Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Untouched Paradise of Jomalig Island
The beaches of Jomalig Island are
stunning and many have a hint of pinkness to them, especially at sunset
Jomalig Island lies in the Lamon
Bay off the coast of Quezon Province. The island is the last in a series of
islands which jut out into the Pacific Ocean. The island is a haven for those who
love nature, the beauty of silence and the prospect of pure solitude.
The word Jomalig is pronounced
“humalig” for the Visayan word “to kiss”. Legend to the naming of this island
is that the ancient leader of the island had a beautiful daughter. A young man
from a neighboring island wanted to marry the girl but her father commanded the
boy to a challenge. The boy was to spear 3 fish from all the ponds on the
entire land mass. The young man took the challenge in defeat. Hopeless, he
requested the beautiful girl to kiss him. The people of the island shouted “humalig”
and the beautiful girl kissed the young man. This historic event is still noted
today by many elders who call Jomalig Island their home. The variation of the
name is due to the American variation of the word that is known today.
Jomalig Island is located 180
kilometers east of Manila but getting there creates a bit of a challenge. Accessible
by air and sea the main port and airport are in close proximity of one another
near the northwestern edge of the island. The airport is meant for small
private crafts and as the strip is small and short. It has only been since the
1950’s that Jomalig has been developed into plots for development. This action
however did not spur any real development and the island retains no actual resorts
or modern structures.
A ferry trip to Jomalig takes a
few hours as everyone must take the boat to Patnanongan Island first. From
Patnanongan the connecting ferry will put you on the island of Jomalig. In all,
the entire trip by boat takes around 5 hours if nothing delays you. Once on the
island you can easily see why so many nature lovers come to this quaint and
peaceful land. There are less than 10,000 inhabitants on Jomalig and those that
come there are greeted with big smiles and friendly service.
The beaches of Jomalig Island are
stunning and many have a hint of pinkness to them, especially at sunset. Two
beaches are noted as popular destinations, Kanaway and Salibungot. The pinkness
on these beaches is due to a stunning corals that hug the sea floors around
Jomalig and are special to this island. Those that love their time on the beach
will also love snorkeling, diving and even surfing. This hidden little treasure
of an island is fun for all and unique in ways that are untold to the world. Many
photographs have been taken on Kanaway beach as the sands are naturally
sculpted in ripples which make for a beautiful photo opportunity for anyone.
The island of Jomalig is not for
everyone as most will have to sleep in
tents along the shorelines as there are very few places to stay. Those that
come to the island should find a local guide to take them to the stunning
waters of Bigwangan Lake. Electric is only available from 5pm to 1am as it is
generated by diesel power
Talisoy is the most populated of
towns throughout the island. Here a wet
market selling fresh fish and vegetables will
give anyone a good supply on their stay in Jomalig Island. Those camping out on
Jomalig beaches should speak with the local government before doing so. This
island is very friendly and no issues are noted other than those by juveniles.
Fine your way to Jomalig Island
and venture throughout the entire archipelago to see the beauty of a land that
is barely touched. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for
anyone vacationing in the Philippine Islands.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
The stunning beauty of Bantayan Islands
The stunning beauty of Bantayan Islands does not stop at just one land mass as theislands that surround the larger island of Bantayan are just as majestic. Several of the islands are accessible by foot during low tide and the many others make for an enjoyable island hopping adventure.
The islands of Bantayan rest in the Visayan Sea at the very
northern tip of Cebu Island. It is located just 137 kilometers from Cebu City
and 39 kilometers west of Bogo City. Accessible by sea and air the nearest
small airport is on the main island of Bantayan in the area of Santa Fe. The
largest airport which supports larger aircraft is in the Mactan International
Airport in Cebu City, though the ride from Mactan to the port is 3 hours long.
Ferry boat service is attainable at Hagnaya which is the port area just west of
Bogo City and takes approximately 2 hours to reach the main island.
The Bantayan Islands got their name from the 18 fortress towers
which were built to protect the region from Moro pirate attacks. These towers
had been installed during the 16th and 17th centuries and
today little remains of their original construction. The early inhabitants of
Bantayan Island call the towering fortresses “Bantayan sa Hari” meaning “Watchtowers
of the King”. In later times the outcry for incoming attacks was to yell “Bantayan,
Bantayan” meaning “Keep Watch, Keep Watch”. Over centuries this outcry became
the very reason how these islands got their name today.
A total of three municipalities make up the main island of
Bantayan, they are Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madrilejos. The main attraction to the
island consists of the resorts and stop over’s of Santa Fe. Santa Fe holds all
the main white sand resorts and most of the upscale places that make up this
stunning little area. Because of Santa Fe the people often call this region and
the entire island “The Tranquil Version of Boracay”. This unique and fitting title is given due to
the beauty of the beaches and the crystal clear open ocean but without all the
influx of tourists and party going people.
The west side of Bantayan Island holds the stunning
mangroves where the beauty of bird watching and the up close look at nature is
at hand. Find your way to Sulangan where you not only can see the great
Striated Heron but also the Chinese Egret and the Pied Harrier among many other
rare and exotic birds. Sulangan is also a good spot to venture to other islands
during low tide as anyone can just simply walk across the sand bars and venture
through the beauty of other islets that rest just offshore.
Bantayan Island and the outer islands make for a stunning
place for snorkeling. From the exotic marine animals to the beauty of the
corals the aquatic life here is abundant. For those not into diving into the waters
only need to scout the outer rims of the sea to find the unique starfish that
call home to this area. The starfish that live here are a multitude of colors
and the rare blue starfish can be seen along with yellow, red and orange as
other unique examples that call home to Bantayan.
On your next vacation get away put Bantayan Island on your ‘must
see’ destination. These islands hold a beauty like no other and the calm,
tranquil setting that lures so many here will be the main reason why you come
back here time and time again.
Kalibo City in the Philippines
Kalibo City is located 154 kilometers northwest of Iloilo city and 67 kilometers east of Boracay Island. Often referred to as the “International Gateway” of the Visayas Kalibo City serves as a center point for all the major ports and locals of Pinay Island. Accessible by land, sea and air the city of Kalibo retains a regional airport which supports those heading to Boracay.
The name Kalibo City is derived from
the Spanish era word of “Sanga-libo” which means “one thousand”. This Aklanon
dialect word was used to describe the first Catholic Church mass in the city as
this was how many people were said to have attended. The Ati-atihan Festival is
in celebration of the event and the city comes alive every 3rd week
of August.
A main attraction to the city of
Kalibo is the Sampaguita Gardens. This stunning resort consists of multiple gardens,
a working carousel, a great hotel and a stunning storybook house gift shop. The
resort is owned by Sam Butcher, the artist and creator of the Precious Moments
line of products. The resort has its own museum and gift shop filled with
everything Precious Moments along with a stunning array of Christmas
decorations throughout. The full service hotel is well kept and retains a
beautiful piano bar, restaurant and swimming pool. The entire grounds is
perfect for those who are looking to spend the day or better if staying
overnight in an upscale hotel.
Not far out of town everyone should
take a walk through the Bakhawan Eco-Park Mangrove forest. This unique forest
was started in the late 20th century on reclaimed ground and has
gone from 50 hectares to 220 hectares today. The wooden deck plank walk through
the forest is a true testament to nature and has been compared to some of the
best Eco-parks in the Philippines.
Lezo a small town just on the
outskirts of Kalibo City is home to some beautiful potters. Lezo is a unique
pottery village with many stalls throughout the region. The pottery industry is
a livelihood for the town and those who want to see live demonstrations can
simply walk through the streets everywhere.
Like most cities in the Philippines
the city of Kalibo retains many Spanish era structures from homes, commercial
buildings and churches. A city favorite is the St. John’s Cathedral which is a
simplistic white church with bell tower. The church interior is adorned with an
oversized gilded alter which is the highlight of this stunning structure.
For those who love to see beautiful
waterfalls be sure to find your way to Jawili Falls. This unique tumbeling
falls has 7 basins which is beautifully set in nature. The basin pools will
call you in so be sure to bring along a swimming suit. Pack a bag and a lunch
cause the picnic pavilions are a great way to spend an entire day. For those
who love beaches over waterfalls then head out to the Tangalan Beach. This
peacefully set beach is a nice get away from the heavy crowds of other local
destinations. The entire area of Kalibo is lined with beaches and though many
are not white sand they are very inviting with crystal clear waters with the
beauty of the sea.
Kalibo City is often passed over by
millions on their way to Boracay Island. For those who like more peaceful
vacations with some unique out of the way settings then Kalibo should be on
your list of vacation destinations.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Balabac Island; the Western Most Island of the Philippines
The island of Balabac is a stunning region
filled full of history and a hoard of untouched places to adventure through.
Known in the Philippines for its rare plants and animal species, Balabac Island
is a unique vacationer’s haven for anyone looking to find those out of the way
places in the Philippines.
Located 792 kilometers west of Cebu City
and 291 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa the island is accessible by sea
only. The nearest airport to Balabac is in Kudat, Malaysia. For those inside
the Philippines without accessing another country then the airport in Puerto
Princesa would be the best to use. Those who island hop and would enjoy an
additional adventure in the Sulu Sea often fly into the island of Cagayan
(often referred to as the Cagayan Sulu Island).
Those going to Balabec by way
of Palawan can catch a ferry at Riotuba which ends at the wharf in the town
known as Balabec in the northern side of the island.
An iconic destination and the pride of
Balabac Island is the Cape Mellville lighthouse. This towering octagonal beauty
has withstood the test of time and helped ships light the way to their
destinations. First lit in 1892 the lighthouse was built by the Spanish
Government to assist those who sailed through the Balabac Straight, a
treacherous body of water between Palawan and Malaysia. The Lighthouse has been
declared a National Historical Landmark and stands tall and proud over the
beautiful waters that it keeps watch over.
Though parts of Balabec Island have
mountains which rise almost 2,000 feet high the northwestern coast is bogged in
swamps. This same swamp region is a stunning area for divers to explore the
coral reefs and the aquatic wonderland that calls home to the open sea. Those that love shells can find what is known
as the glory-of-the-sea cone shells which are home to the entire island of
Balabec.
Balabec Island is not your normal vacation
spot due in part to the locality nearing the surrounding Muslim islands. Those
that love true adventure and unique untouched regions around the Philippines
need to see this entire archipelago in southern Palawan. The stunning white
sand beaches on many of the islands and islets are worth a trip to see and
adventure through. Some tribes on these islands have never left or have never
seen modern civilization. These tribes live off the land and offer assistance
to outsiders and are very friendly in nature.
Finding your way to Balabec Island is an
adventure in itself. From Puerto Princesa the bus trip will take an entire day
but the ride itself will be sightseeing tour all its own. Since tourism is not a major thing in the
southern end of Palawan the prices for rooms are very minimal.
Balabec Island and the southern tip of Palawan
are transforming in the 21st century. Find your way to these islands
and see for yourself why so many who have been here still talk about them years
after. Balabec Island is without a doubt a unique and a once in a lifetime
adventure in the Philippines.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Businesses Are Online
Australian lifestyle is easy and no hassle at all. In terms of businesses in the country, based on my daily encounters, most of the shops and anything you want to look for you can search it online. Even from very small local shop has its own website, though it is a very thing for businesses to give ease access to customers. Not only businesses but also government and non government agencies. Online studies also are available if you want to study from home, if you need directions you can go online, if you want to go for a holiday you can look up online to check out the place you want to go. If you want to buy a plane ticket and cannot be bothered going out for a drive then you can do it online too. How easy life could be? I would say almost everything that Google will answer and look it up for you. In other way, I would say it is really an advantage and one of the assets of a well developed country. I cant help but think about my home country Philippines. Though some institutions in the Philippines have their own website, maybe some cannot be bothered putting up a website because usually not all customers have access to internet. Some are used to buy and shop personally itself at the same time strolling around the city, in addition not all Filipino citizens uses card as mode of payment but cash and change. I have an experienced before, I tried to look for a furniture shop online in the Philippines, you can hardly find some. There are some that are on Facebook but
the modes of payment is not trustworthy enough to transact online in the Philippines. Good thing about it is that, the bank I am saving in had its website so I can still track my account through their website even if I am not there, which is a good thing. I heard of some expats building websites on Philippine businesses which is good, at least upgrades online market in the Philippines. I am just hoping that one day some of the business institutions and especially government agencies will give a way so people can have an ease of access too.
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