Archive for December, 2008
Baguio Trip: Philippine Military Academy
Posted by Fred in Places to Go on December 31, 2008
There are a number of tourist destinations in Baguio City. Three days of stay would be enough to see – and, more importantly, enjoy – all of these tourist spots. There’s a difference between leisurely stroll and hurried sightseeing. So if you don’t have the luxury of time when you travel to Baguio, better prioritize certain places in Baguio. One of those spots, in my opinion, is the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Read the rest of this entry »
Peachy-Peachy de Malabon
Travelers know that in every place, there are hidden treasures that are bound to remain unnoticed unless you know they’re there. That’s why they’re called “hidden” treasures, right? (It sounds redundant because a treasure is supposed to be hidden). But let’s not get lost in the words. Read the rest of this entry »
Fully Booked (Ayala Center, Cebu City)
Posted by Fred in Things To Do on December 27, 2008
You should know by now that Fully Booked is not something you often hear during peak travel seasons from airline companies. It’s something you don’t dread hearing. Quite the reverse, it’s something you look forward to. Fully Booked is a noun, the name of a good bookstore chain. Read the rest of this entry »
NAIA International and Manila Domestic Airports
Posted by Fred in Tips and Reminders, Transportation on December 26, 2008
The anticipation of going to a great vacation, for the first time in that particular destination, builds up once you arrive at the airport. Just imagine the effect of a bad airport experience on the level of your vacation enthusiasm. Read the rest of this entry »
Noche Buena, Filipino-Style
Posted by Fred in Tips and Reminders on December 24, 2008
Celebration of Philippine Christmas is not complete without noche buena, which, incidentally, is going to be celebrated this evening (every 24th of the year). It’s like the Thanksgiving in the US, when members of the family come together and eat, but any similarity probably ends there. Read the rest of this entry »
Malls: Trinoma and SM North EDSA
Posted by Fred in Places to Go on December 23, 2008
Discussing shopping malls here in VisitPinas.com doesn’t sound right at first glance. We have this impression that travel destinations consist of beaches, resorts and other vacation spots. The growth of huge malls, however, makes us rethink our concept of a destination. Read the rest of this entry »
Siopao at Ma Mon Luk (Quezon City)
I’ve heard that the “ma” in “mami” (“mi” for noodles in Chinese) is derrived from Mr. Ma Mon Luk. Some say it’s one of the best noodles around. Some say otherwise. But I haven’t tasted mami at Ma Mon Luk so I can’t say anything.There’s only one item in the menu I order every time I pass by Ma Mon Luk in Quezon City. Read the rest of this entry »
Balay Indang (Indang, Cavite)
Posted by Fred in Places to Go, Where to Stay on December 21, 2008
The recent trend, I suppose, is to provide a place for people to relax and unwind, to leave the pressures of the city behind. This is evident in places such as Sonya’s Garden or Villa Escudero. In Indang, Cavite, you’ll find Balay Indang. Read the rest of this entry »
Philippine Roads: SCTEX and NLE
Posted by Fred in Tips and Reminders, Transportation on December 20, 2008
Roads seem to be the most unlikely subject of VisitPinas.com, but some well-maintained roads deserve mention here, especially if these roads bring us to great travel destinations. Let’s begin: Read the rest of this entry »
Nominate your Top Philippine Destination
Your help is needed on this one — let’s have a collective opinion on which Philippine travel destinations are on top of everyone’s list (ok, maybe not everyone, but at least most of us). It’s easy. Please check the “Nominate” page at the top of this site or simply click here to nominate. Read the rest of this entry »
The Christmas View at Policarpio
Posted by Fred in Places to Go, To See on December 15, 2008
Some places come to life at certain days of the year. This happens during fiesta celebrations, including the Sinulog, and, of course, Christmas. One of these Christmas destinations, although not in the scale as the other Christmas destinations previously discussed in this site, is Policarpio Street. Read the rest of this entry »
Finding Ferino’s Bibingka
Bibingka usually stands side by side with puto bumbong and puto sulot during Christmas in the Philippines. They are the turkey in American Thanksgiving. But unlike the two varieties of puto (or the turkey), the bibingka remains popular through the rest of the year. Read the rest of this entry »
Chateau Verde Restaurant (Quezon City)
Finding a good restaurant, particularly one which is reasonably-priced, is like looking for a diamond in an African mine. There are some discoveries that would make you smile and say: “This is nice.” This is one of them. Read the rest of this entry »
Stay in the Philippines under an Indefinite Visa
Posted by Fred in Tips and Reminders on December 12, 2008
A tourist visa is the usual avenue for anyone going for a quick look of another country. For non-Filipinos who fell in love with the Philippines and would want to stay much, much longer, then a tourist visa may not be enough. How would it sound if a foreigner can secure a visa that allows an indefinite stay in the Philippines? Read the rest of this entry »
Laiya Coco Grove (San Juan, Batangas)
Summer Getaway at Laiya, Batangas
Mary Grace Cheese Roll: Love at First
Vacation, Beach and Tsunami: Aftermath
Sing at your own Risk: “My
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