Exploring Siquijor

Siquijor is basically in Central Visayas . It is usually among the smallest islands in the Philippines. Cebu, Negros, as well as Bohol are the provinces close to Siquijor.  Siquijor was named "Isla del Fuego" or simply "Island of Fire" by the Spaniards . They named it for this reason because of the mysterious glow from fireflies which they noticed when they explored Siquijor. The province was also called Katugasan, from the lugas or molave trees that are abundant in the province.

Siquijor provides a number of natural wonders. These include stunning beaches, Mount Bandilaan, Cantabon Cave, and also San Juan de Capilay Lake.

The province is typically a home to historic sites for instance the Saint Isidore Labrador Parish Church and Convent. It is actually one of the largest and oldest churches in the Philippines. The Old Cang-Isok House is yet another attractive force in Siquijor. It is a good old house made from bamboo and tugas .

[photocredit: www.lakwatsero.com, www.ferdzdecena.com, byahilo.com, siquijortour.com]

Sungkilaw Falls

Sungkilaw falls is a 25-feet tall waterfalls, which is located at Sitio Virginia, Barangay Diwan, Dipolog City, the uttermost barangay of Dipolog. It is established beneath the mountains of Diwan. In the east part of the falls is a spring that cascades to a very rapid fall down to a river.

Sungkilaw Falls is improved by the City Government with the aid of Subanens. Subanens are a peace-loving locals dwelling in vicinity. An observation deck close to the falls gives one a great advantage point to better acknowledge the perfection of the falls. This is a best-loved landing-place for those who want to experience water adventure.

[photocredit: http://www.theviewingdeck.com, dipologcity.com]

Mi Retiro Rock

Mi Retiro Rock is a heart-shaped rock where Rizal booked his longest poem, composing of 24 stanzas. Mi Retiro Rock was known as “Batong Lumayag” (sailing stone) as it emerges to be floating during high tide. In present times, it is now within an artificial lagoon.

[photo credit: http://www.backpackingphilippines.com, farm6.staticflickr.com, manilamuse.typepad.com]

Relief Map of Mindanao

The Relief Map of Mindanao, also known as Rizal's Relief Map of Mindanao is one of Jose Rizal's legacies. Its total land area is about 900 square meters. It is located across St. James Church. It became a historical symbol in March 13, 2002 and a cultural treasure of the Philippine Museum in June 20, 2005.

Assisted by his favorite teacher from Ateneo de Manila, Francisco Paula de Sanchez, Rizal shaped the map from August -September 1892 based on the map done by Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde, a French Jesuit in 1752.

The Americans fenced the area in the 1920's during their teaching task in the province. It has concrete walls and sturdy entrance pillars. The map is located at Junction Polo-Dapitan Park National Road, Dapitan City, Philippines.

[photo credit: http://www.markmaranga.com]

Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City

Dapitan City is the 3rd Class City in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte. Its population consists of 77,441 inhabitants based on the 2010 census. Dapitan City is the place where Jose Rizal spent 4 years in expulsion by the Spaniards (from 1892-1896) and is termed as the "Shrine City in the Philippines".

[photo credit: http://www.pinaytravelista.com/]

Magnificent Dakak Beach

Zamboanga del Norte is well-known for its Dakak Beach as well as for its beautiful shaped cove, powdery white sand beach, wonderful sunset scope and great quantity of coral reefs.

Dakak beach is also acknowledged as the Diving Meca in Mindanao. It faces Sulu Sea in the west and is enclosed by mountains in the East. Dakak Park and Beach has 15 hectares of wooden land, a natural reserve area for native animals and plants, and a 15-meter private white-sand beach.

[photo credit: http://theislandexplorer.blogspot.com/]

Why You Should Visit the Philippines

The Philippines is among the finest places of interest around the world to participate in ocean sports activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing. The country also is host to a various range of magnificent and exotic flora and fauna, as well as being among the most biodiverse parts of the world.

The geography of the Philippines is awe-inspiring and scenic with numerous coral reefs, mountains and mountain ranges, and tropical forests, as well as over 7,000 islands.

Among the wonderful places and their famous beautiful spots you can see here are:

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

Zamboanga del Norte is established in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. It is ringed by the Sulu Sea, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Sur. The capital of Zamboanga del Norte is Dipolog City.

INTERESTING PLACES

Zamboanga del Norte has many picturesque places for both local and foreign tourists.

Dakak Beach

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 Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City

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Relief Map of Mindanao

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Mi Retiro Rock

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Sungkilaw Falls

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LUZON

Banaue Rice Terraces

Banaue Rice Terraces or "Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan" in Tagalog is 2,000 years debilitated. The terraces were carved by the native people of Ifugao mostly by hands. The Terraces surface a large area of over 10,300 square kilometers. Some people say that when these terraces are combined in a consecutive line, it would enclose half of the globe. The terraces give forth the culture of the people living in Ifugao for so many years.

[photo credit: mynomadichabits.com]

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VISAYAS

Fort San Pedro

Front entrance of Fuerza de San Pedro.

Fort San Pedro is a stronghold for Filipino Revolutionaries built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to repel Muslim Raiders. It is established in an area now called Plaza Independencia near the South Road Properties (SRP) of Cebu City. These days, it’s a peaceful, fenced garden and an amazing crumbling ruin.

Inside Fort San Pedro Cebu





Fort San Pedro Cebu City and Legazpi's Statue

[photo credit: en.wikipedia.org, asias-world.com, fabulousphilippines.com]

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MINDANAO

Maguindanao

Maguindanao is among the provinces that consist the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It is exactly enclosed by Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, as well as Moro Gulf. Its capital is Shariff Aguak. Maguindanao is well known for Rio Grande de Mindanao, which is actually the 2nd largest river system in the Philippines.

Additionally, it is home to historical sites particularly the Tamontaka Church and the Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine. Another fascinating sites in the province are P.C. Hills, Timako Hill, and Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.

Iligan City


Mimbalut Falls

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Timoga Cold Spring



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Tinago Falls



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Maria Cristina Falls
[photo credit: viloria.net, thelandofpromise.com, bubblews.com]