Agusan del Sur is a landlocked province which stands as the fourth largest province in the Philippines. Blessed with rich, abundant natural resources that consists of vast forests, agricultural lands, and marsh lands. So far, it stands as the ultimate agro-processing center as well as great tourism destination.

A potential paradise in the depths of the northeastern portion of Mindanao, Agusan del Sur is the home of the multi-ethnic and culturally diversified Agusanons. The virtually untouched province spans 896,550 hectares of lush forests which provide people with the best source of oxygen. While in the middle of a large body of land, a river, the Agusan River, flows freely through the middle of Agusan del Sur. It is because of this great river that the place was called Agusan. The name “Agusan” was coined from the local term “agasan” which means “the place where water flows”. Like most other provinces in the Philippines, Agusan del Sur has a sister named “Agusan del Norte,” which by their names indicate that both are located in the South and North, respectively. Their cultural history is heavily influenced by the Majapahit Empire, which can be traced through numerous discoveries, including the discovery of a pure gold image of a woman [the Golden Tara is now located at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History, Gem Room in the United States].
Among its lush untapped forests lies jewels that serve as havens for lovers of adventure, environmentalists, and researchers. Agusan del Sur has a number of waterfalls that have been left undiscovered by many and sometimes taken for granted by locals. Some of these crystal clear waters have been left for those who know about it to enjoy. The following are some of the great bodies of water found in Agusan del Sur:

* Gibong River – A gateway to Binaba Falls which also serve as water irrigation to some rice fields.
* Binaba Falls – Waterfalls which once was a picture of beauty, but which has now been developed to look like a proper swimming pool. A total shame despite the fact that the move was made in favor of tourism, but resulted unfavorably.
* Bega Falls – A beautiful waterfall abundant with fresh forest breeze. Legend has it that the said falls is a “haven for beautiful mystical women.”

In San Franciso, a great mountain stands 633 meters high, which has been the ideal climb of mountaineers. Mt. Magdiwata is also the project site of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the “Billion Tree Act.” Close by, is also the Mt. Diwata Hot and Cold Spring which offers natural medicine to nature lovers and others aside from the breathtaking scenery. Not only is Agusan del Sur rich in its natural wonders, but its people also posses great skill and grace which is showcased twice a year. From June 12 to 17, the Agusanons celebrate the Naliyagan Festival which is usually held at the Government Center in Prosperidad. This is when natives from the far corners of Agusan del Sur come to display their tribal dances and rituals, as well as participate in trade fairs in which they feature their local products. Come September 23 of every year, the Kaamulan Festival is also celebrated. This is the time when all of the Agusan del Sur’s tribal leaders are set to converge with each other. The best part of the festival is when tribal priests present their authentic tribal rituals.

Siquijor - The Island of Fire

One of the smallest provinces in the Philippines, Siquijor has a total area of 343.5 square kilometers, and a population of 81,598 (as of 2007). Much like the rest of the country, Siquijor has the same tropical climate, with dry months from January to May. The island lies southeast of Cebu and the Negros Island, and southwest from Bohol.

One of its main tourism features is the newly launched “Island Butterfly Sanctuary” at Cabilao, Larena, Siquijor. It is a 200 square meter enclosure that houses around 20-25 species of butterflies. The sanctuary exhibits pupae, larvae, and live butterflies that have been produced by a Butterfly Garden in Cang-agong, which is owned by Dante Jumapit. The province island is popularly called or referred oftenly as the “Island of Fire,” or Isla del Fuego, as it was referred to by the Spaniards. This is due to the eerie glow that the island seemed to give off. Actually, the glow was a result of the swarms of fireflies that had populated the Molave trees on the island. Among the provinces of the Philippines, Siquijor has the reputation of being magical and mystical. It is said to be home to shamans, witches, sorcerers, and a place where magic potions and curses are concocted. Some Filipinos dare not stay overnight, but many of those who do, actually swear to have found great relaxation and most of them have loads of fun and an authentic vacation time on the island.

Siquijor has a number of gorgeous beaches that are mostly owned by locals. Due to its small size and location, the white sand beaches that surround Siquijor allow tourists to enjoy the vast coral reefs that are simply ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. One perfect getaway of note in the island is the Salagdoong Beach Resort with a few more grandiose resorts present and are very affordable to have a perfect stay.

The island is generally made up of hilly terrains, but it has awesome white rock formations which have been shaped by winds that course through the island. It also has six caves – most notable of these caves is Cantabon Cave – which has stalactites and stalagmites inside, as well as pools and tiny waterfalls. Island tours in the island often include spelunking and trekking. The lush greenery and undisturbed tropical forest boasts of springs and rivers as well as dense mangroves.

Much is to be discovered in the Province of Siquijor, and if you need more information on the province, Philippine tourism projects such as Walang Iwanan sa Bahay ni Juan and Paraiso Philippines (motto: Tourism Pinas 2009) will be a good place to start exploring. When you do, you are on your way to Experience Philippines.

Also, visit their official government website for more information about the Province of Siquijor.

Negros Oriental - Land of the Gentle People

Negros Oriental (or “Oriental Negros” as some may call it), is a province located in the Central Visayas (Region VII). When you look at a map of the Philippines, Negros Island can be easily spotted as it is the only one that looks like a sock. However, in most cases, when “Negros” is being talked about, people pretty much assume that it is Negros Occidental. Actually, Negros is divided into two provinces - Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental whereas Negros Occidental has Bacolod City as its capital, Negros Oriental has Dumaguete City. Negros Oriental’s capital is known as the “City of Gentle People” mainly due to its hospitable and kind inhabitants. Of course, the whole country is known for the trademark hospitality, but Dumaguete City pretty much stands out from the rest.

Aside from being known as the “City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete is also known as a “University Town” as the rather quaint city has a number of colleges and universities, one of which is the well-known Silliman University. The said university is the first Protestant school in the Philippines, and the oldest American university in the whole of Asia. It also holds the distinction of becoming one of the 30 private higher institutions that have been granted autonomy by CHED (Commission on Higher Education) in the Philippines.

Negros Oriental not only boasts of its great educational atmosphere, but also of its lush forests, mountains, and beautiful and unexploited beaches. There are a lot of all over the province, and these are located in the towns and localities that compose the province. In fact, one of the tourist spots is the white sand beaches of that are usually coupled with trips that allow the tourists to watch dolphins along the strait.

The province’s climate is between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius all the year round, and the wet season is from June to November. Since Negros island is located to the West, Negros Oriental stays protected from the numerous typhoons that traverse the country every year. Although not widely publicized, Negros Oriental holds some of the some alluring and relaxing nature sights in the country. Some of these include the Casaroro Falls, which is a tall waterfall amid a lush virgin forest. It is a good place for the young and old who love good climbs and exhilarating views. Another place to visit is the twin lakes, Balinsasayaw and Danao. This place is good for the more adventurous people who want to go trekking. The lakes are serene and have fish stock, and are surrounded by giant ferns and greenery with breathtaking sceneries. The annual festival of Buglasan is the province pride with fireworks display and an all night partying. If you want a fine relaxing time, there is definitely no other place like Negros Oriental.

More information about the province, its many other sights and scenery, projects such as Walang Iwanan sa Bayan ni Juan that go hand in hand in promoting the Philippines for tourism will be able to provide you with more than just the basics. This is in line with the campaign to boost tourism, with the motto “Tourism Pinas 2009“. Start with Negros Oriental, and one will see that it is the best way to Experience Philippines.

View the Department of Tourism Video on Central Visayas and capture its breathtaking sceneries of nature below.

This article was prepared by a graduate of Silliman University Lorselle Ann Tecson with the recommendation of another Silliman University graduate who is now in California preparing to take the Nursing Board Review Ezrah Lasola.

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?

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 !!!