Manila Guide Online

Most people go to Lipa City for the beaches and the historical sceneries. But this place is also a haven for foodies. What’s great about it is that the city is just outside Metro Manila, thus very accessible.

Here are some little-known food finds in Lipa, to feed your gastronomic adventure.

Dulcissima Bakeshop

A tiny backeshop that specializes in its cheesecakes and cream puffs. You can get basic puffs and cheesecakes anywhere in Metro Manila, but you have to travel a few miles to get one that tastes a bit differently. The cheesecakes are individually packed like tart and has a very distinct flavor. It’s hard to stop eating just one or two. The cream puffs, on the other hand, are a nice blend of moist, puffy and crunchy.

Milk Joy

Perhaps the tastiest milk I’ve ever come across, Milk Joy actually supplies Starbucks and has been, since 1993, a household name in the city. Milk Joy is also found in selected groceries in Metro Manila. But of course, in Lipa, you can find it anywhere.

Lomi King

Lomi is very popular in Batangas and the best lomi house to go to is Lomi King, which is already an institution as it was built in 1968. The secret to this delectable dish is in always having everything farm fresh. The food is served without flavoring and the vegetables aren’t mixed into the soup to keep it fresh, too.

Café de Lipa

Get your caffeine fix with Café de Lipa’s authentic Kapeng Barako. The coffee is world class but doesn’t carry the expensive $$$ price tag. Try their Caramel Macchiato, the ultimate best seller when you are in Lipa.

If you have seen movies with a large cross in the middle of the sea, then you’re probably looking at the glorious sunken cemetery at Camiguin. Due to a fatal volcanic eruption of Mount Vulcan, the sea now hides the old capital, which was founded during the Spanish era.

According to local historians, Mount Vulcan had four historic eruptions. The first one was in 1827 but records of this eruption were nil. The second one was in 1862 when thick ashes from the crater flowed and overtook people who were fleeing towards the sea, resulting in 326 fatalities. The third one started in 1871. Previous experience had taught some of the Camiguin people of the dangerous whims of Mount Vulcan. Thus, when earthquakes were felt, they fled as far away as possible from the volcano, but some stayed behind. There were spasmodic eruptions and the people who fled decided to stay away until the time when the volcano finally subsided in 1875. But when they returned, they have lost their land and their friends.

The scene is simply dramatic as the sun rises and sets. Its amazingly beautiful and captivating to see such an intense view. Aside from that Camiguin also offers the best white beaches in the Philippines. You can reach Camiguin either from a boat or by plane.

Just two hours from Cebu is a small island filled with white sandy beaches, manmade forest, heartwarming people and a large python to look forward to.  Bohol is famous for its unique geological formation known as the Chocolate Hills, which are more than a thousand cone-shaped hills scattered in the central part of the island that assume the looks of chocolate puddings in the dry season.

Panglao,a small island in the Visayas which is virtually attached to the main island of Bohol, connected by two bridges of just 50 meters in length. All major beach resorts are located on Panglao with its pristine white beaches and clean seawater. Panglao is also the destination of choice for many divers.

Located centrally in the Philippine Archipelago, Bohol lies in the heart of the Visayas with the islands of Cebu, Leyte, Siquijor, and Negros as its neighbors. Bohol (with a land area of 4117 sq. km) is 700 km directly south of Manila, the national capital, and is about 79 km southeast of Cebu City.

What I love about this island is how you try to fit all your activities in one day. Its quite impossible because there are so many things to visit at Bohol. The Chocolate Hills which are very fascinating can’t be visited for just an hour, you need more time to appreciate it luscious colors.

First of all, one must reach the Philippines by plane, either through Manila or Cebu. From Manila, one can take a domestic flight, either direct to Tagbilaran (capital city of Bohol) with Philippine Airlines (PAL) or Cebu Pacific (CEB), or to Cebu City, again with PAL or Cebu Pacific. Please check their respective schedules, as there are frequent changes.

Aside from all this, you could also choose a whole dozen resorts to enjoy your stay at Bohol.Bohol is proud of its beautiful white sand beaches and many interesting dive spots.

Are you tired of looking at papers on your desk? Or maybe listening to your boss whine about the company’s problem? You start to imagine places where you can relax and unwind. You desire to be in a place where peace and tranquility can be felt? Its time to visit Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte Philippines. Among the many places I’ve wanted to visit is my mother’s hometown in Davao. around an hour in Davao, you will see the island Garden city of Samal.

One of the resorts I will surely recommend is rocky beach Resort. Samal Island has several beaches, but the most popular beaches flock with many tourists during peak season, which is around March to May. That’s why most people think Samal is not the perfect spot for romantic summer.

To avoid the overcrowded beach resorts, the role of Rocky Beach Resort comes into play. The name Rocky Beach was coined by the sons of the beach owner. When they first set foot at Rocky Beach many years ago, it had boulders of corals. As of now, Rocky Beach Resort isn’t that rocky as it used to be.

Island Garden City of Samal have numerous of wonderful and extraordinary resorts.Some of the resorts are Kaputain Resort, Cannibad ,Chemas , Camudmud, Costa Marina , Blue Waters , Mayumi, Isla Reta and Paradise Island

Getting to Know More About the Island Garden City of Samal - The Island Garden City of Samal is just minutes away from Davao, a city with a large economic base. With this strategic location, the Island Garden City of Samal also known as IGACOS has a lot of potential to grow as haven for.

Davao. Home of the Durian, and the birthplace of my mother. I am very intrigued with the culture, beliefs and their highlights. According to my mom she is fascinated by how discipline the people is in Davao. She also boast about their richness in fruits and peaceful scenery.

Davao, comparing sizes by land area, is the largest city in the Philippines and in the island of Mindanao. It has one of the most progressive economies in the country with its seaport and international airport being very active cargo hubs in the region. In the whole southern Philippines, Davao City remains as a strong business and investment center.

Some of the historic sites in Davao City include the Battle Memorial, a historical marker memorializing the longest battle between the Japanese and Filipino-American forces during World War II. Another place to visit is the Davao Historical Society Museum, which features its historic collections, located in Magsaysay Park. The Uyanguren Landing Site marks the area where the Spanish conqueror, which name it bears, first landed. He later became Davao’s first governor.

But if you also want panoramic views and a relaxing place at the beach, the n I recommend visiting the pearl Farm. Pearl Farm Beach Resort is located at Samal, an island off the coast of Davao City. Pearl Farm is a 45-minute boat ride from Davao City Wharf. The resort was once a pearl farm where thousands of white-lipped oysters were imported from Sulu and were cultivated for white, pink and gold pearls.

Pear Farm’s unique cottages were patterned from the traditional houses of the Samal Tribe in Sulu. The resort offers five different choices of cottages/villas; Balay House ($115), Samal House ($210), Mandaya House ($240), Samal Suite ($350) and Sunset Suite ($350).

So much for that, Davao also happens to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Visit Davao and be entangled with its delicious durian.

At the Northern part of Cebu is a town filled heart warming people and vast area of swimming ground. San Remegio is ready for you with white beaches and palm resorts, coral gardens and tropical fishes.

Home to 44,028 peace-loving people, the municipality of San Remigio in the island of Cebu is famous for its unspoiled beaches, gentle people and peaceful environs.

History books traced the beginnings of San Remigio’s modern historical account way back in the latter part of the 17th century. In those days, San Remigio was then known as “Kanghagas”

The entire province is ringed with beautiful beaches and enticing islets. Find yourself in San Remigio, where you will catch a glimpse of the longest coastline in the entire province of Cebu, and experience the unparalleled hospitality of the Cebuano.

In this small town is a relaxing resort owned by a Filipino family named San Remegio Beach Club. It is filled with panoramic views and endless options of sea escapes. The resort also offers different packages for the families to enjoy during their stay.

The pool is but one of the resort’s many attractions. The resort also offers kiddies area where you can assure the safety of your children. During parties there is also the sea pool party area. Wide and with panoramic views of the sea, this is where great feasting and partying happens.

Enjoy a relaxing day at this resort and see more solemn places to visit upon your stay.

The last time I visited the amazing island of Siargao was summer of 2009. The weather was just fine for a 7 day travel at the surfing capital of the country. Siargao which is famous for its avid surfers and huge waves kept me from wanting to visit the island again.

Surigao del Norte is a mosaic island in the northeastern tip of Mindanao. Siargao Island has managed to preserve its natural marvel through the years.
On the eastern side of the province is Siargao Island, a tropical jewel that hosts one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and home of wave surfing, the latest sport and tourist attraction to take the country by storm.

Siargao is a tear-drop shaped island situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila. It has a land mass of approximately 437 kilometers. Upon reaching Siargao,you can already see the view from the plane on how the waves crush through the island. The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet-Port Pilar with a coastline marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white sandy beaches. The reefs and points are excellent for picking up any swell that comes along turning into clean, fast waves.

The best known surfing break now with a world reputation of being in the top Surfing Waves in the world is nick-named “Cloud Nine”.  The area is also where the surfing competitions are held. It is usually during the months of September when the waves are on its peak. There are also several places to stay at Siargao where you can enjoy since its near the beach at General Luna.

Surely Siargao is one of the places you need to visit during your stay in the country.

There’s always a great way to spend your holidays with your love ones this Christmas Season. Ayala land has recently opened a luxurious way for you to spend your time this holidays. The Anaya Cove has carved a niche for itself in leisure development with Anvaya Cove. With the excitement of a seaside resort and the tranquility of a mountain retreat, its unique combination of tropical features provides its residents with the best that nature has to offer.

The Anaya Cove is located at Located in Morong, Bataan, only 20 minutes away from the Subic Bay Freeport, Anvaya Cove offers an accessible escape from the city-making the simplest and grandest pleasures of life within reach.

Aside from this, you also get to appreciate its beauty mainly because they have are achieving environmental sustainability. They have created a foundation which is called Clam Seeding for Reeforestation.

It is the fastest and easiest method to repopulate the reef. Giant Clams are self sustaining with its mantle full of brown symbiotic algae which provides them food. They are also hermaphrodites (both male and female) and at certain age of maturity from 8-10 years, they spawn millions of sperms and eggs into the reef. Their sperms and eggs are fish food which will eventually attract a number of small fish in the area. Of course larger fish would then be attracted to the small fishes until we go up to the food chain until the reef becomes populated again.

So get a fresh start at Anaya cove and be one with Mother Earth this holidays.

Boracay is famously known as the best white beach in the country. I would like to disapprove sometimes. Still, Boracay holds on of the high relates of tourist to visit the island. There are several things you can do upon reaching to Boracay. Aside from the obvious of the beach, the night life is also surreal. It has different bars, and restaurant which caters anyone who would like to taste the.  Most of them are owned by foreigner. They also have goods, or “pasalubong” sections wherein you can buy them to remind you of Boracay. Some people are even fond of getting henna upon visiting the site, or getting their hair braid.

In 2007, Boracay Island topped the list of the World’s Most Popular Beach according to Yahoo! Travel.

Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. In 1990, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and again in 1996 by British publication TV Quick as the world’s number one tropical beach.

Story also said that Boracay, was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence. It was only in the 70s when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally “discovered” this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveler, ‘Jens Peters’ book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the island’s pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world. Although some of this stories might not be true, bt still, its good to know.

There are also lists of the resorts you can stay, and right now there are different promo’s to choose from on having a 3 day break. To summarize it all, Boracay is still one of the best beaches in the country and contine

Just like any other town in the country, it holds one of its old historical locations. In Boljoon, is a church that is very old and is still standing from this moment. I went to the Church last summer and discovered the marvels of rich history and melodious sounds of the waves near the beach.

Boljoon Church shows old and intricate carvings and bass relief. It is in a pseudo-baroque rococo style. The interior is decorated beautifully. It has a main nave, a transcript, and twenty-eight pillars which support the walls. The walls are as thick as the pillars which are two meters thick and made of mortar and lime. A communion rail with ornate silverworks was stolen from the church.

The Boljoon Church is the oldest remaining original stone church in Cebu. In 1999, the National Historical Institute declared it a National Historical Landmark. The following year, the National Museum declared it as a National Cultural Treasure.

The Augustinian Friars built the church of Patrocinio de Maria in the 18th century. The church and convent still uses clay roof tiles for its roof. The complex was a fortress church. With in the complex are; block house at the front left side of the complex served as a watch tower, a school at the left rear side built in the 1940’s, series of wall ruins, and an 18th century cemetery. Numerous church artifacts are intact. The ceiling painting was done by local painters in the 1920’s. The church walls are made of coral stone. The façade is ornamented with ecclesiastic symbols. A pipe organ was installed in the 19th century at the choir loft. Church complex of Patrocinio de Maria, Boljo-on (Cebu)

The Augustinian Friars built the church of Patrocinio de Maria in the 18th century. The church and convent still uses clay roof tiles for its roof. The complex was a fortress church. With in the complex are; block house at the front left side of the complex served as a watch tower, a school at the left rear side built in the 1940’s, series of wall ruins, and an 18th century cemetery. Numerous church artifacts are intact. The ceiling painting was done by local painters in the 1920’s. The church walls are made of coral stone. The façade is ornamented with ecclesiastic symbols. A pipe organ was installed in the 19th century at the choir loft. UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List