Philippines Vacations

Philippines Vacations History
The Philippines, is an archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine archipelago comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The Philippines is a country that contains a myriad of different amalgated cultures and influences. The superficial face of modern Filipino culture has many more influences from the Western world than other nearby Asian cultures.

Most of these influences are a product of previous colonization and derived mainly from the cultures of Spain and the United States, with a secondary influence from Latin American cultures who were under Spain during the same period the Philippines was.
Despite the visual Western and Hispanic influences, the older Asian aspects of Filipino culture are seen through the strength of filial piety, family and its influence, empahasis on the group before the individual, the concept of maintaining social harmony, ancient cultural beliefs and mythology, the complexities of local psychology (such as hiya or shame and the concept of saving face), and accepted social etiquette between other Filipinos.

How to Travel?

The Philippines has different means of transportation. Jeepneys, taxis, and buses are on every main and sub thoroughfares that includes pedicabs and the thrifty tricycles that roam the city streets. MRT (Metro Rail Transit), and LRT (Light Rail Transit) are also accessible in the main commercial districts. Sea and air transport are the most popular means of transportation getting to other parts of the country. The Philippines has its airports and seaports situated throughout the country. The Philippine government is currently spending more to improve Philippine infrastructure to boost not only tourism, but also trade and commerce.

Popular Events

The World Pyro Olympics is held in the Philippines every year since December 2005. Foreigners come to the country to support their own countries joining in the competition.

In the 2005 Southeast Asian Games that was held in the country, government officials took advantage of the games to show the tourist spots around the country.

The beauty pageant Miss Earth is held in the Philippines every year. The competition is also used to advertise the beauty of the country around the world.

Philippine Festival

The Philippine calendar overflows with festivals the whole year round. Participating in these festivals provide tourists a better understanding of Filipino culture – both modern, traditional, religious and mythical – and its roots. The following are the main festivals :

    Procession of the Black Nazarene, January, Manila. It is a large event with thousands of barefoot men parading through the streets carrying a life-sized, black wooden statue of Jesus of Nazarene. Pilgrims from all over the country attend, wanting to touch the statue in the hope of a miracle.

    Ati-Atihan Festival, January, Panay. It is the most colorful among Philippine fiestas and many consider it as the Mother of All festivals in the Philippine. Revelers paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance for the last three days of this two week-long festival. Religious and non-religious folk alike observe this day of parades, dancing and music, there may even be beer to be had.

    Sinulog festival January, Cebu City. The festival, the country's biggest, features a street parade with participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate, and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan", performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the grand parade.

    Moriones Festival March–April, Marinduque. The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk history is turned into street festivals.

    Pahiyas festival May, Lucban, on the border of Quezon City. This festival is in honor of San Isidro where the town celebrates by colourfully decorating the town with fruits, vegetables, flowers,and Kiping, which are imitation leaves made from rice-starch.

    Flores de Mayo May. Flores de Mayo is a Catholic festival held in the Philippines in the month of May. It lasts for a month, and is held in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Santa Cruzan is a parade held on the last day of Flores de Mayo in honor of Reyna Elena.

    Pagoda-Sa-Wawa festival July, Bocaue. In the town of Bocaue in Bulacan province, on the First Sunday of July, The festival celebrate the discovery of the miraculous cross floating on the Bocaue river 200 years ago. A large pagoda is sailed down the river WaWa and if your luck enough to ride on the pagoda, it is said that your life will be improved and you will have good luck for the year.