Monday, March 23, 2009

Friday, February 27, 2009

Visayas














Visayas is one of the three island groups in the Philippines, along with Luzon and Mindanao. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan sea. Major islands are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. Western Visayas consists of the islands of Panay, and the western half of Negros. Provinces are Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, lloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Central Visayas consists of the islands of Cebu, Bohol, and the eastern half of Negros. Provinces include Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. Last But certainly not least is Eastern Visayas. This area consists of the islands of Leyte and Samar. Provinces include Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar. This area is 58,295 km, and the highest point in this area of the Philippines is Mt Kanlaon of 7,989 ft.





























Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Beaches and Resorts











Northern Mindanao is the peaceful, politically stable northern region of the Philippines’ most exotic and resource rich island of Mindanao. It is a progressive region, with large tracts of land available for agriculture and industry. It is blessed with natural wonders: large, protected forests white sandy beaches, coral reefs and sheltered bays rich with aquatic life.
Located 5 minutes away from the city center of Butuan, ALMONT INLAND RESORT is a sprawling 4-hectare spread that has 52 deluxe rooms and 4 suites which are fully air-conditioned with cable TV, refrigerator with mini bar, NDD and IDD telephone, hot and cold running water and bathtub. Each room has a spacious veranda overlooking either the swimming pool or the man-made lake.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Wild life







The "Water Monitor", Varanus sp., is the largest lizard found in the Philippines, growing up to 2-1/2 meters, and is a cousin of the Komodo Dragon. It is locally known as "bayawak" and is sometimes called a "chicken lizard" because it may feed on chicken eggs or chicks. Monitors are opportunistic feeders and scavengers and eat a variety of small animals, insects, fish, molluscs and carrion. As their name implies, they prefer living near fresh or salt- water bodies and are good swimmers and common throughout the Philippines.
This eagle was initially known as the Monkey-eating Eagle because it was believed to only feed on monkeys; this has proved to be inaccurate. The Philippine Eagle's prey varies from island to island as available species vary, especially between Luzon and Mindanao. The Philippine Eagles prefer flying lemurs, but they also occasionally eat other small mammals, reptiles and birds, such as snakes, monitor lizards, hornbills, owls, and even other birds of prey.

Filipino cuisine







Foods: Filipinos cook a variety of foods consisting of at least three meals a day served with boiled or fried rice. Filipinos regularly use spoons together with forks, they also eat with their hands, especially in informal settings and when eating seafood. Accompanying rice, lumpia (meat or vegetable rolls), pancit (noodle dish), and lechón (whole roasted pig) are served. Some delicacies eaten by the Filipino people but which may seem unappetizing to the western palate include balut (boiled egg with a fertilized duckling inside); longanisa (a sweet sausage); and dinuguan (black soup made with animal blood).

Culture







Culture The Philippines were a territory of the United States from 1898 until 1946. American influences are evident in the use of the English language, and in contemporary pop culture, such as fast-food, music, movies, and basketball. Christians form the majority with 63% of the population, Muslims 32%, other 5%.
Familial ties are upheld to the highest extent. The primary social welfare system for the Filipino is the family. Many Filipinos live near their family for most of their lives, even as independent adults. Divorce does not exist in the Philippines. Many parents disapprove of girls visiting boys' homes. Usually, the boy comes to the girl's house to formally introduce himself to her parents, and family. The belief that white is beautiful is held by many Filipina women, leading them to stay out of the sun to keep their skin from getting dark. Children are taught and practice this belief.