I. Visayas

                   When I went to Palawan with my grandmother, my aunt serve as our tour guide in our stay. The first site we went is Honda Bay, and then we stop to a rental store where you can find snorkelling and swimming gears we may need. The boat men are waiting for their call of duty, we got lucky we had small boat and it’s my first time to ride on a small boat. You can't choose the boat you want.  Along our way, the first island that we saw is Snake Island; it is close to the public because according to the boat men it is bought by Willie Revillame so we proceed to Isla Pandan because it’s the nearest island and we were so hungry that time, then I bought coconut for only 25 Pesos. After eating, I and my cousins went snorkelling and I saw sea snake and different kinds of fish deep in the shallow water. It was simply remarkable to finally go there and view the beauty that they have been talking about, the white sand, huge starfish, sea urchin, different kinds of fish and the hospitality of the boatmen.

                 The next day, we went straight to Underground River, from Puerto Princesa it took us one hour to travel then finally we arrived to our destination, we ride a boat again and the bats make me feel that it’s really a cave! I can’t imagine how that happened, how the rocks formed different formation like mama mary, fruits, the holy family and many more.. The boat men told us somebody died there because the doctor saved the child that was about drown deep in the river. My nerves receives an alert and I was like “Oh no! I don’t want to die yet” It took us about 30 minutes inside the cave and it was a relief, In that 30 minutes, my eyes were amazed from what I saw. It’s my joy to explore in one of the 7 wonders of the world! 

Introduction:

               Why you should choose Visayas when you’re planning to have a trip? Well, when you first step on the airport, you’ll feel you belong because of the smile of the people around. There are banners posted “Welcome” at first you’re not familiar with places but wait, the tour guides are to the rescue! Visayas is composed of seven major islands known as Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Panay and Samar and an area of 61,077 km2 (23,582 sq mi) that’s why there are many places to enjoy and explore.

Article by: Guinevere Laquian

                There’s a place in Visayas that I wanted to go, it’s the first hottest tourist spot located in the province of Aklan, and it’s the place of Boracay! In 2012, Boracay has been named the Best Island in the World by an international travel magazine, Travel + Leisure because of the white sand, clear water, rock  formation, view of the sunset and many activities that could do there like banana boat, dragon boat, para sailing, zorb zipline, reef walking and others. I am greatly delightful that it is recognized by international individuals and published in one of my mother’s favourite magazines. When will I go there? I hope this coming summer.         

View of Boracay Island

Blessed Mary's Grotto, Boracay

Banana Boat

Dragon Boat

Para Sailing 

Zorb Zipline

Under Water Reef Walking

There are other sites in Visayas that the Filipino's is proud of:

1.  Balangiga Church, Eastern Samar - at first look, the structure looks like the other thousands of churches that dot this predominantly Catholic country. With one big difference: it is missing its original three bells.

     2.      Lapu-Lapu Shrine, Mactan Island -  20 metres bronze statue in    Punta Engaño, City of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, Philippines, erected in honor of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers and killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan.

      3.       Magellan Cross Monument, Cebu City- large Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan. A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers.

                                                      Magellan's Cross

    4.       Loboc River, Bohol - one of the major tourist destinations of Bohol, local and foreigners alike. The winding river plays host to cruises on board of small bancas or floating restaurants. Visitors are treated to a vista of lush tropical vegetation such as nipa palms, coconut trees, banana groves, and bushes.

5.       Chocolate Hills, Bohol - an unusual geological formation in Bohol Province, Philippines. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres. They are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name.

During Raining Season

During Sunny Season

What are the festivals there?

          Most of these festivals are similar to each other. These mirror the Visayas culture which recounts the history of the Philippine islands, and how Christianity was brought into the Philippines.          

          Visayas Culture is best distinct as both festive and religious. Although most of the Filipino’s culture has some religious connotation, it is in Visayas where festivals are lavished with such pomp and pageantry. It is also both a celebration and a competition. It is obvious that they spent months in preparation for festivals, their money and time. Because of these efforts, these festivals have become world-class attractions frequented by tourists wanting to have a taste of the Philippines’ culture.

1.       Sinulog of Cebu - This festival commemorates how the people accepted Roman Catholicism brought by the Spaniards and tells the history of Cebu. It also honors the Santo Niño.

2.       Ati-atihan of Kalibo, Aklan - It characterizes Visayas culture and tells the history of Panay. This also honors the Santo Niño, whose worship is also part of the Visayas culture.

3.       Dinagyang of Ilo-ilo City - Philippine travel guides won’t be complete without this festival. The word, which is translated as “to make merry”, is what this festival is all about. The last two days of this week-long celebration is punctuated by a city wide parade where the participants are dressed in colorful costumes and engage people in a street dance.

Why should you go in Visayas?

        Visayas is where most of the Filipino singers came from like Vina Morales,Jose Mari Chan, Pilita Corrales, Jaya and Kuh Ledesmaa etc. Talented actor and actress like Joel Torre, Edu Manzano, Sheryl Reyes, and Cesar Montano etc. Younger breed of talents also rose to fame such as  Kim Chiu, Enrique Gil, Shaina Magdayao, Carla Abellana and Matteo Guidicelli etc. Not just that! Visayas is known for the birth of Christianity because Magellan had a blood compact to a Filipino native, its famous place like Boracay, Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, Magellan’s Cross and Lapu-lapu shrine and engaging festivals like Ati-atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang. 

Travel around the beauty of Visayas! :)