2. “After being on the air for 16
hours, we’ve finally arrived at
Manila, Philippines. As I look out
the window, the view was like
nothing I’ve seen before. At that
moment, I had come to terms that I
was no longer in the city of Las
Vegas, Nevada, but was in a whole
new world.”
http://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_7194.jpg
Being the capital of the Philippines, Manila consist a population of 1,652,171, making it the
second populous city in the Philippines. It is a home to extensive commerce, historically and
culturally significant landmarks, and the Malacañang Palace, which is the President’s resident
and workplace.
Fun fact: Manila got its name from a mangrove tree with white flowers known as Nilad.
mangrove tree with white flowers
3. “Curious to see the streets of Manila,
we commuted through the use of
tricycles and jeepneys. Though it was
crowded and traffic, the experience
was worth while.”
The means of transportation in the Philippines
mostly include: tricycles, jeepneys, automobiles,
and buses. You would usually use tricycles and
jeepneys for local distances , and buses and
automobiles for long distances.
Fun fact: Tricycles only cost 12 pesos for a good distance, which is about 27 cents in USD.
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+Photography.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22aLSVuuuB0/TZzpBL7BdLI/AAAAAAAALH4/L0L8X-
ynfbI/s1600/DSC00144w.jpg
4. “I was surprised at how colorful
and crowded the streets were.
There were food vendors
everywhere, along with fresh fruits
and vegetables.”
The streets in the Philippines are one of the most
busiest and crowded places one can encounter. You
can expect to find street foods, open markets, and
Philippine’s most famous fast food restaurant,
Jollibee.
Fun fact: People commonly use umbrellas to protect them from the heat as the temperature and humidity
rises.
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otography.jpg
https://marilil.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/binondo-039.jpg
5. “I did not expect that exotic foods can
taste so good. My favorites has to be
fish ball, balot, and kwek kwek. I think
it’s time to go in for another round.”
Street foods in the Philippines include: Filipino
hot dog, kwek kwek, isaw, fish ball, balot, squid
balls, kikiam, barbeque chicken, and many more.
It is usually punctured through a skewer and
served like barbeque on stick. Also, selling street
food is a common way people make a living in the
Philippines.
Fun fact: Balot is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell.
http://www.philippinetraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/balut-street-vendor-
philippines.jpg
http://philippinestravelsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Philippine-Street-
Food628.jpg
6. “As we explored more on
Manila, we found that the city
still maintains its authenticity
through historical landmarks
such as the Rizal Park.”
The Rizal Park or also known as the Luneta Park is named after the Philippine’s national hero,
Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He advocated peaceful revolution against Spanish as Philippines wanted
freedom and longed for independence. The Rizal Park is located in the heart of Manila which is
along the Manila Bay.
Fun fact: The Rizal Park is the exact place where Jose P. Rizal was executed by the Spanish army
in December 30, 1896.
http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/22300959.jpg
7. “As we traveled north of the Philippines
to Tarlac, we got to witness the erupted
volcano of Mt. Pinatubo. Despite the
violent eruption of the volcano, it left an
astonishing view. It was perfect to go jeep
cruising.”
Mt. Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano on
the island of Luzon. Its eruption on June 15,
1991 produced the second largest terrestrial
eruption of the 20th century.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_--PYDoG8yso/TKGyFPk2G2I/AAAAAAAAAAk/yNx-
hKFRees/s1600/pinatubo3.jpg
http://rjtours.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Pinatubo-Postcard.jpg
Fun fact: The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo left more than 800 people dead.
8. http://thebudgettraveler.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/zipline-philippines.jpg
“Traveling is not traveling without
some adventure! We had a chance to go
zip lining across the spectacular view of
Baguio and river rafting in the white
waters of Cagayan de Oro.”
http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Adventure-Sports-
Rafting.jpg
There are hundreds of adventure and thrills that
Philippines offer. You can go zip lining over 7 waterfalls
in Lake Subic or you can experience the underground
river of Palawan. Also, you can ascend the volcanoes by
foot or go extreme kite surfing in Boracay. Whatever
your taste of adventure may be, Philippines has it all.
Fun fact: One of Philippines’ tourist spot, Chocolate Hills, has 1,268 hills in the island of Bohol.
9. http://www.easyvoyage.com/images/attractions/2796/960x384/2563.jpg
“As we were in Baguio, we had a chance to
see the famous rice terraces of Banaue. It
has been said that these rice terraces is
commonly referred to as the 8th wonder of
the world by Filipinos. I could not have
agreed more, the view was proved to be
breath taking!”
The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2,000 year old
terraces. They were carved by the ancestors of
the indigenous people. It was built with
minimal equipment and mostly with hand.
Locals plant rice and vegetables on these
terraces.
Fun fact: During celebrations such as festivities or ritual activities, the Ifugaos, drink rice beer, eat
rice cakes, and chew betel nut.”
10. http://www.rdv-voyage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/philippines-
banaue_rice_terraces_ifugao-tribe.jpg
https://anywhereiwander.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ifugao-people.jpg
“When we visited the Banaue rice terraces,
we also got to meet the indigenous locals of
Banaue. Many of these native locals that we
met were over the age of 90!”
These natives are known as the Ifugao, which
means "inhabitants of the known earth." Their
culture value kinship, family ties, religious and
cultural beliefs. They are also known for their
unique wood carving art such as the carved
granary guardians bului and the prestige bench
of the upper class, the hagabi.
Fun fact: The Kadangyan, which are the more affluent Ifugao are generous in nature. They give rice to
poor neighbors in times of shortages.
11. “As we came back to Manila
we had an eye-opening
experience. Seeing and
experiencing different parts of
the Philippines, nothing was as
sobering as these shack homes
built on a river. After
encountering the Philippines,
my outlook of the world has
changed. I saw that there was
so much a place can offer,
whether that be their culture or
their way of living. Through
this journey, I’ve learned to
embrace the unusual and take
chances.”
Poverty in the Philippines is one of the critical issues
that the country is facing. Philippine’s poverty is caused
by the rapid growth of population and increase
unemployment.
Fun fact: About half of the country’s population of 88 million live in rural poverty.
http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/philippines_squatter.jpg
12. "Banaue Rice Terraces." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaue_Rice_Terraces>.
Bignoria, Manny. "The Ifugao People | Ethnic Groups of the Philippines." Ethnic Groups of the Philippines.
Ethnic Groups Philippines, 11 July 2011. Web. 3 May 2015.
<http://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/2012/04/22/the-ifugao-people/>.
"Manila." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila>.
"Means of Transportation in the Philippines." Means of Transportation in the Philippines. Philippine
Airlines, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/transport1.htm>.
"Mount Pinatubo." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pinatubo>.
"Nature & Adventure." Its More Fun in the Philippines RSS. Its More Fun In The Philippines, 3 May 2015.
Web. 3 May 2015. <http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/nature-adventure-2/>.
"Poverty in the Philippines." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_Philippines>.
"Rizal Park." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park>.
