Philippines Vacation and Long Term Stay

by: F.C. Irorita This July, why don’t you start a Marian pilgrimage in Manila? It’s always a great time to experience the affection of Mother Mary, and there are always places to stay in the Philippines for you. It is easy to find temporary housing or finding a transient house for vacation here, so it’s convenient to focus on partaking in the pilgrimage. You could start your journey with the oldest recognized Marian shrine in Manila, the Ermita Church in Antonia Flores Street, dedicated to Our Lady of Guidance. To get there, you could walk from SM North EDSA to the nearby North Avenue Station, and take a train until you reach Taft terminal station. You’ll switch lines here and ride the LRT-1 line and get off at United Nations Avenue station, where you could take a jeepney to Ermita Church. Malate Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies, is your next destination, and can be reached by riding the same LRT-1 line until you reach Libertad station. You’ll have to ride the jeepneys here th...

by: F.C. Irorita If you are into water falls and you have a lot of time to spare this summer, then the Philippines is the best place for you to go for your summer vacation. There is always affordable vacation rentals for transienthousing available for you, may it be a 2 bedroom furnished apartment or a 5bedroom furnished apartment for the whole family. Taking a break from all your troubles in the Philippines is never a bad idea, so let’s talk about how you could get to all the wonderful water falls coming from Manila. The Pinsal Falls in Ilocos Sur is a prime spot for an intimate encounter with nature, which is an ideal location for family picnics or small gatherings. Travel time is approximately ten hours, starting from Manila when you take the Florida bus to Ilocos. Ask the driver to drop you off at Sta. Maria, and the tricycle drivers there can then take you to the falls. A beautiful and very elegant waterfall, and also one of the most famous in the Philippines, next in our list is ...

by: F.C. Irorita Tracing its roots way back to the 16 th century, the Catholic Church and the Philippines go way, way back. One way to trace Catholicism’s history is by visiting its churches, and there are many, even in Manila alone. It might take a while before you could tour all of them, so be sure to be on a look-out for a transient housing if you’re planning to visit the Philippines to tour the churches I’m going to talk about. Let’s start with the center of the Catholic Faith in the Philippines; walled-in the famous Intramuros and the highest seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in the country: the Manila Cathedral. It used to be just a parish under the diocese of Mexico when it was erected in 1571, until it became a separate diocese in 1579. You could reach Intramuros with the Baclaran/Mabini jeepney that passes by the Doroteo Jose station of the LRT-1 line. Also within the walls of Intramuros is the impervious San Agustin Church. What’s so fascinating about this church is tha...

by: F. C. Irorita 1. Be prepared for a very erratic weather. The June to July season of the Philippines is usually marked both by searing heat from the sun and also rains. Always bring an umbrella and sunblock wherever you go. 2. Buy a map of the city. The Philippines have a lot of roads and streets that have many nicknames, so it might get confusing for a tourist. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions when you get lost. 3. Always stay hydrated. It’s always hot in the Philippines even when it’s raining. Bring a bottle with you, as prices for water could be really expensive depending on where you are. 4. Bring a camera. The Philippines is home to a lot of beautiful sceneries, beautiful people and colorful festivities. You would not want to miss the chance to take photos of these. 5. Travel with a friend. It’s always more fun with a friend. Even getting lost with a friend is much more fun than getting lost alone. 6. Get a comfortable place to stay in. Get a 2 bedroom furnished apa...

by: F.C. Irorita All throughout the year, there are festivals being celebrated in all corners of the Philippines. This July, there are a lot of fiestas that you could attend to. Do not worry about lodging, because there are always a lot of places to stay in the Philippines. My suggestion is always to have a place to stay in Manila or near your relatives like renting a furnished apartment.  Let’s start with the Pagoda Festival that is celebrated every first Sunday of July. A Holy Cross of Wawa is paraded in a pagoda in a river procession in the Bocaue River in Bulacan. All the boats and as well as the pagoda carrying the Holy Cross are beautifully and grandiosely decorated, making a very beautiful sight. Up next is the Sublian Festival in Batangas. Children dance the subli to pay homage to Sto. Niño and to the Holy Cross of Bauan and Agoncillo. The festival, which is celebrated every year on July 23, also serves as a foundation day celebration of the City of Batangas. Pilgrims of Ou...

by: F.C. Irorita 1. Be sure that you have a place to stay near the place where you’d like to swim. There are a lot of places to stay in the Philippines, and if you’re looking for a vacation apartment or temporary housing, it won’t be too hard to find. This is important just in case of emergencies. 2. If you’re a beginner, always stay close near the coast or the edges of the body of water. If you stray too far, you might go into deeper waters and get caught up in the tide of the water. You wouldn’t want that to happen to you. 3. Wear goggles so that the water would not get into your eyes. Sometimes, saltwater or even freshwater could have a lot of dirt in them and also bacteria, so wearing goggles are not only for allowing you to see underwater, it’s also for your protection. 4. Also, never drink the water you are swimming in. Aside from tasting bad, the water usually is very dirty and has a lot of bacteria regardless of how clear it seems to be. Be safe and avoid getting sick over ...

by: R. Vergara Seek, and You Shall Buy...When in the Philippines... see for yourself. You already have your list at hand, and the money in your pocket. The next question will be where you should buy all these gifts. It’s a discouraging feeling to have planned ahead on what you should buy, only to find out that these things can’t be found in your favorite mall, and it’s similarly disheartening to realize that you’re running short of your budget and you aren’t even halfway to your list. Buying in bulk compels you to think thrift, and being able to spare a reasonable amount after your shopping stint should be your goal. Of course, the quality of your gifts must never be compromised. Thus, the trick you have to muster is to know where to buy which and what. I got here three suggestions that might be of help if you’re still in the process of contemplating your steps. 1. Go Divisoria. For a wise buyer, this is heaven. I tell you, one of my wishes once I become a billionaire is to buy the wh...