tourism philippines Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Oct312016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

How to pay your Philippine travel taxes online

America, Announcements, Flights, Hongkong, Internet, Japan, Kyoto, Leisure, Macau, Mindanaoan Update, News, Osaka, Seoul, Society, Taiwan, Technology, Tokyo, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

Here in the Philippines, individuals who leave the country need to pay travel taxes. The Philippine travel tax is actually a levy imposed by the government. Filipino citizens, foreign passport holders and non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the country for more than one year are usually required to pay full travel taxes when they go abroad. Currently, the Philippine travel tax rates are Php 1,620 for economy passage and Php 2,700 for first class passage. I'm sure frequent travelers like myself will agree that the queues at the travel tax payment booths can be time consuming. To address this, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has launched a system for travelers to pay their Philippine travel tax online. Here's how you do it. ...

Aug52013 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Sunken Cemetery at Camiguin Island

Camiguin, Leisure, Tourism, Travel, Weird

Yes, you read that right. There's a Sunken Cemetery at Camiguin Island and although many people might find it a little creepy, this Camiguin tourist spot is actually a popular diving and snorkeling spot. Located at Barangay Bonbon, Municipality of Catarman, Camiguin Island, the Sunken Cemetery came about after Mt. Vulcan's series of eruptions from 1871 to 1875. As a result, some areas in Bonbon subsided including the town's cemetery. The cemetery sank below sea level. In 1982, the local government of Camiguin erected a cross on the site. For those of you wondering whether or not there are still dead bodies at the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin Island, the human remains have already been exhumed and buried in another location. Besides, it's been more than 100 years - I guess you can spot...

Jul212013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

The Paradise That Is White Island Camiguin

Beauty, Camiguin, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

I think no trip to Camiguin Island will ever be complete without a visit to the popular, uninhabited sand bar called White Island. It is nothing but paradise! Crystal clear water, white sand and lovely view of Mt. Hibok Hibok. Located about 10 minutes away from the shore of Barangay Yumbing (or Barangay Agoho), Camiguin Island, White Island is generally horseshoe-shaped but it usually gets reshaped because of the tides. And because the sand at White Island is very precious, the Camiguin government has issued this warning. My family and I paid White Island a visit during a recent trip to Camiguin Island. I must say, it was one of the highlights of our trip. My brothers and I (and even our Mom) are all beach babies and any opportunity for us to go and spend time in the water is most ap...

Jul102013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Camiguin Island travel guide: How to get there

Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Leisure, Tourism, Travel

One of my favorite tourist destinations in the Philippines is Camiguin Island a.k.a. The Island Born of Fire. Located in Northern Mindanao, Camiguin is the second smallest province in the Philippines. Apart from its historic sites, beautiful coastline and environmental tourism areas, visitors just love the crystal clear water. Who wouldn't want to visit a place as beautiful as this? Last weekend, my entire family and I went to Camiguin for a 3-day, 2-night escapade. Being the one fond of researching, preparing itineraries and following budgets, I took it upon myself to plan the entire trip to Camiguin Island. It's not my family's first time to visit the island. However, we try to discover new things and stay in a different place every time we visit. Now if you want to visit the i...

Jun202013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Kadayawan Festival 2013 Davao City schedule of activities

BIMP-EAGA, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

It's Kadayawan 2013 time, folks! Mindanao's king of festivals, Kadayawan Festival, is happening this August! The 2013 Kadayawan Festival in Davao City will once again showcase Davao's rich and diverse culture and tradition, thanksgiving of oneness with the Earth and bountiful harvest. The Kadayawan Festival 2013 will also provide the opportunity for the various indigenous tribes such as the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan to converge. The term "Kadayawan" comes from the Mandaya word "Madayaw" which means anything good, valuable, bountiful, beautiful. Kadayawan Festival 2013 Davao City Schedule of Activities Follow Mindanaoan on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Instagram for updates. Kadayawan Festival 201...

Jan62012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New Airphil Express flights from GenSan and Butuan

Announcements, Blogging, Butuan, Cebu City

Here's good news for Butuanons and Generals! Airphil Express, the Philippines' fastest growing carrier, has launched new flights! These flights will be from Butuan to Cebu City (and vice versa), General Santos City to Cebu City (and vice versa) and General Santos City to Iloilo City (and vice versa)! Cool, huh? Absolutely exciting news especially for frequent travelers like me! :) These new Airphil Express flights will start servicing the routes come March 22, 2012. The Cebu to Butuan route will be daily while the Iloilo to GenSan route will be every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Meanwhile, the Cebu to General Santos route will also be available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please log on to the official Airphil Express website to book your tickets. You can also ch...

Sep292011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Surigao del Norte to hold Lubi Lubi Dance Festival 2011 and skimboarding cup

Arts, Culture, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Sports, Surigao, Surigao del Norte

Following the successful Bonok Bonok Festival 2011, here's another event in Surigao that you guys might want to watch out for. The Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and Bacuag Mayor Sheila Mae O. Cebedo, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and other government agencies, are holding the 2nd Lubi Lubi Dance Festival 2011. The 2011 Lubi Lubi Dance Festival will be held on October 7, 2011 at Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. Meanwhile, from October 5 to 7, 2011, there will also be a skimboarding competition in Bacuag. The 5th National Skim Boarding Competition will be held at Z-Bay Wall, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte. Check out the event posters below:

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: The Maxwell Hotel Cebu | Budget hotel Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Maxwell Hotel Cebu is located along N. Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines - a prime location in the Queen City of the South. It's a fairly new hotel in Cebu City and can be considered a Cebu budget hotel. Mindanaoan stayed at the Maxwell Hotel Cebu for two nights during my recent 4-day escapade at Cebu to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The first two nights were spent at my Cebu City-based brother's apartment. My brother is also a blogger, by the way, and he accompanied me at the Cebu Blog Camp. He blogs about tennis here. Since he often lacked sleep because of the uber warm Cebu weather as of late, I, as the dutiful "ate" (ahem, ahem), decided to check-in at The Maxwell Hotel Cebu and treat him to two days of rest, sleep and an absolutely relaxing massage (more about...

Oct82009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Take You To The Philippines music video by Black Eyed Peas member Apl de Ap

Advocacy, Blogging, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Videos

I think these days, more than ever, we Filipinos need to promote our country. Despite the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana), we have all seen the spirit of unity and camaraderie in times of crisis. It may take a long time before we can finally recover but we will get there. We just need prayers, political will and unity. May this "Take You To The Philippines" music video by Black Eyed Peas member and fellow Pinoy Apl de Ap inspire you all. It's reportedly part of the tourism campaign of Sec. Ace Durano and the Department of Tourism. No mention of a Mindanao city in the song but it's aight :) I like this pretty catchy ditty :) Enjoy! p.s. Congratulations and thank you to Apl de Ap and to the Black Eyed Peas. Congratulations to Sec. Ace, t...