Philippine Travel Blog

If your Asia tour includes a long stay in the Philippines, we suggest that you add in a visit to Ongpin or Chinatown, which is how most people call it as well, as part of your travel program, especially if you’ll in Manila - the capital city of the country - for a while yet.

Ongpin or Chinatown may not be as popular as other places in the Philippines but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be part of your travel schedule. Not only is a visit to Ongpin guaranteed to be delightful in more ways than one, it also won’t cost you much because prices in Ongpin are more affordable than what you’d find in other cities like Makati or even Quezon City.

Ongpin is also mainly a residential town so it’s easier to tour the place rather than other cities, which would require you to take on huge buses and six-wheeler trucks just to cross the street.

Because Ongpin is not that big a town, the streets are mostly narrow, winding and filled with people. If you’re planning to drive your own car to Ongpin, you might be forced then to park somewhere and walk for the rest of the time you’ll be spending in Binondo. But that’s not really much of a punishment - except for your feet, if you’re wearing high heels! - because a lot of people really prefer to wander around Ongpin by foot. Continue Reading »

The 2008 Kuratsa Festival Committee is now scouting for the best Kuratsa dancers in the different municipalities of Leyte and Samar islands, to become contestants in the June 26, 2008 Kuratsa Festival.

Mr. Julito Mendones, the festival chairperson, informed that after the successful conduct of the 2007 Kuratsa Festival last year, the Province of Leyte and the Leyte Heritage Festival Committee have included the 2008 Kuratsa Festival in the calendar of events in the celebration of the National Heritage Month in the month of May until the end of June.

An added feature in the Kuratsa Festival 2008 is the Kuratsa Dance Forum which aims to provide a venue where academicians, culture scholars, and kuratsa dance enthusiasts from all over Region 8, can discuss the heritage and artistic value, and the socio-cultural relevance of the kuratsa.

The Forum, which will be conducted on June 26 at the UPVTC AS Conference Hall from 1:00 o’clock to 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, will also put on record Kuratsa’s value in the Eastern Visayan culture. The Kuratsa Forum will be held in partnership with the UP Visayas Tacloban College’s Leyte Samar Heritage Center. Continue Reading »

The province of Camarines Sur is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the country with tourist arrivals in the same category as those in Bohol and Palawan, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said he expects more foreign and local tourists to visit Camarines Sur in the coming months with the opening of the newest tourist spot in Gota Beach in Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

Gota Beach, located in the Caramoan Peninsula, was recently developed by the provincial government under Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte. Its beach and those of nearby islands like Lahuy, Bitanglaya and others, have white, powdery sand and the waters that surround them are crystal-clear.

It was the site where the French edition of the popular TV series “Survivor,” was filmed. Shooting was completed last week, to be aired soon in Europe.

Durano said being a location venue for shootings is one way of promoting Caramoan in the European and international market. Continue Reading »

Another airline is set to land its first international flight direct to Aklan at the Kalibo International Airport soon, presently considered one of the busiest airports in Panay Island.

According to the office of Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo here, this time, the international flight will come from Taipei, Taiwan.

Air Transportation Officer Manager Engr. Percy Malonesio said the flight from Taiwan through Mandarin Airlines will arrive at the Kalibo International Airport on May 31 bringing in some 168 Taiwanese passengers on board Boeing 737 Series Turbo Jet.

It is seen that the flights from Taiwan will be arriving twice a week which will further boost and enhance Aklan’s tourism industry with Boracay Island as the main attraction and Kalibo with its many attractions like the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival, its Bakhawan Eco-Park and its Manggad it Kalibo tour package. Continue Reading »

Travelling has always been a passion. It gives me a sense of completeness whenever I go to a place for the first time. Grateful as I am, I always appreciate the smallest things life has to offer. Whether I become worried because of an important person or anxious because of an unfortunate event, a new place has always been a welcome treat for my weary soul.

In one of my quest as an amateur traveller (I say amateur because I have only 3 countries in my I-was-here list) and a hardworking maketing person, I stumbled upon a jewel in the northern part of Boracay.

This place may be far from the main beach, the place-to-be as what locals say, but I was smitten by the unique serenity and quiet refuge this jewel has offered during my stay.

I am talking about Club Panoly, the place which redefined my vacation week. It has rejuvenated my well-being quite pleasurably inside and out.

It was an obscure moment to linger in the place for six days because I never stay at put at one designated area for such straight period. The realization that I have been making my life a big joke because of work had profoundly sprouted here. It gave me the peace of mind, I never knew I needed. Continue Reading »

According to Wikitravel, Australia is the only country that has a whole continent to itself. World famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces (beaches, deserts and “the bush” or “the Outback”), Australia is ironically one of the world’s most highly urbanised countries and is well known for the cosmopolitan attractions of its globally significant cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and the Australian capital city Canberra.

Australia is also a major tourist destination, and is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. The country is renowned worldwide for its vast, untouched landscape and its unique culture.

Here are the Popular cities of Australia: Continue Reading »

A Siargao-based surfing organization, Tatus, in cooperation with the Philippine Surfing Federation, will be staging the first ever CLOUD 9 MASTERS OPEN from May 8 to 11, 2008 at Siargao Island’s Cloud 9.

Around 100 men and women surfers are invited to compete in this prestigious tournament in one of Asia’s hottest surfing destinations and win a total prize money of PHP22,000 (approximately US$550) with trophies.

The event will be held on the best two days of conditions from Friday, May 9 to Sunday, May 11. The opening ceremony will be staged on the eve of Thursday, May 8 with the competition commencing on the 9th. Continue Reading »