Tim Zelmer asked:


There was a time, fairly early in its history, when the Internet was an almost purely social place for most of us. Shortly after it became popular, the average person connected through America Online (AOL) or CompuServe and paid by the minute to enter chat rooms and meet new people. Most of us were wary of the people we met online at first – the anonymity offered online brought out the worst in many of people during the early days when the idea of communicating with people via the Internet was new. However, the bad experiences that were had by some were vastly outweighed by the convenience, the uniqueness and the sheer fun offered by those simple chat rooms of the past.

No one – not even the Internet pioneers – could have predicted how fast the Internet would grow, and how much a part of virtually everyone’s daily life it would become. From the humble beginnings of those early chat rooms, the Internet has become a tool that most of us use to do business, stay in touch with family and friends, get news, sports and weather reports, directions and maps, buy and sell things – you name it, the odds are very good that the Internet offers you a way to do it. The amount of information available on the “information hi-way” is staggering – a simple search on Google or Yahoo can net literally millions of matching sites – and if you can buy something in a brick and mortar store, you can more than likely buy it from your PC or laptop.

Interestingly, in some ways the Internet has come full circle in that along with the other things we do online on a day-to-day basis, many people are now finding that dating online – meeting new people to form relationships with – offers them options that the bar scene, blind dates, fix-ups and other traditional ways of forming romantic relationships simply don’t. The recent explosion of online dating and online dating sites has created a situation in which proximity is no longer the deciding factor in who a person can meet. Rather than being confined to a single town or city, Internet dating offers people the option of looking for that perfect someone across the state, the country and even all across the world.

Not only has the online dating industry exploded in recent years but it has become both more user friendly and relationship specific. No matter who you are or what sort of relationship you are looking for, the odds are that there is a site out there that will fit your needs. There are sites that cater to straight dating, the gay/lesbian community, ethnically based dating (white, black, Asian, etc), bi-sexual and *********** relationships, dating based on religion, political views, ages (under 30 or over 50, etc) and pretty much any and all combinations of the previously mentioned groups. There are sites that will try and find the perfect match for you, and sites that will simply offer thousands (and in some cases tens of thousands) of user profiles and pictures for you to search through. Some sites offer only simple email introductions while other sites will offer instant messaging, private chat rooms, streaming audio, and live video capabilities all administered through the site. It only takes the investment of an hour or two of your time to find an online dating service which caters to your specific needs and desires.

While online dating certainly isn’t going to appeal to everyone, there can be no doubt that the industry’s rapid growth and expansion indicates that more and more men and women are finding it to be not only a viable but a preferable alternative to traditional forms of dating. As a matter of fact, an increasing number of men and women are finding that there are many advantages to looking for romantic companionship online. Some of these advantages include:

* Safety – There is no doubt about it, the world in general and the dating world in particular can be a dangerous place for both men and women. While a person may look or seem to be okay, it takes a considerable amount of time to really get to know anyone. Many people find that getting to know another person online – where they have control over both how much personal information they give about themselves and how much information they ask of another person – alleviates most of their safety concerns. No reputable online dating site will give out your personal information (last name, address, phone number or even email address) without your permission. It is up to the user(s) how fast or how slow a relationship progresses and, should one person have suspicions or fears about their online dating partner, ending the relationship is as simple as clicking out of the chat box or instant message.

* Convenience – For most of us, traditional dating is WORK. Whether male or female, it takes a considerable amount of time to get that look you want perfect, pick out the right wardrobe, find the right place to go, etc. The truth is, in today’s hectic world, a lot of people simply don’t have the time to do everything that they need to do to get ready for a date on a regular basis. Online dating, however, is as simple as switching on a computer and logging into your dating site. Even if you use a site that offers webcam functions, you control whether you turn the cam on, and even if it shows anything other than your smile. The impression you make on the people you are interested in can be made in ripped jeans and an old tee shirt – you don’t even need to comb your hair.

* Variety – One of the most common complaints that people in the dating scene have is that they always seem to meet the same kind of people. A lot of this is, of course, due to the fact that in many cases people from the same towns or cities tend to share many of the same personality traits. This is not the case in the online dating world. You can just as easily strike up a conversation with a girl in Kiev or a guy in Manila as you can with your next door neighbor, and this offers a wide variety of people that simply isn’t available with any other form of dating.

* Cost – Love may be blind, but finding it by traditional dating methods certainly isn’t cheap. A first date with someone you may not even know or actually be compatible with can easily run $200 or more, and there is never a guarantee that you will even enjoy yourself or want to see that person again. While virtually all online dating sites charge fees for their services, in many cases the cost of that first traditional, three hour date will buy you weeks – and even months – of online dating with a variety of people who catch your attention. And again, if you find that someone simply isn’t what you are looking for, you can simply say goodbye and try someone else … without having to pay for a cab to take them home!

As I said before, online dating isn’t for everyone – and not every approach to online dating offered by specific sites will be right for everyone. But with the almost unlimited options available and the wide variety of choices that can be explored from the comfort of one’s own home, online dating is something that should at least be looked into by anyone who is in search of that perfect someone. The one you’ve been looking for could be as near as the next chat room!

Ritu Raj Mishra asked:


Configuring 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, Philippines, officially known as Republic of the Philippines, is an Asian beauty that captivates every traveler with its natural charm and magnetism. This archipelago beauty is the only Southeast Asian nation that shares no land boundaries with its neighboring countries. From the rich history that has a combined influence of Asian, European and American cultures to the eye-catching landscapes and from thriving cities that reveals the vibrancy of modern world to the relaxed and pleasant environment of beaches, Philippines is a land of themes and regions that ultimately rocks you. Besides, the cheap transportation, wonderful gourmet delights, and plentiful accommodation choices make it a dream destination for your vacation. Serving all sorts of travelers, hotels in Philippines are a major contributor in the tourism sector of the country.

Philippines has a colorful history of hundreds of ethnic groups and showcase a blend of its art and culture. The country has a sum of 79 provinces divided among three main island groups namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon comprises the northernmost island groups, Visayas has the central island groups and Mindanao features the southernmost island groups. Manila is the most popular city and the capital of the country lying in Luzon group of Islands. Other important cities include Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Bohol and Vigan.

Getting in Philippines is very easy as tourists from most foreign countries get a free 3-week tourist visa. Besides, you can even apply for a visa extension valid for 59 days. But, it is better to apply for longer visa before traveling here, to avoid any kind of hassle. To reach this country, international travelers can fly to the capital city or any of the major cities having an international airport like Cebu, Davao, Laoag and so on. Most tourists, though, prefer to travel to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. Getting around Philippines is also very easy as there are a lot many domestic airlines available to serve tourists who want to travel to different destinations within the country. Trains, cars, taxi, bus, boat, jeep are other modes of transportation that can be used here for commuting.

There are various things to see in Philippines including its beautiful beaches. Boracay Island is popular for its lovely white sand beach. Some of the other beautiful beaches are in Mactan Island, Pagudpud, Panglao, and Puerto Galera amongst others. With its innumerable water bodies, this island provides a good option for scuba diving. As far as food is concerned, the cuisine of Philippines is influenced by different cultures that flourished here. The food available here is a mélange of Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, American, and Spanish tastes. Rice is the staple food of the people of this country.

Most of the reputed chains of hotels in Philippines are situated in its popular cities and main tourist attractions like Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and Davao etc. Bayview Park, Dusit thani Manila, Best Western Astor, and Oxford suites are a few good hotels in Manila. Similarly, Cebu also has some popular hotels namely, Maribago Blue water, Midtown, White Sands, Waterfront etc. To book a hotel in any of the cities in Philippines, you can take the help of the online internet reservation facility. You can directly visit the official website of the hotel and make the booking or can use the help of any other available websites that offer complete information. So, go ahead and enjoy a fabulous vacation in Philippines.

Tim Zelmer asked:


There was a time, fairly early in its history, when the Internet was an almost purely social place for most of us. Shortly after it became popular, the average person connected through America Online (AOL) or CompuServe and paid by the minute to enter chat rooms and meet new people.  Most of us were wary of the people we met online at first – the anonymity offered online brought out the worst in many of people during the early days when the idea of communicating with people via the Internet was new. However, the bad experiences that were had by some were vastly outweighed by the convenience, the uniqueness and the sheer fun offered by those simple chat rooms of the past.

No one – not even the Internet pioneers – could have predicted how fast the Internet would grow, and how much a part of virtually everyone’s daily life it would become. From the humble beginnings of those early chat rooms, the Internet has become a tool that most of us use to do business, stay in touch with family and friends, get news, sports and weather reports, directions and maps, buy and sell things – you name it, the odds are very good that the Internet offers you a way to do it. The amount of information available on the “information highway” is staggering – a simple search on Google or Yahoo can net literally millions of matching sites – and if you can buy something in a brick and mortar store, you can more than likely buy it from your PC or laptop.

Interestingly, in some ways the Internet has come full circle in that along with the other things we do online on a day-to-day basis, many people are now finding that dating online – meeting new people to form relationships with – offers them options that the bar scene, blind dates, fix-ups and other traditional ways of forming romantic relationships simply don’t. The recent explosion of online dating and online dating sites has created a situation in which proximity is no longer the deciding factor in who a person can meet. Rather than being confined to a single town or city, Internet dating offers people the option of looking for that perfect someone across the state, the country and even all across the world.

Not only has the online dating industry exploded in recent years but it has become both more user friendly and relationship specific. No matter who you are or what sort of relationship you are looking for, the odds are that there is a site out there that will fit your needs. There are sites that cater to straight dating, the gay/lesbian community, ethnically based dating (white, black, Asian, etc), bi-sexual and *********** relationships, dating based on religion, political views, ages (under 30 or over 50, etc) and pretty much any and all combinations of the previously mentioned groups. There are sites that will try and find the perfect match for you, and sites that will simply offer thousands (and in some cases tens of thousands) of user profiles and pictures for you to search through. Some sites offer only simple email introductions while other sites will offer instant messaging, private chat rooms, streaming audio, and live video capabilities all administered through the site. It only takes the investment of an hour or two of your time to find an online dating service which caters to your specific needs and desires.

While online dating certainly isn’t going to appeal to everyone, there can be no doubt that the industry’s rapid growth and expansion indicates that more and more men and women are finding it to be not only a viable but a preferable alternative to traditional forms of dating.  As a matter of fact, an increasing number of men and women are finding that there are many advantages to looking for romantic companionship online. Some of these advantages include:

* Safety – There is no doubt about it, the world in general and the dating world in particular can be a dangerous place for both men and women. While a person may look or seem to be okay, it takes a considerable amount of time to really get to know anyone. Many people find that getting to know another person online – where they have control over both how much personal information they give about themselves and how much information they ask of another person – alleviates most of their safety concerns. No reputable online dating site will give out your personal information (last name, address, phone number or even email address) without your permission. It is up to the user(s) how fast or how slow a relationship progresses and, should one person have suspicions or fears about their online dating partner, ending the relationship is as simple as clicking out of the chat box or instant message.

* Convenience – For most of us, traditional dating is WORK. Whether male or female, it takes a considerable amount of time to get that look you want perfect, pick out the right wardrobe, find the right place to go, etc. The truth is, in today’s hectic world, a lot of people simply don’t have the time to do everything that they need to do to get ready for a date on a regular basis. Online dating, however, is as simple as switching on a computer and logging into your dating site. Even if you use a site that offers webcam functions, you control whether you turn the cam on, and even if it shows anything other than your smile. The impression you make on the people you are interested in can be made in ripped jeans and an old tee shirt – you don’t even need to comb your hair.

* Variety – One of the most common complaints that people in the dating scene have is that they always seem to meet the same kind of people. A lot of this is, of course, due to the fact that in many cases people from the same towns or cities tend to share many of the same personality traits. This is not the case in the online dating world. You can just as easily strike up a conversation with a girl in Kiev or a guy in Manila as you can with your next door neighbor, and this offers a wide variety of people that simply isn’t available with any other form of dating.

* Cost – Love may be blind, but finding it by traditional dating methods certainly isn’t cheap. A first date with someone you may not even know or actually be compatible with can easily run $200 or more, and there is never a guarantee that you will even enjoy yourself or want to see that person again. While virtually all online dating sites charge fees for their services, in many cases the cost of that first traditional, three hour date will buy you weeks – and even months – of online dating with a variety of people who catch your attention. And again, if you find that someone simply isn’t what you are looking for, you can simply say goodbye and try someone else … without having to pay for a cab to take them home!

As I said before, online dating isn’t for everyone – and not every approach to online dating offered by specific sites will be right for everyone. But with the almost unlimited options available and the wide variety of choices that can be explored from the comfort of one’s own home, online dating is something that should at least be looked into by anyone who is in search of that perfect someone. The one you’ve been looking for could be as near as the next chat room!

Alejandro Guevara Onofre asked:


FIDEL CASTRO IS NOT AUGUSTO PINOCHET

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

INTRODUCTION:

Since 1960 Fidel and Raul Castro have send a sinister example to Third World nations. The number of countries which democratically governed and respect human rights is decreasing since 2004.Today there are many dictatorships: Thailand, Venezuela, Zimbabwe…

OPPOSITION BY ANTI-PINOCHET GROUPS

Miss Chile,Jenny Purtho Arap, was eliminated in the first round at the Miss Universe Pageant on July 26, 1982, in Lima, Peru´s capital city. Certainly, she, a girl with charming personality and beautiful eyes, was the big favourite by the international journalism. I think that Chile should have been crowned Miss Universe in my country.I believe that she was robbed of title for political reasons.

One of the major problems which Chilean dictatorship had to face was the international boycott campaign.From 1973 to 1989 Chile suffered international sanctions. Different from Cuba, many countries did not have diplomatic relations with Augusto Ramon Pinochet Ugarte, who ruled from 1973 to 1990. Many Chileans did not get VISA, an example was Claudio Arrau, one of the best pianists in the history. The same history of Israel, Taiwan, Rhodesia (currently Zimbabwe) and South Africa (Apartheid).

Ironically, The People`s Republic of China and Romania recognized the Chilean dictatorship. Under the leadership of Mao Tse-tung and Jiang Qing, First Lady of the Chinese Revolution, China and Chile had maintained good diplomatic relations.However, Pinochet Ugarte was harshly attacked by the USSR, Cuba, East Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Italy and Norway.

In 1980 Ferdinand Marcos, dictator of Philippines, invited Augusto Pinochet to come to his country.On March, 1980, he left Santiago de Chile for Philippines and made transit stops in Fidji,an ex British colony, and Tahiti.When Augusto Pinochet arrived Suva, the capital city of Fiji, a small country in the South Pacific, some human rights activists were waiting for him.There were protests against Chilean dictator´s visit.His tour had already begun when the tour was cancelled abruptly at the last moment by the dictatorship Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

1976: In the Davis Cup final match , the Chileans lost to Italy, but the team from Chile had a particularly difficult tournament. In Rome, a group of people blocked the entrance to stadium before the match between Chile and Italy, chanting: “Pinochet is a dictator”…”He is a genocide”…Pinochet is Hitler”…and “Pinochet is the worst dictator in the history”.Certainly, Chile´s participation again became an issue.

Many famous people went to Festival Internacional de la Canción Viña del Mar, but they were criticized by human rights activists and journalists. Camilo Sesto, Spanish singer, was called “Camilochet”. In July 1978, the Mexican government objected to the presence of Miss Chile , Marianne Muller, in the Miss Universe Pageant beauty in Acapulco, Mexico.Another example:Jorge Luis Borges was considered one of the best writers in the 20th Centur.He was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize for Literature, but Borges was never awarded the Noble Prize by Swedish Academy.Why? In 1976 Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges visited Chile. Cuba would have wanted to have a writer like him…

The Chilean dictator Augusto Jose Ramon Pinochet never was accepted by the Latin America Community and Third World countries.Pinochet became notorious for human rights abuses and corruption. From 1973 to 1989, more than 3,000 Chileans were killed by Pinochet`s Secret Police Force. His autocratic and anti-communism style of rule earned him many enemies.

THE STUDENT SURPASS THE TEACHER

In comparison to Augusto Pinochet and Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz , whose father was a Spanish immigrant, is not famous like dictator… He is called “Third World spokesman” Why? Unfortunately people that don´t know Cuba very much think that Castro is a “good man”. Honestly, he never has been compared to Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier, former dictator of Haiti, and Charles Taylord. “The student always surpass the teacher” is my favourite slogan. In my opinion, I think that Castro´s Communist dictatorship is worse than the former Chilean. Dictatorship.

Cuba is one of the few nations in the world in which a family controls the government. From 1960 to 2006 Fidel Castro was President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba…Currently, Raul Castro Ruz, Fidel´s brother, is the Head of State.They claim that Cuba has the most highest human development rate in the Third world and that Cubans live better in the Island than in South Korea, Singapoore, Taiwan and India.During Cold War, Cuba received more money per capita than the Socialist Republic of Ethiopia, one of the most poorest nations on Earth.

The country`s resources are used to build Olympic projects devised by dictator`s megalomania. Cuba has one of the most highest ******* rates in the world and the Island has the highest number of abortions in Latin America in relation to its population.Ironically, the standard of human development is going down. Ultimately the prostitution is increasing alarmingly in the Island. The dictatorship restricts such liberties as freedom speech and freedom of the press. Under the socialism, the government has imposed sharp restrictions on artists who criticize the dictatorial system. Reports Without Borders considers Cuba one of the “15 enemies of the Internet”. More than 300 artists and writers have defected since 1960: Jose Manuel Carbonell (poet), Lydia Cabrera( writer), Ernesto Caparros (photographer), Ernesto Lecuona(pianist), Guillermo Cabrera Infante (writer), Enrique Labrador (writer), Jesus Diaz (film maker) Nestor Almendros (film maker) and Jorge Esquivel (dancer).

KILLINGS FIELDS AND GAYS

Cuba`s dictatorship was one of the firsts states in the world that prohibited homosexuality. The general gays rights situation under Cuban Revolution was catastrophic during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.Many gays were jailed, tortured and exiled by Castro´s “Olympic Paradise”…Reynaldo Arenas, a *** writer, was imprisoned several times because of his longtime opposition to Cuban rule.After release, Arenas wrote his autobiography, with the title “Antes que caiga la noche” (Before night falls).

The Cuban Secret Police is extensively used by Fidel and Raul Castro to suppress and disrupt pro-democratics movements. However, a number of protests against human rights violation are organized by Las Damas de Blanco. Las Damas de Blanco have been compared to Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo (Argentina), who fought against the dictator Jorge Rafael Videla.

Unfortunately, some Third World democracies support the Cuban government for economical reasons. Cuba has sent more than 6,000 doctors, coaches, technicians and teachers around the world. Furthermore there are 15,000 foreign students in the Island.

I would like to finish my essay “Fidel Castro is not Augusto Pinochet” with my favourite personal motto: “Only oppression should fear the full exercise of freedom” by Jose Marti.

REFERENCES:

Alzota, Julio. “Hoy en el Perú surgirá la más bella del Universo”, La Prensa, Lima, 26 de julio 1982.

-Bonilla, Juan José-Payan, Miguel-López, José-Villalba, Susana. Diccionario Mundial de Actores, Ediciones JC, Madrid, 1998

-Caputo, Robert. “Ethiopia Revolution in Ancient Empire”; National Geographic, Washington DC, may 1983

-Diccionario de Literatura Cubana (tomos I y II), Editorial Letras Cubanas, La Habana, 1980

-Diccionario Sopena de Literatura de Literatura (tomo I), Editorial Ramón Sopena, Barcelona, 1991

-Documental: El Caso Pinochet /Chile/ 2001

-Encyclopaedia Británica Book of The Year 1977, 1981, 1984, Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago

-Freedom in the World. The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties 1992-93, Freedom House, 1993

-Gasparini, Juan. Mujeres de Dictadores, Ediciones Península, Barcelona, 2002

-Grondona, Mariano. “La otra Cuba”, Visión, Miami, diciembre de 1993

-Guevara Onofre, Alejandro. “Crisis de Supervivencia en Cuba”, Diario El Peruano, Lima, 25 de agosto de 1992

-Guía del Mundo 1993-94, Instituto del Tercer Mundo, Montevideo, 1992

-Guzmán, Patricio. Documental: La Batalla de Chile (II)/Chile/ 1977

-Huntington, Samuel. The Third Wave. Democratization in the Latre Twentieth Century, University Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1991

-Informatodo 1970, Editorial Reader´s Digest, México, 1969

-Informe sobre Desarrollo Humano 1991-2006, PNUD, New York

-Jorge, Antonio. The Cuban Economy: Dependency and Development, University of Miami, Miami, 1989

-Lande, Carl. “The Return of People Power in The Philippines”, Journal of Democracy, Washington DC, January 2001

-Miller, Nicola. Soviet Relations with Latin America 1959-1987, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1989

-Roca, Ana. “Charlemos con Reinaldo Arenas: un escritor en el exilio”, Americas, Washington DC, septiembre de 1981

-Roca, Sergio. Socialist Cuba: Past Interpretations and Future Challenges, Westview Press, London

-Rodriguez Elizondo, José. Crisis y Renovación de las Izquierdas, Editorial Andres Bello, Santiago, 1995

-Suchlicke, Jaime. The Cuban Military Under Castro, University of Miami, Miami, 1989

-Taufic, Camilo. Chile en la Hoguera, Ediciones Corregidor, Buenos Aires,1974

-The World Almanac and Book of Facts 1975-2006, The World Almanac Books, New York, New Jersey

-Vargas Llosa, Mario. “El Lenguaje de la Pasión”, Peisa, Lima, 2000

-Zandrox. “Una de ellas puede ser Miss Universo”, Extra, Lima, 26 de julio 1982

Deirdre Gonzales asked:


e most popular beauty products philippines in terms of soaps and body washes is Dove Soap. For years, Dove has been one of the Philippines’ top soaps that offers a way to gain smooth and fair looking skin without worrying too much on how old the user is. But have you ever asked where did one of the top beauty products philippines came from? One thing that all Filipinos know is that Dove Soap came from one of the biggest corporation in the Philippines today, Unilever. So what is Dove? Dove is a personal care brand owned by Unilever. Dove is primarily made from synthetic surfactants, as well as some vegetable oil based soap ingredients, such as sodium palm kernelate. Dove is formulated to be pH neutral, with a pH that is usually between 6.5 and 7.5. Dove products are manufactured in The Netherlands; Hammond, Indiana, USA; Germany; Ireland and Brazil. The Dove trademark and brand name is currently owned by Unilever. Dove’s logo is a silhouette profile of a dove, the color of which often varies. Dove’s products include: antiperspirants/deodorants, body washes, beauty bars, lotions/moisturizers, hair care and ****** care products. In the US, Dove bar soap is currently produced in the cool moisture, exfoliating, sensitive skin unscented, nutrium nourishing, white, pink, calming night, pro-age, and energy glow versions. History Dove has been positioned throughout its history without referring to it as “soap”, but as a “beauty bar” with one-fourth cleansing cream; they stress its moisturizing of skin while washing in contrast to the drying effects of regular soaps (which their advertising calls simply “soap”). Advertisements reinforced the message by showing the cream being poured into the beauty bar. In 1979, the phrase “cleansing cream” was replaced with “moisturizer cream”. In 1979, a Pennsylvania dermatologist showed that Dove dried and irritated skin significantly less than ordinary soaps. As a result of this study, Unilever started aggressive marketing and won more than 24% of the market by 2003. Popular Marketing Campaigns In 2006, Philippines witnessed one of Dove’s greatest campaign, the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. As one of the best beauty products philippines, Dove purports to be “an agent of change to educate and inspire girls on a wider definition of beauty and to make them feel more confident about themselves”.  To this end, Dove have created a number of largely online-only short films, including Daughters (which also aired in a 75-second spot during the Super Bowl XL), Evolution (which won two awards at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival), Onslaught, and Amy.Visit the website http://www.myayala.com.

Jose Maria Abada asked:

More than the usual- this is how the Philippine is positioned in the tourism block. The country is an archipelago and known officially as the Republic of the Philippines. This archipelago is located in Southeast Asia and holds the distinction of being one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. The other country is East Timor. There are around 7,107 islands in the country and these islands host around 90 million people. This population based on 2008 estimates makes the country as the 12th most populous country in the world. For the traveler interested to know more about the country, it should be learned that the country has around 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide and these are the Filipinos who work in other country and one of the main reasons why the economy of the country is competitive.

According to 2008 estimates, the gross domestic product or the GDP of the country is pegged at over US$ 327.2 billion and this is considered as the 37th largest in the world. The name ‘Philippine’ traces a long history. This name was derived from the name of King Philip II of Spain in the 16th century. It was the initiative of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos to use the name Las Islas Filipinas or the Philippine Islands as his name for the islands Leyte and Samar. And the use of this name was in reference and in honor of the Prince of Spain.  A further examination of the name ‘Philippine’ will reveal that this has Greek roots and according to historians this was the name of the father of Alexander the Great.

The country is divided geographically into three groups:

•    Luzon

•    Visayas

•    Mindanao

And these three major island grouping is then sub-divided into 17 regions, another 81 provinces and 136 cities. The country also plays host to 1,494 municipalities and 41,995 barrios. The government also controls Sabah, North Borneo as asserted by Section 2 of the Republic Act Number 5446. Ecologically, the country is known as one of those countries which feature diverse flora and fauna. This feature of the country is one of the major reasons why the archipelago is one of the favorite places for travelers who seek to experience nature at its best. Another main reason why the country is always part of the list of preferred travel destinations is that the country is rich in natural resources and its scenic spots are panoramic and ready to comfort and to overwhelm the first-time visitors. The natural resources of the country are extensive and this can be seen in many areas like agriculture, forestry and minerals.

Talking about the archipelago is not complete without talking about its fertile and arable lands, the forests that host diverse flora and fauna and the panoramic coastlines. For those travelers willing to sample what the country has to offer over a limited amount of time, it is suggested that the interested traveler should focus on its culture, its beaches and its heritage. The unique Philippine culture will let the traveler experience the many festivals in the country- from Sinulog in Cebu to the Penafrancia Festival in the Bicol Region. The country has a number of festivals and these festivals will usually peak during April and May- the time for the country’s fiestas. Most of these festivals have links to the church and religious in nature.

Visiting the country without visiting some of its finest beaches is not suggested. Since the country boasts of around 7,107 islands and a coastline twice the length of the United States, you can really expect that the country will have some best beaches. Mere mention of the Philippine will evoke images of fine and white beaches of Boracay, Palawan and some of the more not-so commercial yet beautiful sands of other beaches. Some names that should be part of the plans of the traveler include Pagudpud, Mactan Island and Panglao. And speaking of heritage, the country is home to Ifugao Rice Terraces which is now part of the UNESCO Heritage List in 1995. Aside from this rice terraces, Philippine also plays host also to many old churches- baroque churches in Metro Manila and these are all considered as heritage sites that carry the country’s culture and history.

Naveen Marasinghe asked:

The Ayala Museum is an Arts and History Museum in Manila, Philippines that celebrates the diversity of Filipino culture and the rich tapestry of its art. The museum was the brainchild of artist Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo who envisioned a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of the Philippines. The museum became a reality in 1967 as a project of the Ayala Foundation and was housed at the Insular Life Building along Ayala Avenue. In 1974 the museum was moved its own custom built property at Makati Avenue and was designed by the National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin.

The museum’s architecture suits its collections and it is famous for its juxtaposing blocks that create wide spaces in the interior of the building. Among the collections at this museum the most popular are sixty diorama collections which chronicles over 50,000 years of Filipino history. All sixty exhibits are handcrafted by talented Paete artists and go back in time form the early native Filipino settlements to the arrival of the Spanish and the Americans and the subsequent struggle for independence. The exhibit also has a multimedia exhibition titled People’s Power which shows the turbulent 1950’s period and the authoritarian rule of Marcos and the victory of the People’s Power Movement in 1986.

The finely crafted sail ship exhibit is also an extremely interesting part of the museum that represents the country’s association with sea faring nations such as Spain, China and Persia. Models of traditional Filipino ships, Chinese Junks, Arabian Baghlas and Spanish Galleons can be seen at this display. The museum also maintains an ethnographic collection of cultural artifacts from the small indigenous communities from all over the archipelago.

Archelogical exhibits that trace the beginning of Filipino culture such as Gold jewelry dating back to the pre-Hispanic times and decorative tribal items some of which are more than 4000 years old are on display here. Visitors to Manila can discover the richness of the country’s culture by visiting this museum, located close by are a block of Manila serviced apartments known as Ascott Makati that offer great accommodation packages for business travelers.