HIDDEN VALLEY SPRINGS
Nagcarlan, Laguna
Courtesy of the Department of Tourism
PHILIPPINES
Hidden Valley Springs is famous for its pools of mineral water. And this falls, called “Tinago Falls” lies in the heart of this exclusive mountain resort.
I was privileged to experience it for a day when the program director of our international partnership for service learning program decided to treat the working committee for some R&R.
K :)
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The Banaue rice terraces was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is dubbed as “Stairway to Heaven”. I also have requented this place, when I travel north, on the way to a remote village I fell in love with called Sagada.
K :)
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THE MALACANANG PALACE
The official residence of the President of the Philippine Republic. The Palace at one time also housed the Spanish Gobernador-General and the American Governor General during their respective regimes. It is now the center of the executive branch of the country’s democratic government.
MANILA PHILIPPINES
The Malacanang Palace… Home to the President of the republic of the Philippines. It is sort of like the White House in America and Buckingham Palace in England. But after the ousted late Ferdinand Marcos, no President ever lived in it. Now, it just serves as the President’s official office and where all his/her official functions are held.
K :)
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Called “Hundred Islands” because there are 100 islands in the gulf of Lingayen. I’ve been here several times. There was even a time when my co-employees and I swam for 30 minutes just to cross a channel between 2 islands (Lopez island and Quezon island).
This shot was taken atop Governor’s island, only one of the very few islands that have electricity.
K :)
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Beautiful Philippines
White beach in San Isidro, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
This is my hideaway… White beach of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Whenever I want to have some rest and relaxation, I go here with my camp gear and stay in the island for three days.
K :)
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This is our public transportation… In the city and in the rual areas. But we do have cars, buses and light-rail trains too… Including taxis in the city. In areas where jeepneys (what’s it called) are scarce, this is a typical scene :(
K
Overloaded passenger jeepney in Tacloban, Leyte.
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This is Paoay Church. It is really quite old as it was made during the Spanish times. The Philippines was under Spain for 330 years and it was named after the King of Spain. King Phillippe.
I was able to see this church in 1995. For me to visit it, I have to travel by bus for 10 hours, but it was worth it!
K :)
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STAIRWAY TO THE LADY OF THE LOURDES GROTTO - Devotees climb the multi-stepped stairway to express devotion to the Lady of Lourdes while others seek exhilaration of the experience. At the top is the Shrine where one can also get an exceedingly lovely view of BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES.
This is located in the summer capital of Philippines - Baguio City. It is called the summer capital because during the summer tourists, both local and foreign flock to this city because of its cool mountain air.
Baguio City can be reached by bus. It is 5 hours away from Manica (the bus station is just a few blocks away from my home!).
K :)