tayoypinoy

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:29:00 +0000

Banaue Rice Terraces - another enchanting place to visit. Courtesy of Mr. Richard Delos Angeles.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000

A trip to Hundred Islands National Park and its home, Alaminos City, is a great diversion from the hustle and bustle of the busy, urban life. Breathe in the refreshing views - rice paddies, azure sea - and the rustic and peaceful lifestyle as you make your way to Alaminos City.And upon arrival, savor the city's unique and dynamic spirit, friendly atmosphere and especially, the beauty and adventure that lies in the hundred wonders that is Hundred Islands.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:13:00 +0000

Pescador Island and the boat ties up on one of the buoys the environmental conscious dive centers in Moalboal, cebu put up there. You and me pair up as a buddy team, because in Sport Scuba Diving you never dive alone. Your buddy is there to assist you in case something goes wrong and to share the fun and experience with you. First we evaluate the environmental conditions. The weather is just fine, bright sunshine, no wind, no waves. On a beautiful summer day like this it is almost like there is no water if you look down the side of the boat. You can see already the colorful coral gardens and teeming fish standing in a slight current and you long to jump in right away. But first we do the briefing: This should be a deep dive, as we have trained in the PADI Advanced Open Water Course. Because we make our dive along a steep wall, we plan to make a multilevel dive starting at a depth of 35m. There is a special point where we have a good chance to see White Tip sharks. After 6 minutes we ascend to a depth of 20m. We will stay there for another 20 minutes and then ascend to 5-6m, where we spend the rest of the time of our dive and make a safety stop to get rid of excess nitrogen in a safe way. Now we do a buddy check, means that we check out each other's equipment: buoyancy jacket - ok, weight belt - ok, releases - ok, air - ok, and final ok. All right, we are ready to go. We sit opposite each other in our small banca, with our backs to the sea. I count:" Ready. Set .. Go!" and we let go. We are falling backwards and with a big splash we enter the deep blue water, bobbing back up to surface right away because of the air in our Buoyancy Jack ets. We swim to the buoy line, release some air out of our jackets and start our descent along the line. The magic blue environment swallows us. You can not talk, but there are many sounds: the hissing of the valves in your scuba unit, the air bubbles your exhaling fleeing to surface, the current and waves moving small particles in the reef, the sound made by colorful parrot fish when they eat hard corals. Over the drop off you glide to the bottomless void. You are descending deeper and deeper, watching your depth gauge and your buddy, equalizing the pressure in your ears.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:01:00 +0000

WHITE BEACHES - Considered the most glamorous spot in this island-group are its white beaches. Some facing east is famous for its “beautiful sunrise” , while those facing west is famous for its “beautiful sunset”. All these beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, fishing and boating. In all these beaches, sand is fine and the clear and shallow water reaches as far as one kilometer. All of them are set against a background of lush green coconut trees.The beaches facing east are the Malbago Beach in Madridejos, the Okoy Beach, Santa Fe Beach Club and Kota Beach in Santa Fe. Those facing west are the Bunakan Beach also of Madridejos, the Baod-Guiwanon Beaches, including the Padre Pio and Oboob Beach in Bantayan. Although, the mainland of Municipality of Bantayan cannot boast of pristine white sands on its beaches, as these are situated in Santa Fe, it can boast of more than seventeen small islets scattered along its island barangays. The white and spectacular view of these islets dotting the island barangays is ideal for snorkeling, swimming and diving.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:03:00 +0000

Tired of the same old beach experience? Fret no more! Take a trip and discover the lush tropical greenery surrounding and the crystal clear waters of Dalaguete's pride - Ocean Bay Beach Resort. Ocean Bay Beach Resort is the most luxurious destination resort, South of Cebu Province. A usual hub for locals and foreigners alike, Ocean Bay offers the best amenities suitable for active, outdoor people as well as those who would just want to relax and take a time off from the hustles and bustles of the city.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 12:01:00 +0000

Sta. Cruz Beach is located a few meters eastward from the church. It has a magnificent view of Bohol strait and Bohol island.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:16:00 +0000

ARGUETE Beach Resort - Located right next to the border of Argao, this beach club was once one of the most popular deluxe beach resorts in the Philippines. It was one of the big income earners of the town of Dalaguete during its heyday when foreign holiday makers came to enjoy the excellent amenities and facilities it offered. An airstrip was purposely built to accommodate small chartered planes but was not finished after Marcos was ousted. Today, the place is no longer what it used to be, but one thing for sure, the sandy white beach is still there. The same turquoise water is still inviting. And besides, the place is under full renovation to bring back its old glory days.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:49:00 +0000

Tawi-tawi Beach Resort - If you want to experience unadulterated sandy beach where fisherfolks park their boats and grab some strange big fishes, then Tawi-tawi Beach is the right place for you. This virgin sandy beach is located in Sitio Catadman, Poblacion, Dalaguete, Cebu.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:31:00 +0000

Board Sailing - The tropical seas and consistent winds of the Philippines make the country a paradise for boardsailors. The two main wind patterns in the Philippines are the habagat, or southwest monsoon, which blows from June to September, and the amihan, or northeast monsoon, which prevails from October to April. The amihan draws sailors from all over Asia: the steady 12-30 knot winds and warm weather create ideal sailing conditions.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:12:00 +0000

SNORKELING - Made up of 7,107 island and countless coral reefs, the Philippines is a paradise of snorkeling opportunities. Take your pick from 34,000 sq km (13,124 sq m) of coral reefs, some of which have grown since the Ice Age; over 100 reef slopes; over 800 classes of corals; over a thousand species of marine life; over 400 fish species and over 500 fish families; and the most populous and diverse aquatic ecosystem you could ever find.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:38:00 +0000

WRECK DIVING - From scuba dives in strong currents and the deep sea to ship wreck dives for history’s sunken glory, the Philippine archipelago offers plenty of unforgettable and rewarding dive experiences. There are close to 25 shipwreck dive sites in the country. Explore the sunken wreckage of century-old Spanish galleons and World War II vessels in Subic Bay, one of the best wreck diving sites in Asia, as well as the remarkable wrecks in Busuanga and Malapascua.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:19:00 +0000

White water rafting and kayaking are the newest action sports in the Philippines. For decades, while adventure-hungry travelers flocked to the rivers of Nepal and Borneo, the superb rapids of the Philippines lay undiscovered. But that's changing fast: white water action is now available on half a dozen rivers in the Visayas and Mindanao, and more are being explored.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:48:00 +0000

Surfing - The Philippines offers surf for all levels. La Union on the northwest coast of Luzon, four hours north of Manila, is easy to get to, has good accommodation and food, and offers gentle beach breaks perfect for beginners. Baler and Infanta in Quezon, and Daet in Camarines Norte offer a more adventurous experience, with longer travel and bigger waves. For surfers seeking the extreme edge, the wild east coast is the place to be.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:50:00 +0000

Sea kayaking is a new sport in the Philippines, but with 7,107 islands offering every conceivable variety of tropical seascape, it is one that is sure to expand quickly. The islands offer thousands of kilometers of superb paddling on crystal-clear water, taking in exotic villages, pristine beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps along the way. The kayak, silent and unobtrusive, is the perfect way to explore these delicate ecosystems without disturbing wildlife or the peace of nature. For those seeking more extreme hills, the rugged east coast provides monster waves and fine rough-water kayaking.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:06:00 +0000

Sarangani is famous for Tarsier, now converging in the remaining forest of Nanema Water Shed, this small monkey has always been a part of the IP's agricultural practice. The tarsier gives them a signal whether to start planting or not. If the eyes are wide and bright, harvest will be abundant. If they are quite narrowed and smoky, the crops will be infested. The tarsier is therefore important to the tribe and cannot be harmed, otherwise, it is bad omen. Aquaculture/Marine Products, Aquaculture is a fast growing industry in the province. The fish pens in the town of Glan cages pompano, Diana and sergeant fish are sold to other countries in Asia. Brackish water ponds of the Sarangani Agricultural Company, Inc. (SACI) in the town of Alabel grow bangus (milkfish) also for export.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 01:38:00 +0000

Malapascua Island, a term that literally means "Unfortunate Christmas," is a paradise where time stands still. The island is blessed with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The west coast is especially ideal for swimming and snorkeling. It takes about three hours by land from Cebu City to reach the island, which lies at the northern tip of Cebu and west of Leyte.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:04:00 +0000

Apo Island - The island offers the best diving around. On the southeast, the sanctuary is a gradual slope with a shallow wall. Thousands of tiny fish cluster around the bushes of black corals in crevices, and there are lapu-lapus, surgeons, some beautiful stony corals, and a collection of various species of clownfishes and anemones. Apo island is accessible by a 35-minute boat ride from Zamboanguita.Apo Island Beach Resort, formerly Kan-Upe Cove Resort, is an internationally acclaimed dive site. The 12-hectare island has eight regular and honeymoon cottages. Located in Dauin, it has a hilly terrain and white-pebbled lagoon. Nestled within, the Balwarte Rocks and Negros Oriental Marine Conservation Park, with its spectacular coral gardens and marvelous marine life, are consistent crowd drawers.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:26:00 +0000

Tubbataha Reefs - It is a marine sanctuary located in the Middle Central Sulu Sea, 98 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa City. Declared a World Natural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 1993, it is under protective management by the Department of National Defense (DND). It is under technical supervision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) & the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).It is located in Cagayancillo town, Palawan. Trips to Tubbattaha from mid-March to mid-June are all vessel-based and require planning for a minimum of six weeks prior to departure. To reach the place, take a 70-minute flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa City. From the airport, a shuttle bus takes you to the dive boat. Boat ride from Puerto Princesa City takes approximately 12 hours.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:12:00 +0000

Puerto Galera - The foremost asset of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is 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. Mangyan Tribes.The province’s existing ethnic tribal groups, the Mangyans, are gentle and withdrawn people but many of them have managed to integrate into the cultural mainstream, largely in the municipalities of Mansalay, Baco, Puerto Galera, Roxas, and Bongabong. The Mangyan tribe consists of various smaller tribes like the Iraya, Alangan, and Tadwanan. They are skilled weavers and craftsmen, producing intricate tribal finery, including baskets, mats, and other items, both functional and aesthetic.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:39:00 +0000

Anilao - It is not only ideal for poking around and observing marine life but also 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, Cathedral, is two large mounds with a cross in between at 50’. It is a well established fish feeding station. Covered with corals, the site is spectacular at night. Sombrero has a shallow wall of about 60’ with some good coral growth; offshore but nearby are Beatrice Rock and Bajura. Schools of triggerfishes and sometimes jacks and surgeons swim by, and they appear to have the market on anthias.One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall. Devil’s Point Twin Rocks, Coral Gardens, and Mainit are shallow dives with a wide array of invertebrates, especially nudibranchs. Bonete, Arthur’s, and Koala offer good dives for novices, with most to see above 50’. There is a good selection of hard and soft corals, anemones, and clownfishes, and goblinfishes.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:14:00 +0000

Dakak Park Beach Resort is located on the sunny white beachfacing the exotic turquoise Sulu Sea. The 750 meter private beach is blanketed with purepowdery white sand. Natural spring water and tumbling waterfalls feed the resort's twopools, whilst the ultimate hideaway is provided at a private open-air jacuzzi where youcan relax in the sauna and whirlpool amidst an atmosphere of blissful solitary refinement.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:29:00 +0000

Lying in the heart of Cebu is the island of Mactan. This tropical-island getaway endowed with a variety of colors – from its beach, hotels, resorts, nightlife, music, food, drinks – will guarantee to spice up every tourist.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:35:00 +0000

Framing the rugged and intriguing coastline of the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is Honda Bay. Its blue cool waters are dotted with islets that assure one of a pure-pleasure experience. From snorkeling in its clear waters to the more adventurous island hopping within its enclaves to simply having a picnic in the fine sand of its beach areas, Honda Bay is sure to leave a lasting impression on the visitor.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:55:00 +0000

Siargao, located in the province of Surigao del Norte, is renowned for its curling waves that soar from nine to twelve feet high. It is frequented by surfers from all over the world. Besides surfing, the island of Siargao is well-known for its unspoiled beaches and its rural charm.

noreply@blogger.com (Art Lareza) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:27:00 +0000

Pearl Farm is located in the Samal Island off the coast of Davao City, Southern Philippines. The premier beach resort, which lies in the pristine island of Samal, used to be a pearl farm. There thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported form the Sulu Sea, were once cultivated for their pink, white, and gold pearls. Today, beach lovers all over the world visit this world-class beach resort for its white sand and panoramic landscape and seascape, bringing with them the memory of a lifetime – a relaxing private retreat in a tropical paradise.