Philippines, the Nicest Holiday Destinations by Lovisa Mindy

Surrounded by the beautiful deep blue ocean on all its sides and green reserves and forests within, the Philippines is a gifted nation with huge natural attractions. Blessed by the Mother Nature, the Philippines is rich in its natural environment and wildlife too. You can find people from the neighboring Islamic countries, Malay, Chinese, Indians and Australians residing in Philippines. Come to visit the multi-cultured nation and enjoy each day by getting a new experience. Choose Philippines hotels according to your planned budget as all the cities in Philippines have affordable stay options.
White sands everywhere around the coast, blue water that looks clear and clean makes the beaches remarkable in the Philippines. Get the best relaxation in the Philippines resorts located along the seashores. Enjoy a body massage, take a sunbath, get a perfect tan and look out for the beach fun. El Nido beach is perfect for adventure seekers as you can take part in diving and view the rarest coral reefs. Marine life is rich in this area with whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, sea cows, etc. The Boracay beach is the best for surfers. Being grouped up by more than 7,000 islands Philippines has a number of beaches to enjoy and celebrate your holidays. Though snorkeling, surfing, kite boarding and diving adds adventure to your vacation there is another treat left out for your eyes. The Manila Ocean Park is a huge underwater marine park which displays the ocean living creatures from its natural environment. Also provides many attractions, entertainment shows and fish spa. Ocean Adventure provides a very different experience where you can dive and swim with the dolphins and see whale watching programs.
According to hotels in Philippines country arrange for the Filipino feast where they serve delicious food items cooked in traditional styles. Enjoy your dinner with the cocktails served.
Wildlife is celebrated with care and concern. The Avilon Zoo is very big and consists of different species of animals and birds. Here, you can interact with the animals and enjoy your day with a great satisfaction. The Philippines eagle is famous worldwide and is known for its unique feathers. You can find these kinds of eagles in the Philippine Raptor Centre. The Crocolandia is situated in Cebu where you can find many crocodiles, alligators and snakes. This is a nice place to visit with your kids as they will surely enjoy seeing the big crocodiles and lengthy snakes.
Plan a trip to the Tam-Awan Village to experience the rich heritage. This is a nice place to go with your family or friends. Involve in hiking, trekking and walking. Also visit the gallery to buy some artwork done by country's famous artists. Visit the Burnham Park in the Baguio city to spend a great afternoon as there are many things to do here. You can rent a boat for an hour and sail on the busy lake or try out the bump cars and roller blades if you go with kids. There are many heritage sites, monuments and museums to see. Do visit all the places to enjoy your holidays.

About the Author

This is Lovisa Mindy, Interested in writing article about my knowledge and experience. I have done many article and also posted in my blog's. There are more deals left out online for easy hotels booking in Philippines Resorts with your Last Minute booking hours.

The Philippines Offers Affordable Real Estate Investments and Retirement Opportunities in a Tropical Climate by Beth Collingz

For many British, Australians and Americans, retirement time is just around the corner.

At home, with low interest rates and high cost of living, the prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age, is a daunting one unless you are prepared to substantially downscale your lifestyle. For some, moving to retire in another country is an option which has been successful in the past with Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Puerto Rico being among some of the more popular destinations. But why not consider retiring in the Philippines.

Over the past decade, the Philippines has become a retirement haven for thousands of foreigners, particularly the Japanese, Korean, and Northern Europeans. Along with Thailand and Malaysia, the Philippines developed communications, infrastructure, and service delivery systems specifically geared to meet the needs of foreign retirees. Better yet, unlike most European Countries and South America, nearly everyone speaks English in the Philippines.

The Philippines offers a significantly lower cost of living. The Philippine Peso exchange rate is approximately 45 to $ 1.00 or 91 to 1 Pound [Sterling (GBP)]. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. A One bedroom condominium can be purchased for around $ 100,000 or GBP 50,000 or a Studio for only $ 60,000 or GBP 30,000 and one can dine out on average at a three star restaurant for less than 500 pesos. If you hire domestic help, a private driver’s salary is approximately 15,000/month, while trained housekeepers earn approximately 8,000/month. These salaries are lower if you live in the provinces.

Cable Television, Hi-Speed Internet and Satellite Communications are cheap. One can hire an air-conditioned taxicab for eight hours for less than $30.00. In a country where a provincial Governor’s salary is only about 35,000 pesos per month, and a Presidential Cabinet Under-Secretary earns something like 45,000, your pension can go a long way. So, if you have a retirement income in the region of $1,500 to $2,000 per month (70,000 to 90,000 pesos) you can live quite well in the Philippines.

As for health care, most U.S. Health Management Organizations pay for medical expenses incurred in the Philippines. Check with your HMO. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs presently has a task force working to have the U.S. government accredit a number of first class Philippine hospitals for Medicare reimbursement. The Makati Medical Center, one of the nation’s best already has such accreditation. Unbeknown to many is that for years, citizens of nearby countries such as Thailand, Nauru, Tonga, Indonesia, and Malaysia have flocked to the Philippines for medical care, particularly sensitive surgical procedures. The quality of medical care at the better Manila hospitals such as the Asian, St. Luke’s, Medical city, Cardinal Santos, Philippine Heart Center for Asia, National Kidney Institute, and Makati Medical Center meet international standards.

One will never want for adventure and sights to experience in the Philippines. There is always a colorful Fiesta, pageants, street festivals, and open public events going on. Lush with bountiful natural resources, one can enjoy the numerous beaches, resorts, golf courses, and play just about any sport, except skiing. There is an ice skating rink in Manila, though. Scuba diving and fishing are among the sports which draw the most number of foreigners to the rich aquatic offerings. Shopping is the Filipinos’ second most popular activity, the first is eating. Manila is Asia’s undiscovered shopping Mecca.

You will love the golden purple sunsets, the fragrance of the flowers at dusk, and the wonderful array of fruit and food. I used to enjoy watching the Sun set from the bar at the Philippine Cultural Center. There, you can listen to the Symphony, check out a play, or enjoy Grand Opera. There is just so much to explore and discover, specially in terms of nature, culture, and history. If you’re a betting man, there’s horse racing, the Jai Alai, numerous first class casinos, and of course, cock-fighting. Manila is well known for its exciting night life.

The Philippines offers affordable real estate and good investment opportunities for those seeking a retirement haven. “Where can you find a 350sqft freehold flat in the heart of Central London for only 30,000 Pounds and then get up to 14% per annum ROI from rental returns” enthuses Collingz. “These figures probably seem crazy to London property buyers unless they remember the prices of flats and apartments back in the late 70’s” and all of this comes complete with average 85 degree temperatures and sunshine nearly all year round” said Beth Collingz whom used to live in South Kensington and still owns several Chelsea Embankment townhouses and St. Catherine’s Dock flats before coming over to the Philippines.

Unlike other offshore rental properties, where the rental market is largely seasonal, in the Philippines there is a strong market for rental properties year round. This gives buyers greater flexibility in choosing when to use and when to rent their property. The strong rental/second home market also has resulted in a proliferation of professional property managers and rental agents, making property ownership and rental easy. Pacific Concord Properties Inc with it’s flagship Lancaster Condo Hotel Developments fit’s the bill.

Financing Options and Security open up Philippine real estate market to International buyers. Previously a stumbling block for some international buyers was the perception that it is difficult -if not impossible - to obtain financing in the Philippines. As a result, many purchases in the past were cash sales.

Pacific Concord Properties recently introduced the new affordable easy payment plans for the Lancaster Atrium Manila Condo Hotel Suites where a Studio unit can be purchased without any down payment, and 67% of the contract price payable over 60 months interest free and the 33% balance payable on turnover of the unit or to be extended for another 60 months through PCPI’s no prequalification no hassle finance plan, sales of the companies inventory of units will surely sell out quickly to investors seeking to take advantage of the Condo Hotel Investment “Boom” in the Philippines.

Philippine real estate, medical, social services, and employment agencies are now working together under the government’s Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) to set up standards and make the retirement industry truly world class. Under the active direction of retired Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Edgar B. Aglipay, chairman of the Philippine Retirement Authority, plans have been put in place to ensure that the growing demand for housing and ancillary services for the retirees are met. The objective is to turn the country into the retirement haven in Asia.

For further info regarding the Lancaster Brand of Condo Hotel Investments and retirement opportunities in the Philippines please do not hesitate to contact us....

Beth Collingz
PLC International Marketing Networks

Pacific Concord Properties Inc.,
Manila Head Office
Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
Metro Manila. Philippines
Phone: Manila [632] 717 1958
Fax: Manila [632] 718 1828

Pacific Concord Properties Inc.,
Cebu Branch Office
Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan.
Cebu. Philippines
Phone: Cebu [6332] 340 0721
Fax: [6332] 495 4938

EMail: plcsales@pldtdsl.net

Web: http://www.lancastersuites.com

About the Author

PLC Global Filipino Agency is a global network of Filipinos whether living and working abroad or locally who are interested to invest in Philippine Real Estate.

Some of the Most Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in the Philippines at Low Costs by Colbert Bellevue

Some of the Most Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in the Philippines at Low Costs

Written on June 10,2010

This article is not an infomercial for the Department of Tourism of the Philippines. I do not receive any monetary rewards from this department, nor am I a travel agent. I simply wish to share my wonderful, mouth watering and eye opening travel experiences that I, along with my lovely wife have had in the Philippines.

There are several tourist attractions worth visiting in the Philippines. For your own security and safety, you should visit tourist spots and well lit public places only while you are in the Philippines. I recommend the following tourist places. I hope you will enjoy your visit to the max. The following is an incomplete list of the most beautiful tourist spots to visit in the Philippines:

-Boracay-
It is famous worldwide for its seven kilometers of white sand, which is always cool or warm, but never hot. You can indulge in so many activities, such as having a massage while sipping wine, going snorkeling and diving or join the different water sports. You may wish to visit Mt. Luho from where to enjoy a breath taking and panoramic view of the island. Although my wife and I enjoy all of the most breath-taking sites in the Philippines, Boracay happens to be our favorite getaway place. Perhaps, it may be for you too.

-Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao-
It is famous for the Banaue Rice Terraces which is the 8th wonder of the world. The natives of the region built them over 2000 years ago with the use of the crudest wooden tools. While in the area, you may want to go to Sagada and see the famous ancient burial caves and hanging coffins, astonishing limestone formations at Sumaging Caves and the Bontoc Museum. These sights are breath taking.

-Bohol and Panglao Island-
The famous Chocolate Hills are quite fascinating and unbelievable. These are 1268 limestone hills that are covered with grass which dries up in the summer that the hills turns brown that transforms these hills into chocolate cones. You will also discover the Tarsier, which is the world�s smallest primate with big hands and huge eyes. You will find these gorgeous and unique primates at the Tarsier Preservation Center in Canapnapan.

-Malapascua-
It is located just off the north tip of Cebu. This tiny island has a population of 4000 people, most of whom derive their livelihood from coconuts, fishing, boat building, and tourism. The island has a dimension of about 2km by 0.5km. You can tour the whole island by foot in 1 or 2 hours depending on how fast or slow you walk. Malapascua means "Bad Christmas" in the Cebanuo language. Legend has it that it was so named because the Spanish landed here on a stormy Christmas Day in the 1500�s.

-Siquijor-
This island is loaded with tourist attractions. One of them is the Cambugahay Waterfalls - a five level waterfall that has multiple cascades � a truly breath taking sight to behold. In 1978, Siquijor has been declared as a marine reserve. The island is famous for its untouched marine wildlife that beckons enthusiasts to explore its many secrets. A water�s playground is well hidden beneath the sparkling blue water where exists a magnificent rainbow.

-Baguio-
Baguio�s temperature is cool year-round as opposed to other regions of the Philippines where it is hot and humid year-round. Sometimes, the temperature here plummeted to 9 degrees Celsius, and that�s cold! You may think that you are somewhere other than the Philippines. Baguio is among the most popular tourism centers in the north, which is dominated by Ilocano-speaking people. If you visit there once, you would want to do it again.

-Bantayan island-
It is the shining tropical paradise in Asia, which is commonly known as an island paradise in Philippines. Tourists from every corner of the globe fall in love with its fine white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters. History has it that many of these foreign nationals (foreigners) made this island their home to spend the rest of their lives with their families. They built single-cottage beach houses along the shore but as time went by, constructed a couple of new cottages instead to accommodate the growing number of tourists who seeks safe haven on the magnificent island paradise.

-Leyte Landing Memorial-
The Leyte Landing Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the landing of American General Douglas MacArthur and his men at Red Beach. The memorial was erected in tribute to General MacArthur�s fulfillment of his promise to return to the Philippines after the Japanese occupied it during World War II in the Philippines.

The above are some of the beautiful and romantic places in the Philippines that I suggest you visit, should you desire to do so. However, there are some areas in the Philippines that I do not recommend to any foreign nationals to visit because they are too unsafe and too dangerous. If you read my article "Whether you are visiting Your Pen Pals or on a Business Trip, be on Alert for Your Own Safety and Security in the Philippines or other Asian countries," then you should have a good idea what places you should stay away from when you are in the Philippines.

About the Author

Colbert Bellevue is the author of three eBooks: �Top Secrets to Approaching a Woman, Seducing Her, and Taking Her on a Date or Getting Her into Bed,� �How to Get Many Pen Pals and the Woman of Your Dreams in the Philippines, Thailand, and China,� and �The Whole Truths You Need to Know Before You Travel to the Philippines.�

Mr. Bellevue has helped, free of charge, hundreds of singles and retirees to connect with qualified and gorgeous pen pals abroad and even get the woman of their dreams online.

On a trip to Asia in 2005, he became aware that a number of Americans and other foreign nationals were either killed or kidnapped by some Islamic terrorists in Southern Philippines, as a result, he got himself busy writing an eBook about it. He suggests that those who were held captive by the deadly bandits should have been alive today if they were advised to stay away from visiting those terrorist-infested areas in the Philippines.

Mr. Bellevue heeds Ben Franklin�s famous thought, �An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.� In fact, he goes even further in this philosophical thought by believing that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Mr. Bellevue is married to his lovely wife Emily. His hobbies are reading, writing, traveling, and sports.

You can learn more about the author's work by clicking here
https://www.facebook.com/colbertbellevue

2011 Colbert Bellevue. All rights Reserved.

Top 5 Beach Destinations In Asia For Honeymooners by Amrita Singh

Whether your spouse is a nature lover, party-buff, surfer or shopaholic, taking her to a beach will surely spice up her mood. Asia, the largest landmass on the earth, is brimming with exotic beaches, offering great value to honeymooners and romantic couples. Some of them are so tempting that a vacation there is nothing less than a dream comes true. Behold, here're top 5 Asian beach destinations perfect for honeymoon.
Bali (Indonesia): If tranquility & solace is what your partner is seeking for, Bali will impress her for sure. Home to some of the most romantic beaches in Asia, Bali has its own charm. Beaches here are known to be quiet and tranquil; however you can enjoy good surf, thriving nightlife and breathtaking views of sun-rise and sun-set taking tour to this marvelous heaven. Kuta beach, Legian beach, Sanur beach and Seminyak beach are premium attractions here.
Palawan (Philippines): An Island province in Mimaropa region, Palawan is one of the most visited tourist places in Philippines, thanks to its awesome beaches, lush tropical forests, primeval caves and scenic mountain ranges. Weather here is just perfect for relax and romance. Calm water in Palawan beaches makes it a paradise for swimmers and divers.
Male (Maldives): A cluster of coral islands, Maldives is entire enchanting and a great honeymoon destination in Asia. People from Asia and Europe come here to spend their vacation in scintillating beach resorts and to explore exotic marine life. Male is the capital of Maldives, known for its natural beauty and man-established recreations. Delicious sea-food will leave you enchanted on a Male tour.
Phuket (Thailand): Anything that you need to make your honeymoon memorable, Phuket has to offer. White sandy beaches, roaring Blue Ocean and lush green jungles combined cast a magical spell in Phuket that never fails to becharms its visitors. Soak up the beauty of sea lying leisurely on a beach, take a boat to explore James Bond Island, savor candle light dinner in a sea-side restaurant, healing massage and ayurvedic treatments and a lot more - honeymoon in Phuket has a lot in store for you. People on Bangkok packages usually plan a day-long trip to Phuket.
Goa (India): India's beach capital Goa is quite famous as a honeymoon destination. There are around 40 beaches in Goa beach, which all are stunningly beautiful and cater several fun activities to savor. Great food, rewarding shopping and a range of exotic treatments keep honeymooners from all over the country visiting here year-round. Cultural extravaganza and architectural wonders in the state are also adorable.
No matter where you go to celebrate your new inning of life, make sure you book required facilities like flights, accommodation and transportation well in advance. A wide range of travel deals are available online nowadays, so planning your dream holiday is not a dream anymore.

About the Author

Hungry Bags is a reliable travel portal, where you can find tailor-made deals for Darjeeling tour, Bangkok tour and fun-filled vacations at beaches in Goa.

About the Philippines the Philippine Country and People by William

The Philippines
The Philippines is a country in the Pacific Ocean. The republic of the Philippines has one of the largest populations in the world. The country is an archipelago of a large group of islands surrounded by crystal clear water and beautiful and unique coral reefs. Of the 7,107 islands in the Philippines the largest is Luzon, at 105 square kilometres and just over fifty precent of the islands in the country have names, and only 350 islands are bigger than 2 and a half kilometres square. The tallest mountain range is located on the island of Luzon the Cordillera Central the top of the mountain reaches over 2743 square meters. The tallest mountain peak is located on the second largest island in the country Mindanao. Mount Apo rises 2956 meters tall. Like a lot of other mountains in the country Mount Apo is an active volcano. Luzon is also the site of the capital of Manila the largest and most important Philippine city. Manila has a port that stretches around Manila bay for hundreds of years Manila bay has been the country’s heart of shipping and trade. The Visayas make up the middle part of the Philippine islands. The largest islands in the Visayas include Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Negros, and Panay; Mindanao an island located in the south of the country and is the second largest island in the Philippines the island measures 94,700 square kilometres.
The islands
The Philippine islands were formed by volcanoes and are part of a mountain chain that is mostly under water. The interior of most of the islands have many rugged mountains with dense rain forest and because of the frequent rain fall there are many rivers streams and waterfalls that continually surge down the mountain sides. Because of the dense mountain rainforest and frequent rain fall the Philippines is endowed with spectacular sceneries within the islands tropical rainforest majestic waterfalls magnificent caves and rock formations. Unfortunately a lot of the rain forest is disappearing before the Spanish arrived in the 1500 over 90 precent of the Philippine islands were covered in rain forest. To date the country has lost close to one third of its tropical rainforest. The rain forest has been cut down for its timber and to clear land for farms and homes.
The coastline
With over 7000 islands the country has a coast line more than 36,300 kilometres in length. The beaches and coastline varies across the country are very sandy in places such as Boracay which is famous for its beautiful picturesque tropical white sand beaches. With tropical plants and palm trees growing alongside these magnificent beaches. On some island coast lines are very rocky in place and in some places you will find grey white sand beaches and large inland rivers that border with mangrove trees and swamps.
The rivers and lakes
Filipinos rely on fresh water from rivers and lakes to irrigate their crops and personal day to day living requirements such as drinking and washing. Pasig River is one of the largest rivers in the country and flows through the capital of Manila. In the north also on the island of Luzon the longest Philippine river that flows through the Central Cordilleras, the Cagayan River.
Volcanoes
Because the country is sitting on the pacific ring of fire means the Philippines have a lot of active Volcanoes. One of the most famous volcanic eruptions happen in June 1991 in the north of Luzon for many hundreds of years Mount Pinatubo lay dormant. When Mount Pinatubo erupted more than 1000 people were killed all injured and thousands of people were made homeless. The explosion created a huge ash cloud that covered more than 125 thousand square kilometres blanketing the area in ash rock and darkness. One of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines is Mayo, also known as Mount Mayo this volcano has erupted 48 times in the past 400 years. Mount Mayo is located on the island of Luzon in the province of Albay. Mayon Volcano was proclaimed a national park in the year 2003. The Mayo volcano is a perfectly shaped cone that towers 2462 meters above the land. Mayon Last major eruption was in February 1814, when it destroyed 3 towns and covered another two with volcanic ash and hot larva about 1600 people died due to this eruption.

The Philippine People
For thousands of years many different people and nations have been part of the Philippines the end result is a country and people with a unique blend of many cultures. About 30,000 BC Stone Age people settled in the Tabon caves on the island of Palawan the country was later joined by the Negritos that came across land bridges from Borneo Indonesia, and Sumatra and centuries latter joined by visitors from Malaya India china and the middle east. Magellan was the first European to set foot on the Philippines in 1521 Ferdinand Magellan explored the archipelago Magellan and most of his men were killed during the battle of Mactan on the Island of Cebu. Spain established a permanent settlement on the island of Cebu in 1565
Family religion and education are very important in Filipino culture.
Weather living in the city or the country or on an isolated island family, religion and education are very highly valued by almost every one Filipinos have many positive values such as respect for authority and a high regard for the dignity of all people.
Religion
Most Filipinos hold strong religious beliefs they regularly take part in religious ceremonies celebrate holy days with large festivals. The Spanish where very successful in converting the Filipino to Christianity making the Philippine the only Christian nation in Asia Roman Catholic make up 85% of the population, 5 % of the population are Sunni Muslim’s the largest no Christian group in the country. Most early Filipinos were animistic and worshiped ancestral sprits known as anitos they believed theses sprits lived in the mountains in the Trees Rivers and fields. Many Filipinos believe in ghost and witches (Multo) ghost and (mangkukulam) ghost. Roman Catholic belief plays an important part in the daily life of most Filipinos.The Philippine people worship Christ mother Mary and other holy people called saints many Filipinos decorate their homes trics jeepneys boats schools of images of Christ and mother Mary.
Nearby islands and china introduced Islam to the Philippines today there are several million Filipinos that follow the religion of Islam. Some Filipinos practice Taoism which is a religious belief that originated in china the biggest Taoist temple in the Philippines is in Cebu.
The Filipino family
The Filipino family the basic units of the Philippine social organization which includes the father the mother and children the bilateral extended family which incorporates all relatives of the Father and Mother. Of special importance the bond and unity formed by the brothers and sisters. Filipino thinks of their family as a source of strength and protection. It is not unusual for unmarried daughters and sons to live at home with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family are very close and if someone needs help others chip in and do what they can to help the family member in need. The father-husband is the head of the family and is usually unconditionally obeyed by his wife and children. The father role and duty is to meet the financial needs of the family. The Filipino father is the main source of discipline in the family and sometimes uses corporal punishment on both sons and daughters although corporal punishment used on children in the Philippines is now slowly getting used less and less due to the Philippine society teaching and enforcing new values on raising children. The children a lot of Filipino mothers pamper their children these has the effect of prolonging the childhood of the children they are not pushed or rushed into adulthood responsibilities and expectations are kept below the child’s potential this care and affection that is lavished upon the children creates a feeling of belonging and protection. As a result the children will always contribute to parent’s financial support and emotional support and protection. The traditional Filipino wife and mother take care of all the details to ensure the family functions as a living and loving organised family unit. The mother is in charge of the home and all the details pertaining to the children such as cooking the family meal seeing the children are clothed and ready for school the paying of salary to the maids (ya - ya) and all other household expenses. Strange as it may seem women share equal place with man in Philippine society woman participation in professional work and politics is fully accepted this equality can be traced back to ancient Malayan tradition.
Education
Education Filipino children attend six years of elementary school and four years of high school classes are taught in Pilipino and English the country official languages. More than 90% of all elementary attend government schools. From June until March Filipino children spend their days at school classes begin around eight in the morning in the cities like Manila and sometimes around 7 am in the rural areas before classes begin the children salute the flag and recite the pledge of allegiance. The Philippines has a very high literacy rate which most people in the country can read and write unfortunately due to the high unemployment rate and the minimal salary paid to lower class workers such as farmers and labours some children have to drop out of school to work and help to support their families and some children attend schools that do not have enough school supplies and equipment such as textbooks desks and chairs and computers.
Languages
The Philippine for its languages Filipino English and Spanish there are 87 different major dialects ranging from Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray-waray, Kapampagan, and Panasinah. The English languages and the mass education of the English language has been an American contribution to the Filipino life. English was introduced so different people living in different parts of the Philippines could understand one another. The American declared English the country official language during the time they ruled the Philippines. In 1937 the Philippine government decided to replace English with a language called Filipino. Filipino is based on Tagalog the most widely spoken Philippine language especially throughout some of the major cities. Today Filipino and English are the country official languages. In different parts of the Philippines some time s you will Filipinos that can speak anywhere up to four languages and some times more especially the people that have traveled and lived in different parts of the country. For example theses Filipinos can speak the language from the area they grew up in and lived in as a child they also can speak English and Tagalog and sometimes another language that is native to where they live as an adult or learnt as a child. For example English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Waray-Waray could be four languages a single Filipino can speak.

Half of the Philippine population live in the country near mountains forest on small islands or on the plains there are many types of traditional homes Bahay kubo is a traditional rural home some time referred to as a nipa hut.The walls and floors are made from bamboo and palms leaves the woven palm leaves are overlapped and tired down to timber or bamboo to form the roof. Other people in the country side live in wooden home and other cheap timber with iron and galvanised roofs.The more wealthy country Filipino live in a larger fancy modern home made from cement bricks and cement.On a lot of Small Island and country areas the home has one main room with a few pieces of furniture and mats on the floor where the family sleeps.The kitchen is usually in another room with a wood burning stove and sometimes a small gas stove depending on how isolated the family is from the closest town. In the larger country towns many of the native houses have electricity and some of them even have indoor plumbing but theses conveniences are rare in small villages although now more and more Small Islands and villages are receiving electricity but there is still a lot of villages that do not. The Philippine people that live in an area that does not have electricity or indoor plumbing they gather water from a community well and burn kerosene lamps for lights in the evening
The people’s transportation
The first people who migrated to the Philippine islands used barangays (boats). Now day’s inter island ships and ferries have been the best means of transportation of good and merchandise from island to another people also rely on these ships as ferries because the cost of a plane ticket can be very expensive. Banca a narrow wooden boat with an out boat motor attached to the back. The boat has wooden and bamboo frames extending from both sides of the boats that function like platoons preventing the boat from tipping over or capsizing. Early Filipinos used these small boats to trade and get supplies from neighboring islands.The larger banca boats are use as people ferries and large commercial fishing boats.The smaller banca boats are used for smaller journeys in calmer water. A traditional form of transport is the pedicabs a tricycle with a side cart this form of transportation are still popular in some country towns and provinces especially on the island of Leyte and Samar.
The Philippine jeepney
A Philippine icon king of the road evidence of Philippine innovation the jeepney is a small bus made from jeeps left behind by the US army. The jeeps where transformed in to busses painted in vibrant glowing flamboyant colours and patterns and decorated with mirrors multi-coloured lights and religious icons. The jeepney smaller brother the stainless steel jeep was made and produced for practical reasons fisherman complained that seawater and the environment was corroding their jeepneys. So in 1971 Tomas Araga invented and produced the first jeep the jeep requires less maintenance because it is difficult and does not rust. The jeep is an ideal Philippine vehicle because they are adapted to the unique Philippine climate especially from the harsh salt air and the unpredictable weather. learn more about the Philippines from http://www.autravelphilippines.com

About the Author

from william Manning aussie travelling philippines at http://www.autravelphilippines.com

Retiring to the Philippines by BruceShaw

Considering retirement in a Tropical Climate? For many British, Australians and Americans, retirement time is just around the corner. At home, with low interest rates and high cost of living, the prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age, is a daunting one unless you are preapred to substantially downscale your lifestyle. For some, moving to retire in another country is an option which has been successful in the past with Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Puerto Rico being among some of the more popular destinations. But why not consider retiring in the Philippines?

Over the past decade, the Philippines has become a retirement haven for thousands of foreigners, particularly the Japanese, Korean, and Northern Europeans. Along with Thailand and Malaysia, the Philippines developed communications, infrastructure, and service delivery systems specifically geared to meet the needs of foreign retirees. Better yet, unlike most European Countries and South America, nearly everyone speaks ENGLISH in the Philippines.

The Philippines offers a significantly lower cost of living. The Philippine Peso (PhP) exchange rate is approximately PhP 45 to $ 1.00 or PhP 92 to 1 Pound [Sterling (GBP)]. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. A One bedroom condominium can be purchased for around $ 72,000 or GBP 37,000 or a Studio for only $ 45,000 or GBP 22,800 and one can dine out on average at a three star restaurant for less than PhP 500. If you hire domestic help, a private driver's salary is approximately PhP 10,000/month, while trained housekeepers earn approximately -PhP 5,000/month. These salaries are lower if you live in the provinces.

Cable Television, Hi-Speed Internet and Satellite Communications are cheap. One can hire an air-conditioned taxicab for eight hours for less than $25.00. In a country where a provincial Governor's salary is only PhP 28,000 per month, and a Presidential Cabinet Under-Secretary earns PhP 35,000, your pension can go a long way. So, if you have a retirement income of approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per month ( PhP 80,000 to 100,000) you can live quite well in the Philippines.

As for health care, most U.S. Health Management Organizations pay for medical expenses incurred in the Philippines. Check with your HMO. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs presently has a task force headed by former Secretary Roberto Romulo working to have the U.S. government accredit a number of first class Philippine hospitals for Medicare reimbursement. The Makati Medical Center, one of the nation's best already has such accreditation. Unbeknown to many is that for years, citizens of nearby countries such as Thailand, Nauru, Tonga, Indonesia, and Malaysia have flocked to the Philippines for medical care, particularly sensitive surgical procedures. The quality of medical care at the better Manila hospitals such as the Asian, St. Luke's, Medical city, Cardinal Santos, Philippine Heart Center for Asia, National Kidney Institute, and Makati Medical Center meets international standards.

A Japanese company is building a medical facility in Tagaytay city exclusively for Japanese nationals within the year. There are now close to 10,000 Japanese retirees in the country, and the number is growing annually. The British government recently acquired a large tract of land in Fort Bonifacio to build a new Embassy. The British ambassador explained the larger facility is meant to help serve the growing number of British nationals retiring there as well. Japanese and Korean investment groups are buying homes and condominiums in Manila, and tracts of provincial land for retirees. This has caused a mini- Real Estate boom in the country. A retirement village exclusively for Japanese nationals already exists in Tagaytay, and more are planned. These are strong indicators of what is on the horizon

English is the Philippines' official business language. Most of the people you will meet, from hotel workers, taxi drivers, sales or service people, government employeesa all speak English, or have a working understanding of it. The middle class speak English, without exception. All major newspapers, and major broadcast companies use English. An English speaking visitor will never get lost in the Philippines. It is the universal use of that language that has been a strong incentive to foreigners. As well, communications links within the country and to other countries via the various commercial gateways is up to international standards. For example, the use of cell phones and text messaging is so common that housemaids, street vendors and food hawkers can be seen using their celphones incessantly.

One will never want for adventure and sights to experience in the Philippines. There is always a colorful Fiesta, pageants, street festivals, and open public events going on. Lush with bountiful natural resources, one can enjoy the numerous beaches, resorts, golf courses, and play just about any sport, except skiing. There is an ice skating rink in Manila, though. Scuba diving and fishing are among the sports which draw the most number of foreigners to the rich aquatic offerings.

Shopping is the Filipinos' second most popular activity, the first is eating. Manila is Asia's undiscovered shopping Mecca. You will love the golden purple sunsets, the fragrance of the flowers at dusk, and the wonderful array of fruit and food. I used to enjoy watching the Sun set from the bar at the Philippine Cultural Center. There, you can listen to the Symphony, check out a play, or enjoy Grand Opera. There is just so much to explore and discover, specially in terms of nature, culture, and history. If you're a betting man, there's horse racing, the Jai Alai, numerous first class casinos, and of course, cok-fighting. Manila is well known for its exciting night life.

The Philippines offers affordable real estate and good investment opportunities for those seeking a retirement haven.

For further info please do not hesitate to contact us:

Beth Collingz

PLC International Marketing Networks

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Why You Should Get a Wedding Planner for Your Beach Wedding Philippines by Trishia Magdayao

For many people who are fond of going to beaches, there is nothing quite like going to a new beach destination. This is why there are a number of people who choose to go to the island of Boracay, Philippines. In fact, this island has already been considered as one of the top beaches in the entire world. Because of this prestigious recognition, hundreds of Boracay beach hotels have been established over the past few years.

The recognition is perhaps, due to the white sand and refreshing waters that have truly made this island a paradise. Aside from the number of Boracay holiday resort establishments there are also a number of big businesses that can be seen in the island. As a matter of fact, the other beaches in the country cannot compare to the development that this island has achieved. They have even become the top tourist destination in the whole country.

The peak season of Boracay is during Holy Week, summer, All Saints' Day, and the Holidays. This is because people have been introduced to the idea of celebrating such events in the beautiful shores of the island. With the number of people that flock to the island during these events, the many Boracay beach hotels that can be seen along the shoreline gets fully booked. This is why those who plan to go to the island without a reservation are recommended to think twice.

If you have never been in Boracay before, you might be wondering how you will be able to book yourself a Boracay holiday resort accommodation. To add, you might even wonder how you will be able to find the different Boracay beach hotels that offer their room. This is where the internet comes into suggestion. By using your computer, you can easily make a research on the many hotels and resorts that operate on the island.

When you get to find a list of the different Boracay beach hotels, your next task is to get in touch with the accommodation. There are tons of websites that dedicate supplying such information to those who are planning to visit the island. Because of these websites, those who have never been to the island are able to find a good accommodation they can stay in.

There are a lot of good hotels and Boracay holiday resort options that you can choose from. Aside from the different amenities they offer, these hotels also vary according to their price. With the number of different establishments that have been erected in this island, it is easy to find an accommodation that will surely fit anyone's budget. If you are resourceful, you might be able to find an accommodation that will cost you as low as $20 per night. 

About the Author

If you wish to have your wedding packages Philippines, plan your schedule as well as the details of the ceremony and the reception in advance. For more info on the boracay wedding packages visithttp://www.boracaybeachwedding.com