Philippines Travel ~ Weekend Lakwatsero

Pilipinas... perlas ng Silanganan

Philipines... pearl of the orient

One of the few things I love in the Philippines.
A view just in front of my previous office in Manila. Good memories of the friendship we have that after 5 long years we are still travelling together...

I don't work in a resort, I work in an Engineering firm but look at that I just have to peak at the window and it's paradise...

I will never wish to be born somewhere else but HERE in Philippines ^__^

A little history...
The Philippines has been occupied by the Spanish Empire for 333 years,British for 2 years, the United States for 48 years, and the Japanese Empire. Then there's our trading partnership with the Chinese and Indian and other countries.

With this we Filipinos have a "halo-halo" or mixed race and mixed culture. It can be a good thing and a bad thing in every individuals view point...but history is history, what important is NOW and just appreciate the positive things that we may have learned from them.

Because of this we have the Spanish/Catholic fiesta festival whole year round, we have music concerts (local and international), we have foods that is authentic Pinoy and others that have been influence by other culture.

I have been so shy that I have been eyeing to travel more places abroad rather in the Philippines.

But a series of great adventures changed this....

Me with my friends went to Palawan last November 2011 and after a few days Batad. The sound of the ocean waves, the sound of the wind in the great mountains, the good music, the falls, the rivers, everything is just so great. With that experience it is the best experience that I ever had. I never knew Philippines is so beautiful. With that I'm changed I don't need to go to another country to have an adventure. It can be an one hour away from Manila and I can experience another great adventure. And since then I have been seeing more majestic places in the Philippines as much as possible every week.

Here are some of my all time favorite photos that I and my friends took during our adventures:

This photos just screams LIFE, FUN, NATURE, ADVENTURE

This photos that I will cherish with the rest of my life. and hopefully by putting in the internet. It will be forever ^_^

Hidden Falls, Pangil, Laguna
I said raise your hands and I LOVE LIFE.

Traveling at the top of Jeep. Well you can opt to stay not in the top. But this way it is more FUN ^_^ the month that made me love Philippines more

Chocolate Hills
It looks like chocolate when it's dry season
Bohol, Cebu "The Queen of the South"

People, Jeeps, Bus, taxi, calesa(horse), LIFE strives everyday
Roxas Blvd. Pasay, Manila
Malate, the great malls, the spanish buildings and churches, the hidden garden and oasis among the city, the street foods, the gourmet foods from 5 start hotels, the balot that I myself can bear to eat,the adobo, the puto, and the list are endless

And the adventure that changed how I view about the Philippines.

El Nido,Palawan. One of my favorite photos that I personally took.

As i travel for 9 hours in a boat...my eyes where opened... LIFE is such a great thing to be a COUCH POTATO

Entrance to Puerto Princesa Underground River, New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Mt.Manalmom Bulacan
"As I gaze upon the mountains, the river, the clouds.... I felt FREEDOM"

"After lots of hardship" We declared "We are ALIVE"

The Culture

Chinese New Year in the Philippines is as loud as in China!

Manila Cathedral
Spanish Culture - present in Manila

Balloon Festival in Clark Pampanga, previous based of United Stated of America

Batad Rice Terraces, UNESCO World Heritage
Ifugao, with a native.

Spanish Era- Ride a calesa in the walled city of Intramuros

OTHER FUN things to do

Philippine International Pyromusical Competition where 11 Countries battle to be the best in Fireworks
Black Eyed Peas Dirty Bit-The Time

Caliraya Lake
Just having fun and fooling around
Laguna, Philippines just an hour away from Manila

THE MUSIC

Reggae Music in Palawan
Great foods, great music, with the sound of the sea crushing to the shore... I felt serenity.

The Simple Plan the not so Filipino music but I'm so thankful we can listen to music like this

And the not so Pinoy music yet still thankful we can experience concerts such as this.

Lots of places to go in the Philippines, lots of events, lots of things to do...Every Saturday, Sunday, and long vacation is just not enough to go to all of this events! How about you did you found any reason to go here now? I'm sure you do! Not a week will past without an adventure you can do.

...Great Nature
...Great People
...Great Food
...Great Culture
...Great Events/Festivals