By: Sharmane Soriano

“After being on the air for 16

hours, we’ve finally arrived at

Manila, Philippines. As I look out

the window, the view was like

nothing I’ve seen before. At that

moment, I had come to terms that I

was no longer in the city of Las

Vegas, Nevada, but was in a whole

new world.”

http://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_7194.jpg

Being the capital of the Philippines, Manila consist a population of 1,652,171, making it the

second populous city in the Philippines. It is a home to extensive commerce, historically and

culturally significant landmarks, and the Malacañang Palace, which is the President’s resident

and workplace.

Fun fact: Manila got its name from a mangrove tree with white flowers known as Nilad.

mangrove tree with white flowers

“Curious to see the streets of Manila,

we commuted through the use of

tricycles and jeepneys. Though it was

crowded and traffic, the experience

was worth while.”

The means of transportation in the Philippines

mostly include: tricycles, jeepneys, automobiles,

and buses. You would usually use tricycles and

jeepneys for local distances , and buses and

automobiles for long distances.

Fun fact: Tricycles only cost 12 pesos for a good distance, which is about 27 cents in USD.

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/Justin+James+Wright_Philippines_Manila_Fine+Art

+Photography.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22aLSVuuuB0/TZzpBL7BdLI/AAAAAAAALH4/L0L8X-

ynfbI/s1600/DSC00144w.jpg

“I was surprised at how colorful

and crowded the streets were.

There were food vendors

everywhere, along with fresh fruits

and vegetables.”

The streets in the Philippines are one of the most

busiest and crowded places one can encounter. You

can expect to find street foods, open markets, and

Philippine’s most famous fast food restaurant,

Jollibee.

Fun fact: People commonly use umbrellas to protect them from the heat as the temperature and humidity

rises.

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/50f79f2de4b0d6529ef91149/52b107bce4b08a945bf09991/52b109

37e4b02db0389ef2d3/1406785977318/03027_Justin+James+Wright_Philippines_Manila_Fine+Art+Ph

otography.jpg

https://marilil.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/binondo-039.jpg

“I did not expect that exotic foods can

taste so good. My favorites has to be

fish ball, balot, and kwek kwek. I think

it’s time to go in for another round.”

Street foods in the Philippines include: Filipino

hot dog, kwek kwek, isaw, fish ball, balot, squid

balls, kikiam, barbeque chicken, and many more.

It is usually punctured through a skewer and

served like barbeque on stick. Also, selling street

food is a common way people make a living in the

Philippines.

Fun fact: Balot is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell.

http://www.philippinetraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/balut-street-vendor-

philippines.jpg

http://philippinestravelsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Philippine-Street-

Food628.jpg

“As we explored more on

Manila, we found that the city

still maintains its authenticity

through historical landmarks

such as the Rizal Park.”

The Rizal Park or also known as the Luneta Park is named after the Philippine’s national hero,

Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He advocated peaceful revolution against Spanish as Philippines wanted

freedom and longed for independence. The Rizal Park is located in the heart of Manila which is

along the Manila Bay.

Fun fact: The Rizal Park is the exact place where Jose P. Rizal was executed by the Spanish army

in December 30, 1896.

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/22300959.jpg

“As we traveled north of the Philippines

to Tarlac, we got to witness the erupted

volcano of Mt. Pinatubo. Despite the

violent eruption of the volcano, it left an

astonishing view. It was perfect to go jeep

cruising.”

Mt. Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano on

the island of Luzon. Its eruption on June 15,

1991 produced the second largest terrestrial

eruption of the 20th century.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_--PYDoG8yso/TKGyFPk2G2I/AAAAAAAAAAk/yNx-

hKFRees/s1600/pinatubo3.jpg

http://rjtours.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Pinatubo-Postcard.jpg

Fun fact: The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo left more than 800 people dead.

http://thebudgettraveler.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/zipline-philippines.jpg

“Traveling is not traveling without

some adventure! We had a chance to go

zip lining across the spectacular view of

Baguio and river rafting in the white

waters of Cagayan de Oro.”

http://www.newzealandnz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Adventure-Sports-

Rafting.jpg

There are hundreds of adventure and thrills that

Philippines offer. You can go zip lining over 7 waterfalls

in Lake Subic or you can experience the underground

river of Palawan. Also, you can ascend the volcanoes by

foot or go extreme kite surfing in Boracay. Whatever

your taste of adventure may be, Philippines has it all.

Fun fact: One of Philippines’ tourist spot, Chocolate Hills, has 1,268 hills in the island of Bohol.

http://www.easyvoyage.com/images/attractions/2796/960x384/2563.jpg

“As we were in Baguio, we had a chance to

see the famous rice terraces of Banaue. It

has been said that these rice terraces is

commonly referred to as the 8th wonder of

the world by Filipinos. I could not have

agreed more, the view was proved to be

breath taking!”

The Banaue Rice Terraces are 2,000 year old

terraces. They were carved by the ancestors of

the indigenous people. It was built with

minimal equipment and mostly with hand.

Locals plant rice and vegetables on these

terraces.

Fun fact: During celebrations such as festivities or ritual activities, the Ifugaos, drink rice beer, eat

rice cakes, and chew betel nut.”

http://www.rdv-voyage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/philippines-

banaue_rice_terraces_ifugao-tribe.jpg

https://anywhereiwander.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ifugao-people.jpg

“When we visited the Banaue rice terraces,

we also got to meet the indigenous locals of

Banaue. Many of these native locals that we

met were over the age of 90!”

These natives are known as the Ifugao, which

means "inhabitants of the known earth." Their

culture value kinship, family ties, religious and

cultural beliefs. They are also known for their

unique wood carving art such as the carved

granary guardians bului and the prestige bench

of the upper class, the hagabi.

Fun fact: The Kadangyan, which are the more affluent Ifugao are generous in nature. They give rice to

poor neighbors in times of shortages.

“As we came back to Manila

we had an eye-opening

experience. Seeing and

experiencing different parts of

the Philippines, nothing was as

sobering as these shack homes

built on a river. After

encountering the Philippines,

my outlook of the world has

changed. I saw that there was

so much a place can offer,

whether that be their culture or

their way of living. Through

this journey, I’ve learned to

embrace the unusual and take

chances.”

Poverty in the Philippines is one of the critical issues

that the country is facing. Philippine’s poverty is caused

by the rapid growth of population and increase

unemployment.

Fun fact: About half of the country’s population of 88 million live in rural poverty.

http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/philippines_squatter.jpg

"Banaue Rice Terraces." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaue_Rice_Terraces>.

Bignoria, Manny. "The Ifugao People | Ethnic Groups of the Philippines." Ethnic Groups of the Philippines.

Ethnic Groups Philippines, 11 July 2011. Web. 3 May 2015.

<http://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/2012/04/22/the-ifugao-people/>.

"Manila." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila>.

"Means of Transportation in the Philippines." Means of Transportation in the Philippines. Philippine Airlines, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/transport1.htm>.

"Mount Pinatubo." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pinatubo>.

"Nature & Adventure." Its More Fun in the Philippines RSS. Its More Fun In The Philippines, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/nature-adventure-2/>.

"Poverty in the Philippines." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_Philippines>.

"Rizal Park." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 3 May 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park>.