10 Must-see Places in the Philippines as listed by TV show, 'Ang Pinaka'

The TV show, 'Ang Pinaka' which airs on Sundays at GMA News TV listed the following as 10 Must-see Places in the Philippines:

I'm proud to have been in two of them - Bohol and Puerto Princesa Subtarranean River National Park. In November and in February next year, I will be in Coron and Boracay, respectively. Whew! It means the pressure is only for the other six!

10. Bohol

Bohol's Panglao Island boasts its long white beaches. This, aside from the more popular, Chocolate Hills, tarsier sanctuary and dolphin watching in Balicasag; and of course, the now equally popular, Danao Adventure Park which  houses the famous exhilarating ride, "Plunge" are just few of the many attractions in Bohol.

9. Vigan
8. Lake Sebu
7. Boracay
6. El Nido and Coron, Palawan
5. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Underground River was recently listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. And it is indeed! Truly a must-see for every Filipinos and visitors alike. This is nature's wonder at its best...and its humbling that nature chose to place it in this part of the world --- Palawan, Philippines.

4. Agusan Marsh
3. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
2. Banaue Rice Terraces
1. Batanes

The episode was aired yesterday, Sunday, September 16, 2012. 

I totally agree with the top destination. I myself would rank it FIRST. Batanes is also a dream destination I hope to visit. And though it is said that flying to Batanes is the most expensive domestic flight in the Philippines, second being, a direct flight to El Nido; I will still save for both.

Crazy (now) for Climbs

Rei, one of my closest friend called during lunch and shared a news of seeing a good discount in Metrodeal for a day tour at Mt. Pinatubo. In the first few minutes, I couldn't break the enthusiasm just yet...allowing her to savor it a little more, and them boom! I dropped the bomb --- "Rei, I've been there!" "You did?", she said laughing. But I could also imagine how a little disappointed she must have been. I assured her though, that if everybody (roomies) goes, then it's okay with me. Going back to Pinatubo is not a problem and it would be really nice. I just didn't expect it to be this soon. But one of our friend, Novs has been to Pinatubo as well and because she rated 12 in a rating of 1-10 in terms of difficulty and fatigue, she swore she wouldn't do it again. And it didn't change until now.

I suggested a Taal trek instead but she gave even better ideas. It occupied my thoughts then. She suggested Mt. Pulag, Mt. Pico de Loro and Mt. Isarog. Brilliant! This shall be our own top 3 must-climb mountains in the Philippines. At least those that we know, are reasonable climbs based on what little skills we have in mountaineering. I hope we could do at least one, if not all...I've seen some of these in pinoymountaineer.com, a hiking and mountaineering guide/ blog authored by Gideon Lasco. I hope I'd be able to take one of my own too - soon!

 
In my searches, I also came across the title: Top 5 Must-Climb Mountains in the Philippines from www.geosocphil.org.ph, maintained by The Geological Society of the Philippines. The article lists the following: Mount Pico de Loro in Cavite, Mount Daguldol in Batangas, Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, Mount Ugu in Benguet and Mount Pulag in Benguet. Proud to say I've completed one climb already!

We didn't come to a conclusion today because we weren't able to talk to the others - Mars and Edge. We'll see in the next days, maybe weeks or months...even a year. Oh I hope it wouldn't be a long wait.

Falling for Blue

I crossed the site while I was doing my initial research for our Coron trip in November. That was last week. I forgot though which site was it where I saw the map. And it's a letter A- (or was it A? Already forgot). It has obviously more blues than I have.

I got a C. Pretty modest I think (or so I think because, until now, I just can't move on with the thought of how soon could I color it blue...haha).

Although I don't understand what the C could really mean, illustratively, I could see how scattered my trips are. I have a couple each in Visayas and Mindanao, and a few in Luzon. I almost colored the entire Bicol Region (it would have been disappointing if I hadn't). Only because it's my hometown and it was easier to say, do an overnight stay in Caramoan (which I just did during this year's holy week break), a couple of field trips in Tiwi hot springs, Cagsawa Ruins and Mayon Volcano (which was years back in elementary and high school) and more than a handful of required trips to Metro Naga (where I went to a university). 

But I must admit though that I have yet to explore this magayon na lugar (beautiful place). Maybe because I was born there that the feeling of urgency to go around is not as strong. Yes I have colored a substantial part of Bicol but the truth is...

I still haven't been to CamsurWatersportsComplex (CWC) and it's just about 40 minutes from our place. I've been to Pili Provincial Capitol, where the CWC is located, but then again, not in the park itself. I haven't been in Donsol, Sorsogon to swim with the whale sharks, in Catanduanes to see its clean, white beaches or in CamNorte's Calaguas island. I still haven't witnessed the famous rodeo festival in Masbate. And though I have been to the foot of Mayon and photographed it several times, I have yet to climb it, see it at a different angle; and what better way to do it than visiting the Mayon view deck. These and a longer list including a nature adventure in Mt. Isarog (CamSur) and Lignon Hill (Albay) or a taste of luxury in Misibis Bay is hoped to be accomplished soon.

And of course, all the others in the map...will be visited one at a time. The challenge is up. Oh! It gives me headache! Haha. I will update this end of next year with the hope of obvious improvement...I pray for more blues.

I am a C traveler!

Bravo to the maker of this app, Eugene Alvin Villar. The site's url is http://forge.codedgraphic.com/lakbayan/  . And it's worth the try.