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Manila Hotels |
Cebu Hotels |
Bohol Hotels
Boracay Hotels
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Palawan Hotels |
Davao Hotels |
Manila home to roughly 20% of the country's 62 million
Filipinos. The capital, Manila, is situated at the mouth of a
natural harbor - the Manila Bay of world-famous sunsets. Malacaņang
Palace, the official residence of the Philippine President, stands
regally on the banks of the Pasig River, which meanders through the
length of the metropolis.
Within the city limits are located the medieval walled
city of Intramuros, Spain's stronghold in Asia during its empire
era; Escaolta and Sta. Cruz, two of the oldest commercial centers in
the country; and historic Paco and Luneta Parks. Here, too, can be
found enclaves as exotic and enduring as Chinatown, the Muslim
quarters of Quiapo, and the noisy bargain mecca that is Divisoria.
Along the sunset strip lining Manila Bay, luxury hotels vie for the
tourist trade with the poshest accommodations and the best views,
while a few blocks away along Ermita's bar-lined streets, more racy
pursuits await the night owl.
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 Cebu
is a city in the midst of overwhelming growth that blends its
ancestral heritage and modern business savvy with flair.
Standing as the country's top business and tourist destination,
Cebu was crowned as the Queen City of the South. Finding
its own place under Cebu's friendly skies, business and leisure
breathe together with office buildings and beach resorts. Relics
of the past are found aplenty as Cebu is the country's oldest
city. The street with the distinction of being the oldest
in the Philippines is Colon Street. Colon Street was paved
lat in the 16th century by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and now
houses malls, office buildings, theaters as well as museums and
monuments. Other historical places are the
oldest fortress in the country, Fort San Pedro, Liloan
Lighthouse and the Bantayan sa Hari.
Cebu was named the country's capital by the Spaniards in 1565
and has been a bustling trade port since pre-Hispanic times.
Since that time, Cebu has been able to maintain its stature as
the center of trade and commerce in Southern Philippines.
More than just a city of increasing sophistication, Cebu still
retains much of its provincial warmth and charm, with its
colorful past. Apart from Cebu's numerous man-made
landmarks and institutions, it also features many miles of
forest greens - a haven to wildlife and the place for a perfect
picnic. There's the 15,393-hectacre Central Cebu National
Park, the 696-hectare Sudian National Park, the Kawasan Falls
and the Bolok-Bolok Mineral Springs. nearby Mactan Island
boasts of world-class beach resorts.
 Bohol
with its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and
beaches, Bohol is a picturesque island-province replete with
ancestral homes and centuries old churches. Bohol is
situated at the heart of Visayas. West of Bohol is Cebu,
and to the east if Leyto. long its coastline are the
numerous isles of Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, jao, Mahanay and
Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.
However, beneath the rustic charms of Bohol lies a thousand and
one adventures just waiting to unfold. The site of the
1565 blood compact between Boholano chieftain Rajah Sikatuna and
Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Leganzpi Bohol's historicity is
evident in the province's relaxed, laid-back pace.
Excavation in ancient burial grounds reveal artifacts dating
back to China's Tang dynasty. Indeed, the province already
had strong trading ties with the Chinese long before the
Spaniards set foot in the country. Every year, the compact
between the Muslim chief and the Spanish conqueror is celebrated
through the Sandugo Festival in July. All year-round, the
museums and churches attest to the province's rich heritage and
culture. The Chocolate Hills is the most famous natural
attraction to be found in Bohol. The province is home to
the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a
first, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some ten
kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other equally exotic flora and
fauna can be found amongst the forests of Bohol.
Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a
natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can
cruise the rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters or
just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to
surprise you.
 Boracay
is the perfect island getaway, with its warm blue waters,
powder-fine white sand, and a palm fringed 4-kilometer beach.
The islands facilities and amenities make her a recreational
haven. The world-famous island of Boracay is located in Aklan
province 345 kms. South of Manila. The island is accessible by
air from Manila or Cebu. Boracay would have remained a national
secret if not far a few foreign travelers whom accidentally
stumbled upon the place. Some say it was a movie crew, which
spread word about Boracay to other sun worshippers. Other swear
it was German traveler Jens Peters' book, which included rare
reviews about Boracay, that sent tourists on their way.
Whichever tale is true, Boracay has become a melting pot for
beach lovers. At any point in the islands, visitors can hear
English, German and French spoken fluently. More importantly,
visitors respect the serene quality of the place, and pay
tribute to native Boracaynons by behaving according to local
behavioral codes-which means no nudity, no fighting, and no loud
commotion's.
 Palawan
the has stood still. Branded as the country's last frontier,
Palawan has managed to preserve its fascinatingly natural
habitat over the years. Situated southwest of Mindoro and north
of Malaysia's Sabah Island, Palawan is the country's largest
province with its 1.5 million-hectare land area. More than
a thousand islands and islets compose Palawan's territory making
the province an ideal breeding ground for tropical flora and
fauna. Indeed, It is in Palawan where endemic Philippine animals
like the bearcat, mousedeer and Palaway peacock pheasant
co-exist with some of Africa's wildlife species such as the
giraffes, elands, zebras and gazelles.
Palawan's population follows the same pattern. Through the
years, the province has attracted people of all backgrounds.
It is said that today's Palawenos are the result of 81 different
cultural groups.
Many visitors have come to love this hauntingly beautiful
province where the dramatic landscape is also amazingly diverse
- from coral reefs to mountain ranges, stark cliffs of sheer
limestone, rainforests abundant with rare wildlife, and
unmatched underwater views acclaimed by leading divers.
 Davao
is a province bursting with life and color. A
predominantly mountainous region marked with rolling hills and
fertile valleys, Davao is home to a fantastic array of flora and
fauna from the famous and rare waling-waling to the endangered
Philippine Eagle. The prince being virtually typhoon-free
contributes to this marvelous blossoming of nature.
Davao is also blessed in he diversity of the people which have
embraced the province as their home. In the early times, the
ethnic tribes of the Manobos, Bagabos, Mandayas, and Mansakas
lived together side by side. Indeed, these are the people who
gave the province its name from the word daba-daba, which means
fire. Because of its promising abundance of natural
resources and good weather, Davao also attracted people from the
nearby provinces of Zamboanga, Jolo, and Cotabato. When the
Spaniards came, Christian settlers from Cebu and Ilocos also
migrated to this province. And despite their seeming
differences in culture and religion, these people have managed
to live together in peace and harmony.
It is this rich texture of history, culture and tradition which
makes Davao a most enchanting destination. It is here where one
can spot Bagobos and Mandayas in full regalia or beautiful
Moslem ladies in their colorful malongs (fabric) amidst the
backdrop of the Christian's San Pedro Cathedral.
Make no mistake however, Davao is also a city of growth.
With a population of about 1.2 million people, the
244,000-hectacre Davao City (probably the world's biggest city
in terms of land area), is bustling with financial activity. The
vast resources of Mindanao couple with advance in technology can
easily propel the province to hyper-growth.
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