The Philippines, with the over 7000 islands that comprise them, can easily boast that they are one of the best scuba diving vacation sites in the world. Low cost rentals and inexpensive food costs allows them to also claim to be one of the world’s most cost effective scuba diving vacation destinations.

There is a place, North Pandan Island, located off the west coast of Mindoro Island that is one of the better kept secrets of the scuba diving world. Since it is a bit off the beaten path, it has not been over developed and it is not over-run with scuba diving enthusiasts and yet scuba diving is its main attraction.

There are coral gardens and drop-offs at many sites in the Philippines and the marine life is everything that a scuba diving enthusiast could hope for. Sea snakes, turtles, sting rays, mantas, barracudas, garoupa, schools of jacks, white sharks, black tip sharks, white tip sharks, and even lionfish and scorpionfish abound.

For wreck diving scuba enthusiasts the Philippines offer an abundance of such dive sites. Subic Bay, which is closest to Manila, has seven wreck dive sites and Anilao has 36 wreck sites. There are many wreck sites all over the Philippines and there are over-night excursions to sites that are located further from the coastline.

Scuba diving lessons are offered at many dive shops in the Philippines and there are many expert instructors, as well.

The Philippine Islands are an excellent choice as the destination for a scuba diving vacation. There are so many wonderful dive sites that will allow you to see and photograph a wide variety of marine life and there are, also, many wreck sites to capture the imagination of wreck diving enthusiasts. Add to that the low cost of rental cottages and food and you have a win/win plan!

Technorati Tags: Philippines, Philippines Travel Tips, Philippines vacations, scuba diving, diving, scuba, wreck diving, Subic Bay, North Pandan Island, Mindoro Island, Manilla, Anilao, Manilla travel tips, Manilla vacations, Mindoro, North Pandan, Subic

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

The St. Jerome Parish Church in Morong Rizal is a 17th-century church constructed wholly through donations by the town residents. It features the work of Chinese craftsmen and has a four-storey octagonal belltower.

A popular attraction in Morong Rizal is the Spanish-era St. Jerome’s Parish Church. Located in Brgy. San Jose, Morong Rizal, St. Jerome Parish Church is one of the remnants of the grandeur and spirit of the colonial period. Nothing in our Western culture now is similar to its neo-Baroque style.

Originally built in 1615 by Chinese craftsmen, the church survived natural disasters and the tumultuous Spanish regime, with its walls standing witness to the Katipuneros who were captured and executed there. Sitting majestically on a hill overlooking the river, the Morong Church is truly a cultural icon, an edifice of the Christian faith, and a cradle of their architectural heritage.

Its new belfry was integrated with the old three-storey facade, thus becoming one of the most well-composed architectures in colonial Philippines. Be sure to add this gorgeous church to your list of must-see travel sites when visiting the area!

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

The picture below is called Lake Maughan, which can be found in T’boli, South Cotabato. Lake Maughan in T’boli is part of the approximately 50,000 hectares area proposed to be set aside as provincial park and wildlife sanctuary.

According to my friend Lloyd (who took the pictures), it has a first class national road, you can either use a 4 wheel drive or a motorcycle to get there, then about 3 hours non-stop walk (hiking) to get to the actual lake. He also said it is not advisable to go there during rainy season because of the slippery paths. (Tip: Rainy season in Tboli, South Cotabato is unidentified, so if you know anyone who lives there, I suggest you ask them about the current weather before going.)

More pictures below :

Photos © PinoyGetaway.com. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Described as the last frontier, Palawan is dedicated to eco-tourism with stunning subterranean caves, unexplored dive sites, unspoiled beaches and verdant tropical jungles for trekkers.

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Rizal is located in the eastern portion of Metro Manila. It is bounded on the north by Bulacan, on the southwest by Cavite, on the east by Quezon Province and on the south by Laguna de Bay.

The province was named after the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal. It originally consisted of 26 municipalities - 14 from old Manila and 12 from Morong. In 1975, the newly created Metro Manila incorporated the 12 towns of Las Piñas, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Taguig, Pateros, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Malabon, Navotas, Pasig and Marikina. The remaining 14 towns were left to Rizal.

Rizal Province has large tracts of unspoiled forests and offers breathtaking views of Metro Manila and Laguna de Bay from the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. In the early 90’s, the province became the focus of international attention, with the discovery of the Petroglyph artifacts in the mountainsides of Angono and Binangonan The Petroglyphs are a unique form of rock-art which are believed to be carved by hand and mortar during the Stone Age.

Antipolo City, the province’s capital and largest town, is also its religious and tourism center. Thousands of devotees flock in a month-long pilgrimage to the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage enshrined in the Antipolo Cathedral. The neighboring towns of Antipolo also have impressive churches like the St. Jerome Church in Morong, Boso-Boso Ruin Church and the Baras and Tanay Churches.

Rizal is also the hometown of many famous artists whose works are exhibited in numerous galleries in Angono and Binangonan such as the Rafael Pacheco Finger Painting Gallery, Nemiranda Arthouse and Artelier Gallerie, Vicente Manansala Historical Landmark, Tiamson and Blanco Art Galleries and the Angono Artist Village.

Like other provinces, Rizal has its own share of religious festivities. In Angono, the Carabao Festival is held in celebration of the Feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The townspeople pay a special tribute to the farmers’ best friend, the carabaos. This festivity features a procession of carabao-pulled carts decorated with flowers, a carabao race across rice fields, and a priest blessing the kneeling beasts.

You can get to Rizal by jeep or by bus. Jeepneys bound for the different towns in Rizal are available near Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City and EDSA Crossing in Mandaluyong. Regular buses to Antipolo are available in Divisoria while Angono-bound buses are available at the EDSA Shaw Bouleward Terminal in Mandaluyong.

FACTS
Region: 4
Capital: Antipolo
City: Antipolo
Land Area: 1,860 sq. kms
Number of Towns: 14
1. Baras
2. Montalban
3. San Mateo
4. Cainta
5. Taytay
6. Angono
7. Antipolo
8. Binangonan
9. Teresa
10. Morong
11. Cardona
12. Tanay
13. Pililla
14. Jala-Jala

CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SHRINEs
Baras Church, Baras - Has an altar and lecterns that are stone artifacts unearthed from beneath the church.

Boso-Boso Ruin Church, Antipolo - A remnant of a centuries-old church that was destroyed during World War II.
St. Jerome Church, Morong - Built in 1615 by Chinese craftsmen as evidenced by the Chinese lion sculptures in the entrance. Made of stone and mortar with a three-story facade and an octagonal bell tower.

Tanay Church, Tanay - Has five altars with rococo designs and Stations of the Cross made of wooden sculptures.

Our Lady of Antipolo Shrine, Antipolo - This miraculous icon is said to have saved several Spanish galleons from British, Dutch and pirate attacks.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Calinawan Cave, Tanay - Served as a shelter and a hideaway from the Japanese during World War II.

Daranak/Batlag Falls, Tanay - Daranak Falls is 14-meters in height and stands majestically beneath a running stream. The smaller cascades are called the Batlag Falls.

Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo - It used to be a popular mountain resort with the waterfalls as main attraction.

Petroglyph Artifacts, Angono and Binangonan - A recent archeological breakthrough of the ‘90’s found in the mountainside of Angono and Binangonan. The Petroglyphs were validated by the National Museum, the UNESCO and KOMOS as one of the oldest in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Department of Tourism in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, is now engaged in the development of the site, the protection of the walls from damage caused by man and the elements, and the construction of viewing and rest areas.

Ugong Falls, Morong - A peaceful scenery that offers spectacular views of the Falls, the Laguna Lake and the town of Morong.

Wawa Dam, Montalban - Located at the foot of Sierra Madre Mountains and surrounded by limestone hills. It supplies water to Novaliches passing through large pipes.

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Uugong Falls located in Sitio Butig, Brgy. Bongbongan, Morong. It is a quite place to breathe fresh air and enjoy a three-in-one view of the Uugong Falls on one side, the Laguna lake on the other, and the town of Morong with its four century-old bell tower.

This is also the place where Rafael Pacheco, one of the internationally known finger painters, conducts his art workshops, demonstrations and lectures. He assembles scenes mentally then executes his art through his bare knuckles, fingers and palms.

I don’t really know the entrance fees and the cottage fees, they always let us in for free - Rafael Pacheco’s son is my dad’s “kumpare” and is also my Ninong.
How to get there : Heading from Morong to Cardona, a little before the end of the long straight road, turn right and drive up the hill.

Will post pictures later.

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

About an hour away from where I live you can find Daranak Falls in Tanay. Daranak Falls nestles quietly at the foot of the Tanay mountains, preserved with the natural vegetation, complemented with beautiful waterfalls, ponds, and rivers cascading through elaborate tropical trees and plants. This 14-meter high falls is truly a refreshing site. A short walk over the top of Daranak are smaller, cascading streams known as Batlag Falls. It is located at Bgy. Tandang Kutyo in the town of Tanay. The place has been transformed into a public park/resort operated by the government.

I’d been here twice, but I don’t think I should consider the first one - we went there just for a sight. Yes, it is a pity to know that the first time I got there - I was already 17 years old! I am 21 years old now, so that’s about 4 years ago since I last been there.

OK, kill me - I don’t really remember what month we went there, but I remember there are lots and lots of people - that you wouldn’t want to dip into the water. But we were able to find this what we so-called “our little jakuzzi”, surrounded with big stones, running water, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than there during those moments!

We paid P20 for the entrance fee - we got there at around three in the afternoon, and they said they were closing at 5pm, I think that’s the main reason why they let us in without paying for a cottage (while my other friend said it’s really your choice if you want to get one or not). It might have sound weird for us not getting a cottage, but do you really think a 17 year old girls who loves to have fund wouldn’t do anything? Ofcourse, we get ourselves a cottage even if we didn’t pay for one! lol The owners don’t mind it anyway, we didn’t get a big cottage, it was located near the falls and I can truly say that we got one of the best spot!

How to get there :
From Manila, you can just ride a FX going to Tanay, Rizal. Then from Tanay, you can rent a jeep or a tricycle to take you to the said falls (we hired our friend’s tricycle and we paid him about 300 for the whole day service).
Entrance fee : prepared atleast 50/person. It’s been 4 years since I last been there so they probably change the entrance fee already - talking about VATS!

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

A white beach resort located in Barangay Ilihan, Cauayan, (before Sipalay) Negros Occidental, Philippines attracts divers and the “jet set” crowd. It is considered a paradise sanctuary by most tourists. Below are pictures of the said resort found on their website - Punta Bulata.

With this amazing scenery, who wouldn’t want to get there?

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

Bohol is located in the heart of Central Visayas. The island of Bohol is the 10th largest island in the Philippines. Bohol is situated 803 km south of Manila and 79 km southeast of Cebu. Bohol is known to the world because of its heritage, white sand beach resorts, natural attraction and world class dive sites.

Bohol is an island paradise in the Central Visayas region. Bohol is one of the tourist destination here in the Philippines. Bohol is an awesome beauty because of its natural attractions like the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, majestic falls, caves and white sandy beaches and crystal blue sea waters. Bohol is rich in cutural and historical heritage like centuries old churches, towers and historical landmarks.

Bohol is also popular because this paradise island is a scuba diving haven. It is known to have some of the best diving in the Philippines. These world class dive sites are very accessible from Bohol Island. Divers can choose between several beautifully covered steep walls, some with quite a lot of current. Diving in Bohol is all year round.

Diving in Bohol becomes better and better because some of the dive site become marine sanctuary. Adventurous divers can see variety of underwater marine life. The tropical crystal blue waters of Bohol is home to different exotic fishes and beautiful coral gardens. Bohol is a diver’s paradise and this makes Bohol one of the best place to spend our vacation getaway.

How to get there :
Flight to Cebu from Manila and fast ferry to Tagbilaran. Transfers to dive sites are up to 1 hr by road or sea from there.

Famous Diving Sites in Bohol Philippines :
Cabilao Island: Dive site in this island has a depth of 20 to 50m and the current can be fierce. This island is located northwest corner of Bohol and can be reached from Alona or from Mactan Island to the north. A lighthouse can be found in the northwestern tip. Beautiful coral gardens, gorgonians, crinoids and soft corals makes this site so amazing. Marvelous underwater marine life can be found in this site like schools of hammerhead sharks, wrasses, barracuda, jacks, mackerel, groupers and tuna. Drift diving is best in the southern side of the island where a wall of 40m descends. The wall is very beautiful with many gorgones and sea-fans hard corals. You will find sea cucumbers, sea stars and anemones.

Some of the beautiful and amazing dive sites in this island are Lighthouse, Cambakis Point and South point.

Panglao Island: This island is known because of the world class white sand beach resorts, crystal blue waters and dive sites. There are a number of beautiful and amazing dive site that can be found here in the south side Panglao Island and these are Alona Beach Sanctuary, Kalipayan and Bohol Beach Club. The coral gardens are spectacular and beautiful variety of underwater marine life like scorpionfish, lionfish, batfish, moray eels and sea snakes can be seen in here.

The dive sites that can be found on the northwest tip of the Panglao Island are Doljo Beach, Napaling and Puntod. These site are deep and the currents are strong. These dive sites are known for its steep wall and slopes. The gorgonians are impressive and there is a multitude of small marine life. Beautiful and exotic marine life can be found in here like sharks, morays, sea snakes, barracuda and jacks are common.

Balicasag Island: This Island is the best dive site in the visayas. This island is located 10 km southwest of Panglao. This island is also impressive and beautiful because it is surrounded by a coral reef that is good for both diving and snorkelling. There is approximately 400 marine sanctuary on the southern side that is truely spectacular. Walls, drop-offs and overhangs can be found at the sanctuary. Scenic view of marine life can be seen in here like soft and hard corals with anemones, sponges, crinoids and feather stars. Divers will also encounter barracuda, jacks, groupers and batfish. Dive sites in here are ideal for photography.

Stunning dive sites that can be found in this island are Balicasag Black Forest, Balicasag Fish Sanctuary, Balicasag Diver’s Heaven and Balicasag Rudy’s Rock.

Pamilacan Island: This island is located 3 km east of Balicasag and is also named as “resting place of mantas”. Marine sanctuaryu can be found in the northwestern side of the island. Impressive beautiful corals are form and in coral formatiions, you can see anemones, sea fans and sponges. On the south of Pamilacan lies the Snake island also known as Cervera Shoal. This is a sunken island with a sea mount rising to 15m. This island is covered with corals. Marine life like whitetip sharks, butterflyfish, scorpionfish and surgeons can be seen in here.

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

BelleviewRock Resort is a whole new concept of a Philippines diving resort, new in its establishment. It’s ideally situated in Tawala, Panglao Island Bohol Philippines. Panglao, with its warm and turquoise blue tropical waters, laid back scenery and tranquil surrounding is even made more subtle and better with BelleviewRock’s existence. Adding to this wonderful co-existence, BelleviewRock Resort will definitely make your stay in Panglao Bohol Philippines even more worthwhile. Facing southwards from the resort is the scenic view of the wide and panoramic Mindanao Sea. Erstwhile on the East comes the beautiful and magnificent view of the sunrise every morning.

As dusk slowly sweeps in the lazy afternoon across the place, take few steps going Westside of the resort and enjoy the romantic and endearing site of the Sunset. All these breathe taking moments, the gentle breeze of the ocean and the sumptuous meals available round the clock from the exquisitely managed restaurant are just some of the things that we show as our way of extending our warm hospitality to all our guests. BelleviewRock compliments this magnificent place by putting up a swimming pool that accentuates the uniqueness of the place, carefully designing it to become a part of the place not an addiction. The pool will pamper you with an infinite view of the horizon, while sipping the delightful cocktail drinks from one of the submerged seats beside the round pool bar. Beneath the resort, an intricate and carefully patched stairway leads to a quiet, clean and solitude environment of a shallow underwater nature perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. A place where there is absolute privacy and freedom. A place for you. Come and enjoy a place that will take your breath away.

source : http://www.belleviewrock.com/

Twitter This

Usuario: Password: