Visit Fort Santiago,
Manila...
by ligaya
Visit Fort Santiago,
Manila Philippines; According to the Department of Tourism, Fort Santiago used to be the seat of the colonial powers of both Spain and the U.S. It was also a dreaded prison under the Spanish regime and the scene of countless military police atrocities during the Japanes occupation. Here, too, Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last hours before his execution on Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park).
This site and the surrounding area of Intramuros is really a must see in Manila. It is very well preserved and restoration is also going on. The Rizal museum inside the fort is very interesting. Also the churches in Intramuros - the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin church should also be in one's itinerary. There are also some wonderful restaurants in Intramuros.
When to Go
by mlt_t
With maximum temperatures hovering above 30°C (86°F), Manila isn't the place to go to cool off. There are two seasons: the dry season lasts from December to May; the rest of the year is sodden with heavy rain. From June to November you might find yourself in a typhoon. The best time to visit Manila and surrounds is February to April. If you like some cool places for SWIMMING, SCUBA DIVING, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING, SURFING, BIKINI WATCHING and more go to our beautiful beaches in our country. You will never regret it ‘coz we have also the finest and beautiful beaches.
Buko juice
by Djinn76
Once you reach the countrside, you'll find plenty of different vendors (flower, plants, fruit, food,...) along the road...
A 'buko' is in fact a young coconut, apparently a speciality from the area is to drink its juice directly out of the nut!!
This farmer was also selling other products. Lambanog was one of them, this is an alcool made of coconut, this was supposed to be 70% vol alcool but after having tasted it, I strongly doubt it...
Bibingka! A Must Eat!
by machomikemd
bibingka is a Popular Filipino Cake, it was originally eaten only during the christmas season wherever the Dawn Masses (Misa De Gallo) would start but it spread in it's popularity that it is available today all year round. It is available into 3 types, the Bibingka made with Flour, The Bibingka Galapong, Made with Rice Flour and the Cassava Bibingka, made with rootcrop Cassava. It is also popular in Goa in India, East Timor and Macau where it is known as Bebinca. In the portugese version it is made with flour plus Ghee (a kind of indian butter).
In the Filipino method of preparation, rice flour or wheat flour is used and sliced salted duck eggs plus quesong puti, a semi-soft white cheese made from carabao's milk (similar to bufala mozzarella) are added into the batter before baking (the baking process is similar to that of the bebinca). Before being served, butter or margarine is spread and sugar is sprinkled over the bibingka. It is typically served with grated coconut.
baking the bibingka is no small matter. the batter is poured into a clay pot or coconut shell lined with banana leaf--the leaf is there to make it easier to lift the bibingka out, but it also imparts a wonderful aroma to the cake. the pot is placed on small clay coal-fired oven, and then a metal tray covered with more of the hot coal is placed on top of the pot, and the cake is carefully watched for a few minutes until it has gently risen, the cheese has melted, and the top has browned and blistered. once out, the leaf-lined cake is wrapped up in more banana leaves to keep it warm and toasty; then some newspaper, with a generous bag of grated coconut wrapped within, a final bind of twine and you are sent on your merry little way.
Via Mare Restaurant makes the best Bibingka!
MOSQUITO REPELLENT!!!!!!!!
by wreckloose
You'll probably want to bring two luggage and your carry-on. Whether or not you have enough clothes to pack into the luggage is irrelevant because when you get to the Philippines, you might just realize that you'll be coming home with a lot more than you arrived with. The cheap shopping will really do a number on you, trust me. slippers, sandals, rain coat or waterproof jacket in the summer (typhoon season). shorts, and tshirts. short sleeve button up shirts and khaki pants are a smart bet for going out at night. Keep in mind, if you intend on buying clothes when you're there, sizes are smaller than you would expect. A Filipino Large is somewhere near the equivalent of a North American Medium. I guess it has something to do with the average North American being overweight haha. Skin astringent is essential due to the heavy (and I mean HEAVY) automobile exhaust pollution. You'll also want to bring a lot of OFF Lotion for the mosquitos as well as AFTERBITE if you happen to get bit. Polysporin is good for any cuts as well as rubbing alcohol to disinfect wounds. The Philippines can be very dirty so you'll want to keep any open wounds clean and covered. Digital, film and video cameras are all nice... just make sure you know when and when not to use them. Sometimes people don't like to be filmed, especially in the squatter areas. Be mindful of any suspicious areas as well as snatchers are everywhere.
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