This a complete list of Presidents of the Philippines that consists of the 14 heads of state in the history of the Philippines. The list includes Presidents who were inaugurated as President of the Philippines following the ratification of a constitution that explicitly declares the existence of the Paradise Philippines.

Fifth Philippine Republic

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
http://www.op.gov.ph
(Born- April 5, 1947)
Fourth President of the Fifth Republic of the Philippines
(Term- 2001 - Present)

The daughter of the late President Diosdado Macapagal. The second woman to be swept into the Presidency by a peaceful People Power revolution (EDSA II).

JOSEPH ESTRADA
(Born- April 19,1937)
Third President of the Fifth Republic of the Philippines
(Term- 1998 - 2001)

Filipino film actor and director, later politician. He resigned after the impeachment trial against him collapsed.

FIDEL RAMOS
(Born- March 18, 1928)
Second President of the Fifth Republic of the Philippines
(Term- June 30, 1992 - June 30, 1998)

As head of the State, his administration centerpiece program is the Philippines 2000, which aimed to uplift the Philippines as a newly industrialized country by the year 2000.

CORAZON AQUINO
(Born- January 25, 1933)
First President of the Fifth Republic of the Philippines
(Term: February 25, 1986- June 30, 1992)

Political leader and the First Woman President of the Philippines. She succeeded her murdered husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.(a popular critic of the Marcos administration), as leader of the opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos.

Fourth Philippine Republic

FERDINAND MARCOS
(Born- September 11, 1917, Died- September 28, 1989)
Sixth and last President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
(Term: December 30, 1965- December 30, 1973)
President of the Fourth Republic of the Philippines
(Term: June 30, 1981 - February 25,1986)

Philippine lawyer and politician who ruled by martial law and was ousted by a peaceful People Power Revolution in 1986.

Third Philippine Republic

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL
http://www.macapagal.com/dm/
Fifth President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
(Term: December 30, 1961 - December 30, 1965)

Poet, politician, lawyer, diplomat, statesman, economist, and intellectual. Diosdado Macapagal was born to poverty but rose due to diligence and brilliance.

CARLOS GARCIA
(Born- November 4, 1896, died- June 14, 1971)
Fourth President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
(Term: March 18, 1957- December 30, 1961)

Famous for his austerity program and policy. He maintained the strong tradition ties with the United States and sought closer relation with non-communist Asian countries.

RAMON MAGSAYSAY
(Born- August 31, 1907, died- March 17, 1957)
Third President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
(Term: December 30, 1953- March 17, 1957)

Best known for successfully defeating the communist led Hukbalahap (Huk) Movement. Idol of the masses, champion of democracy, and freedom fighter.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO
(Born- November 16, 1890, died- February 28, 1956)
Second President, Third Republic of the Philippines
(Term: April 17, 1948- November 10, 1953)

Political leader and second president of the Independence Republic of the Philippines.

MANUEL ROXAS
(Born- January 1, 1892, died- April 15, 1948)
Last President of the Commonwealth
(Term: May 28, 1946- July 4, 1946)
First President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
(Term: July 4, 1946- April 15, 1948)

Political leader and first president of the Independence Republic of the Philippines.

Second Philippine Republic

JOSE LAUREL
(Born- March 9, 1891, died- November 6, 1959)
President of the Japanese Sponsored Republic
(Term: October 14, 1943- August 15, 1945)

Became the President of the Philippines during the Japanese occupation of World War II.



Commonwealth of the Philippines

SERGIO OSMEÑA
(Born- September 9, 1878, died- October 19, 1961)
Second President of the Commonwealth
(Term: August 1, 1944- May 27, 1946)

Filipino statesman, founder of the Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista) and President of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946.

MANUEL QUEZON
(Born- August 19, 1878, died- August 1, 1944)
First President of the Commonwealth
(Term: November 15, 1935- August 1, 1944)

Filipino statesman, leader of the independence movement, and first president of the Philippine Commonwealth established under United States tutelage in 1935.


First Philippine Republic

EMILIO AGUINALDO
(Born- March 22, 1869, died- February 6, 1964)
President of the First Philippine Republic
(Term: 1898- 1901)

Filipino leader who fought first against Spain and later against the United States for the Independence of the Philippines.

Paradise Philippines' Reference:
http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/presidents.asp

For interested tourists, here are some important travel tips if you're planning to visit the island paradise Philippines.

• Dress for the weather – hot! Light clothing is ideal year-round, and absolutely during the hot and dry months from March to May. Temperatures average from 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C. Mean humidity is at 77%.

• Never leave home without your rain gear, umbrella, and heavy clothing during the rainy months from June to October as well as when setting out to the mountainous areas.

• When shopping in a public market, it is perfectly acceptable to haggle for the cheapest price.

• English is the most widely spoken next to Filipino/Tagalog, the national language. Learning the basic local phrases may come in handy. Over 111 local dialects are spoken in the country.

• Comfortable yet sturdy footwear are best, as traveling the islands will often involve some walking.

• When headed to the remote areas, come prepared with an insect repellant and even your own water in handy containers. Always have the island map with you.

• Prepare to hop in a jeepney, tricycle, or pedicab – exotic modes of land transport that are the most commonly available for going around. Always bring loose change when taking public transport.

• Know the transport schedules. Some destinations are only being serviced intermittently, not to mention extreme weather conditions that will affect these schedules.

• Air-conditioned taxis should cost PhP25 on the meter. An extra PhP2 will be added for every 500 meters.

• Casual clothing is acceptable inside churches and business offices. Dining establishments and hotels impose no dress code but shorts and slippers are deemed improper.

• For formal occasions, the traditional Barong Tagalog, the Philippine national costume for men, is just as suitable as the suit-and-tie.

• When traveling by car, be mindful of the number coding ordinance for vehicles that is being implemented strictly in selected cities.

• Do not miss visiting during the summer, when there is a concentration of major festivals, celebrations, and events.

• Adopt to local customs; accept local differences. The Filipinos are divided culturally into regions a total of 16, at present, each with its own distinct traits and traditions.

• The Philippine monetary unit, the peso, is generally preferred for financial transactions. Money-changing shops are available in key cities and towns.

• Tipping is expected for many services. The standard amount is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that include a service charge, which is often 10% as well of the total bill.

• Be sure to sample the endless variety of native delicacies and local cuisine, which differ in every region. The Philippines is made up of 7,107 different flavors that you will want to take home with you.

• For tourist information and assistance, get in touch with the Department of Tourism and any of its accredited offices nationwide.

Paradise Philippines' Reference:
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/trip_planner/travel_tips.asp

Boracay Island, with its sugary white sand beaches and azure blue waters, is located on the northwestern tip of Panay, Western Visayas in Paradise Philippines. The best of the island is the 4 km. White Beach, touted as the “finest beach in the world.”

The water surrounding the island is shallow and the sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the archipelago.

Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Paradise Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Paradise Philippines' References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/

Bolinao is located on a cape of the western tip of Pangasinan in the island paradise Philippines. It is situated in western part of Lingayen Gulf. It is bounded by the China Sea on the north and west. On the east by the Kakiputan Channel, this channel separates Bolinao from the only island town of Pangasinan, Anda, on the south by the rolling hills of Bani. It is approximately 40 kilometers away from Alaminos, the center of commerce and trade of the First District of Pangasinan. It is 79 kilometers from Lingayen, the capital town of Pangasinan and 274 kilometers from Manila via Camiling, Tarlac.

Topography is generally flat to rolling with some steep areas specially near the seashores in the western part near Kakiputan channel and some portions of Santiago Island.

Historians have no exact record on the date Bolinao was created. It was presumed that the town was created by virtue of Royal Decree of Spain. Available record showed that it was the year 1575 when Spanish Captain Pedro Lombi founded the first settlement with more or less 100 settlers. The Municipal Council by virtue of its Resolution No. 104 dated September 19, 1988 adopted July 25, 1575 as the Foundation Day of Bolinao in honor of the Patron Saint of the town, St. James the Great.

The word "Bolinao" may be derived from three (3) sources. Legendarily speaking, the name of the town could have been derived from the "Pamulinawen" tree which grew in abundance along the beaches during the exodus of Ilocanos to te place. The second legend can be attributed to the specie of fish which the Tagalog called "Bolinao" which were in abundance in the past. The third one is associated by the famous couple named Bolido and Anao.

Other Historical Dates:
1585 - The year evangelization started in Bolinao by Fr. Esteban Marin.
1607 - The the year catholic church was constructed and still existing as one of the historical landmarks of Bolinao
1609 - The year the old site of Bolinao was transferred from Binabalian (located at Santiago Island) to its present location located at the mainland of the town.
1788 - The year the Catholic Church tower was destroyed by strong earthquake
May 2, 1880 - the first cable was established in Bolinao linking Hongkong and Spain
November 3, 1903 - Bolinao and the rest of the western towns of Pangasinan was transferred from Zambales to Pangasinan by virtue of Philippines Commission Public Act No. 10004
1925 The Municipal Hall was started and completed in 1925 under the administration of Mayor Agustin Cacho
1935 - Construction of the roadline connecting Bolinao to the other towns of Pangasinan and Manila.
June 11, 1973 - The Bolinao School of Fisheries was established
May 11, 1980 - NEA and Panelco I with 100 farmers started planting ipil-ipil trees covering about 1,000 hectares for the Dendro Thermal Project inaugaurated on February 14, 1985 but stopped its operation during the Aquino administration.
July 20, 1982 - Completion of the First Socio-Economic Profile of Bolinao with DILG trainees supervised by the MLGOO
August 7, 1996 - The ECC of the proposed multi-billion Cement Plant Complex Project was denied by Secretary Victor Ramos
March 21, 1997 - Inauguration of the 2 storey Public Market dubbed as the "People's Market" under the administration of Mayor JESUS F. CELESTE
January 30, 1998 - The first fire truck arrived in Bolinao givern by the Bureau of Fire Protection, DILG as requested by Mayor JESUS F. CELESTE
November 22, 1998 - Christ the King Celebration in Bolinao under the Alaminos Diocese
March 26, 1999 - The energization of Barangay San Roque bringing 100% total electrification of the 30 Barangays of Bolinao by PANELCO I and the National Electrification of Mayor JESUS F. CELESTE
January 24, 2000 - An oil tanker and Singaporean Vessel MV NOZ SHEDAR agrounded to a shoal off Santiago Island causing oil spill around Santiago Island. Bolinao filed 200 M damage suit against the vessel owners.
May 14, 2001 - The National/Local Election Day eleceted the first Congressman from Bolinao, Congressman Arthur Celeste who assumed office June 30, 2001 as Congressman of the first District of Pangasinan.
February 1-2, 2002 - Massive fish kill hit Bolinao, about 600 million damaged to agriculture industry and coastal environment
February 8, 2002 -Awarding of Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran, Balingasay River as one of National Finalists under River Category at Heroe's Hall, Malacanang Palace, Manila

Paradise Philippines' Reference:
http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph

Like the other towns in Cavite, the municipality of Dasmariñas has an ambivalent history. Originally it was part of Imus until the year 1868, when it was converted into an independent municipality and named Perez-Dasmariñas. Then after nearly 37 years of independent existence Dasmariñas was reverted of Imus, remaining a barrio of the latter until it regained its independence after 12 years in 1917.

Historically, Dasmariñas had played an important role as gateway to the Magdalo revolutionary capital of Imus. It was in the strategic Pasong Santol, in barrio Salitran Dasmariñas, where General Emilio Aguinaldo and later his elder brother General Crispulo Agunaldo fought off Spanish General Jose Lachamber’s troops in seesaw battle, until the elder Aguinaldo was captured.

The origin of the name “Dasmariñas” comes from “Perez Das Mariñas,” a Spanish Governor of the Philippines from 1590 to 1593. After his death, his son Luis Pérez das Mariñas was the governor from 1593 to 1596. Perez das Mariñas came from “San Miguel das Negradas,” Galiza, Spain. Dasmariñas literally means “from the marines” in the Galician language.

One notable place to visit in the town is Museo De La Salle. This museum is a lifestyle museum dedicated to the preservation of certain aspects and material culture of the 19th century Philippine ilustrado lifestyle. The Museo has been realized “to encourage its own use in cross-disciplinary learning and growth in an academic environment, and to provide a living space illustrating Philippine culture that is linked to its immediate community, and that reaches out to those outside.”

The museum building draws inspiration from the 19th century bahay na bato (house of stone), a two-storey building with stone, brick and mortar structure at the ground level, and usually a wood one at the second level. The emergence of the bahay na bato marked the remarkable lifestyle of the 19th century Christian Philippines. A bahay na bato was filled with fine furniture and objects to showcase the owner's wealth, personal style, and status in society. These examples of material culture now serve to document a range of natural and socio-historical notions.Most of the collections consist of antique family heirlooms, furniture, decorative objects, fine and applied arts, donated by the “Joven-Panlilio family of Bacolor, Pampanga, Arnedo-Gonzalez family of Sulipan, Apalit, Pampanga, antique collectors Ms. Marie Theresa Lammoglia-Virata and Jaime C. Laya, and the D. M. Guevarra collection.”

Trivia About The Paradise Philippines. This page provides an extensive collection of Philippine trivia, especially on all the places to visit in the island paradise Philippines.

Original Source: WOW Philippines: Discover Philippines: About the Philippines

# The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of art.

# Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via Philippine quick transports – the tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar.

# The world’s longest underground river system accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan.

# The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is a species of the buffalo that is similar to the carabao. It is found only in the island of Mindoro.

# The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).

# Filipino bowler Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno was the first bowler to be elevated to the International Bowling Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The Philippine Congress has named him “Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time.”

# Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2. He grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French, and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!" ("It is done!")

# The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km., it is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila.

# Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.

# Negros Occidental has the most cities among Philippine provinces.

# Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.

# Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.

# The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga can reach as big as 40 feet in diameter, using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.

# The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the jitney, the taxi/minibus that travels along a fixed route, found in many countries.

# The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.

# The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain."

# The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.

# Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. “Anilao" book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.

# The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines is located on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the Philippine provinces.

# The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.

# Fernando Amorsolo was officially the first National Artist of the Philippines. He was given the distinction of National Artist for Painting in 1972.

# Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.

# The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.

# The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.

# On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.

# The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997 European Choral Grand Prix, the choral olympics of the world’s best choirs. The group, being the only Asian choir, bested five regional champions from all over Europe, earning them the title as the "world’s best choir."

# There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea" is the rarest and most expensive in the world.

# Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.

# Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.

# Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.

# The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only steel church in Asia and was the second building to be made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

# The largest bell in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church. It is 7 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be heard as far as 8 km. away. It was casted from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.

# The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is contested annually by the national champions of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.

# Filipino Eriberto N. Gonzales Jr. consumed 350 chilis in 3 minutes at the annual Magayon Festival chili-eating contest held at Penaranda Park, Legazpi, Albay on May 27, 1999, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the most chilis eaten.

# The longest possible eclipse of the Sun is 7 min. 31 sec. The longest eclipse in recent times took place west of the Philippines on June 20, 1995, lasting for 7 min. 8 sec.

# Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only place in the Philippines which has more volcanoes (7) than towns (5).

# The 900 sq m Relief Map of Mindanao in Dapitan City was personally done by Dr. Jose Rizal. It was used as a device for teaching history and geography to townsfolk.

# The Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park was founded in 1910 by Gov. John Pershing. It is one of the oldest golf courses in the Philippines.

# Isabela City is the youngest city in the region. It was only on March 5, 2001 that the Municipality of Isabela, Province of Basilan was converted into a component city Through RA 9023. On April 25, 2001, Isabeleños ratified the new status of Isabela.

# The Kinabayo is an exotic and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish Wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces under General Pelagio took their last stand against the Saracens. They were able to reverse the tide of war with the miraculous apparition of St. James, the Apostle. A Kinabayo Festival is celebrated every July in Dapitan City, attracting thousands of tourists to the city.

# The altar at the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog City was designed by Dr. Jose Rizal. The Cathedral was erected by the Spanish friars sometime in 1895, before Dipolog City became a municipality.

# The Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City is the original estate of Dr. Jose Rizal which he acquired by purchase during his exile in Dapitan from 1892 to 1896.

# RA 8973 signed by then President Joseph E. Estrada in February 2001 created the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. A total of sixteen municipalities compose this newest province in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

# Magat Dam is Asia’s biggest dam project at the time of its construction. It serves the primary function of power generation and irrigation.

# The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers and flow to the Cagayan River.

# Magapit Suspension Bridge is the first of its kind in Asia. It spans the Cagayan River at Lallo and is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and second districts of Cagayan going towards the Ilocos Region via the scenic Patapat Road on the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway.

# Angono Petroglyphs – This cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art. Besides being the country’s oldest “work of art” it also offers us an evocative glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the “100 Most Endangered Sites of the World.

# PANCIT HABHAB (Lucban)-Made from rice flour, these local noodles acquired its name and developed its unique attraction by the way it is eaten. Otherwise known as Pancit Lucban, these noodles are hawked in the streets and served on a piece of banana leaf, sans fork or any other utensils. Thus, it is eaten straight from the leaf, licking permitted... "habhab"-style.

# Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish dictionary which was printed in 1613, 25 years older than the first book printed in the United States.

# Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen, the world-renowned Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison. British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor

# Ilo-Ilo golf and country club is the oldest golf club in the Philippines. It was built at 1908 by Irish Engineers.

# Limasawa Island – where Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Philippines which give way to the discovery of the Philippines and where the first mass was celebrated.

# San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the world

# Calbiga Cave – The Philippines’ biggest karst formations and one of the largest in Asia, the 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and sub-terranean watercourse.

# At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be found the only existing pipe organ in Mindanao. The 2nd largest pipe organ in the Phiippines. The huge instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over by sea from Germany in 23 crates.

# Cagayan de Oro City - “The City of Golden Friendship,” known for its warm people and old-fashioned hospitality

# Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest mountain at 10,311 feet above sea level, and considered as the “Grand-father of all Philippine Mountains”

# Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest in the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in Southeastern Asia. The lake is home of endemic cryprinids, the species found only in the lake and nowhere else in the world.

# Halo-Halo! Halo-halo literally means, "mix-mix". And its is just that: a mixture of sweetened fruits and beans, lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice flakes), sugar and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice cream. You know its summertime when halo-halo stand start sprouting by the roadside and by the beach, all whipping up their heavenly concoctions of such a refreshingly divine dessert. You can make your own by selecting and mixing your ingredients to make a perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is uniquely, unforgettably Filipino!

# KALESA - The kalesa or karitela is a horse-driven carriage that was introduced during the 18th century. It was used by Spanish officials and the nobles as a means of transportation. The Ilustrados, the rich Filipinos who had their own businesses, used the kalesa not only for traveling but as a means a means of transporting their goods as well.

# BAKYA-Made primarily of lightwood (laniti and santol trees), it is sculpted with a slope and shaved to a smooth finish, then painted with floral designs or varnished to a high sheen. The upper portions, which are made of rubber or transparent plastic, are fastened to the sides by thumb nails called "clavitos". The bakya industry prospered during the 1930s when the Filipinos began exporting these to the other countries.

# SORBETES-This sweet treat was concocted in the early 1920's, a time where a single centavo could buy you almost anything. The process of this ice cream making and selling it in carts with colorful designs is still the same. Back in the old days, these ice cream dealers bred their own cows and milked them with their own hands to ensure the freshness and sanitation of the milk needed to make the "dirty ice cream".

# Waling Waling Orchids - With some 800 to 1,000 species of orchids, the Philippines has one of the richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors. Most grow only in old-growth forest, often on branches of huge trees dozens of meters above the forest floor.

# Maria Teresa Calderon – A Filipina World champion speed reader as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records

# In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by British invaders, not Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.

# The Philippine Basketball Association is Asia's premier and the world's second oldest professional league.

# Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.

# The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.

# Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Channel 3, the first television station in the country, went on the air in 1953.

# The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level, is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.

# The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz, is not a Filipino invention? It was coined by R. McCulloch-Dick, a Scottish-born journalist working for the Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering it was the most common name in blotters.

# Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the “Rome of the Philippines” because of the number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous cathedral located in it.

# Compostela Valley is known to be laden with gold, thus earning the monicker “Golden Valley of Mindanao”

# Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas built by Augustinian Missionaries in 1572, is reputed to be the biggest catholic church in East Asia. It is so huge that it can house another big church

# Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of Bengued” because of the frost during the cold months

# The Delmonte Pineapple Plantation in Bukidnon is considered to be the biggest in the far east

# Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the world's tiniest shell, can be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna gigas grows as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds while Pisidum is less than 1 millimeter long. A shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also found in the Philippines and considered as one of the most expensive shells in the world.

# Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family (order Gasterosteiformes), which also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the water, live in the Coral Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world. They inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.

# Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the largest fish in the world. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from November to May. They travel across the oceans but nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon. They measure between 18 to 35 feet in length and weigh about 20 tons.

# The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds.
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.

# Palawan bearcat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in the forests of Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of Viverridae (civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years.

# Calamian Deer - Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, keep a species of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog deer.

# World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.

# Flying Lemur - One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn't have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada. In Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo or the flying lemur.

# Did you know that the first four cities of Metropolitan Manila are: Manila, Quezon, Pasay and Caloocan

# The flagpole located in Rizal Park, is where the starts of 0 kilometer reading in measuring all distances from Manila.

# Quezon City is the second biggest city in the Philippines.

# The Bonifacio Monument in Monumento, Caloocan City was designed by a noted Filipino sculptor Guillermo Tolentino

# In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were introduced. The Filipinos developed the "bomba" or kill, and called the hitter a "bomberino". (source: http://volleyball.org/history.html)

# The Philippine Eagle is the 2nd largest bird on the planet (next only to the American Condor).

A few meters away from the Malolos Church is the Casa Real. It was a printing press during the Malolos Republic; it was restored in 1852 and converted into a municipal library.

It is now a museum of still existing memorabilia and relics from the First Philippine Republic. Memorabilia of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo can be found here. First class families of Malolos, their furniture, old books, stamps, paper money and coin are also displayed in the Shrine.

Casa Real is one of Malolos oldest structures dating back to 1812. The building also contains a display of the 21 Women of Malolos memorabilia. Also presented here are the photographs of the 100 Filipino women, each has distinct characteristics in their fields.

Thirty minutes away, passing through the Aguinaldo Boulevard, is Cavite City. Like Kawit, the name of Cavite City has the same meaning and etymology. Cavite City is a noteworthy place to visit and explore in paradise Philippines because of its rich history.

There are, however, several names still attributed to Cavite City. Its early settlers called it “Tangway,” meaning peninsula. People from other places refer to it as Kawit, because it looked like a sharp-edge part of the hook-shaped land. The Chinese traders or the Sangleyes who came to Cavite to do business with the natives called it Keit, a corruption of the word Kawit.

During the Spanish occupation, the old Tangway, which was at its northern tip, was called “Cavite la Punta” meaning “Tip of Cavite.” When they discovered Cavite la Punta to be a suitable place for the repair of their ships and galleons, they called the place Cavite Nuevo (New Cavite) and moved their settlement there. Later on, the Spaniards fortified the place with Muralla (high thick walls) and surrounded it with moats, the place was called Puerto de Cavite (port of Cavite).

Before touring the port area, it is suggested to visit to the Cavite City Library and Museum (CCLM). This museum building occupies the former City Hall Annex. The museum has a permanent exhibit of photographs of Cavite City’s heroes like the Thirteen Martyrs, Julian Felipe, Ladislao Diwa and other prominent Caviteños in the history of paradise Philippines. Likewise, permanent exhibits of old photographs, memorabilia, relics, old furniture and household objects provides a glimpse of the city as it was during the Spanish period up to the American occupation. From time to time, special exhibits (historical, cultural or artistic) are displayed in the museum.

Its library, on the other hand, was designated as an Official Sister Library Site by no less than the former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, to be part of their White House Millennium Council Project on Sister Libraries. CCLM is the ONLY library in the whole paradise Philippines to be chosen as such and was given this plaque in the process.

Adjacent to the museum is the Cavite City Hall. It is located in pre-World War ll site of “Dreamland Cabaret” and the “Pantalan de Yangco.” This imposing building sits on one end of the City Park. Paseo de Barangay is located at the back of City Hall.

Cañacao Bay can be best viewed here. This bay was port to both the Spanish galleons and the Pan Am Clipper seaplanes. The Skyline of Manila is visible when looking at the mouth of the bay.

Another famous site in the city is the Fort San Felipe located at Sangley Point Naval Base. It is an old structure dating back to 1609 when the Spaniards built it to protect part of the then growing city. The structure is made of granite blocks with walls approximately 30 feet high. A wide stairway leads to the top of the fort where a concrete house structure could be found. Naval memorabilia including antique cannons and cannon balls decorate the lawns. This fort is also the place where the Cavite Mutiny 1872 occurred when Filipino workers were implicated in the armed uprising against the Spaniards. Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite were also executed here.

Located at the top of this wall is the Phil. Navy Museum where miniature of Phil. Naval vessels and other memorabilia are placed.

There is also the 13 Martyrs Centennial Plaza. It was built in 1906 to honor Cavite’s revered martyrs. The remains of the six martyrs are still; inferred in the monument. Through the assistance of the Department of Tourism the former monument was transformed into a Centennial Plaza after the celebration of its 100th year anniversary. It is designed to present the picture of their struggle, trial and execution.

Three plazas and one park are also located along the port area. These are the Plaza de Armas in front of San Felipe Fort, Plaza San Pedro in front of the church and Plaza Soledad in front of Porta Vaga.

Other surrounding walls in the area are the Fuerte Guadalupe on the side and the Porta Vaga. Only the relics of these structures still exist. Collectively known as the Muralla, this is now a well lighted bay front that offers promenades cool breezes during balmy nights. The view of Bacoor Bay shows the tower of the Aguinaldo Mansion as well as the many oyster beds that dot the bay. This area was once called the isthmus of Rosario and at one time featured a drawbridge.

Given the city’s importance in trade, convents and hospitals were built. Among them were the San Diego de Alcala convent built in 1608, the Porta Vaga (La Ermita), Santa Monica (Recoletos), San Juan De Dios, Santo Domingo and San Pedro, the port’s parish church. There was also the Hospital de San Jose, built by the Franciscan fathers in 1591 and founded by the congregation of San Juan de Dios, for sailors and soldiers.

In all, there were eight churches in the walled city -- five in Cavite Puerto, the Ermita, Recoletos, San Juan de Dios, San Pedro and Sto. Domingo, one in San Roque, the San Roque Parish Church and two unfinished ones in Caridad. The belfry of the Old Sta. Monica Church can still be viewed as mute witness to the piety of the early Caviteños.

At present, the San Roque Parish Church, which now houses the image of the “Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga” (Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga), is the “only” remaining church in Cavite City.

The Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga, reputed to be a relic of Spain, is a painting of the Virgin Mary framed in carved wood. The relic is said to have been discovered, beached on the shores between the old Puerto Vaga in Cavite City and Barrio San Roque during the 18th century. The painting, presently set in precious gems, is also known as the “Virgin of a Thousand Miracles” because of many miracles granted to the faithful devotees from the day of its discovery to the present.

The huge Malolos Cathedral is also known as the Basilica Minore. This became the presidential quarters of Gen. Emilio Aquinaldo in 1898. The first convent and church were finished in 1591, and were subsequently enlarged, reconstructed, rebuilt, and frequently restored.

From September 10, 1898, until March 29, 1899, the convent was used as the presidential palace of the First Republic of the Philippines. On March 31, 1899, while General Aguinaldo and his men were fleeing from the Americans, Aguinaldo ordered it burned to the ground as part of his scorched earth policy.

The church was rebuilt during the American occupation and again underwent almost continuous renovation until the present. Pope John Paul II declared the cathedral “Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 4, 1999” in recognition of the Bulakeños great love for Mary.

Kalayaan Tree Monument
Infront of the Malolos Cathedral is a historical landmark from the revolution: a huge century-old Siar Tree, now known as Kalayaan Tree Monument, which Aguinaldo planted during a lull in the Congress proceedings. Aguinaldo is said to have conducted many political discussions here. Under the tree is a monument that symbolizes the meeting of Filipino revolutionaries represented by Gregorio del Pilar and Gen. Isidoro Torres; Don Pablo Tecson, an erudite legislator; Padre Mariano Sevilla, a nationalist leader of the church and Doña Basilia Tantoco, portraying a woman freedom fighter.

Visiting the historical town of Kawit will give the tourists a good glimpse of Cavite’s history during the Spanish colonial period, the revolution, until the proclamation of independence.

Formerly known as “Cavite El Viejo.” Kawit is famous as the birthplace of Emilio Aguinaldo, the “first president of the Republic of the Philippines.” Like the province name’s genealogy, Kawit is also derived from the Tagalog word kawit (hook) which is suggestive of its location at the base of a hookshaped shoreline along Manila Bay extending to the tip of Cavite City. Kawit was the most thriving settlement prior to the coming of the Spaniards. In fact, it provided the first anchorage of the Spaniards in the province, whence colonization and proselytization of the Christian religion began, spreading to all.

Legend, however, gives another version on how the town got its name. One day a Spanish visitor asked a native blacksmith about the name of the village. The latter was busy at the time pounding on the anvil a piece of hot metal that looked like a hook. He hesitated to speak, not understanding what the stranger was asking, but when pressed for an answer, and thinking that he wanted to know what he was doing, he merely said kawit (hook). The Spaniards left muttering the word kawit. In the course of the time the word kawit evolved into "cawite," and finally “cavite,” there being no "K" in the Castillan alphabet, then changing "w" to "v" so as to conform to their accentuation.

Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum
Reaching this historical landmark is easy. By car, take Quirino Avenue; or the Southern Luzon Highway, exit at Sucat to pass Las Piñas and Zapote. Travel time is 1 to 1 ½ hours from Manila.

The Aguinaldo Shrine was the birthplace and home of President Emilio Aguinaldo. This house/shrine/museum has remarkable furnishings. The ceiling of the dining room has a bas relief map of the Philippines, with Cavite painted red to symbolize the province's resistance. The balcony was where independence from Spain was declared June 12, 1898; at the same time the Philippine flag was raised and the national anthem was played, both for the first time.

This building is actually a mansion renaissance architecture, combining baroque, romanesque and Malayan influences. The property has an indoor swimming pool, a big yard, (the Chico Tree Aguinaldo planted is still there) and spacious receiving, dining and bed rooms, complete with hidden compartments to hide important documents and weapons and secret passages to escape into during emergencies.

President Aguinaldo, himself donated the mansion & the lot to the Philippine Government on June 12, 1963 "to perpetuate the spirit of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 that put an end to Spanish colonization of the country." And by virtue of Republic Act No. 4039 dated June 18,1964 issued by then Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, the Aguinaldo mansion was declared a national shrine.

In the garden behind the house is a Marble Tomb where Aguinaldo rests. The Aguinaldo Shrine, open from 8am to 5pm daily, except Mondays, is well worth a visit. There is no entrance fee but visitors may make a donation.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene
A few meters away is the towering Church of St. Mary Magdalene, also a historical landmark in the vicinity of Kawit. This church was erected in 1638 by six Filipino families hailing from the towns of Maragondon and Silang. The cornerstones were built in 1737 but devastated by a strong typhoon in 1831. It was handled by the Secular priests in 1786 and then by the Recolletos in 1894.

Tourists may find it unusual that Kawit’s patron saint is Mary Magdalene being a controversial figure in the Holy Scriptures. But there is a historical explanation for that. This church acts a reminder of a place called by the Spaniards “Cavite el Viejo” or Old Cavite to distinguish it from “Cavite la Punta” or “Cavite el Puerto,” the commercial port and naval base (now Cavite City) whence came many Spanish marines on shore leave who made frequent visits to Cavite el Viejo, eventually turning it into a “red light district.” The bad reputation of the place, however, was completely wiped out when it was placed under the spiritual supervision of the Jesuits by placing St. Mary Magdalene as Patron saint of the town.

It was also in this church where President Aguinaldo was baptized. In fact, there exists a long tunnel between the church and Aguinaldo’s house (about 300 meters away). This tunnel has been closed due to the construction of roads and commercial establishments in the area. Legend has it that Aguinaldo’s men constructed massive network of underground tunnels emanating from his house to various places like the Tejeros Convention area to protect the revolutionaries from the Spanish authorities.

The 400-year old church was renovated and given a traditional face lift in 1990 through the concerted efforts of the people of Kawit.

Now a declared national shrine in the Philippines , Barasoain Church, located at the heart of Malolos' crowning glory, is historically significant that it can be seen in the reverse side of the 10 Philippine peso bill.

It was in Barasoain Church where important episodes in the country’s political history came about: the convening of the First Philippine Congress on Sept. 15, 1898; the drafting of the Malolos Constitution, from Sept. 29, 1898 to Jan. 21, 1899; and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on Jan. 23, 1899, making Malolos its national capital.

Built from 1871-1878, a stone church was constructed to replace an earlier one made of wood. A plaque at the church’s facade tells us that the original Barasoain church was destroyed by fire in 1884, after which the building underwent several renovations. Beginning 1885, the Augustinian Jian Giron contracted the services of a builder known only as Magpayo, who rebuilt the church from its foundations using variations of a circular motif.

The church was restored to its original splendor for the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998. It is said that the way the church looks today is exactly how it looked during the time of the revolution.

Beside the church is the Malolos Convent, now converted into a museum. This served as Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence when he was president. It was also in this convent where the “Universidad Literaria Cientifica de Filipinas” (Literary and Scientific University of the Philippines) was first housed – a project of the revolutionary Malolos government which had existed for one year in 1898 to 1899. Historians traced the founding of the University of the Philippines (UP) not to the American colonialists who had chartered the University in 1908, but to the Universidad Literaria Cientifica de Filipinas.

The church convent now houses both Ecclesiastical Museum and the History Museum, dedicated to the great events that took place in the church. It showcases a collection of municipal antiques and priceless array of artifacts, under the management of the National Historical Institute. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, except on holidays, 8:00am, to 5:00pm. Admission is free.

Among the highlights of the Barasoain Museum is a dramatized audio-visual presentation that recalls important events in Philippine history starting from the declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1896, then the great events that took place in the Barasoain church, the Quezon era, the Japanese Occupation, the Liberation period, the inauguration of the present Philippine Republic and the People Power. This 17-minute light-and-sound is a great an introduction for visitors in understanding the history of Malolos and the country’s struggle for independence.

You may wonder where the name “Barasoain” came from. The term was rooted from the Filipino word, “baras ng suwail,” which means “dungeon of the defiant” in English. The Barasoain Church is believed to be the place where anti-Spaniard Filipinos gathered together, even before the revolution. It is also believed that the term was taken from the name of a well-known church at Navarra, Spain. Some Spanish priests and missionaries had gone there and saw a very beautiful church, so they decided to give the same name to the one that they built in Malolos.

No visit to Bulacan will ever be complete without touring the “historical city” of Malolos, the province capital. There is a multitude of reasons why this place is worthy of visit and recollection. For one, Malolos was the site of the constitutional convention of 1898, known as the Malolos Convention, that led to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, the “first republic in Asia.” No other towns in the Philippines can also be heavily linked to the great patriots and heroes in the country’s history more than Malolos. Such name as Emilio Aguinaldo, Jose Rizal, Pedro Paterno, the del Pilars -Marcelo, Pio, and Gregorio, Apolinario Mabini, Antonio Luna, Felipe Calderon, and a host of others are engraved in the annals of Philippine history.

Malolos, Bulacan is a haven of century-old churches, colonial houses, historical sites, and other remnants of the Spanish occupation. Visiting the place will not only educate its visitors about the history of the place, but accordingly foster one’s sense of heritage, pride and honor of the country.

Malolos, Then and Now: A Brief History
The name of Malolos was presumably derived from the Tagalog word “Paluslos,” meaning “downwards.” The name resulted from a misunderstanding among the first Spanish missionaries who reached the place. Searching for inhabited places along the Calumpit River, these priests came upon some natives of a riverside barrio (now Kanalate). They asked for the name of the place. The natives, not knowing the Spanish tongue, answered that the flow of the river in that part was downstream “paluslos,” which the Spaniards pronounced “Malolos.” Corruption of the word through the years led to present “Malolos.”

The town originated from a small settlement started by the Spanish missionaries. Later, after clearing forests and virgin lands, the settlement grew, and the population increased. Parishes were then established and the church building became “central” to town planning. To build a church, the whole town was mobilized; the able-bodied men contributing labor while women did other chores. After the construction of a big church, the place was made into a town. From the very beginning, Tagalog made up the majority of the Malolos populace. They were led by prominent families, among them the Gatsalians (Gatchalian), and the Manahans.

The wealth of Malolos lies not only in its more than four thousand hectares of fertile rice lands and more than two thousand hectares of fishponds, but in the character of its people as well. Its people have long been known for their diligence and ingenuity. In early days, farming and fishing took up most of the poultry, farming, pigeon rising, carpentry and woodwork, and other profitable cottage industries and handicrafts.

Now, Malolos is a hodgepodge of the past and the present, old and new, countryside and urbane. Situated 40 kilometers north of Manila, it is a major suburb outside of Manila and the “business center” and “industrial estate” of the province of Bulacan. The city is fast becoming industrialized and commercialized. Due to its proximity to Metro Manila, various factories and business establishments have sprouted in recent years in Malolos. Among the major industries in Malolos include aquaculture, bag making, food processing, embroidery, processed meat, and garments.

But despite these developmental changes in the city, traces of its historic past from the Spanish colonial period in the Paradise Philippines can still be seen around the city proper.

How To Get There
There are three ways to get to Malolos, Bulacan by bus, jeepney, AUVs (FX and Vans) or private vehicle. One is through the historic MacArthur Highway, another is through the North Luzon Expressway and through the Cagayan Valley Road. Various bus companies offer trips to the province, such as Philippine Rabbit Bus Line, Pantranco, Dangwa Bus, PNR, Victory Liner, and Fariñas Transportation.

Travel Time
Travel time is usually 1-1 ½ hours from Manila depending on road traffic.

Dubbed as the “Cradle of Philippine Revolution” and the “Birthplace of Independence,” Cavite stands as a place with a glorious past. A land of noble heroes and patriots, Cavite positions itself as the “Historical Capital of the Philippines,” having been blessed with a rich historical legacy that comprises a series of armed uprisings that began with the Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and ended with the proclamation of Philippine Independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898.

True to its significant place in Philippine revolution and history, Cavite is home to a multitude of historical attractions, landmarks and sites. Colonial and century-old houses and churches can also be viewed in every municipality in the province as glorious reminders of the Spanish occupation.

But besides being historical, Cavite is also picturesque and scenic province providing a place conducive to both business and leisure. Today, the province is waging another revolution – an industrial one – that is nevertheless as challenging as the revolution of the past.

Due to its close proximity to Metro Manila, Cavite has emerged to be one of the fastest booming business gateways in the Paradise Philippines, making it one of the most accessible of the southern provinces. It is now a center of industrial parks, numerous subdivisions, entertainment centers, and tourist attractions, enjoying its prominence as a major country’s economic center. Large-scale industrial estate development and urbanization is rapidly taking place. Vast tracts of land have been converted as leisure estates, including world class golf courses.

How To Get There
The historical province of Cavite is very accessible from Manila. There are two options on how to get there.

One is through the Roxas Boulevard Coastal Road. The other one is through the Southern Luzon Highway, exit at Sucat to pass Las Piñas and Zapote.

Although there are buses going to Cavite, it is best suggested to bring a private vehicle. It will be cheaper and more convenient than ‘commuting’ around Cavite.

Travel Time
Normal travel time (when traffic is not heavy) to Cavite is as short as 20-30 minutes (if you are going to Bacoor, the closest town to Manila) or about 2 1/2 hours (if you are going to the farthest point). Kawit is about 30-45 minutes away.

Paradise Philippines’ References:
Official Website of Cavite Province

The island paradise of the Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Republika ng Pilipinas) is a tropical, archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia, consisting of 7,107 islands.

Below are some general facts about the paradise Philippines:

Philippine Capital: Manila
Land Area: 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.)
Official Philippine Languages: Filipino, English
Eight Major Philippine Dialects: Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Philippine Climate: March-May (hot); June-October (rainy); November-February (cool)
Religions: Roman Catholic (83%), Muslim (5%), Others (12%)
Main Island Group in the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
Time Zone: GMT + 8 hours
Currency: Philippine Peso
Current Population in the Philippines: 88+ million (2007, estimate)
Life Expectancy: 70
GDP per Capita: U.S. $4,600
Literacy Percent: 96
Philippines Calling Code: +63

Paradise Philippines' References:
Philippines - Wikipedia
Facts About The Philippines

Mabuhay! Paradise Philippines is your online guide of the best travel destinations in the 7,107 paradise islands of the Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient.

In the coming days, weeks and months, articles and photographs will be posted here, featuring the many of the highlights of the beautiful paradise of the Philippines such as tourist spots, beaches, colonial churches, colorful festivals, food, Philippine arts and culture and many others.

Paradise Philippines is designed for you, our dear Filipino kababayans, as well for foreign tourists and backpackers who are planning to take a visit in the island paradise of the Philippines.

So keep visiting Paradise Philippines for more updates.

Salamat!