La Union" Surfing Destination

La Union’s Surfing Legend
By VINCE G. LOPEZ
January 16, 2010, 9:25pm

Big waves start from humble humps on the sea.

The same goes for the success story of La Union where the surfing trend was started by a foreigner. Aki Naga was simply looking for a place to surf and when he tried riding the waves of La Union, it was more than what he expected it to be.

“I stayed in the Philippines because I was so amazed by the people and the location,” expressed Aki, a Japanese surfer who now lives in a house near the beach.

“I choose La Union because it’s located at the center of interest. I wake up and go surfing. If I want something to eat, it’s very near the market and if I get bored there are numerous places that are near where I could go to enjoy,” explained Aki.

The story began in 1981 while he was working for a surfboard company and read about the Philippines in a magazine. He asked about it and the more he asked, the more eager he became to visit the Philippines. Aki also said that “As soon as I saw the photos in the magazine, I promised myself that I would go and try to surf there, and I wasn’t disappointed.”

Back then, there were no hotels and other establishments yet in the beach. But this didn’t discourage Aki as he was able to find a resident who opened his home to him. This was the beginning of what others would call La Union’s “surfing history.”

“Back then, I was the only one who was surfing in the beach. I’d see the local boys watching me surf. Later on I learned that most of them were not in school, so I decided to teach them how to surf where they might have the chance to earn something,” expressed Aki.

The first surfing school in Urbiztondo beach started only with a handful of students. But before he knew it, the numbers began to grow and the place started to become popular.

“Sa simula nood nood lang kami sa mga marunong na mag surf, pero siyempre habang nanonood ka gusto ko na din namang matuto,” said Ronnie, one of Aki’s students.

But Ronnie has a story of his own —he is a handicapped surfer. Born with only one leg, it was his desire to ride the waves.

“Dati pa talagang gusto ko na mag-surf, may mga iba na nagsasabi di ko daw kaya o kaya mahihirapan lang ako. Pero gusto ko talaga eh, kaya ayun natuto din. Dati inaasar o pinagtatawanan ako pero ngayon humahanga na sila,” Ronnie said.

Ronnie surfs by throwing the board away and riding on it as he waits for his wave. This usually catches the attention of the people on the beach.

La Union’s pioneer surfers have more plans for the surfing community in La Union.

“Most of the boards that we use are imported but I hope to change this with the help of the local government. I hope that soon we could have surf boards that are made in the Philippines,” said Aki.

Palawan the Philippines Paradise.

The Taal Volcano Crater.

Palawan Islands Philippines Paradise

Palawan Islands is paradise on earth to touch nature. The largest island in the provinces of Palawan, the Philippines is surrounded by about 2,000 other mostly uninhabited islets. Palawan island is mountainous with large vegetation from tropical forests. Located in the north of the island’s largest city, Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Filled Palawan island dates back to prehistory. Found in the cave complex called ‘fixed human tabonskému. Surrounding Palawan Tubbataha reef, which is recorded from 1999 to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Palawan island attracts untouched nature, wildlife, especially the popular but the beaches, many tourists. Palawan has been promulgated in 2007 National Geographic Traveler magazine as the best island tourist destination in Southeast Asia and the 13th best island in the world, extraordinary beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes.
In the city in May pointed to a number of tourist attractions, such as the Kinabalu National Park about 434 km, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, about 469 km, Turtle Island State Park about 375 km, Boracay White Beach about 471 km, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque about 642 km , Mindoro about 491 km, El Nido km about 214, about 572 km of Lake Taal

BORACAY Paradise in the Philippines,When asked about the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, Boracay will always be included on the list. This is probably the most famous and popular summer destination for both Filipinos and foreigners. The powdery white sand beach with its aqua blue clear water is truly enticing.

Boracay is located at the tip of the Panay Island in the Western Visayas Region. It is bone-shaped and has four beach attractions namely White Beach, Bulabog Beach, Diniwid and Puka Beach. The White Beach is the main tourist attraction with several hotels, bars, shopping centers and restaurants for the people. Bulabog Beach is located on the other side of the island and is great for wind surfing, kite boarding and sailing. The Diniwid is located north of White Beach and has a large cove. The Puka Beach is near a marine sanctuary and a long and empty strip of white sand and clear waters.

A visit to this summer tourist destination should be tried by the Filipinos. If you love the beaches and the sun, then you will surely get loads of fun staying in this island. There are different activities that can make your vacation a lot more fun than planned. The souvenir items are worth purchasing and the different nightly activities can keep you up all night long.

When you visit Boracay, it is advisable to go in groups like maybe you and your family or with friends. You can save money on some tours and packages and watch out for airfare promos for Boracay. If you have plans of going to this island anytime soon, this itinerary for 4 days and 3 nights stay in Boracay for a group of 4-5.

Day 1

Accommodation

The best place to stay in Boracay especially if this is your first time to visit the island is in the White Beach area. This beach has 3 stations to choose from. Station 1 has hotels, bars and inns for the rich and some are even exclusive. This means that Station 1 is expensive and pricey. Station 2 is for the middle class and in Station 3 is for the super tight budget.

If you don't have any problem in spending money, you can stay at Shangri La's Boracay Resort and Spa. This is located in the northern part of Boracay Island. The room rates vary from Php17000 per night to Php35000 per night. Enjoy meals at Sirena, Rima, Vintana or Cielo. Stay pampered and feel invigorated with the hotel's spa that offers massage and other spa treatments. Their rates start from Php5800 to Php9800 for massage, other services can go up to Php42000. These spa treatments can last from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. The rates are expensive but the quality of service, location and amenities are worth the money spent.

There are still resorts and accommodations in Stations 1 and 2 that are budget friendly. The Isla Gecko located in Station 2 is a budget friendly hotel. If there are 4-5 of you going to Boracay, you can find a great deal for your accommodation in this hotel. Their family room which can accommodate 4 persons and maximum of 6 with extra mattresses is very affordable compared to the other hotels. The rate per night is approximately Php3600 and if you divide it into four, each person will contribute Php900 a night.

The room is air-conditioned with cable TV and a private bath and shower. There is 1 double bed, 2 single beds, and a double deck. If you are a family on a vacation, a kid under 10 years of age is free of charge when staying in the same room with the parents or guardians. The hotel serves typical Filipino breakfast, and every day you will be provided with a new set of towels. Check-in time to this hotel is at 2:00PM and check out time is at 12:00NN.

This hotel is strategically located in the heart of Boracay with the D'Mall just a few steps away as well as restaurants and bars. After you have checked-in to this hotel and secured your things, it is advisable to take a tour of Boracay. There is really not much left to do since the check-in time is at 2:00PM, but you can stroll around the shoreline of Boracay and explore the different shops in it. If this is your first time to visit the island then you would definitely love to stroll around the island of Boracay. Just a reminder, you would want to apply sunblock and wear sunglasses and even hats. This is a great time to take photos of the beach and the surrounding area. There are also sand castles almost everywhere created by the locals. You'll meet several locals offering tour packages, you can check the rates now and maybe reserve one for tomorrow. Take a swim on the beach and enjoy its cool, clear waters. Dinner is not a problem as there are several restaurants nearby and since you are located in Station 2, finding a good restaurant with good food is easy. Since Isla Gecko is near D'Mall you can try several restaurants there like Cyma, Ole, Aria, Lemon Café and Hama. If you want to enjoy the night, you can ask the locals or your hotel staff for any events or concerts in the area. If you can't find one, no worry since Boracay will always have a party at night. It is almost always that you will feel tired by the end of the day, which is due to your trip and the stroll.

Day 2

Island Hopping Tour – this is probably one of the most popular tours in Boracay. You get to explore the different beaches and parts of Boracay while riding in a Bangka boat. You can swim in the clear water, snorkel and simply enjoy the scenery. You could even see a boatman who is selling refreshments to the tourists. These can be ice cream, buko juice, mineral water and other drinks. A tour for a group of 1-6 persons can cost Php2500 and you will be out on the sea for three hours. There is also an option of a four hour tour which includes a seafood lunch and alcoholic drinks like rum and beer. This costs Php1500 per person.

Just a reminder, you should know what time your tour will start so you can have an early breakfast. You will have to inform the hotel staff of your early breakfast so they can cook in advance. Enjoy lunch at Fridays with rates of Php400 per person. This is located in Station 1 and you can enjoy a buffet with salads, pasta and 8 main dishes. The rate of Fridays can be expensive but it is worth it since their restaurant is located beachfront allowing you to feel the cool air of the sea. They have different international theme nights and great ala carte options of steak, seafood, pasta and more. Their famous barbecue and grill buffet is held every Friday. Helmet Diving – ever heard of the underwater wedding? The helmet diving or reef walking makes it possible for people to get married under the water. You can experience this here in Boracay without having to get a marriage license. Helmet diving is a famous activity in Boracay. This is a safe way to dive and marvel the beauty of underwater. You can go down as deep to 10 feet and walk freely. There is a supply of fresh oxygen and a dive master will be at your aid all the time. Helmet diving is actually a cheaper alternative to scuba diving. You can even rent an underwater camera to capture the moment. The rate per person ranges from Php500- Php600 with a speedboat ride from the shoreline of Boracay to the helmet diving spot and back to the shoreline. These activities can be really tiring and can drain your energy. A quick snack at Jonah's Fruit Shake and Snack Bar can quench your thirst. This is located in Station 1 and they drinks and meals are reasonably priced. A massage is a good way to pamper yourself and relieve your sore muscles. This service is not hard to find in Boracay, you can even request one from your hotel. The beachfront also has several roaming massage therapists on beach chairs and will give you a massage right on the beach. A whole body massage can cost Php300. If you still have some energy left, you can visit D'Talipapa and buy some fresh seafood like shrimp and crabs. You can request your hotel to cook the food for you with an additional fee. This can be a cheaper alternative when compared to dining out in restaurants. If you are not yet ready to call it a night, you can go out clubbing in different bars of Boracay. Club Paraw parties all night long with hip hop and house music. This bar is located in Station 1 of the Boracay Island. Day 3 Beach lovers can't get enough of the water activities in Boracay. There are still many activities that can fill your day with fun and excitement. Banana Boat Ride - Banana Boat Ride is a 15 minute ride on an inflatable banana like raft. The boat is pulled by a motorboat at high speeds, but the passengers are safe with a lifejacket in case they fell off the boat. This is exhilarating and fun and can cost around Php150 per person for a minimum of 4. This is a great water activity for the whole family as kids will love the thrill of high speed banana boat. There are so many water sports activities that you, your family and friends will truly enjoy. Parasailing is just one of them. Jet Ski and flying fish are also great activities in the beach. You will also enjoy kayaking especially during the sunset since sunset in Boracay is fabulous. This is even romantic for a couple to do while they are in Boracay. You can eat lunch at Steakhouse Boracay. They offer good food at reasonable prices and you can eat on their veranda and feel the rush of cold air. Aside from water activities, there are land-based activities that can be found in Boracay. The new activity which is Zorb makes you the feel the rush of an amusement ride. You will be strapped into a giant inflated ball and roll down to the White Beach. This is located in Yapak and can cost Php400 per person. Aside from water activities, there are land-based activities that can be found in Boracay. The new activity which is Zorb makes you the feel the rush of an amusement ride. You will be strapped into a giant inflated ball and roll down to the White Beach. This is located in Yapak and can cost Php400 per person. There are activities both land and water based that spells luxury. If you have the funds for these luxury and quite expensive activities, then you should try them. The Dive Safari is not just a normal scuba diving, here you can discover and explore the underwater. You will also get to be a certified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). The rates can range from Php1600 to Php20000 per person. Luxury sailing is also another activity that you can try. Their packages range from Php2500 to Php5000 per person. Indiana Jones Eco-Tour will take you to the other parts of Boracay aside from the beach and white sand. You will get to enter and explore Nabas which is believed as the longest cave in the Philippines. Then take a dip in the Natural Cold Springs of Hurom-Hurom. Unwind and relax in this natural setting with lush rainforest as the backdrop. Lunch is a feast of barbecue dishes and cold refreshments. Back to White Beach, you can make your stay unforgettable by having a henna tattoo. This is a temporary tattoo on any part of your body and usually comes off in 2 weeks time. Noel's Studio Tattoo is a famous tattoo studio in Boracay. For dinner, you can try the Indian cuisine at True Food. This is located Station 2 just south of D'Mall. A good Indian meal in a warm and cozy environment can make you feel relaxed after a long day of activities. A Sri Lankan master chef will make sure that the food you order is cooked to perfection. Just sit back and relax in their soft pillows, enjoy your dinner with Indian music playing in the background. Your last night in Boracay can be spent perfectly by watching the fire dancers perform. This is a group of artists that use fire pois and perform awesome stunts. Day 4 Your last day in Boracay can be spent shopping in different stalls located at D'Mall. Here you can find great souvenirs for you and your family. If you have good haggling skills, you can get the products at a lower price. Boracay is truly a place to enjoy, relax and unwind. Their different activities are geared into making the vacation of their tourists memorable. When staying Boracay, you must have extra cash with you aside from your budget. On your next visit to Boracay, you must try other locations and activities to explore and get to know the island.                        Source: My Philippines Lifestyles,

Rizal, Bonifacio and Aquino lead poll on genuine heroes

Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. are the top three people considered by Filipinos as “genuine” heroes, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed. The SWS survey, released Friday, was conducted from March 4 to 7, 2011. Respondents were asked the question, “Sino-sino po ang mga taong kinikilala ninyong tunay na bayaning Pilipino? Maaari po kayong magbanggit ng hanggang limang tao. [ Who are the persons whom you consider a genuine Filipino hero? You can name at up to five persons.]” No list of names were provided to the respondents, the SWS said. The top 3 responses were:

• Jose Rizal (75%)
• Andres Bonifacio (34%)
• Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. (20%)

They were followed by:

• Cory Aquino (14%)
• Apolinario Mabini (14%)
• Emilio Aguinaldo (11%)
• Ferdinand Marcos (5.1%)
• Ramon Magsaysay (4.3%)
• Manuel L. Quezon (3.8%)
• Lapu Lapu (3.7%)

Other names that came up were:

• Melchora Aquino (3.2%),
• Marcelo H. Del Pilar (3.0%),
• Noynoy Aquino (2.9%),
• Emilio Jacinto (2.8%),
• Manny Pacquiao (2.6%),
• Gabriela Silang (2.6%),
• Gregorio Del Pilar (2.2%),
• Juan Luna (1.9%),
• Manuel Roxas (1.8%),
• Joseph Estrada (1.8%),
• Diosdado Macapagal (1.6%), and
• Fernando Poe Jr. (1.6%).

Rizal was named by a majority of Filipinos across geographic areas and social classes, while Bonifacio and Ninoy consistently followed. The SWS said the survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The survey’s sampling error is ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages. “The survey item on persons considered to be genuine Filipino heroes is not commissioned, but is done on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service,” the organization said.
Source: ABS-CBN News

A Visit To The Philippine National Hero's Ancestral Home

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, Philippine National Hero, hailed from Calamba, Laguna. His ancestral home in the said locality now poses as a museum which houses the family's memorabilia and some surviving possessions.

Visiting our national hero's place of origin brings a feeling of pride and a sense of patriotism. In my mind, I was saying, "Wow, Jose Rizal used to step on this floor, lie on that bed and eat on that table! Yes ... the one who gave his life for our country by getting shot by firing squad." It reminded me of the heroism that flowed through our ancestors' blood and I wondered if our generation still has it in ours.

The structure is one that we can expect of an old Spanish-time house of an upper-class family. However, (on the lighter side,) I could not help but manage a smile when I saw the toilet. It made me realize how long ago it was when Rizal had lived because of the primitiveness of the facility they used for answering to the call of nature (hehe.)

How The Philippines Looked Like A Century Ago

"Old Philippines 1898-1930 Second Edition sa pag-awit ni Conching Rosal" - That was how Youtube user junevi2000 put the title of this particular video on Youtube. When you watch the video, you cannot help but feel nostalgic and sentimental, and yet, it leaves you wondering how different it was in those years. The video features a collection of photographs by one Alfredo Villanueva, showing some of the most popular places in the Philippines between the years 1898 and 1930, namely :

• Intramuros
• Fort Santiago
• Pasig River
• Escolta
• Calle Cayetano, Binondo Manila
• Binondo Church
• Ermita
• La Insular (Cigarette) Factory, Manila
• Compania General de Tobacos de Filipinas, Manila (1920-1930)
• Luneta
• Plaza de Cervantes, Maynila, 1899
• Plaza Carlos III Maynila, Circa 1900
• Tutuban Station
• San Juan Bridge
• Santa Cruz
• San Sebastian Church
• Sto Domingo Church
• Church of Paete, Laguna
• Pampanga
• Malolos, Bulacan
• Calle Real, Iloilo, Panay
• Cebu Bay
• Pardo, Cebu
• San Nicolas, Cebu
• Custom House, Cebu
• Tagbilaran, Bohol
• Davao in Mindanao

The pictures also exhibit the attire of our people during those times. The influence of our Spanish colonizers is very evident from the way they dressed. It is like watching a period movie, but more authentic. There was also great emphasis on the background music played on the video. The uploader made extra effort in including a lengthy biography of the singer, Conching Rosal in the description of the video. The songs performed by Ms. Rosal here were "Kundiman ng Magandang Diwata" and "Mutya ng Pasig". Conching Rosal was one of the greatest Filipino Sopranos of all time, whose musical and theatrical career spanned thirty years. Some of her most memorable achievements include the Opera "Madame Butterfly" (1967), "Aida" and the lead role in the Zarzuela "Ang Kiri".