Travel Philippines – Page 8

Samar Island: The Caving Capital of the Philippines and Home to the Biggest Cave in the Country

September 18, 2015 By Lyza R. Sabornido 2 Comments

Samar was put in the caving spotlight since the discovery of the biggest cave in the Philippines, the Langun Gobingob Caves in Brgy Panayuran, Calbiga, Samar. However, the island of Samar is not only home to the biggest cave in the country but it also hides the most amazing caves you will ever see in your life.

So if you’re a person who loves to explore and always ready for a great adventure, then set out on a journey to the third largest island of the Philippines, the island of Samar.

As of today, hundreds of caves has been discovered, mapped and catalogued by some Italian, French and Filipino speleologists in the island. And there might even be more than a thousand waiting to be discovered. No wonder why many adventure seekers from the Philippines and other countries have dared to visit and explored the caves of Samar.

The following caves are just some of the stunning caves that can be found in the island of Samar, which includes the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. [Read more…]

20 Amazing Photos that Show why Samar is the Caving Capital of the Philippines

September 5, 2015 By Rig Man 8 Comments

The Philippine archipelago is home to beautiful islands, amazing diving spots, stunning waterfalls, and friendliest people in the world. That is why millions of tourists from around the globe are flocking to the country every year. However, the Philippines doesn’t only offer spectacular tourist destinations that can be reached on the ground, on top of the mountain or underwater. Our country also hides more incredible wonders of nature in the hollow places underground, the caves.

Caves are formed by nature over hundreds or even millions of years. Hidden in the darkness of caves are stunning rock formations called speleothems, which can also be classified into stalactites, helictites, stalagmites, flowstones, cave crystals and other types.

There are thousands of caves across the Philippines. Samar, alone, has already hundreds of caves that were indexed and there are even thousand more to be explored yet. The island of Samar is the third largest island in the Philippines, next to Luzon and Mindanao. It is where the current largest cave system in the Philippines (the Langun-Gobingob Caves in Calbiga) is located.

The island is not only hiding the largest cave in the country but also the most beautiful ones. Here are 20 amazing photos that will show you why Samar is the caving capital of the Philippines. [Read more…]

Is this a Megalodon Tooth Inside a Cave in Samar?

August 30, 2015 By Rig Man 1 Comment

A fossilized tooth of a Megalodon inside Taguloulo Cave in San Jorge, Samar. Photo from Joni Bonifacio’s YouTube.

The island of Samar is considered as the caving capital of the Philippines. Known also as the third largest island in the Philippines, next to Luzon and Mindanao, Samar is home to the biggest, longest and most amazing caves in the country.

Caves are usually hollow places underground that is why, inside them, one can expect to see incredible rock formations like stalactites and stalagmites, as well as unique creatures such as blind and colorless crabs, shrimps and crayfish.

They are also formed over millions of years so discovering important fossils and archaeological findings can be common inside these mysterious wonders of nature.

A Megalodon tooth inside a cave in Samar?
On March 28, 2015, a team of Italian (Guido Rossi) and French (Marcel Paul) speleologists, guided by Samar cave master and speleologist Joni A. Bonifacio, discovered what seems to be a fossilized tooth of a Megalodon inside Taguloulo Cave in San Jorge, Samar. [Read more…]

Top 12 Things to Do in Catbalogan City

August 24, 2015 By Rig Man 13 Comments

Catbalogan City is the capital of the province of Samar or Western Samar. It is a hundred kilometres away from Tacloban City, the regional center of Eastern Visayas. Catbalogan is known for its fishing industry that is why it is celebrating a month-long festivity called Manaragat Festival during the month of August. Manaragat means fishermen in English.

The 24th of August is the city’s Fiesta in honor of St. Bartholomew, the Patron Saint of Catbaloganons. I had the chance to explore this wonderful capital city of Samar and decided to write an article about it.

Whether you’re a Catbaloganon or a tourist who wants to explore this beautiful city, here are 12 things to do or places to visit within Catbalogan in no particular order.

[Read more…]

10 Reasons Why Every Filipino Should Visit Rizal Park in Manila

August 17, 2015 By Rig Man 1 Comment

Rizal Park Manila Entrance

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, is a historic urban park located in the heart of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. It’s one of the most significant landmarks in the country that shouldn’t be missed by every local or foreign tourist who are travelling to Metro Manila.

The park isn’t only a cozy and relaxing place to spend time with family and friends but visiting the 58-hectare site will tour anyone to hundred years of Philippine history from the Spanish period to the present time.

Here are 10 reasons why you should include Rizal Park in your list of must-visit places in the Philippines. [Read more…]

How to Go to Kalanggaman Island in Palompon Leyte?

April 2, 2015 By Victorino Q. Abrugar 285 Comments

The long white sandbar of Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte.

Kalanggaman Island is truly a paradise for beach lovers. I’ve been there twice. My latest visit was just last week (March 30-31, 2015). You can check out some of the enchanting photos of Kalanggaman island, its long white sandbar and its clear waters in my previous post (you can also read some useful tips before going to Kalanggaman Island in that article). For everyone who wants to experience the island’s charm and beauty this summer or anytime of the year, here’s how you can go and visit Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte. [Read more…]

Kalanggaman Island: See Enchanting Photos of this Paradise in Palompon Leyte

April 1, 2015 By Victorino Q. Abrugar 19 Comments

The stunning Kalanggaman Island. This picture was takon on March 30, 2015.

It was my second time to visit Kalanggaman Island in Palompon Leyte, and the first time since super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Eastern Visayas in November 2013. I was concerned that the beauty of the island won’t be as amazing as I first visited it before Haiyan. However, on March 30, 2015, my worries were cleared as I was once again mesmerized by the charm of this paradise just like the first time I saw its beauty during my first visit.

The beach is one of the top places to visit during summer. And an island blessed with clear waters and white long sandbar is a dream spot every tourist is looking for. Kalanggaman Island is by far the most beautiful island I’ve visited, not only in Eastern Visayas, but in the Philippines. If you haven’t been to this paradise in Palompon Leyte, here are some of the enchanting photos I took during our visit to the island from March 30 to March 31, 2015. [Read more…]

101 Facts You Should Know about the Philippines

March 18, 2015 By Joan Cyril Abello Leave a Comment

Yes, the Philippines is the archipelago in Southeast Asia which is often visited for its beaches. It is also where strongest typhoon, Haiyan, landed in November 2013. However, there are more about this country. If you are a tourist who is planning to visit the Philippines soon, or a Filipino who wants to know more about your country, then spend some time to go through these facts about this tropical country. [Read more…]

Promote Your Town in the Philippines for Free at FAQ.PH

February 18, 2015 By Joan Cyril Abello 1 Comment

Boracay, Palawan, Mayon Volcano, Chocolate Hills—these are just some of the popular tourist attractions in the Philippines that every Filipino should really be proud of. Many foreigners come here for our sunkissed beaches and rich natural resources. No wonder, our country is among the favorite destinations of American expats and other foreign retirees who want to spend the rest of their lives in a paradise-like environment. With this natural wealth, the Philippines could be one of the best countries to visit and even lived in. [Read more…]

In Pictures: Guiuan Eastern Samar, a Year after Yolanda

November 10, 2014 By Victorino Q. Abrugar 4 Comments

Guiuananons looking at the poster which shows the government’s accomplishments on the rehabilitation of Guiuan Public Market.

If Tacloban City in Leyte is considered by many as the ground zero of Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan), Guiuan in Eastern Samar is known as the point of Haiyan’s first landfall in the Philippines. It was at 4:40 a.m. on November 8, 2013 when Guiuananons felt the wrath of Yolanda, with maximum sustained winds of 235 kph and gustiness of up to 275 kph that killed a hundred of them. Although most of Guiuan did not experience the great storm surges that killed thousands of people in Leyte, the town suffered the strongest winds that destroyed its buildings and infrastructures.

Now, after one year since the devastation occurred, how is Guiuan now? Here are some photos I took around the town and nearby places on 6 and 7 November 2014 which will give us a glance of Guiuan a year after Yolanda. [Read more…]