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Planning a tour around Manila?  Here are some important places to include whether it is a historical, religious, or tour of any nature.  Depending on the time you spend at each point of interest, this entire tour itinerary could take, at least, 1 day. The Coconut Palace, is where the current Vice-President of the country holds office.  It is located in the Bay City, a 660-hectare reclaimed land that is home to Asia's biggest shopping mall, the Mall of Asia.  The Coconut Palace is one of the pet projects of former First Lady Imelda Marcos and was built to showcase the versatility of the coconut tree.   Some of the spectacular items in the palace are a huge chandelier and  dining table wholly crafted from coconut trunk and shells. From the Bay City, you can proceed to Luneta Park, otherwise called Rizal Park . It is one of the landmarks of Manila and many major historical events were held here when it was then called Bagumbayan.  Among th...

The people of Bunawan have a good reason to throw a big party now that  Lolong has finally gained recognition as the world's biggest crocodile in captivity and we know what this means.  This will surely boost tourism in the area.  The once unknown town of Agusan will be one of the tourist-drawer to the province.  Dr. Adam Briton, a zoologist who joined the National Geographic team for this assignment in the Agusan Marsh, personally took the measurement and confirmed that Lolong is indeed the world's biggest crocodile measuring 20.3 feet.  Dr. Briton was also the expert that was commissioned by Guiness World Records to measure the length and size of Cassius, the biggest crocodile before Lolong's existence was discovered.   Lolong who has ended his "hunger strike" now likes to gorge on pork, instead of chicken meat, as crocs are often fed.  With this new developments,  Bunawan had better gear up for the tourists who will be coming to vie...

Drawing inspiration from his grandmother who died of bone cancer, the very same illness that kept her wheelchair-bound, Councilor Alfred Vargas , the hardworking councilor of Quezon City, launched PWD (Persons with Disabilities)...PWeDe which aims to increase people's awareness of the plight of the PWDs not only in Quezon City, but for the entire Metro Manila as well.    His advocacy started with merely giving a wheelchair to some of his constituents but after seeing that the PWDs needed an additional voice to encourage others to support the PWDs,  Councilor Vargas made it his mission to bring the cause of the PWDs to people who would be able to give assistance to the PWDs and that means, me and you and the entire country.  To everyone, Councilor Vargas is appealing for help in his personal advocacy in uplifting the quality of life among Persons With Disabilities and help them help themselves.

We all know that Bulacan is one of the provinces that suffered from Ramon's wrath and the devastation caused a lot of suffering among the Bulakenyos.  During times like these, Filipinos never fail to extend their hands whether it be volunteering to help evacuees or donating food and clothing.  In any way we can, we strive to give assistance.  It is in the spirit of helping that Abenson, the leading appliance store in the country, stepped up to help the Bulakenyos. Through its "We Serve Program"  Abenson will be offering free laundry services, free appliance cleaning, checkups, and discounts on spare parts for electronics. This bayanihan effort is in cooperation with Samsung, Sharp, LG, TCL, Kelvinator, Condura, Fujindenzo, and Whirlpool, with the coordination of the Bulacan provincial government. Abenson will be offering its services in the following areas on these dates: October 25 (Tuesday) : Sta. Monica Covered Court, Hagonoy October 26 (Wednesday) :...

I stayed in this idyllic town in Leyte for three weeks for work and pleasure and those three weeks were one of those I would fondly recall always.    I let my hair down and just simply relaxed on this beach which is 50 meters away from the cottage inside Visayas State University, one of the premiere universities in the Visayas Region.   This area was turned into a marine sanctuary and for almost ten years have been protected from destructive fishing practices.  Turtles, schools of fish, colorful starfish and other marine animals are common sights to swimmers here.  In the town proper of Baybay, this cluster of eateries very, very near the wharf of Baybay, is a favorite of the locals.  When night falls, these eateries would be jampacked and the karaokes would all be busy.   You can have all the chicken and puso (steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaf) and other delicacies for a low cost. The newly-renovated seafront of Baybay tow...

(Photo from:  Bruce Casanova) I was one of those who monitored the pageant on Sept. 12, because, for the first time, I was convince the crown belongs to Shamsey Supsup, the Philippines ' bet for the Miss Universe title.  I believe Shamsey is one of the really good representatives that we have chosen (if not the best) to represent the country in the world's most prestigious beauty contest.     Shamsey caught the eyes of countless viewers  and of course, she also brought attention to the Philippines, which is really one of the positive things that this pageant did for the country, and to Shamsey also. 

Who has not heard of " Lolong,"  the buwaya , or crocodile that was caught in Bunawan, a town in the province of Agusan del Sur, on Sept 3, 2011?   Well, everyone probably has.  Lolong was finally caught three weeks after some experienced crocodile hunters and locals carefully planned to capture the "beast" that has allegedly killed a schoolgirl and a fisherman as well as a carabao.   Lolong is 20.1 feet long (6.4 meters), 3 feet longer than the present record of the world's largest crocodile which is only 18 feet.  It is also the largest crocodile ever caught in the Philippines.  Lolong's original habitat is the Agusan Marsh, a place he shares with 1, 300+ people.   Now, Lolong is in captivity, away from the other denizens of the Agusan Marsh, who are probably relieved that Lolong is secured away from them.  Local officials are now planning to make an eco-park in the area where Lolong is held captive.  Eversince Lolong was ...