province are in danger of extinction, and Mindoro might lose the symbol that it once proudly

introduced to the world.

The Tamaraw, scientifically known as Bubalus mindorensis, is endemic to Mindoro. Belonging
to the family of buffalos, the
same categorical group of the Philippine carabao, the Tamaraw is the largest endangered
land animal in the Philippines
today. In 1996, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed it as one
of the ten most endangered
species in the world.
The Tamaraw measures between five to six feet in length and weighs about 300 kilograms.
While it shares many similarities
with the carabao, the Tamaraw is most known for its horns, with a "V" form, unlike the horns of
the carabao, which take a
curved shape. The Tamaraw's horns grow about 14 to 20 inches long.
From 10,000 heads in the 1900's, the Tamaraw population went down to 369 heads in the late
1980's. Today, reports say
there are as few as 20 heads roaming in the wild.
World's Smallest Monkey
In many respects, the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is different from other animals.
Considered as the world's smallest
primate, it measures only about twelve centimeters in length. Its two big eyes cannot move
and do not have a tapetum the upper protective tissue. Because of this, the Philippine tarsier has learned to turn its head
180 degrees. It has also two
grooming claws on each foot and an almost bald tail extending about nine inches.
Found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol and Mindanao, the Philippine tarsier got its name
from its elongated tarsus
bone. An ordinary tarsier weighs between 117 and 134 grams. It is able to move between
trees by leaping as far as three
meters. It also has keen senses of hearing and sight.
Today, there are only about 1,000 tarsiers inhabiting the wilds of Corella town in Bohol
province where the biggest
concentration of these rare animals was once reported. Ensuring the continued existence of
the Philippine tarsiers is the
Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc.
Neither A Bear Nor A Cat
Palawan bearcat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the
bearcat is a species of its own, with
population in the forests of Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of
Viverridae (civets).
The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the nose. Its head and
body measure 61 to 96
centimeters in combined length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and
lives up to 20 years.
It has thick black fur, which hunters use for making clothes and caps. It is usually awake at
night when it finds food and
uses its tail to climb tall trees where it hides among the leaves. Like other wild animals,
Palawan bearcat's population is
threatened by human activities.

Endangered Cockatoos
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds. Scientists have documented
577 bird species around the
Philippine archipelago. Of this number, 185 species are endemic to the country. The Bird Life
International listed 116 of
them as "threatened" or "near-threatened".
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo
(Cacatua haematuropygia), which
belongs to Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They
are known for mimicking
human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.
The remaining population of kalangays, between 1,000 and 4,000, is now restricted to
Palawan, particularly in St. Paul's
Subterranean River National Park, Pandanan Island and El Nido Marine Reserve.
World's Largest Fish
Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale
sharks (Rhincodon typus), which
are considered as the largest fish in the world.
Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from November to May.
They travel across the oceans
but nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon.
They measure between 18 to 35
feet in length and weigh about 20 tons. In 1996, a marine biologist discovered that whale
sharks are ovoviviparous, which
means that the females produce live offspring from eggs hatched in the uterus.
The Philippine government declared whale sharks as endangered species in 1998, thereby
banning its plunder and
exploitation. Right now, the Department of Tourism is promoting eco-tourism to protect the
whale sharks in Donsol.
World's Smallest Fish
The world's smallest freshwater fish is found in the Philippines. The dwarf goby (Pandaka
pygmaea) measures 1.2
centimeters or less than half of an inch, the tiniest known vertebrate. American Ichthyologist
Albert Herre first discovered it
in Malabon River in 1925.
The Philippines is also the home of sinarapan, the world's smallest commercial fish.
Sinarapan, scientifically known as
Mistichthys luzonensis, is a goby found only in Lakes Bato and Buhi in Camarines Sur
province. Sinarapan grows to an
average length of 1.25 centimeters, only slightly longer than the dwarf goby. Today, unabated
fishing in the two lakes
threatens the population of sinarapan.
Herbivorous Marine Mammal
Dugongs or sea cows, the only herbivorous marine mammals, are often sighted in Philippine
waters, particularly near
Palawan province and southern Mindanao.
According to marine scientists, an ordinary dugong grows up to three meters in length and
weighs 400 kilograms. It feeds
on sea grass so it always reaches for the bottom of the sea. Whether dugong's appetite has

something to do with its long

life remains to be verified. It is said that a dugong can live more than 70 years. The Philippine
government has banned the
commercial exploitation of dugong since 1991.
Exotic Seahorses
More than 500 of the world's 700 coral species are found under the waters of the Philippines,
which is a part of the Coral
Triangle - a region in the Pacific Ocean.
Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family (order
Gasterosteiformes), which also includes
pipefish and sea dragons. Most seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the
water, live in the Coral
Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world. They inhabit temperate
and tropical waters but most of
them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.

The seahorse's scientific genus name, Hippocampus is a Greek word, which means, "bent
horse." Seahorses range in length
from about 2 inches to 14 inches. They are known for their small compressed body covered
with 50 rectangular body plates.
At least 47 nations and territories around the world are involved in buying and selling
seahorses. The largest known
importers are China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Among the largest exporters is the Philippines.
Largest and Smallest Shells
Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the world's tiniest shell,
can be found under Philippine
waters. Tridacna gigas grows as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds while
Pisidum is less than 1 millimeter
long. A shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also found in the Philippines and
considered as one of the most
expensive shells in the world.
World's Largest Reptile
The saltwater crocodile, which can be found in the Philippines and other Asian countries, is
considered as the world's largest
reptile. Scientifically known as Crocodylus porosus, it is different from Mindoro's freshwater
crocodile (Crocodylus
mindorensis), which is a relatively smaller species.
An adult saltwater crocodile measures between six to seven meters (20-23 feet) and weighs
about two to three tons. There
were tales that a 27-foot saltwater crocodile was killed near Lake Taal in Batangas in 1823. It
reportedly took 40 men to
bring the body ashore. When the men cut the crocodile's body open, they found the body of a
horse in seven pieces. The
largest crocodile ever sighted was a 33-footer in Borneo in 1920. It was believed to be 200
years old.
Endemic Plants
The Philippine archipelago also teems with different types of plants. It is said that as many as
9,000 flowering plants can be

found in the country, including 200 fruit trees. Among the endemic fruit trees in the Philippines
are durian, mabolo, pili and
bignay.
They Were Vanishing
Vanishing were not only the animals endemic to the Philippines, but also several things and
cultural traditions that Filipinos
in the 1950s grew up with. Among the items that are no longer found in the Philippine market
are bakya, banig and salakot
(If you still remember them). Bahay kubo is also disappearing in towns and barangays and it
would be hard to find a house,
with a batalan today. Who still observe cultural traditions like harana, bayanihan and
balagtasan. And where did the makata
go?
Important Dates
Trivia
January 1 - a holiday in the Philippines; revelry starts on the night of December 31.
January 20, 2001 - Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo replaced President Joseph
Estrada via a military-backed
people's revolt.
January 23, 1899 - The First Philippine Republic was inaugurated in Malolos.
February 5, 1899 - Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic, declared war
against the United States.
February 17, 1872- Three Filipino priests - Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora
- were executed in
Bagumbayan.
February 18, 1565 - Miguel Lopez de Legazpi landed in Samar; took possession of the island.
February 22-26, 1986 - Filipinos launched the so-called People Power revolution that led to
the ouster of Ferdinand
Marcos.
March 11, 1942 - General Douglas MacArthur fled from the Philippines; vowed to return.
March 16, 1521 - Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines; landed in Samar.
March 23, 1901 - President Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered to American forces in Palanan,
Isabela; later took an allegiance
to the Americans.
March 29, 1942 - Luis Taruk organized the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap),
an underground guerilla
movement.
March 31, 1521 - The first mass was held in Limasawa Island.
April 9, 1942 - Bataan fell to Japanese forces.
April 11, 1899 - By virtue of Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the US; sold for
US$20 million.
April 26, 1898 - The United States and Spain declared war against each other over the
Philippines, Cuba, Guam and
Puerto Rico.
April 27, 1521 - Battle of Mactan; Magellan was killed by men of Lapu-Lapu.
April 30, 1937 - Filipino women won the right to vote during a plebiscite.
May 1, 1913 - The first Labor Day was celebrated in the country.
May 1, 2001 - Some 20,000 supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada attacked
Malacanang Palace in what is now
known as the mob rebellion.

May 6, 1899 - The first municipal election was held in Baliuag, Bulacan under American
supervision.
May 6, 1942 - American and Filipino forces in Corregidor Island surrendered to Japanese
forces.
May 10, 1897 - Andres Bonifacio was executed at Mount Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite by
men of Emilio Aguinaldo.

May 14, 1935 - Filipinos ratified the 1935 Constitution.

May 19, 1571 - Miguel Lopez de Legazpi defeated Raha Sulayman; claimed Manila for Spain.
June 10, 1647 - Dutch fleet attacked Cavite; later lost to Spaniards.
June 12, 1898 - Emilio Aguinaldo declared the Philippines' independence from Spain, its
colonial master for 333 years.
June 19, 1861 - Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna.
July 4, 1901 - William Howard Taft became the first American civil governor in the country.
July 4, 1946 - The United States declared the independence of the Philippines.
August 8, 1967 - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) was established, with
the Philippines as a founding
member.
August 21, 1971 - A bomb explosion disrupted a meeting of Liberal Party politicians at Plaza
Miranda in Quiapo, Manila.
August 21, 1983 - Benigno Aquino on his return from exile in the US was shot dead at the
airport.
August 23, 1896 - The Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio met at Pugad Lawin in Balintawak
and tore their cedulas, in
defiance to Spanish authority.
August 23, 1901 - The US Ship Thomas, with 600 American teachers on board, arrived in
Manila. These teachers were
later called Thomasites.
August 25 - National Heroes Day
August 30, 1951 - The RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty was approved under the Quirino
administration.
September 21, 1972 - President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law; lifted it on January
17, 1981.
September 29, 1901 - A US general ordered his troops to "shoot anything that moves" in what
is now known as Balangiga
massacre in Samar.
October 4, 1762 - British forces sieged Intramuros; Spaniard later reclaimed the walled city.
October 20, 1944 - General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines via Palo, Leyte.
November 1 - a holiday; All Saint's Day
November 1, 1542 - Ruy Lopez de Villalobos named the archipelago Felipinas after King
Felipe II of Spain.
November 1, 1897 - Emilio Aguinaldo and his supporters established the Biak na Bato
Republic.
November 30, 1863 - Andres Bonifacio was born in Manila.
December 10, 1898 - The US and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris; the former acquired the
Philippines from the latter for
US$20 million.
December 10, 1941 - Japanese forces attacked Manila; occupied the city on January 2, 1942.

December 14, 1897 - The revolutionary government led by Emilio Aguinaldo signed a peace
pact with the Spanish
government. Aguinaldo went to Hong Kong.
December 25 - Christmas day
December 30, 1896 - Jose Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan.
December 30, 1937 - President Manuel L. Quezon declared Tagalog as the basis of the
national language.
Titles of Philippine Places
Trivia
What's in a Name?
The Department of Tourism (DoT) has the habit of using titles as a way of endorsing tourist
destinations in the country.
However, other countries are also using similar titles. Aside from Filipinos, the Japanese also
use the phrase "Pearl of the
Orient" to refer to their country. While Filipinos describe the Banaue Rice Terraces as the
eighth wonder of the world, the
Chinese use the same title for the Great Wall of China and the Cambodians for Angkor Wat.
According to Filipinos, Mount
Mayon has the most beautiful cone figure among all volcanoes in the world, the same way the
Japanese view Mount Fuji and
Costa Ricans view Arenal volcano. Davao City is reportedly the world's largest city but other
cities in the world protest,
including Puerto Princesa City of Palawan. Boracay Island is sold as the world's most
beautiful beach resort, but Thailand,
Indonesia, Latin American countries and several Pacific islands are ready to contest this title.
Aklan - oldest province
Angono, Rizal - town of artists
Antipolo City - picnic area
Apalit, Pampanga - tapayan capital
Baclayon Church, Bohol - oldest stone church
Bacolod City - city of smiles
Bacolor, Pampanga - country's capital in 1762-1763
Baguio City - summer capital
Balabac Island, Palawan - land of Philippine mouse deer
Baliuag, Bulacan - the first town to have election
Banaue Rice Terraces - stairways to the sky
Barasoain Church - headquarters of the Malolos Congress

Basey, Samar - town of mat festival

Batanes - smallest province; northernmost province
Bataan - last stronghold during Japanese occupation
Biak na Bato, San Miguel, Bulacan - site of the Biak na Bato republic
Binondo - known for Chinatown district
Bocaue, Bulacan - firecrackers' capital
Bohol - land of chocolate hills
Boracay Island - world's finest beach resort
Bulacan - land of heroes and beautiful women
Bukidnon - pineapple country
Calamba, Laguna - birthplace of Jose Rizal
Calamian Islands - land of Calamian deer
Calauit Island, Palawan - animal sanctuary

Camiguin - land of volcanoes

Capiz - seafood capital
Catanduanes - land of howling winds
Cebu City - premiere city in the south
Central Luzon - rice bowl
Corregidor Island - island fortress; the rock
Crisologo Street, Vigan - kamestizoan district
Davao City- world's largest city; durian capital
Davao Oriental - easternmost province
Divisoria - bargain capital
Donsol, Sorsogon - sanctuary of whale sharks
Gapan, Nueva Ecija - newest city
General Santos City - most competitive city; tuna capital
Guiginto, Bulacan - cutflower capital
Guimaras - mango capital
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan - actually composed of 400 islets
Iligan City - land of waterfalls
Intramuros, Manila - walled city
Kabayan, Benguet - land of mummies
Kalibo, Aklan - land of ati-atihan
Kawit, Cavite - first independent town
Laguna - resort province
Laguna de Bay - largest lake
Lanao del Sur - center of Islam
Las Pinas City - land of the bamboo organ
Lipa, Batangas - coffee capital
Lubao, Pampanga - the birthplace of Diosdado Macapagal
Lucban, Quezon - Pahiyas town
Luzon - world's 17th largest island
Magallanes, Agusan del Norte - site of the oldest tree
Makati City - financial center
Malolos, Bulacan - site of the First Philippine Republic
Manila - capital city
Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan City - mother of industry
Marikina City - shoe capital
Mexico, Pampanga - formerly known as Masicu
Meycauayan, Bulacan - jewelry capital
Miag-ao Church, Iloilo - fortress church
Mindanao - world's 19th largest island
Mindoro - land of the tamaraws
Mount Apo - highest peak
Mount Arayat - legendary home of Mariang Sinukuan
Mount Mayon - a volcano with nearly perfect cone
Nayong Pilipino - Philippines in miniature. (The theme park was opened in 1972 and closed
on June 25, 2002.)
Negros Occidental - sugar capital; sports capital
Pagsanjan Falls - Philippines' el dorado
Palawan - the last frontier; largest province; westernmost province
Pampanga - culinary capital of Luzon
Paete, Laguna - town of wood carvers
Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte - earthquake baroque
Paombong, Bulacan - vinegar capital
Philippine Deep - world's second deepest spot
Philippines - pearl of the orient
Rio Grande de Cagayan - longest river
Romblon - marble country
San Agustin Church, Intramuros - oldest church in Luzon
San Fernando, Pampanga - lantern capital of the world
San Juanico Bridge - longest suspension bridge
San Sebastian Church - the only steel church in Asia

Siargao Island - perfect waves island

Spratleys - the islands claimed by six countries
Sta. Maria, Bulacan - egg nest of the Philippines
Sta. Maria Church, Ilocos Sur - outstanding example of Spanish baroque architecture
Subic Freeport - American town
Taal Volcano - world's smallest volcano
Tagaytay City - the next summer capital
Tangub City - Christmas symbol capital
Tawi-Tawi - southernmost province
Trinidad Valley - land of strawberry and vegetables
Tubbataha Marine Park - world's richest bio-geographic area
Unisan, Quezon - oldest town
University of San Carlos, Cebu City - oldest university
Vigan, Ilocos Sur - Spanish colonial town
Zamboanga Sibugay - newest province
Origin of Names of Places
Trivia
Abra - abrir, a Spanish term which means opening
Antipolo City - antipolo, a tree that used to abound in the area
Agusan - agusan, a Tagalog term referring to a spot where water flows
Aklan - from Akean River
Albay - albaybay, a Bicolano term meaning by the bay
Angeles City - Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda
Antique - hantic or large ants
Apayao - apayaw, a native word for negotiable river
Aurora - Maria Aurora Quezon, wife of former President Manuel Quezon
Babuyan Island - babuyan, which refers to a place where pigs are kept
Bacolod City - buklod, referring to a hilly terrain
Bago City - bago, a large tree in the area
Baguio City - bigjiw, an Igorot term for a moss
Balagtas, Bulacan - Francisco Balagtas
Balanga, Bataan - balanga, referring to a cooking pot
Baliuag, Bulacan - maliway, an adjective meaning tardy
Basilan - basilan, which means iron trail
Batanes - Ivatan, the natives of the area
Batangas - batang, or huge logs
Benguet - benget, a Nabaloy term meaning head scarf
Biliran -biliran, a native grass used for weaving mats
Bohol - bool, a village in Tagbilaran City
Bulacan - bulak or cotton
Bukidnon - bukidnon, referring to the people of the mountain
Butuan City - butuan, a sour fruit in the area
Cadiz City - named after Cadiz, Spain
Cagayan - carayan, an Ilocano word for river
Cagayan de Oro City - kalambaguhan, evolved from the word lambago, a type of tree
Calamba, Laguna - kalamba, a wide-mouth earthen jar
Calumpit, Bulacan - kalumpit, the name of trees, which used to abound in the area
Caloocan City - look, meaning interior
Camarines - camarine, a Spanish term for granary
Camuigin - kamagong, a tree of the ebony family
Capiz - kapis, a Visayan term for pearl shells
Caraga - caraga, or inhabitants of the area
Catanduanes - named after Catandungan river, along whose banks tando trees used to
abound
Cavite - kawit or hook
Cebu - sugbu
Cotabato - kuta bato, or a stone fort

Dagupan City - nandaragupan, meaning where once stood a commercial center

Dapitan City - dapit, a Cebuano term meaning to invite
Davao City - daba-daba, a native term for mythical figures
Dumaguete City - managuit, a Cebuano term meaning to capture
EDSA - Epifanio delos Santos Avenue
Guimaras - himal-us, as local inhabitants called the place in the pre-Spanish period
Hagonoy, Bulacan - hagonoy, the name of a weed that used to abound in the area
Hermosa, Bataan - hermosa, a Spanish word for beautiful
Ifugao - pugo, which means hills
Ilocos - loco, a Malay term for lowland
Iloilo - ilong or nose
Isabela - Queen Isabela of Spain
Kalinga - kalinga, a native word for headhunters
Lanao - lanaw, a term referring to the people of the lake
Laguna - la laguna, meaning the lake
Laoag City - iluag, meaning clear or light
La Union - from the Spanish term union
Legazpi City - Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
Leyte - hiraite, the name of the place formerly known as Ete
Lucena City - named after the town of Lucena in Andalucia, Spain
Luzon - lu zung, a Chinese phrase meaning a far away land
Makati City - makati na, meaning the tide is ebbing
Maguindanao - danao, or flood
Malacanang Palace - may lakan diyan, meaning there lives a gentleman or the Spanish
words mala cana (bad sugarcane)
Mandaluyong City - may daluyong, meaning where big waves roll
Manila - may nilad, a phrase referring to a spot where nilad grows.
Marinduque - Marina and Garduke, a legendary couple
Masbate - masa bati, which means mix and beat as in making bread
Mayon Volcano - magayon, a Bicolano term for beautiful
Meycauayan - may kawayan, which refers to a place where bamboos grow
Mindoro - mina de oro, or gold mine
Misamis - kuyamis, referring to sweet coconut
Mountain Province - mountain
Mount Makiling - Mariang Makiling, a legendary name
Mount Pinatubo - pinatubo, a term meaning left to grow
Muntinlupa City - monted de lupa, a vernacular phrase meaning hills
Naga City - naga, a Bicolano term for narra tree
Negros - negros, a Spanish term for black people
Norzagaray, Bulacan - Governor General Fernando Norzagaray
Nueva Vizcaya - a Spanish phrase meaning New Biscayne
Pagsanjan, Laguna - pinagsangahan, or where the river branched out
Palawan - palan yu, a Chinese phrase for beautiful harbor
Palayan City - palayan, or rice field
Pampanga - pampang, which means riverbank
Pangasinan - asin, which means salt
Panay - pan hay, a Spanish word
Paranaque City - para aqui, a Spanish phrase meaning stop here
Pasay City - paso hay, a Spanish phrase meaning there is a pass
Pasig River - passi, probably evolved from the word mabagsik, meaning violent in force

Pateros - pato, meaning duck

Philippines - Philip II of Spain
Plaridel, Bulacan - Marcelo del Pilar
Pulilan, Bulacan - pulo ng ulan, meaning island of rain
Quezon City - Manuel L. Quezon
Quiapo, Manila - kiyapo, a cabbage-like weed
Quirino - Elpidio Quirino

Rizal - Jose Rizal

Romblon - lomlon or donblon
Samar - zamal
Sarangani - sangir, the language spoken by inhabitants of Sarangani Island
Silliman University - Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a philanthropist from New York
Siquijor - quipjod, a native term that means the tide is ebbing
Sorsogon - solsogon, a Bicolano term meaning to follow the river
Sultan Kudarat - Sultan Kudarat, a Muslim ruler in the 17th Century
Sulu - sug, meaning water current
Surigao - saliagao, a native term meaning to grab
Tarlac - tarlac, an Aeta word which refers to a weed
Tagaytay City - taga itay, two words which mean cut and father
Tawi-Tawi - jaui jaui, evolved from the Malay term jau that means far
Tuguegarao City - tuggui gari yaw, an Ibanag phrase meaning it used to be fire
Valenzuela City - Pio Valenzuela
Visayas - Bisayas, or the name of the people in the area
Zambales - zambals, or the name of the inhabitants in the area
Zamboanga -samboangan, evolved from the local term sabuan, which refers to a wooden
pole.
Philippine Natural Wonders
Trivia
Third Longest Coastline
The Philippines, one of the world's largest archipelagos, also has one of the longest
combined coastlines in the planet. The
total length of the country's coastlines is 36,289 kilometers or almost twice that of the United
States. It is said to be the
third country with the longest combined coastlines, after Canada and Indonesia. With 7,107
islands, the Philippines lies
between two great bodies of water, namely: on the east by Pacific Ocean, the world's largest
ocean and on the west by
South China Sea, the world's second largest sea after Caribbean Sea.
Eighth Wonder of the World
The Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao province has been dubbed as the "Eighth Wonder of the
World". The Ifugaos carved the
terraces from the rocky mountain of Banaue, about 4,000 feet above the sea level, hundreds
of years ago. The total outline
of this architectural wonder, otherwise known as the "stairways to the sky" is about 13,500
miles long, or about half the
globe's circumference and ten times the length of the Great Wall of China.
To preserve the natural beauty of the spot, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
declared it as a world heritage site. "For 2,000 years, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have
followed the contours of the
mountain. The fruit of knowledge passed on from one generation to the next, of sacred
traditions and a delicate social
balance, they helped form a landscape of great beauty that expresses conquered and
conserved harmony between
humankind and the environment," the UNESCO said.
World's Deepest Spots
The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot, about 34,440
feet (10,497 meters) below the
sea level, is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in

the floor of the Philippine Sea.

The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927. The world's deepest part of the
ocean is the Marianas Trench,
which is over 11,000 meters below the seal level.
Nearly Perfect Cone
Mayon Volcano in Albay province has the distinction of having a nearly perfect cone. Towering
at a height of 2,462 meters
above the sea level, Mount Mayon overlooks Legaspi City. Its name, derived from the
Bicolano term Magayon, means
beautiful and is associated with a folk legend. The volcano has a base circumference of 62.8
kilometers. Geologists claimed
that the stratovolcano developed its cone shape from a pile around the vent of volcanic
materials composed of lava, rock
and ash. Its first eruption was recorded in 1616, and there were at least 47 more eruptions
since then, the last one in
February, 2000. In 1911, its eruption killed 1,300 people and buried the town of Cagsawa.
World's Smallest Volcano
Taal Volcano, a 406-meter-high crater, is said to be the world's smallest volcano. It is
described as "a crater within an island
within a lake" because it stands as an island at Taal Lake. The lake was formed after the
volcano, which used to be much
larger, collapsed. The ridges around Tagaytay City, which overlooks the lake, are believed to
be part of the crater of the old
volcano. These ridges now serve as the border of the 18-mile-diameter Taal Lake and stretch
32 kilometers from Mount
Batulao to Mount Sungay. Also considered as one of the world's most active volcanoes, Taal
Volcano has erupted over 20
times since 1572.
Animal Sanctuary
Located northwest off Palawan mainland is Calauit Island, a 3,700-hectare wildlife sanctuary
that serves as a host to African
and Philippine wildlife. The Philippine government developed the sanctuary in response to an
appeal by the International
Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to save the endangered animals. The only one of its
kind in the Philippines, Calauit
is home to over 600 species of giraffe, impala, topi, gazelles, eland, and zebra and to
Philippine endangered species such as
the Calamian deer, Palawan bearcat, Philippine mouse deer, tarsier, pheasant peacock, scaly
ant-eater and monitor lizard.
The island also provides a refuge to sea turtles (pawikan), giant clams and the rare seacow or
dugong.
Largest Natural Park
The Sierra Madre national park in northern Luzon is the country's largest natural park. The
359,000-hectare park is the
home of endangered species such as pawikan (Chelonia mytas), bayakan or giant bat,
Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga
jefferyi), wild boar (Sus philippinesis), Philippine brown dear (Cervus marianus), cloud rat
(Ratus mindorensis), flamebreasted fruit dove, kalaw (Philippine hornbill), bukarot (Philippine crocodile), and native owl.

Richest Marine Park

The Tubbataha Reefs in Sulu Sea is considered as the world's richest bio-geographic area.
Derived from two Samal words
meaning, "long reef exposed at a low tide", Tubbataha was declared as the country's first
national marine park in 1988. The
marine park covers 33,200 hectares and contains what is believed to be the world's largest
grouping of marine life, per unit
area. Scientists claimed that more than 300 coral species, and at least 40 families and 379
species of fish were recorded in
the area. Among the species identified in the area were manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, tuna,
dolphins and jackfish. In
1993, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed
Tubbataha Reefs as a world
heritage site.
Finest Beach Resort
Widely known as one of the world's finest beach resorts, Boracay Island has unsullied fine
talcum powder-sand beaches. Its
tranquil crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, fishing and sunbathing. The
island also affords visitor a
magnificent view of sapphire seas and golden sunsets. The island lies at the northwest tip of
Panay, in the west Visayas
region, off the Sibuyan Sea.
Siargao Island
Siargao Island, lying east of Surigao del Norte province, boasts of white-sand beaches and
surfing waves comparable to that
of Hawaii. The island is a mass of tropical land with scores of reefs, points and white
beaches. American surf photographer
John Callahan discovered the remarkable waves of the island in 1993. He came back from
his trip armed with stories about
the lovely sun-drenched island and documented his find with beautiful photographs. Siargao's
Cloud Nine break is said to be
among the best in the world.
Longest Cave
The 15-kilometer St. Paul Cave in Palawan province is considered as the longest natural cave
in the country. Other notable
caves in the Philippines are the 8.9-kilometer Odloman Cave in Mabinay, Negros Oriental;
and the 7.7-kilometer Odessa
Tumbali Cave in Penablanca, Cagayan. In terms of vertical range, the deepest cave is the
Sumaging-Latipan-Lomyang
Crystal Cave in Sagada Mountain Province. Its deepest point is 163 meters from its mouth.
World's Longest Underground River
Palawan's St. Paul's underground river is said to be the world's longest underground river.
The navigable part of the river
inside the cave of the 4000-acre St. Paul Subterranean River stretches 8.2 kilometers in
length (5 miles). However, this title
is being disputed in Vietnam where an underground river known as Son Trach River
reportedly extends 7 miles in length.
Filipino explorers, however, claimed that once fully measured, St. Paul total length would
reach 15 kilometers.

Longest River
Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan, with a total length of 353 kilometers, is the longest
and widest river in the
Philippines. It bisects the Cagayan Valley from north to south. Also considered as the
mightiest watercourse, Cagayan River
sources its water from smaller rivers and streams in the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre,
Caraballo, Cordillera, and Balete
Pass. This river meets the South China Sea in an impressive expanse known as Aparri Delta.
The other notable rivers in
Luzon are Chico, Abra, Pampanga, and Bicol. In the south, the principal rivers are Mindanao
(known in its upper course as
the Pulangi) and Agusan. Meanwhile, the underground river of St. Paul's Natural Park in
Palawan is considered as one of the
world's longest subterranean rivers. The world's longest rivers are the Nile River in Egypt and
Amazon River in South
America. Also worth mentioning are the Yangtze River in China, Mekong River in Vietnam,
and Euphrates River in Iraq.
Highest Mountain
Towering at a height of 2,954 meters (9,692 feets), Mount Apo is the highest peak in the
country. Located 25 kilometers
south of Davao City, the mountain which forms part of the Mount Apo National Park is blessed
with hot springs, sulfur
pillars, geysers, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. It is home to a number of endemic animals such
as the Philippine eagle,
falconet and mynah. Its peak can be reached on a four-day hiking trip. Apo means
"grandfather of all mountains". Scientists
classify it as a semi-active volcano. Materials from previous eruptions have made the soil
around the mountain extremely
fertile. The mountain's base covers 72,796 hectares of mountain ranges that extend from
Davao del Sur to Misamis
Oriental. While the mountain's peak looks snow-capped, the white appearance is actually
caused by the presence of sulfur.
Longest Mountain Range
The longest mountain range in the country is Sierra Madre, which stretches from Cagayan
province in northeastern Luzon to
Aurora province in southern Tagalog.
Highest Waterfalls
The highest waterfall in the country is the 388-meter-high Aliwagwag Falls, in Cateel town,
Davao Oriental province. The
cascade has 13 rapids and looks like a stairway with 84 steps of varying heights.
The second highest waterfall is located in Barangay Rogongon, 54 kilometers from Iligan City.
Limunsudan Falls, a twotiered fall, has a combined height of 870 feet. Its lower cascade alone measures 400 feet,
higher than the entire height of
Maria Cristiana Falls.
Maria Cristina Falls, also in Iligan City (Lanao del Norte), towers at 320 feet. Also known as
the "Mother of Industry", Maria
Cristina Falls supplies 80 percent of the total energy requirement of the Mindanao region.
Another breathtaking waterfall in
Iligan City is the Tinago Falls, located 13 kilometers from the city proper. As its name implies,
this 420-foot waterfall lies
hidden in a deep ravine. The world's highest waterfall is the Angel Falls in Venezuela. As a

tributary of Caroni River, this

waterfall has a total elevation of 3,281 feet.
Largest Lake
Laguna de Bay, an inland body of water covering 900 square kilometers, is the country's
largest lake. Located between the
provinces of Rizal and Laguna, the lake receives its water from 21 river systems. In the
middle of the lake lies the island of
Talim, a heavily populated settlement of mostly fishermen. The second largest lake in the
country is Lake Sultan-Alonto in
Mindanao. Commonly known as Lake Lanao, the lake covers an area of 355 square
kilometers. Meanwhile, the world's
largest inland body of water is the Caspian Sea, which is actually a lake in the boundary of
Europe and Asia and covering an
area of 143,240 square miles. Lake Superior (North America), Lake Victoria (Africa), the Aral
Sea (Russia) and Lake Huron
(North America) are also among the world's largest lakes.
Towering Cliffs
The towering limestone cliffs of El Nido that rise magnificently from the crystal clear waters of
South China Sea amidst
verdant backdrop are among the most astonishing pictures one can see in the Philippines. El
Nido, a secluded group of
islands west off Palawan province, is also known as a sanctuary of endangered birds and
marine animals.
sometimes lead to lush tropical jungles.
To get to Boracay, one has to book a flight to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan province. Airconditioned coasters or public buses
offer one-hour-and-a-half drive to Caticlan where one can board a motorized banca for a 30minute trip to Boracay.
Siargao Island
This newly discovered island boasts of white-sand beaches and surfing waves compared to
that of Hawaii. Lying 800
kilometers southeast of Manila, the tear-shaped Siargao Island is a perfect haven for the sun,
sea, and surf buffs. It lies on
the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte and on the southeastern tip of Mindanao. The island
is a mass of tropical land with
scores of reefs, points and white beaches.
Its promise as a surfing mecca in the making was discovered in 1993 by American surf
photographer John Callahan who
went to investigate the rumors of spectacular waves in a little known Mindanao town. He
came back from his trip armed
with stories about the lovely sun-drenched island and documented his find with beautiful
photographs.
Siargao opened itself to the international surfing community by playing host to the Siargao
Surfing Cup in the municipality
of General Luna. Siargao's Cloud Nine break is said to be among the best in the world and
foreign sportsmen view "the
unparalleled surf of Siargao as a magnet for deep sea fishing, sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking,
and sunbathing on miles of
white sandy beaches that the reef-ringed island and its rich waters afford the visitor.

Samal Island
Samal Island offers unending fascination with its white-sand beaches, thick mangroves, coral
reefs, rolling hills and rock
formations.It is an archipelago of nine islands located in the Davao Gulf about 700 meters
south of Davao City. An ideal
model for resort and development, Samal Island provides a fabulous site for sunrise and
sunset.
Samal Island, like the rest of Mindanao, is outside of the typhoon belt, and enjoys relatively
calm weather. Its coastline is
characterized by tall, swaying coconut trees, white sand beaches, rock formations,
mangroves, coral reefs, and small fishing
villages, all suggestive of a tropical island paradise.
Almost all of the beach areas have white sand, with widths varying from only a few meters to
more than 10 meters. It
provides ample space for picnic huts, reclining chairs for sun bathing, or for simply relaxing and
enjoying the tropical
scenery.
The water is crystal clear throughout the coastline, which varies in terrain from gently sloping
sand beaches to steep cliffs and rock formations. The colors of the coastline at the beach
areas transforms itself from the green lush vegetation of coconut trees, to the white sandy
beaches, to the dark blue color of the sea, with its deep waters and coral reefs.
Among its popular attractions are the Aguinaldo Pearl Farm, the caves of Talikud Island, the
White Stone Mountain, and the
San Jose Muslim Fishing Village.
Bohol's Springs and Beaches
Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of
Visayas and with coastline skimmed
by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along sparkling beaches or
leafy rivers where one can stop
at any point and jump in.
With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, the province of Bohol is a
picturesque province replete with
ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. Bohol is composed of numerous isles -Panglao,
Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao,
Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.
The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in Bohol. The
province is the home of the world's
smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some
ten kilometers from Tagbilaran.
Other exotic flora and fauna may also be found amongst the forest of Bohol.
Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the
adventurous tourist. One can
cruise its rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters, or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is
just waiting to surprise
you.
Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital town can be reached by plane or boat from Cebu and Manila.
Numerous tourist inns and excellent
resorts are found in Tagbilaran and Panglao island.

The Beaches of Palawan

The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country's last frontier,
Palawan is a sanctuary to an
amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. Palawan is also home
to Tubbataha Reef, the only
national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is
comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of
Australia.
With more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic
rock formations, underwater
rivers and magnificent caves. Other well-known attractions include Saint Paul's National Park
which boasts of caves that
nestle an underground river; El Nido, a world-class resort famous for its awe-inspiring
seascape and limestone cliffs; and
Calauit island, home of Philippine and African wildlife.
Also in Palawan is the primordial island of Busuanga, a perfect starting point for sorties to
other nearby islands.In Palawan,
each day is promising. The sun rises over the South China Sea and soon everything else
sparkles, including the smiles of its
people.
The Beaches of Glan, Sarangani
Glan, the largest town in the Sarangani province, boasts of world-class beach resorts and rich
fishing grounds. The terrain of
Glan is characterized by flatlands, rolling hills and mountains. Most land areas have been
converted to agriculture and
fishponds.
The town of Glan is bounded on the east by Davao Del Sur, on the north by Malapatan town,
on the west by the South China
Sea, and on the south by Sarangani Bay.
Many foreign and local tourists flock to the area during summer because of its splendid beach
resorts. The sorrounding
waters, particularly in Gumasa, Baliton and Margus areas are rich fishing grounds. As many
as 2,400 species of marine
animals have been found in the bay. The dominant catch include yellow-fin tuna, shipjack, and
mackerel.
Glan can be reached from Manila and Cebu by airplane going to General Santos City and a
45-minute drive from the airport.
Subic Bay
Subic, the former US naval base in the Philippines, is now a hub for commerce and tourism.
Just two-and-a-half hour drive
north from Manila, Subic offers a full view of the blue mountain and sea and of the green
background of a three-layered
virgin forest.
Points of interest include the 18-hole Binictican Golf Course and Clubhouse, a white-sand
beach, bowling and arcade
center,a ship wharf past a restricted forested area, firing ranges, fishing grounds and an area
for bungee jumping.
Visitors to Subic can take a 12-hour jungle survival course, visit an Aeta tribal village, take a
bay cruise, explore the coves,

end up at the white-sand beach of Grande Island, engage in water sports, go horseback
riding or simply enjoy the scenic
view of the sea.
Subic Bay is complete with tourism-support facilities that include a marina, a yacht club,
hotels, shopping arcades and food
shops. It also boasts of an international airport.
Anilao
Anilao, a resort village in Mabini, Batangas is considered the summer mecca of diving
fanatics. The resort offers
accommodations and diving facilities, plus the services of training clubs that provide courses
on diving.
Situated in the southeast area of Batangas province, Anilao may be reached within three
hours from Manila through public
buses or jeepneys. From Anilao, one can start diving from the shore or go in bancas to nearby
islands. Among them is
Sombrero (Hat) Island, a marine preserve where sports activities are regulated.
Other dive spots in this side of Batangas are Mapating Rock at Maricaban Island, Caban
Cove and Layag Layag Point.
Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera (which means Galleon Port) is one of the most popular beach resorts in the
Philippines. A marine reserve, it is
endowed with coves, fine sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs ideal for snorkeling.
The place can be reached from the port of Batangas City where a ferry service to Mindoro
awaits the tourists. Bancas may
be hired to go to Escarceo Point, the best dive spot in Puerto Galera. The area offers positive
thrills and guaranteed
excitement, with its sudden rushes of strong currents and steep slopes which are a favorite
gathering place for large pelagic
fish.Diving expeditions are usually organized by certified masters on specific dive spots.
Hundred Islands
Northern Philippines boasts of white-sand beaches in Pangasinan and Ilocandia. Among the
best tourist destinations is the
Hundred Islands which can be reached from the Pangasinan town of Alaminos, where the
lodging accommodations and
restaurants are situated.
At Hundred Islands, the visitor may rent an island for one's own private beach for a day. Short
boat rides take off from the
village of Lucap to the Hundred Islands.
Beaches stretch along the western coast of Ilocos region. Among the popular beach resorts
are Cresta del Mar, Bali Hai,
Cabana and the Coconut Grove in La Union province.
Ilocos Norte also has fine resorts such as D'Coral Beach Resort and Fort Ilocandia.
Pools and Resorts
Aside from beaches and diving spots, the Philippines also has other beautiful places. You can
either take a dip in the
refreshing waters of modern resort facilities, feel the gush of volcanic hot springs or just have
fun under the waterfalls.
Pagsanjan Falls
A popular tourist destination, Pagsanjan Rapids and Falls is a series of 14 rapids punctuated by
mini-waterfalls on the way to

the main falls. Pagsanjan is a small Laguna town which served as the setting for Fracis Ford
Coppola's film "Apocalypse
Now."
The terrain towards the main falls offers a lot of exitement. As one negotiates the waterway,
the trips becomes wilder, with
the river flanked by towering cliffs lush with vegetation. Waters from the Cavinti and Luisiana
dams cascade down
Pagsanjan Falls and into a segregated part of the river which is about 150 feet deep. Here,
one can rent a raft and enjoy
riding under the falls.
Laguna Resorts
Aside from Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna has a lot more to offer. Laguna has one of the
Philippines' incredibly beautiful
countryside sceneries. The province offers a scenic view of a bay, considered as the largest in
the country. The towns of
Calamba and Los Baos abound with swimming pools and resorts. Many residents of Metro
Manila head for these towns
during summer.
In Calamba, one can proceed to the ancestral house of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The
house now serves as a museum
and is a repository of Philippine history and culture.
Los Baos, on the other hand, is famous for its numerous hot springs. Considered as a flower
basket in Luzon, Los Baos
produces a wide variety of flowers and other ornamentals. Mt. Makiling, an extinct volcano,
stands guard over the town.
Hidden Valley Springs
Hidden Valley Springs is one of the most popular resorts in Alaminos, Laguna. The valley
nestles at the foot of Mt. Makiling,
a mystical mountain associated with local myths.
A number of springs with hot, cold and soda water, lace a forest of huge fruit trees, tropical
shrubs and flowering plants. A
concrete path connects the pools and leads to the jungle's interior where a waterfall has cut a
gorge down the
mountainside.
The resort has cottages for overnight stay and restaurants. It is an ideal base for visiting the
surrounding provincial towns of
Laguna and Quezon.
Bulacan Resorts
Bulacan, a progressive province just north of Manila, offers resort facilities that are generally
clean and complete in
amenities.
The towns of San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Balagtas, Pandi, Malolos, Plaridel and San
Miguel boast of resort facilities that
draw visitors from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The rural setting provides a perfect
blend of countryside nature and
modern facilities for fun and recreation.
Among the well known resorts in the province are DJ Paradise Resort in Malolos; Sibul Spring
Resort in San Miguel; Grotto
Vista in San Jose del Monte; 4k Garden and Lanesca Resort; Latian in Marilao and Villa
Christina in Balagtas.

Bulacan is just a 30-minute drive from Manila via the North Luzon Tollway or through the Mac
Arthur Highway.
Villa Escudero
Villa Escudero, a coconut plantation village in San Pablo City, was developed by its owners
into a tourist destination
complete with swimming pools, picnic area, fishing grounds, and modern amenities. Special
packages can be arranged to
include overnight stay with food and accommodation.
The village offers a glimpse of plantation living. The whole area is surrounded by coconut
trees and flowering plants. The
estate also houses a museum whose collection ranges from fabulous antiquities to kitsch.
Bamboo cottages grid a river that
flows to a dam where picnickers gather around the tables set up on the water.
The village is a one-and-a-half hour drive south from Manila.
Puerto Azul
Situated on the southern entrance to Manila Bay and opposite Corregidor Island is Puerto
Azul, a beach resort that offers a
breathtaking sight with all its elegance and mystique.
Puerto Azul, a tourists' paradise in the outskirts of Ternate town in Cavite, boasts of flowery
bushes, verdant hills and
forests, blue sea, and fine sand beaches. Here, one can imagine one's self in the Biblical
Garden of Eden (a little bit in the
modern era, though).
The resort complex, which nestles within a 3,300-hectare nature reserve, houses two entities:
the Puerto Azul Beach Hotel
and the Puerto Azul Beach and Country Club. The club manages a world-class golf course
designed by Gary Player and Ron
Kirby and completed in 1978. It is now a popular venue for many prestigious championship
tournaments.
Though Puerto Azul has always been synonymous with golf and the beach, now there are
other things that one can do
within the complex. Puerto Azul Beach Hotel has, in fact, prepared 30 fun-filled activities
which can be done on one's own or
with family.
Camiguin Island
Camiguin Island, known for its lanzones festival, offers white-sand beaches, spring resorts
and magnificent caves untouched
by industrial development. The island lies off the north coast of Mindanao. Aside from its
beaches, Camiguin boasts of spring
resorts and waterfalls.
The 62-square kilometer island-province has more volcanoes per square kilometer than any
other island on Earth. Most
famous of the island's seven volcanoes is Mt. Hibok-Hibok whose last eruption was recorded
in 1951.
Among its popular attractions are the Ardent Spring Resort run by the Philippine Tourism
Authority (PTA), the Mt. HibokHibok itself, Santo Nio Cold Spring, Medano Islet, Mantigue Island and the lanzones festival.
There are local flights to Camuigin island.
Cool Mo un ta in s

Witness the vast expanse of nature's splendor under the spell of cool mountain breeze. A
perfect setting for romance or
nature tripping, the country's mountain villages serve as a perfect hideaway from the
lowlands' summer heat.
Baguio City
Rising 1,500 meters above the sea, Baguio City enjoys a relatively cool weather throughout
the year. On the average,
Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. Not surprisingly,
Baguio has become the "summer
capital" of the country.
It is awarded with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions which make it an
important and interesting
destination. As early as March, tourists and locals take the six-hour trek up the zigzagging
Kennon Road. Within a mile of
the city, the sweet scent of pine trees and flowers already permeate the air.
Designed by Daniel Burnham during the American occupation, Baguio City is situated in the
midst of pine-covered hills and
valleys at the southern end of the Cordillera. Among its popular attractions are the wellmanicured lawns of Club John Hay,
the Mansion House and the Burnham Park.
From Baguio City, one can proceed to the Banaue Rice Terraces, also considered as the
eighth wonder of the world. An
engineering marvel, this "Stairways to the Sky" was constructed by hand by the Ifugaos.
Tagaytay
With an altitude of 2,250 feet above sea level, Tagaytay City enjoys a cool climate all year
round.
This city perched on a ridge is located in the province of Cavite, some 56 kilometers south of
Manila. It overlooks Manila Bay
on the north, Taal Lake and Taal Volcano on the south, Laguna Bay on the east and the China
Sea on the west. The city is
linked to the Metropolitan Manila and the province of Batangas by the Aguinaldo Highway.
Among its attractions is the Tagaytay Picnic Grove where one can get an unobstructed view
of Taal Volcano, which lies within
a lake. Taal Volcano, which rises 406 meters from the lake, is reputedly the world's smallest
volcano.
Taal Lake itself is an immense body of water formed when the old crater collapsed and the
walls of the larger volcano caved
in and sank.
A visit to the Volcano Island can be arranged through the Philippine Institute of Volcanology
and Seismology in Quezon City
which maintains a monitoring station on the island.
For visiting tourists, support facilities are readily available in this idyllic city. Tagaytay is the
"sister" city of Las Vegas and
Nevada, U.S.A; Tainan City, Taiwan; and Bankstown City, New South Wales, Australia.
Sagada
This Mountain Province town, situated west of Bontoc, boasts of its cool weather and
spectacular sceneries. A pastoral
upland valley, Sagada provides an endless expanse of mountain ranges which are clothed by
fogs in the early morning.
Among its attractions are towering limestone cliffs, subterranean caves and unexplored
forests. Some of Sagada's caves
remain unconquered. Because of their length and depth, Sagada's natives believe that these

caves lead to the center of the

Earth.
Other sites to visit in Sagada are the Kitongan bottomless pit and underground river, Calvary
Hill, Bukong Falls and Alipine
Lake Banao. Sagada has accommodation facilities and can be reached by public buses from
Banaue in Ifugao province or
from Baguio City.
Banahaw
Another popular destination, specially during the Lent period, is Mount Banahaw, an extinct
volcano which rises 2,100
meters above sea level.
Banahaw towers over the southeastern towns of Laguna and Quezon. Revered as a mystical
mountain, Banahaw has
become a sanctuary for different religious cults. Up on Banahaw's leafy slopes live members
of various religious sects who
adhere to what seems to be a mixture of Catholicism, Buddhism, the cabala, animism and
other forms of pagan worship.
Down below, in the foothill towns, dwell amulet-makers, soothsayers, faith healers, diviners
and dedicated UFO watchers.
Banahaw comes alive during the Lent when various religious sects re-enact the passion of
Jesus Christ.
People ascend to Mount Banahaw to experience its cool weather, bathe in its hot springs or
simply stand amazed at the
sight of nature's beauty.
Mount Banahaw can be reached from both east and west. From the east, the ascent starts in
Lucban, Quezon, while from
the west, in Dolores, Laguna. For both climbs, it is advisable to have a guide to ensure a safe
trip.
Urban Wonde rs
Enchanted Kingdom
Thousands of people head south of Manila to spend a day of fun-filled relaxation and
adventurous excitement within the
American-style walls of Enchanted Kingdom, a 17-hectare world class theme park
conveniently located in the outskirts of
Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Enchanted Kingdom, a short five-minute ride from the Sta. Rosa Tollgate of South Luzon
Expressway, brings the closest
version of Disney-type leisure in the country. The theme park, managed and operated by
Amtrust Leisure Corporation
(ALC), offers educational entertainment tours to students and "gastronomic treats" to families.
The P1.2-billion park, which has been operating since July 28, 1995 was conceptualized by
Landmark Entertainment Group
and designed after the Knott's Berry Farm, America's first amusement theme park located in
Buena Park, California. It is a
member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). As
such, it provides visitors with
thrilling rides, stunning sights, and wondrous experience.
In the words of the Enchanted Kingdom operators, "the place is an active mix of thrills,
attractions, entertainment, food
service, celebrations and shopping set amidst an enthralling place that presents the past and

the future, the quaint and the

sophisticated, the picturesque and the dazzling in one unique package."
Enchanted Kingdom is an aggregate of seven theme zones: Victoria Park, Portabello,
Brooklyn Place, Spaceport, Jungle
Outpost, Midway Boardwalk, and Boulderville. These zones serve as enclaves to 21 thrilling
rides and attractions meant to
provide daring visitors with a sense of flight, twist, twirl, and other acrobatic stunts.
The rides include the Grand Carousel, Flying Fiesta, Rialto, Space Shuttle, Log Jam, Wheel
of Fate, Condor, Up Up and Away,
Roller Coaster, Anchors Away, Dodgem, Stone Eggs, Air Pterodactyl, Swan boats, and Bump
n Splash. In the near future,
the park is set to introduce other exciting rides such as the Kiddie Train Ride and the Rio Loco
River Rapid Ride.
Aside from the rides, Enchanted Kingdom also charms its visitors with various treats such as
the fireworks show every weekend, dance presentation by the park's in-house talents, theater
shows, seasonal shows, well-manicured gardens, classic American brownstone facades and
establishments, and a variety of characters and mascots led by the Wizard.
Manila
Rediscover Manila like you've never seen it before. Be charmed by the city's glorious past
mirrored by its century-old
churches, gallant forts, classic plazas, ancestral edifices, stately museums, and historic
monuments. At the same time,
relish the beauty of a modern city rising from the ruins of yesteryears. Beyond Manila's busy
streets and crowded
commercial centers lie festive joints that celebrate life.
The Old City
Manila, which was named after a white-flowered mangrove plant called nilad, was a tiny
Malay settlement along the Pasig
River ruled by Rajah Sulayman in the 16th century. The Spanish colonizers moved the capital
of the Philippines from Cebu
to Manila in 1571. They built the walled city of Intramuros, which for the next 300 years, was
to become the nerve center of
the Spanish rule.
Intramuros was the political and commercial center of the Spanish regime. From this walled
city, the Spaniards extended
their cultural and religious influences to the different parts of the country. They built churches,
Catholic-run schools and
universities, government buildings, and magnificent artifices, which reflect the Castilian
architecture.
At the turn of the century, the Americans came and ruled the Philippines for 50 years. They
introduced their own
architecture, language, education and system of governance. During this period, Manila
underwent a facelift. A blend of
American and Spanish influences gave way to a new Manila, which was to evolve into a giant
urban area known as Metro
Manila.
Today, Metro Manila is an aggregate of 10 cities and seven municipalities.
Intramuros

Among the popular attractions in Metro Manila are Intramuros, Rizal Park, Binondo,
Malacaang, Malate, the CCP Complex,
Nayong Pilipino, Ayala Avenue, the Fort, Ortigas Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, and
countless bars and restaurants
scattered around the metropolis.
Traces of the Spanish influence still loom in Intramuros. A tour of this landmark will provide
the visitors a deeper
understanding of Manila's rich heritage. Intramuros protects within its walls a number of
national treasures like the Fort
Santiago (once a prison for revolutionary Filipinos, now a peaceful park-cum-museum), San
Agustin Church (the oldest
structure in the country with its Baroque interiors and trompe l'oeil murals), Manila Cathedral
(a magnificent architectural
feat with its intricate stone carvings, stained glass mosaics, and rosette windows), Casa
Manila (a former colonial house and
now a museum of national relics), and San Juan de Letran school.
Intramuros has been restored for the tourists. Today, it houses a museum, art galleries, an
open-air theatre, fine
restaurants, craft shops and souvenir stalls. It also keeps a park lush with tropical flora and
homing pigeons. The park,
Puerto Real, is the venue of Saturday musical performances during dry months.
Rizal Park
Just beside Intramuros is Rizal Park, a 60-hectare conglomerate of gardens, historical
markers, plazas, an artist's sanctuary,
a 1913 bronze monument of Jose Rizal, a grand stadium, an observatory, an open-air concert
hall, a light-and-sound
theatre, restaurants, food kiosks and playgrounds, with dozens of fountains. Fronting the
northwest side of the park is
Manila Hotel, whose lobby is one of the most imposing in the world. Along the park's bayside,
tourists can have an
unobstructed view of the fabled Manila Bay sunset.
A five-minute walk from Rizal Park is the National Museum, the official keeper and guardian of
the country's cultural,
historical and natural heritage. It houses the representative works of the National Artists, as
well as the renowned paintings
of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo and Juan Luna. It puts on display some prehistoric finds,
including the Tabon skullcap, pottery,
ceramics and other artifacts from China and Indochina and remnants of pre-Hispanic boats
that brought Malay immigrants
to the Philippines dating to about 1250. Other establishments worth visiting in the area are the
Metropolitan Theater and
the National Library.
Binondo Area
Across the Pasig River from Intramuros is the Binondo area, home of Chinatown. The district
is filled with all things Chinese
from Peking duck and Buddhist temples to gold watches, snake soup, and wonder herbs. The
high chords of Chinese songs
and the permeating smell of incense complete the uniquely Chinese ambiance. It is said that
this quaint district was already
a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spaniards came in 1571.

In particular, Ongpin offers a lot of variety: restaurants, pet shops, bakeries, grocery stores,
jewelers, traditional medicine
shops, acupuncture clinics, kung-fu schools, and mahjong parlors. Ongpin leads to Plaza
Santa Cruz, which is where Rizal
Avenue curves to meet the MacArthur Bridge. Escolta, now a shadow of its former self, leads
off from here. The plaza is
dominated by Santa Cruz Church.
Malacaang
From Escolta, one can proceed to the San Miguel district, known for its Spanish-style houses
and the Malacaang Palace,
seat of the Philippine government. This ornate Spanish colonial palace, with its arches and
balconies, was built as a private
country house in the late 18th century and purchased by the government in 1825. At first the
governor-general's summer
residence, it became his permanent residence in 1863, after the Palacio Real in Intramuros
was destroyed by an
earthquake. In 1986, the palace museum was opened for the public. Visitors are advised to
call first. The telephone number
is 521-2307.
The CCP Complex
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex is the arts center of the country.
Located along Roxas Boulevard in
Pasay City, this is the premier venue for ballet presentations, concerts, stage plays,
performances, exhibits and trade fairs.
Inaugurated in 1969, the CCP comprises a fine concert hall seating 2,000 plus an intimate
400-seat theater as well as a
library, museum, art gallery, and an upscale restaurant. The lobby is opulent, with marble
floors, curving staircases, and
glass and kapis-shell chandeliers.
Also within the complex is the Coconut Palace, an architectural wonder made from the
coconut tree mixed with other
indigenous material. The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the Product
Design and Development Center,
the Folk Arts Theater, Philippine Center for International Trade and Exhibitions (PHILCITE),
Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel and
Manila Film Center are also found here.
Beside the CCP Complex is the World Trade Center, while fronting it is the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) building. The
BSP houses two museums: the Money Museum, which showcases excavated antique gold
jewelry and the Metropolitan
Museum, a repository of classic Filipino paintings and a host of rotating international art
exhibitions.
Roxas Boulevard is also lined up by de-luxe and standard hotels, lively nightclubs, and the
Cuneta Sport Center, home of the
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).