New 7 Wonders of Nature

Pride of the Philippines

“Chocolate Hills, Bohol”

This is the most famous tourist attraction in Bohol. It is an unusual geological formation. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi). They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, hence the name.

It is featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attraction in the province.It is in the Philippine Tourism Authority’s list of tourist destinations in the Philippines; it has been declared the country’s 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“ Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. ”
“ Bohol is a major tourist province. The fame of the Chocolate Hills is not only known in the country but worldwide. ”

In fact, the national government has chosen the Chocolate Hills as one of its “flagship tourist destinations”.
Tarsier (scientific name = Tarsius Syrichta) – The world’s smallest primate, which measures 4 to 5 inches and a tail longer than its body. Has brown eyes three times larger than any primates’s hairless ears and long claws. It is able to rotate its head nearly 360 degrees and is quick agile, leaping frog – like over several meters in qauick succession trees, shrubs and over ground. Tarsier lives in the forest of Corella, 10 kilometers from Tagbiliran City.

Beach Resorts – Powdery white – sand beaches living sites are among the province’s best come – ons. Beach resorts with excellent facilities abound in Panglao Island where Tourism Estate taking shape.

SAMAL ISLAND: Davao

Samal Island offers unending fascination with its white-sand beaches, thick mangroves, coral reefs, rolling hills and rock formations. It is an archipelago of nine islands located in the Davao Gulf about 700 meters south of Davao City. An ideal model for resort and development, Samal Island provides a fabulous site for sunrise and sunset.

Samal Island, like the rest of Mindanao, is outside of the typhoon belt, and enjoys relatively calm weather. Its coastline is characterized by tall, swaying coconut trees, white sand beaches, rock formations, mangroves, coral reefs, and small fishing villages, all suggestive of a tropical island paradise.

Almost all of the beach areas have white sand, with widths varying from only a few meters to more than 10 meters. It provides ample space for picnic huts, reclining chairs for sun bathing, or for simply relaxingand enjoying the tropical scenery.

The water is crystal clear throughout the coastline, which varies in terrain from gently sloping sand beaches to steep cliffs and rock formations. The colors of the coastline at the beach areas transforms itself from the green lush vegetation of coconut trees, to the white sandy beaches, to the dark blue color of the sea, with its deep waters and coral reefs.

New 7 Wonders of Nature
Pride of the Philippines
“Tubbataha Reef”

Declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 1993.

The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 km (5 miles) wide.

Tubbataha is considered as the best dive site in the Philippines and the diving dedicated ships that operate during the “Tubbataha Season” are usually booked years in advance especially during the Asian holidays of Easter and “Golden Week”

Vivid corals cover more than two-thirds of the area and the waters around the reef are places of refuge for numerous marine lives.

In 1993, the United Nations designated Tubbataha as one of the two World Heritage Sites found in the Philippines . The other site is the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao.

Aside from being a marine sanctuary, Tubbataha is also renowned for being a bird sanctuary. A lighthouse islet, at the southern tip of the South Atoll, supports a large number of seabirds which nest there. Around the Tubbataha, there are tens of thousands of masked red-foot boobies, terns, and frigate birds resting during their annual migrations.

“As a World Heritage Site, Tubbataha should be protected and preserved so that future generations will also have the opportunity to see one of the greatest wonders of the world.”

Called “Araw ng mga Puso” or “Hearts Day,” Valentines Day in the Philippines is celebrated with enthusiasm. Many businesses and commercial establishments take advantage of the people’s romantic mood and offer Valentines-themed products and services. Hotels offer cheaper rates and packages; restaurants and cafes decorate their dining areas with hearts and flowers; and flower shops and florists increase their prices due to the increased demand for flowers.

Romantic Get-Aways

For those wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Philippines is home to many romantic and secluded areas that provide the perfect place where lovers and honeymooners can spend their Valentines undisturbed by the multitudes who are also celebrating their Valentine’s Day. From private islands to mountainous rockies, to serene lakes and rivers, the Philippines hosts some of the most beautiful places in the world. Here are some of the more popular romantic get-aways in the Philippines <read more>

One of the more known festivals in the Philippines is the Panagbenga Festival, a flower festival held in Baguio City, the summer capital of the country. Every February, thousands of spectators and visitors from all over the world visit this city on a mountain to watch an amazing parade of beautiful roses and other colorful flowers as the city celebrates not only the bounty the flower industry has enjoyed over the years, but also the city’s enduring resilience against disaster and misfortune. Aside from a flower parade, the festivities also feature street dancing, marching bands, trade fairs, and bazaars.

Activities

The festival is a month-long celebration, but its main activities are held during the first day of the month, the last Sunday of February, and first Sunday of March. All throughout the event, a trade fair and bazaar will be opened for the public at Burnham Park. <read more>

History

The festival started in 1994, three years after the devastating eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, a volcano located somewhere in the borders of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales – all northern provinces of the island of Luzon. Determined to jumpstart the local economy and help the people of the province regain their festive spirit, the Philippine Government together with some private individuals, hot air balloon and aviation enthusiasts decided to organize the first ever international hot air balloon festival in the Philippines.

Currently one of only three international hot air balloon festival in Asia (the other two being in Japan and Thailand), the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is a premier international hot air balloon festival that is held annually between January and February in Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga. Aside from ballooning, the festival features a number of aerial attractions such as <read more>

Tourist Attractions

The Philippines is best known for its beautiful beaches and rich marine life. It has the 5^th longest coastline in the world (22, 549 miles) and also has the Philippine Trench and the Mariana Trench, both considered to be among the deepest points on the planet. The country also possess some of the most scenic yet active volcanoes in the world; with Mayon Volcano (a volcano possessing a perfect cone) and Taal Volcano (a volcano within a lake) being two of the most famous volcanoes in the country.

A Country of Fiestas and Festivals

The Philippines is also unique in that it holds the distinction of being one of the countries in the world that has the most number of fiestas and festivals all throughout the year. There isn’t a month that goes by without a province or a city celebrating a fiesta or festival of some kind. Some of the more known fiestas and festivals in the country include <read more>

The Philippines is an archipelago in the Pacific made up of 7,107 islands bordered by bodies of water all around. On the east, the Philippine Sea, on the west, South China Sea, and on the south, the Celebes Sea. The Philippines is a tropical country with two main seasons, a wet and a dry season. Dry season typically occurs from the months of November until April with the months of March till May considered as the summer months of the country while the rest of the year alternates from rainy season to periods of extreme humidity.

The summer months are considered to be the best time to visit for tourists as these are the months when the Philippine weather is generally fair and sunny and when tourists planning to go to beaches can take full advantage of the sun for tanning. Be reminded though that in some days of summer, the heat is especially extreme so those who are vulnerable to heat strokes should take precaution and be better hydrated. Visitors are also advised to bring sunscreen and apply it on days when the sun’s heat is extremely strong to avoid overexposure and sunburn.

Average temperature around the country is 26.6 °C or 79.9 °F except for the province of Baguio which has an average temperature of 18.3 °C or 64.9 °F due to being situated 1,500 m above sea level. Temperature extremes also occur, with the highest temperature recorded at 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) and the lowest at 3 °C (37.4 °F).

Travel Documents

Foreign nationals are allowed to enter the country without a visa for a period of… <read more>