Johnny's World Travels: Philippines

This is the Philippines!
The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south. The three main Philippine island groups are Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

From the late President's Museum at Batac, near Laoag city, taken in August 2003.

This was his actual executive desk, as preserved in this Museum.!!.









Luzon is the island of contrasts. The most modern districts in the Philippines, including the capital city of Manila, are in Luzon, but so are some of the oldest tribal communities in the nation like the Ifugao of the Cordilleras. Luzon is also where a visitor can see the latest model luxury cars overtaking a carabao sled or modern skyscrapers within driving distance of primordial volcanos.








Laoag city, the main city in Ilocos Nortes province.









Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. But Filipinos call Manila "The City of Our Affections." This phrase is taken from an old Spanish writings; but it also expresses a modern sentiment. Manila is all things for all Filipinos. It is the seat government administration, the fashion center, the intellectual pace-setter, the fountain head of all religious and educational movements; and of course, enormous shopping arcades. It is polictics and art; markets and churches; banks and universities - the whole life.

At play.... At a river... in Solsona.

 

The country's premier business district, Makati, throbs with different life. Busy sidewalks and avenues lead to hushed office sanctums, sparkling malls, elegant shops, swank galleries and boutiques, and some of the most valuable residential real estates in the country.





A famous eatery !!! in Laoag City..











Population: 75.3 million (according to preliminary results of Census 2000). Manila is home and working place to nearly 2 million industrious, charming and hospitable people; likewise the city is the haven of approximately 3 million day time transients.
Language: While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. English is widely spoken and is extensively used in business and government, making the Philippines the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, behind the US & UK.
Chinese and Spanish are other major languages spoken by some groups, aside from about 100 regional dialects. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Literacy in Manila is relatively high. English is spoken in the country, particularly in the city. It is the basic language in business, government, schools and everyday communications.
Ethnic Groups: ethnic>91.5% Christian Malay; 4% Muslim Malay; 1.5% Chinese; 3% other groups. Literacy Rate: 94% Religion: Religion>Roman Catholic 83%; Protestant 9%; Muslim 5%; Buddhist and other faiths 3%. Area: 636 sq km (248 sq mi). Time Zone: GMT + 8 hours, same as Hong Kong and Singapore. Telephone Area Code: 02

The route to downtown Laoag City.  

The capital seat....of the Ilocos Norte Province, located in the downtown Laoag City.

Another view of the Capitol building....  

Traffic in the city... If you were looking for the dividing center lines in the street... There are none here !!!

Still, another one from Laoag city..  

The Local Beach at Fort Illocandia Resort & Cassino. Unfortunately, it was a rather cloudy September 2003 day!!  

Nice day and a Beautiful scenery, at a river, in Solsona!!  

The approach to the departure, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,Manila.  

The Main airliner, as photographed from the terminal at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, in September 2003.

Philippine Airlines is the country's flag carrier and links Manila to 26 cities and 19 countries worldwide. Philippine Air also provides service to and from 43 local destinations. There are twenty-eight airlines serving Manila. Daily flights from the United States are offered by Northwest Airlines www.nwa.com, Continental Airlines www.continental.com, as well as Philippine Airlines.

There is an airport tax of P550 for international flights and P100 for domestic flights. In addition, depending on your visa status, you may be required to pay a rather substantial sum every time you exit the country.

There is a separate line AFTER the lines for general immigration where you must go with your "Special Return Certificate" (or as we called it, "the green thingie"), where you pay the exit fee. Do not stand in the first series of lines, they won't let you pay there and will make you move to the booth right past these lines to pay. You can wait forever, so don't do it twice! Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

NAIA is only 7 km. from the city, but traffic can be fierce and you will have to allow yourself a substantial amount of time to reach the airport. The longer you live in Manila, the better idea you will have as to that "substantial" time (dependent on day, time etc.). A good driver will be skilled on various routes to take to get you to the airport and will generally have a feeling as to what time you should leave for the airport.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is eight miles (12 kilometres) south of Manila. Take only official, metered or pre-booked taxis, do not accept rides from people that approach you in the terminal. The taxis in the line in front of "Arrivals" are metered and will charge around 150-200 Pesos (6USD-8USD) to central Manila hotels. It will take about 20 minutes to one hour for the trip, depending on traffic.

Arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may be a nearly unique lifetime experience. Because of security, no one without special authorization may come into the airport. All "greeters" must remain outside, across the street from the main entrance. There is an air-conditioned, glassed in raised waiting area, where for a nominal fee, your "greeters" can wait. Because of the huge number of Filipinos who work overseas, Balikbayans, the luggage area can be pure mayhem. Take a deep breath. You're here!

WARNING: Watch your purse and carry on baggage while you are standing at the carousel waiting for your luggage. Although undoubtedly no worse than any other large city, there are pickpockets and thieves about who take advantage of your distraction to rob you. Exercise caution!