HAPPY 2O1O!!!!

สวัสดีปีใหม่

happy new year everybody!!!!!!!

hope everybody's happy!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

fIErce&LoVE


HARWIN

Wish you all A Merry Christmas,
May the Joys of the season
Fill your heart with goodwill and cheer.
May the chimes of Christmas glory
Add up more shine and spread
Smiles across the miles,
To-day & In the New Year.
-Rosie Cash

Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day.
- Helen Steiner Rice

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart… filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever.
- Bess Streeter Aldrich

And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger.
- St. Luke ii.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold,
I bring you tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. – St. Luke ii

My Essay/Speech

    Travel, Pack and Enlighten...

Harwin Francis C. Ramos

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. 

~St. Augustine

    Travel is a good way of learning about the world; it teaches us many interesting things about cultures of different nationalities. We also travel to find a well-paid job. Travel is the best choice for a person who wants to relax or do some sightseeing. Of course our choice also depends on money, weather and our personality – it's evident that the person who leads an active life will never go to the seaside. First, there are the benefits to your mental health. Travelling gives us the opportunity to relax and de-stress, which prevents burnout. Even travel stress is positive stress because it is not the kind caused by home life. By taking that trip, you also avoid monotony and have a break from normal everyday life. It gives you an attitude adjustment because not only is the planning fun, but also having something to look forward to can brighten your mood. On top of that, vacations give you a chance to meet new people, and maybe even learn about different cultures. If you take a partner along, it can strengthen your bond as you two experience new things together. One of the most important things is that you are creating memorable experiences and...

    Is it worth it to travel abroad with to sustain a well-rounded life? It's good that you are earning a well. But money can never give you happiness. You will be lonely and underneath the expensive items lays the sand truth that you miss your family. Unless, you can bring your family with you. There will always be the person who has a silver platter.

But if you decide to travel remember that:

    It's also significant to point some negative aspects of travelling. For example, in the place which is willingly visited by travellers standards of people's life are changing and the prices are rising. This place is becoming more polluted too. As we can see, tourism is not always good for our environment. And, the prostitution is booming all-over the place. How can we neglect all of these things just for us to be happy and contented?

    Travelling will never be wrong unless you did something wrong. Never neglect things that the human race will suffer in the near future. At the end I want to say that travelling and tourism, in spite of all disadvantages, are becoming more popular because they are the best forms of spending our free time.

Harwin Francis C. Ramos

TM 2y1-2    

Reviewer for tour 3

"TOUR 3 REVIEWER"

PHILIPPINES TOURISM GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

 

• The Philippines, Officially the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, is an island nation located in SouthEast Asia.
  
• Manila as Its Capital
  

Geographic Location

• The Philippines constitutes an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,00 square kilo meters.
  
• It lies between 116° 40' and 126°34'E. longitude, and 4°40' and 21°10'N.latitude, and borders the Philippine Sea on the East. The south China Sea on the West and the Celebes Sea on the South
  

Administrative Divisions

Major islands are LUZON in the NORTH and MINDANAO in the SOUTH.

• Visayan Island Group
  
• PALAWAN is the largest city and
  
• Metro Manila is the capital and largest city.
  
• 17 Regions,81 provinces, 131 Cities. 1,497 municipalities and 14,994 barangays
  
• Roman Catholicism is the most predominant religion consisting of more than 80% of the population.
  
• Iglesia ni Cristo
  
• Baptist
  
• Methodists
  
• Mormons
  
• Episcopalians and Jehovah's Witnesses
  
• El Shaddai
  

Language

• Filipino or Tagalog
  
• English
  
• Cebuano or Visayan
  
• Waray
  
• Bicolano
  
• Ilocano
  
• Kapampangan and others.
  

Entertainment

• Cultural Presentation (dance)
  
• Discos
  
• Nightclubs
  
• Casinos
  
• Concerts
  
• Art
  
• On July 24,2006 – the state of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo announced the proposal to create five economic super regions to concentrate on the economic strengths in a specific area.
  

 

REGION                        DESIGNATION            

 

• Ilocos Region                REGION I    
  
• Cordillera Admin. Region            CAR
  
• Cagayan Valley Region            REGION II
  
• Central Luzon Region            REGION III
  
• National Capital Region            NCR
  
• CALABARZON Region            REGION IV-A
  
• MIMAROPA Region            REGION IV-B
  
• Bicol Region                REGION V
  
• Western Visayas Region            REGION VI
  
• Central Visayas Region            REGION VII
  
• Eastern Visayas                REGION VIII
  
• Zamoboanga Peninsula Region        REGION IX
  
• Northern Minadanao Region        REGION X
  
• Davao Region                REGION XI
  
• SOCCSKSARGEN Region            REGION XII
  
• CARAGA Region                REGION XIII
  
• Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao    ARMM
  

Money

• Philippine Peso
  
• 50 Peso to US $ 1
  

Nationwide Holidays in the Philippines:

1.  January 1 – New Year's Day
2.    Varies – Chinese New Year
3.    February 25 – People Power Revolution Day
4.    Varies – Maundy Thursday
5.    Varies – Good Friday
6.    Sunday – Easter Sunday

7.    April 9 – Bataan and Corregidor Day
8.    May 1 – Labor Day
9.    June 12 – Independence Day
10.    July 27 – Iglesia ni Cristo Day (New Holiday)
11.    August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
12.    Last Monday of August – National Heroes' Day
13.    October 31 – Day of the Dead
14.    November 1 – All Saints' Day
15.    November 2 – All Souls' Day
16.    Varies – Eidul Fitr (end of Ramadan)
17.    November 30 – Bonifacio Day
18.    December 25 – Christmas Day
19.    December 30 – Rizal Day
20.    December 31 – Last Day of the Year

 

The National Symbols of the Philippines

• The flag of the Philippines, the flag's colors, design and structure are cannot be changed.
  
• •Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem cannot be re-arranged in any way.
  
• Sampaguita (Jasminum Sambac) is the national flower of the Philippines. It's a small, white, fragrant flower. It symbolizes simplicity and purity.
  
• Narra (Pterocarpus), the national tree of the Philippines. It is chosen to be a national symbol, because of the tree's durability, strength and sturdiness.
  
• Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), is the country's national bird. It is considered to be critically endangered. Species of this kind in the Philippines are tagged with a micro chip to protect them. People who are caught or traced to hunt and eat them will be put in jail as a punishment.
  

Some unofficial symbols of the Philippines but nevertheless they are recognized by the Philippine government.

Cariñosa or Tinikling as the national dance. Symbolizes being graceful.

•Carabao (water buffalo) is the national animal. Because it, being a hardworking animal. It symbolizes industriousness and hardworking.

•Bangus (milk fish), is considered to be the Philippines' national fish. It symbolizes versatileness. Because this fish can be cooked in many ways.

•Mango is the national fruit. Because it is said that the mango variety in the Philippines is the sweetest variety in the whole world.

•Barong and Baro't Saya- the Philippine national costume or garb for male and female.

•"Bayan Ko" and "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" are the national songs.

•Arnis and Sipa, as the national sports (games).

•Anahaw (Livistona rotundifolia), the national plant. Because of its usefulness, can be used as a fan, hat or umbrella. Symbolizes the Filipino's being resourceful.

 

 

 

The Coconut Palace in the Philippines

This very expensive Palace in the Philippines, which is of course made of coconut materials from the exterior into the interior of it, was somehow wasted for its prime purpose why it was created, that is this palace was made originally for the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1981 which the Pope himself decline to stay in it .

However, the Coconut Palace was somehow serves as a guesthouse for a handful of personalities who visit the Philippines during the early times, like the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, the Hollywood actress Brooke Shields and George Hamilton, as well as the Amazing race team.

Archive for the 'Festivals' Category

April 1 celebration is the Banana Festival of Negros Occidental at La Castellana where of course showcases different varieties of banana. And the Kesong Puti Festival of Sta. Cruz Laguna Philippines also celebrates this festival beginning April 1, which of course features the Kesong Puti or White Cheese made from the carabao's milk.

 

Superstitions in The Philippines

Bad and Good Luck:

•  Encountering a yellow butterfly will bring you good luck.
  
• Adorning your dress with pearls means you will shed many tears.
  
•  Stepping on a pillow brings misfortune.
  
•  If you sit on your bag while travelling you will not reach your destination.
  
• Wearing a diamond protects the bearer from evil-minded people.
  
• Dreaming of fish, trees or snakes means good fortune, money or happiness.
  

Death and Illness:

• Warts are caused by the urine of frogs.
  
•  A lingering black butterfly is a sign that one of your relatives has just died.
  
• A wound inflicted on a Good Friday will take a long time to heal.
  
• Do not form groups of three or thirteen because one among you will die.
  
• It is said that the soul of the deceased returns on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days after death
  

Love and Marriage:

• If you give your girlfriend a handkerchief as a gift it will make her cry. 
  
• The groom must arrive at the church before the bride to prevent bad luck.
  
• Throwing rice at the newlyweds will bring them prosperity all their life.
  
• Women who have moles under their eyes right where the tears fall will be widowed.
  
• A married woman, who wears a pearl ring, will cause her husband to commit adultery.
  

 

First in the Philippines

1. The First Automated National Election.
   

2.     The First Nine year-term Philippine President.

3.     The First Pilipino boxer to be recognized as the World's Boxing Champ.

 

REGION I: ILOCOS REGION

 

Province         Capital        City

Ilocos Norte     Laoag City           Laoag

Ilocos Sur     Vigan City           Candon,Vigan

La Union      San Fernando,City     San Fernando

Pangasinan      Lingayen         Alaminos,Dagupan
                 San Carlos,Urdaneta

Facts

• The region has a long heritage
  
• The provinces are well-known for their industry and hospitality
  
• Sugarcane wine (basi)
  
• Handwoven cloth (inabel)
  
• Marinated fish (kilawen)
  
• Vigan Heritage Village
  

La Union

• San Fernando City
  
• Surfing
  
• Agoo is the starting point for the Jose D. Aspiras Highway (Marcos Highway), Which leads to Baguio.
  

Pangasinan

• Bangus (Milkfish)
  
• White beach, San Fabian
  

 

REGION II: CAGAYAN VALLEY

 

• this region I dominated by the mighty Cagayan River – the largest waterway in the Philippines.
  

 

• An ecotourism destination, being the site of intricate cave systems, the uncharted peaks of the Sierra Madre Mountains and
  beautiful bays and beaches.
  

BATANES

• the most northern and
  

        isolated province in the

        nation

• Basco, the capital town is
  

        about 280 kilometers north

        of Aparri and about

         190kilometers south of

        Taiwan

• home of famous Ivatans
  
• The Ivatan people of
  

        Batanes speak their own

        language, Austranesian,

        live in study stone houses,

        make distintive boats

        called falowas and wear

        a unique head dress of

        coconut fibers.

SONGSONG
    ruins of village, which was     destroyed by a tidal wave in the 1950's.

Radiwan Point

site of the landing by     Philippine Independence     fighters on September 18,     1889

San Carlos Borromeo Church and Convent

completed in 1789 and still retains its centuries-old features

San Jose Church
    built in 1814, the church features     crenellated, fortress like bell tower

 

CAGAYAN

• game fishing capital of the Philippines, with San Vicente, Santa Ana and Palaui Islands.
  
• Palaui also features the Spanish built Cape Engano Lighthouse.
  
• other attractions of the province are mountain treks, river trips and surfing
  
• Aparri is the site of the impressive Cagayan River mouth.
  
• the famous lurung fish travels upstream to breed during the wet season.
  
• Cagayan River
  
• Callao Caves
  
• Miraculous Lady of Piat
  
• San Jacinto de Polonia Parish
  
• St. Hyacinth Church
  
• St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral
  

 

 

Isabela

• Magat Hydro Electric Power Plant
  
• Aguinaldo Shrine
  
• Parish Church of St. Matias
  
• second largest province of the Philippines
  
• province was named after Queen Isabela II
  
• a first class in terms of income classification
  
• tourism is relatively a new industry being developed in the country
  

 

Quirino

• located in the northeastern part of Luzon
  
• used to be part of the province of Nueva Vizcaya
  

 

 

Cordillera Administrative Region

 

Province            Capital

Abra            Bangued

Apayao            Kabungao

Benguet            La Trinidad

Ifugao            Lagawe

Kalinga            Tabuk

Mt. Province        Bontoc        

 

 

6 Provinces

• Abra
  
• Apayao
  
• Benguet
  
• Ifugao
  
• Kalinga
  
• Mountain Province
  

* Baguio

• The region also has various festivals. They include:
  
• Panagbenga / Baguio Flower Festival which is celebrated in February. The festival focuses on Baguio as the Flower Garden City of the North. Highlights include flower exhibits, lectures, garden tours, floral competition and a parade of floats.
  
• LANG-AY Festival in Mountain Province celebrated every April 7. This is a week-long agro-industrial trade, tourism and cultural fair with tribal dances and songs. Lang-ay is a native term which describes the tradition of the people of Mountain Province to celebrate festivities, share happiness, foster family solidarity, hospitality and nurture friendship - all with a toast of home-brewed wine.
  

 

ABRA- Geographic Location

Capital

• Bangued
  

 

Languages

• Tagalog
  
• Ilocano
  

 

27 Municipalities

Boundaries

• Ilocos Norte to the north, Apayao to the northeast, Kalinga to the east, Mountain Province to the south, and Ilocos Sur to the southwest.
  

History

• The cultural heritage of the people of Abra is clearly manifested in their customs and practices.
  
• Their collection of antique porcelains, jars and gongs speaks of trade with the oriental countries.
  
• Ethnic Music
  

 

Access to the Province

• Partas Trans travels to Abra from Manila or Pangasinan.
  
• Philippine Rabbit takes the Baguio-Abra-Manila route.
  
• Viron Trans has trips from Baguio to Abra
  

 

ABRA-Bangued

The Philippines' Natural Dye Capital

• The Province of Abra is now known as the ""Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines"" because it is blessed with abundant natural dye-yielding plants. Natural dyes are extracted from the barks, leaves, fruits, and roots of these plants, and used to color food, beverages, textiles, cosmetics, furniture, and pharmaceutical products.
  

Geography

• Abra is an inland province bounded by Ilocos Norte and Mountain Province on the north, Ilocos Sur on the south, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur on the west, and Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Apayao on the east. Total land area comes to approximately 397,555 hectares.
  

LANGUAGE

• Ilocano is generally spoken by 73.65% of the region's total population. 25.18% speak Tinguian/Itneg, 0.16% speak Tagalog, and the remaining 0.54% speak other dialects.
  

Major industries

• Bamboo and rattan craft making, both leading industries in the area. In 1992, the natural dye industry together with loom weaving and embroidery being consider as one of the maj. Industries.
  

 

Apayao- Geography Location

• Its capital is Kabugao and borders Cagayan to the north and east, Abra and Ilocos Norte to the west, and Kalinga to bthe south.
  
• Apayao was among the earliest areas penetrated by the Spaniards in the Cordilleras, but the region, inhabited by the Isneg tribe, remained largely outside Spanish control until late in the 1800s.
  

Political

• Apayao is subdivided into 7 municipalities.
  

Municipalities

• Calanasan (Bayag)
  
• Conner
  
• Flora
  
• Kabugao
  
• Luna
  
• Pudtol
  
• Santa Marcela
  

Access to the Province

• Buses plying the Cagayan Valley route provide the access to this land mountainous provinces from Manila
  

Product, Delicacies and Cuisines

• Wood furniture
  
• Cassava
  

 

Apayao - Cordillera's Last Nature Frontier

• The province of Apayao boasts its own collection of natural wonders that are otherwise not found in the rest of the Cordilleras.
  
• Little wonder that it has been dubbed as "Cordillera's Last Frontier for Nature Richness." Here, underground rivers, majestic waterfalls, magnificent lakes hug a unique land that is replete with captivating caves, picture-pretty parks, and exotic wildlife.
  

GEOGRAPHY

• The province of Apayao is located at the northernmost tip of the Luzon mainland. It is bounded on the east by the province of Cagayan, on the west by Ilocos Norte and Abra, and on the south by Kalinga.
  

Industries in the province are furniture, garment craft, food processing, gifts and house wares, and agricultural

 

Apayao Day

• Apayao celebrates its foundation anniversary every February 14. The festive commemmoration involves cultural and sports activities as well as pageants.
  

 

BENGUET-La Trinidad

Benguet - Salad Bowl Of The Philippines

• Today it holds claim as the "Salad Bowl of the Philippines" because of the huge production of upland vegetables.
  
• Benguet is the roof of Northern Luzon. It straddles on the Cordillera mountain ranges. Mt. Pulag, second highest mountain in the Philippines, and Halsema Highway, the highest mountain highway system in the country, are located in Benguet.
  

Geography

• Benguet lies in the southernmost part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Pangasinan bounds it on the south, Ifugao and Nueva Viscaya on the east, Mountain Province on the north, and La Union and Ilocos Sur on the west.
  

Baguio City - Summer Capital Of The Philippines

• Baguio is the gateway to the wonders of Northern Luzon: the calm beaches of La Union; the fabled Hundred Islands of Pangasinan; the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao; the ancient churches, Spanish influenced houses, historical and cultural relics of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, the Kabayan of the tribes of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra.
  

Famous for….

• Strawberries and Other Fruit Preserves
  
• Horseback Riding
  
• Baguio Floral Festivals are held in February
  
• The city is also famous for its towering pine trees.
  

 

IFUGAO-Lagawe

Ifugao - Land Of The Eighth World Wonder

• A continuing cultural landscape" and likewise considered by the U.S. Association of Civil Engineers as an engineering marvel built by unschooled and free men not of slave labor.
  
• The Ifugao native huts could probably be among the world's first prefabricated houses that do not use a single nail or metal to fasten their parts.
  

Geography

• Ifugao, a land-locked area located at the foot of the Cordillera Mountain Range, is bounded on the west by the province of Benguet, Nueva Viscaya on the south, Isabela on the east, and on the north by Mountain Province,
  

 

KALINGA-Tabuk

Kalinga - Whitewater Rafting Capital Of The North

• Kalinga's Chico River was recently declared as the Whitewater Rafting Capital of North Philippines. The Chico River Rafting Challenge covers the whole length of the river from Tinglayan to Tabuk, with an approximate rafting time of six to eight hours depending on water levels.
  

 

MT. PROVINCE-Bontoc

Mountain Province - Weaver's Paradise

• Mountain Province is known as the "Weaver's Paradise" due to the presence of various weaving centers sporting different designs that bespeak of the province's cultural heritage.
  

GEOGRAPHY

• Mountain Province is bounded by Isabela on the east; the provinces of Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra on the north; the provinces of Benguet and Ifugao on the south; and the province of Ilocos Sur on the west.
  

 

HARWIN FRANCIS CAMPO-RAMOS

TM 2Y1- 1