Sombrero Island (named because the island looked like a big hat sticking out of the water) is about 15 minute boat ride from Mabini Batangas (My start point going to the island).

Sombrero Island is a small patch of land known only to local fishermen. The changing tides and rainy season make it less known to tourists, but also unsurprisingly more pristine.

The east side of the island, you’ll find the beach but it does not offer much for the snorkeler but the white pristine sand makes the island more attractive. However, on the western side, you’ll find a spectacular coral reef garden. The only problem is that the snorkeler is limited only to about 50ft from the island. The farther you go out the stronger the current. To better enjoy this reef, scuba gear is needed.

Entrance to the island is 200Php cottage rent is 800Php

Join, Experience, Learn and be the Pride of you group…..Bring Home up to 400,00php cash prizes and specially designed Trophies, Plaques…with freebies…Gift Certificates…and more…

THE EVENT
1st Philippine Summer Youth and Mountaineers Adventure Camp (PSYMAC)

THE DATE
April 9-11, 2010

THE VENUE
Caramoan (Island), Camarines Sur. Venue of Survivor France, Belgium and Turkey. Where you’ll see White Sand and rock formations comparable to Coron, Palawan

HIGHLIGHTS


Ready…GO!…a mix event of Survivor, Fear Factor and Amazing Race with a twist. A three day event from undisclosed place in Bicol Region to the Island of Caramoan in Camarines. Composed of Five members per team of any gender.

Survivor…a typical survival challenges from simple to extreme. A team of three members of any gender will compete for three days in the island of Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

Fear Factor…three day event of unexpected challenges of a team with three members of any gender.….

WHAT TO EXPECT
On the first day of the event, experience the Bicolano Fiesta Celebration with sumptuous and unique Bicolano cuisine…Island Camping…and the Filipinoi Native Sports competition among non participants of the highlights events.

THE GUEST AND SPEAKERS
Mr. Anthony Pangilinan, Prof. Harvey Kee of Ateneo de Manila, Paolo Bediones, Marc Nelson, Mr. Rovilson, JC Tiuseco, Amanda, Kiko Rustia, Leo Oracion, Romi Garduce, Bert Emata, Pinay Everest Team, Ryan Agoncillo, Jiggy Manicad and a lot more….

CATEGORIES
Each Event will have four categories….

Company Based Org….organization based and accredited by the company with a common goal.

School Based Org…..organization based and accredited by the school.

Community Org….organization in the community whether sports, services among others with a certain goal.

Open Category….open to any individual with no group/org affiliation as long as they from a team of five or three.

PRIZES
Champions per categories will win 150,000php plus specialized trophies, plaques and freebies. Non winners and all the participants will receive freebies and certificates. Finalist will received gift certificates, plaques and freebies.

REGISTRATION
To all participants - 1,500php registration fee per head inclusive of a round trip fare from Manila to the Island of Caramoan in Camarines Sur plus uniform, ID, Certificate, and a souvenir shirt and event yearbook.

DEADLINE OF REGISTRATION
March 5, 2010

BRIEFING AND TRAININGS
All Official Contestants of the 3 events are required to attend the briefing and trainings either on March 13 or 20, 2010 or both. (Venue to be announced)

FINAL MEETINGS
Participants and Contestants are required to attend the Final Meeting on March 27, 2010 at 7:00pm. Venue will be at RCBC Plaza Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Ayala cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Makati City.

REGISTRATION FORM
Available at all branches of Tobys, Chris, Sandugo, Conquer, Montanara and 7-11 stores starting February 20, 2010

For more details please contact ANTHONY GO @ 09214725161 // 09157883729 or e-mail : nthnygo@yahoo.com.

Starting March 8, Filipinos applying for passports may do so at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs at the corner of Bradco and Macapagal Avenues in the Aseana Business Park, near the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Authentication services will be transferred to the new building on March 4, while all passport operations will transferred there on March 8.

The new 7,000-square meter, four-storey building is a few blocks away from the DFA main building in Pasay City.

The new building is part of the ongoing modernization program undertaken by the government to improve its frontline services.

These include harnessing new technologies in passport and visa issuances and streamlined procedures in the authentication of documents.

To ensure quick service, the DFA said applicants should check the passport requirements and secure an online appointment at www.dfa.gov.ph, or call the consular helpline number (02-556-0000) or DFA trunk line (02-834-4000).

Applications may also be filed with the DFA’s 19 regional consular and satellite offices.

Focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 10 s. 33.5 m (110 ft) white concrete tower with two galleries; no lantern. The building has an enclosed 2-story square base, an octagonal skeletal section topped by a gallery, and then a square cylindrical section topped by the octagonal second gallery. There are a number of lighthouses of this type in the Philippines, including the Lolong Point Light. Apo Reef is an atoll placed dangerously in the center of Mindoro Strait, the shipping route between the South China Sea and the central and southern Philippines. The atoll is preserved as the Apo Reef Natural Park. The original lighthouse here, built early in the U.S. administration (1906), was a hexagonal skeletal tower with central cylinder. Site open; visitors can climb the stairs to the top of the skeletal section.

Note: there is also an Apo Island lighthouse in Negros . Located on the atoll 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Sablayan. Accessible only by boat.

The year 2010 is expected to be a positive year for Philippine tourism. Needless to say, everyone is expected to pack their bags and travel.

The Philippine Travel Agencies and Association, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and other travel tour operators and agencies, is staging the 17th Travel Tour Expo 2010 on Feb. 19 to 21, at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, running on the theme “Ready, Jet-set, Go!”

The event is considered the biggest and grandest travel fair in the Philippines and everybody who is anybody in the industry is expected to join.

The 17th travel tour expo is expecting more visitors, participants, and not to mention, sales. Activities include raffle draws, entertainment and games, and presentations from exhibitors. Lastly,  great bargains and promotions that will entice even the most jaded traveler.

Date:

19 to 21 February 2010

Venue:

SMX Convention Center Halls 2, 3 & 4,

Seashell Drive,  Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Opening Hours:

19 February - Friday

10 AM - 9 PM

20 February - Saturday

10 AM - 9 PM

21 February - Sunday

10 AM - 7 PM

Ticket booths close 30 minutes before end of show hours

Accompanying Events:

Daily Raffle Draws, Entertainment & Games and Exhibitors’ Presentations & more surprises

Mount Samat is a mountain in the Town of Pilar, Province of Bataan, Republic of the Philippines that is the site of the Dambana ng Kagitingan or “Shrine of Valor”.

Along with the island fortress of Corregidor, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan.

Suffering heavy losses against the Japanese all over Luzon, Filipino and American soldiers retreated to Bataan Peninsula to regroup for a last valiant but futile stand. This retreat to Bataan is part of a United States strategy known as War Plan Orange.

After fierce battle lasting 3 days, 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men under Major General Edward P. King surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942. It was, and still is, the single largest surrender of U.S. and Philippine Forces ever. These forces were then led on the Bataan Death March.

The mountain is now a war memorial. A huge white cross stands as a mute but eloquent reminder of the men who died there. The Memorial Cross is a towering structure made of concrete, steel and marble. It is 92 meters high and the arms’ length is 15 meter on each side. It is 555 meters above sea level. An elevator goes up to the arms of the cross where the viewing galleries are found. The exterior finish of the cross at the base up to an 11-meter level is capped with “Nabiag Nga Bato” sculptural bas relief’s depicting significant battles and historical events. It also acts as a tourist attraction with a war museum nearby that has a wide array of displays from paintings of the Philippine heroes to armaments used by the American, Filipino and Japanese forces during the heat of the battle.

Feast of Candelaria

Date: February 2 Location: Jara, Iloilo City

The biggest and most opulent religiuos pageanty in Western Visayas. The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and her court which highlights the celebration.

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Date: February 11-14 Location: Clark Field, Pampanga

Flying superstars known as hot-air balloons are making their grand performance to treat thousands of people to a three-day air-sporting extravaganza filled only with fun, excitement and friendly competition.

Suman Festival

Date: February 13-20 Location: Baler, Aurora

The biggest and grandest of all feast in Aurora every February 13-20 is a parade of floats uniquely designed. Main srreets and homes are decked with suman, a native delicacy.

Panagbenga Flower Festival

Date: Last week of February Location: Baguio City

The Baguio folks take a break on these days to revel in the cool climate and the unique culture of their city. Multi-hued costumes are worn, mimicking the various blooms of the highland region . Celebrated with shows, concerts, and pageantry of floats made from hundreds of flowers.

Please let me know if I missed anything.

I remember when I was little, every summer we have a Bolinao trip to check our rice farm and Sinegwelas farm (Spanish plum). During those early years I never explore Bolinao till the summer trip to Bolinao was stop because we only wait for the harvested crop to be delivered to our house.

Now Im so eager to explore Bolinao. I want to visit those places that I visited during my childhood years and some how see the changes. So I made this tourist spot list that I want to visit.

Interesting Places in Bolinao (Tourist Spots):

• Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
• Portuguese Point and Lighthouse
• Bolinao National Museum
• Church Of St. James Fortress (The Bolinao Church)
• Bolinao Marine Laboratory (UP Marine Science Institute)
• Santiago Island
• Silaqui Island (Isla Silaki)
• Binabalian Island
• Enchanting Cave
• Cindy’s Cave
• Wonderful Cave
• Tara Falls
• Bolinao Falls
• Fatima Hill
• Patar Beach
• Guiguiwanen Beach
• Balingasay Beach
• Abrac Beach

Please let me know if I missed anything.

Adarna Food and Culture is a restaurant that celebrates Filipino culinary heritage by serving historical, regional and heirloom recipes in a warm, elegant and homey setting. Every table offers a special view of the place with its collection of Filipino memorabilia.

Hosts are on hand to provide each guest with efficient and polite service to make dining pleasurable and worry-free. Adarna serves a selection of dishes based on the accounts of old family cooks, descendants of families with culinary traditions and old Filipino cookbooks.

The restaurant commonly uses organic ingredients. It uses no MSG, artificial flavors, seasonings and preservatives. All ingredients that can be sourced locally and from their points of origin are used.

Traditional cooking methods are applied in a modern kitchen that observes strict sanitary standards to ensure that the food served is safe and clean. Adarna regularly offers new dishes on its menu to celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of the country for its guests to discover and enjoy.

My over all experience

Adarna is a pleasant experience for me, The ambiance itself was exceptional. I love how Adarna preserve the antique memorabilia. The food is great I went home satisfied and even texted few friends to try it out. Aside from the food and ambiance the staff of Adarna are courteous and I must say that they provided me with an exceptional customer service and even find time to tour us around and give us brief back ground of the memorabilia’s displayed

Experience Adarna Food and Culture Restaurant:

Location: 119 Kalayaan Avenue Diliman Quezon City Philippines

Features: Lunch, Dinner, Offers vegetarian items, Has smoking area, Function rooms, Bar list, also serve merienda fare between 3-6pm except on Sundays.

Business Hours: 11:30 AM-10:30 PM Monday to Sunday

Contact No. : +639179618113 or +6329268712

adarnafoodandculture@yahoo.com

adarnafoodandculture@gmail.com