Discover Philippines: Trivia - Tricycle

Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via Philippine quick transports – the tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar.

Source: Department of Tourism

More Than The Usual: Wacko Over Wildlife

More than the usual fauna and flora

The Philippines is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of flora and fauna that are found nowhere else in the world. View the Philippine Eagle, the biggest eagle in the world, in the wilds of Davao, Samar, and Quezon. At night see the world's smallest mammal in existence, the Philippine Tarsier, which inhabits the mahogany forests of Bohol. Swim and interact with the whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon. Bow-ride with the dolphins in Bais, Dumaguete, and Bohol. And get acquainted with endangered Philippine and African animals in the uninhabited 3,700-hectare Calauit Island.

Source: Department of Tourism

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Jeepney

The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of art.

Source: Department of Tourism

More Than The Usual: Workers Of Worth

More than the usual employee

• Herbert Ocampo, the waiter who returned around US$100,000 (at least PhP5 Million), which he found at the coffee shop of the Sulo Hotel, accepts a new job at Duty Free Philippines from Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon

• UNUSUAL EMPLOYEE: Airport Security Guard Gilbert Tindungan, and Bureau of Immigration Intelligence Officer Paterno William Bell, returned a laptop computer worth around PhP125,000 and US$2,700 accidentally left by a balikbayan from the USA.

• Florita Mondoyo, janitress at the Manila Domestic Airport, returned an envelope containing US$10,000, which she found at the passenger pre-boarding area while cleaning.

• HONESTY PREVAILS: Batangas Country Club resort staff, Joseph Navarro, handed back more than US$1,000 bills unknowingly dropped by balikbayan Dorothy Requilman's sister-in-law.

• Corporals Dominic Jimenez and Gerry Soriano returned a bag containing Php 30,000 cash, which they found at the NAIA Terminal-2 northwing arrival area, to owner, former Senator Victor Ziga.

Source: Department of Tourism

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental has the most cities among Philippine provinces.

Source: Department of Tourism

More Than The Usual: Wild Over Wheels

More than the usual mode of transport

• 112 airports, 50 in major cities, 6 international
• 2 flag carriers, both flying internationally
• Good-quality inter-island fast ferry and cruise ship service
• Exotic in-land transportation: the Philippine jeepney

JEEPNEY
The Philippine jeepney began as a post-war creation that had been inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought with them to the country during the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the engines of surplus GI jeeps that were about to be disposed of, and used them to manufacture then much needed low-cost mass transportation vehicles. The engines were given an all-new body and design, and with an unsurprising touch of creativity and ingenuity, out came the uniquely Filipino jeepney.

Today, the jeepney is the most popular mode of transport in the Philippines, owing to cheap fare and the convenience afforded to passengers to board and alight practically anywhere they want. It is said to be comparable to the jitney, the taxi/minibus that travels along a fixed route, found in many countries. However, every single Philippine jeepney is personalized – each one dressed up and given little touches that are often reflective of common-man sentiments of the time.

TRICYCLE & PEDICAB
Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via quick modest transports that ply even the toughest and roughest roads in the Philippines. The tricycle is a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab is a bicycle with a sidecar. These vehicles, familiar sights traversing residential routes and arterial roads, have offered much relief to commuters – especially in areas in the provinces where there are insufficient bus and jeepney services. Tricycles and pedicabs go where the brave yet heavy transports dare not go, getting people around despite heavy floods, road construction, and extreme traffic conditions.

CALESA
The best way to go the scenic route when in the Philippines is on the calesa. A carriage being pulled by a horse, the calesa had been introduced to Filipinos during the period of Spain’s colonization of the Philippines. Looking nothing like the usual motorized vehicle, it is indeed a refreshing sight, often seen in downtown areas, especially in Manila, providing short distance passenger service. Due to its low speed, the calesa is a favored mode for sightseeing in selected tourist destinations.

Source: Department of Tourism

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Cebu City

Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.

Source: Department of Tourism

More Than The Usual: Watch Our Whales

More than the usual historic city

Spain’s colonization of the Philippines brought about the construction of Intamuros in 1571, a “Walled City” comprised of European buildings and churches. Today it is one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. Walk through this walled Spanish colonial “city within a city,” situated right in the heart of Manila, complete with centuries-old walls, dungeons, churches, bulwarks, and plazas.

WALKING TOUR PACKAGES

Half-day Intramuros Walking Tour (am/pm)

Minimum of 2 pax
Rates: US$ 15.00 (without transport) or US$ 25.00 (with transport / hotel transfer)
Inclusions: Entrance fees, tour guide

Full-day Intramuros Festival Showcase (2:00 – 10:00 pm)

Minimum of 2 pax
Rates: US$ 60.00 (with transport / hotel transfer)
Inclusions: Entrance fees, tour guide, dinner

Exceptions:

• Historical Tours to Intramuros operates daily except Mondays. Schedules may change in July and August 2003.

• Discounts may be available for group bookings. Rates are valid from February 5, 2003 until December 31, 2003.

Optional Tour: “DO-IT-YOUR-OWN” TOUR – “Walk The Wall Challenge,” a 30-minute leisure walk from Baluartillo de San Francisco in Fort Santiago to Baluarte de San Diego or vice versa.

Half-day Intramuros Walking Tour (am)
8:00am Bus pick-up (time depending on the hotel location)
8:30 Drop-off guests at Hidalgo Monument

Walk the wall up to Baluarte de San Diego
8:45 Exit Sta. Lucia St.
9:00-9:30 Light and Sound Show

Walk the wall/Exit Calle Real
9:45 San Agustin Church/Museum
10:15 Casa Manila
11:15 Clamshell (Regional Product Showcase)
11:45 Bus pick-up at Villa Immaculada

Moving tour – General Luna/Manila Cathedral/Postigo/Muralla/Puerta
Isabel/Puerta de Parian/Victoria Gap Parking
Option to walk the wall of Revelin de Recoletos
12:00 pm Bus pick-up for transfer to hotel
END OF TOUR

Half-day Intramuros Walking Tour (pm)
2:00pm Drop-off Hidalgo Monument

Walk the wall up to Baluarte de San Diego
2:45 Exit Sta. Lucia St.
3:00-3:30 Light and Sound Show

Walk the wall/Exit Calle Real
3:45 San Agustin Church/Museum
4:15 Casa Manila
4:45 Bahay Tsinoy
5:15 -6:00 Clamshell

Bus pick-up at Villa Immaculada
Moving tour - General Luna/Manila Cathedral/Postigo/Muralla/Puerta
Isabel/Puerta de Parian/Victoria Gap Parking
Option to walk the wall of Revelin de Recoletos
7:00 Dinner along row of Muralla restaurants
7:30 END OF TOUR

Full-Day Intramuros Walking Tour & Evening Festival Showcase
1:30pm Bus pick-up (time depending on the hotel location)
2:00 Drop-off guests at Hidalgo Monument

Walk the wall up to Baluarte de San Diego
2:45 Exit Sta. Lucia St.
3:00-3:30 Light and Sound Show

Walk the wall/Exit Calle Real
3:45 San Agustin Church/Museum
4:15 Casa Manila
4:45 Bahay Tsinoy
5:15 Clamshell (Regional Product Showcase)
6:00 Night Market with Festival Parade (Fri/Sat)
7:00 Regional Cultural Performances (Clamshell)
8:00 Dinner: choice of restaurants in Intramuros
(Option on Fri/Sat: street parties, tapas tours, and fireworks display)
Bus pick-up for transfer to hotel

END OF TOUR

Optional Tour: Walk Our Wall Challenge from Baluartillo de San Francisco in Fort Santiago to Baluarte de San Diego or vice-versa


Source: Department of Tourism