Camarines Sur Travel Guide

December 23, 2011 by Anita  
Filed under Travel And Leisure

Allan Merin asked:




Many are still looking for a one-stop travel destination where they can get closer to nature, enjoy the sun, soak into the water, do some exercises, try extreme sports, or relax at a world-class hotel. Search no more; for you need not go any farther than Camarines Sur to squeeze all of the above-mentioned activities in one memorable vacation.

Camarines Sur, the largest among the six provinces in Bicol Region, has cemented its place in the list of top travel destinations in the Philippines, thanks to the growing number of people hooked to extreme water sports. The province was not included in most Philippine travel guides until the Camarines Sur *********** Complex opened its doors to the public in May 2006. Since then, the six-hectare active park, which has facilities for wakeboarding, wakeskating, kneeboarding, and waterskiing, has buoyed the local tourism industry.

Politically subdivided into 35 municipalities and two cities, Camarines Sur is also a haven for beach bummers. One of the famous natural attractions in the province is the beaches of Caramoan, a second-class municipality perfectly made for island hopping. Its fine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters are ideal for kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Other interesting activities popular for tourists are rock climbing, caving, camping, trekking, and mountain biking.

Camarines Sur, which is about eight to ten hours drive from Manila or 45 minutes by plane, is also a magnet for Catholic faithfuls. The province is home to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City. Come September, religious enthusiasts flock to the city for a religious festival wherein the image of the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia is paraded on a float. Old churches are also a staple fare in the province. Some of them are the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, Quipayo Church, and Nabua Ladrillo Church.

Like any province in the archipelago, Camarines Sur also has its own share of colorful events and festivals. In San Jose town, local talents and young artists take center stage for the Harana Festival. The February 11-15 event aims to promote cultural awareness through singing and other forms of arts. Other popular occasions in Camarines Sur include Iriga City’s Tinagba Festival, Bato’s Karanowan Festival, Minabalac’s Tumatarok Festival, and Nabua’s Boa-Boahan Festival.

The province, which accounted for 55.2% of the1.3 million people who set foot on Bicol last year, has also something to offer to hikers and sightseers. Two potentially active volcanoes- Mt. Isarog and Mt. Iriga – are home to exotic flora and fauna. Along the climb, don’t forget to check out Nabuntulan Falls and Malabsay Falls. Meanwhile, the recommended destinations for spelunkers are Kalupnitan Caves in Ilibmanan and Adiangao Cave in Presentacion.

Tourists can choose from various accommodations ranging from the very simple to the luxurious. As a travel tip, place your reservations in advance to avoid any inconvenience. There are hotels and resorts offering affordable vacation packages for the budget-conscious travelers. The crunchy pili nuts and the spicy Bicol Express are must-tries for first-time and repeat visitors.

Local Philippines is your travel buddy.

Caffeinated Content

Old Churches in the Philippines

November 27, 2011 by Anita  
Filed under Travel And Leisure

Alexis Ray Celestino asked:




Here are some tips to help guide you and other travelers find these historical sites:

1. Ask around.

When you have time to visit any locality, fell free to ask the local residents on where they go to hear mass, or where you can find the oldest church, the miraculous shrines, someone surely will direct you on your way.

2. Buy a Travel guide and Map.

This is of course a must for any traveler, especially a foreigner or even a local first timer. Or else, how can you expect to get around without any form of knowing how to navigate your way. Travel guides and maps, such as the Philippine atlas and E-Z maps are easily purchased in bookstores and department stores. These are maps that are also available at the tourism office in any locality.

3. Search the Web.

You can also search the internet on anything and everything about the Philippines. There are many websites that feature the country and touch extensively on various topics, including old churches and historical religious sites.

Perhaps you can visit the Google website and look under:

a) Churches in the Philippines

b) Wow Philippines old churches

c) Baroque Churches in the Philippines

d) Philippines Churches

As you search on those different sites, you can see their different pictures, historical backgrounds, statues of the different Saints and altars. You can also read their different history from when they were built, why they were built and the people involved in building the different Gothic designs of the churches and the beautiful garden designs of the shrines.

Caffeinated Content

Philippines Travel – Exploring Sagada on a Shoe-String Budget

February 9, 2011 by Anita  
Filed under Travel And Leisure

John Grant asked:




Urban dwellers would normally prefer to rove around the metropolis and explore every side-street in search for ideal refuge, more than traveling to remote provinces. However, there are more than 7,000 reasons to explore the parameters of this archipelago, taking into account its profuse land and marine resources and myriad sanctuaries.

Part of this region is Sagada. With a measly P2,500, a determined explorer can take a fulfilling jaunt to Sagada-a serene mountain community in Mt. Province. The adventurous travelers would customarily take the 10-hour bus ride from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao (via Solano, Nueva Ecija route) that costs not more than P300.

In Banaue, travelers have the option to take the day off and trek along the well-engineered Banaur Rcie Terraces or take a jeepney ride to Bontoc and from there, once can catch a bus ride to a more tranquil region, Sagada in Mt. Province.

Sagada has economical lodging houses and hotels to spend the night over. For as low as P200, a traveler can avail of a bedroom for two and a well-scrubbed common bathroom with sufficient amount of water-for an overnight abode. Even though electricity and water are accessible in these highland regions, one of the guidelines in immersing to remote areas is not to expect for urban amenities.

However, the lack of adequate necessities is not an hindrance to any devoted backpacker. Indeed, the remarkable view of the mountains, sight of abundant natural resources, and exposure to mountain community are enough reasons to enjoy the trip.

Trekking along the narrow mountain trails of Batad and Bangaan Villages in Banaue is one of the many leisure options where panoramic views of the terraces can be enjoyed. To keep track of the trail, a number of villagers can be hired for hours as tour guides.

The trip is truly breathtaking and for an amateur trekker, the long hours of walk should not impede them to reach the other side of the trail. There are a number of brooks along the curvy mountain range that are guaranteed to quench one’s thirst during the hours of hike. Meanwhile, the awe-inspiring endpoint is an antidote to muscle pain.

Batad is comparable to realizing the pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow. It boasts of scenic and unspoiled layers of rice fields forming a colossal amphitheater, where native Ifugaos mostly dwell. The terraces is still a functional source of livelihood and personal sustenance for Ifugaos, except for some where irrigation systems have been destroyed through seepage, landslides, prolonged drought, erosion, and other inevitable natural calamities.

Caffeinated Content for WordPress

Web Dot Com is the Web Site Developer of Amnesty International Philippines

December 10, 2009 by Anita  
Filed under News

Business Local Listings asked:


Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. is the official web site developer of Amnesty International Philippines.

Amnesty International is a global movement of people campaigning actively for the protection of human rights and taking action against human rights abuses. Such action comes in the form of information campaigns through communication and media channels, as well as public pressure through mass demonstrations, vigils and lobbying.

Amnesty International Philippines was officially recognized as an Amnesty International section on January 27, 1987. Among its many accomplishments is its role in the repeal of the Death Penalty Law in the Philippines in 2005 and its participation in the successful campaign to get UN approval for a moratorium on executions in 2007, with the Philippines as co-author and signatory of the resolution.

The Amnesty International Philippines web site developed by Web Dot Com is packed with information that is systematically categorized and labeled. Despite the huge amount of data on the entire site, the visitor is not overwhelmed. Perhaps this is because the landing pages are bright and feature a clean layout which clearly displays the various sections. Navigation is definitely not a problem since links are properly labeled.

Given a prominent position is the link to the Amnesty International Report of 2009. There are Spotlights on Human Rights and Poverty, Violence against Women, Counter Terror with Justice, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). There is a section on News and Updates alongside a section on Appeals for Action. There is a special link to Good News and another one to CampAIgn, the Amnesty International newsletter.

There are buttons labeled Donate to Amnesty International, Join Amnesty International, and More ways to get involved.

There are also several search buttons. One is to select a country where Amnesty International is active and another is to select a country with human rights abuses.

There are buttons leading to the sections on Amnesty International in the Philippines, Act Now, Join Us, Activities and Publications.

The Amnesty International Philippines section is comprised of subsections titled Who We Are, explaining Amnesty International; AI Philippines; Networks, Statute of AI, AIPh ByLaws, UDHR and FAQ.

The Act Now section is comprised of subsections titled Direct Appeals, Urgent Actions and Donate.

The Join Us sections has subsections titled Members, Local Groups, Form a Group and Volunteers.

The Activities section has a list of AI Philippines activities since 1998, categorized by year.

The Publications section contains downloadable materials as well as subsections for the Newsletter, Reports, Library and Archives.

Indeed, the Amnesty International Philippines is a fitting showcase of the web development and design skills of Web Dot Com.

Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. has been successfully serving an international clientele from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Korea, the British Virgin Islands and the Philippines for the last ten years. From Manila, Web Dot Com offers various business process outsourcing (BPO) services, including outsourcing web development and contact center services.

In the area of web development, the web hosting provider also offers domain name registration and low cost advanced web site development packages. Depending on the client’s needs, this may include advanced interactive database driven web site development, advanced portal development, heavy web based programming, web application development, content management systems, good website design, graphic design and multimedia components including flash animation development, e-commerce site solutions including a shopping cart using osCommerce, web site maintenance and support, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and social media marketing. Its programmers and developers are highly skilled at php, mysql, JavaScript and other internet languages and tools.

Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. is your One Stop Shop Internet and Contact Center Solutions Vendor for the Global Market. Make it your own web site developer, as well.

Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc.

Address:

2nd Floor, BT&T Center

#20 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis (C-5),

Quezon City, 1110 Philippines

E-mail: info@webdc.com.ph

Telephone numbers: (632) 634-4625; (632) 635-6104



Add Features to Your Interactive Web SiteAdd Features to Your Interactive Web Site

December 5, 2009 by Anita  
Filed under News

Business Local Listings asked:


An interactive web site is undeniably more attractive to visitors and holds them longer. It also invariably earns many return visits. To make your interactive web site even more attractive, here are some features you may want to add to it, if your site does not have them yet. According to statistics, they will be even more effective if placed in your landing pages.

Discussion forums

Discussion forums are very popular among online users. Here users united by a certain interest can congregate and have online conversations, encouraging them to return again and again. Eventually, these users form an online community that becomes the solid and loyal base of the website.

Newsletter

You can also build and consolidate a long term relationship with your web site visitors by asking them to subscribe to your newsletter. At no cost, they will be able to receive updates and other useful information by email. Of course, the newsletter will also contains invitations and links to pages you want them to visit.

Online guestbook

An online guest book may take the place of a discussion forum or may co-exist with it. The difference is that comments by visitors on a guest book are about the web site and their experience on it. This may be password-protected to allow you to screen and approve or disapprove comments. This could also be a way of gathering your visitors’ email addresses if you do not have a newsletter.

Site search engine

A site search engine allows users to more easily search for something within your site. This encourages them to explore your site, too.

News column

A news column adds value to your web site by flashing up to the minute news to your visitors. This could also spark discussion with and among your visitors.

Personalized postcards

You can offer a selection of free postcards on your site, preferably with a theme related to your topic. It would be best if your visitor is able to send the postcard to an unlimited number of recipients, with a personalized message. Of course, each postcard contains a link back to your site.

Online calendar

The online calendar is particularly effective for web sites with registered users. Each one gets an individual calendar customizable with his or her appointments and alerts. This will entice the users to spend more time on the site and to check in regularly.

Calculator

A calculator is particularly handy for web sites that sell online. The user can use the calculator to figure out costs and totals before deciding on buying.

If you still do not have an interactive web site, or any web site for that matter, Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. can help you. Based in Manila, this web site developer and web hosting provider offers domain name registration services as well as low cost advanced web site development packages. These packages include advanced interactive database driven web site development, advanced portal development, heavy web based programming, web application development, content management systems, good website design, graphic design and multimedia components including flash animation development, e-commerce site solutions including a shopping cart using osCommerce, web site maintenance and support, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and social media marketing. The company gives employment to highly trained programmers and developers equipped with skills in php, mysql, JavaScript and other internet applications.

Web Dot Com also provides business process outsourcing (BPO) services to companies from around the world outsourcing web development and other back office and front office business processes. Indeed, Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. is your One Stop Shop Internet and Contact Center Solutions Vendor for the Global Market. You can rely on it to create your interactive web site.

Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc.

Address:

2nd Floor, BT&T Center

#20 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis (C-5),

Quezon City, 1110 Philippines

E-mail: info@webdc.com.ph

Telephone numbers: (632) 634-4625; (632) 635-6104



Why Do Many Filipina Girls Marry Foreigners?

November 16, 2009 by Anita  
Filed under Dating

Peter Finch asked:


A Filipina in her early twenties, clad in a tight-fitting pair of jeans, a body-hugging shirt walks on a busy street in the Philippines. She attracts attention not only because of her looks but because she is holding hands with a foreigner who is old enough to be her grandfather.

Two blocks away, a woman in her late forties is hanging on to the arm of a 65-year old foreigner. Both women will be marrying their boyfriends soon and each had her own reasons. Every year more Filipina ladies are leaving the country each year to marry a foreigner. Here are some of the common reasons for these marriages:

The search for greener pastures.

It is undeniable that a big percentage of the Filipina girls who marry foreigners look at their husbands as a “visa” for them to go find better opportunities abroad. Filipina ladies have a mission to support their family as soon as they are able to, like help send younger siblings to school or take over the responsibility as the head of the family.

Travel and adventure

A foreigner husband is a ticket to exciting worlds beyond the desolate place she may have grown up in. She looks at him as the realization of her childhood dreams of traveling to far places.

Status elevation

As ironic as it seems, majority of the Filipino women prefers American love stories over Philippine films and they get all dreamy eyed and instantly fall in love when they see a caucasian man.

Age factor

While a woman in her late thirties is considered in the prime of life in other countries, it is not the case for a Filipina because when she is past 30 and is still unmarried, eyebrows will start to rise and her chances of getting married starts to get slim and meeting a foreigner for a prospective husband online is one of her few choices. Usually, a Filipina marries in her late teens or early 20s and should already have a child in college by the time she is 40 years old.

Failed marriages

Failure in her marriage could also push Filipina ladies to look to foreigners for a second chance. Some of these Filipina ladies are unwed mothers, while others are victims of abusive husbands, forced to do menial jobs for a meager pay just to support her children.

Average looks

An average looking Filipina (meaning not the beauty queen material) may feel she does not have to go to lengths and pay huge amounts to augment her physical features to attract a foreign husband-to-be.

True Love

You may find it hard to believe this but despite the perception that the Filipina is taking a risk marrying a person with a different set of values with a different cultural background, love could be the reason why she will marry a foreigner.



Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP) Website Developed by Web Dot Com

August 21, 2009 by Anita  
Filed under News

Business Local Listings asked:


It could have been a daunting task designing a website for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines (WPPP) considering the fact that this organization is comprised of masters of aesthetics. Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc., did not, however, flinch from the task. Its web developers and web designers stood up to the challenge and produced wppp.ph. Indeed, the flash website displays the breathtaking photographs of WPPP members at their best.

Founded on March 31, 2001 and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the WPPP is an organization of professional wedding photographers. With a mere ten members in the original group, the organization has now grown to include 78 active members from Metro Manila, Baguio, Boracay, Bulacan, Cavite, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, Batangas, La Union, Pampanga, Vigan, Bacolod, Legazpi City and Sorsogon.

The WPPP goal is to be the leading organization of wedding photographers locally to represent Philippine wedding photographers internationally. Its mission and vision encompasses the upliftment of photography and production work in order to shape the future of the industry. It aims to develop artistic and technical proficiency, competence and dedication among professional wedding photographers.

As part of its program, the WPPP fosters knowledge and idea sharing and learning among its members, upgrading skills and techniques through technical trainings, seminars and symposia. Networking is encouraged so that the most number of members benefit from resources.

All these are directed toward continually improving services to clients so as to gain their trust and respect, and to build and nurture lasting relationships with them. The WPPP believes that only such level of quality service will create a truly positive public perception of the industry.

Part of the image building efforts of the WPPP is its website. Aside from showcasing some of the stunning photographs of members, it features news on WPPP events and activities. The website also contains information on membership requirements and application to the organization.

It is not surprising that Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. would deliver excellent results on the WPPP website. After all, Web Dot Com has been providing full and advanced website development services to corporate and individual clients around the world for the past ten years. Its clientele comes from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Korea and the British Virgin Islands, aside from the Philippines.

Web Dot Com has in-house programmers and designers highly skilled in advanced interactive database driven web site development, advanced portal development, heavy web based programming, web application development, content management systems, web site design, graphic design and multimedia components including flash animation development, e-commerce site solutions, web site maintenance and support, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and social media marketing.

The partnership between the WPPP and Web Dot Com led to the conceptualization and actualization of a Philippine-based site providing individual websites that could stand as online portfolios for professional photographers. This was envisioned to enable professional Filipino photographers to promote their world class talent to the world market. The result is azuldomain.com. It offers free hosting, free domain name registration and free email accounts, as well as a choice of unique and beautiful templates that are ideal frames for exquisite photographs. Each template is customizable and unlimited updates can be done any time through intuitive website creation tools and easy web management tools.

Azuldomain.com stands as a concrete testimony to the unified goals of the WPPP and Web Dot Com Website Development Philippines, Inc. to highlight and endorse the capabilities of Filipinos globally. With azuldomain.com, the bond between these two organizations is affirmed.