care and dental care worldwide. Healthbase’s partner hospitals are located in the Philippines, India, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Turkey, Belgium, Hungary, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil and Mexico.

According to Margaret Bengzon, Head of Strategic Services Group at The Medical City, “We are looking forward to partnering with Healthbase in delivering the unique TMC brand of healthcare to the international patient. Working together with Healthbase, an organization of international repute in the global healthcare industry, we are confident that we can establish the Philippines in general and TMC in particular as preferred destinations of the growing number of medical travelers.”

TMC, a Manila-based tertiary health care facility, is accredited by the JCI for obtaining and maintaining the highest international standards of quality for healthcare organizations. Being JCI accredited, TMC has state-of-the-art health care facilities and technology. Its health care standards, professionalism and quality of doctors rival those found in the best hospitals in the United States.

The Medical City offers surgical services in the departments of General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), Orthopedics, Thoracic Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Urology, Neurosurgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, and Psychiatry among others. TMC also offers diagnostics and ancillary services like Pathology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pain Management, Radiation Oncology and Chemotherapy. It has a distinguished medical staff of over 1,000 physicians and surgeons supported by 2,100 allied medical and administrative staff, all serving some 40,000 inpatients and 380,000 outpatients a year.

Healthbase serves the American, Canadian, European, African, Asian, Middle-Eastern and Asia Pacific markets, and offers more than 200 procedures at over 40 hospitals in 14 countries worldwide.

About Healthbase Online Inc.:
Healthbase, an award-winning Boston-based medical tourism and dental tourism facilitator, is a one-stop source for global medical and dental choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals around the world. Healthbase coordinates over 200 major surgeries overseas like hip resurfacing in India, hip replacement, cardiac procedures abroad, knee replacement overseas, spine surgery in India, lap band in Mexico, dental surgery abroad, laparoscopic procedures, cosmetic surgery, etc. for a fraction of the cost in the US with equal or superior outcomes. Healthbase’s partner healthcare facilities are located in India, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkey, Belgium, Hungary, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Mexico and USA, and are expanding to Taiwan, Argentina, El Salvador and Guatemala. To ensure that patients receive the best care possible, Healthbase works mainly with hospitals that have international accreditations like JCI, JCAHO and ISO. Healthbase caters to the needs of individual consumers, self-insured businesses, insurance carriers and third party administrators seeking affordable medical travel and dental travel options. To learn more, call 1-888-691-4584, email info.hb@healthbase.com or visit http://www.healthbase.com.

Contact:
Mumtaz Pachisa
Healthbase Media Relations
Healthbase
Healthcare Beyond Boundariesâ„¢
287 Auburn Street
Newton, MA 02466, USA
Phone: 1-888-MY1-HLTH
Phone: 1-888-691-4584 (Toll Free)
Phone: 1-617-418-3436 (International)
Fax: 1-800-986-9230
Email: media.hb@healthbase.com
Website: http://www.healthbase.com

Among the many interesting regions in the Philippines is the mountainous terrain and savanna in northern Luzon as inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Part of this region is Sagada. With a measly P2,500, a determined explorer can take a fulfilling jaunt to Sagada—a serene mountain community in Mt. Province. The adventurous travelers would customarily take the 10-hour bus ride from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao (via Solano, Nueva Ecija route) that costs not more than P300.

In Banaue, travelers have the option to take the day off and trek along the well-engineered Banaur Rice Terraces or take a jeepney ride to Bontoc and from there, one can catch a bus ride to a more tranquil region, Sagada in Mt. Province.

Sagada has economical lodging houses and hotels to spend the night over. For as low as P200, a traveler can avail of a bedroom for two and a well-scrubbed common bathroom with sufficient amount of water—for an overnight abode. Even though electricity and water are accessible in these highland regions, one of the guidelines in immersing to remote areas is not to expect for urban amenities.

However, the lack of adequate necessities is not an hindrance to any devoted backpacker. Indeed, the remarkable view of the mountains, sight of abundant natural resources, and exposure to mountain community are enough reasons to enjoy the trip.

Trekking along the narrow mountain trails of Batad and Bangaan Villages in Banaue is one of the many leisure options where panoramic views of the terraces can be enjoyed. To keep track of the trail, a number of villagers can be hired for hours as tour guides.

The trip is truly breathtaking and for an amateur trekker, the long hours of walk should not impede them to reach the other side of the trail. There are a number of brooks along the curvy mountain range that are guaranteed to quench one’s thirst during the hours of hike. Meanwhile, the awe-inspiring endpoint is an antidote to muscle pain.

Batad is comparable to realizing the pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow. It boasts of scenic and unspoiled layers of rice fields forming a colossal amphitheater, where native Ifugaos mostly dwell. The terraces is still a functional source of livelihood and personal sustenance for Ifugaos, except for some where irrigation systems have been destroyed through seepage, landslides, prolonged drought, erosion, and other inevitable natural calamities.

Asia is the largest continent in the world by a considerable margin, and it is rich in natural resources, such as petroleum and iron. When you travel Asia, you want to make sure that you have the flexibility for an occasional adventure. If you are planning to travel to Asia within the next year, and are looking for some fun festivities to attend, then we have some incredible Asian festivals for you to check out during your travels.

Asia is one of the most extraordinary and diverse continent in terms of people and travel destinations. Asia is one of the seven continents in the world. But even though it is the seventh continent but it is the largest continent among all. Asia has about more than half of entire of the world’s population, which mostly they are in China and India. Different Asian festivals are listed below which you must see if you visit Asia anytime.

• The Monkey God Festival
This deity has been celebrated during the month of September at Kowloon’s Sau Mau Ping Temple. The Monkey God first appeared in Chinese literature during the Ming Dynasty in the book, “Pilgrims to the West”.

• The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts
Hong Kong hosts this unusual yearly event, held on the 14th day of the seventh moon.

• Asakusa Samba
Tokyo’s version of the Rio Carnival happens every August, in the Asakusa district.

• Yasothon Rocket Festival
In the middle of May, things get very noisy for Asian travelers to the Phaya Thaen Park in Thailand.

• Parade of the God of Medicine
On the 15th day of the third lunar month, the city of Taiwan is taken over by this world-renowned Asian festivity – a must for travelers in the area because of its spectacular parade.

Asia offers travelers a huge variety of places to visit, things to do and, cultures to see. If you are visiting Asia for the very time then we insist you to visit following places.
• India: It is Asia’s largest and most heavily populated countries.
• Korea: It is one of the most westernized of all Asian nations.
• China: China is rapidly emerging as the top destination for travelers to Asia.
• Vietnam: Vietnam is reshaping its image among world travel destinations.
• Thailand: Thailand is the most popular tourist destination. Thailand is one of the most popular in all of Asia, as well.
• Japan: Japan has something for every traveler who visits. The hardest thing is fitting it all in.
• Philippines: Those who do visit will enjoy beautiful spots like the Boracay beaches and Lake Sebu.
• Indonesia: Indonesia will show you an exciting and wonderful Asian travel destination.

What Makes Cebu Popular
Even if we weren’t to talk about any of the famous tourist spots of Cebu, Philippines, there are still other things that make Cebu so very popular with the tourists. First, there’s the food. If you love those ripe yellow mangoes, you absolutely must go to Guadulupe because their mangoes – served dried or not – can never fail to make taste buds water.

And then there’s chicharon or pork rind; if you’ve never tasted chicharon yet, a good place to start would be at Cebu. Other food to explore in Cebu would be “puso”, the hanging rice, dangit, a dried fish usually eaten for breakfast and budbud, another type of rice.

And then there are the souvenirs or other accessories that you may only purchase in Cebu, Philippine. If you come from a country experiencing all four seasons – people back home would probably appreciate if you give them the beautifully hand woven blankets made from Argao. People with deep faith would no doubt appreciate as well gifts of the Medallions of the Christ Child. For fashion lovers, jewelry made from Mactan stone, corals or seashells are very much popular.

Lastly, there are the guitars. People with fine ears for music can’t help but appreciate the quality of guitars manufactured in Cebu. If you also want to see with your very own eyes the manufacturing process of a guitar, from start to finish, LapuLapu City of Cebu is the place to travel to.

And now finally, we come to the places…

Magellan’s Cross – Since the Philippines began to be of interest to the world thanks to Ferdinand Magellan’s discovery in 1521, tourists might as well begin their travel plans by visiting Magellan’s Cross which is found in Magallanes Street of Cebu City. This place is of much historical value to the Philippines because it’s also where the baptismal rites of the earliest Filipino Christians were held.

Mactan Island – Water sports have always been a favorite activity by tourists when visiting the Cebu and if you’re fond of this as well, make sure that you drop by Mactan Island because the waves there are alike no place else!

Cebu is also the jumping point to other exciting destinations like Dumaguete, Bohol and Sumilon.

This is one of the many joyful and emotional scenes happening at the airport everyday. Family and loved ones are reunited. It is a moment of rejoicing…a moment of expressing and sharing one’s happy thoughts and feelings…a moment of displaying affection…a moment of thanking the Lord for the blessing.

Josefa and Richard want to make a life together. They both know that communication and the art of listening are very important ingredients for a sustainable relationship. This goes without saying that love, trust, honesty and respect are the solid foundation of a lasting relationship.

Josefa shares with Richard the ARRIVAL/SETTLEMENT CHECKLIST that she and daughters received from their Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar/Guidance and Counseling Program at the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO), Manila Philippines. This is a generic checklist for U.S. migrants:

1.Keep your identification documents (such as your passport, permanent residence/alien registration card, social security card, health card, health record, credit/ATM card, bank book(s), birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) in a secure place.

2.Keep a list of emergency numbers in your area.

3.Avail of free language courses, skills training, job-search workshops, post-arrival seminars and other programs offered to newly-settled migrants

4.Inquire on the policies and services of important local government offices (such as city halls, immigration police/offices, tax authority agencies, social security administration offices, migrant resource centers, etc).

5.Be aware of your rights and responsibilities in your host country.

6.Learn to use public communication facilities and transportation systems in your area.

7.Learn new skills such as driving or using the computer. Continuously practice and improve your language skills.

8.Involve yourself in community activities.

Richard helps Josefa and her daughters with the items in the checklist that are applicable to them. Five days after Josefa’s arrival from the Philippines to the U.S., Richard marries her. It is a simple but momentous wedding for them. The two girls are now in school.

Josefa gets her Permanent Resident card a few months after her wedding. She can now work. She reviews the TIPS FOR JOB HUNTERS that the CFO gave her:

1.Seek the assistance of government agencies which provide job-assistance. Check out the classified ads of local newspapers, internet, and personal networks for job openings in your locality.

2.Prepare the following documents when applying for a job:

Passport

Proof of residency

Social Security Number

Application letter & resume

Professional license (if applicable)

Proof of proficiency in the country’s official language

Other proof of qualifications

Josefa picks up her folder…gets out of the car… and walks to the building for her first job interview.