Cedric Canierro asked:




Whenever we hear Philippines, we think of luscious forests, warm smiles of Filipinos and white sand beaches. Speaking of beaches, Boracay always comes to your mind as a beach-freak. Aside from the infamous Boracay, there are other white sand beaches in the tropics. Pamalican Island, apart from Boracay, is a small island that belongs in Cuyo Group of Islands located at the heart of Palawan and Panay. It is also the home of the high-end Amanpulo Island Resort.

Having the name Amanpulo (which means peaceful) spells it’s true meaning and added to that feature is it’s alluring beauty and tranquility. However, to transport tourists from Manila to the island, there is always an airplane standing by. It is also used to transport goods and supplies to the island. The island can accommodate less than 100 people to stay. That is an assurance that the place is not that crowded compared to Boracay and Puerto Galera. The fact that it’s so small you can tour the whole island in 3-5 hours walk.

If you think walking around the island is boring, think again. The island has so many activities to offer just like diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and beach combing. If you feel the romantic ambiance, try to arrange a barbecue night out with your date or simply grab your picnic basket and do your picnicking on the neighbor island. You can also indulge yourself in the island’s casitas (bungalow) that goes with a personal buggy. So if vacation is what you have in mind, always include Pamalican Island in your list of travel destinations in Asia.

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Rita Mae Badrina asked:


When it comes to collecting jewelries and accessories, women have different tastes. Some ladies collect diamonds, precious stones, pearls, and so much more. I however prefer accessories made from capiz shells.

I love buying earrings and bangles made from capiz shells. Why? I really don’t know the answer to that or maybe because capiz shells are from the country where I was born and grew up… The Philippines. These type of jewelry is so unique, exotic, beautiful and when worn, it reveals the feminine side of the wearer.

Capiz is a name of a province and a type of shell found in the Philippines; It is also used largely in interior decorating and as gifts and accessories. Capiz is a geographical location found in the Philippines facing the Sibuyan Sea. The Capiz shell is the outer shell of a marine mollusk called the “Placuna Placenta” which is abundantly found the Philippine’s coastal waters and is used for decorative purposes.

The Capiz shell is a semi-transparent and flat shell with a pearl like appearance. It is often used to create beautiful lampshades and other luminescent accessories such as chandeliers and candle holders due to its cool and striking appearance when light shines through. It is also used used to match many household and fashion accessories. Capiz shells are considered to be formal and elegant.

Used for interior designs, the capiz is used not only on lampshades, chandeliers and furniture, but are also decorated on walls. Numerous hotels in the Philippines feature capiz panels on the walls of their lobbies , hallways, rooms, restaurants and even in showers and bathrooms. There are some homes that uses capiz panels, but they’re generally reserved for formal areas only, however, a casual look can also be attained by using capiz panels.

Capiz can also be used to accent leather handbags, shoes and watches. In the Philippines, it is only natural to find gift ware and souvenirs made with capiz. Dishes made from capiz sell like hotcakes because they create an elegant, one-of-a-kind look.

Synthetic capiz shells are cheaper but it is very difficult to tell the difference from a genuine capiz shell. The use of capiz shell in fashion and decorating is unlimited. Capiz shell products gives the room an elegant or formal look and at the same time creates a pacific or coastal atmosphere. If you want to experience a Filipino ambiance or if you are visiting the Philippine Islands, make sure that you don’t miss out on buying a capiz shell product.

Christine Layug asked:


 

Since as long as we can remember, the lechon has been always there to brighten up every occasion or special event that we when into. In every festivity that we have gone through, there is always a lechon lying down on the table, ready to be eaten. But what are lechons anyway? And where did it start?

Among the many popular dishes here in the Philippines, the Philippine Lechon is considered to be the most popular among the Filipinos. The Philippine Lechon is a popular Filipino cuisine that is commonly reserved only for special occasion such as festivities or celebrations.

The name Lechon was derived from the Spanish word meaning suckling pig, which is a piglet that is killed between the ages of two to six weeks and traditionally roasted. And like the Philippine Lechon, it’s usually reserved for special occasions. But unlike a suckling pig, a Philippine Lechon is usually a whole adult roasted pig. Visit the In Lechon Philippine to get a taste of the Philippine lechon culture.

Though a Philippine Lechon is typically a whole roasted pig, Philippine Lechon also involves chicken or cattle aside. A typical process of Philippine Lechon involves the whole pig/piglet, chicken, or cattle/calf being slowly roasted over charcoal.

Philippine Lechon is usually cooked during national festivities (known as fiestas), the holiday season, and other special occasions such as weddings, graduations, birthdays and baptisms, or family get-togethers. A Philippine Lechon is commonly served with liver-based gravy or sometimes served Chinese style with steamed buns and a sweet plum sauce. Send a lechon to your loved ones back home with the help of In Lechon Philippine.

Philippine Lechon is usually the main highlight of festivities or other kinds of celebrations, and it is the most popular dish in the event. Other versions of a Philippine Lechon include the Philippine Lechon kawali which is cooked in a large frying pan and cooked to a crisp.

Leftover Philippine Lechon can be easily recycled into another delectable Filipino dish called Philippine Lechon paksiw. Philippine Lechon paksiw involves cooking left-over Philippine Lechon by boiling it in vinegar or gravy making the meat moist and the skin very soft. Visit the In Lechon Philippine to learn how to send some premium lechon to your loved ones back home.

Though a Philippine Lechon is popular among the Filipinos, finding a shop that sells this can be tough. The easies place to buy some Philippine Lechon in the Philippines is in La Loma Quezon City. But if you cannot get there, then you could always buy some Philippine Lechon then have it delivered on your door steps. And the best place for that is with Express Regalo. If you want to know what Express Regalo and In Lechon Philippine can do for you, then visit Express Regalo at www.expressregalo.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.