Summer escape

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

March 26, 2011, 3:51am

Pearl Farm Beach Resort

This summer, re-live the wonders of four local tourist destinations:

BOHOL: A geological marvel

“Bohol is like a jade brooch set on a velvet-blue sea,” one author wrote.  “Its fertile land has hills that roll gently around lush forests and grassy meadows. Marine life – from schools of tiny reef fish to bigger pods of dolphins and whales – teems in the surrounding waters.”

Carmen, an interior municipality, is home of the world-famous Chocolate Hills, an amazing geological curiosity that can only be found in this part of the world.  Nearly 2,000 regularly shaped hills, with their peaks ranging from 30 to 50 meters above a mainly flat land, never fail to amaze both locals and tourists with their collective splendor and the legend that surrounds them.

Boholanos are a deeply religious people, and the island has eight fine churches, including Baclayon, seven kilometers southeast of the capital Tagbilaran.  Baclayon Church is the best preserved Jesuit-built church in the region, although its facade and most of the stone structures surrounding it were built by the Augustininan Recollects in the late 19th century.   In 1995, the National Historical Institute declared the church as a historical landmark.

Like most islands in the Philippines, Bohol is also noted for its fine beaches.  Some of the more well-known beaches are found on Panglao Island.  The Alona Beach, named after the popular film star of the 1970s (Alona Alegre), has the greatest variety of beach front accommodations anywhere in the province.

Bohol may not be as famous Boracay, but is well-known locally as a paradise for divers.   The dive sites are noted for their deep, steep walls – the creation of continental shifts during prehistoric times.  Just over the causeway from Tagbilaran is Panglao Island with its spectacular drop-offs.

IFUGAO: Stairway to heaven

People flock to the province of Ifugao because of the gracefully contoured rice terraces nestled within the rugged Cordillera mountain range.  The rice terraces reach up to heights of 1,500 meters and if stretched end to end, will extend to over 20,000 kilometers. They are said to showcase an irrigation system, which uses gravity to bring forest waters from about 1,800 meters high down to the lowest tiers.

The rice terraces can be viewed from the town of Banaue.  However, the more spectacular terraces can be found in Batad and Mayoyao.  Batad rests snugly at the bottom of a magnificently steep circle of terraces, which resembles an amphitheater.  With no visible encroachment of civilization, the place is home to a village of authentic Ifugao people.

Mayoyao, on the other hand, is a three-hour ride from Banaue along a road which dips and climbs hundreds of meters along picturesque terraced hills, forests, and villages.  Houses here have huge roofs and a neater, less crowded layout.  The views of the terraces along the route are awesome.

SAMAL: Earthly paradise

Over 20 beach resorts (both commercial and privately-owned) dot the island’s 116 kilometer-stretch of white sandy beach.  Fellow travel writer Ronald de Jong observed: “The beautiful and serene seashore is endowed with mangroves, swamps and coconut trees. This earthly paradise has been praised for its beauty like no other island in the region.”

The Island Garden City of Samal is rich in coral reefs, ideal for scuba-diving and other aqua sports, such as snorkeling and sailing.  Two sunken World War II Japanese vessels await discovery by divers, just 60 meters away from the Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

The Haguimit Falls is located about two kilometers away from Peñaplata district.  It is a haven for picnickers, swimmers and nature trippers yearning for the simple, inexpensive pleasures in life.  The area is well-covered by a canopy of full-grown trees from the scorching heat of the sun.

Another must-see is the Monfort Bat Cave, whose bat colony was certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest colony of fruit bats in the world with a population ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 million as of 2006.  

For trekkers and nature enthusiasts seeking higher grounds, climbing mount Puting Bato, the highest peak in Samal, towering 1.362 feet above sea level, promises to be a great adventure.  According to those who have scaled it, the mountain slopes are stunning and the changes in the landscape are astonishing.

The combination of unparalleled natural beauty and exotic attractions, its breathtaking panoramas, the warmth and the hospitality of its people make the tropical island of Samal indeed a real paradise on earth.

PALAWAN: Nature at its best

Palawan is known for having one of the most beautiful seascapes in the world. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Palawan was proclaimed as a fish and wildlife sanctuary in 1967 and to this day, this group of islands is probably the most protected province in the whole country.

One reason why people come to Palawan is the world-famous St. Paul Subterranean National Park, a massive white rock mountain which rises 1,028 meters above sea level and stretches towards Cleopatra’s Needle.  Its main feature is the underground river, with its 8.2 kilometers of labyrinthine caves carved by rainwater and the waves of South China Sea.

The Subterranean River is a maze of intricate caves and endless wonders.  Once inside, you can enjoy seeing rock formations which resemble the real things like giant mushrooms and jellyfish, a huge madre de cacao, a man and his dog, and skeletal stalactites that look like filigrees.

There are two more destinations you should not miss: El Nido and Honda Bay.  El Nido is the place with crystal clear waters and many wonderful dive spots with first class resorts.  It is named after the nests harvested from the islands’ limestone caverns and exported to some countries to be consumed in bird’s nest soup.

For divers, Palawan is a paradise.  The mid-east part of Honda Bay area is studded with coral patches up to 18 meters across, interspersed with sand patches.  There are plenty of small reef fish, parrot fish, snappers, and sometimes crayfish.  Because the area is inconsistent, the tourism department urges divers to carry a compass.

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Enduring beauty of Banaue, Sagada spurs package tours

March 1, 2011, 1:33am

www.wonderful-asia.blogspot.com

 MANILA, Philippines – Despite concerns about the threats to the pristine natural features of the Banaue rice terraces and the Sagada village in the Mountain Province, their enduring beauty remains a tourism allure, prodding travel firms to continue packaging special tours to these historical and world heritage sites at attractive rates.

Among such irresistible tourism packages is the one being offered for only R15,088 net per person based on twin-sharing hotel accommodations.

“This tour puts both the Banaue rice terraces and the Sagada in one package, all in a 4 days-3nights tour program that runs from Thursday to Sunday up to March 31,” said travel entrepreneur and event creator Angel Ramos Bognot.

“The package includes room accommodations at Banaue Hotel, daily breakfast, air-conditioned private transportation from Manila to Banaue and back, sightseeing tours to the viewpoint and the picturesque villages of Banga-an, Bontoc and the Sagada cave exploration, and the services of an English-speaking tour guide,” Bognot pointed out.

The excitement begins at 7 a.m. with a 10-hour trip from Manila to Banaue, passing by the landlocked evergreen provinces of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya where breathtaking scenery unfolds all the way up to the Ifugao Province.

Tour participants arrive at 5:30 p.m. at the Banaue Hotel, itself immersed in the majestic splendor of the rice terraces pervading the view from the hotel’s rooms, making one feel nestled in the slopes of the mountain that appears like a gigantic stairway to heaven. Banaue Hotel is operated by the government’s new Tourism Infrastructure & Enterprise Zone Authority headed by former Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid as chief operating officer.

After breakfast at the hotel the following day, tourists depart onboard a jeepney for a tour of the rice terraces and its nearby villages, including Banga-an, where a 20-minute walk down a trail gives a closer look of the Ifugao community and the colorful and well-preserved native culture.

Lunch at a local restaurant energizes the tourists for a long and rugged trip to a 2,000-year-old mountain destination dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World,” depicting how the Ifugaos carved the terraces with their hands for 5,000 years.

The trip to the remote town of Sagada starts after breakfast on the third day, featuring an ancient cave with stalagmites and stalactites and other natural formations.  Along the way can be viewed mineral-rich water flowing from the mountains that usher in a cultural surprise – the hanging coffins.  From here, the tourists proceed to the Bontoc Museum for a glimpse of the natives’ history and their story of survival.

The Banaue-Sagada Tour was launched during the inauguration of the new corporate address of Afro Asian Travel & Tours last January 20, with Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Daniel G. Corpuz, PAL president Jimmy Bautista, Laguna Rep. Timmy Chipeco, Tourism Assistant Secretary for Promotions Chicoy Enerio, and Latvia Consul Bobby Joseph as sponsors.

“This tour never ceases to unlock the mysteries of our tribal ancestors in the North, whose amazing work of art encompasses a whole mountain and showcases a cultural masterpiece that deserves the awe and admiration of the entire human race. Packaging this tour, therefore, constitutes a tribute to our predecessors and a gift to the current generation and the many generations to come,” Bognot said.

For reservations, interested parties may contact Afro Asian Travel (+632 5237501/5237504, or email afroasiantvl@yahoo.com), whose office is located at the 2nd Floor of the Z&N Apartelle (Hizon’s Bldg) 545 Arquiza St. corner Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila.

Traveling A–Z: Ifugao

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

August 4, 2010, 2:32pm

Aerial view of the Banaue Rice Terraces (George Tapan)

Located at the foot of the Cordillera mountain ranges, the province of Ifugao is home to the world renowned Banaue Rice Terraces. The man-made rice terraces, touted as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and the rich cultures of its native inhabitants – the Ifugaos, make Ifugao province an interesting destination for mountain climbers and intrepid travelers in search of unique experiences.

The name Ifugao is derived from the word ‘ipugo’ which means ‘people of the hill.’ The Spaniards changed the word to Ifugaw and the Americans modified the word to its current name Ifugao. Ifugao was formerly a part of the Mountain Province. It was created as an independent province on June 18, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4695, also known as the Division Law of Mountain Province.

The existing tourist attractions in the province are classified under four categories, namely: man-made, historical, cultural, and natural spots. Ifugao province is generally classified as having a Type III climate under the Corona’s system of classification. This climate type is characterized as not having pronounced seasons but relatively dry from January to April, and wet during the period from May to December. Cool temperature predominates throughout the year with the coolest month of December to early part of March.

The Ifugaos are one of the different tribes that inhabit the old Mountain Province. Their culture and tradition, being unique and striking, have made them the subject of many studies by foreign scholars. These people prefer to be called Ifugaos as opposed to the more generic and less accurate ‘Igorot’ which includes all the peoples of the Cordillera Region, that specifically refers to some of the inhabitants of Benguet.

Fast facts

Local Dialect: Ifugao locals speak various Ifugao dialects, such as Tuwali and Ayangan. They can also speak Filipino vernacular dialects like Ilokano and Tagalog. Many Ifugaos, especially in Lagawe, Kiangan, Mayoyao, Aguinaldo and Banaue, are fluent in English.

Places of Interest:

Historical

Philippine War Memorial Shrine – Gigantic memorial shrine that commemorates the end of World War II.

Million Dollar Hill – It got its name from the last war when the allied armies spent millions of dollars worth of bombs and ammunitions to annihilate the enemies in the area.

Cultural

National Museum – This museum displays Ifugao artifacts and is under the supervision of the National Museum of the Philippines.

Tam-an Village – A typical village situated 240 steps down from the Banaue Hotel’s swimming pool. Here, woodcarving and hand-woven products are produced and sold to travelers.

Natural

Bintakan Cave – The mouth of the cave is overlooking the Ibunao river. It is a three-room cave with dripping water that forms stalactites and stalagmites of different beautiful shapes.

Guihob Natural Swimming Pool – One has to hop and jump over huge boulders to reach the crystal clear waters of Guihob. It is a perfect place for those who prefer a cool and refreshing swim.

Tappiya Waterfalls – About 30 minutes from Batad Village is a cascading waterfall with its enormous natural pool for swimming. A visit to Batad would be incomplete without seeing these beautiful waterfalls.

Mount Amuyao – Its summits provide climbers with a breath-taking panorama of the Mountain Province, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Ifugao.

Mount Anapawon – Centrally located in Ifugao, this mountain peak is considered the best camping site in the province.

How to get there:

Ifugao is less than 350 kilometers from Manila. Travelers can catch a plane to the province of Nueva Viscaya, the land portion of the trip will only take about 45 minutes to Ifugao. Buses from Manila will take about 10 hours.