Abaga Falls is a waterfall and ecosystem located approximately 15km southwest of Iligan City on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. The height of Abaga Falls is approximately twice that of the more famous Maria Christina falls also located within the proximity of Iligan City. Unlike Maria Christina falls however, which is fed by the Agus river, the water source for Abaga Falls is the product of several underground springs which flow into the top Abaga falls via several tributaries.
Unlike like the more popular Maria Cristina falls, human access to Abaga Falls is severely limited due to a current lack of regularly maintained roads as well as the fact that a moderate amount of walking is required to reach the base of the falls. Unfortunately, this level of isolation has not protected the ecosystem from damage due to deforestation and over-hunting.
Eat Bulaga!
Eat Bulaga! is a local noon-time variety show in the Philippines produced by the Television And Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) of Malou Fagar and Tony Tuviera. The program is the longest-running variety show on Philippine television. It also holds the Philippine record of all-time number of live TV episodes. (Bulaga means "surprise" in Tagalog, although it should not be taken as the literal translation of the word surprise; its closest English equivalent is Peek-a-boo!. Eat is the transliteration of It!, the Tagalog game-slang for "lost (in the game)" and Eat was chosen because the show plays at lunch time) The show is aired on GMA Network at 12pm on Weekdays and on Saturdays. The show is broadcast from TAPE Studios at the Broadway Centrum in Quezon City.
The legend of Princess Kansilay
A local legend tells of how Silay City got its name. It is said that in the days of the datus and rajahs, there once lived a princess named Kansilay. An attack on the settlement by pirates was thwarted when the princess bravely led the people in the village's defense. The fight was furious and the princess fought like a seasoned warrior. Murals that used to grace some of the city's public buildings depict her as a fierce fighter wielding a huge talibong, a short native single-edged sword. The pirates were routed, but at the cost of the princess' life. Her paramour arrived in time to see her die. In grief, the people lovingly buried her. To their surprise, a tree grew right over her grave, the first Kansilay tree, a final gift from the brave princess.
Chinese New Year - Year of the Ox
The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.
The Year of the Ox ( 牛 ) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Ox is denoted by the earthly branch character 丑. In the Vietnamese zodiac, the water buffalo (zodiac) occupies the position of the ox.
The Year of the Ox ( 牛 ) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Ox is denoted by the earthly branch character 丑. In the Vietnamese zodiac, the water buffalo (zodiac) occupies the position of the ox.
Dinagyang Festival
The Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.
Dinagyang Festival began after Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez of a local Roman Catholic parish introduced the devotion to Santo Niño in November 1967. In 1968, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the Parish of San Jose. The faithful, led by members of Confradia del Santo Niño de Cebu, Iloilo Chapter, worked to give the image a fitting reception starting at the Iloilo Airport and parading down the streets of Iloilo.
In the beginning, the observance of the feast was confined to the parish. The Confradia patterned the celebration on the Ati-atihan of Ibajay, Aklan, where natives dance in the streets, their bodies covered with soot and ashes, to simulate the Atis dancing to celebrate the sale of Panay. It was these tribal groups who were the prototype of the present Dinagyang festival.
Dinagyang Festival began after Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez of a local Roman Catholic parish introduced the devotion to Santo Niño in November 1967. In 1968, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo by Fr. Sulpicio Enderez as a gift to the Parish of San Jose. The faithful, led by members of Confradia del Santo Niño de Cebu, Iloilo Chapter, worked to give the image a fitting reception starting at the Iloilo Airport and parading down the streets of Iloilo.
In the beginning, the observance of the feast was confined to the parish. The Confradia patterned the celebration on the Ati-atihan of Ibajay, Aklan, where natives dance in the streets, their bodies covered with soot and ashes, to simulate the Atis dancing to celebrate the sale of Panay. It was these tribal groups who were the prototype of the present Dinagyang festival.
Historical Sites of Paradise Philippines
Intramuros. The Walled City of Manila. It was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and became the center of Spanish government during its colonial years.
Fort Santiago. Part of the walls of Intramuros, this battle fortress guarded the mouth of Pasig River.
Corregidor. A tadpole shaped island near the mouth of Manila Bay. This served as the first line of defense from invading ships or galleons going into Manila Bay since the Spanish period. This has been a site of several battles during WWII.
Rizal Park. A large park named after the country's national hero, Jose Rizal. Rizal's monument marks the actual site where he was executed.
Vigan's Calle Crisologo. Vigan is considered to have the oldest and most preserved Spanish colonial town in the country. This street at the center of the city is lined with 16th century ancestral houses and cobbled stones roads.
Magellan's Cross. Along with the city of Cebu, this cross was erected by the explorers led by Ferdinand Magellan upon their arrival in the island of Cebu in the 16th Century.
Banaue Rice Terraces. 2000-year old terraces of rice paddies carved on whole mountains in the province of Ifugao by the Ifugao people.
Baroque Churches. Spanish era churches that are considered as UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila; Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Fort Santiago. Part of the walls of Intramuros, this battle fortress guarded the mouth of Pasig River.
Corregidor. A tadpole shaped island near the mouth of Manila Bay. This served as the first line of defense from invading ships or galleons going into Manila Bay since the Spanish period. This has been a site of several battles during WWII.
Rizal Park. A large park named after the country's national hero, Jose Rizal. Rizal's monument marks the actual site where he was executed.
Vigan's Calle Crisologo. Vigan is considered to have the oldest and most preserved Spanish colonial town in the country. This street at the center of the city is lined with 16th century ancestral houses and cobbled stones roads.
Magellan's Cross. Along with the city of Cebu, this cross was erected by the explorers led by Ferdinand Magellan upon their arrival in the island of Cebu in the 16th Century.
Banaue Rice Terraces. 2000-year old terraces of rice paddies carved on whole mountains in the province of Ifugao by the Ifugao people.
Baroque Churches. Spanish era churches that are considered as UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila; Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Ayala Center
Ayala Center is the trademark given to the branch of the Philippine-owned Ayala Corporation dedicated to shopping complexes. The name "Ayala Center" is the name which many of the malls themselves are referred to, probably as it was the name of the original complex in Metro Manila.
Ayala Center Makati is located in Barangay San Lorenzo in Makati City, at the corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA in Makati's central business district. Ayala Center Makati is a recreational, shopping, dining and entertainment development located near the corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA and is serviced by an MRT station. The development originally started with the Glorietta mall and the Greenbelt, an area of dining and recreation, before expanding itself to cover over 50 hectares of facilities. Today, the complex now includes Ascott Makati, a park, several cinemas (located within Glorietta and Greenbelt), an SM mall and the Ayala Museum, showcasing significant exhibits on Philippine history.
Ayala Center Makati is located in Barangay San Lorenzo in Makati City, at the corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA in Makati's central business district. Ayala Center Makati is a recreational, shopping, dining and entertainment development located near the corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA and is serviced by an MRT station. The development originally started with the Glorietta mall and the Greenbelt, an area of dining and recreation, before expanding itself to cover over 50 hectares of facilities. Today, the complex now includes Ascott Makati, a park, several cinemas (located within Glorietta and Greenbelt), an SM mall and the Ayala Museum, showcasing significant exhibits on Philippine history.
Boaracay Events
Boracay is one competitive venue for the Asian Windsurfing Tour, with the week-long Boracay International Funboard Cup competition usually being held on Bulabog Beach each January..
The well-known Ati-Atihan Festival takes place each January in Kalibo on nearby Panay island. A much smaller Ati-Atihan festival is celebrated on Boracay, usually in the second or third week of January.
Dragon boat races are held annually on Boracay under the auspices of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, with teams coming from around the Philippines and from other Asian nations to compete. The races usually take place sometime in April or May.
Since 2003, the Philippine Ultimate Association has been organizing the Boracay Open Asian Beach Ultimate Tournament, an ultimate frisbee event, which is usually held during summer.
The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that Boracay will host the 2014 Asian Beach Games.
The Boracay Dragons, Boracay's ultimate frisbee team, is ranked #1 in the Philippines. They competed in Brazil for World Championship Beach Ultimate 2007. All of the players on the Boracay team were shorter than the shortest players on every other team combined, and only half of the team could afford to fly to Brazil. Nonetheless, the Boracay team took home the most awards undefeated against every other team until the final match in which they lost. Despite being second place in the tournament, the Boracay Dragons are considered to be 2007's most formidable Ultimate Frisbee team.
The well-known Ati-Atihan Festival takes place each January in Kalibo on nearby Panay island. A much smaller Ati-Atihan festival is celebrated on Boracay, usually in the second or third week of January.
Dragon boat races are held annually on Boracay under the auspices of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, with teams coming from around the Philippines and from other Asian nations to compete. The races usually take place sometime in April or May.
Since 2003, the Philippine Ultimate Association has been organizing the Boracay Open Asian Beach Ultimate Tournament, an ultimate frisbee event, which is usually held during summer.
The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that Boracay will host the 2014 Asian Beach Games.
The Boracay Dragons, Boracay's ultimate frisbee team, is ranked #1 in the Philippines. They competed in Brazil for World Championship Beach Ultimate 2007. All of the players on the Boracay team were shorter than the shortest players on every other team combined, and only half of the team could afford to fly to Brazil. Nonetheless, the Boracay team took home the most awards undefeated against every other team until the final match in which they lost. Despite being second place in the tournament, the Boracay Dragons are considered to be 2007's most formidable Ultimate Frisbee team.
Pearl Farm Davao attractions
The Pearl Farm's attractions however, go much deeper than surface delights. Two (2) sunken World War II Japanese vessels await discovery from scuba divers, just 60 meters away from the resort. Marine life has been protected and nurtured over the past years, and the area surrounding the resort has been declared a marine sanctuary.
Located within a garden of vegetation amidst a man-made flowing waterfall, Ylang Ylang Spa stands out sweetly in the arms of nature’s embrace. This sanctuary offers a wide range of beauty and health treatments such as wraps, facials, body massage and foot spas - available as individual treatments or in indulgent packages.
Indulge your senses into soothing treatments using natural ingredients known for their healing and wellness effect for the mind, body and spirit.
Pleasure aside, the resort offers 3 function rooms and boardrooms with outstanding facilities and equipments designed to allow total concentration necessary for power meetings and conferences. Arrangements can be made to accommodate a maximum of 70 persons.
More flexible options can be made through other meeting and food & beverage outlets such as the Mandaya Restaurant, Malipano Island, and other key areas in the resort.
Located within a garden of vegetation amidst a man-made flowing waterfall, Ylang Ylang Spa stands out sweetly in the arms of nature’s embrace. This sanctuary offers a wide range of beauty and health treatments such as wraps, facials, body massage and foot spas - available as individual treatments or in indulgent packages.
Indulge your senses into soothing treatments using natural ingredients known for their healing and wellness effect for the mind, body and spirit.
Pleasure aside, the resort offers 3 function rooms and boardrooms with outstanding facilities and equipments designed to allow total concentration necessary for power meetings and conferences. Arrangements can be made to accommodate a maximum of 70 persons.
More flexible options can be made through other meeting and food & beverage outlets such as the Mandaya Restaurant, Malipano Island, and other key areas in the resort.
Pearl Farm Davao
The waters of this island The Pearl Farm Beach Resort is inviting. Crystal clear waves splash gently on the shore and the calm surface of the rock pool washes over the edge into the sea below.
Situated in a secluded cove on exotic Samal Island off Davao City, in the Southern Philippines, this world class beach resort is set among inviting swaying coconut palms and fringed by a glittering white sand beach.
Located in the southern part of the Philippines is the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, calm and exotic island with a coastline garlanded with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape elements of coconut palms, flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with various natural attractions and affluent flora and fauna.
Situated in a secluded cove on exotic Samal Island off Davao City, in the Southern Philippines, this world class beach resort is set among inviting swaying coconut palms and fringed by a glittering white sand beach.
Located in the southern part of the Philippines is the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, calm and exotic island with a coastline garlanded with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape elements of coconut palms, flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with various natural attractions and affluent flora and fauna.
Ati-Atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held in honor of the Santo Niño held annually in January concluding on third Sunday, in the town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines.
It is the wildest among Philippine fiestas and considered as the Mother of All Philippine festivals. Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days of this two week-long festival. Catholics and non-Catholics alike observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking.
There is a modest range of accommodation in Kalibo: Tourists are advised to book reservations well before the Ati-Atihan.
It is the wildest among Philippine fiestas and considered as the Mother of All Philippine festivals. Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days of this two week-long festival. Catholics and non-Catholics alike observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking.
There is a modest range of accommodation in Kalibo: Tourists are advised to book reservations well before the Ati-Atihan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)