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.

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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.

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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!

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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?

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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.

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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/

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The Hundred Islands National Park (Pangasinan: Kapulo-puloan or Taytay-Bakes) is in the province of Pangasinan in northern Philippines. It is located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. The islands (124 at low tide and 123 at high tide) are scattered along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of 1,844 hectares (4,556.62 acres). They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.

Trivia

* One of the islands was named ‘Rated K Island’ after a Philippine TV programme.
* The town Anda, located north-east of Alaminos City, is often called the “mother island” of the Hundred Islands.
* The Pinoy Big Brother had another house in Hundred Islands. It was located on Governor Island and was first used by the Teen Edition housemates.

Superstitions

* When it is your first time to visit the place, people believe that kissing the statue of Princess Urduja would protect you before riding the boat on your way to the islands

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So this isn’t the usual “getaway” destination post.. While I was browsing the net looking for nice pictures and popular tourist destination, this lovely picture came up!

When I saw that photo, the first few words that came to my mouth except for the word “WOW” is “I never thought Ortigas to be like this!” Yes, call me an ignorant but I have never seen (or atleast notice) Ortigas being as lovely as shown in the picture. Or maybe because I haven’t been on that tower to have that view. But whoever took that picture, LUCKY YOU!

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Pamalican is a small island in the Sulu Sea Quiniluban group of the Cuyo islands, between Palawan and Panay, in the north part of the Palawan province of the Philippines. The island is set in the middle of a 7 square-kilometer coral reef. It has a length of 2.5 kilometers, and measures only 500 meters at its widest point.

The island was originally exploited as a struggling family-owned plantation. It was then purchased to establish an exclusive resort, re-planted with natural scrub and trees, and equipped with bungalows. The island is private property and belongs in totality to the resort. It is part of the high-end Aman group of resorts, under the name Amanpulo.

The island is serviced by a Dornier 228-202K plane flying from Manila, which is used to ferry customers and to bring supplies to the resort. Each bungalow (called casitas) comes with a personal buggy for free circulation throughout the island. The atmosphere around the island is extremely tranquil and secluded.

Diving activities are available, allowing for nice coral viewing and encounters with large turtles and rays. Several windsurf boards and sails are provided at the “Windsurf hut” on the north shore. The shallow protected lagoon there allows for easy windsurfing on a flat surface, and is especially favourable during the northern monsoon season (November to May), when the wind blows onshore.

About 40% of the employees are from the neighbouring island of Manamoc.

The resort has been nominated as one of the best island resorts in the world.

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Malapascua Island is situated in Daanbantayan, Cebu.
It is a recent discovery for diving afficionados being discovered only in the early 90s. It is a tiny island 8 kilometers across a shallow strait from the northernmost tip of mainland Cebu island.

Logon, an insular barangay of Daanbantayan occupies the entire Malapascua Island and has eight hamlets.

Malapascua is actually a diver’s paradise. The island was discovered for its wide white sandy “BOUNTY BEACH” and later furthermore for its beautiful coral gardens and excellent dive spots nearby. The first resort to locate in the island was not a diving facility, it was “Cocobana Bounty Beach Resort”. Later a tourist diver discovered the sunken Island “Monad Shoal” where you can watch Thresher Sharks, the only place in the world to watch Tresher Sharks! Today, the majority of the resorts offer full-service dive facilities. In fact more than half of the visitors to the island are divers and dive afficionados.

Bounty Beach is the name of a stretch of beach along the southern and eastern shore. It is the main beach of the island where most of the upscale resorts are found. Cocobana Beach Resort, the largest on the island, the pricey yet exquisite Sunsplash Resort, Hippocampus Resort and also the finest so called “hidden secret of Malapascua” the MANGROVE ORIENTAL Beach Resort are some of the popular resorts that offer excellent accommodations and dining options. Number one from the dive resorts is Dicks “Malapascua EXOTIC Dive and Beach resort”. He was the one who made Malapascua the worlds most known Thresher Shark diving place. Most passenger boats to and from Cebu land at Bounty Beach.

Most of the islanders derive their livelihood from tourism and some get their daily sustenance from the bounty of the sea.

The Island of Malapascua is one of the many places in Daanbantayan that is famous for swimming — snorkeling — diving – fishing – sailing – boating — exploring – and just relaxing.

Local boats that can be rented in the Malapascua / Daanbantayan area, can take visitors to other nearby islands which generally remain unspoilt, such as Carnassa, Kalangaman/Calanggaman, Kanatarken(?), Gato, Chocolate Island — and others

Getting to Malapascua Island is a 4-hour bus trip from the Cebu North Bus Terminal passing through picturesque northern towns of Cebu to Maya, Daanbantayan, the northernmost point of Cebu mainland. Upon arrival at the Maya wharf, motorized outrigger boats will take visitors to the Malapascua island across the narrow channel in 30 minutes or so, depending on the weather condition. The trip frequency to the island takes every 30 minutes for 24 hours, starting 9:00 am for the first boat and 4:00 pm for the last boat. But the trip back to the mainland usually stops at 3:00/4:00 in the afternoon. It can happen that no boat goes back to Maya in the afternoon, cause boats go only if enough passengers are available. In this case one has to try to rent a boat by a so called special trip that costs you about 600-800 Php!!

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