Discovering Pinas

(This post is my entry to lagawan.info‘s anniversary contest)

This photo was not taken by me. It was actually taken by a friend who shared my passion for photography. This photo has become my logo for my website discoveringpinas.com. This photo is very memorable to me because it was my first time to travel alone without parents or friends. I’ve never traveled alone before and this trip became an adventure for me. I just met this old friend through a social-networking site and invited me to go to Camiguin Island for the holy week. I never had any second thoughts on what may happen on my trip or if my parents will get mad at me for this decision. I thought that I was on the right age to travel alone and do what I really want in my life and that is to visit new places and discover historical facts. I was really fascinated with the island. The stories about Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the sunken cemetery awakened my curiosity for historical facts.So I practically used most of my month’s salary for this trip which was a big deal because I was getting a real big sum of money back then. As I look back and think of what I did, I’d still use all my money for that trip. Man, Camiguin has a mystical charm on me.

(more…)

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River slips to number 2 on the New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN) poll, prompting the Department of Tourism (DOT) to appeal for support from voters.  The Philippine entry is vying for the top spot, which is currently occupied by the Amazon River, among other 54 nominees under the category of Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves.

There are currently 261 nominees from all over the globe, competing in 7 different categories, only 77 of which will remain after voting ends in July 7, 2009.  The campaign is at its second of three stages.

Palawan Underground River

(more…)

I was invited by my cousin Bing to this church outing in Batangas on Labor Day. I said, ‘why not?’ I haven’t left the metro for like 9 months and I don’t include going to Dasmarinas, Cavite monthly as a roadtrip since my aunt has a house there and I treat it as my second home. So when this opportunity came by, I grabbed it immediately.

(more…)

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino was founded in 1565. The first structure was made of wood and nipa. The stone church was constructed from 1735 to 1739 so the church itself is 270 years old. The church houses the image of Sto. Nino de Cebu, the patron saint of Cebu. It was a gift from Magellan to Queen Juana. It’s considered a sign of the alliance between the Spaniards and the natives. A story was told that wood and nipa church housing the Sto. Nino image was burned down. After the fire, the image was found safely intact. The image of the Sto. Nino de Cebu is now displayed on a shrine on the left side of the church’s altar. The queue for viewing the Sto. Nino is always long even at noontime when most people are having their siesta. I remember going to the church to accompany my friend to light candles and pray. I wanted to see the image closely out of curiosity but I didn’t have the time to stand in line because I had chores to do later that day. All the 10 years I’ve lived in Cebu, I never got to see the image at a closer view.

(more…)

Don’t start your summer getaways without Ipanema GB Seeds sandals. The sandals are not only stylish and colorful but they also symbolize our love for our environment. For every pair of Ipanema GB Seeds sandals you buy, you are donating a part of the sale to the reforestation of the Brazilian Atlantic forest, a very important forest in the earth due to its diverse animal and plant habitat. The forest contains 2,200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that comprises 5% of the vertebrates on Earth and 20,000 species of plants, representing 8% of the Earth’s plants.
The new colors and styles of Ipanema GB Seeds sandals are just out. Check out the new designs.

The New Thong Fem is perfect for a walk at the park or the beach. This style perfectly fit the contours of your soles. It feels like you’re walking barefooted without getting your feet dirty. It comes in metallic or non-metallic style.

(more…)