Flying and travelling in the Philippines means a fully-booked social calendar. After the colorful tribal and street dancing of festivals in Visayas and joining forces with Filipino-Chinese in welcoming the year of the water dragon, February invites travelers to the far northern territory of Baguio.

As in our previous post, the Summer Capital of the Philippines will hold its annual Panagbenga Festival, its parade of flowers that is absolutely unique in a tropical country like the Philippines. After the festival, you may wonder what other things to do in Baguio.

We recommend – strawberry picking. Strawberries in the Philippines? That will be one of the surprises. As one of the most delicate fruits, these berries must be in high altitude planted and grown in cool temperature and for Philippines, only in its northern regions can handle its very demanding requirement.

There are many things that you can take home with you when in Baguio and one of these are fresh strawberries. Technically, there is a slim chance that these fruity berries will make it to your home. It is hard not to be tempted with this juicy fruits as you traveling back to your respective towns and cities.

Drive all the way to the town of La Trinidad and visit La Trinidad. This town is already part of Benguet but it is only 10 kilometers away from the city centre of Baguio. It takes around 30 minutes and there are many public transport to take you there from jeepneys to taxis.

Strawberry Farm sells fresh and freshly picked strawberries grown by local Ibaloi farmers. There are also strawberry jams for sale. For a unique travel experience, try strawberry picking. Take a basket, crouch a little and gently harvest those round and red berries. When you are satisfied, have them weighed.

Strawberry picking is open from November to May and this is a nice activity for everyone. Great for those traveling as a family. A word of advise though especially for first-time tourists, strawberries cost a way higher than market price.

Depending on the season, strawberries can be bought at 100php/kilo from road-side stalls where as strawberry picking charges 280php/kilo. The reason for this is that you are paying for the experience itself and as amateur harvesters, there is a big chance that you will just spoil not just the ones you picked but those berries that are about to be harvested.

Hence, it is like paying a little of what they call as damage-control. Be mindful that tending these plants are one of the most arduous tasks. Still, the price is actually very reasonable given the kind of experience that money can’t literally buy.

So when you travel up north, do not miss this opportunity. Strawberries and harvesting them – one of the things you shouldn’t miss in Baguio.

Characterised by long and winding road going to Don Salvador Benedicto, it is one of the best places we have to visit if we are in Negros Occidental. If you are looking for a place to relax, inhale fresh are and to escape the stressful and dreadful city life, a road trip to Don Salvador Benedicto or DSB is the answer.

Named after one of the richest sugar scions in the island, it is presently known as the “Little Baguio of the South” because of its cool temperature that make the person who visits there shivers especially if you reach areas on higher altitude.

DSB has a lot to offer to the tourist who visits there place:
1. The opportunity to watch the creativity of the DSBhanon in their yearly festival the Kali-kaili. Kali-kali according to the municipal website is a clebration of their harvesting time. It was sought to have originated in the term “kali” a.k.a Arnis or Eskrima, a filipino martial art that which also assumed to originate in the Negros Island.
2. As a summer place DSB can statisfy your eyes because of the spots that he has to offer to you. The Malatan-og Falls, the Lion View at the top of the winding road, resorts and stuff.

3. The super yummy pineapple.

One thing you should not forget to try when you are there is tasting their sweet pinya, It is so yummy that once you tasted it you will always want it.

4. Calling all sports enthusiast.Why should I forget about you? I myself wants to do some sports there! It is a place where you can have a mountain climbing. DSB is connected by the two mountain ranges the Mandalagan and Kanlaon. All levels are present if you are a beginner then I recommend you to lurk at the place. For the professional climbers I guess you will have fun in that area.
If Pacquiao has its Killer Run in Hollywood,DSB is offering you it also. Well it is not that you will be hit by the truck or a bus line but its the endurance that you will have after running a long and winding road plus the cool weather together with the inclined mountain. Want to be USain Bolt better run those & 7km from Padanon to the Banwa.
If your a motorsports enthusiast just be careful. A cyclist? of course you have your place there! You wan to win the Tour de France? You better start practing there.Oh don’t forget who recommended it to you…

5. For those who are seeking for inner peace.
City life gives us unrest because we have to struggle everyday to fill our tables. If for a time you are lloking for a place to relax.

Travel Tips

There is no street lamps along the way and store closes earlier but besides that you’ll enjoy it and memories will be captured by your heart. Likewise, don’t forget to bring some sweaters, flashlight, camera. It is fun to be there.
This experience would be better if you bring along our family and friends.

Imagine an island created in black and white. Imagine world as lifeless dark. Guimaras island is located in the middle of Panay and Negros island. According to history Guimaras was once under the umbrella of Iloilo but in 1992 It became a new province that comprise the Western Visayas. Guimaras played a great role during colonization during the Spanish and American, invasion of the Japanese and liberation of the Philippines.

Guimaras is known for its sweet mangoes and white sand beaches. That attracts not only local from neighboring island but as well as people from different parts of the world. Its untouched and less development made it so unique that will help you find more the value of life and inner peace.
Its sweet mango, placed the island in the map. Evidence suggest that once you tasted their mangoes you’ll come back and look for it.

Basically, this island is very strategic because of its rich minerals such as lime sand that helps nourish the mango tree to produce a sweet mangoes bountifully. This fruit is in demand in different places around the world. In addition because of the strong commitment of the Guimarasnon and in cooperation with their local government, they were able to protect the distribution of mango products. Mangoes from different places cannot enter guimaras as well as not mango seedling should be taken out of the island. In line with this, they also have their Manggahan festival Celebration on the Month of April where they conduct several activities like, eat all you can mango edition, cooking showdown, symposiums about the said fruit and etc.

On the other hand, Its white sand beach and blue waters amazes every individual that visits Guimaras.From north to south it never fails to satisfy your urge to dip in the waters.There are a lot of resorts to be found in Guimaras and in Guisi, you will have a different experience. If you the adventurer type of person, you better visit this place. Here you will find restaurant that will fill your stomach,a clear water beach that will give you a blast of sweet escape and a vintage spot of the old lighthouse and a ruin building.There are also exclusive island ready to serve you.  Alubihod is also a great place if you want to enjoy beach with your friends because of its proximity from the capital city.

Touring Guimaras in one day is never impossible. Aside from the sweet mangoes that they produce and white sand beaches, Guimaras also offers other spectacular places.

Trappist monastery, wher monks live in a peaceful environment and produce the best guimarasnon delicacy mango tarts, jam, mango butterscotch, and a lot more. Its scenic environment attracts many local tourist to visit the place. The Navales Church that was built during the late 19th century that was also damaged during the World War II and until now is going renovations.

In Rizal, there you will see different sizes of boat designs from decorations and transportations.

Guimaras also houses many Aeta tribes that have their own ways of life and stuggling to survive in the area allotted to them.

Bala-ang bukid is also an amazing site for people who wants to have a pilgrimage during holy week.
University of the Philippines Visayas put up a research facility that would take care the marine biological area. They are one of the major researchers that helped out in the recent oil spill in Guimaras last 2008.

The perseverance and commitment to protect the island, they were able to begin once more.As a fortress it was able to stand firm and protect its people. They may have experience black and white yet because of their positive outlook they were able to produce a vibrant color called life.

photo by susancorpuz90

If Pasadena has the Rose Parade, Philippines has the Panagbenga Festival. Held every February, Baguio hosts a floral festival that is unique in this tropical country. This northern city in Luzon is dubbed as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” with its chilly climate with fresh scent from pine trees. Those in the metro find solace in Baguio when summer heat and humidity are too much to bear.

The festival’s name is a word from one of the region’s indigenous tribes which means “season of blooming”. First held in 1995, this festival was first observed to lift the spirit of the locals from the tragic earthquake that hit the city a few years before. Now, this festival aims to boost the local tourism of the city with February, a nice time to kick-off the influx of tourists to experience Baguio’s unique charm and cool temperature.

photo by susancorpuz90

For Penagbenga 2012, it will be from February 1 till March 4 – more than a week of festivities and wonderful activities. Concerts, trade fairs, bazaars, street dancing and the much-awaited  float parade are just one of the this festival’s highlights. Opening this month-long celebration is a parade with petals showered on the streets. A fluvial parade is also scheduled on February 12 while the Grand Float Parade and the Grand Street Dancing Parade will be held on February 25 and 26. Green scenery will be poured with a wide array and assorted of lively hues from flowers with the dancing beat from local instruments.

Aside from showcasing the bounties of Baguio and its neighboring towns through flowers, the Panagbenga Festival also supports other produce of the region from sweet yam to strawberries. Local customs and traditions will be appreciated by the youth and non-locals.

Kick off your summer getaway with a trip to Baguio and experience the Panagbenga Festival. To get to Baguio, there are many buses and transportation that will take you from Manila. Travel time is at least 8 hours. Another route is to fly to Laoag from Manila ( 1 hour) and then take a bus to Baguio ( at least 2 hours). In terms of facilities like lodging and dining, Baguio is a modern-day destination to cater to all types of travelers.

A few more days and we will be saying goodbye to 2011. And for the travel junkie or those who plan to fly back to the Philippines next year, you might be interested to pick your local destination.

With more than 7,000 islands and 80 provinces, the list will be too long to decide. Of course, you will be visiting your hometown, your parents’ or someone close to you. Relaxing on the beach with a tropical climate all year, makes Philippines a great place for the most awaited R&R.  Attending world-famous Philippine festivals is another reason to pay Philippine cities and towns. Add the different sumptious signature dishes that will add more excitement to your Philippine vacation. and don’t forget the happy smiles even from strangers that will make you feel truly at home.

Here are just some of the most popular destinations that you can visit while in the Philippines:

Boracay

The island of Boracay is the most visited Philippine destination with thousands of tourists flocking to this island paradise all year round. Famous for its long stretch of pure white-sand, Boracay has now evolved as a world-class island resort with all amenities and facilities that can cater to the most affluent to budget -conscious tourist.

Palawan

Nature lovers and adventurers will have their perfect spot in the paradise of Palawan. From its secluded beaches to its Nature’s Wonder Subterranean Underground River Park, enjoy nature totally unspoiled in Palawan with plenty of water sports to engage in.

Cebu

Voted as one of the best islands in Asia, Cebu has the metropolis status of Manila with a more laid-back ambiance. A buzzling island but still boasts with diving sites, white-sand beaches, heritage houses and historical forts. Cebu simply said has everything that every Filipino should be proud of.

Davao

Davao is Mindanao’s forerunner when it comes to tourism. A very vibrant city that ensures safety to each visitor, Davao represents the thriving economy and tourism of Mindanao. Exploring Mindanao is a must and Davao is the best place to start your southern adventure. Davao’s durian and Samal Island shouldn’t be miss.

Tagaytay

What to escape Manila but prefer somewhere close? Tagaytay is a no-fail destination for every Filipino hosts. Its cooler weather and stunning scenery makes it a popular choice for a quick getaway. Enjoy the view of the famous Taal volcano or spend some nights on its cosy cabins and lodgings.

Other destinations worth are visit are CamSur, Marinduque, Subic, Batanes, Ilocos and Zamboanga. Take your pick, start with the ones listed above and fall in love with Philippines. Choose Philippines for your 2012 travel plans.