Posts from — June 2009

Founded more than a decade ago in 1995, Apayao Province dubs itself the “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness”. Apart from the two ancient Spanish churches at Pudtol, the attractions are purely natural.

Spanish church in Pudtol

Included in Apayao Province’s natural tourist attractions are the unpolluted  of Apayao and its waterfalls, the viewing points at Pudtol and Luna, the Agora and Anag-Sicapo Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Maton Underground River.

Dibagat River in Apayao

The natural attractions of the Apayao Province are truly breath-taking.

Ifugao, up in the north of the Philippines, is known for its rice terraces. These rice terraces were built along the mountain sides like stairways reaching the sky. They were constructed approximately 2,000 years ago by the Ifugaos using bare hands and wood as tools.

The Ifugao rice terraces which is a testimony of painstaking work and indigenous engineering skills is recognized around the world. In fact, in December of 1995, it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as “Continuing Cultural Landscape”.

Where are the Rice Terraces located?

The terraces are particularly located in the municipalities of Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan and Mayoyao. The Banaue Rice Terraces are also known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. Meanwhile, Batad is popular for its amphitheater-shaped rice terraces and the cascading Tappiyah Waterfalls.

Camiguin Island, located in Mindanao, is what many people regard as the Philippine’s equivalent of the Garden of Eden. It is a volcanic island that is splendidly beautiful and it has a virgin jungle where exotic orchids and other flora can be found. It also boasts of hot and cold springs, majestic waterfalls and black, as well as white sandy beaches.

Historical Attractions

Bonbon, the site fo the massive eruption of Mt. Vulcan Daan in 1871 is the center of historical tourist attractions in Camiguin.  The ruins of the old Catholic Church and the sunken cemetery, just off shore, are results of the fury of the volcanic explosion.  A walkway leads to the peak of the old volcano.

Natural Attractions in Camiguin

One of the natural attractions in Camiguin Island is Mt. Hibok-Hibok, the only remaining active volcano. The other natural tourist attractions are the Katibawasan and Tuasan falls, the Tangub and Ardent Hot Springs and the Sto. Niño and Macao Cold Springs.

Beaches in Camiguin

A white sand beach that offers a superb view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok is White Island.  This is a popular tourist destination and it is an island that is small and has sugar-fine, white sand.  The other attractions with white sand beaches are Mantigue Island and Guinsiliban Cove.  The best dive site in Camiguin is Jidcup.  The man-made Benoni Lagoon also attracts visitors in Camiguin, Mindanao.