At Paraiso Philippines we not only promote or discuss exquisite travel destinations but we are also bound to preserve nature and the effects of disaster with our objective of environment awareness. Our surroundings needs to be taken care of as well. There won’t be any beauty if one does not beautify nor there would not be any exquisite places unless there is cleanliness. Everyone knows that the Philippines is rich in natural resources. Resources that for many years have become the heritage and pride of our country and would wish that for many years to come, our future generations could savor and endeavor these things.

We have launched Kapaligiran and have a very long way to go. It is our small contribution to the preservation of the rich natural resources that our country have. While we promote the top destinations of the country to the outside world, we also would wish that our fellow citizens as well as visitors to help us in the beautification of our country through preserving a good and clean surroundings. Self awareness is the first primary step towards a large scale environment preservation.

We do hope that on a simple message as this, we could relay a message to our fellow citizens. We are already used to the failures of governments due to a large amount of unspecified reasons. Self awareness and a good education of taking care of our own environment is what we need. It may not start on a big scale but as every individual can always start at home. Every little thing counts and that’s all we need.

Below is a music video from the group Asin and is entitled “Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran” which was composed during the late 70’s. The song is in Tagalog but is reflective to the issues of the environment. With an intro of the real score that is happening from the forest to the rivers and lands.

San Juan Municipal Hall

The City of San Juan was formerly a part of the Rizal Province before Metro Manila was created. Now it is the smallest city found in Metro Manila based on its land area. The name of the place was in honor of their patron saint, St. John the Baptist. The celebration of their feast day is what made the place famous.  Every 24th of the June, the people of San Juan celebrate their fiesta by dousing the streets with water, which obviously make the passers-by soaking wet, locally known as “Basaan Na“. This is likened to the baptism as described in the Bible. As this is their tradition, the people, even the newcomers are already used to it and are aware of this yearly event, so they just enjoy the celebration.

Greenhills Commercial Center

Among the many interesting places in San Juan are the Pinaglabanan Shrine, which marks the first battle of the Katipunan - the site where the first gunfire was shot during the Filipino war against the Spaniards; the Greenhills Commercial Center, which includes a shopping center where good buys from cellular (mobile) phones, to computers, clothes, accessories, to exotic plants, home furniture and furnishings, jewelry, and precious stones and pearls can be found and the rows of restaurants where in and near Greenhills along Ortigas Avenue, and in Wilson Street can be found a variety of restaurants that cater to people of all walks of life and tastes. Other places of interest and are popular destinations in and around the city are the Agora Complex, the famous and elegant Club Filipino, the Music Museum, the Tanghalan ng Masa, The Arena and other exciting places which would surely fascinate everyone and entice your appetites.

Club Filipino

San Juan City is also dubbed as “Town of Philippine Presidents”, although not officially. Among the last nine presidents since the Philippines became a Republic in 1946, four of them were official residents of San Juan when they took their office. These four Presidents are/were the Diosdado Macapagal, Sr., the incumbent, his daughter Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ferdinand Marcos (although from Ilocos Norte have frequented San Juan because of Dona Josefa Edralin and brother Pio who are long time residents), and Joseph Estrada. Also, the second President of the 3rd Republic, Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953) retired to this town after leaving his service at Malacañang Palace.
Want to visit this place ? Buses and jeepneys are the most common mode of transportation in San Juan. Major roads Aurora Boulevard and Araneta Avenue pass through San Juan. Less major routes include Nicanor Domingo (more known as N. Domingo), which heads towards Cubao in Quezon City and Pinaglabanan/Santolan, which leads towards Ortigas Avenue and eventually Quezon City.

San Juan Water Throwing Festival

We use to live at F. Roman in San Juan and since its boundary is near the Quezon City at R. Magsaysay Blvd. I was born at the UERM Hospital which is nearby the used to be Queens Supermarket and Sta. Mesa market and have participated in countless Water Throwing Festival. Nice to reminisce sometimes.

Chocolate Hills

Another amazing island paradise situated in the Central Visayas Region. Known globally as the Island Paradise of Bohol which is also included or acknowledged as one of the Eight Wonders of the World distinguished places. The island boasts vast natural resources and pristine coastlines of crystal clear waters. The world renowned Chocolate Hills, a natural geological formation of small mountain areas spread across the land by which in the summer time looks like inverted “chocolate kisses“, located in Bohol is the signature attraction of the province and is internationally acclaimed as an Eight Wonder of the World.

The Province of Bohol is also a prime tourist destination of the Philippines with a strong agro-industrial economy, proud cultural heritage with a commitment in preserving its natural environment. Its capital of Tagbilaran City, a second class component city, is also one of the most popular and competetive places in the country known also as “The Friendship City“. Aside from being a worldwide top destination, the province is also home to the world’s smallest primate called the “Tarsier“. They are endangered species and are not mostly bound to live long in captivity and their habitat are now protected by the local government with aid from international environmental organizations.

World's Smallest Primate

The Province of Bohol boast of tremendous coastline beaches with wonderful one of a kind accommodations fitted for every traveler that desires to visit the place. Since its also located in the large body of water of the Visayas, its aquatic resources and beauty of its surrounding coastlines are well similar to that of Boracay. Accommodations vary from luxurious to affordable stays. My favorite one is the Bohol Tropics Resort with featured amenities, elegant and spacious suites that overlooks Tagbilaran Bay. The province of Bohol could be reached in a few hours by plane landing at Tagbilaran Airport or by sea, also from luxury ferries to affordable passenger liners.

Festivals are celebrated in the province, in towns or in barangays and varies on their respective dates all year round. But one of the most popular fiesta is the Sandugo Festival in commemoration with of the historical friendship between Datu Sikatuna and Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1565. It is a month long festivity celebrated during the Month of May. The Sandugo Festival also literally means ” One Blood”, in which the friendship between the Spanish General and the local datu had a blood compact. Another popular fiesta is the Ubi Festival in the capital city wherein yam farmers showcases their products during the month of January. Other feast are celebrated in small towns and at their designated schedules in honor of patron saints.

Bohol Tropics Resort

The Philippines is an archipelago of enticing islands. Not only does it teem with attractions to keep coming back to, it boasts a myriad other reasons why local and foreign tourists would think alike. Because the country is known the world over for its beautiful seascapes, how could the people let go of the best in experience ? And there’s more to it than just plain beach combing; that is, if you’re thinking of a more exciting experience. Invitations to an isolated, far-flung island are seldom to come by. So when one was verbally given me by my newspaper-publisher boyfriend Roel Catoto, how could a manic tripper like me turn it down ?

Surigao Del Norte

Although I’m no fond of surfing or swimming, I’m basically one to revel at the sight of sea and the sound of waves. Call me a weirdo, but while everybody would keep their fingers crossed, I’d rather thank the universe for the joy of riding a boat that is being rocked by swell, and the once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity of looking over the waves that basically remind how electrifying the current of Mother Nature’s blessings for mankind is. Roughly ten hours after I boarded at the Port of Cebu, I found myself setting foot on the City of Surigao, excited to embark another two hours en route to Siargao. My runaway imagination did not shortchange my first impression upon arrival at Dapa Port: not to mention being the surfing capital of the Philippines, it is a Shangri-la of sorts, especially where virgin islands and beach hideaways are concerned.

Siargao Island

Siargao is one of the lovely islands of Surigao del Norte, a province situated on the northeastern tip of Mindanao. A 36-nautical-mile away from the capital City of Surigao, its eatern coast overlooks the famous Philippine Deep and the Pacific Ocean, where strong winds and currents are coming from, intensified by the Mindanao’s current running westward through the Siargao Strait. In the course of every surfing competition where people from different countries come over to participate and enjoy the waves, this laid back island would turn into every tripper’s rendezvous, specifically the town of General Luna, home to one of the world’s top surfing waves, popularly called Cloud 9. Surfers and the aficionados alike do not only participate in or witness the competition, they also get to revel at some of Siargao’s unlimited offshore and underwater perks such as swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing, spelunking, and sightseeing. Swimmers may cross the 27-mile long, white sugar-free sand strip of General Luna. While some would like to ogle the starfishes, the sea urchins, the mollusks, the crabs, not to mention the schools of fish through their diving masks in placid shallow waters of some islets, others could find their way to the Zaragoza Rock Formation in Sibale Island, where there is a one-hectare beach park of dagger-shaped structures standing erect at 20 feet and arising from waist-deep crystal clear waters. Island hopping is not to be missed once you’re in Siargao. Different modes of transport are available for rent: motor launches or the bancas, catamarans, and kayaks. The regulars who don’t feel like leaving the place have their own sailboats built there. Of course, there are yachts here and there.

Suhuton Cave

Those who take pleasure exploring the caves and tunnels will not go out of place because Siargao is surrounded with islands that have several of them. The Suhuton Cave in Bucas Grande is submerged in water most of the time, while the Silop Cave in the mainland is cathedral-like caverns glowing with luminescent spires of stalactites and stalagmites. With three tunnels leading to a cavernous tunnel three kilometers long, the Buenavista Cave in Hikdop Island also has a knee-deep pool inside and a palatial chamber replete with a “king’s throne.” Off the Island of Dinagat there’s the Suy-ang Cave. Its high Gothic interior makes it a must-see for cave explorers. But for those who want to see a labyrinth of caves interconnected by tunnels and halls, they had better go to the mainland caves of Mapawa because this island teems with the like. It’s quite hard for a nature lover like me to resist the beckoning spots of the springs, the lagoons, the coves, the waterfalls, the mangrove forests, the whirlpools. The list of this island’s places of interest does not end here, for there’s more in Siargao than all of the above. As it seemed I was not allowed to leave the place without having been satiated with its splendor, I vowed to the tidal waves, to the powdery white beaches, and to the hospitable people of Siargao that I would be back one day — come what may.

Surigao Aquatic Resource

Experience Surigao and Experience The Philippine Islands.

Article contributed by: ARIEL ALLOSADA ALLERA

Getting to Camotes Island one early morning gave me and my colleagues a pain in the butt (literally!), for we were helplessly squatting on a pumpboat’s floor en route to the mystical island. But as soon as our arrival was welcomed by our hotel’s staff and crew all the agony from the travel had vanished in a jiffy.

For once, it’s hard to believe that we were going to stay for the weekend in the posh and cozy Mediterranean inspired My Little Island Hotel nestled on a Poro hilltop, which provides a panoramic view of the land below and the bay off the greenery’s.

Camotes ISland

A nature lover like me wouldn’t have second thoughts about taking advantage of the swimming pool’s perfect location, where one could enjoy swimming or simply splashing down—whilst feasting one’s eyes on the green foliage and the quiet, crystal clear waters of the Camotes sea in the background.

I marveled at the picturesque beauty of it all, tearfully thanking the Lord up above for giving me that opportunity to be in My Little Island. Being there is like seeing all of the islands at once because that part which the hotel looks over is enough epitome of all that is pure and mystic—which is Camotes. But, of course, one has to touch it—not to mention explore—if one wants to maximize the time to be in this Eden.

Lake Danao

Camotes is known to many as “The Lost Horizon in the South” because of its unspoiled beauty. It’s called “Camotes” because when they first arrived here, the Spaniards met some natives digging potatoes and they asked for the name of the place. Thinking that the foreigners asked what they were digging, the natives resplied “Camotes”—meaning “sweet potatoes.”

Consisting of four exciting, exotic isles—Pajican, Poro, Ponson, Tulang—Camotes is situated off the waters of Danao City in the northeastern side of Cebu Province. The people in its four capital towns—Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Tudela—can enjoy the benefits of relaxing in its pastoral setting, with only the narrow trails providing access to most places. Valleys of coconut grove, corn and potato abound. After swimming at the Bakhaw Beach Resort in San Francisco, we were treated with refreshing buko juice (coconut juice) at a nearby plantation. Another one in Poro—the Buho Beach Resort—is a potential attraction for tourists who love to dive, or to simply appreciate the serenity of the beachfront recesses.

Camotes Resort My Little Island Hotel

Buho is a local term for “a hole in the earth.” The resort opens opportunities for spelunking in Pag-sa Cave, where I was able to see and admire stalactites and stalagmites up close.

Fresh and naturally pure, Camotes’s picturesque lakes—like the Lake Danao in San Francisco—won an award for being the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines. Never had I been to such a lake in all of my past trekkings. It was just a pity we were running out of time so that we could not go paddling around the 700-hectare area. What makes Lake Danao more magnificent is that when you are up there at The Quarry in (Alta Vista) San Francisco, you will experience a melodramatic display of the sunset’s last enticing rays splaying on its still waters.

As the rays of light had faded out in the waters of Lake Danao, I found myself at the poolside of My Little Island Hotel, still overwhelmed with the raw charm of Camotes Island. And as I splashed down in the pool, I realized that my two days of fun and excitement hadn’t sunk in yet. No, it will never be. The memory is too beautiful to forget.

This article was sent to us and contributed by ARIEL ALLOSADA ALLERA