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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Sampaguita Gardens, Kalibo



SAMPAGUITA GARDENS is a 2.6- hectare boutique resort located in Aklan of Sam Butcher, the artist and creator of the Precious Moments doll with its signature teardrop loving eyes.

The center of the gardens is Jojo's Christmas Cottage which is a Victorian cottage that offers Christmas Everyday Experience. It has a Precious Moments store in the ground floor and the JCC Museum of Christmas in the upper floors showcasing Precious Moments collectibles.

It is 15 minutes away from the Kalibo Airport and most families that travel to Boracay would make it a point to stay one more night in this Resort before flying out of Kalibo.

Some of the areas of the Resort are a bit dilapidated, but still functional. It is best to go as a side-trip during the Ati-Atihan festival or during the cold BER season in time for Christmas.






Monday, March 18, 2013

De Leonor Inland Resort, Davao City



A new resort in Davao City is going to give you the thrill and fun that can surely suffice your adrenaline cravings. D’ Leonor Inland Resort and Wavepool offers exciting amenities such as their clubhouse, foodcourt, park, badminton and basketball court, a 600 steps walk section, zipline, surf package, hanging bridge, trekking section and a mini zoo. The newly constructed wavepool is the main attraction of the resort and it is a great place to have that dip and plunge you want. Their Raging river section is a must-try since you’ll truly enjoy the wrath of waves in this part of the pool. They also have Jacuzzi and pool slides that will unquestionably hype you further. D’ Leonor is an impeccable choice for corporate parties and family picnic because of its bigger space compared to other Davao water parks. The place is not as crowded as the other resorts thus you can have that exclusive-feel you need for your party activities. Also witness the resort’s ploy and entertaining events that add amusement on your visit.

The resort is located at Communal, Purok 5, Cabantian, Davao City, just a 15-30 min. drive from the city.

Rates and fees of the resort are quite expensive but reasonable. Entrance fee is just Php50  and wavepool usage is charged Php250. Additional fees are also collected if you prefer to enjoy their other facilities. D’ Leonor Inland Resort and Wavepool is surely another attraction to hit in your next planned getaway.





Friday, March 15, 2013

Bukilat Cave in Poro Island, Camotes



Bukilat Cave is one of the main tourist attractions in the Camotes group of Islands in Cebu, Philippines. It is one of the 8 natural caves in Camotes and is the most prominent. It is believed to be named after the founder’s name, Bukilat. A long time ago, Bukilat Cave used to be the shelter for the people living in the island from the Japanese invaders during World War II. It has been rumored to have hidden treasures scattered throughout this area.

Located Northeast of Camotes, in the island of Poro, Bukilat Cave boasts its icy-cool water coming from an unknown source. Many believed that the water came from an underground spring and the droplets from the stalactites. Some of the water flows out to the nearby sea. It is situated in McArthur, Tudela, Poro Island, Camotes, Cebu.





Thursday, March 14, 2013

Cutud Lenten Rites of San Pedro, Pampanga



The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites is a Holy Week re-enactment of Christ’s Passion and Death complete with a passion play culminating with the actual nailing of at least three flagellants to a wooden cross atop the makeshift Calvary. Every year on Good Friday, a dozen or so penitents - mostly men but with the occasional woman - are taken to a rice field in the barrio of San Pedro Cutud, 3km from San Fernando,Pampanga and nailed to a cross using two-inch stainless steel nails that have been soaked in alcohol to disinfect them. The penitents are taken down when they feel cleansed of their sin. Other penitents flagellate themselves using bamboo sticks tied to a rope.

San Pedro Cutud is a town in Pampanga province in the Philippines, approximately 70 kilometers north of Manila. It is known for annual re-enactments of the crucifixion of Jesus. During Holy Week each year, thousands of penitents arrive in the area to watch and take part in a pageant commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, including the Good Friday flagellation and crucifixion rituals. A small number of participants choose to have their hands and feet temporarily nailed to makeshift crosses as a sign of faith and repentance; some undergo the ritual yearly.







Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Secret Cove Beach Resort



Secret Cove Beach Resort... located in Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin is an approximately 1 acre of land fronting the Mindanao Sea (right across from White Island). They have seven (7) air-conditioned rooms. 6 kilometers from the capital Mambajao on the National Highway and only 4 kilometers from the airport. 

First established in November 1998, Secret Cove beach Resort is pleased to offer guests very affordable, quiet beachfront accommodations featuring a home type atmosphere and personalized service.

Owned and managed by a Filipino & Canadian, offer an excellent selection of local and International dishes, and fine dining menu is continually added to and improved upon with many popular "specials". They have the best stocked bar on the island, including an amazing selection of Single-Malt Scotch and a small selection of imported wines. 

Come and stay with us at Secret Cove Beach Resort we'll be happy to provide and arrange for all of your activities while visiting our great Camiguin Island. 

In the meantime, enjoy our new Secret Cove Beach Resort and Camiguin Island promo film where you can tour our resort and grounds and see some of the many amazing nature and scuba diving sites and marine life Secret Cove guests can experience.

Villa Alfredo’s Resort




Villa Alfredo’s Resort, the most stylish garden resort, located in the heart of Pampanga, Philippines. It is just an hour and a half away from the busy city life of Manila. It is nestled within the secluded, lush tropical gardens, filled with exotic flowers,  rare varieties of palm, cacti and bamboo species, and colorful birds. A perfect place to relax and enjoy… Plenty of sun, comfort of the room, courteous services and friendly atmosphere. A pleasant and elegant hideaway for nature lovers… 

There are many leisure facilities at the resort including 6 first class and differently themed swimming pools, a separate children’s wading pool with water slides, Jacuzzis, aviary and marine aquarium, which will surely keep both parents and kids happy.






Monday, March 11, 2013

Crystal Cove Island, Caticlan



Crystal Cove Island (used to be Tiguatian Island) in the Philippines is a wonderful island with white beaches and crystal blue water. It lies near Caticlan and Boracay Island. It has a peaceful and relaxing environment with pleasing ambiance and no living inhabitants.

It was discovered a long time ago by fisherman and was gradually developed to invite tourists and locals to visit the place. Crystal Cove Island is a fantastic way to rejuvenate. If you’re on a vacation in Boracay Island, missing this place is the last thing you will ever do.

Getting to Crystal Cove Island is by a boat ride or “Bangka” in Filipino. It is a 20-minute ride from the North Eastern part of Boracay Island. There are less “Bangka” from Caticlan Port going to Crystal Cove Island so you chose to travel by boat to Boracay Island first, then travel by “Bangka” to Crystal Cove Island.

The view of Crystal Cove Island from afar is very exciting. The white beaches and trees that surrounds the island is captivating and the people who worked in the island are very accommodating. The entrance fee is only P200 per person and you get to enjoy the island the whole day including some of its facilities.

There are a lot of activities you can do in Crystal Cove Island such as picnic with your loved ones, exploring the caves, swimming, snorkeling and of course picture taking.




Splash Island



Today's hectic lifestyles often leave families with little time to spend together, let alone go out of town on an expensive vacation. Splash Island offers a place where residents and visitors can convene, play, and relax!

Splash Island truly is your Caribbean vacation close to home!

Located on 4.3 acres, the tropical-themed Splash Island includes three waterslides, an interactive play area for all ages including kiddie slides, water jets, ropes and guns, a gentle winding river, lily pad crossing, two pulsating vortexes, and plenty of deck space and grassy areas for sun bathing and family fun.  The park also includes a six lane competition pool with an attached diving well featuring two 1-meter springboards. NEW FOR 2012: Leisure River, a 900-foot long lazy-river style attraction where you can float on tubes along a 12-foot wide path, propelled by a current of water. Hot? Take the optional track through a rock waterfall and coconut tip buckets that will cool you off! There's also a water basketball court in the middle of the attraction. 


SnacKabana

We already know that you will need plenty to eat and drink during your visit to Splash Island, so we have the best park food around at the SnacKabana Island Cafe!

Stop by SnacKabana for all your favorites including Pizza and our huge ballpark-style hot dogs with all the trimmings.

Other favorites include our large Hot & Soft Pretzels (don't forget the cheese sauce!) and Mucho Nachos with mounds of chips and taco meat.

No visit to Splash Island would be complete without Dippin Dots, "The Ice Cream of the Future!"  Plus you can wash it all down with icy cold Pepsi Products.

Since we are the best waterpark around, we let our Guests bring in coolers from home. However, we will need to take a look inside your cooler, and you must keep it in the cooler corral until you are ready to eat.  Please, no glass objects or commercially prepared food, and do your best to throw your trash into the nearest receptacle. You can also bring your own collapsible chairs.






Saturday, March 9, 2013

Tak Tak Falls, Siargao Island



Siargao Island is situated northeast of northern Mindanao. It is composed mostly of karstic (limestone) and in some areas of ultramafic (area with high mineral content) geology. This small island has flat to gentle sloped terrain. There is no prominent mountain in the island.

Siargao is well-known for surfers and beach loving people. It boasts to have one of the biggest waves the ocean has to offer in the Philippine archipelago. It has white beaches with fine-grained sands. The long seashores make a leisurely walk to pick empty shells a welcome activity.

Unknown to most people who visited Siargao, in the northern part of the island lies a small waterfall that offer an extra venue for tourists to enjoy the holiday. Tak-tak Fall is located in Rizal of the municipality of Sta. Monica. The waterfall is not that high as compared to islands with high mountains. Despite its size, the pool formed by cementing the lower portion of the waterfall allows a refreshing retreat for those scorched from the sun while surfing. The surrounding area is still covered with good vegetation and one of the newest damselfly (Drepanosticta schorri Villlanueva, 2011) from the Philippines came from this area.





Friday, March 8, 2013

The Mansion, Baguio


The Mansion (also known as the Mansion House) is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. The mansion is located in the summer capital of the country, Baguio, situated around 5,000 feet (1,500 m) asl in the Cordillera Central Range of northern Luzon.


History
The Mansion was built in 1908 to serve as the official summer residence of U.S. Governor-Generals at the instance of Governor-General William Cameron Forbes. The name is derived from the summer cottage in New England of Governor Forbes whose administration the original Mansion House was built under. Architect William E. Parsons, based on preliminary plans by architect Daniel H. Burnham, the planner of the city of Baguio, designed the mountain retreat following the tenets of the City Beautiful Movement. In 1910, the meeting of the Second Philippine Legislature was held at The Mansion for three weeks.

The house was badly damaged during the Second World War and was rebuilt in 1947. Since then, it has served as the holiday home and working office for each President of the Philippines during his or her visits to Baguio.

The Mansion House was also used as the venue of important events, such as the second session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) in 1947, the second session of the Food and Agriculture Organization in 1948, and the first meeting of the Southeast Asian Union (SEAU), more commonly known as the Baguio Conference of 1950, which was conceived and convened by President Elpidio Quirino. More recently, The Mansion has been the site of a number of international conferences.


Description
The Mansion consists of an elegantly designed Spanish Colonial Revival main building and a guest house. The elaborate main gate, made of ornate ironwork, was earlier reported as a replica of one of the main gates at Buckingham Palace in London, which is false. The front gate is still one of the most photographed section of the property. Tourists can visit the Mansion's museum containing presidential memorabilia.
Across the road from the Mansion House is Wright Park, a quiet promenade with a long reflecting pool lined with pine trees. A long stairway lead visitors to the back where ponies for children are available for hire. Dotted all around the nearby hills are vacation homes and small inns.