Pagudpud

Pagudpud (PAH GOOD POOD) is an enormous place to visit if you're looking for the comparatively perfect charms of the Philippines. Pagudpud is a wide and beautiful town on the northwest tip of Ilocos Norte, Luzon, bounded to the south by the town of Bangui and to the east by the Cordillera Mountain Range, the town of Adams and the province of Cagayan. The South China Sea lies to the west and north.

It is considered the largest island in the Philippines. The hills and mountains are luxuriant, the valleys productive. It lies 45 miles north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and about 350 miles north of Manila -- about the equal distance between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Creeks, streams and waterfalls splash the landscape and spill into the South China Sea. All around, the ocean and sky are awash in varying shades of blue.

Pagudpud Beach, 2 hours north of Laoag City, has powder-white sand, but it's hard to tell which is bluer: the sky or the sea. While you are making up your mind, you might also consider a stop in Pasuquin, where the famous biscocho (Ilocos biscuit) is a favorite take-home delicacy for local visitors. But don't forget to check your watch, for while you play in the waters of Pagudpud, you may not notice how much time you have spent on these delightful shores, which are at the very tip of Luzon Island.

Panglao Island

Panglao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. It is an island situated in the Central Visayas, particularly located southwest of the island of Bohol and in the east of Cebu. Politically, it is divided into two municipalities: Dauis and Panglao, both Bohol Province. Panglao is well-known for its world class diving locations and many tourist resorts.

The island is one of the most diverse and attractive destinations in the Philippines. It is an anchor tourist destination and one of the 7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago.

It is a small island known for its quiet beach resorts and several great wide variety of dive sites. It has everything - the reefs, several kinds of corals, walls, big and small fishes, starfishes, and other life forms under the sea. You can find good snorkeling around the northwest and southeast coasts. This area is filled with lots of sea stars, sea snakes and corals. The area has been the center of seashell trade.

It is said that the Spanish explorers who came to this island in 1803 named it Panglao after the world 'mapanglao', meaning 'lonesome place'. It is also one of the old towns of Bohol. It is of historical meaning that it was the place where the Spaniards went after an unfortunate experience in Cebu.

Camiguin Island

CAMIGUIN is a small pear-shaped volcanic island with a total land area of 238 sq. kilometers in the north west coast of Mindanao. It lies 10 kilometers off the coast of the Province of Misamis Oriental. Along with the Provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, CAMIGUIN forms part of a geopolitical grouping of provinces comprising Region X or Northern Mindanao. In terms of land area, CAMIGUIN is only around 2 percent of Region X.

CAMIGUIN ISLAND is said to be "Born of Fire". It has been known as a volcanic island since it has seven volcanoes unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia and one of the volcanoes there has been unpredictably active which is the Mt. Hibok-hibok. Volcanic eruptions and land movements have created this spectacular island full of natural wonders and historical riches.

Mt Hibok-hibok plunged Camiguin’s old capital, Bombon, in 1871 and throttled almost 2000 inhabitants from its raging eruption in 1951. Since then, the volcano rested quietly giving its residents an assurance of normal living. And due to its volcanic wreckage from previous eruptions, most of Camiguin’s beaches are covered with pebbles and dark sand.

As an island of varied ecosystem, CAMIGUIN'S uniqueness lies in its various landscape, pristine natural environment and rural setting. As a matter of fact, the Province has been identified by the Department of Tourism as one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the Philippines, and No. 7 diving spot in the world.

It is a tiny island of luxuriant forests, volcanic grandeur, eternal hot and cold natural springs, pristine patches of black and white beaches, majestic waterfalls, exotic marine life, blue-ridge mountains, tranquil surroundings, idyllic lifestyle; it has a glorious past, and is inhabited with jovial people. The truth is, CAMIGUIN is best experienced than described as one gets enchanted by her mystical charm. It really has amazing natural resources and peaceful atmosphere that stir and baffle the minds of everyone.

CAMIGUIN is believed to be one of the Philippines's most beautiful island - a virtual paradise - as the island allows visitors to experience a sample of untouched beauty in its entirety. CAMIGUIN generally has good weather with seasonal rain showers enhancing its fresh green environment. Fine weather is guaranteed from April to June, while the coolest is from November to January. Locked in the eternal embrace of the sea, CAMIGUIN continues its simple existence sheltered from and unfazed by the virulent pressures of today's accelerated lifestyles.

Dakak

The Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Zamboanga del Norte is wll known and popular because of its powdery white sand beach and prestine rystal clear blue waters. This world class beach resort of Dakak is also known because of its beautifully shaped cove white sand beach. Dakak beach resort is also a diving mecca in Mindanao.

Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Zamboanga is a perfect vacation getaway for local and foreign tourist. Picture out yourself in a beautifl tropical island strolling on a magnificent pristine crystal turquoise blue waters in a powdery white sand beach, with a landscape of a beautiful shaped island cove out to deeper blue waters. Lay yourself in a hammock and looking at the sunset horizon under lush native trees and hear the waves that clash quietly against the shore. This is the kind of relaxing moment that you are looking for. And this is one of the pleasures that Dakak Beach Resort in Zamboanga offers to local and foreign tourist.

Dakak Park and Beach Resort boast of 15 heactares of wooden land, a natural reservoir for native plants and animals, providing the ideal setting for a 750 meter private beach blanketed with powdery white sand. This beatiful beach resort is situated on the tip of Nothern Zamboanga in Mindanao where it faces the Sulu Sea in the west and is surrounded by mountains on its east side. This is why it has a beautiful landscape that is so inviting. Dumaguete in Negros, Cebu and Bohol can be found on the north side of Dakak. To its south side is the Mindanao Mainland with Borneo and Sarawak beond the Celebes Sea.

Local and foreign tourist can visit or have their vacation getaway all season in Dakak because it of the large islands that conveniently encircled around and evades the typhoon belt. In this, Dakak makes one of the perfect all-season vacation destination here in the Philippines.

Puerto Galera

This coastal town is well known among tourists for its numerous pocket beaches and many snorkeling and diving spots. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia. The marine environment has benefited in recent years from the influx of tourist dollars. This has seen a huge reduction in the number of fishermen in the area, as they gain higher revenue from tourists.

Among the famous beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach. Both have extensive beaches with first-class or economy-class accommodations and an active night life with their numerous beach-side bars and restaurants. Sabang beach is the main destination for foreign tourists, while White Beach remains popular with local travelers. Since 2001 White beach has seen uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to stay are rapidly encroaching on the beach itself and little remains of the once charming beach. Puerto Galera town is a pleasant but sleepy Philippine town with few attractions. It has a large central catholic church and a Pier area, with a selection of bistros and cafes.

Behind the beaches are the huge and generally unexplored mountain ranges of central Mindoro. A particular local attraction is the nine hole golf course perched on the hillside above White Beach which commands spectacular views over Puerto Galera's natural harbor and the Verde Island Passage. Mangyan tribes are scattered over the mountains sides - some of the more remote tribes have no contact with the outside world. Of the eight tribes on Mindoro, the Iraya are the largest. They are based in the Puerto Galera area.

Puerto Galera has become the top diving destination in the Philippines. Excellent diving is found less than 5 minutes from the Sabang area. The diving generally focuses around the areas either side of Escarceo Point which is famous for its current rips. Strong currents are a feature of the diving in Puerto Galera and it is good advice to employ the services of an experienced local guide or dive centre. There are upwards of thirty dive sites all within a 5-10 minute banca ride from Sabang Beach. Marine life is highly diverse. 180+ species of nudibranchs are found in the area and most species of fish can be seen A variety of wrecks have been sunk over the years in addition to the one genuine wreck of an engine of a WWII Japanese patrol boat.

Puerto Galera is also one of the main [technical diving]destinations in Asia. Technical Diving International - [TDI] has many dive centers in the area, offering the full range of TDI courses from Basic [nitrox] to advanced [trimix].

Palawan

The island province of Palawan has been declared as a nature sanctuary of the world, and for good reason. It is wrapped in a mantel of rainforests, outstanding dive sites, majestic mountains, primeval caves, and pristine beaches. It is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life. It boasts of exotic flora and fauna, like the mousedeer and the scaly anteater, that are found nowhere else.

Palawan waters are among the best in the world, not only for diving but also for fishing. A diver's paradise, it has miles of sub-surface coral and rainbow reef walls which surround the coasts and coves teeming with rich marine life.

The El Nido Marine Reserve in Miniloc, El Nido, occupying an area of 96,000 hectares, is a popular nature spot in the province. It boasts of diverse ecosystems, such as rainforests, mangroves, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and limestone reefs as well as a variety of fishes, like manta ray and the sea cow or ""dugong,"" known as the world's rarest marine mammal. It is now one of the country's premier destinations, blessed with amazing natural scenery, and considered as a sanctuary for various forms of wildlife.

Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City is where the Honda Bay can be seen. The bay consists of several islets with shallow reefs, bordering fabulous beaches and small resorts which have become the favorite water sports destination of local and foreign tourists alike.

The province boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders. African animals from Kenya in Africa - giraffes and elands, zebras and gazelles – co-exist with endemic Philippine animals, like the Palawan bearcat, mousedeer and peacock (pheasant), in the Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Busuanga, considered one of the province’s most amazing sites. Another sanctuary found in Rio Tuba Village, Bataraza is the Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary. This island is a haven for birds that rest and converge two hours before sunset, after a day's flight.

Bohol

Another gem of the Visayas, Bohol’s historical significance extends way back to the blood compact between Boholano Chieftain Sikatuna and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, in 1565.

Scenic Bohol casts an enigmatic charm drawn from the many archaic mementos spread throughout the oval-shaped island: from the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier to 16th century watchtowers and Jesuit Baroque mission churches. The Chocolate Hills, all of 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, are undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction in the province. Among these hills that abound in Central Bohol, two have been developed into top-class resorts.

One of the rare faunas found in the Philippine archipelago, the Tarsier is the smallest primate in the world. It is a nocturnal primate measuring from four to five inches, with a tail that is longer than its body. Those interested in tarsier watching are always welcomed by the Boholanos to see the famous primate in its natural abode up the hills in the town of Corella.

A tropical haven of natural beauty, the coastline of the province is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. You can find some of the country’s great dive sights here. Balicasag in Bohol is one of the very best and most popular dives in the Visayas. A black coral forest is among its main attractions but virtually anywhere you drop in is sure to be rewarding. Another major attraction, Cabilao is renowned for the hammerhead sharks that shoal around the clear waters. Large pelagics are very common here, and if you are really lucky, you can find yourself swimming with a passing school of dolphins.

Legend has it that when giants live with mortals, a gentle giant fell in love with a beautiful village girl. Agoro , the giant was handsome and though a favorite among female giants, was also a loner. When everything and everybody sleeps, Arogo would sit by his favorite spot near the river to ponder or just watch the night pass by.
One night while Arogo was by his spot, he noticed a beautiful native girl with hair as black as the night by the river bank. He instantly fell in love with Aluya. After that night. Arogo would always wait by his place to take a glimpse at his beloved Aluya.
A rumor reached Arogo that Aluya would soon marry a man her parents chose for her.
The night before Aluya's wedding, Agoro kidnapped Aluya. Seeing a giant, Aluya screamed, kicked and cried, but to no avail. Arogo was successful in abducting Aluya.
In the giant's cave, Arogo tried to give Aluya food and water but the girl kept on crying. Her sadness reached her heart that she died with tears in her eyes. Arogo buried her and kept his vigil. He cried for days and months. Giant tears fell to the ground. He cried a thousand years for the loss of his love.
After sometime, Arogo's tears hardened and became what we know today as Chocolate hills. The Hills were witnesses of an unrequited love of the years go by.
Chocolate Hills dot the plains of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan. There are at least 1,776 uniform hills that leave visitors no wonder how they came to be.
One could view and even count the hills its 210 feet above the ground view deck, Climbing the 214 steps of the view deck to the top is a rewarding exercise.
Chocolate Hills is also cited as a Geological Movement of the country and is also known as the Eight Wonder of the World.