"Wow Philippines!" Philippines by nixca316

Philippines Travel Guide: 23,800 reviews and 79,316 photos

...so many pictures that I need to digitize!

I still prefer "WOW PHILIPPINES!" over "It's more fun in the Philippines". My country may not be perfect, but she is very, very beautiful.

There used to be a time when I was out of the country most of the year, but when people from out there (wherever that was) would ask me about this place and that, I wouldn't know how to answer. Then I thought to myself, "I should explore my own backyard first!"

Ooooh, I love my country. Sometimes, I have lots of complaints about some of her people, but I love her soooo much. The wonderful mountains, the gorgeous rivers, the lush valleys, the tropics, the fruits, the animals...and yes, most of our people are beautiful.

It's true, there are poor people and there are places that are more than eyesores, but The Philippines as a whole is a country I am so proud of.

Maybe, there are those undisciplined car dirvers that cause traffic jams, but there are also those who are pissed with those drivers because they follow the traffic rules and regulations. It's true, there are those people who try to step on other people's toes, but it's a worldwide phenomenon!

Media has hyped terrorism and poverty, but there's so much to see in this beautiful country of mine.

I've mentioned in one of my albums that being born on the 16th of March (when Fernando Magallanes a.k.a. Ferdinand Magellan supposedly discovered our country---the Arabians and the Malays beg to differ), I was named Lara (Luzon) Mia (Mindanao) Veronica (Visayas)--Rizza was just added after confirmation, but my legal name is Lara Mia Veronica Misa Garcia. Hmmm, did I tell you that I was supposed to be born on the 3rd of March, but I didn't want to get out of my mom's tummy so I was born on the 16th instead. ;p Maybe the higher forces thought it was better for me to be born on that date. =)

I learned to say "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America..." and sing "O say can you see..." before saying, "Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas" and singing, "Bayang Magiliw..." and I sound more American than Filipino (when speaking in straight English), but in my heart, I'm a Filipina through and through...A Filipina that's soooo addicted to traveling and meeting everyone from everywhere. =)

Note: Those are not titles, but lines...

There is something that boggles my mind. If the Island of Mindanao(94,630 km2) is larger than 125 countries including The Netherlands(41,526 km2), Austria(83,855 km2), Portugal(92,345 km2), Czech Republic(78,866 km2), Hungary(93,030km2 ), Taiwan(36,193 km2), and Ireland(84,421 km2), then how come in the world map we look like a super small country? Luzon is the 17th largest island in the world and is slightly bigger than Mindanao. Add up the Visayas and the vast waters(and I'm not even including that shoal they are fighting about), then we definitely are NOT a small nation. I think sometimes, though other nations do not really mind, being small in the map affects certain groups of people. Maybe, just maybe, it does affect our people too.

There are three traits that "we" could live without

a. Being "ningas cogon"
b. Being "Fashionably" late(as for me, I am very punctual, unless the traffic is bad or something happened along the way) Filipinos, not all, but most, have this characteristic that they don't want to be the first one to arrive during parties. Thankfully, in the corporate world, this habit has been, well, almost, eradicated. We should be considerate of other people's time!!!!
c. Crab Mentality

Taytay Falls, Majayjay

At Taytay Falls last August, 2011

Majayjay (pronounced Mah-high-high) is a town in Laguna located at the foot of mystical Mt. Banahaw. Since it's located a approximately a thousand feet above sea level, people used to pant upon reaching the place because it was steep to climb...or they sigh several times while resting. Ma is short for marami (mah-rah-me) and jayjay (is a form of sighing twice). Nowadays, it's easy to go there so the sighing isn't negative anymore. ;)

RJ has not been feeling good lately that we wanted him to breathe fresh air in a nearby province. When I searched for places of fresh air, I got 550 suggestions regarding Majayjay's Taytay falls.

Among of the 550 people was a dear VT sister (Cyndy Miranda Coronado). It got me excited because I trust her judgment[Thanks, Cyndy!]. We chose several places in Laguna, but this morning (after a confirmation from Charrie Calalang, another friend of ours, last night that it was still a beautiful place to go to [Thanks, Charrie!]) dad chose Taytay Falls.

It was just sad mater and dada weren't able to go down. They said it's not really senior citizen friendly (before reaching the easy path, there were a few steps that their wobbly knees couldn't handle). Besides, the trip was for our dear RJ(he died last May 21, 2012) to either restore his health or make him super happy during his last days.

The place was (is) very, very clean (except for one person who threw a plastic bottle...argh! I picked it up and threw it in the bin). The path going down was (is) very, very easy. The water was (is) very clear. :)

There are lots of beautiful places around the country and Majayjay is just one of it.

Here are some of them:
Check my Palawan Pictures @ my Multiply Page

Santa Fe and Banaue Rice Terraces.

Cagayan Valley.

Piat and Callao Eco Tourism Zone.

On the way to Pagudpud and Pagudpud.

Ilocos Norte.

Ilocos Sur.

Baguio 2009 .

Baguio 2010.

Palawan, the Philippines Last Frontier

an example of the Underground River Stalactites

My mother has always loved Palawan because she had lots of childhood memories there. She had lots of stories about this and that so I have dreamed about the place often.

When I reached the land she was raving about, I realized that she was not exaggerating at all.

There are many wonderful beaches, the Calauit Safari Park,
The Underground River,and so much more.

Why is it called "The Philippines' Last Frontier"? Read about it here:The Last Frontier by Chette and Tata Nichols.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Problems don't stop people from smiling; People are very hospitable; There are many bargain places; If you compute the currency exchange, our prices are reasonable; for the nature lover, there are many places to go; lots of beautiful beaches
Cons:Heavy Manila traffic; some provincial roads are very bumpy and rocky; some taxis are NOT metered; if you don't know the going rate SOME people might try to cheat you
In a nutshell:Don't just take my word for it, come visit us to see! It's good to have a Filipino host family because they will be able to show the places the NEWS do not cover.

Intro Updated Jul 21, 2012
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Reviews (7)

The number one fast-food chain in the country - Philippines

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1 for texting, 1 for calling (LOL!) - Philippines

We're the texting (sms) capital of the... Local Customs (3)

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Me and my friends signing @ Red Box - Philippines

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Whether or not a Filipino sings nicely, Filipinos love to sing! So the best business here besides food and LoadXtreme.ph... more travel advice

Comments (11)

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RAJASTHANBYCAR Dec 25, 2007 at 3:25 AM

Dear Friend Lara, May you always be well, happy, peaceful and free... Best wishes for success in all your endeavors, and good health for yourself and Family. Happy New Year 2008!!! Blessings, Mahavir Yadav elfyourself.com/?id=17710356...
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monina_c Jul 8, 2007 at 11:07 PM

Good afternoon Lara!
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Stephen-KarenConn Jun 14, 2007 at 4:28 AM

Excellent local customs tips. I'll be sure to study them again before my next trip (I hope) to the Philippines.
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bijo69 Apr 17, 2007 at 10:01 AM

Oh...texting is quite popluar here too :)
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robertgaz Apr 12, 2007 at 11:51 PM

Fabulous tip on "greeting" :~)
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spgood301 Mar 11, 2007 at 7:48 PM

Advance Happy Birthday to us, Lara! I saw a cool parade and heard some great Irish music here in Philly today...hopefully it'll lead to a great week! ;-)
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mircaskirca Feb 2, 2007 at 8:23 AM

It's good to know about the local customs in Philippines. You never know... it might be useful sometime :)
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globetrott Jan 21, 2007 at 1:14 PM

a good start !
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TheTravelSlut Jan 21, 2007 at 6:37 AM

Great page here and an opening to your world. Thank you and thanks for my HP visit and kudos! Ann, The Travel Slut
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socrates_07 Jan 20, 2007 at 11:43 AM

Hi Lara Mia Veronica! Thanks because you visited my homepage. And of course also thank for those nice words! Take care, Oliver