The Whale Shark Capital of The World
You might be wondering what Dagos Tabi means. Well, it is a warm and friendly Bikol greeting, which means, Please come in, you are most welcome! Sorsogon Tourism, the official tourism site of the Province of Sorsogon and their people is very much pleasured to welcome their guests. Located at the southern most tip of Luzon, it is one of the six provinces of the Bicol Region that serves as the gateway to Visayas and Mindanao and opens into both the Pacific Ocean and the China Sea. It is a 10 to 11-hour bus ride from Metro Manila to Sorsogon City, the capital of Sorsogon. On the last quarter of this year, Sorsogon City Domestic Airport will be their newest doorway and will eventually boost their tourism industry, a very nice project by the local government.

Pili Festival is Sorsogon City’s premier annual festival, and the Kasanggayahan Festival, which is recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the annual festivals of the country. Pili tree is also called by the locals as the Majestic Tree due to its many uses from its roots to fruits, while the Kasanggayahan (an agricultural-related word) Festival, is highlighted by the Pantomina (pantomime), a traditional Bicol dance, which is also known as a dance of love and courtship.

Sorsogon City is famous for their beautiful beaches in which the majority is found at the Bacon District. The most famous attraction of their place is the Whale Shark or the “Butanding” that is commonly found at Donsol, Sorsogon. These Butandings are tagged as the “magnets of the tourists” for they are the major reasons why the tourists keep on coming back to Donsol. There are about 40 Butandings, the largest fish in the world that can be seen during their season, which is from March-May. Because it is considered as a delicacy and an aphrodisiac, many foreigners are eager to buy it for as much as P400, 000.00 each. This is why the Philippine government declared this specie to be endangered. View the Butanding Video below.

Aside from the Butanding, the city also showcases breathtaking beaches, especially the Paguriran Island. This beach is famous for its powder-white sand and crystal clear water. Moreover, there are also caves and waterfalls that are found in the Sorsogon City. Bacon District, a- 20 minute drive from the City, is a great place to visit if you are an eco-tourism enthusiast. Limestone caves, lakes and marine sanctuary are also the main attractions of the district; the most legendary of these are the Tolonggapo in Caricaran and the Bato Limestone Caves where prehistoric artifacts were once found.

You don’t need to go far to appreciate the splendor of the place’s natural attraction. The Rompeolas, with its walkway that serves as promenade, provides a spectacular view of the Bulusan Volcano, as well as the good sight of the Paroja Hill and Grotto, which overlooks Sorsogon Bay. A boulevard for the locals and the tourists, as well, Rompeolas and the neighboring Pinaculan Island are being geared up for tourism development, because of the sunset cruises and ecotourism that they offer, which can serve as the place’s primary selling points. And talking about tourist attractions here in Sorsogon, the tour is never complete without tasting their special delicacies. You should never leave without savoring the sizzling their legendary “Bicol express”, a spicy concoction of sautéed pork, fish or shrimp; chili pepper; a generous dash of herbs and simmered in coconut milk. Already drooling? Oooops, not yet, try their pungent and delicious “kinilaw na sira”, raw fish fillets soaked in vinegar and chili. What is also good with this place is that you can buy fresh caught crabs and lobsters from local seafood stalls or you may ask the resorts. What’s tastier than eating fresh foods?

A new beginning for the Philippines which is a literal translation. This song is being aired at TFC (The Filipino Channel) primarily aimed to show the Filipino Community worldwide about a new hope and beginning for our very own country. Bagong Simula is a song that encourages change on a new level and brings hope for a new Philippines by the new generations spearheaded by musicians, singers, actors and actresses of the local television industry, it provides a message that we can once more bring life to a deteriorating and tarnished image of our country. I consider it as an ANIMO Song. The song also emphasizes about the daily life, ways and visions of what everybody can do to bring that new breathe of life. Nice job once again from the people behind this. Below is the lyrics sung by Kevin Roy, Yael Yuzon, Marc Abaya, Kitchie Nadal, Yeng Constantino, Placid and Tugma. With the additional credits that goes to the other members of the production staff who contributed to this very nice presentation of Animo Pilipinas !

concept: Danie Sedilla-Cruz
Creative prod Head: Johnny de los Santos
Directors: Robert Labayen/Peewee Gonzales
Lyrics: Robert Labayen
music: Jonathan Manalo
design and compositing: Oliver Paler
Producer: Hancel Hernandez
Production Supervisor: Jimmy Porca
Editor: Angelito Dayao
Production Design: Andrew Go
Casting: Rosalie David
Lighting Director: Jimmy Anyano

Bagong Simula

Parang isang gabing walang katapusan
Sa bawat mesa, asin lagi ang ulam
Umaalog sa alkansya pisong pinagpawisan
Batang nakahubad kumot ang lansangan

Lupaing kinalbo minsa’y nadidilig
Ng dugo sa away ng kapatid sa kapatid

Sa kalagayang ito tayo ay nakagapos
Parang awa sana ay dito magtapos

Todo na ‘to!

Liparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw

Mamumulang muli ang silangan
Sa bagong simula ng ating bayan

Wag nang maulit kapalarang kay pait
Wag magpabaya wag kang manahimik
Wag kang manlalamang, wag kang mangigipit
Wag magkanya-kanya, magkaisang bisig

Magmalasakit ito’y kabayanihan
Gawin mo anumang makayanan
Kalagayan ng bayan sumasama lamang
Kung walang gagawin tayong mamamayan

Todo na ‘to!

Lliparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan
sa bagong simula ng ating bayan

Ipakita natin sa ating mga magulang,
Mga kapatid,
Kaya natin ‘to!
Isang subok pa,
Sabay-sabay na,
Walang kokontra!

Todo na ‘to!

Lliparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan
Sa bagong simula ng ating bayan

Todo na ‘to!

Lliparin ang langit na bughaw
Pagningningin mga tala at araw
Mamumulang muli ang silangan
Sa bagong simula ng ating bayan

Good news for our fellow citizens. The Philippine government, especially the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA ), National Statistics Office ( NSO ) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration ( POEA ) has upgraded their services. A hassle free online service has been added that would eliminate long lines of waiting and scalpels who prey on people. Citizen Services is the online service made available for every Filipino citizen especially the Overseas Foreign Workers ( OFW )seeking documents with the respective departments that includes the rundown of fees and payment centers.

Passport - Department of Foreign Affairs

Fee - PHP 1,300.00

Birth Certificate - National Statistics Office

Fee PHP 330.00
New Registrations Call (02) 737-1111
Returning Customers - Online Applications
Payment Centers - Metrobank and Bayad Centers

Overseas Exit Clearances - Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

POEA Processing Fees PHP 100.00
OWWA Membership* P 1,121.00
Philhealth* PHP 900.00
2GO / ABoitiz Courier Fee PHP 160.00
Teleserv Service Fee PHP 369.00
Total PHP 2,650.00

For more information and other questions:

Citizen Services Contact Details:
• DFA Express Passport Delivery - (02) 737-1000
dfa@citizenservices.com.ph
• NSO Birth Certificate Delivery - (02) 737-1111
nso@citizenservices.com.ph
• POEA Balik Manggagawa OEC Delivery - (02) 737-7777
poea@citizenservices.com.ph
Note : POEA Balik Manggagawa OEC Delivery service is only available Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Aurora is a province that can be found in Region III which is generally mountainous with only 30% coastal flatlands. This makes the place a good venue for mountain climbing and trekking. Surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving are also some of the activities a tourist can enjoy in this place. Although seldom heard and promoted as one of the best tourist spots in the country, this place is blessed with vast numbers of tourist attractions. Here we can find the famous Sierra Madre Mountains, a place where flora and fauna are mostly concentrated. Different body of waters, like the waterfalls and rivers of varying sizes, are located within, or near, the area of Sierra Madre Mountains.

If you have a passion for nature tripping, you won’t regret coming to this place. Aside from mountain climbing, Aurora is also a good place for safari, bird watching, ecological studies or picnics, which, amazingly, you can do all at the same time. You can view some of these at TFC too where they promote provinces in the Philippines for tourism with also projects such as Walang Iwanan sa Bayan ni Juan.

I have been talking of the abundance of tourist spots in Aurora and I’m sure that many are interested to know what this place has to offer, right? But I must say that in order to really appreciate the beauty of a certain place, we must first know a little bit of its history. For how can we market our product if we don’t know what it is, isn’t it ? This is part of our campaign to boost tourism in our country and Paraiso Philippines motto Tourism Pinas 2009. For just a brief retrospect, the province of Aurora was named after the wife of the late first Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. She was known for her tireless endeavor in providing social welfare services, especially to the people of her place. Based on August 1, 2007 census, the total population of Aurora is 187,802, where mostly are Filipino and Ilokano- speaking inhabitants.

Historical Attractions:
Of course, the President Quezon Memorial Park, which serves as a landmark of Baler, the capital of Aurora. Then Lt. Commander James Gilmore Marker, the commander of US Gunboat “Yorktown,” who was captured along with all his men when he came to Baler in April 1899 to relieve the Spanish soldiers besieged in the church of Baler. The Aurora Quezon Marker, I think there is no need to elaborate this one. And lastly, the President Quezon’s House and Rest house; today, only the remains of the house and the cement staircase are left standing after it was severely struck by a super typhoon.

Natural Attractions:
Ditumabo Falls, Bane Spring, NIA (National Irrigation Administration) Watershed and Cunayan Falls are located at San Luis, Aurora. They also have the Cemento Beach Reef, Dimadimalang Islet and Digisit Beach, found at Baler. Furthermore, the province likewise has Balete Park, Tariktik Point, Pagkain ng Bayan Plateau, Casiguran Sound and Sierra Madre Mountains, among others.

For religious attractions, of course, the place has the Santo Entierro, a glass casket encasing the lying statue of Jesus Christ, where the local claimed it to be miraculous and; Baler Catholic Church, where the La Campana de Baler, an ancient high quality bell, was used and later stored as a relic.

One of the most famous festivals in Aurora is the Moro-Moro Festival. The interplay of drama and dance, the “Zarzuela” is an interesting form of theater, taking three days to complete. And lastly, special interest tours include surfing, mountain climbing and snorkeling, among others.

Experience Aurora, Experience Philippines !!!

Filipino history tells us that we came from the nearby countries. Aside being called Filipinos we are also called the Malay Race as our ancestors came from nearby Malaysia. Long before the Spanish people arrived, The Philippine Islands were already inhabited by Malaysian Datu’s and Rajah’s, the aetas as the original though. History scribed on our ancestral origin says that there was a voyage of tell us that that 10 Bornean datus headed by Datu Puti, along with their followers, fled Borneo to escape persecution by Datu Makatunaw, the Rajah of the House of Sri-Vijaya. They boarded their long ships called barangays in order to seek out new lands.

The other Dutus who accompanied Datu Puti were, Datu Sumakwel, Datu Bangkaya, Datu Paiborong, Datu Paduhinogan, Datu Dumangsol, Datu Libay, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Domalogdog, and Datu Balensuela. Together they were to become the founders of the pre-colonial Philippine Civilization.

The voyage was long through the Philippine seas and they first arrived at Panay and Sinugbuhan, which were at that time under the rule of an Ati King, or Aeta “big-man,” named Marikudo. Those Marikudo ruled were pygmy-like bands that practiced hunting and gathering as well as slash and burn farming (kaingin), and they were initially in terror of the Borneans. However, Datu Puti, sought a peaceful alliance and was therefore welcomed by the Aetas. Immediately, they forged trade relations with the natives exchanging their combs, hatchets, knives and copper swords (called kris) for the Aetas’ deer horns, boar teeth, bamboo baskets, and various maritime products.

To commemorate the new alliance, Marikudo invited his new associates for a feast under the thick, broad branches of his dapdap and the bounteous food was laid on banana leaves. The Borneans came wearing splendid accoutrement’s. The men wore kerchiefs wound 4 times around their heads, grandiose jewellery, sleeveless and collarless vests and various shirts. The women wore their hair parted in the middle and knotted in two, like horns of a cow’s calf, and perched on each ear. They had long sleeved blouses and they had long, ornately colored skirts called tapis.

At this feast, the Datus negotiated the purchase of land for one gold sadok and a gold necklace for Marikudo’s wife, and since the Aetas thought that the island was too large to farm, they agreed. The Aetas, who preferred the cover of forests and mountains, retreated to such areas (where they can still be found today), while the Datus divided the island into political units called saktop, namely Hantic (Antique), Aklan, and Irong-Irong (Iloilo), and thus founded the various clans of the Philippine culture. Datu Puti, Bangkaya, and Paiburong headed these saktops. The entire island continued to be called Hantic.

After the Datus were settled, Datu Puti proclaimed that he would sail back to Borneo to challenge the tyrant Makatunaw, and as he was the only one powerful enough, the other Datus agreed. Datu Puti, his wife and servants set sail for Borneo and were never heard from again.

Datu Sumakwel was appointed the new leader and under his leadership the culture prospered. He established a permanent settlement in what is now Malandog in the municipality of Hamtic. It was named for a species of a large ant called hantic-hantic, which abounds there.

But as we discuss history, we would like also to mention a new era in the history of Philippine television that is so similar and commemorating a new alliance. Television giant ABS-CBN has partnered with Malaysian company Double Vision that features one of the top Philippine actor, Jericho Rosales and Malaysian superstar/model Carmen Soo. The teleserye which will be aired this September a week or two after the hit series My Girl, entitled Kahit Isang Saglit, Which was filmed both in the Philippines and Malaysia. It will be aired at the Primetime Bida.

This is a new era marked in Philippine Television. While we commemorate our 110th Philippine Foundation we also take pride to look back at our ancestor neighbors. ABS-CBN has again done a great job of pursuing creativity while promoting camaraderie amongst the two countries. It also promotes tourism as it depicts and shows the best scenery and places of both countries. The media giant has been well known of producing top Asia Novela Hits.

Kahit Isang Saglit is directed by two of our top directors in the land of, Jerry Lopez-Sineneng and Gilbert Perez. Theme song sung by our very own Martin Nievera once again, who sang the popular hit music Ikaw Ang Pangarap of another successful tele serye Lobo. The casts of the drama are listed as follows with a sneak preview to view.

Jericho Rosales
Carmen Soo
Christopher de Leon
Albert Martinez
Christine Reyes
Dick Israel
Pilar Pilapil
Malou de Guzman
Isabel Rivas
Wilma Doesnt
Empoy
Louisa Chong
Soosan Hoh
Awal Ashaari