The Philippines is an archipelago endowed with rich natural resources. One of its attractions are its waters that makes them perfect for water activities like surfing. For surfers looking for an alternative surfing spot, Siargao is the place to be. The site has been adjudged as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” because of its various world class surfing attractions. Siargao has big quality and consistent waves eight months a year beginning from October until May. The best time of the year is from November until May when the waves coming from the northeastern swell deliver waves of up to 7 feet. Here are some of Siargao’s surfing sites. Cloud 9 Probably the most acclaimed surfing spot in the country, Cloud 9 has been hailed as the 8th best surf spot in the world. It consists of barreling right hand reef breaks but has razor sharp corals at its bed. Cloud 9 is recommended for advanced surfers only. Guyam Island Reachable via a 5-minute boat ride from General Luna, Guyam Island boasts of several breaks at your disposal. It provides the perfect location for those who are tired with looking for waves at adjacent beaches. Jacking Horse As the name […]
Every September 5 of each year, General Santos City commemorates its cityhood with a week long Tuna Festival. It became a city on September 1958 and its people celebrate the day by paying homage to the industry that brought General Santos into spotlight. For this reason, the city earned the monicker “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” Most facilities that can and process tuna are located here generating jobs for people and earning millions annually. It was the tuna industry that turned GenSan into an industrial giant. The Tuna Festival celebrates the hardwork and determination to develop of the city’s flagship industry. The celebration is marked with illuminated tuna float replicas parading the streets with music, dancing, and the art during the annual celebration. People converge in the main avenue to watch the parade and for some merrymaking. The Tuna Festival started as a spontaneous event organized by the Tourism Association in 1998 until it evolved into an annual tradition. In celebration of Gen San’s 30th anniversary as a city, they decided to celebrate the event with a tuna cuisine through contests and exhibits. AIt marked the beginning of the annual celebration of the Tuna Festival. During the week long Tuna […]
Recently hailed as one of the New Wonders of the World in 2012, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River is one of the many attractions that the city has to offer. At approximately 8.2 kilometers, it is the longest navigable underground river. Developed as a National Park in 1971, it recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What To See Both local and international tourists will be awed by the attractions in the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Its most unique feature is its winding path through a long cave. From Sabang Wharf, you will drive a motor boat while viewing the picturesque Ulugan Bay. Be astonished with the view of Karst Limestone Mountains where you will see stalactites & stalagmites. The Elephant Cave is where Italian scientists discovered animal fossils dating back to 20 million years ago. The whole trip to the cave will take less than one hour. But the duration of a complete tour is approximately 8 hours. How To Get There First of all, make sure that you book your trip in advance as there is a limit of 900 visitors a day. From the main city, make your way to Sabang Wharf where boats can […]
Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef located 98 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa. It derived its name from two Samali words which means “a long reef exposed at low tide.” Declared a World Heritage Site in 1993, the site is under protective management by the Department of National Defense and supervised by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Here we will look at the reasons for visiting the Tubbataha Reef. 1. The two atolls Tubbataha Reef is composed of two coral atolls separated by an eight-kilometer wide channel. The smaller South Atoll is five kilometres long and three kilometres wide. The North Atoll, on the other hand, is 16 kilometers long and five kilometres wide. 2. The corals The corals make up two-thirds of the reef and its waters serve as a refuge for various forms of marine life. Its diverse ecosystem is comparable to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with 300 species of corals and 400 species of fishes. 3. The diverse marine life Aside from its corals, the Tubbataha Reef also serves as a marine sanctuary. Among the animals that make the reef its home include manta rays, lionfish, […]
Facing the West Philippine Sea in the northern part of Ilocos Norte, Pagudpud Island is a sight to behold. Its amazing white sand beaches lined with coconut trees and crystal-blue water is something that you should not miss when heading out to the northern portion of the country. Saud Beach is where all the action takes place and where most of the more posh accommodations is located. If you prefer a more private and quiet place, head out to the Blue Lagoon in Barangay Balaoi. Catch a glimpse of fishermen hauling in their catch of a huge lapu lapu (grouper) or lobster. If you are in luck, you may be able to buy them for a bargain price and have it cooked in a nearby restaurant shack. How To Get There Pagudpud Island is accessible through air and land transportation. From Manila, book a flight to Laoag International Airport and take a 90-minute drive to Pagudpud. Via land, there are provincial buses and vans that traverse the Laoag-Pagudpud route. Ride a bus going to Claveria or Tuguegarao and ask the driver to drop you off at the Pagudpud Baduang Market. Another option is to ride a jeepney or mini-bus to […]
A visit to any theme park in the Philippines on a weekend is always fun and exciting. It always brings happiness to families and kids. Here are five theme parks that will surely make your weekend getaway a memorable one. Enchanted Kingdom Located in the heart of Santa Rosa City in the province of Laguna, Enchanted Kingdom is aptly called the “Disneyland” of the Philippines because of its wide array of musical shows and themed environments spread out in seven zones. Considered as the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, it is the most frequented park in the country. Among its rides include Logjam, Swan Lake, Rialto, and Space Shuttle. Entrance is worth P350 but ride-all-you can. Avilon Zoo Avilon Zoo is located in Barrio San Isidro, Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), Rizal. At present, it is the largest zoological institution in the Philippines. Avilon is home to around 3,000 species of exotic and indigenous wildlife such as large cats, roaring tigers, chimpanzees, and snakes. If you get tired from exploring, there are benches and huge rocks that you can sit on. Manila Ocean Park Manila Ocean Park is located behind Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, it ranks among the […]
The Philippines is an archipelago endowed with vast natural resources spanning thousands of years. The World Heritage Convention has taken notice of this and has included five of its attractions in its World Heritage list. Each attraction confirms the abundance of natural and cultural wonders the country has to offer. Here now are five Philippine attractions classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park – Palawan The Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in Palawan was the country’s first inscription on the World Heritage List in 1993. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee cited it as one of the most outstanding coral reefs in Southeast Asia. Its 33,200 hectares abounds with diverse marine species. Tubbataha derives its name from two Samal words meaning “a long reef exposed only at low tide.” It is an underwater site that features two coral atolls with a 100-meter perpendicular wall stretching 10,000 hectares situated at the heart of the Sulu Sea. 2. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Palawan’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located at the Saint Paul Mountain Range 81 kilometers from the center of Puerto Princesa but is still within […]