Olongapo City

Olongapo City is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 227,270 people in 43,107 households. It was originally governed as a part of the United States naval reservation. It was relinquished to the Philippine government and converted into a municipality on December 7, 1959. Six years later Olongapo was reconverted to a chartered city on June 1, 1966 and administers itself autonomously from Zambales province. Adjacent to the city is the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, which until 1992 was a United States naval base. 

If your vacation plans take you to the Philippines stop by Olongapo City . It is a mixture of the old world and vibrant new world as much of Asia has been and will continue to be. Olongapo City has a special distinction that occurred during WWII. Unlike other Philippine cities that gained independence in 1946 Olongapo City did not gain independence until December 7 th 1959. It was a naval base that was held under American control. There is still a maritime feel to the city but one could spend hours or even days wandering the city and not fully capture the essence of Olongapo City. While in the city here are the top things to do. From the seasoned backpacker to the person here on the business or the family on vacation, there is something for everyone. 

Sabangan Beach Resort in Batangas

Only a three-hour drive from Manila to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.

Sabangan Beach Resort is set along the white sand beach of Laiya. The 5,600 square meter landscaped compound has air-conditioned cottages, beachfront parasols, a gazebo, a pavilion with game tables, common cr, mini convenience store, childrens playground, drivers quarters, free parking for guests. Soon we will have a swimming pool.

Sabangan opened to the public in April 2004 with only 3 bungalows - all with private toilet and bath, patio area with sala set and well equipped kitchenette.

Today, the resort has a total of 6 units of the one-bedroom bungalow, 3 units of the two-bedroom bungalow and 4 units of the loft type cottage. The current lying capacity is 78 persons up to a maximum of 123 persons.

All accommodations are used for overnight stay from 2:00 pm to 12 noon the following day. Each cottage is fully equipped with a kitchenette (complete with refrigerator, electric stove, rice cooker, cookware, dining utensils, hot/cold water dispenser with a 5-gallon Agua Vida purified water). Our guest usually brings in food and drinks into the resort and cook in their designated cottage since there is no in-house restaurant.

Paras Beach Resort, Mambajao, Camiguin Island

Paras Beach Resort is perhaps Camiguin’s most popular accommodation. Located in the heart of the island, just a short ride from the capital town of Mambajao and a three minute boat ride away from the crystal clear blue waters and white sand beaches of the famous white island.

Originally built as a private beach house of the Paras family, Paras Beach Resort has become a landmark of comfort and convenience in the island paradise of camiguin.

Since its opening in March of 1995, Paras Beach Resort has catered to both local and foreign tourists.

Cagayan de Oro City

 KNOWN AS THE CITY OF GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP, Cagayan de Oro has been cited by two Philippine leading think tanks for the vast potentials it holds for investors and businessmen who manage to see beyond the fabled warmth and hospitality of its residents.

Cagayan de Oro City is located at the northern coast of Mindanao, Philippines. It is the capital of Misamis Oriental province and the regional center for Northern Mindanao (Region 10). The city is popularly known for its initials CDO or CDOC. 

Cebuano or Bisaya is the city's main dialect. English on the other hand is widely used in schools, media, government and commercial transactions. People from Cagayan de Oro are called Kagayanons.

Most are brown-skinned of Malay descent and some with mixed ancestry popularly known to locals as mestizo.

The city is home to several universities and colleges. Xavier University, Liceo de Cagayan University and Capitol University are known in the fields of nursing, medicine, agriculture, engineering and commerce.

Cagayan de Oro is known as "The Gateway to Northern Mindanao" because of its location and good transportation facilities. However, it is through her warm and hospitable people that the city became more known as "The City of Golden Friendship".

Leyte Province

Leyte is an island province in the eastern section of the Visayas region. It is rich in history, culture, natural resources, and scenic spots. Leyte is among the feature-rich provinces in the country with diverse traits and attractions to stir the interest of any traveler—like a cut diamond of countless sparkling facets.

Sitting amidst neighboring Visayan provinces Leyte is steeped in qualities derived from their strong influences. In fact, its constituents are of two types classified by two influential dialects: Cebuanos and Warays. Cebuano speakers of Leyte are mostly found in the southwest and Waray speakers in the northeast. Leyte people are tugged sideways by a range of influences, but mainly from Cebu and Samar.

Leyte’s other neighboring provinces are Masbate on the north side, Bacolod on the far west, Bohol on the southwest, and Surigao directly to its south. Bodies of water surrounding the province lend accessibility to it, like the Bohol Sea, Pacific Ocean, and the Visayan Sea. These features contribute to Leyte’s being a jewel in the Visayan region and a strategic location this side of the country.

                                                          Sanjuanico bridge

International explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, being so mesmerized at the first sight of the island, called it “Las Islas Felipinas” in 1543. In another circumstance, American forces in 1945 deemed Leyte as a crucial position in the region and in the entire archipelago to launch a major offense against the Japanese forces. The 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf is a memorable event in the history of Leyte, as well as the world famous landing of General Douglas MacArthur at Palo, Leyte. 

Today, Leyte residents are preoccupied with rice farming on the plain, particularly in its capital city, Tacloban, and coconut farming on its more hilly and mountainous regions. People on the coasts of Leyte still enjoy fishing, and perfect dive sites are also available in 5 places: two in Padre Burgos, Donsol, Macrohon, and Hilongos. Leyte has 3 main cities (Tacloban, Ormoc, and Baybay) and 40 municipalities. Ormoc is an independent city.

For a quick look at Leyte’s picturesque and memorable tourist attractions we have Buga-Buga Hills in Villaba, Leyte, and Hill 120 or “Catmon Hill” in Dulag, Leyte. Both are war memorials. There’s the famous Santo Nino Shrine and its Heritage Museum in Tacloban, and, of course, Southeast Asia’s longest bridge, San Juanico, connecting Leyte and Samar.

Leyte conjures many images of the past as well as potential in the future. It also brings together people of various origins and cultural backgrounds for a rich adventure any traveler will enjoy experiencing.

Lake Sebo South Cotabato

Lake Sebu is a 2nd class municipality in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 54,142 people in 11,158 households. The economy is based on aquaculture of Tilapia grown in large fish cages floating in the lake. More than one half of the land around the lake is cultivated for agriculture. The Philippine government is also trying to promote ecotourism in the area. The finishing of a concrete road cut the travel time from 4 hours to less than 30 minutes greatly improving trade and commerce.

The lake's shores and the surrounding rainforest are home to the indigenous T'bolis, Tirurays, Ubos and Manobos. One of the major tribes, the T'bolis are known for their weaving skills and brassware production as well as fishing skills. The rest of the population are made of Ilonggos, Bicolanos and Ilocanos.

The summer and the eco-Cultural Center of south Cotabato, Lake Sebu is blessed with marvelous natural scenic spots and wildlife resources with unique cultural communities, and is the major producer of tilapia, forest product ( bamboo, rattan) and abaca handicraft renowned as T'nalak. It is a reflection of the unique cultural identity and ethnicity of the province. It is further shown off during its Helobung Festival that showcases the different arts, culture, sports and other tribal activities of the T'bolis.

It is blessed with lakes Like lake Lahit, Lake sebu and Lake Seloton which are home to the T'bolis, a highland tribe that has its roots in South Cotabato. The Local tribesmen consider the lake not only a God-given food basket but also a miraculous body of water that never dries up. It is also the site of tourism destinations such as the Seven Falls which balances development with environmental preservation.

Nestled some700 meters above sea level, this sleepy municipality is blessed not only by nature but also by culture, as the location for where the famed T'nalak is woven.

It is a wonderful tourist destination as thousands of visitors here and abroad considered it a must-see paradise because of its cool weather, its one-of-a-kind resorts, visiting its Lakes, waterfalls and natural sceneries. 

Tagaytay in Cavite

The City of Tagaytay  is a third class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. Only 55 kilometers (34.18 miles) away from Manila via Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, it is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tagaytay City provides a good view of the Taal Volcano. The city is a popular summer tourist destination because of its cool climate due to its high altitude.

 

Tagaytay City lies on top of the Tagaytay Ridge, which, at 640 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Cavite. The ridge provides a spectacular view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano in Batangas. This view supports Tagaytay's main industry, which is tourism. is located in the Province of Cavite, on the island of Luzon, approximately 56 kilometer south of Manila. It lies within 120° 56' latitude and 14° 16' latitude and overlooks Manila Bay on the North, Taal volcano and Taal lake on the south and Laguna Bay on the east.

 
The City is linked by the national highway to the Metropolitan Manila Area and to the Province of Batangas. It is also connected by the roads to the adjoining municipalities of Amadeo, Mendez, Indang, Silang and Alfonso in Cavite towards the northwest, to the municipalities of Calamba and Sta. Rosa in Laguna in the northeast and to the town of Talisay in Batangas in the south.