Travel To Philippines: The Prized Archipelago

By: Frank Johnson

Somewhere in Southeast Asia between the Philippine Sea and the East China Sea, east of Vietnam, south of Taiwan and just north of Indonesia, lies a much neglected but historically and ecologically prized archipelago known as the Philippines. This understated cluster of 7,107 islands is the perfect tropical getaway balanced with just enough colonial cultural intrigue and undulating urban energy to keep you going. Despite the country's somewhat turbulent recent history, the Philippines has

reached a level of stability making no better time than now to travel the wonders of the island-nation.

Colonial Legacy, Indigenous Heritage
The first western encounter with the Philippines occurred when Spain's Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521, initiating over 300 years of Spanish colonization. A tremendous amount of today's Filipino population is a fraction Spanish, although a negligible number of residents are completely Spanish. The United States took over colonization in 1899 until the Japanese invasion of the strategic islands during World War II. Following Japanese defeat, the Philippines received its independence in 1946. American cultural and military influence still permeates through island culture, although the last U.S. military base has finally been closed. Original human settlement in the region began about thirty thousand years ago when people crossed then-existing land bridges from Asia. Malaysian and Indonesian settlers joined the fray a few thousand years later to constitute a most interesting blend of semi-indigenous cultures still present in the Philippines today. Direct descendents of the first arrivals currently live in the northern province of Zambales.

A Pocketful of Paradise
The nation is divided into three main regions, each with its own metropolitan hub and particular points of interest. Luzon to the north is the most populated region, with the expansive capital city Manila as its main destination. Travel farther north to Banaue where a spectacle of rice terraces had been etched up along the hillside by the Ifugao tribespeople over 2000 years ago. Also, don't miss the truly isolating beauty of Hundred Islands National Park where you may just find a beach all to yourself, as there are literally hundreds to choose from. The central region of Visayas is mostly smaller island clusters and famous for Boracay Island's White Beach and surrounding resort and aquatic activity areas. Make sure to explore the island's less crowded, but just as white-and-turquoise beaches. The southernmost region of Mindanao is home to Davao, the largest city in the world by land area, and the stately Mount Apo, the Philippine's tallest mountain. Enjoy a thrilling river rafting trip in Cagayan de Oro or get back to basic Filipino life in the Tiruray Highlands where the remote shores of Lake Sebu are peacefully inhabited by the T'boli tribe.

While the Getting's Good
With nearly 40,000 kilometers of coastline, a fantasy-like landscape of tropical greenery, and world-class cities offering world-class cuisine and lifestyle, it's hard to imagine that this puddle-jump in Southeast Asia will remain a secret for long. See for yourself why the Philippines is one of the last remaining gems of biodiversity and indigenous culture in this ever-growing region of the world!

For discount airfare to Philippines, visit www.cfares.com, your source for cheap airfare on the web.

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The Fine Line Between Education and Tourism

I have one Filipino blogger friend who contacted me and requested me to comment on his decision to fly to London and take his masteral studies in tourism there. He's an English instructor at a state university in his province and he is working on her student-visa application at the British Embassy in Manila. He just wanted a review or maybe an edit of his responses to three questionnaire items in his visa application. His responses are posted below. Please read through them because I am reserving some questions that I myself haven't yet settled.

WHY DID YOU SELECT YOUR PROPOSED COURSE AND HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT IT?

My work experiences (as an English Instructor, Coordinator for Cultural/External Affairs, Co-Adviser of the School Publication, Coordinator of Sports/recreational Program, Adviser of Student Council, Service Staff for Marketing Services in a fast-food chain, Head Waiter with managerial and supervisory functions in a resort hotel, photographer/camera man for a foto-video shop, and my recent involvement in internet marketing) all add up to my emergent desire to broaden my knowledge and enhance my readiness to handle higher level tasks on business promotion, entrepreneurial management and tourism.

As coordinator/adviser of various committees, I have somehow engaged myself on problem-solving and analysis. As an English instructor and school publication adviser, I have developed self-confidence and effective communication. As a former student leader covering all the four(?) campuses of Pangasinan State University, I have had a foretaste of exercising managerial leadership and responsibility. As a webmaster and blogger, I have considerably immersed myself into the IT/Internet realm which exposed me to the exciting and rewarding world of promotion, marketing and travel.

Recently, I have learned that these preparations could be strengthened or enhanced for effective managerial leadership in the tourism and hospitality industry. But much more than this conceptual premise is the realization that further training, studies and research along this line are better attained on internationally-established tourist destinations and highly-urbanized marketing and fashion hub such as in Europe or specifically in London. Then I heard about Harrow International Business School from a friend who is presently studying there. I browsed across the school’s website and was even more convinced to pursue my studies there. My persistence brought me before Harrow’s Dean of Hospitality Studies (?) who affirmed my passion and advised me to really chase my dream with the course MBA in International Hospitality and Tourism Management.

WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS WILL THIS COURSE BRING YOU?

The Philippines has been building up its image as a major tourist destination for people around the world, and the prospect in this sector is promising. Tourism-related courses in most local schools and universities popularly draw a big slice of students’ population in the country. I believe that my MBA course from a London-based university like Harrow will give me a wide competitive edge in terms of high quality training, relevant knowledge and unparalleled exposure to the international tourism industry, Europe-based at that. This edge would come in terms of my future employment (locally or abroad) in higher-level or managerial/supervisory positions, my consequent entrepreneurial effectiveness in successfully managing my own business, and that quenching fulfillment for my passion for greater wisdom in life as an educator, as an online advertiser, and hopefully as a businessman. The offshoot of improving my language proficiency in an English-speaking country and that unique educational experience on service, promotion and marketing – related course such as in Hospitality and Tourism management, also bring greater benefits.

HAVE YOU STUDIED ANY RELATIVE COURSE, IF SO WHAT? WHAT DOCUMENTS HAVE YOU PRODUCED TO DEMONSTRATE THIS?I

In my Bachelor of Secondary Education degree, major in English, I learned how to efficiently manage and convince people, how to communicate or market effectively my message, how to lead and take responsibility, how to develop and condition minds, etc. which are all necessary player qualifications in the hospitality and tourism business. I believe that my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education attaches indubitable relevance to my choice of MBA in International Hospitality and Business Management. Both courses somehow tackle human services and management. My transcript of records and Diploma shall demonstrate the connection.

Every idea or concept belongs to a traversable network of entwined philosophies, experiences, analogies and intentions. Every motive and model is relevant to a certain degree. But do you see a direct connection between teaching profession and a career in the tourism business. You bet you do. It's not difficult to trace a connection, I did too. But are you convinced? Honestly? Please guide me through...

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