Travel & Leisure
There has been different issue arising with regards to the new 7 wonders of the world 2012. It is not yet finalized up to this date but 2 places were officially confirmed to be listed on the 7 wonders of the world 2012. The Jeju Island in South Korea and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines made it to the official list. Bernard Weber who is the founder-president for the New7Wonders said that Jeju Island beat the last competition by many hundreds of votes to be officially announced as one of the new 7 wonders of the world 2012.
Though some reacted that it is just patches of snow that covers the crater of Mount Halla which is located in Jeju Island, still it won the hearts of many voters. The contest consists of votes to measure the popularity of the places that is included in the nominees for the new 7 wonders of the world 2012. Criticism arises in terms of the process and lack of transparency of the criteria that is being used to select the finalist for the New7Wonders. But then, Jeju Island made its way from the criticism to be officially announced as one of the new 7 wonders of world 2012. Jeju Island proclaimed its beauty with its glorious beaches, mountains and stunning scenery that makes Koreans proud to call it as a World Heritage Site. Hawaii of Korea and Honeymoon Island are among the nicknames being called for this place.
New 7 Wonders of the World 2012 – Puerto Princesa Underground River
Puerto Princesa’s Underground River is one of the main tourist attractions in the Philippine island. Lonely Planet said that it is considered as one of the last frontier of the Philippines. There are concerns that arise on what the competition would bring to Puerto Princesa. Since it will be included in the new 7 wonders of the world 2012, it may attract more tourist and development in the area that can cause pollution. It may damage and make more harm to the place than preserve it. But if the competition’s main goal is to campaign for securing and preserving these natural resources, then it is a good motivation. At least, people are aware on which places should be protected and keep from environmental harm. Weber said that Philippines is taking seriously the New7Wonders of Nature because even Philippine President Aquino himself came out to support the Puerto Princesa campaign to be included in the official list of the new 7 wonders of the world 2012.
The other places that is awaiting confirmation to be included in the official list of the new 7 wonders of the world 2012 include Halong Bay in Vietnam, Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, Amazon Rain Forest, Table Top Mountain of South Africa, and Iguazu Falls which is located in the borders of Brazil and Argentina.
Don’t forget to visit Puerto Princesa’s Underground River, it is really a must see destination this summer.
Recommended readings:
[amazon_image id="B002RI9FH2" target="_blank" size="Small" link="true" container="" container_class="" ]Lonely Planet Philippines: Palawan[/amazon_image] [amazon_image id="971914470X" target="_blank" size="Small" link="true" container="" container_class="" ]Tales from Tubbataha: Natural history, resource use, and conservation of the Tubbataha Reefs, Palawan, Philippines[/amazon_image] [amazon_image id="B005R7YWC8" target="_blank" size="Small" link="true" container="" container_class="" ]Explore Philippines[/amazon_image]
(by Joey Pavia)
Isla Resort, Angeles City
Nestled in a quiet subdivision here is a newly-opened resort which is ideal for weddings, birthdays and other gatherings. Businessman Jay Del Rosario called it “Isla” – a carefully-designed resort at the heart of Town and Country Subdivision in Barangay Pulung Bulu. He derived it from the name of the village meaning island in the native language.
“It’s no ordinary resort. We have instilled Capampangan culture in it,” said Del Rosario shortly after Isla’s opening on November 12. He disclosed that Isla is inspired by the pre-colonial (Spanish) set-up of Pampanga.
No less than Capampangan culture advocate Mike Pangilinan, visual artist Ronnie Tayag of this city and Shirley Sanders, landscaper of the Ayala projects, helped Del Rosario put up his “dream business” at the old site of his hollow blocks making firm.
“I am a landscaper and I find peace when I do it .I also find peace when I a in a beautiful place such as Isla,” said Del Rosario, who sold his thriving DuraBlocks firm to pursue “a calling.”
“I am will get old fast and be full of stress if I had not sold Durablocks,” added Del Rosario in a jest.
Isla’s main features are a swimming pool, a clubhouse called “Lakandula,” and yes, for lovers, a honeymoon sweet room dubbed “Balebalayan.” The resort sits on a some 2,200 square-meter property. Asked for the price of renting Isla, Del Rosario said “very competitive.”
“Anything is possible at Isla. Only what our clients want will happen,” he added.
Balebalayan Interior
Bale-Balayan Exterior - Isla Resort Angeles City
Lacandula - Isla Resort, Angeles City (Photo by Jojo Due)
Lacandula Entrance
Dining @ Lacandula
I guess you all have at least once dreamed of living in a paradise-like community where every place is simply a mesmerizing haven. It never occurred to me before that in the midst of Bataan, Philippines there is such a place. Last May 20, I was able to join the Clark Press Tour in Anvaya Cove Morong, Bataan with other media friends and BCDA officers. I’m glad that my sister Mini insisted me to go (to take photos…lol) since she couldn’t join the trip. The entire tour was exactly what I needed at that time, an escape from the city!
From Clark Freeport Zone via SCTEX (Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway), the trip to Anvaya Cove is less than two hours. But if you are coming from Manila, it will be 2 1/2 hour-drive. This sprawling 320-hectare leisure development is Ayala land’s first venture in leisure development. It is indeed a perfect escape from the city with its natural beauty. Its rolling hills are planted with hundreds of bamboo, mango, cupang, cashew and narra trees that are just perfect for trekking and nature camping. Moreover, with a peak elevation of over 130 meters above sea level, it overlooks the 3.5 kilometer-coastline with two private coves.
The only regret I had about the tour- I didn’t indulge myself into a bracing dip in the beach…I missed the fun of swimming in the cool seawater. (Hmmn, maybe on my next visit? Oh(sigh), when will that be?)
Btw, here are some of the photos I took during my whole day stay at Anvaya Cove…
Click image for a larger view
Recreational Beach Area
Where we had our hearty lunch 
Pawikan Bar and Grill (2nd floor)
The Anvaya Shop
I hope you enjoyed the photos…I will blog more about Anvaya Cove next time. For more info about this leisure community please refer to the contact details below:Ayala Land Premier
2/F Tower One & Exchange Plaza,
Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City,
Philippines 1226
Within Metro Manila (+632) 848 5000; Outside Metro Manila 1-800-10-848 5000
Photo by Lenareh
Occidental Mindoro province in the region four with Mamburao as its capital is also known as the home of the indigenous Mangyans and Tamaraws. It is other half of the Oriental Mindoro and is occupying the western part of the Mindoro islands, one of the Philippines’ seventh largest islands.
Today, Occidental Mindoro is a fast developing province with lots of new wonders to offer. Occidental Mindoro gifted with different attractions that are mostly natural. The province is called “Marine Wonderland,” the fantastic land that is given with marine beauty from its virgin forests, beautiful white sand beaches, and islands rich in marine life, coral gardens, secretive caves, and waterfalls.
There are not so many historical sites in the province, but the province offers a lot of tourist natural attractions like the Apo National Reef Park in Sablayan, which is acclaimed to be the best in Asia and best as a diving spot in the Philippines. Cabra Island in Lubang is a favorite spot for fishing.
Occidental Mindoro is a good place to go for summer break and vacation. Dry season in Mindoro starts on November until March the next year. Dry season covers the summer break of most of the people in the country that makes it more appropriate for them to visit because of its good weather during summer.
Occidental Mindoro is a big island but is not as complex as the main lands of the Philippines. Transportation and accommodations are easy and affordable. Tourist spots are mainly natural and are all over the island. The natural mountainous region and also the mysterious caves of Mindoro are preserved and are best for hikers and mountaineers to seek and explore.
Fishing by Pukot
Major attractions to try in the island are Ambulong Island’s underwater cave, cliffs, abundant coral formations, and white beaches; Apo Reef National Park’s prime dive sites and its various marine life; Hulagaan’s series of falls leading to stony beach; Lubang island in the Northern part of Occidental Mindoro with stunning beaches and coves and is famous for its history about Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese strangler of World war II who hid himself in the island for 30 years before he surrendered in 1974; mount Iglit’s Tamaraw sanctuary, an indigenous animal that can be found in Mindoro; Pandan Island’s white beach; White Island’s ideal place for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing; Mount Halcon, the third highest mountain in the Philippines and is famous for hikers and mountaineers; Presing Park (Parola), a historic watch tower used by the early natives to prey Muslim Vintas and in the park, there is a 15th century cannon used to defend the tower against Moro pirates; and the Purnaga Cave with different mysterious compartments with a size of small cargo containers that contains guano deposits and water pools.
Photos by Lenareh
