Fascinating Festivals in the Philippines

October 9, 2011 by Anita  
Filed under Travel And Leisure

Allan Merin asked:




The Philippines, one of the premier travel destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, is at the forefront of countries banking on colorful festivals to promote its rich culture and heritage. Almost everyday there is an event celebrating a momentous occasion in the country such as a town fiesta or a feast of a local patron saint or a patroness. These fascinating festivals, according to experts, prove that Filipinos are fun-loving people.

Festivals, both cultural and religious in nature, are celebrated all year round across the three main island groups – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Every region, province, city, municipality, and barangay has its own way of merrymaking. That’s why most Philippine travel guides declare that there are countless ways to enjoy and explore the beauty of this archipelago of 7,107 islands.

Festivals are considered a primary engine for driving the tourism industry aside from the country’s unspoiled beaches and other man-made and natural attractions. These colorful events are magnets to local and foreign travelers who are often awed by the way people celebrate festivals with high energy and much enthusiasm.

Here is a list of some of the grandest and exquisite festivals in the country.

Sinulog Festival

Sinulog Festival is the pride of Cebu City. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January, this colorful event is a way of the province’s thanksgiving to the child Jesus. The Sinulog Festival, which usually lasts for nine days, features a street parade wherein participants dressed in bright costumes dance to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs.

Panagbenga Festival

Every February Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” stages a month-long flower festival called Panagbenga. One of the highly anticipated events during the festival is a parade of floats decorated with colorful flowers. It is patterned after the world-renowned Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival is one of the most colorful religious events in the Philippines. Held during the Holy Week in Marinduque, the festival is highlighted by a parade participated in by people wearing colorful masks and garbs replicating that of the biblical Roman soldiers. A similar celebrated is held in Valencia, Spain, in April.

Pahiyas Festival

The spotlight shifts to Lucban, Quezon, every 15th day of May, when this second-class municipality hosts the Pahiyas Festival. On this day, a street of houses is adorned with various agricultural produce and colorful rice ornaments called kiping. Pahiyas Festival is held in honor of St. Isodore, the patron saint of farmers.

Kadayawan Festival

Kadayawan Festival in Davao City is a celebration of good harvest. Held every third week of August, local folks go out on the streets and celebrate a bountiful yield in various ways, such street dancing competitions, parades of decorated floats, and power boat races. Trade fairs, flower shows, exhibits, and horse fight competitions are lined up during the weeklong festival.

There are other notable festivals that tourists must not miss out. Usually the golden months of Philippine festivals are January, April, May, and December. That’s why it is advised to place your reservations to hotels and resorts for your preferred accommodations and vacation packages in advance.

Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.

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A Look at the Travel Spots in the Philippines

March 26, 2011 by Anita  
Filed under Travel And Leisure

Peter Garant asked:




The Philippines is one of the most sought after travel destinations in Asia. With its unique and diverse culture, visitors from both sides of the world cannot help but wonder at the beauty and attractiveness of this country. Its diverse and interesting culture is a result of its colorful past.

After being colonized by various countries for several centuries, it has emerged to become one of the most beautiful countries worldwide. Among the most visited parts of the Philippines are Manila, Baguio, Boracay, Palawan and Cebu.

Each of these travel spots has certain things to offer which are completely different from the other. Among the places mentioned, Boracay is probably the best. Despite being commercialized all over the world, this beautiful tourist spot has maintained its quality, as well as its reputation as one of the top beaches in the world. It offers good food, cozy hotels, exciting outdoor activities and endless partying with its beautiful crowd at night.

The most important part of this country is Manila, which serves as its capital city. Most of the important events in business, politics, as well as in arts and entertainment, take place in this area. One of the major events flocked by both local and foreign devotees is the feast of the Black Nazarene, which is held annually in Quiapo.

Meanwhile, Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. Visitors can enjoy the good weather and outdoor activities offered by this place. Among the top outdoor activities in Baguio are horseback riding and boating. Another main feature of this place is the flower festival, which serves as a garden show for home gardening and small businesses within the area.

Palawan is undoubtedly one of the best tourist spots in the country. This place combines urban development with exotic wildlife and natural resources. The discipline and cooperation of its local residents help maintain the natural balance of the environment. Besides its beautiful white sand beaches as well as its azure waters, visitors can also visit good places like the Calauit Island in Northern Palawan and the Tabon Caves in the southern part of the region.

Cebu will not be outdone by its counterparts. It is known as the oldest colonial city in the country. Among the most frequented places by visitors in the area are the Kawasan Falls, Fort Santiago and the University of San Carlos, which is known as the oldest university in Asia.

These tourist destinations serve as national treasures for the Philippines. They play a very significant role for the country’s economy. Taking care of these resources is of utmost importance, both for the government and its citizens. They offer insurmountable fun and adventure for thrill seekers who want to experience the very colorful culture of this country. These places provide visitors something worth remembering for.

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Sights To See In The Philippines

July 26, 2009 by Anita  
Filed under Travel

mactan-cebu
Peter Garant asked:

The Philippines is one of the most sought after travel destinations in Asia. With its unique and diverse culture, visitors from both sides of the world cannot help but wonder at the beauty and attractiveness of this country. Its diverse and interesting culture is a result of its colorful past.

After being colonized by various countries for several centuries, it has emerged to become one of the most beautiful countries worldwide. Among the most visited parts of the Philippines are Manila, Baguio, Boracay, Palawan and Cebu.

Each of these travel spots has certain things to offer which are completely different from the other. Among the places mentioned, Boracay is probably the best. Despite being commercialized all over the world, this beautiful tourist spot has maintained its quality, as well as its reputation as one of the top beaches in the world. It offers good food, cozy hotels, exciting outdoor activities and endless partying with its beautiful crowd at night.

The most important part of this country is Manila, which serves as its capital city. Most of the important events in business, politics, as well as in arts and entertainment, take place in this area. One of the major events flocked by both local and foreign devotees is the feast of the Black Nazarene, which is held annually in Quiapo.

Meanwhile, Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. Visitors can enjoy the good weather and outdoor activities offered by this place. Among the top outdoor activities in Baguio are horseback riding and boating. Another main feature of this place is the flower festival, which serves as a garden show for home gardening and small businesses within the area.

Palawan is undoubtedly one of the best tourist spots in the country. This place combines urban development with exotic wildlife and natural resources. The discipline and cooperation of its local residents help maintain the natural balance of the environment. Besides its beautiful white sand beaches as well as its azure waters, visitors can also visit good places like the Calauit Island in Northern Palawan and the Tabon Caves in the southern part of the region.

Cebu will not be outdone by its counterparts. It is known as the oldest colonial city in the country. Among the most frequented places by visitors in the area are the Kawasan Falls, Fort Santiago and the University of San Carlos, which is known as the oldest university in Asia.

These tourist destinations serve as national treasures for the Philippines. They play a very significant role for the country’s economy. Taking care of these resources is of utmost importance, both for the government and its citizens. They offer insurmountable fun and adventure for thrill seekers who want to experience the very colorful culture of this country. These places provide visitors something worth remembering for.

Flowers in the Philippine Culture

May 13, 2009 by Anita  
Filed under Family

Tony Dee asked:


Today, we can find different flower types – even those which supposedly cannot be grown in the country. We have tulips, carnation, and most especially, roses.

When we talk of horticulture in the Philippines, we almost always mean ornamental horticulture. In general, horticulture is about flowers while ornamental horticulture involves flowers and other ornamentals. In the Filipino context, these two are the same and offers several products which are available for both domestic and foreign trade.

• Cut flowers involve fresh flowers and buds which are cut from plants to create bouquets, wreaths, corsage and other special flower arrangements.

• Foliage and other plant parts involves the fresh leaves and branches of trees including the shrubs, bushes, grasses, mosses, and lichens which are also used for ornamental purposes

• Dried ornamentals are basically dried, dyed and bleached plant materials

• Other ornamentals are trees, shrubs, bushes, roots, and cuttings which are used to decorate indoors and outdoors.

With the variety of products offered by the horticulture industry in the country, we can see how important flowers in this country. In fact, there’s even a festival in the Philippines celebrating flowers! There’s the Baguio Flower Festival, Kadawayaan Flower Festival in Davao and everywhere else in the country celebrates Flores de Mayo, translated in English as “The Flowers of May”.

Do you want to express your sympathies for a family’s loss? Do you want to express your deepest desires? Sometimes, saying things out loud can become too plain and might not be enough to convey the emotions you want to express. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. This is never any truer anywhere than this country of smiles. Saying I love isn’t enough to show a Filipina just how important she is to you, especially when you are miles apart. So what do you do? How do you thank a friend for the help they have given you? Or tell your business associates how much you appreciate their time? Well, you can do it the Filipino way – send flowers.

Flowers have their own language, so they say. If you need to say something to someone, there’s no better way to do it than sending them flowers. Through a florist, you can send coded messages of love and admiration; you can show your affection or even ask for forgiveness. Now you don’t have to speak words of love you’ve always found hard to say.

Of course, flowers just aren’t for the Philippines – they have an international language. There are many flower shops around the world and many florists say that it is probably one of the most profitable ventures today.

Send someone bouquets of Philippine flowers – roses, and many others. Sending them flowers is like sending out smiles to your loved one.