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Culture

The unique animals of The Philippines

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The Philippines is one of the most vibrant countries in the world when it comes to wildlife. The Philippines has become a sanctuary for a wide variety of flora and fauna species unique to the region. From the thriving coral reefs to the untouched jungles and rainforests, The Philippines houses one of the most biodiverse environments in the world.

The waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding the island nation are filled with striking coral reefs, home to over 2,000 different species of fish. These reefs have become well known within dive communities, subsequently drawing in a large flow of tourists from all over the world.

Here we will take a closer look at some of the more unique examples of the kind of wildlife you can expect to find in the Philippines.

The rare and endangered animals of The Philippines

The Palawan Bearcat (Binturong)

The Palawan Bearcat is a truly unique animal when it comes to its physical appearance. It has a large heavyset body with paws like a bear, growing to as long as 1.4 metres (4.6 ft). In addition to this, it has a long bushy tail – which it can use to hang from trees – coupled with a face similar to a cat.

Despite the docile nature of The Palawan Binturong, it still has long sharp claws and teeth. These could quite easily tear through flesh. Though it’s generally not a concern for those handling the creature.

Philippines Crocodile (Mindoro Crocodile)

The Philippines Crocodile is a relatively small crocodile which gained popularity due to its critically endangered status. Previously, the Philippine crocodile was found across the nation but is now primarily found on Luzon. The drop in population was initially due to commercial exploitation of the crocodile, though it is now primarily due to the destruction of its habitat.



Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagles reputation of being a monkey eating bird hints at the sheer power of the animal. Being the largest eagle in the world means the Philippine eagle tends to prey on larger animals. It is known to hunt palm civets, flying lemurs and even monkeys.

Like the Mindoro Crocodile, the Philippine Eagle used to be found across the nation. Due to loss of habitat the eagle is now primarily found on the island of Mindanao.

Tarsier

The Tarsier is noted in the Guinness Book of Records for being the animal with the largest eyes in proportion to its body. Their eyes are actually unable to rotate inside their sockets; to compensate for this the Tarsier is able to rotate its neck 180 degrees.

Tarsiers are nocturnal creatures, sleeping through the day, then becoming very active at night. They use their ability to jump up to 10 feet to travel forests, hunting small creatures like insects and lizards.

The Philippines Tarsier is a small primate found in the Visayas region of the Philippines.

Philippine Mouse-Deer

The Philippine Mouse-Deer also known as the Pilandok is local to the island of Palawan. It can often be seen roaming around the resorts of El Nido. The Mouse-Deer runs around the island at night feeding on fruits, leaves, buds and grasses.

An interesting trait of the Mouse-Deer is its suicidal tendencies. While under stress the Mouse-Deer is known to hit its head on trees and run off cliffs, possibly to relieve itself from the stress.

 Animal conservation in the Philippines

Within the Philippines, many of the country’s biologically rich areas are still unprotected from extractive activities. Forest areas are still facing destruction due to indiscriminate logging, increasing population, mining, infrastructure development and conflicting land uses.

As mentioned, many animals unique to this country are facing extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitat.

The Philippine government is enacting environmental laws which are strictly implemented and monitored with the help of the communities and the local government to ensure that the plants and animals are secured from invasive and disruptive practices. Various regions of the country home to these endangered species are now protected against these destructive practices by law. Allowing for the population of these endangered species to improve.
Culture

What To Wear On Your Trip To The Philippines

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For those visiting The Philippines for the first time, deciding what clothing to pack can be quite a challenge. The Philippines contains such a diverse range of environments – Cities, vast jungles, mountain ranges, and the tropical beaches – so deciding what to bring can become quite overwhelming.

Attire to suit the climate

It is important to remember that The Philippines is a tropical climate; meaning the weather ranges between hot and very hot. So wearing heavy materials is generally not an option if you want to have a comfortable stay.

Even if the temperature does drop, experiencing a day in the Philippines which doesn’t feel humid is rare. So, the density of the fabrics you wear makes a very noticeable difference. I feel this is an important point to keep in mind when packing for the Philippines.

The Philippines can also be a very wet destination. Between the months of June through to October, you can expect a decent amount of heavy rainfall. Despite this, the weather still generally remains hot and humid, so it should not change much. Although it is a good idea to keep a compact umbrella in your bag when you’re out and about as the weather can change quite quickly.

What to wear in the Philippines major cities

Most of you travelling here for the first time will be most likely be arriving in either Manila or Cebu. For the most part, the cities – especially around the business districts – are what you would typically expect from larger western cities.

The city blocks are filled with high rise offices and apartments. These are surrounded by streets filled with traffic as well as a sea of white-collar workers, college students and young BPO employees lining the sidewalk.

When I find myself in the city I will always wear long pants as well as enclosed shoes. I usually avoid shorts and light coloured fabrics as the city can be quite dirty sometimes depending on where you are.

I always wear enclosed shoes while in the city due to the terrain you may encounter. The Philippines is notorious for having some neglected infrastructure, including their sidewalks. It is common to find holes in the sidewalk as well as pieces of damaged concrete laying about; so enclosed footwear guarantees your feet stay safe.

I also recommend bringing a small towel with you when you are out and about in the city. It is quite common to see people cleaning their face due to sweat as well as the dust and fumes from city traffic.

So are there situations were you will need formal attire?

When visiting cities such as Cebu or Manila, you will notice that Filipino’s do dress quite well, although this really depends on which area in the city you are staying, in some areas dressing up may draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

  • When experiencing the nightlife it is best to dress up a little, some of the clubs do have dress codes, so you may be refused entry if you are not dressed to standard. 
  • A lot of the churches and temples around the country have strict dress codes. The general rule to go by is to wear clothing which will cover your shoulders and knees
Locals on the streets in Manila wearing, this is a good example of typical street wear seen in Manila.
 
What to wear when travelling to the beaches of The Philippines

It is common for people to talk about the conservative nature of The Philippines. I have read many articles which talk about it being unusual for women to be seen wearing bikinis on The Philippines beaches. From my experience, this has rarely, if ever been the case.

For women, the dress code is almost identical to what you would see in most other western nations. Young women will generally wear a bikini or a bikini top with shorts. The older women will generally something a little less revealing.

For men the usual swim shorts are fine. It is common for men to wear rash vests while swimming as the sun can be quite intense at times.

When visiting beach destinations it is also highly likely you will end up going island hoping. This means it would be a good idea to bring a waterproof bag with you to avoid damaging your belongings.

Its also a good idea to bring sturdy footwear for navigating around the boat, and walking different trails around the beaches.

Read more about my favourite beach holiday destinations in the Philippines.

The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Apo Island, found in the Visayas region of the Philippines.
What to wear when travelling to the mountains of Northern Luzon

Often the first thing associated with the mountains of The Philippines is the cold weather. When compared to the weather experienced by the rest of the country, this seems justified.

For those travelling to The Philippines internationally – especially from colder climates – you may not feel the same way. Temperatures in the mountains may range from the high teens to the low twenties. This is cold relative to the rest of the countries, but for some visitors, this temperature range may seem completely normal.

For the Philippine locals or tourists unfamiliar with the colder weather it is recommended to pack at least some colder weather attire. This means you may want to pack a sweater or a light jacket. Though nothing too heavy is really necessary.

Read more about my favourite holiday destination in the North of Luzon

What if I forget something?

The Philippines is famous for its mall culture. Whether you are within the major cities or out in the provinces you will be able to find a mall.

So if you feel the clothing you have packed is not suitable for the environment, then there are plenty of affordable destinations where you can find a wide range of clothing options to suit your needs.

It is also not worth loading your suitcase full of clothing, as every city has a launderette. A lot of the hotels also have a cleaning service for your clothing, so its really not worth bringing excessive amounts f clothing when those services are widely available throughout the country.

History

The Ozone Disco Killer Inferno

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Timog Avenue in Quezon City is the heart of the cities entertainment precinct. Situated near the 11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda, was the popular Ozone Disco which was opened in 1991 by Segio Orgaoow. 

The disco – operated under the management of the Westwood Entertainment Company – was opened inside a building which had previously housed a jazz club named “Birdland”.

Disaster strikes inside Ozone Disco

The evening of March 18, 1996, was a particularly busy evening for the club. There were an estimated 350 patrons along with 40 club employees inside Ozone Disco. This was despite the club only being suitable for approximately 100 patrons; as well as having only been formally approved for a maximum of 35 persons.

The majority of guests that evening were high school and college students celebrating the end of their school year.

Shortly before midnight witnesses reported seeing sparks flying inside the DJs booth. This was soon followed by smoke; though most guests assumed it was a part of the clubs special effects.

“It was starting to get bigger,” she says. “People were starting to go out. But I noticed that a lot of other people didn’t realize that something was wrong. They were just there standing or dancing.

Shortly after the smoke began pouring from the DJ booth the electrical systems within the club shut down. A fire soon broke out, spreading rapidly across the ceiling.

It wasn’t long before the fire had engulfed the whole room. The guests began pushing their way towards the door. Though the harder they pushed, the harder it was to exit the building as the doors would only open inwards.

After the 4-hour long blaze ended, investigators found the bodies of victims piled down the corridor leading to the exit. The final death count was placed between 160 and 162 victims, the majority of victims being young adults.

Aftermath of the Ozone Disco blaze

Immediately after the blaze the Ozone Disco was described as a firetrap. The clubs emergency exit had been blocked after a building had been constructed next door; meaning the building had no proper fire exit installed.

It was also found that guards had locked the front exit to the club. They had assumed that a riot had broken out inside the venue.

Six individuals involved with Westwood Entertainment faced criminal charges after the incident.

The president of Westwood Entertainment, Hermilo Ocampo, and the corporation’s treasurer, Ramon Ng, were found guilty by a Quezon City trial court and sentenced to a four-year prison term, and fined 25 million pesos each.

The courts also ordered them to repay families of the deceased 150,000 pesos as well as 100,000 pesos to the those injured during the event.

Hermilo Ocampo, and Ramon Ng were found guilty due to their negligence in meeting standards set by the building code. They had failed to provide sprinklers inside the establishment, the fire extinguishers they had put in place were found to be defective.

The lone exit which had trapped the guests due to opening inwards also did not meet the standards of the building code. A former employee actually claimed that the inward swinging doors were put in place due to it being good Feng Shui.

A week before the 19th anniversary of the tragedy, the building which housed the Ozone Disco was demolished. All that remains is the memories left with the few survivors of that devastating evening.

Culture

Askal: The Mongrel Dogs Of The Philippines

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The Philippines, like many other nations, is a place home to many unique ways of life. On any given day, you may see street kids playing in puddles left by the previous nights’ downpour. Businessmen walking along the sidewalk heading to one of the countries many financial districts. BPO workers and college students standing along the side of the road; waiting for jeepneys to take them off to college or work.

Amongst this scene, you may also find another familiar figure. They are often found darting through traffic, sniffing through piles of rubbish, or playing amongst themselves in the neighbourhood streets.

It’s the Askal or Aspin, the mongrel dog we are so used to seeing around the countries suburban environments. Unfortunately, this is also the native dog frequently neglected due to many misconceptions surrounding the breed.

The term “Askal” is an amalgamation of two common Tagalog terms – asong and kalye – meaning “street dog”. The term is fitting as these dogs seem to flood the streets of the country, especially in suburban areas.

It is a commonly assumed that these dogs must be stray as they are roaming the streets alone. When really, many of their owners trust them to roam the streets and play with other dogs, then return home in the evenings.

The Askal, an unappreciated asset to The Philippines

Traditionally, the Askal is seen as a reliable guard dog. Askals are naturally suspicious of strangers and protective of family members. While it is true many males are free to roam the streets, the female dogs will often stay home and watch the house.

A lot of the neglect relating to Askals is due to the prestige surrounding purebred dogs. Many families will pay large sums of money for a purebred dog, whereas Askals are so common, so don’t hold the same value. This means a disproportionate amount of attention is typically given to purebred dogs, while Askals are left unnoticed.

The mixed breed dogs are also frequently seen as being weak or unhealthy in comparison to many pure breeds. But, on the contrary, the dogs are healthy and sometimes quite intelligent due to their mix of genes.

Askals can, in fact, be very resilient and street smart when left to exercise their independence. They can then easily adapt to a family environment due to their extremely friendly nature. Askals are known to quickly make themselves at home when taken in by a family.

For more information regarding support of The Philippines natives dogs, please refer to The Philippine Animal Welfare Society.

Read more about the animals of the Philippines here.

Culture

The Ilongot Tribe Of Headhunters

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Deep in the rolling mountains of Northern Luzon, far from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila exists the beautiful landscapes of the Cagayan Valley. The Valley – mostly consisting of the region between the Cordilleras and the Sierra Madre mountain ranges – is home to some of The Philippines most iconic landmarks.

Apart from its beautiful scenic views, the Cagayan Valley is also known to house a peculiar tribe of people whose cultural practices have drawn the attention of anthropologists from around the world.

To address the culturally unique elements of this tribe I will first take you through the mythology subscribed to by these people – the Bugkalut or the more common expression used by tribal outsiders, the Ilongot people.

Creation mythology of the Ilongot people

Those familiar with the Abrahamic religions will know the story of Cain and Abel; found in the Bible Book of Genesis. Well, the Ilongot people follow a creation myth very similar to the story of Cain and Abel.

According to the Ilongot people, the creators of the universe are two quarrelling brothers who go by the name Cain and Abel. Abel was a shepherd who is known to have been looked upon favourably due to his propensity to self-sacrifice. While Cain, who worked in agriculture was known for his inclination towards chaos. The Ilongot people identify those who live down in the lowlands as following the spirit of Abel.

The Ilongot people identify those who live down in the lowlands as following the spirit of Abel. They view them as superior as well as having had learned to work with the domesticated animals such as Carabao. Interestingly, the Ilongot see themselves as following in the footsteps of Cain and his spirit of chaos.

This is because the Ilongot have long been known as a tribe of headhunters. Like Cain, in moments of grief or intense emotion, the Ilongot have an inclination towards murder.



Manifestation of liget in the Ilongot tribe

After the loss of a loved one, a rage of bereavement arises in the men of the Ilongot. While under this condition – identified by the tribe as liget – the men of the Ilongot would hunt and kill other men.

This intense emotional state labelled as liget became the motivation for many cultural practices and “rites of passage” for the tribe. The spirit of liget has been described as a sense of anger, heat, energy, and envy.

This emotional state which often leads to headhunting manifests itself in many situations. It is used in times of warfare, elders harness the power of the emotional state in such situations. An unsettled feud or the death of a loved one may also lead to headhunting.

It is also a requirement that a young man must kill before he can marry. Once the headhunters return, a pig is sacrificed as well as there typically is a celebration amongst the whole tribe.

In modern times, there has been a crackdown on the headhunting carried out by the tribe. Protestant missionaries then began to make contact with the tribe; before that time, the Ilongot people had no regular contact with the major world religions.

Many members of the tribe began to practice Christianity, the intense emotional states of the tribal members began to subside. The members were no longer reaching those previously intense emotional states of linget. This meant the tribes people no longer resort to murder and headhunting as an expression of this emotional state.

Culture

Carabao, The Philippines Greatest Ally

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What is The Philippines national animal? I was recently in discussion with a friend, for a second we were both adamant that the national animal was the Philippine Eagle. Though, I was also conflicted as the eagle was more widely known to be representative of the USA.

A countries national animal is said to be something unique to that region, something with an admirable nature, representative of the country in which it dwells. That is why after a quick Google search I felt ashamed that it took us so long to realize what the animal was.

Of course, it is the Carabao, also widely known as Water Buffalo. Once you venture from the countries metropolis, you will find these animals adorning the countries picturesque landscapes. They have graced these regions of The Philippines for centuries, believed to have moved into the region with the Malays.

How the Carabao helped build the nation

These majestic animals are also seen to represent the deep cultural roots of the country. As well as the nature of the people in modern times. They have been assisting farmers since the dawn of the nation; playing an integral role in the production of the countries food supply for generations – even up until modern times.

They represent the hardworking and patient nature Filipinos have become known for on the international stage. The Carabao has always remained by the side of the Filipino. Even during the many revolutions and wars to hit the country the carabao suffered mass casualties.

The Carabao has also continually assisted in the process of producing the countries cash crops for export – rice, corn, and sugarcane – which, in turn, contribute to the nation’s prosperity.

History shows that the Carabao has gone above and beyond in proving itself an ally of the Filipino people. The myriad of benefits brought by the creature has shown the creature to really be a “Beast of Fortune”.

 

Food

World-Class Mangoes Of The Island Province, Guimaras

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To say The Philippines is full of hidden surprises is an understatement. Outside of the country, you may hear talk of visits to Manila or other prominent locations such as Boracay or El Nido. But you will rarely hear of the less popular places like Malapascua, Baguio or the Calaguas Islands.

I have recently become aware of one of these relatively unknown regions due to the impact it has been having on the world stage. The region is known as Guimaras, an island province located in the region of Western Visayas.

As a province, Guimaras is just a baby compared to other regions of The Philippines. As of May 22, 1992, Guimaras gained independence from its previous status as a sub-province of Iloilo. The island also has some significance within the history of The Philippines.

Guimaras was one of the first islands settled by the Spaniards after establishing themselves in Cebu. In 1581, Spanish Governor Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa established a settlement on the island for the purpose of Christianizing the natives.

The island’s population speak Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a. Although Hiligaynon – informally known as Ilonggo – is not as prominent as languages such as Tagalog and Cebuano; it is still the 4th most widely used language in the country.

Get to know Guimaras

The island of Guimaras has been subdivided into 5 municipalities, namely: Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag. It is also known as one of the smallest provinces in the country, with its capital being Jordan.

The province is situated in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros. To the northwest is the province of Iloilo and to the southeast is Negros Occidental. The whole island is part of the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras, one of the twelve metro areas in The Philippines.

Within the Visayas the island has begun to establish itself as one of the tourist hotspots.  It has beautiful beaches, hidden coves, heritage attractions, as well as its most famous attraction – the world’s sweetest mangoes.



It’s time to talk business – The mangoes of Guimaras

The province was awarded the nickname “The mango capital of The Philippines” for a reason. Guimaras is not only known for the sweetest mangoes in The Philippines, but for having the sweetest mangoes in the world. The island province actively exports its produce to the markets of America, Australia, Canada, and Singapore.

The mangoes have even gone as far as being served to the British royals as well as the United States government.

The quality of the mangoes has not just come about by chance. The Guimarasnons actively work to prevent their product from being contaminated by any products of a lower grade. They have fought to keep the island’s assets free from genetic degradation and disease.

The work does not end there. The mangoes are also meticulously inspected in order to ensure the island province is only sending out the very best to its customers. Mangoes which are too small, deformed or not sweet enough end up as export rejects. It is safe to assume that if you visit the island, these are the mangoes which you will be consuming.

Mangoes are the 3rd largest fruit export in The Philippines; trailing behind pineapple and banana. Guimaras is in a position to have a significant impact on the export numbers as the island is said to house over 50,000 mango trees. A large portion of these trees are located at the Southern Orchard in Ravina. It is one of the largest mango plantations in the province with a land area of 220 hectares.

Guimaras, located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Home to not only world-class mangoes but many breathtaking beaches.

 

How to reach Guimaras Island

In 2006 Guimaras experienced a major setback when a tanker operated by Petron went down off the southern coast of Guimaras. It subsequently released 500,000 liters of bunker oil into the ocean. Despite this, the beaches on the island still look immaculate.

The island now accommodates a thriving tourism industry. The island’s reputation of having world-class mangoes along with the islands beautiful landscapes draw a steady flow of tourists to the island each year.

If you are planning on visiting Guimaras it is important to note that there is no direct flight to the island. You will need to take a direct flight to Iloilo from one of the major in the country (Manila, Cebu etc.). Once you arrive in Iloilo, take a jeepney or taxi to the Iloilo City Harbor, specifically Ortiz Wharf. From there it is a short boat ride going across to Jordan Wharf, Guimaras which is the main port of entry in Guimaras.

Once you arrive in Iloilo, take a jeepney or taxi to the Iloilo City Harbor, specifically Ortiz Wharf. From there it is a short boat ride going across to Jordan Wharf, Guimaras; this is the main port of entry to Guimaras. There are boats regularly traveling between Iloilo and Guimaras throughout the day. Finding transport to the island should not be a problem as long as you arrive at the port during regular business hours.

Destination

The Ruins Of Negros Occidental

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The Ruins is an iconic structure found on the island of Negros Occidental in the southern region of The Philippines, The Visayas. Aesthetically the building – or whats left of it –  is not only unique to the island but The Philippines as a whole.

The unique Italian styling of The Ruins creates an air of romance; this has helped secure it as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the region. The building received the appellation of “Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental” which hints at the rich history of The Ruins.

The Ruins as they were

The Ruins origins date back to the early 20th century. Sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built the ten bedroom Italianate mansion on his sugar plantation in memory of his wife Maria Braga, who had died during the pregnancy of their 11th child. The building became the residence of Don Mariano and his unmarried children.

As his father-in-law was a captain of his own ship, he had accumulated many possessions during his travels across Europe and China. These included Machucag from machuca tiles, chandeliers, and china wares. These possessions were carted to Talisay, where the structure was built. He even brought some construction workers from China to help build the mansion.

After 3 long years of construction, work on the mansion was finally complete.

The relationship of Don Mariano and Maria Braga

As a young man Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, would frequent Hong Kong with his friend. During his travels to Hong Kong, he caught sight of a beautiful Portuguese lady from Macau – Maria Braga. He was immediately love struck by the beauty of Maria.

He began to court Maria which eventually lead to the marriage of the pair.

The pair went on to have a large family consisting of 10 children; two of whom which later became government officials.

While Maria was pregnant with her 11th child, she slipped in the bathroom and started to bleed. Back in 1911, it would take two days to travel with the horse-drawn carriage from Talisay to the town of Silay (Location of the new airport servicing Bacolod today), where a doctor lived.

By the time the doctor arrived – on the fourth day – Maria and her baby were gone. Her death brought Don Mariano to depression; to get him out of it, he embarked on building a house for his unmarried children.

Features of Don Mariano’s mansion

The original structure of The Ruins was built at the centre of the 440-hectare farm. The two-story structure had a floor area of 903 square meters with 10 bedrooms and a belvedere where the family would gather in the evenings.

The finishing touches on the walls and posts were a mixture of pure concrete with egg whites. This resulted in a marble-like finish which surprisingly can still be seen and felt to this day.

The Ruins is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque twin columns; these posts have been designed with the couple’s initials MM, which were moulded into the posts.

The top edges of the mansion also feature a shell-inspired decor, which in New England indicates that the home is owned by a ship captain. This particular design is in honour of Maria Braga’s father, who was a ship’s captain.

During its prime, the fountain outside the mansion was surrounded by a beautiful lily garden. This was maintained by a Japanese gardener, who mysteriously disappeared during events surrounding the mansion at the outbreak of world war II.

World War II enters The Philippines

Throughout the years The Ruins have stood through countless earthquakes, storms and other calamities. It has also survived many wars and revolutions. This includes the time of Japanese invasion during World War II.

When the war broke out, Don Mariano and his unmarried children left the mansion, leaving everything behind. Filipino guerrillas employed by the US Armed forces intentionally set the building on fire in order to prevent invading Japanese forces from being able to use the building as a headquarters.

It took 3 days of burning to consume all of its roof, ceiling, floors, doors and windows; all of which were made of hard wood like tindalo, narra, and kamagong. The fire eventually made it through most of the 2-inch thick wooden floors but the foundations remained standing, thanks to its oversized steelbars and the meticulous way of pouring the A-grade mixture of concrete.

When the flames finally died down, only the following could withstand the fire: the pillars of the mansion, the grand staircase, as well as parts of the two-inch wooden floors on the second story.

The Ruins, a popular attraction to visitors of Bacolod

The Ruins remains a popular attraction for those visiting Bacolod. The grounds have been restored, and the structure has been opened to the general public. Though the mansion still remains without windows, a roof, interior walls, and much of the floor that once divided the first and second stories.

The Ruins is open to the public from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm daily. The Ruins may also be used for special events such as weddings, family reunions, etc. There are also camping and picnic grounds, bath houses and a pavilion. The Ruins now features a semi-fine dining restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine and a mini-bar.

There are also modern additions to The Ruins: the 18-hole mini golf course and newly built toilets that still use the mansion’s original septic tank.

Also outside the mansion is the ‘Simborio,’ the chimney for the muscovado sugar mill of the family’s sugar farm. It is in the mill where the juice of the sugarcane is extracted before transferring them in large vats where the juice is heated and then cooled to produce the sugar crystals.

An entrance fee is required to visit The Ruins. The rate is currently – P95 – adults, P40 – students/sr.ctzns and P20 – children below 8 yrs. old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History

The Basilica Del Santo Niño, The Cultural Icon Of Cebu

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The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño (The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child in English) holds deep cultural significance for the people of Cebu due to the Catholic faith held by the majority of Cebuanos. The church represents the introduction of Christianity to the island and in turn the Christianization of The Philippines.

The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño was first constructed in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta. It was built on the very site where the statue of the Sto. Nino de Cebu, a statue depicting the Child Jesus, was found in 1565 by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

The church still stands to this day, hundreds of years after the construction of the first structure. Despite this, the church has faced its fair share of setbacks over the years.

Rebuilding The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño

The original structure of the church, made from hardwood, mud and nipa burnt to the ground on November 1, 1568. IN 1605 the construction of the church began, again using hardwood and nipa materials. The construction lead by Fr. Pedro Torres continued up until it was finished in 1626.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the materials used in its construction, the church again burnt down in 1628.

Construction on the church almost began almost immediately. As in 1628 Fr. Juan Medina directed the construction of the church although using stones and bricks as an alternative to the previous materials. This new construction did not last long as issues with the bricks being used began to arise. The bricks began to “melt” when they came in contact with air so construction on the new church was halted.

Thanks to the efforts of Father Provincial Bergano, Governor-General Fernando Valdes, Bishop Manuel Antonio Decio Y Ocampo of Cebu and Juan de Albarran Prior of the Sto. Nino. work on the church once again was underway.

Utilising hewn stone. Fr. Antonio Lopez, the residents of Talisay, and Father Francisco Aballe, together with his parishioners began construction of the church. This work began on February 29, 1735, when Fernándo Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed with hard stone. The church was also to be built on the same site as the previous structures. Construction finally came to an end in 1739.

Significance of The Santo Niño in Cebu

The Santo Niño is a roughly 12-inch high wooden statue of Jesus in his infant form. The statue is believed to have been made in Flanders, Belgium due to its similarities to the Infant Jesus of Prague. The Santo Niño is now considered the oldest religious relic in The Philippines.

The Santo Niño, a representation of Jesus as a black holy child is housed inside the Basilica to this day. The statue is believed to be the same statue given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana back in 1521.

The Santo Niño is now seen as the patron of Cebu. Cebuanos turn to the Santo Niño for strength and guidance within their lives.

When Magellan comes to town

On September 20, 1519, a fleet of five galleons under the command of Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand Magellan at the service of the king and queen of Spain set sail from San Lucar de Barrameda in search of the Spice Islands. Their journey took them to Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte in the central region of The Philippines.

Magellan took possession of the islands and named it The Philipines after King Philip of Spain. Magellans expedition then moved on towards Cebu. Magellan found the island to be very hospitable, which motivated him to make the island his base for exploration, Christianization and conquest.

King Humabon and Queen Juana of Cebu gave him a warm reception as well as embracing the teachings of Christianity. Magellan gave to Queen Juana a gift during the baptism of King Humabon and his wife Queen Juana on April 14, 1521; this gift is believed to be the statue of the Santo Niño housed in The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño today.

“After dinner the priest and some of the others went ashore to baptize the queen, who came with forty women. We conducted her to the platform, and she was made to sit down upon a cushion, and the other women near her, until the priest should be ready.

She was shown an image of our Lady, a very beautiful wooden child Jesus, and a cross. Thereupon, she was overcome with contrition, and asked for baptism amid her tears. We named her Juana, after the emperors mothers; her daughter, the wife of the prince, Catherina; the queen of Mazua, Lisabeta; and the others, each their distinctive name. Counting men, women, and children, we baptized eight hundred souls.

The queen was young and beautiful, and was entirely covered with a white and black cloth. Her mouth and nails were very red, while on her head she wore a large hat of palm leaves in the manner of a parasol, with a crown about it of the same leaves, like the tiara of the pope; and she never goes any place without such a one. She asked us to give her the little child Jesus to keep in place of her idols; and then she went away.”

As gratitude for their hospitality, Magellan agreed to fight along side King Humabon who was at war with the neighbouring tribe in Mactan island. Magellan was killed in the battle. His men then returned to Spain, which happened to be the expedition which set the record as the first to circumnavigate the earth.

Spain sent another expedition into the South East Asian Region. An Augustinian priest, named Andres Urdaneta, a world-known cosmographer who lived inside the monastic walls of the Augustinian monastery in Mexico along with  Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Basque-Spanish navigator and a governor was summoned to lead the expedition. On November 21, a memorable expedition left Mexico for the Philippines and arrived in Cebu on April 27, 1565.

Cebuanos held suspicion that the Spaniard’s return was about bringing retribution to Magellan’s death, another battle broke out. But heavy artilleries and huge cannons forced the natives to flee to the mountain leaving behind their villages burnt to the ground.

As Spanish soldiers surveyed the debris of the village, a soldier, Juan Camus found an image of the Child Jesus under the pile of ashes unscathed inside a wooden box. The burned wooden box left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition had preserved the Holy Child carving.

The Basilica Minor del Santo Niño in modern times

A replica of the Santo Niño is now found within a side altar at the Basilica; It is enshrined in a glass case adorned with gold and precious stones. Every third Sunday of January, millions will flock to the streets of Cebu in order to celebrate the largest festival of the year.

It is the Sinulog Festival, a colourful celebration in honour of the feast of the Santo Niño, the patron of Cebu. The main attraction of this festival is the street parade which lasts for 9 – 12 hours, with participants coming from different towns and cities across Cebu, occasionally some participants come from a different island.

Even in modern times, the church has continued to face destructive forces. During the last World War, a bomb fell on the church yet the Santo Niño remained intact. The church has also endured various earth quakes, the most significant being in 2013 were the church faced significant damage due to a major earthquake based in Bohol.

he Basilica Complex of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is located in city block bordered by the Osmena Boulevard, D. Jakosalem Street, P. Burgos Street, and the Plaza Sugbo where the Magellan’s Cross is located. The main entrance is on the Osmena Boulevard. Two blocks to the north of the basilica is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It is where the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu seats.

The Basilica currently remains under the care of the Augustinians – The Order of St. Augustine.

Destination

The Underground River Tour In Palawan

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For those travelling to Palawan, the Underground River should almost be a mandatory stop on the itinerary. Flights going to the island will take you to Puerto Princesa; this city does have a lot to offer, though you will not see the real beauty until you travel further up the island to El Nido.

This is where the Underground River comes into the picture. The Underground River is roughly half way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. A lot of the tour companies will pick you up in the morning, then take you to the river. Once the tour is over a van is able to take you the rest of the way to El Nido.

A lot of the tour companies do this on a daily basis so making arrangements with them is a very simple process. Puerto Princesa is full of tour companies, so it’s as simple as finding one who wants to negotiate a good price.

The van will generally pick you up from your hotel early on the morning of your tour. From there your permits to enter the underground river will be processed before commencing on the journey to Sabang. From there you have a roughly two-hour ride to Sabang.

Then you will be taken on a small boat ride to arrive at the final destination. From there you will be taken in small groups to the entrance of the underground river where the tour begins.

What will I experience on the tour?

The tour itself is an amazing experience. You are taken by a guide in a small boat towards the entrance of the cave. Once inside, it is not long until you are in complete darkness; the only source of light comes from the tour guides headlamp.

You will be taken up to 4kms into the cave; there you will see plenty of amazing rock formations as well as experience the thriving community of bats within the cave. You are handed an audio device with headphones on the tour, this will help guide you on where to look to see the more interesting rock formations within the cave.

Is the Underground River really worth a visit?

Before visiting the Underground river I had seen a few negative reviews saying it was not worth visiting. From my experience, this is far from the truth. A lot of the negative reviews were due to the amount of tourists visiting the area. A lot of people seemed to be frustrated by the crowds of tourists found around the destination.

I visited during the off season, in addition, I also made my visit on a weekday. So while I was there I was only dealing with very moderate amounts of tourists. There was also very little waiting for things like a boat to get to the Underground River entrance and the boat which took us on the tour itself.

So to avoid any frustration I suggest trying to time your visit for the off season. As like most other tourist destination in The Philippines; this place can get busy.