Buckingham Palace and the Island of Guimaras

Guimaras Island is known and one of the smallest provinces in the Philippines. Located in the Gulf of Panay the island rests between Panay Island and Negros. Situated 622 kilometers south of Manila and 137 kilometers west of Cebu the island is easy to access. Getting there is easy as the city of Iliolo is just across the waters and retains a large airport to fly into. Upon landing find your way to the Ortiz Wharf where the ferry will take you to Jordan, the largest town in Guimaras Island.

Guimaras Island is famous for having the sweetest mangos in the entire world. They are so good in fact that Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom and the White House in the United States serves them to their highest leaders. Guimaras has over 8,500 hectares of mango groves so the supplies are endless. Visit the Trappist Monastery where the monks make their living off of mango products. Stop by their store located on the grounds of the monastery and purchase jams, syrups, dried and even fresh mangos of the day.

Guimaras Island is a perfect spot for those into relaxing the days away on the white sand beaches of the Philippine. The waters around Guimaras are crystal clear with stunning lagoons and beautiful bays hugging the coastline around the shores. Many spots are excellent for snorkeling and there are several spots for diving as well.

Make your way to Guisi Point where a century old lighthouse and early keepers house lie in ruins. The stone structures are a beautiful setting with an overview that will take your breath away. While here be sure to bring along a camera as the picture opportunities are endless. After your lighthouse tour make way to the Guisi Clearwater Resort. This beautiful seaside resort has unique rock formations that jut from the water’s edge. This picturesque region is a haven for kayakers as the area has hidden coves and spaces between the cliffs.

From Turtle Island to the Ave Maria Islet the island hopping tours are endless. Get a ride to the famous Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center where fish are studied and not farmed. Find your way to Natago Beach, an isolated white sand wonder with a stunning cove that is amazing. Natago is a Tagalog word meaning “hidden” and this hidden wonder is simply breathtaking. Other unique destinations include Baras Beach and Cave. This unique craven is small but the boats can maneuver inside for a great photo op for your vacation.

Guimaras Island has so much to offer on your next trip to the Philippines that there is no way you could possibly pass this island up. From little hidden gems to stunning beaches that mimic that of Boracay the island of Guimaras is here waiting for you. 

Christmas Is Approaching

The countdown begins before Christmas. Everyone is busy buying presents , shopping and planning ahead for holidays. Since the month of December starts, party celebrations are everywhere, either work, friends and families. I will still truly missed how we celebrated this yuletide season in my country Philippines. I can still remember when I was a kid, it is my most favourite time of the year because I get a lot of presents. I cant help but compare how people celebrate from different country. Here in Australia it is  the best time to shop because mostly every store has its special or what they call ''Sale'' or you can get big discounts. But you need to be early though because you will end up consuming the whole day just looking for a parking. Most parking lots are all occupied so the earlier the better. Another tip is that look online on which stores had the most discounts so you will know where you going because you will  be expecting a very heavy traffic in this season.
In Australia, there is what they called "Boxing Day", there is no boxing event on this day though, but it is traditionally the day after Christmas Day. It is also considered as public holiday and usually being observed on Commonwealth countries. It is also known as shopping holiday where shops offer dramatic price reductions, expect  for long queues though. Anywhere you are as long as your family is happy and safe it is the most important thing, wether or not received presents or not, others say its better to give than to receive. Merry Christmas everyone.

Pagudpud a Philippines Sanctuary For Fun In The Sun

Pagudpud is a coastal resort town in the province of Illocos del Norte. Pagudpud lies in the northern most part of the Philippines and on a clear day one can see the famous Batanes Islands. Located 560 kilometers north of Manila it is the northernmost settlement in all of Luzon. Accessible by bus or car from Manila can easily take 10 to 12 hours. Taking a flight from Manila to Laoang City in Illocos takes only 45 minutes and is an hour ride to Pagudpud.

The beaches of Pagudpud are famous throughout the lands. The Blue Lagoon is a hot spot and a must see for this secluded beach which is located in the Maria-Ira Point just before entering the viaduct. Try also the Saud Beach which is the most popular beach in the area. Saud Beach is a long beach with many resorts, cabanas and palms to shade the sunny days away.

The Patapat National Park is located along the sheer coastal mountains in Pagudpud. Consisting of 3,800 hectares with an additional buffer zone of 1,937 hectares this national park is a protected area for future generations to visit. With hiking and climbing the park is a paradise for those looking to enjoy the wild side of life.

The Patapat viaduct is an extension of the Pan-Philippines Highway system which travels along the sheer cliffs of the region. The 4^th longest bridge in all of the Philippines it is the pathway to the Cordillera Mountain Ranges. Pasaleng Bay near the viaduct is the beginning of wide pristine beaches as well as outstanding waterfalls. While in this area north of Pagupud visit the Kabigan Falls which is encased by thick heavy forests. The 30 minute trek to the falls along with a 20 peso entrance fee it is worth the trip with its scenic area and large concaved basin. While within Kabigan Falls area visit one of many cool springs within the dense forest.

Pagupud is a top destination for kite-surfing. Those that like to watch kite-surfing are always welcome and those that want to learn can do so in the many shops along the water's edge. For anyone wanting to take a motorized tour of the area 4 wheelers are available to rent at Hannah's Beach Resort. Though many beach resorts are part of this region, Pagupud is a place known for the locals to take in vacationers for a nominal fee (often only 250 to 500 peso). For those into zip lines the Philippines longest open air zip line is in Pagupud. No matter what you have in mind, somewhere in, on or around Pagupud it can be done.

From serene beauty, to the endless mountain ranges of Pagupud this region is a place to take a much needed break from the norm. During the high summer season this area explodes with vacationers alike. Come see why so many return to Pagupud as this region of the Philippines is a land touched by the heaven's above. 

Report of Marriage

Why take so long to get a reply? This is always what I've experienced every time I make transactions with Philippine Government agencies. Not only in the Philippines itself but even if they are based in another country. I will just share my experience in regards to it. A couple of months ago I submitted papers on reporting our marriage to Philippine Embassy in Australia, well the requirements is a lot. You need to submit in quadruplets on all the requirements needed such as all pages of the passport, certificate of marriage, birth certificate and etc. In addition to it you need to have it certified all of the pages you've photocopied. It takes me ages to get those papers certified and done, I have to divide those papers to be certified by different authorized people that will certify because I don't think they are happy handling about 30 or more  pages all up. Well, that's not the only things they do, they still have customers to deal with just like having papers certify in a chemist or doctor.

At last all requirements are certified, now is the time to send it to Philippine Embassy. After days, weeks of waiting there is still no presence of  Philippine Embassy mail in my mailbox. Since I really need it done, I gave them a ring and followed it up. A woman answered the phone and said it has just been processed. What? After all those times, still haven't processed yet? A couple of weeks passed by I received a registered mail and I was hoping it was it because I really need it so badly to have my appointment in passport renewal, for it is one of the requirements in changing my surname to.

 We went to the post office, I was excited and at the same time expecting a nice printed Report of Marriage certificate. The post man handed me the enveloped, when I opened it, I saw the same papers I sent last time with just a stamped that is as big as a button at the bottom part. I said to myself, how long does it take for them to put the stamped in that paper and why it takes 6 weeks to send it back to me? I cant help but compare, if you send something important here in Australia it only takes days the longest is probably 5 days and the most awaited mail will be in your mailbox straight away.

I am not degrading Filipinos and my country but I think it needs to be changed because it such a shame.

Iglesia ni Cristo

Iglesia ni Cristo is an indigenous religious organization that originated from the Philippines. The church was founded by Felix Manalo when he officially registered the church with the Philippine Government with him as executive minister on July 27, 1914 and because of this, most publications refer to him as the founder of the church. Felix Manalo claims that he is restoring the church of Christ that was lost for 2,000 years. The Iglesia ni Cristo is widely regarded as very influential due to their ability to deliver votes through block voting during .

Today, religious sects are flourishing in the Philippines. Some of these have been brought in by missionaries, but others are indigenous having sprouted and grown in the Philippine soil without being introduced or supported from other countries. One of the best known of the latter type is the Iglesia ni Cristo, which came into being in 1914 through the preaching of Felix Manalo. Its more or less distinctive chapels have become familiar landmarks in many cities and towns of the Philippines. Its membership appears to be increasing yearly; and it exercise a measure of influences in the political life of the nation. "

Religion in the Philippines

he Philippines proudly boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia. More than 86 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 6 percent belong to various nationalized Christian cults, and another 2 percent belong to well over 100 Protestant denominations. In addition to the Christian majority, there is a vigorous 4 percent Muslim minority, concentrated on the southern islands of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. Scattered in isolated mountainous regions, the remaining 2 percent follow non-Western, indigenous beliefs and practices. The Chinese minority, although statistically insignificant, has been culturally influential in coloring Filipino Catholicism with many of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

The pre-Hispanic belief system of Filipinos consisted of a pantheon of gods, spirits, creatures, and men that guarded the streams, fields, trees, mountains, forests, and houses. Bathala, who created earth and man, was superior to these other gods and spirits. Regular sacrifices and prayers were offered to placate these deities and spirits--some of which were benevolent, some malevolent. Wood and metal images represented ancestral spirits, and no distinction was made between the spirits and their physical symbol. Reward or punishment after death was dependent upon behavior in this life.

Anyone who had reputed power over the supernatural and natural was automatically elevated to a position of prominence. Every village had its share of shamans and priests who competitively plied their talents and carried on ritual curing. Many gained renown for their ability to develop anting-anting, a charm guaranteed to make a person invincible in the face of human enemies. Other sorcerers concocted love potions or produced amulets that made their owners invisible.

Upon this indigenous religious base two foreign religions were introduced -- Islam and Christianity -- and a process of cultural adaptation and synthesis began that is still evolving. Spain introduced Christianity to the Philippines in 1565 with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Earlier, beginning in 1350, Islam had been spreading northward from Indonesia into the Philippine archipelago. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, Islam was firmly established on Mindanao and Sulu and had outposts on Cebu and Luzon. At the time of the Spanish arrival, the Muslim areas had the highest and most politically integrated culture on the islands and, given more time, would probably have unified the entire archipelago. 

Carrying on their historical tradition of expelling the Jews and Moros [Moors] from Spain (a commitment to eliminating any non-Christians), Legaspi quickly dispersed the Muslims from Luzon and the Visayan islands and began the process of Christianization. Dominance over the Muslims on Mindanao and Sulu, however, was never achieved during three centuries of Spanish rule. During American rule in the first half of this century the Muslims were never totally pacified during the so-called "Moro Wars." Since independence, particularly in the last decade, there has been resistance by large segments of the Muslim population to national integration. Many feel, with just cause, that integration amounts to cultural and psychological genocide. For over ten years the Moro National Liberation Front has been waging a war of secession against the Marcos government.

Fruity Philippines

When traveling the world it is always a problem understanding what is good to eat and what is not. Some of the fruits of Asia are so different that it takes a brave man to taste everything.

The tropical climate of the Philippines makes it possible for the soil to grow some delicious exotic fruits. Most of these exotic fruits are of South American origin and brought here by the West Indies, Spanish or the Americans. These heavenly fruits can be found fresh in the local market for cheap prices. 

1. Philippine Mangoes
- undeniably Philippine mangoes are the sweetest and juiciest in the world. Recorded in the 1995 World Guinness Book of Records as the sweetest fruit. The sweetest mangoes come from the province of Zambales and Guimaras in IloIlo.





2. Rambutan - sweet and juicy when fresh. Rambutan literally means hairy caused by the 'hair' that covers this fruit.
   
   
   
   
3. Avocado - very refreshing as fruit shake. Try if you can find avocado flavored ice-cream in the local groceries. Arceis a good brand of local ice cream. They use local fruits as flavor. Avocado is cheap in the Philippines.
   
   
   
   
4. Lanzones - sweet and succulent little round fruits. The sweetest lanzones come from the province of Camiguin, where they hold an annual festival celebrating the lanzones fruit.
   
   


5. Durian - the king of Tropical fruits found it's way in the Philippines through our neighboring countries. Known for its large size and unique aroma. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive.
6. Have to tell you that you either love it or hate it. I hate it.
7. 
   
8. Langka (Jackfruit) - when ripe this fruit is very sweet and has a very aromatic flavor. It also widely used as cooking ingredient for local desserts such as ginataan and turon.
   
   
   
9. Atis (Sugar Apple) - very sweet and creamy. It's a little bit of effort to eat this fruit as they have a lot of seeds. The fruit flesh is sweet, white to light yellow, and resembles and tastes like custard. The edible portion coats the seeds generously; a bit like the gooey portion of a tomato seed. Sugar-apple has a very distinct, sweet-smelling fragrance
   
   
   
10. Chico (Sapodilla) - It's aroma can be compared to beer but don't let it fool you for it is tasty. The flavor is exceptionally sweet with what can be described as a malty flavor.
    
    
    
11. Watermelon (Pakwan) - though widely available in many parts of the world nothing beats the refreshing taste of a succulent, sweet and juicy watermelon in the summer months.
    
    
    
12. Santol (Wild Mangosteen) - available during the summer season. The taste is sweet and sour. The bigger variety called "Bangkok" is sweeter, the smaller variety is on the sour end.

MORE EXOTIC FRUITS FROM THE PHILIPPINES....


Kaimito (Star Apple)



Duhat (Java Plum)



Guyabano (Soursop)



Balimbing (Star Fruit)



Chesa (Lucuma) It has the texture of squash or the yolk of a boiled egg.



Aratiles (Jamaica Cherry, Muntingia) These cherries are very sweet. The sweetness brings with it an excellent taste, because it has a lovely fragrance that makes people keep on eating them. These cherries are often eaten by children because they taste quite like cotton candy.