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Tourist Guides
Top Philippine Dishes You Should Really Taste
It’s a fact that one of the reasons people travel is because of the food. To get a real taste of a country’s lifestyle and culture, you have got to take a taste of their food. Each country always has that one or two (or two dozen!) local dish that are seldom served anywhere else, for the Philippines, here are some of the dishes that Pinoy’s are so fond of. Take a peek and don’t forget to grab a bite of these delicious dishes.
Lumpiang Sariwa – mainly made from palm hearts, the lumpiang sariwa comes with a really great tasting sauce with peanut bits for added taste. Basically, it’s a mixture of different vegetables. Carrots, lettuce, you name it, the lumpiang sariwa has it. And it doesn’t, you can probably add it there too for greater taste!
Pinakbet – or just ‘pakbet, this Pinoy dish is a mixture of different vegetables ranging from eggplants, squash etc. What really gives pinakbet its memorable taste is the bagoong mixed in with the dish. You might not like it at first because of this ingredient, but the bagoong is an acquired taste and pretty soon, you’ll be munching on pinakbet like the rest of us!
Lechon – Pig roasted over a roaring pit, it’s amazing how much lechon is featured in any Philippine celebration. In fact, just having lechon on the table is enough to warrant a special occasion, regardless of whether it’s an important day or not.
The Filipino-American Friendship Park
If you’re bound to Corregidor Island anytime soon, you might want to drop by the Filipino-American Friendship Park.
The Filipino-American Friendship Park is a testament to the bond built between the two races during the World War II in the Philippines. The two countries have fought side by side against foes in the Pacific War. The most outstanding feature of the park is the sculpture of Filipino artist Manuel Casas. It s bronze, ten foot high and portrays an American soldier helping a wounded Filipino soldier.
The sculpture was intended to depict the friendship between the two countries. The plaque seen near the statue reads: “In these hallowed surroundings where heroes sleep may their ashes scatter with the wind and live in the heart of those who were left behind. They died for freedom’s right and in heaven’s sight. Theirs was a noble cause”
The sense of Filipino-American camaraderie is further stressed by the two country’s flag placed on either side of the sculpture.
The park itself is a beautiful place for relaxation. With an excellent view, the park incites harmony and peace within anyone who deems to visit it.
Getting to the park is easy. Located at the part of Corregidor Island called Middleside, you only have to ask the driver or if you’re particularly near, then ask for directions. The park is also right behind another tourist attraction, the Pacific War Memorial which also concentrates on the World War II era.
Corregidor is also home to other tourist attractions including an aviary. Check out the different wartime utility buildings such as the Middleside barracks, warehouse, officer’s quarters and the private’s quarters. After sampling some of Corregidor’s attraction, try visiting these sites and reacquaint yourself with the events in the past.
Three Tiered Wonder: Tinuy-an Falls
Found in Surigao del Sur is one of the most wonderful water site in the country. In Bislig or the dubbed Booming city of the bay contains the now famous Tinuy-an falls that boasts of three tiers of strong, clear, falling water. More specifically, the Falls is located at Brgy. Burboanan and can be reached less than an hour’s ride from the city proper. You could just imagine how beautiful it is as it is advertised with the name “Little Niagara Falls of the Philippines”. More or less 95 meters in width – believed to be the widest in the country – and 55 meters in height, the three curtains of the Tinuy-an Falls is an excellent subject for budding camera enthusiasts. The area is surrounded by thick foliages and unusual flora, adding to the scenery of total oneness with nature. The swimming ground is a bit slippery though so mind your footing!
Getting there would depend on your starting point. The roads are now paved and are well established leading to the sites so the bumps and thumps would be relatively fewer if not non-existent. You could try getting there yourself, but the best way is still to enlist the help of knowledgeable authorities. I suggest you ask your hotel help desk for instructions to go about the Tinuy-an Falls adventure. However, when you do get there, make sure to bring a camera as this is one view you would not want to forget!
Philippines Tarsier
At first glance, you’d think that you’re looking at the world’s smallest monkey, but the tarsier with its big, beautiful brown eyes is actually a cousin of the lemur. Nowadays, the non-profit organization of Philippine Tarsier Foundation Incorporated (PTFI) is dedicated in preserving and these fist-size creatures that once served as inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie – The Extra Terrestrial (E.T.).
Under the PTFI is the Tarsier Research and Development Center which handles most of the tourism side of the organization. A reservation covering more than seven hectares of land serves as a haven for these creatures wherein visitors are more than welcome. In the sanctuary, visitors are given the option of either viewing the animals through enclosures or in their natural habitat. Watching them in their natural habitat would mean going through the tarsier trail where one could actually come face-to-face with this furry nocturnal. Pictures are allowed as long as it is done quietly so as not to disturb their daytime sleeping. The trek itself is exhilarating and exciting, with the possibility of seeing not only the sensitive tarsier but other forms of wildlife.
The foundation also offers souvenirs within its territory, an exhibit room and even an audio-visual room, making a visit to the tarsier site and experience of a lifetime.
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