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THE PHILIPPINES 20-MINUTE REPORT BY: CHARED Q. BALLO AUGUST 9, 2004 VIDEO/GFX/MUSIC

AUDIO/INSERTS SRMP ON CAM: WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY – THE PHILIPPINES! WHERE THERE ARE MORE THAN SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED ISLANDS… MORE THAN SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FESTIVALS… MORE THAN SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED REASONS TO SMILE… MORE THAN SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED REASONS TO GO… THE PHILIPPINES…

MUSIC UP: ‘MORE THAN HUMMING

THE

USUAL’ [QUICK CUT TO CUT OF ‘WOW PHILIPPINES’ SIGHTS] VOICE OVER: THE APHORISM ‘BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES’ CANNOT HAVE FIT THE PHILIPPINES MORE THAN ANY OTHER ADAGE.

GFX: GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

BARELY THE SIZE OF ARIZONA AT ONLY THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND SQUARE KILOMETERS FOR BOTH LAND AND COASTAL AREA, THIS SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATION PACKS WITH IT LONG, WHITE SAND BEACHES, AN IMMENSE VARIETY OF MARINE LIFE, RARE AND EXOTIC FLORA AND FAUNA, GORGEOUS WATER AND LANDSCAPES, THE MOST EXCITING DIVING AND SURFING DESTINATIONS AND DIVINE DESTINATIONS WHERE TRADITIONAL MEETS EXOTIC, MODERN MEETS MYTHICAL, EAST MEETS WEST.

THIS ARCHIPELAGO IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN AND THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF ASIA. SPANNING ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY KILOMETERS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, TAIWAN BORDERS ITS NORTHWEST COAST WHILE INDONESIA SETS THE BOUNDARY ON THE SOUTH.

GFX: HISTORY

BOUNDED BY THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE PHILIPPINE SEA, IT IS A PART OF THE EAST INDIES, A VAST GROUP OF ISLANDS LYING SOUTH AND WEST OF MAINLAND ASIA, AND HAS THREE MAIN ISLAND GROUPS WHICH CAN ALL BE EXPLORED – LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO. WHAT YOU CAN DISCOVER IN THESE THREE MAIN ISLANDS ARE MAINLY INFLUENCED BY THE PHILIPPINES’ OLDEN TIMES. BEING THE THIRD LARGEST ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, THE PHILIPPINES HAS A RICH HISTORY OF ASIAN, EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN INFLUENCES. PRIOR TO SPANISH COLONIZATION, FILIPINOS HAVE BEEN TRADING WITH ITS OTHER NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN ASIA. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RELICS THESE TRADERS LEFT BEHIND CAN VERIFY THAT THE PHILIPPINES HAS HOSTED VOYAGERS, MIGRANTS AND TRADERS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.

MUCH OF THE ARTIFACTS FOUND IN THE LAND ALSO ATTESTS TO THE FACT THAT A RICH CULTURE HAS EMERGED EVEN BEFORE FOREIGN CONQUERORS ARRIVED. WITH THE SPANISH SETTLERS CAME A LIFESTYLE STILL VIVIDLY DRAWN TODAY BY HERITAGE VILLAGES THAT DOT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, CHURCHES THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT IN THE CHRISTIANIZATION OF THE PEOPLE, AND FESTIVALS THAT LIVEN UP ANY GLOOMY MOOD. HERITAGE VILLAGES INCLUDE THE ‘OLD WALLED CITY OF INTRAMUROS’ IN THE COUNTRY’S CAPITAL OF MANILA… THE VIGAN CITY HERITAGE VILLAGE IN NORTHERN LUZON… TAAL HERITAGE VILLAGE SOUTHERN LUZON…

IN

AND A PART OF THE NEGROS ISLAND IN THE VISAYAS REGION. CHURCHES CAN BE FOUND ANYWHERE BUT THOSE THAT ARE SITUATED IN THE ILOCOS REGION AND ILOILO IN THE VISAYAS ARE THE ONES THAT WERE INSCRIBED IN THE ‘UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE’ LIST. AND THE FESTIVALS… OH THE FESTIVALS! THEY SURELY CAN JAM A TOURIST’S DATEBOOK AS THEY ARE CELEBRATED EVERYDAY IN THIS COUNTRY OF FUN-LOVING

PEOPLE. AFTER SPANISH CONQUISTADORES, THE AMERICAN EXPLORERS ARRIVED AND BROUGHT WITH THEM THE WISDOM OF CITY PLANNING, EDUCATIONAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS, THE FILIPINOS’ LOVE FOR BASKETBALL AND BEAUTY PAGEANTS. THEY CONCENTRATED IN THE HIGHLANDS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE IS COLDER AND MOST OF THEIR MISSIONARIES CHANGED THE RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

GFX: LANGUAGE

GFX: CLIMATE

GFX: TRAVEL TIPS

ONE OF THE BEST PLACES THAT ILLUSTRATES AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT IS THE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE WHERE THE MORE POPULAR SITES ARE BAGUIO CITY, BENGUET PROVINCE AND SAGADA. HAVING SURVIVED WARS AND BLOODLESS REVOLUTIONS, THE FILIPINOS TOP THE LIST OF FREEDOM-LOVING DENIZENS ALL OVER THE WORLD. THIS COUNTRY ENJOYS A VIBRANT DEMOCRACY WITH OVER ONE HUNDRED REGIONAL DIALECTS AND FILIPINO AS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE.

GFX: GETTING THERE

IT ENJOYS A TROPICAL CLIMATE CHARACTERIZED BY ABUNDANT RAINFALL AND GENTLE WINDS. THAT IS WHY LIGHTWEIGHT COTTON AND LINEN TROPICAL CLOTHING ARE RECOMMENDED

FOR MOST PART OF THE COUNTRY. LIGHT SWEATERS ARE HIGHLY SUGGESTED FOR TRIPS TO THE COLDER AREAS LIKE THE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE. THE PHILIPPINES IS ACCESSIBLE FROM THE TRAVEL CAPITALS OF THE WORLD WITH THE COUNTRY’S FLAG CARRIER THAT IS THE PHILIPPINE AIRLINES WHICH DIRECTLY LINKS MANILA TO FOURTEEN CITIES AND EIGHT COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE. THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ALSO CALLED ‘NAIA’, IN MANILA IS THE PREMIER LAND SITE OF MORE THAN THIRTY AIRLINES WHICH FLY TO DIFFERENT CITIES AROUND THE WORLD. ASIDE FROM NAIA, OTHER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS ARE IN CEBU, DAVAO, CLARK, SUBIC AND LAOAG CITY. CEBU WITH THE MACTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SERVICES REGULAR FLIGHTS FROM JAPAN, SINGAPORE AND AUSTRALIA; CHARTERED FLIGHTS FROM HONGKONG, UNITED STATES AND OTHER MAJOR TRAVEL CAPITALS. THE DAVAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONCENTRATES IN FLIGHTS FROM INDONESIA AND SINGAPORE… WHILE THE LAOAG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HANDLES REGULAR FLIGHTS FROM TAIWAN AND

MACAU… AND THE DOISDADO MACAPAGAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND SUBIC AIRFIELD IN CENTRAL LUZON ASSIST BOTH CHARTERED AND CARGO PLANES. GFX: DISCOVERING EXPLORING

AND

GFX: THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION • CITY OF MANILA • QUEZON CITY • CALOOCAN CITY • PASAY CITY • PASIG CITY • MAKATI CITY • MANDALUYONG CITY • MARIKINA CITY • VALENZUELA CITY • MUNTINLUPA CITY • PARANAQUE CITY • LAS PINAS CITY • MALABON CITY • NAVOTAS • TAGUIG • PATEROS • SAN JUAN

MANILA IS ONLY TWO HOURS FROM HONGKONG AND THREE HOURS FROM ITS OTHER NEIGHBORING ASIAN COUNTRIES… FOURTEEN HOURS FROM THE MOST PART OF EUROPE… ELEVEN HOURS AND FIFTY MINUTES FROM SAN FRANCISCO… TWELVE HOURS AND THIRTY FIVE MINUTES FROM LOS ANGELES… AND EIGHTEEN HOURS FROM NEW YORK CITY. WITH SIXTEEN REGIONS IN ALL AND SEVENTY-NINE PROVINCES, THE PHILIPPINES OFFERS A LOT OF ROOM FOR EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY. THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION LIES IN THE CENTER OF THE ARCHIPELAGO HOUSING THE COUNTRY’S CAPITAL THAT IS MANILA. THIS BUSTLING METROPOLIS COMMANDS AN ENTHRALLING VIEW OF THE WORLD-RENOWNED MANILA BAY AND ITS GOLDEN SUNSET. REMARKABLE, FULL OF LIFE, MAGNIFICENT, THE ‘PHILIPPINE COSMOPOLITAN CAPITAL’ IS A

MIXTURE OF CULTURES AND FLAVORS THAT PRESENTS A NONSTOP HELPING OF PLACES TO SEE, SIGHTS TO BEHOLD AND EXPERIENCES TO NEVER FORGET. THE HISTORIC AND BREATHTAKING ‘WALLED CITY’ OR INTRAMUROS IS FOUND RIGHT AT THE HEART OF MANILA. CONSTRUCTED AT THE HEIGHT OF SPANISH COLONIALISM IN 1571, it comprised of European buildings and churches that have been replicated in different parts of the archipelago. It had been one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities. Here, dungeons and old churches share space with art galleries, theaters, a nature park.

At the center of Intramuros is the grand Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Then there is San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in Metro Manila and one of the four Philippine Baroque Churches inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip is Fort Santiago, one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros. Built in nearly 150 years through Filipino forced labor, it now houses a lush park with flowering trees, homing pigeons, and rides aboard horsedrawn carriages.

Manila is home to Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the highest chief executive of the country and one of the most historic structures in the Philippines, and the National Museum of the Philippines, the official repository and guardian of the Philippine cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Along the northern bank of the historic Pasig river is Chinatown, a symbol of the long history of

Chinese presence in the Philippines long antedating the arrival of the Spaniards.

Today it is an important trade and business center, and a primary bargain shopping destination.

Five-star hotels and restaurants, some of them housed in historic buildings, make the perfect party place in the city. The nightlife offers everything from dazzling cultural shows to futuristic discotheques, lively casinos, sensational entertainment lounges, and fashionable cafes. The popular districts of Malate and Ermita showcase a wild variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, cafes, art and antique shops – truly, the ultimate cosmopolitan paradise.

Manila is geographically advantaged. It is an hour or two away from full-day excursions to Cavite and Corregidor Island, Batangas, and Laguna, replete with exceptionally beautiful beaches, stunning views, and local color. The city is over 17 hours away by air from Los Angeles, less than five hours from Tokyo, and seven and a half hours from Sydney. Wherever you are, you are less than a day away from one of Asia’s greatest cities – Manila.

That Quezon City has been dubbed as the “City of New Horizons” holds truth when it comes to culture and lifestyle – the experience is fresh and not quite what would be expected of the usual urban setting.

Fast becoming a famous landmark in the metropolis is the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, an experience of nature within the city. Conveniently located at the heart of Quezon City, the area was developed to simulate a natural forest setting and serve as a breather from high-rise and concrete. Found here are about 38 species of trees and shrubs, which

are represented by 2,443 trees commonly found in Philippine forests. Nature tripping tastes all the sweeter as there is a grove, lagoon, rock garden, mini-zoo, craft village, and fishing village, among others.

Diliman in Quezon City is home to the University of the Philippines, the country’s foremost institute of higher learning and considered the finest in the Far East. UP was established in June 1908, and is sprawled over an area of 450 hectares. The state-owned university has produced many of the country’s best leaders, artists, writers, and professionals. The city is likewise the home of Camps Crame and Aguinaldo, two of the most important military headquarters where the famous four-day peaceful rebellion called People Power or EDSA Revolution of 1986 had started.

Holding court as the Cubao district’s focal point is Araneta Coliseum, the world’s largest covered dome during the 1960s.

Towering 220 feet and with a seating capacity of 32,000, it captured the Philippines’ first post-war world boxing title by the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Araneta Coliseum has since staged world-famous shows, from the classic “Fight of a Lifetime” between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frasier in 1976 to beauty pageants, basketball tournaments, musical concerts, athletic events.

No other city in the Philippines is quite like Caloocan. From humble beginnings had risen a city now in the face of relentless and continuing progress.

Before Caloocan emerged into a city, it had modest beginnings – first, as a wilderness, then as an uninhabited hill, then as a hilltop village. Few know the full story of how the city began. Even fewer remember the very

interesting details that make up its birth and growth. Today Caloocan continues progressing to be the great yet humble city that is the radiant vision of its residents and the current leadership.

The main landmark of Caloocan City is the Bonifacio Monument, located at the intersection of Rizal Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA. The monument commemorates the most proletarian of all Filipino heroes, Andres Bonifacio. It likewise marks the first encounter between Andres Bonifacio and his revolutionary group called Katipunan with the Spanish soldiers on August 3, 1896. The monument was immortalized by the great Filipino nationalist Guillermo Tolentino.

The city of Pasay has long been a great earner for Metropolitan Manila, even when it was only a town. The economic life of the town had so steadily improved that its income exceeded the limit set for an ordinary town, and thus, it became a city.

Farming was once an important livelihood in the barrios of San Isidro, San Roque, and Malibay but it later give way to the manufacturing industry. Fishing, too, was a good source of livelihood in the town – until the construction of Roxas Boulevard, which was formerly named Dewey Boulevard.

Today, Roxas Boulevard is a recognized center for culture and the arts in the country. Found here is the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which was built to symbolize the country’s national cultural development. The CCP is an institution mandated by law to preserve, promote, and enhance the Filipino people’s cultural heritage. Not far from the Cultural Center of the Philippines stands the Folks Arts

Theater. The work of Architect Leandro Locsin, the 10,000-capacity theater is used for popular performances which anticipate extensive audiences.

Found in Pasay are the houses of two prominent people in the national government, Claro M. Recto and President Manuel L. Quezon. With its nearness to Manila and the proliferation of business firms and factories, Pasay has been the target destination of people from all walks of life who have wanted to settle and build beautiful residences in the metropolis.

Pasay today is a progressive city boasting modern conveniences and, for its multitute of urban settlers, cheap forms of transportation.

PASIG – URBAN RAINFOREST Urban lifestyle and affluence are nowhere more pronounced in the Philippines than in Makati, the country’s classiest city.

Bustling and modern, it is the country’s model for city planning, rising in less than a decade from vast stretches of empty land to become the nation’s premier city.

This affluent city southwest of Manila is the country’s financial center, earning it the nickname, “Wall Street of the Philippines.”

The major banks, corporations, department stores as well as embassies of the different nations are based here. Situated along Ayala Avenue is the Makati Stock Exchange, which houses the trading of stock. Fully developed, well-reputed city villages provide the perfect address for office buildings, shops, and restaurants.

Right in the heart of bustling Makati, spread along Ayala Avenue, is Ayala Center, the country’s business and financial center. Encompassing the Glorietta and Greenbelt shopping malls, among others,

Ayala Center is also a commercial complex completely at par with the world’s most modern business cosmos. Within it is the Ayala Museum, among the city’s primary repositories of history, culture, and heritage, along with the Filipinas Heritage Library and Museo ng Makati.

Makati has the highest concentration of the country’s finest department stores, fashion boutiques, exclusive jewelry shops and antique stores, shoe stores, bookstores, and most other commercial establishments. In identified portions, the city contains the most exclusive residential subdivisions, including Forbes Park, where many of the country’s wealthy and powerful families make their homes. Five-star hotels and restaurants further provide the ultimate avenue for a life of comfort and relaxation.

Mandaluyong, the heart of the “Golden Triangle” (Manila, Makati, and Quezon City), has finally emerged as a veritable boom city. It is one of the leading business and industrial centers in the country today, the “New Tiger” of Metro Manila, which made an unprecedented giant leap to progress.

A popular landmark of Mandaluyong is the EDSA Shrine. Located along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA, the shrine serves as a monument to the Virgin Mary, considered to be the protector of those who participated in the People Power Revolution of 1986, the country’s first peaceful and bloodless revolution, which led to the downfall of the corrupt regime under President Ferdinand Marcos.

What used to be a swampy, stagnating town is now the haven of industrial giants and business conglomerates.

The astonishing growth of Mandaluyong gained headway because its local and foreign

investors hone a conducive climate for capital growth. The city today boasts topclass amenities, from deluxe hotels and commercial centers to high-rise offices and residential condominiums.

A city once threatened by a residential housing pandemonium, Marikina has emerged to reap various national awards for excellence in local governance and environmental preservation. In 2002 alone, it was a “Clean and Green” awardee of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran – a category for which it has already been a Hall of Famer as early as in 1996, when it was still a municipality. On the same year, Marikina was also recognized for having a healthy workplace and marketplace. In various occasions, the city has been awarded as well as the “Best Local Government Unit.”

Thriving proof of the city’s continued quest for excellence is the Marikina River Park.

Spurred by the death of natural resources resulting from the continuous growth in residential area, Marikina took pains in rehabilitating and converting the 220hectare Marikina River into a sports and recreational park.

The city is no stranger to popularity. It has long been famous for its export-quality shoes, the products that gave Marikina the monicker, Shoe Capital of the Philippines.

The city’s former Bigasang Bayan is presently being rehabilitated to become the Shoe Museum, showcasing no less than Marikina shoes. Part of the collection are the famous Imelda Marcos shoes. Don Laureano Guevarra, popularly known as Kapitan Moy, who hailed from Marikina, is considered as the founder of the country’s footwear industry.

Marikina also used to be a fulcrum of regional sports events when it was still a

part of the province of Rizal. It used to be the training ground of some of the best athletes the country has ever produced.

The city of Valenzuela is situated in the northern part of the National Capital Region. Valenzuela City, together with Navotas, Malabon, Pateros, Taguig, and Muntinlupa, form the Metro Manila outer ring of towns. It is bounded to the north and northwest by Caloocan City and Malabon, and to the west by Navotas. The city occupies a total land area of 47 square kilometers.

Muntinlupa is located at the southwestern part of Metropolitan Manila, bounded on the north by Taguig, on the northwest by Parañaque, on the west by Las Piñas, on the southwest by the province of Laguna, and on the east by Laguna de Bay. Parañaque lies some 9.7 km. south of the Luneta Grandstand. It is bounded by Pasay City on the north, Muntinlupa on the southeast, Las Piñas on the southwest, and Manila Bay on the west. It occupies a total land area of 46,626 sq. kilometers./NOVENA MECCA The city of Las Piñas is famous for the Bamboo Organ, praised for its unique, rare, and melodious sound. The unique bamboo organ can only be found inside the St. Joseph Church of the Parish of Las Piñas. It was in the year 1822 that the construction of this one-of-a-kind musical instrument started; it was completed in 1824. Fr. Diego Cera initiated building this organ using bamboo, wood, and metal. Yearly, a Bamboo Organ Festival is being held at the Parish during the month of February.

Las Piñas has also come to be known as a major site of Philippine revolts. During the Philippine-Spanish revolution of 1896, it

was occupied by the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the First Philippine Republic. Similarly, the city, then only a town, figured prominently during the World War II. Beliefs on the true origin of the town’s name vary. Some say it is derived from the word “Piña,” meaning pineapple, since traders from the provinces of Cavite and Batangas shipped their pineapples for sale first to this town before the nearby markets.

Others believe that the name was really “Las Peñas,” owing to the quarrying of stones and adobe, which were used to construct buildings and bridges. The name could also have originated from the two political groups that ruled the town at that time.

An inscription in an old church bell, which has been preserved inside the museum of the Las Piñas Parochial Church, states, “Siendo Cura-del Pueblo de Las Peñas el M.R.P. Padre Diego Cera se Fundio este equilon ano de 1820.” It shows that, as early as during the time of Fr. Diego Cera, the town’s first parish priest, the town had been called “Las Peñas” – until after sometime that the town’s name was somehow changed to “Las Piñas.”

The city of Malabon was an important literary center of the revolutionary Filipinos during the period of Spain’s colonization of the Philippines, which ended with the revolution in 1896. It was here, in Malabon’s Asilo de Huertanos, that the “La Independencia,” the voice of the revolutionary government, was printed. On the same site were housed children who had been orphaned due to the plague of 1882.

Today Malabon has become a coastal city situated in the northern part of Metro

Manila. Malabon, together with Navotas, Valenzuela, Pateros, Taguig, Pasig, and Muntinlupa, form the Metro Manila outer ring of towns, with the city of Manila as the center.

A primary attraction in the city is the Malabon Zoo and Aquarium. It is a well kept and unique conservatory of both endemic and exotic animals, including a large variety of unusual fishes, stashed inside a one-hectare tropical rainforest environment. An amusing destination for the old and the young, it indulges its visitors with the distinct privilege to pet wild animals that normally avoid human contact. The zoo is an accommodating classroom for nature lovers as it educates people on the environmental preservation of forests and wildlife.

Navotas is a small fishing town in the northwest portion of Metropolitan Manila.

It is a long island system presenting an aggregate shoreline of approximately 4.5 km. fronting Manila Bay. Towards the north, Navotas shares a common border with the town of Obando in Bulacan along the Sukol Creek. The eastern boundaries of Navotas are the Binuangan river, Daang Cawayan river, the Bangculasi channel, and the Estero de Maypajo, all bodies of water sharing a common boundary with Manila in the south. In the west, the waters of Manila Bay wash the shores of Navotas.

The minucipality occupies a total land area of 2.6 square kilometers.

TAGUIG – RICE BOWL OF GMA The foremost tourist attraction in Pateros is also its biggest and most famous industry balut-making. Balut are duck eggs, and have been the source of a thriving industry in Pateros, which has been handed down from generation to generation. It presently

accounts for about 23% of the total industry. Balut makers mostly come from Aguho.

Another attraction, and another industry, in Pateros is its popular Alfombra slippers. In fact, slipper manufacturing was one of the earliest and original skills of the people of Pateros. Today, the Alfombra slipper business ranks fourth in the registered industrial establishments of Pateros, with stores situated along the streets of M. Almeda and B. Morilla.

San Juan is situated in the central part of Metropolitan Manila. Its northern and western boundaries are Quezon City and the city of Manila, respectively, while the city of Mandaluyong form its southern and eastern boundaries. It occupies a total land area of 10.4 sq. kilometers.

REGION 1 OR THE ILOCOS REGION COVERS ILOCOS NORTE, ILOCOS SUR, LA UNION AND PANGASINAN. ILOCOS NORTE’S MOST FAMOUS DESTINATIONS TO DATE ARE THE PAOAY CHURCH AND PAGUDPUD BEACHES. THE PAOAY CHURCH IS A CENTURIES-OLD GOTHIC-BAROQUEORIENTAL CHURCH CONSTRUCTED FROM 1704 TO 1894 WHICH IS NOW INSCRIBED IN THE UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE LIST. ITS BELL TOWER MADE OF CORAL STONES SERVED AS AN OBSERVATION POST OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ‘KATIPUNEROS’ DURING THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION IN 1896.

THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN ARE FAMOUS FOR THE AGE-OLD INDUSTRY OF LOOM WEAVING, IN

WHICH THEY ENGAGE TO DATE, TO PRODUCE FINELY CRAFTED PIECES WITH ETHNIC ILOCANO DESIGNS. THE PROVINCE’S SEASCAPES REMAIN EQUALLY UNSPOILED. FOREMOST IS PAGUDPUD BEACH, WHICH IS REPUTED TO HAVE THE LONGEST CONTINUOUS WHITE SAND, WITH MIGHTY WAVES AND STRONG WINDS THAT CAN COMPARE TO HAWAII. WIND AND WAVE SURFING ARE THE OUTSTANDING ACTIVITIES HERE, NOT TO MENTION THE INVITING VIEWS AND CLEAR BLUE WATERS. THE TOWN OF PAGUDPUD’S LAND AND SEA BEAUTIES ALSO INCLUDE THE PATAPAT VIADUCT, A SCENIC VIADUCT THAT HUGS THE COAST AND MOUNTAINS. The province of Ilocos Sur is where the Ilocos Region’s myriad of cultures and histories converge to become a living museum of a spirited past. A national shrine, a national landmark, a national museum, heritage museums, ancestral houses, period houses, cobble-stoned streets – they all share space in the timeless land of Ilocos Sur. Found in the province is the historic town of Vigan, which was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in November 1999. Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines and from China with those from Europe to create a unique culture and townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia. Its Kamestizoan District is replete

with ancestral houses with ancient tiled roofs, massive hardwood floorings, ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles.

Centuries-old Sta. Maria Church, declared a National Landmark, was used as a fortress during the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Tirad Pass, declared a National Shrine, had been the last stand of the Filipino Revolutionary Forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo during the same period. Bessang Pass served as the backdoor to General Yamashita’s last ditch defense during the last stage of World War II. Situated on the northwestern coast of Luzon, La Union is the gateway to the Ilocos Region. With its strategic location, the province has become the business, education, and government center of the Ilocos. Not only is La Union the region’s center for trade but also of religious devotees who flock to one of the country’s popular pilgrimage destinations, especially during Lent.

Agoo, the oldest town of La Union, was once the site of the much publicized divine visitations of the Virgin Mary. The Agoo Apparition Site in San Antonio has established the town as a destination of choice for Marian devotees. Agoo comes alive most on Semana Santa, or the Holy Week, which is the week before Easter.

Yearly, the townspeople bear witness to ardent devotees relentlessly pulling lifesize statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross along the processional roads in Agoo during the Good Friday procession on Semana Santa.

But the province is not wanting of natural attractions, thanks to seascapes that make it a watersports paradise. The surf fronting

Monaliza in Urbiztondo, San Juan is the best site for board surfing from November to February; other good sites are in Carlatan and Wallace in San Fernando.

Scuba diving is ideal in Fagg Reef, which is adorned by sharks, barracuda, sea snakes, Moray eels, and other friendly sea creatures, and Research Reef, which is endowed with several tunnels, caverns, and crevices.

The province of Pangasinan is frequented for its beautiful beaches. The summer is always a festive season for Pangasinenses when the beaches – such as those that lie in one portion of Lingayen Gulf adjacent to the Provincial Capitol – and other such destinations come alive as color-filled festivals are mounted and an array of fruitbearing trees are at their peak. Foremost of the attractions are the “Hundred Islands,” a long-popular group of islands and islets, looking like giant turtles, scattered off the coast of Lucap in Alaminos. Now develop, they lie ensconced in the 1,844-hectare nature and recreational park called the Hundred Islands National Park.

But it is Pangasinan’s delectable cuisines that bring out the true flavor of the land's origins.

Etymologically, the term Pangasinan means “the place where salt is made," owing to the rich and fine salt beds that were the prime source of livelihood in the province's coastal towns. Today, salt is still being produced in abundance, creating not a few fortunes for some enterprising families, although much of its use is for industry. Another name for the region, but not as widely known, was Caboloan. In the native language, the word Bolo refers to a species of bamboo that was abundant in the interior areas, and favored in the practice of weaving light baskets and winnowing plates called bilao. Historians believe that both names may have been used at the

same

time.

A local product that has become synonymous with Pangasinan is bagoong, or fermented fish sauce. Salt, of course, is its prime ingredient. Mud-colored and with a strong smell, bagoong has captured the national palate. Native cuisine, mostly Ilocano in origin, owes its authenticity to the lowly bagoong. Taking from the spare and starkly humble lifestyle of the Pangasinense, with his dependence on the sea and rivers and the land, bagoong lends itself well to the local diet. Mixed with plain, fresh vegetables – like okra, squash, and eggplant – in an invigorating broth or as a dip for grilled catfish or Bonuan bangus (milkfish), bagoong has become a familiar sight at the dinner table of most households.

Due to its coastal towns, Pangasinan also has an abundance of bangus. The bountiful harvest of milkfish is celebrated through the Bangus Festival, a merry feast highlighted by the “longest grill” competition, street dancing, and “101 ways of cooking bangus.”

REGION 2 CAGAYAN, ISABELA, NUEVA VIZCAYA, QUIRINO, BATANES Cagayan is the Regional Seat of the Cagayan Valley Region.

Tuguegarao City, the capital, is the seat of commerce and trade and center for learning. The province has 73 percent of the region’s potential fishing area.

Known as the spelunker’s, trekker’s, and gamefisher’s paradise rolled into one, Cagayan provides a never-ending adventure with ecotourism in the forefront of its offering. Both foreign and local

tourists continue to explore its caves, engage in gamefishing expeditions, trek its mighty mountains and retreat to its centuries-old churches.

Present day chroniclers say that the name was derived from the word “tagay,” a kind of plant that grows abundantly in the northern part of the province. Thus, “Catagayan” which means a place where the tagay grows abundantly was shortened to “Cagayan,” the present name of the province.

Isabela, the biggest province in the Cagayan Valley Region, is now one of the premier provinces of the north. It has been dubbed as the “Rice Granary of the North” having been adjudged as the Most Outstanding Province in Food Security in the Gawad Sapat Ani Awards 2000 conducted by the Department of Agriculture. It is also home to the famous Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, a protected seascape and landscape of exceptional biodiversity.

Santiago City, the commercial center of Region 2, has been declared an independent-component city through a plebiscite on July 3, 1994 under Republic Act 7720.

Cauayan City, the trading center in Isabela, is also a component city ratified in a majority vote on March 30, 2001.

The history of Nueva Vizcaya could still be reflected from the culture and customs of its early settlers, which included the Ilongots (now called Bugkalots), Igorots, Ifugaos, Isinais, and Gaddangs. The influx of civilization and the infusion of modern technology to the lifestream of the province induced many immigrants from the adjacent provinces, primarily Ilocanos,

Tagalogs, Pangasinenses, Kapampangans, among others.

Located about 268 north of Metro Manila, the province is tagged to be the new alternative destination for outdoor and environment enthusiasts. Considered a watershed haven, it is 70 percent forestland. It is strategically bounded by the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges, Caraballo Mountains, and Cordillera Mountains. It is also the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region and the Banaue Rice Terraces, eighth Wonder of the World.

Long before its formal creation as an independent province, Quirino was the forest region of the province of Nueva Vizcaya, inhabited by tribal groups known as the Negritos. They roamed the hinterlands and built their huts at the heart of the jungle.

Quirino lies in the southeastern portion of Cagayan Valley. It is situated within the upper portion of the Cagayan River basin and bounded by Isabela on the north, Aurora on the east and southeast, and Nueva Vizcaya on the west and southwest.

The Ilocano dialect is used widely in the lowlands of the province’s various municipalities while Ifugao is predominant in the uplands.

The island-province of Batanes was created by a series of volcanic activities and other geologic forces millions of years ago.

The province is home to the famous Ivatans who are nationally acclaimed as the “True Insulares.� The Ivatans are of Malay stock, tracing their roots to early immigrants from Formosa, Taiwan as well as Spaniards who came to the island in the 16th century.

Being an insular people, the Ivatans have kept the purity of their gene pool through time.

Batanes lies at the northernmost tip of the Philippines, where the Pacific Ocean merges with the South China Sea. It is composed of three major islands, namely: Batan which contains the capital town of Basco, Sabtang, and Itbayat. Close by are seven islets including Amianan, which is the closest to Formosa. Thus, Batanes has been identified as the country’s potential gateway to East China.

Delve deep into underwater splendor being offered by Malabisin Lake and Underground River as well as Waton Subterranean River. Come up the surface to gape at fish and wildlife, which are highly visible in the unpolluted waters of Apayao River. And do stop to admire the myriad of picturesque waterfalls of varying sizes that are found along the river.

Commune with nature and marvel at wondrous sights at the Agamata, Agora, and Anag-Sicapo wildlife sanctuaries.

Scale the heights of Mount Solo, the highest peak in Apayao. Stumble into untold discoveries at Purit, Anganupan, Nalvo, and countless other caves that make Apayao a whole lot more than simply interesting.

Ifugao is home to a thriving ancient culture and host to the famous rice terraces carved from the base of the mountainsides to the top, which appear to be massive green stairways reaching to the sky. The famous terraces had been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1995 as “a continuing cultural landscape” and likewise considered by the U.S. Association of Civil Engineers as an engineering marvel built by unschooled and free men not of slave

labor.

It was a credit to the inherent wisdom of the Ifugao forefathers that a forest and watershed management system was instituted to help sustain the terraces that serve as the basic food source of the sturdy Ifugaos.

The Ifugao native huts could probably be among the world’s first prefabricated houses that do not use a single nail or metal to fasten their parts.

Baguio is the gateway to the wonders of Northern Luzon: the calm beaches of La Union; the fabled Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao; the ancient churches, Spanish influenced houses, historical and cultural relics of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, the Kabayan of the tribes of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra.

REGION3 BULACAN, NUEVA ECIJA, PAMPANGA, TARLAC, ZAMBALES, BATAAN, AURORA Feel the heart and soul of the Philippines in Bulacan. Its history and tradition, its land, its culture, and its people, live and breathe Filipino. Truly a melting pot of the past and the present, the old and the new, the countryside and the urbane – that is Bulacan.

The province is noted as the land of heroes.

Bulacan is the home province of some of the nation’s celebrated heroes: Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), “The Prince of Filipino Poets,” Marcelo H. Del Pilar, “The Great Propagandist,” and Gregorio del Pilar, “The Hero of Tirad Pass.” It is reputed for beautiful women, progressive cooperatives,

small and medium scale industries. It is known for excellent craftsmanship as in its jewelries, leather crafts, and garments.

The province has emerged into a reputable resort haven of Luzon. Just a few minutes north of Manila by car, Bulacan resorts provide an accessible and welcome respite from the pressures of city life.

Nueva Ecija is the largest province and the biggest rice producer of Central Luzon, thus, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.”

Among its main attractions is the Pantabangan River, the country’s first multi-purpose infrastructure, which stands today as a phenomenon in Filipino engineering feats. Another is the Pampanga river, cutting across a rich valley floor, famed for irrigation, the generation of hydroelectric power, and the mitigation of flood damage.

Nueva Ecija is also the agri-tourism pilot site in Central Luzon due to the presence of the Central Luzon State University in the province.

Its other worthwhile attractions include the Minalungao National Park, Rizal Hot Spring, Burburayok Springs and Pajanutic Falls, Barrio Puncan in the town of Carranglan, among others.

Steeped in history and blessed with natural and man-made scenery, Pampanga offers several sightseeing options for visitors.

Pampanga has always enjoyed the title, “The Culinary Center of the Philippines.” It is populated by resourceful hardy folk who are justifiably proud of their famous Kapampangan cuisine.

The capital city of San Fernando is world-

famous for its annual Easter re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also famous for the Pampanga Christmas lanterns.

The province has remnants of a long and colorful history. It houses a booming night life and tourist destinations. It is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty free shopping, and golf courses.

Tarlac is the most multicultural of the Central Luzon provinces. A mixture of four district groups, the Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, and Tagalogs, share life in the province.

Tarlac is best known for its fine foods and vast sugar and rice plantations. That it has fine cooking to offer is due largely to the fact that it is the melting pot of Central Luzon. It offers some of the best cuisines from the places of ancestry of its settlers, the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasinan, and the Ilocos Region.

Historical sites, fine food, vast plantations, a beautifully landscaped golf course, and so many other attractions – all these make the province of Tarlac one of the best of the places to visit in Central Luzon.

Zambales has been gifted with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has been touched by civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The Zambales coastline is most famous for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea teeming with coral reefs.

The province is historical. Located here is the ancestral house of the most beloved Philippine President, Ramon Magsaysay, situated at Castillejos. Mt. Pinatubo, worldfamous for its 1991 catastrophic eruption,

can

be

found

in

the

vicinity.

Zambales is perfectly suited for visitors seeking an authentic view of the Philippines without going too far from the national capital, Manila. It is located at the western part of Luzon, 210 kilometers or approximately a three-hour drive from Manila.

Discover the magic of the Philippines’ Third Region with this amazing historical and cultural province, only an hour by ferryboat across the bay from Manila. Until recently not a traditional tourist destination, Bataan is now proving to be a tourist haven boasting a multitude of exciting places to visit, and interesting things to do. The province has much to offer – a rich culture and history, the beauty of unspoilt beaches, and a warm hospitality that is truly Filipino.

Beyond the lush forest of the Sierra Madre mountains lies a splendid land so unbelievably rich and untouched - Aurora, otherwise known as the “Sanctuary of Nature’s Splendor.”

The Sierra Madre mountain range covers a large part of the province of Aurora. In fact, next to the Aurora coastline, it is the place where flora and fauna are most concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers, crystal clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the area of the Sierra Madre mountain. Special interest trips such as mountain climbing, safari, bird watching, ecological studies, or even as simple as picnics could be rolled into one by taking the trails recommended by local nature trekkers in the area.

When the northeast monsoon winds blow and the usual tranquil white beaches are transformed into deathtraps by angry

waves, it is time to come to Aurora to ride the waves on a surfboard.

REGION4 BATANGAS, CAVITE, LAGUNA, MARINDUQUE, OCC MINDORO, OR MINDORO, PALAWAN, QUEZON, RIZAL, ROMBLON A province that is famous for excellent dive sites and the world’s lowest volcano, Batangas is going nowhere but up. It is a thriving tourist destination replete with open beaches and sheltered coves, subterranean caves and deep harbors, a preserved heritage and brave men in history.

Found in the province is world-known Anilao and its many dive sites that are ideal for poking around and observing marine life, and outstanding for macro photography. Multi-hued crinoids are prolific. The variety of nudibranchs is unmatched. Night dives are especially nice and often reveal unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes, blue-ringed octopuses, mandarin fishes, and snake eels. The area’s best known dive site, coral-covered Cathedral is spectacular at night. One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall.

Taal Lake and Volcano in Batangas is Southern Luzon’s centerpiece attraction.

Known to be the smallest in the world, it is a volcano within an islet within a lake within a crater within a volcano. The town of Taal reigns as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era; the other is Vigan in Ilocos Sur. The village in Taal conforms to the old town layout combining the municipal hall, school, church, and houses.

Among the multitude of popular tourism activities to be had in the province are heritage tours, pilgrimage tours, scuba diving, shopping, mountain climbing and trekking, swimming, and snorkeling.

Batangas is located only 110 kilometers south of Metropolitan Manila, and is very accessible from the national capital by land.

The province of Cavite abounds with great objects, and subjects, of culture and history. It is the birthplace of a good number of Filipino heroes and it has an interesting range of sites associated with the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Found in the province is the residence of the first president of the republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, which is also the site where the Philippine Republic was proclaimed on June 12, 1898.

A province not constrained with living in the past, Cavite teems with natural resources and fantastic landscapes. It is home to Tagaytay City, the Philippines’ second summer capital, next to Baguio City. The accessing highway offers a breathtaking sight of the world-famous Taal formation, a crater within an island within a lake. Coconut groves dot the ridges of Tagaytay and classy accommodations give the visiting tourists the pleasures of relaxation, and at the same time, wide opportunities to enjoy the magnificent view of Taal.

Yet Cavite stands proudly as a place with a glorious past. Its warm and friendly people, whose ancestors fought for a noble cause, manifest industry and patience in various skills and professions, openly receptive to the entry and exchange of culture and technology that are of value to this wondrous province.

Laguna, Resort Province of the Philippines, is a haven of fresh and pristine bodies of water such as hot springs, lakes, and waterfalls. Most notable is Pagsanjan Falls, formerly called Magdapio Falls, referred to as “shooting rapids.” It is found in Cavinti, starting from Pagsanjan town. Another is Lake Caliraya, which is located between Cavinti and Lumban. The strong mountain breeze that blows from the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and the distant Mount Banahaw makes the lake an ideal place for aqua sports like wind surfing, water skiing, sailing as well as game fishing. Laguna de Bay, Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake, stays pristine throughout the year due to regular rain showers.

Innumerable hot springs abound in the province, including the famous Hidden Valley Springs which is located in a secluded part of Alaminos town. A trip to Dalitiwan River, located in Botocan, Majayjay, is an exciting adventure because the terrain is rugged, as mountain lands go, and the cool water or river gushes through the rocks and boulders along the watercourse in sweeping currents. The mystical Mt. Makiling in Los Baños is an inactive volcano, rising to about 1,109 meters above sea level. It is indeed endowed with nature’s beauty, making it ideal for all types of nature tripping, from trekking to bird and butterfly watching and even camping.

Laguna is not only endowed with natural wonders. It also plays an important role in the country’s history as the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, whose infancy and early manhood were spent in the towns of Calamba and Biñan.

A number of churches of Spanishinfluenced architecture in intricate Romanesque and Baroque design, mostly restored to their original elegance, are also

found

in

the

province.

The province is one huge showcase of Southern Tagalog craftsmanship. The town of Paete is famous for its woodcarvings, papier mache, and handmade paper products.Tree seedlings, sampaguita flowers, orchids, and exotic plants are big business. Cut flower farms are found mostly in towns of Calamba, Los Baùos, and Bay. Sweet tropical fruits abound, such as the lanzones from Paete, pineapple from Calauan, chico, banana, mango, rambutan, and avocado. Add to these Laguna’s embroidered garments. Jusi cloth made from banana fiber is painstakingly, albeit deftly, transformed into beautiful pieces of clothing worthy of being tailored into the Philippine national costume, the Barong Tagalog. Shoes made from abaca hemp is a growing industry in the town of Liliw.

Owing to its nearness to Manila, Laguna is presently becoming the center of economic activity in the Southern Tagalog Region and the CALABARZON area. Business in the area is bustling as shown by the presence of several industrial estates designed for handling large scale firms engaged in textile manufacturing, electronics, food processing, industrial machines, and car assembly.

Known as the smallest province in the Southern Tagalog region, Marinduque has the shape of a human heart floating on a clear blue sea.

The island province is characterized by undulating hills, picturesque valleys, sheer seaside cliffs, interspersed with patches of flatland on different parts of the island. The soil is fertile but marked in certain spots by large stony areas, making wide continuous farming difficult. Deposits of iron, copper, and lead are found and mined in the

province.

During the yearly Lenten season, a myriad of tourists, from the ardent devotee to a mere observer, flock to Marinduque to witness the very popular Moriones Festival. A biblical character in the person of the Roman centurion, Longinus, comes alive as the towns of Boac, Mogpog, and Gasan celebrate Moriones. It is a religious festival, which links the story of Longinus with Christ’s Passion and Death. It is celebrated during the observance of Holy Week, or the week before Easter, which also happens to be in the middle of the Philippine summer.

Dubbed as "Marine Wonderland," the fantastic land that is Occidental Mindoro is endowed with marine beauty from its virgin forests, beautiful white sand beaches, islands and islets rich in marine life, coral gardens, mysterious caves, and cascading waterfalls.

It has one of the country's wondrous secret hideaways, the Apo Reef, which is regarded as the second largest in the world.

This 34-kilometer reef in Sablayan, which is located in Apo Island, is acclaimed as the best in Asia and as the diving mecca of the Philippines. The Apo Reef Marine Park includes the fascinating bird-populated islands of Binangaan and Cajos del Bajo, which are surrounded by waters with over 500 species of marine life and luxuriant coral growth represented by approximately 400 to 500 kaleidoscopic coral species.

Mt. Iglit in San Jose is a game sanctuary for the tamaraw, a wild animal found nowhere else in the world, bearing a resemblance to the Philippine buffalo, commonly known as carabao. Mamburao boasts of an elongated strip of beach with natural and rustic surroundings. In Lumang

Bayan, Sablayan, a five-hectare park overlooking the sea, known as Presing Park, is frequented by promenaders.

Occidental Mindoro is a diving paradise with so much to offer divers out to discover several unexplored shoals and atolls. The areas around Ambulong Island, Ilin Island, White Island, and Pandan Grande offer a fertile diving ground surrounded by exquisite coral reefs and colorful marine life, ranging from exotic fish to exquisite seashells.

Every 25th to 27th of April, residents of San Jose celebrate the Saknungan, a 3-day thanksgiving festival highlighted by streetdances and parades. Saknungan is a Mangyan term which means ""bayanihan"" or the spirit of cooperation, brotherhood, and unity at work - the spirit portrayed by the MindoreĂąos day-to-day, especially during the planting and the harvesting seasons.

The inverted-J-shaped Oriental Mindoro is endowed with some of the Philippine Islands’ best naturescapes. Choose your own beach among the many that abound, from fawn beige to powdery white. Then match the experience with interesting mountain lairs, lakes, rivers, rain forests, wild animals, rare flora and fauna, and pocket communities of the existing ethnic groups. It has maintained its unspoiled environment, all within a rustic agricultural setting.

The province's foremost asset is Puerto Galera, blessed with one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, it is world-famous for splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites for new and experienced divers alike. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting rock formations,

and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.

Alibatan Island in Baco, noted for its white sand, serves as a breeding place for seagulls and turtles. Corals and oysters can be found all around the area. Also in Baco is Mt. Halcon, the country's third highest peak and a favorite destination for nature tripping and mountain climbing. In Puerto Galera, 423-foot Tamaraw Falls is a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to a grand fall, dropping to the frothy waterbed below.

Another attraction within the area is Sabang Beach, a portion of which is tourist-flocked for water sports and a cluster of nightspots popular for evening socials. Beside Sabang Beach is Small La Laguna, with amazingly beautiful coral reefs, and water ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Indulge in a number of special interest tours while in the province, from mountain climbing to trekking, hiking, camping, butterfly watching, game fishing, and adventure trips to the wilderness. Enjoy active water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. Visit the Mangyan settlement areas, and find it rewarding to engage in natural cave and waterfall exploration and island hopping."

The island province of Palawan has been declared as a nature sanctuary of the world, and for good reason. It is wrapped in a mantel of rainforests, outstanding dive sites, majestic mountains, primeval caves, and pristine beaches. It is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life. It boasts of exotic flora and fauna, like the mousedeer and the scaly anteater, that are found nowhere else.

Palawan waters are among the best in the

world, not only for diving but also for fishing. A diver's paradise, it has miles of sub-surface coral and rainbow reef walls which surround the coasts and coves teeming with rich marine life.

The El Nido Marine Reserve in Miniloc, El Nido, occupying an area of 96,000 hectares, is a popular nature spot in the province. It boasts of diverse ecosystems, such as rainforests, mangroves, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and limestone reefs as well as a variety of fishes, like manta ray and the sea cow or ""dugong,"" known as the world's rarest marine mammal. It is now one of the country's premier destinations, blessed with amazing natural scenery, and considered as a sanctuary for various forms of wildlife.

Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City is where the Honda Bay can be seen.

The bay consists of several islets with shallow reefs, bordering fabulous beaches and small resorts which have become the favorite water sports destination of local and foreign tourists alike.

The province boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders. African animals from Kenya in Africa - giraffes and elands, zebras and gazelles – co-exist with endemic Philippine animals, like the Palawan bearcat, mousedeer and peacock (pheasant), in the Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Busuanga, considered one of the province’s most amazing sites. Another sanctuary found in Rio Tuba Village, Bataraza is the Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary. This island is a haven for birds that rest and converge two hours before sunset, after a day's flight.

The province of Quezon, flocked for a festival and venerated for a volcano, is Metropolitan Manila’s gateway to Southern

Luzon and the Bicol Region. It is an elongated province east of Manila and the downward chain of Luzon provinces.

Although close to the metropolis, it has retained many of its legacies, traditions, and relics.

Mount Banahaw is a 7,382-foot extinct volcano, famous for its mystical attributes.

Unique religious rites are held during the Holy Week by pilgrims who believe that Christ walked on this mountain. Thousands of people flock to the site at Lent, and as many as 68 registered religious sects hold annual rituals. The mountain endowed with majestic beauty is also a favorite of amulet hunters. Found here is Kinabuhayan, believed to have been where Christ spent his Calvary. Ina ng Awa, near Kinabuhayan and located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, is revered as another mystical site.

The St. Michael the Archangel Minor Basilica in Tayabas, one of the oldest churches in the country, was first built in 1585 and repaired in 1590 using nipa and palm. In 1600, bricks were used to renovate the site.

Bird Island in Polillo is a coral formation that became an island and is now a sanctuary for different species of birds to fly to, from neighboring areas. Lamon Bay, found in the northern part, is a very rich fishing ground and home to various living corals. Puting Buhangin Beach in Pagbilao Grande is a pure white sand beach with crystal clear and calm waters and a small cave at the end. It is a favorite place among the townsfolk, especially during summer.

In the western municipalities of Atimonan, Pagbilao, and Padre Burgos, the Quezon National Park is located. It is 983 hectares of an intricate system of caves, waterfalls, springs, creeks, gorges, and ravines against

a quaint backdrop of lush greenery.

Celebrated every 15th of May, Pahiyas is considered as one of the Philippines’ best harvest festivals. It is deeply rooted in the traditional thanksgiving celebration for a bountiful harvest. Decorations called “Kiping,” leaf-shaped and multi-colored rice paste wafers, are the main features of the Pahiyas, which gained national, as well as international, renown for Lucban. It is observed in the towns of Lucban, Candelaria, Tayabas, Sariaya, Tiaong, and Lucena City in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

The relatively short distance between Quezon and Metro Manila make the attractions in the province even more inviting, especially for the towns located in the western part. And because Quezon is also a part of the route to the Bicol Region, both by bus and by train, its quaint little towns, which serve as stop-over points for travelers, can benefit much in terms of revenue generation through accommodation and dining establishments.

Named in honor of the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, the province has gained a reputation as the “Cradle of Philippine Art.” Known for its artists’ communities and folk festivals, Rizal also offers diverse natural and man-made attractions. Breathtaking views of Laguna de Bay, the rugged Sierra Madre mountains, swimming spots, and picnic grounds stand side by side with burgeoning industrial parks, convention halls, and commercial centers.

Recognized as Marble Country of the Philippines, Romblon is famed for its rich marble deposits. Marble, however, is not the province’s only treasure.

Existing in relative isolation from the rest of Luzon, Romblon retains much of its Spanish legacy and its natural attractions are largely unexplored. Lining the shores of the province’s three major islands – Romblon, Sibuyan, and Tablas – are some of the best, most unspoiled beaches in this part of the country. Ringed by palm-fringed white sand, these beaches boast a wealth and variety of marine life offshore. Inland, there are a number of waterfalls and an inland salt lake.

REGION5 CAMARINES NORTE, CAMARINES SUR, CATANDUANES, MASBATE, SORSOGON, ALBAY The province of Camarines Norte is found in the northern coast of the Bicol peninsula, which forms the southeastern section of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago.

One of the six provinces that make up Region V, it is bounded on the north by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by San Miguel Bay, on the west by Lamon Bay, and on the south by Quezon province and the adjoining province of Camarines Sur. It is characterized by rolling hills and mountains in the interior, and the fertile plains and valleys along the coast. The land of the province is largely within the 0-8% slope, with 72,483 hectares or 32.95% of the total land area.

Camarines Sur is home to the smallest fish in the world and famous for its Mt. Isarog, lots of beaches, old churches, and many splendid attractions.

It is 328 kilometers south of Manila, has 4 Congressional Districts and has 1,053 barangays. Total land area is 526,682

hectares populated by 1,551,549 persons.

Foundation Anniversary is every May 27, coinciding with the Kaogma Festival.

Catanduanes, “An Eco-Adventure Paradise,� is for those who love nature at its best. The whole strip of this pearly island of the Pacific is virtually untouched, unspoiled, and unexplored. It has a long string of palm-fringed beaches backed by jungle-covered mountains and crowned with jewel-like islets. It offers a totally laid-back rural charm, a beautiful natural environment and plenty of easy action at a pace that is always relaxed. The local folks have always preferred a relaxed rural village life. They seem to be disinterested in accelerated development or any headlong rush into the modern world. As a result, the tourism industry is still in its early stages. But if you are interested in outdoor pursuits, an easy lifestyle among warm and friendly people and a general escape from the frantic pace of urban life, Catanduanes is the perfect hideaway. It is a place where you could go back to simplicity and revel in the absence of manmade preoccupations and self-made entrapments; a total escape, they say.

Come, experience and enjoy the richness and wonders of nature in Catanduanes Island, Philippines!

The islands of Masbate were formed out of volcanic rocks over one hundred million years before man made his appearance in the tropical regions of the earth. Humans then made tools of stone, bone, and wood.

Some of these very early stone stools and bones have been found in Masbate.

Village settling grew from the development of farming, pottery flourished, stone tools were improved, and the early Masbate

farmers made axes of polished stones.

Many stones axes of this kind have been found in Masbate. They are the remains of the first farmers who used the axes to cut down trees. The early farmers also made beautiful ornaments of shells. They buried their dead in burial caves and jars. Two large caves in Masbate, the Bat-ongan Cave in Mandaon and the Kalanay Cave in Aroroy, are known worldwide as burial caves.

About four hundred years BC, iron and glass as well as woven cloth appeared in Masbate. The stone tools gradually disappeared; agriculture improved.

Beautiful decorated potteries were produced.

Unearthed fragments of porcelain tell the brisk trade that existed with China.

Sorsogon is situated at the southernmost tip of Luzon. As a part of the gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, the province is a melting pot of cultures and influences.

From its earliest days as a trading post frequented by Chinese and Malay merchants, Sorsogon has evolved into a center of trade and commerce in the Bicol Region.

Sorsogon offers the visitor a wide variety of diversions from scuba diving to snorkeling, sport fishing, swimming, boating, island hopping, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, spelunking, or just simply touching base with nature. The tourist, too, can revel in Sorsogon’s pageantry and celebration during its numerous festivals and fiestas, and experience its rich cultural heritage.

In Sorsogon, you will never run out of things to do, sights to see, places to explore, folk celebrations to join and enjoy.

This is Sorsogon, the Land of

Kasaggayahan – a land of peace and serenity, and happy, hospitable people.

IThe province of Albay is located between Camarines Sur on the north and Sorsogon on the south. It is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the northeast by the Lagonoy gulf, and on the west and southwest by the Burias Pass. The islands in the north under the jurisdiction of the province are Rapu-rapu, Bata, Cagraray, and San Miguel.

Albay has a land area of 2,552.6 square kilometers, consisting of 14 towns, and a population of 904,382. Its important products are hemp, coconut, sugar cane, pineapple, vegetable, and rice.

The mountains of the province are Mayon, Masaraga, and Malinao in the northeast and Catburaun in the west. Its forests are a source of timber, rattan, pili nuts, and gum elemi. There are also vast grasslands for pasturing horses, cattle, carabaos, goats, and sheep.

REGION6 CAPIZ, ILOILO, NEG OCC, GUIMARAS, AKLAN, ANTIQUE, BORACAY The Province of Capiz is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines.

Discover the Capiz mystic. Explore the rolling hills, mountain peaks and ranges.

Enjoy daytime excursions at the province’s wide beaches and isolated coves. Have a fill of a variety of seafoods available all year round. Visit local gardens, historical sites, old Spanish churches, Southeast Asia’s largest bell at Pan-ay Church, and the birthplace of Manuel A. Roxas (first Philippine President).

Experience local festivals like Balintawakan and Sinadya sa Halaran. Go spelunking. A lot of caves are waiting to be explored. Or you can make special arrangements to witness the Mundo tribe dance in Tapaz.

Accommodations in cottages, hotels, and resorts are available in Roxas City and other municipalities outside the city.

Iloilo is set in a graceful repose between Iloilo and Batiano rivers forming an angle of a nose. Hence, its old name “IlongIlong” which means “noselike”. Mountain ranges with peaks as high as almost 7,000 ft. provide natural boundaries between Iloilo and Antique on the west and Capiz on the north. The rest of mainland Iloilo is largely plain with interspersing upland portions.

Often referred to as the land of genteel people and large sugar plantations, Negros Occidental is blessed with beautiful natural scenery, unexplored waterfalls and mountains, white sand beaches, and crystal springs.

Negros Occidental’s wealth has always been its land, its charm in its people, its pride in its cuisine. These elements make for a destination that is best when experienced.

Guimaras is considered one of the exotic islands in the Philippines. The original name was Himal-us but was changed to Guimaras after the folktale of the ill-fated lovers named Princess Guima and the slave Aras, who defied tradition for their romance. The island was once a subprovince of Iloilo but by virtue of R.A. 7160 it was proclaimed a regular province on May 22, 1992.

The province is basically agricultural, with palay, coconut, mango, vegetables, livestock, poultry, and fishing as major products. Likewise, the major industries in the island are tourism Aklan is the oldest province in the Philippines, organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo, as the Minuro it Akean to include what is now Capiz. It became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Aklan was inaugurated as an independent province on November 8, 1956.

Antique is one of the provinces comprising the island of Panay in Western Visayas. It has a total land area of approximately 2,522 sq. km. It is bounded on the north and northeast by Aklan, on the east by Capiz, and on the southwest by Iloilo. On the west is the Cuyo East Pass of the Sulu Sea, part of the vast China Sea. Eighteen municipalities make up the province: fourteen along the coast, three inland, and one on six islets. Coastal towns are Aniniy, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista, Belison, Patnongon, Bugasong, Laua-an, Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Pandan, and Libertad. The inland towns are Sibalom, San Remigio, and Valderrama.

The palm-studded island of Boracay – with its white, talcum-fine beach, balmy weather, and warm, crystalline waters – is like a hypnotic magnet. In this tiny, butterfly-shaped island at the northwestern tip of Panay in Western Visayas, days can be spent simply lazing on the beach while nights are for indulging in the tropical party lifestyle.

The best part of the island is the fourkilometer White Beach hailed as the “finest

beach in the world.” The surrounding water is shallow and the sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the archipelago.

White Beach is so, soooo fine, it feels like treading on miles of baby powder!

The code in Boracay is strictly informal.

There is an undeniably easy atmosphere in the island, where walking barefoot than shod is the rule rather than the exception.

Even swinging discos have the beach for a floor, giving dance a new twist. There are no hang-ups here. During the day, tourists having a soothing massage under the shade of a coconut tree beside the shoreline is a common sight. And from dusk to dawn, Boracay turns into one big party place where everyone is welcome to join in. But first, let’s toast that sunset cocktail!

Diversions are not a problem, with leisure activities calendared throughout the year and amenities offered by some 350 tourist establishments. There is plenty to do other than beachbumming and partyhopping. For the adventure-driven, there is ""Mambo Number 5"" – a little bit of boating and wind surfing, a little bit of scuba diving, a little bit of trekking, a little bit of mountain biking, and a little bit of golf. On the eastern side of the island is Bulabog Beach, a boardsailor’s mecca that draws enthusiasts from all over the world, especially during the peak season from November to March. In January, it is the site of an International Funboard Cup. Sailboating and kayaking are popular sporting activities, with Boracay playing host to the annual Paraw Regatta, an international sailboat race that makes use of the native outrigger. Dive sites surround the island and are learning venues to both novice and professional divers, guided by competent instructors of the many dive shops that operate in the area.

Trekking and mountain biking can also bring the intrepid to the island's quaint interior villages and to the edges' scenic rocky cliffs, discovering along the way many hidden coves with isolated beaches far from the tourist crowd. And for golf bugs, Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Countryclub has an 18-hole championship course.

REGION7 BOHOL, CEBU, NEG OR, SIQUIJOR Another gem of the Visayas, Bohol’s historical significance extends way back to the blood compact between Boholano Chieftain Sikatuna and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, in 1565.

Scenic Bohol casts an enigmatic charm drawn from the many archaic mementos spread throughout the oval-shaped island: from the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier to 16th century watchtowers and Jesuit Baroque mission churches. The Chocolate Hills, all of 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, are undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction in the province. Among these hills that abound in Central Bohol, two have been developed into top-class resorts.

One of the rare faunas found in the Philippine archipelago, the Tarsier is the smallest primate in the world. It is a nocturnal primate measuring from four to five inches, with a tail that is longer than its body. Those interested in tarsier watching are always welcomed by the Boholanos to see the famous primate in its natural abode up the hills in the town of Corella.

A tropical haven of natural beauty, the coastline of the province is skimmed by

gentle coves and white sand beaches. You can find some of the country’s great dive sights here. Balicasag in Bohol is one of the very best and most popular dives in the Visayas. A black coral forest is among its main attractions but virtually anywhere you drop in is sure to be rewarding. Another major attraction, Cabilao is renowned for the hammerhead sharks that shoal around the clear waters. Large pelagics are very common here, and if you are really lucky, you can find yourself swimming with a passing school of dolphins.

It was in the province of Cebu that Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in Philippine soil back in 1521. Even before the Spaniards came, trade with the Chinese already flourished in the province.

Prosperity has continued, and today, Cebu City, known as the Queen City of the South, has become a thriving, highly urbanized center that comes second to Manila’s bustling metropolis.

Only a few minutes away from the city are numerous white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and swaying palms, making Cebu a perfect destination for both business and leisure. Mactan Island is a coral island and famous scuba diving and beach site. It is also the site of the Export Processing Zone.

Malapascua Island is endowed with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the west coast is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The sleepy little market town of Moalboal was one of the first places where scuba diving caught on in the Philippines.

From here, you can dive straight off Panagsama Beach, which is home to an extraordinary array of coral, anemones, sponges, and a swarming host of brightly colored reef fish.

Olango Island in Cebu supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found in

the country. These birds migrating from Russia stop here en route to Australia.

It was in the province of Cebu that Ferdinand Magellan first set foot in Philippine soil back in 1521. Even before the Spaniards came, trade with the Chinese already flourished in the province.

Prosperity has continued, and today, Cebu City, known as the Queen City of the South, has become a thriving, highly urbanized center that comes second to Manila’s bustling metropolis.

Only a few minutes away from the city are numerous white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and swaying palms, making Cebu a perfect destination for both business and leisure. Mactan Island is a coral island and famous scuba diving and beach site. It is also the site of the Export Processing Zone.

Malapascua Island is endowed with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the west coast is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The sleepy little market town of Moalboal was one of the first places where scuba diving caught on in the Philippines.

From here, you can dive straight off Panagsama Beach, which is home to an extraordinary array of coral, anemones, sponges, and a swarming host of brightly colored reef fish.

Olango Island in Cebu supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found in the country. These birds migrating from Russia stop here en route to Australia.

The whole island of Siquijor was declared a marine reserve and tourist zone in 1978 by virtue of Proclamation No. 1810. As such, the island-province will be developed into a major tourist destination under the supervision of the Philippine Tourism Authority.

Known for its scenic beauty and archaic churches, Siquijor is also blessed with natural and historical attractions. Its unspoiled environment and the warm hospitality of its people never fail to beckon visitors from all over. The serenity of the whole province makes it ideal for a perfect getaway.

It lures nature lovers and adventurers to explore its numerous caves, springs and rivers, and to climb up Mount Bandilaan, the highest peak at the center of the island.

Being a coral island, it also invites diving enthusiasts to explore the reefs surrounding the island, teeming with marine life which have been remarkably left untouched. For tourists who just want to lay back and relax, the island offers a never-ending stretch of white sand beaches, all 102 kilometers of shorelines surrounding the island. It also provides a trip to the past with the old Cang-Isok house, St. Francis de Assisi Church, St. Isidore Labrador Parish and Convent which is reputed to be one of the country’s largest convents.

With such varied tourist attractions, Siquijor looms as the playground of the Central Visayas region.

REGION8 EASTERN SAMAR, LEYTE, NORTHERN SAMAR, WESTERN SAMAR, SOUTHERN LEYTE, BILIRAN Eastern Samar had been a significant backdrop of the country’s rich colonial history through the island of Homonhon, where Ferdinand Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil in 1521 on his way to conquer the Philippines for the western world. Its tiny island of Suluan Guiuan was likewise where the U.S. Army rangers had their first encounter of the Philippine territory in 1944, three days before General

Douglas MacArthur made his historic landing in Leyte.

In his account, Pigafetta, the chronicler aboard Magellan’s ship, describes the island of Humumu, now Homonhon, as so: “We found two fountains of very clear water, we called it the `Waters of Good Signs,’ having found the first sign of gold in the said island. There also can be found much white coral and tall trees that bear fruits smaller than an almond and look like pines. There were also many palm trees, some of the good kind, some of the bad.

Thereabouts are many neighboring islands.

Hence, we called them the St. Lazarus Archipelago because we stayed there on the day and feast of St. Lazarus.”

Historians have since described this part of Samar Island as the “eastern gateway to the Philippines.” The coast of the small province faces the Pacific Ocean and much of the land is rugged with the vast parts forested. The interior part is rough and hilly and covered with dense tropical vegetation but drained by numerous rivers and creeks. Mountain ranges and peaks abound in an interior. Narrow plains hug most of the coastal areas and, in some instances, the banks of its principal rivers and their tributaries.

Leyte is among the country’s most historic provinces, proud of its rich and significant past. It was the site not only of a major uprising against the Spaniards but also of the famous landing of US forces during World War II, marking its place in history as the point of entry for the American forces of liberation.

This historical consciousness is reflected on Leyte’s provincial seal. The stars symbolize the 49 towns of the province.

The alphabet on the cross indicates its

second phase of development, when Magellan passed through the province en route to Cebu. And the upper portion commemorates the landing of General Douglas MacArthur, through a perspective of the National Freedom Park.

Leyte is traversed by many low mountain ranges just like the Samar and Visayan islands. From the northwestern section to the southeastern extremities extends a very rugged, almost impassable ridge. There are also many extinct volcanoes, the most important of which is Mahagnao.

Its capital city, Tacloban, is the most important seaport on the eastern coast while Ormoc City is the primary outlet on the western coast.

Northern Samar may be reached over land via the Pan Philippine Highway, which connects the key cities of the Samar provinces. Most of the towns are situated along the northern coasts facing the San Bernardino Strait.

Another point of entry into Northern Samar is through the north-western town of Allen.

It is possible to take the ferry from Matnog off Sorsogon (the southernmost province of the Bicol Region) to this town, which is connected to Catarman by the winding highway along the coast.

Travelers will find Allen a convenient takeoff rest-point to explore nearby attractions, most of which are reached only after a considerable journey.

Then for a return to the 16th century, a visit to Capul Island is a must. The island can be reached by a two-hour motorboat trip from Allen. Only missionary fervor could have made building a church on this island possible. Capul also features a stark watch

tower in its landscape, a further reminder of the loneliness of this islet.

The province of Samar, occupying the southwestern part of Samar Island, is a rugged land with bountiful waters on the west and low mountain ranges on the east.

Caught between mountain and sea, Samar is no stranger to rain, which it experiences in varying degrees for the most part of the year.

Samar is blessed with a lush rainforest harboring tropical flora and fauna, crossed by multiple navigable rivers, pocked by mysterious caverns and refreshing waterfalls. A tourist wanting something out of the ordinary may experience all these wonders of nature and still only be a few hours from civilization.

The favored route to this part of the island is through the 2.16 kilometer long San Juanico Bridge from Leyte Island following a plane trip via Manila-Tacloban.

From the south or west, Calbayog City and its capital town of Catbalogan are accessible both by plane and sea, with the Pan Philippine Highway connecting the coastal towns.

Filipinos stake a large claim on hospitality, just sort of making it a national treasure, and the Leyte単os from the small province of Southern Leyte are no different. There is a warmth that begins with the lilt and caress of welcoming voices. Most of the locals, you see, speak Cebuano, a dialect that seems naturally nurturing.

Even the land is naturally welcoming, as evidenced by the lights that beckon from homes that hug the coast and the waving fronds of coconut palms.

Southern Leyte may be reached by land via

the Pan Philippine Highway or, as most prefer, by sea. Either way, one finds oneself in Maasin, the provincial capital.

Maasin is hardly your idea of a bustling town; it has maintained a pace that is welcome after the hurly-burly of city life. It is also blessedly situated between sea and forest. The former provides virtually untouched beaches waiting to be discovered, and the latter, virgin growth still unexplored.

The Philippine archipelago is dotted with numerous tiny islands, some of which remain largely undiscovered by travelers due to distance or lack of information.

Several of these beautiful but little known islands can be found in the Visayas. Biliran Island, a young province, lies between Northern Leyte and Eastern Samar.

Biliran comprises eight towns: Kawayan, Almeria, Naval, Biliran, Culaba, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, and Maripipi, with Naval as the capital town. The province thrives mainly on the fishing and seaport industry.

Most of its towns like Naval and Biliran are considered as excellent ports and are often the gateway to further destinations within the Visayas and even the Mindanao region.

REGION9 ZAMBO DEL NORTE, ZAMBO DEL SUR, ZAMBO SIBUGAY, ZAMBO CITY Dubbed as the “Twin-City Province,�

Zamboanga del Norte has been made famous by the beauty and charm of the Orchid City of Dipolog and the historical, rustic quaintness of the Shrine City of Dapitan.

Decrying Spanish authority over his beloved country, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippine National Hero, lived in exile in

faraway Dapitan City, then only a sleepy town in Mindanao. Here, he spent fruitfully his last four years in exile, from 1892 to 1896, to practice medicine, pursue scientific studies, keep with his artistic and literary endeavors, and widen his knowledge of languages. In Dapitan, Dr. Rizal found a school and a hospital, and became a farmer to prove to the people that farming is as good a profession as medicine.

The original estate of Dr. Rizal in Dapitan has been declared a national shrine and is being administered by the National Historical Institute. Hence, the city monicker, “Shrine City of the Philippines.”

By the year 2020, Dapitan is poised to become the Dr. Jose Rizal Heritage Center of the Philippines, owing to the wealth of Rizal memorabilia and memorable places associated with the country’s beloved hero.

Zamboanga del Norte today is equally famous for Dakak Beach, the province’s foremost natural attraction. The very popular Dakak Beach is most known for its beautfiully shaped cove and powdery white sand, and as a diving mecca in Mindanao.

Pristine blue waters, excellent dive sites with an abundance of coral reefs, and a magnificent sunset horizon characterize this tropical eden. Dakak Park and Beach Resort boasts 15 hectares of wooded land, a natural reservoir for native plants and animals, and a 750-meter private whitesand beach.

The province of Zamboanga del Sur is bounded on the north by the province of Zamboanga del Norte; on the south by the Moro Gulf; on the southwest by Zamboanga Sibugay; and on the east and northeast by Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Panguil Bay. The original inhabitants of the Zamboanga

peninsula were the Subanons, who settled along the riverbanks. The next group of settlers to arrive were Muslim migrants from the neighboring provinces. The Maguindanaoans and Kalibugans were farmers; the Tausugs, Samals, and Badjaos were fishermen; and the Maranaos were traders and artisans. The Muslim settlers also looked on mat weaving as its major occupation.

Then came an exodus of migrants from nearby provinces. Historians say that majority of them came from the Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Siquijor.

Together with the original settlers, these pioneers helped develop Zamboanga del Sur into the abundant and culturally diverse province that it is.

Today the province comprises two congressional districts with 26 municipalities and one component city.

Pagadian City, its capital, with a total of 681 barangays, has been declared as the new regional seat of Region IX. Owing to its natural land form, the province of Zamboanga Sibugay is blessed with an impressive range of excellent tourist destinations – interesting mountain formations, picture-perfect waterfalls, caves in which dwell thousands of bats as well as stalactites, hot springs, white sand beaches, and fish and sea snake sanctuaries.

Tantanan Bay is the largest fish sanctuary found in the province, encompassing an area of five hectares. Sibuguey Bay bounds the southern peripheries. Endowed with several coral formations that function naturally as fish sanctuaries, it is ideal for snorkeling and diving. Another notable fish sanctuary, situated within the municipality of Talusan, is Takushari. Within the island of Pulo Laum is a sanctuary for the

propagation

of

sea

snakes.

Zamboanga Sibugay is endowed with several islets that are ideal for beach resort development. Notable are Pandilusan Island in the municipality of Payao and Litayon Island in the municipality of Alicia. One characteristic that they have in common is their white sand beaches. In addition to these islets, there are also white sand atolls in both municipalities that are submerged during high tides.

Leading the province’s inland tourist attractions are the large caves found in the municipalities of Tungawan and Talusan as well as the Moalboal Cave in the municipality of Titay. Among the majestic waterfalls are Tagbilat, Dalisay, Tugop Muslim, Cobacob, Go-otoc, Malagandis, Basay, and Palina Falls in Ipil.

Quetal Ustedes? From the moment you hear those lifting words, you realize it’s true. Here indeed is a quaint pocket of history torn from mainland Spain. A place unlike any other in the Philippines.

While Spain’s three-century reign left its indelible imprint on the country, nowhere was its legacy perhaps so concentrated and embedded than in Zamboanga, which took for its native tongue, Chabacano, the delightful mix of 60% Español and 40% native words.

There is more to Zamboanga than this. As far back as the 13th and 14th centuries, it was already a trading center with a vibrant culture of its own, emblazoned against the horizon in the vivid colors of the native vinta sails that fluttered gaily off its shores.

And when the Castillan flag of Spain first appeared in the horizon off Caldera Bay (now Recodo) in 1593, Zamboanga opened another epoch in its colorful heritage, one

that would leave a legacy so rooted that from it would spring much of the city’s romance and allure.

The best recuerdo of la presencia de España in Zamboanga was and remains to be Fort Pilar, the coastal fort built in 1635 around which the city first grew. In time, it became a shrine to Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza, especially after miracles that are now part of legends and Zamboanga folklore.

It was in Zamboanga that Christianity gained a foothold in Mindanao. The Archdiocese of Zamboanga covered all of Mindanao, except Sulu where Islam and the Tausug culture proved every bit as dynamic as Spain’s influence.

REGION 10 BUKIDNON, CAMIGUIN, MISAMIS OCC, MISAMIS OR, LANAO DEL NORTE, ILIGAN CITY Bukidnon is a highland paradise in the heart of Mindanao. It is home to the world's biggest pineapple plantation boasting a classic golf course dating back to 1928. It is the biggest cattle-producing province in the region. It is well endowed with natural attractions like the Kitanglad Ranges that includes Dulang Dulang, the second highest peak in the country. And it has been identified as one of the country’s richest in biodiversity and endemic species of flora and fauna.

Bukidnon is in the heartland of Mindanao, linking Davao to the south and Misamis Oriental to the north of the island.

Old Spanish documents indicate that the great explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in Camiguin in 1521 and 1565, respectively,

but it was not until 1598 when the Spanish settlement was established in what was later to be known as Guinsiliban (now one of the municipalities).

The first major settlement of Camiguin during the Spanish era was Catarman in 1679. This settlement grew and prospered to what is now known as Bonbon. The 1871 eruption of Mt. Vulcan Daan destroyed those towns, the remains of which are the ancient Spanish church and convent in the present town center of Catarman.

Sagay was formally established as a town in 1848; Mambajao in 1885 and Mahinog in 1860.

The name “Camiguin “ is derived from the word “Kamagong,” the name of a tree in the ebony family. Original inhabitants of the island were the Manobos from Surigao.

Bounded on three directions by bodies of water, Misamis Occidental is known to its neighbors for beautiful waters and bountiful fish and seafood for export. In fact, Layawan River in Oroquieta City is a constant awardee of the national environmental recognition, Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran, as Cleanest Inland Body of Water. But there is one other place that is drawing tourists into this coastal yet rugged province – the city of Tangub, which comes alive especially at Christmas.

The yuletide season is equated with a oneof-a-kind celebration in Tangub, which has been tagged as the “Christmas Symbols Capital of Mindanao.” Come December, the cityfolk get busy creating unique interpretations and presentations of the different known Christmas symbols.

Indigenous, low-cost, and often enormous, these Christmas showcase pieces are then

lavishly displayed at the city plaza and highway barangays for competition, and collectively, as a truly breathtaking sight to behold.

Tourist-friendly Tangub City also mounts the Dalit Festival every 29th of September, which is the feast of day of its patron, Saint Michael, the Archangel. The festival is the city’s simple way of saying “Mabuhay and Welcome to Tangub.” Dalit, which means “offering,” presents the unique way of fostering friendship, unity, and love of all Tangubanons to their visitors. Among the varied activities and presentations are rituals and dances that depict the Filipino way of life.

Nature tripping is a never-ending possibility in Misamis Oriental, one of the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.

From watersports and fine beaches to cave exploration and ethnic settlements, the list of nature-communing endeavors to be experienced in the province is longer than enough to fill a lifetime’s itinerary.

Seas and beaches offer a limitless aqua adventure. Go scuba diving at Duka Bay and Mantangale, also a primary dolphin and whale shark watching destination. Find glorious hideaways in the white sand beaches of Midway Beach, Maputi White Beach, and Opol Beach Fronts. Go white water rafting and tubing in the rapids of Cagayan de Oro River, one of the longest rivers in Mindanao. Or simply get picturehappy at the San Isidro/Sagpolon, Palalan, and Tiklas waterfalls as well as Sapong Spring and the Cold Spring at Lagonglong.

A multitude of choices await the nature lover or adventurer. The Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village in Cagayan de Oro, a cultural village in a botanical setting, is home to Region 10’s tribal

communities and endemic plants and trees.

Also in Cagayan de Oro is Macahambus Cave, a historical site dating back to the 1900s. Initao Cave is home to the splitnose bat and the Initao National Park is a forest reserve with a natural limestone formation and marine life.

Shift into a more relaxed pace at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, situated along Lumbia Road in Cagayan de Oro. Or explore this city’s museums, from the Xavier University Museum showcasing Muslim-Bukidnon culture to the La Castilla Museum featuring household heirlooms.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, “Land of Beauty and Bounty,” has been exerting its best effort to uplift the quality of life of the people in the rural and urban areas in the province through the promotion of Integrated Agriculture and Economics Tourism Development Programs. The primary goal of the development plans is to create conditions that will facilitate and accelerate economic word of the province. One of the conditions identified is to promote the tourism industry that would act as a catalyst for the development of trade and other economic interactions between outlying municipalities in the province and its neighboring provinces as well.

The “City of Majestic Waterfalls,” as Iligan is being described, does not plummet to the depths of the earth but empowers the industries it houses to keep the nation moving. It is not only known for its rich natural resources, the likes of Maria Cristina Falls that has become a major source of power, but it is also the home of nationally acclaimed artists, poets, cultural workers, and writers, and geographically, is a cross road of the cultural mix of the Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, Higaonons of

Bukidnon, and the dominantly Christian settlers and migrants from the Visayas and other places of Mindanao.

REGION 11 DAVAO NORTE, DAVAO SUR, DAVAO ORIENTAL, COMPOSTELA VALLEY Davao del Norte is one of the most progressive provinces in Region XI. It has seven municipalities, namely, Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen, Kapalong, New Corella, Sto. Tomas, and Talaingod, and three cities of Tagum, which is the capital as well as center of commerce and governance, Panabo, and the Island Garden City of Samal, known for its white pristine beaches, great diving sites, and well preserved flora and fauna. This is where the world-renowned Barcelo Pearl Farm Beach Resort is located along with other tourist destinations dotting this island of adventure.

Although the province is generally an agriculture area, with bananas as its main produce for both local and international markets, a wide array of other agricultural products like coconuts, rice, corn, citrus, mangoes, durian, and other tropical fruits abound. Davao del Norte also boasts of its growing aquaculture in B.E. Dujali, a municipality touted to be the future “tilapia country” of the north. Tilapia is also known as St. Peter’s Fish to food connoisseurs.

With most of the municipalities situated along the coastline, Davao del Norte has an extensive mangrove area where marine resources are found.

Sprawled along the shores of Southeastern Mindanao, Davao del Sur is a place of natural wonders and rarities. It boasts of the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, the most prized Philippine orchid species like

the Vanda Sanderiana, some of the most exotic fruits, and the endangered Philippine Eagle.

Davao del Sur is home to a host of ethnic groups whose culture and way of life have been preserved. These are the Bagobos, the Mandayas, the Mansakas, the Atas, the Kalagans, the Tagakaolos, and the Mangguangans. Their arts and crafts are on display in museums and shops.

There is a wide choice of white sand beaches and resorts. In the city, there are numerous hotels and inns. Dining is good and varied.

Nightlife is fun.

Some of the popular sports activities are golf, watersports, and mountain climbing.

Davao Oriental is a separate and independent province along with Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte. Its major industries includes agriculture, fishing, small and medium cottage industries, and tourism.

This province is famous for waterfalls, white-sand beaches, historical attractions, and the Mandaya Tribe, whose unadulterated culture and traditions are still very evident in their day-to-day lives.

Compostela Valley is blessed with nature’s magnificent work of art. It brims with natural attractions like beaches, waterfalls, forests, mountain ranges, caves, lakes, rivers, hot and cold springs.

The province is proud of its people and cultural heritage - a varied mixture of ethnicity and dominance. To be in Compostela Valley is to experience a blend of sight and sound that defines a place and a people pulsing with life yet reserved in spirit.

The provincial government believes in marketing tourism responsibly.

ComValeños want to explore and revel on nature’s finest without destroying the environment.

Choices within the province are almost limitless. ComValeños believe that they have something that caters to everyone’s enthusiasm, all waiting for the adventurous spirit in you. They see their province as an eco-adventure tourism destination, and once experienced, so will you.

REGION12 NORTH COTA, SARANGGANI, SULTAN KUDARAT, SOUTH COTA, KIDAPAWAN, KORONADAL The original Cotabato Province known as the Empire Province of Cotabato used to be the largest in the country in terms of land area. On November 22, 1973, Presidential Decree 341 created the new provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. South Cotabato was segregated and what used to be north Cotabato was renamed Cotabato under Batas Pambansa 660 on December 19, 1983. The word ""Cotabato"" is derived from the Maguindanaon ""Kutawato"" or ""Stone Fort.""

Cotabato province lies on the eastern part of Region XII and is strategically located in the central part of Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, on the east by Davao City, on the southeast by Davao del Sur, on the west by Maguindanao province, and on the southwest by Sultan Kudarat.

Tourism in Cotabato is definitely one of the most promising avenues for such needed foreign exchange. Major tourist attractions abound in this exotic province. Of

international interest is Mt. Apo with its rare freshwater lake at Venado, its monkeyeating eagle, and the ""Waling-Waling,"" and then there is Lake Agko with its rare blue boiling water. They are found in Kidapawan while other tourist attractions abound in such areas as Kabacan, Carmen, Makilala, and Magpet. Domestic and foreign tourist have come once and again to the Mt. Apo National Park, among them, geologists and other scientists hoping to discover new species of flora and fauna.

To boost the tourism industry, agencies have been created and transportation and accommodation facilities have been encouraged. The people have become accustomed to entertaining tourist, sharing with them the history of their unique life and culture.

Sarangani, Mindanao's front door to BIMPEAGA, is the southernmost province in mainland Mindanao. It is cut midway by General Santos City, giving its two sections hammock-like shapes that hug the mountains and Sarangani Bay. Sarangani is surrounded by the Celebes Sea, Sarangani Bay, and the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Davao del Sur. The province is also the coastal zone of SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City), one of the country's fast growing development clusters.

It has seven municipalities (Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum) with 140 barangays.

Its vast beachfronts, rolling hills, and fertile plains offer plenty of opportunities.

Named after the Muslim leader Sultan

Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, Sultan Kudarat became a separate province on November 22, 1973.

Sultan Kudarat is located on the southwestern part of Mindanao Island. It is composed of 12 municipalities with a total land area of 478,318.98 hectares.

South Cotabato is endowed with numerous natural sceneries that have a great potential as tourist attractions, and is blessed with creative people who maintain and develop the beauty of these places.

As the province progresses and moves towards agri-industrialization, people in and out of the country are getting more interested in South Cotabato. At present, more potential tourist spots are being developed in the province.

In only three decades since its provincehood, South Cotabato has already surpassed dozens of provinces established half a century ahead in almost every aspect of development. In a short span, it became one of the leading provinces in Mindanao.

What it has got to show today are vivid results of human synergy and the richness of its resources.

South Cotabato has recently become a favorite venue for conventions and big events of national significance. In 1994 the province hosted the National Secondary School Press Conference. 1996 was another remarkable year for South Cotabato, having been selected as host of the Palarong Pambansa '96. Just recently it played host to the 9th Mindanao Business Conference, which was successfully participated by all sectors of society, both local and international, and the 23rd FEDBOP National Bowling Tournament.

Kidapawan was derived from the Manobo words ""tida,"" meaning spring, and ""pawan,"" meaning highland. Hence, the provincial title, ""Spring in the Highland.""

Its first settlers were predominantly Manobos. The influx of Christian settlers from Luzon and the Visayas has resulted in the evolution of the word Tidapawan to Kidapawan.

Koronadal is in the southwestern part of the island of Mindanao. A triangle shaped city, it occupies the northwestern part of the province of South Cotabato. As the provincial capital, Koronadal is the center of social, economic, and political activities in South Cotabato, such as government administration, commerce, trade, transportation, communication, and education.

REGION 13 AGUSAN DEL SUR, AGUSAN DEL NORTE, SURIGAO DEL SUR, SURIGAO DEL NORTE, BUTUAN, SURIGAO CITY Agusan del Norte is the smallest province in the Caraga Region, classified as a second-class province. It is mountainous along its northeastern and western parts. In between are flat, rolling lands, particularly where the Agusan River cuts through as it empties into Butuan Bay. The highest peak, Mt. Hilong-hilong, at 2,012 meters above sea level, is located in the Diwata Mountain Ranges near the eastern boundary of Surigao del Sur. Indigenous peoples of the Mamanwa, Manobo, and Higaonon/Tala-andig tribes populate its many mountains.

Located in Southern Philippines, Agusan del Sur is the fourth largest province in the country. It is endowed with rich natural resources contained in its vast agricultural,

forest, and marsh lands. Its vision is to become an agro-processing center and an eco-tourism destination.

Agusan del Sur is a promising paradise found in the northeastern part of Mindanao.

It is the land of the proud and brave Agusanons, a land of multi-ethnic and cultural diversity. It is hidden in the vastness of 896,550 hectares of endless green carpets and undulating forest cover which envelope its half a million people with fresh mountain air. The long winding Agusan River passes through the middle valley of Agusan del Sur. Surigao del Norte is a group of islands at the rim of the Asian continental shelf. It is one of the four provinces of the newly created Caraga Region 13.

The province is blessed with long stretches of white sand beaches, enchanting rock formations, mysterious caves, and vast mangrove forests. The strong waves in Siargao Island has made the province the Surfing Capital of the Philippines.

Once a quiet and pristine place, Surigao del Norte’s rural charm now caught the fancy of local and foreign tourists who frequent the province’s numerous islands. Over the years, Surigao del Norte has indeed become a shangri-la for visitors from all over the world, especially for surfers and body boarders.

Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th independent Philippine province on June 19, 1960 by virtue of House Bill No. 3058 also known as Republic Act No. 2786 authored by Representative Reynaldo P. Honrado. It was formally created and inaugurated on September 18, 1960 at the capital town of Tandag, the seat of the Provincial Government. Its first appointed

and elected Governor Recaredo B. Castillo.

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Welcome to a city that has seen over 1,683 years of recorded history. It was the original site of the first Easter mass in Philippine soil. It was the site of the first formal hoisting of the Philippine flag in Mindanao. And it was the home of the “Balanghais“ or Butuan Boats, famous prehistoric native boats in Southeast Asia.

Butuan is situated in the northwestern part of the Caraga Region (Region 13). It is the seat of government of the region and serves as its trading center as well. The city’s strategic location makes it a natural gateway to the different prime destinations in the region.

Surigao City is the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, located at Northeastern Mindanao and serving as the gateway by land from the country’s largest island to the rest of the Philippines.

Surigao City is blessed with abundant natural scenic spots consisting of various arrays of beaches and island hopping destinations that can cater to different types of adventures, from swimming to snorkeling and scuba diving. Other natural attractions in the locality consist of mangrove forests, caves for spelunking, lagoons, waterfalls, rock and coral formations, and many more.

Another distinct advantage of Surigao City is its unmatched and untarnished sociopolitical stability. The city’s crime index measures less than one to two crimes reported per 100,000 population. It is very significant to note that the city is relatively free from the cudgels of organized crime syndicates and distinctly devoid of secessionists’ movements and clan

violence commonly occurring in other areas of Central and Southern Mindanao.

In this dynamic and vibrant city at Northeastern Mindanao, expect only to find an excellent travel destination and potentially the next stop for doing business.

CAR ABRA, BENGUET, APAYAO, MOUNTAIN IFUGAO, BAGUIO CITY

KALINGA, PROVINCE,

The Province of Abra is now known as the ""Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines"" because it is blessed with abundant natural dye-yielding plants. Natural dyes are extracted from the barks, leaves, fruits, and roots of these plants, and used to color food, beverages, textiles, cosmetics, furniture, and pharmaceutical products.

The revival of Abra's dyeing tradition had been the project of former Governor Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera. It started in 1992 with the Katutubong Foundation, Inc., headed by former First Lady Amelita ""Ming"" Ramos, with the help of designer Patis Tesoro who is renowned for using ethnic designs and fabrics for her haute couture creations.

Another revival project that is related to the province's natural dye industry is loom weaving and embroidery.

Benguet is the roof of Northern Luzon. It straddles on the Cordillera mountain ranges. Mt. Pulag, second highest mountain in the Philippines, and Halsema Highway, the highest mountain highway system in the country, are located in Benguet. Today it holds claim as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines� because of the huge production of upland vegetables.

A glance of the Philippine map will easily reveal the similarity of the physiography of Kalinga to that of a bust of a man akin to former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The province’s geographic feature is charcterized in the western portion by sharp crested interlinking peaks of the steep slope, isolated flat lands, plateaus, and valleys. The eastern portion has generally rolling, gradually sloping foothills. With interlocking wide tracks of flat lands and flood plains along its main drainage system, this rare geography interposes a great role expected of the province in national development pursuits.

The province of Apayao boasts its own collection of natural wonders that are otherwise not found in the rest of the Cordilleras. Little wonder that it has been dubbed as “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness.” Here, underground rivers, majestic waterfalls, magnificent lakes hug a unique land that is replete with captivating caves, picture-pretty parks, and exotic wildlife.

Delve deep into underwater splendor being offered by Malabisin Lake and Underground River as well as Waton Subterranean River. Come up the surface to gape at fish and wildlife, which are highly visible in the unpolluted waters of Apayao River. And do stop to admire the myriad of picturesque waterfalls of varying sizes that are found along the river.

Commune with nature and marvel at wondrous sights at the Agamata, Agora, and Anag-Sicapo wildlife sanctuaries.

Scale the heights of Mount Solo, the highest peak in Apayao. Stumble into untold discoveries at Purit, Anganupan, Nalvo, and countless other caves that make Apayao a whole lot more than simply interesting.

The province of Apayao boasts its own collection of natural wonders that are otherwise not found in the rest of the Cordilleras. Little wonder that it has been dubbed as “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness.” Here, underground rivers, majestic waterfalls, magnificent lakes hug a unique land that is replete with captivating caves, picture-pretty parks, and exotic wildlife.

ARMM BASILAN, LANAO DEL SUR, MAGUINDANAO, TAWI TAWI, SULU Basilan is one province in a setting that reflects the true description of an island paradise. Blessed with natural bounties since its early years of existence, it has been called by merchants and travelers as an island of hope. The province, bestowed with different cultures and traditions and rich in aquatic resources, was once considered the trading center of Mindanao in the early days.

The kilometer-wide channel that opens to the port of Isabela, provincial capital, is lined on both sides by mangroves and Samal houses on stilts. Across is Malamawi Island, the gateway to Basilan, where can be found the Badjao, SamalLuaans-Banguingui, and Muslim cemeteries. The island boasts of the only lake in the province with wild ducks and is home to the Panigayan fishing village, an ideal spearfishing destination.

In the heart of Isabela is the Santa Isabel Cathedral with its modern architectural design. Beside the cathedral is a display center of native handicrafts like mats, bags, and other products made of buri.

Not far from Isabela proper is the Kaum Purnah Mosque and Muslim Village, which shows Muslim culture through at least three tribes. The 400-meter-high Calvario Peak and its Chapel of Peace are a delight to photographers. Sumagdang Beach is a natural swimming resort amidst coconut plantations, mini rice fields, and fishponds while Kumalarang River boasts of a 14meter-high waterfalls.

The next town of Lamitan is the best place to see the Yakan, a peace-loving people known for colorful clothes handwoven with intricate geometric designs as well as for elaborate weddings and festivals.

Lanao del Sur is the land of the Maranaos, “people of the lake,” among the most devout of Muslim tribes as well as the most artistic. Nowhere is this more evident than in the the people’s most natural way of life and the land’s most attractive sites.

The life of the Maranaos centers on Lake Lanao, the second largest and deepest in the Philippines and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful. The lake is surrounded with myths and legends. The climate here is envigorating and fine grazing land stretches into the distance. A commanding view of the lake is offered by Marawi City, the provincial capital.

The unique natural setting of the Maranaos is perhaps best manifested in Marawi Cty, by the presence of the many large torogans, the Maranao houses, which are characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs. The city’s Aga Khan Museum, located within Mindanao State University, is a repository of Maranao and other Moro artifacts. It boasts a huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials, ethnic music, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims, and

Muslim houses of different artistic designs.

Founded in 1962, the university draws the most crowds to the city.

The Maranaos’ flair for the creative is exhibited by their numerous ceremonial artifacts and everyday tools trimmed with the sensuous "okir" (carving) and colorful "nagas" (serpent figures). Their long, low, and sleek boats sport a rainbow of brilliant colors matched only by the exuberance of the malong, the native wear of the Maranao women. Worn as a shirt or dress, used to cover the head or as a blanket, the highly decorated malong is violet, purple, green, red, yellow, floral, and geometric.

The essence of the ancient Islamic faith and culture remains in good health and wellbeing in the province of Maguindanao, home of the Muslim Maguindanaos, traditionally a peace-loving, inlanddwelling people. Maguindanao is the only predominantly Muslim province of the four that were created out of the former province of Cotabato. Today it holds the seat of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The ARMM Compound, located on Gov. Gutierrez Avenue, is a showcase of a unique blend of modern and Muslim architecture. It houses the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center, the Regional Museum, the Regional Library, and almost all regional offices of Region 12.

Perhaps Maguindanao is most popularly known for Rio Grande de Mindanao, the second largest river in the Philippines and the longest in Mindanao. Water sports and boat racing are ideal activities here, and are usually held to coincide with the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival and the Feast of Hariraya Puasa.

Celebrated every December 19, the Shariff Kabunsuan

Festival is a colorful commemoration of Kabunsuan’s arrival via Rio Grande de Mindanao more than 500 years ago to introduce Islam to the natives.

Cotabato City's most famous landmark is P.C. Hill, a stone fort towering over the city with a height of 90 feet and now housing the Cotabato City Internal Defense Command. This historic hill served as a watch tower for the natives. It commands a panoramic view of the city and Rio Grande de Mindanao. The oldest church in the city is Tamontaka Church at Barangay Tamontaka. It was built in 1872 following Spanish architecture and design.

Wild cattle, wild hogs, and monkeys of the brown and white variety are just some of the many exotic fauna that abound in the forests of mainland Tawi-Tawi. Lying at the southwestern tip of the Philippines, accessible in only a matter of hours from Sabah in Malaysia, Tawi-Tawi is a province to visit for its natural zoos and a world all its own.

At Sibutu, wild hogs come in rampaging bands of black, reddish brown, white, and spotted black and white. A hunter's paradise, Sibutu also boasts of the sleek and rare "labuyo" or wild rooster, birds of the edible variety – the balud, tabon, kingfisher, orioles, dandunay of the peacock variety, and more – as well as pet birds such as green, gold, and white parrots, canaries, lovebirds, and so much more.

Seagulls, known to the natives as “tallahtallah,” have settled by the thousands at Gusong Reef in Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi to lay their eggs there. Gusong Reef is a top producer of the delicious turtle eggs, ranking second to the Turtle Islands.

Bongao Peak is a veritable monkey

sanctuary, which also provides a view of the expanse of sea and the necklace of islands for miles around.

Tawi-Tawi can easily transport one to a whole other world. Eye-catching Sitangkai is considered the “Venice of Tawi-Tawi.�

The Royal "Kupunga" rises straight out of an Arabian setting. The Malay influences as well as tribal arts and crafts are very much visible in the province. Here, it is not uncommon to see folks dressed in colorful malongs, the women adorned in beads and brass trinkets.

Bongao, the provincial capital, is the only place in the province where simple amenities can be availed of. Lodging is spartan. Bazaars and small cafes crowd the commercial center. At the marketplace, foodstalls serve seafare and native delicacies like the "tapa" or cured boar's meat.

Far-flung Sulu is the southernmost part of the Philippines, lying between the Sulu Sea on the north and the Celebes Sea on the south. With fishing as its most important industry, it is classified as a First Class Province in terms of income.

The glorious Sulu Sea is dotted with coral reefs, such as the pearl farm at Marungas Island, and provides some of the world's best dive spots. Tubbataha Reef is its best known site, a 33,200-hectare underwater splendor drawing divers from all over the world with its marvelous marine wilderness and special ecosystem. Because of its fabulous beauty, the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park was honored by UNESCO in December 1993 as the first natural site in the Philippines to be inscribed in the prestigious World Heritage List.

The provincial capital is Jolo. Its walled

city is the smallest in the world, with its historic brick walls that lay proof to the city’s historic and continuous strife. At the entrance of the city are four gates that were used as watch towers and several mounds that were the burial grounds of Spanish and American soldiers who died in the hands of the Muslim warriors. Another attraction of the city is the Provincial Capitol with its moorish-inspired architectural design.

The province nurtures a harmonious coexistence of the two most dominant religions in the Philippines, Catholicism and Islam. There are Muslim mosques situated in each barangay, most notable being the Tulay Mosque. The existing churches of Christian faith in the province are the Jolo Parish Church, Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel, and Jolo Evangelical Church.

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