6th Annual Best Cebu Blogs Awards 2013 - FINALIST

Thank you so much!!!

The only Award giving body for BLOGGERS in Cebu since 2008 (Best Cebu Blogs Awards) will hold it's 6th Awards Night on December 7, 2013 at Avalon Building, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

I am glad to share that itineraryoftravel.com has been chosen as one of the FINALISTS (Travel Blog Niche). To those who trusted and voted itineraryoftravel.com, you've boosted my confidence and inspired me to continue sharing newsworthy travel information. For all the undying sponsors, you give us reasons to always do better in what we do.

Thank you to all the juries who helped the team to pick the award for BEST CEBU BLOGS 2013 from different niches like Food, Fashion, Photo, Travel, Technology, Personal and Entertainment.

Unfortunately, I can't attend of the said event. In my behalf, I am sending JOSIE MAE MARI – Co-Founder of BANGON PILIPINAS MISSION (It is an independent organization run by young professionals in Cebu City.)

A huge THANKS to our great sponsors of your gracious and unwavering support for BEST CEBU BLOGS Awards 2013.

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Panaad Park and Stadium, Mansilingan, Bacolod City

Panaad Stadium

The panaad stadium was built on August 1997 to April 1998 and it was expanded in 2007, 2010 and 2011 inorder to accommodate thousands of people. This stadium is owned and managed by Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. The Stadium has a seating capacity of 34,900 for regular seats and 40,000 people with standing areas. The panaad stadium is located inside the Panaad Park and Sports Complex in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

This stadium is not only for the football league but all athletic games can be done here. It also boasts of its olympic size swimming pool, rubberized track field just like in Cebu City Sports Complex in Abellana that made such a positive difference in Cebuanos lives.

The 2005 Football Southeast Asian Games was held at the Panaad Stadium and was later the venue of the qualifiers of the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship and participated by Timor Leste, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Philippines. The stadium is the venue of the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival, a week long celebration participated in by all cities and municipalities in the province.

Panaad sa Negros Festival

Considered as the biggest festival of Negros Occidental, dubbed as the “Mother of all Festivals. The festival was started in 1993. This festival brings together 13 cities and 19 municipalities of Negros Occidental to showcase their, culture, history, agriculture, tourism, trade and other industries of Negros Occidental.

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Cebu - An Incredible Travel Destination of Philippines

The city of Cebu is the capital city of the province of Cebu and is the second city of the Philippines. It is the first Spanish settlement of country and is the oldest city in the Philippines. In the past, the city had played a vital role in trade and commerce in Asia because it is blessed with a natural harbour. If you are planning your next holiday trip to Cebu then get your cameras ready because Cebu is a kaleidoscope of varying cultures, lifestyle where east meets west. It is a city of elegance and style, a seamless fusion of things both traditional and modern. The great cultural diversity, marine life and people are among the top reasons that compel visitors to select this destination which is fondly referred as “Queen City of the South”.

Cebu has a lot of cultural history as compared to other parts of country. On a visit to Cebu one can get a chance to visit its various museums that depict the glorious past of not only the city itself but the whole country. The monuments, churches and houses are as old as the city itself. A visit to Cebu is like turning the pages of bygone era that will surely touch your heart. ”. Make a plan and fly to Cebu, a city which is influenced by various cultures and lifestyles but has its own unique charm that remains unaffected with the passage of time. The city of Cebu is festooned with numerous gems but there are few major attractions that you must not skip at all.

Colon Street:-It is among the oldest streets in country which is built during Spanish settlement in 16th century. It was once the heart of Cebu city and its main business and shopping center. The city was named after Christopher Columbus which is Cristobal Colon in Spanish.

Imperial Palace Water Park:- If you want to enjoy beach site activities and thrill of water rides then it is the best place for you. Designed for all ages the resort has fun-filled thrilling rides as well as great accommodation experience. Located at Mactan Island just few minutes away from Mactan International Airport, it offers an ultimate holiday experience to its visitors.

Visit Magellan’s Cross:-It is one of the key landmarks of Cebu city. The original version of this cross was erected by Ferdinand Magellan himself where Rajah Humabon, the ruler of Cebu and his followers were converted to Christianity in 1521. The existing cross was built in 1845 and actually incorporates remnants of original cross.

Dazzling marine life:- The city has a natural harbour and is thus blessed with inviting blue waters full of vividly colored corals reefs and aquatic creatures. It is blessed with some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling destinations such as Mactan Island, Moalboal, Malapascua and Sunken Island that offer world class experience to its visitors.

Cebu Taoist Temple:-Taoist Temple is among the popular attractions of city. Taoist temple is a towering temple elevated by 300 meters above the sea level is located in Beverly Hills subdivision. Its entrance is a replica the Great Wall of China and the structure was constructed by local Chinese community. To enjoy all this serenity and cultural diversity just book business class flights to Cebu and give a flying start to your journey.

Beaches of Bantayan Island:- Bantayan is one of Cebu’s must visit attractions. It is famous for its white powdery sand, crystal clear water along with tantalizing seafood. It is an amazing place to enjoy a perfect day trip to enjoy beach site activities.

Mouthwatering food:- Filipinos love food and Cebu is no exception. No visit to Cebu would be complete without pampering your taste buds with amazing seafood meal and Sutukil. Pick what you want yourself and have it cooked your ways.

Guest Post from Robert Connor

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Top Things to Do In Manila

Guest Post from Brianmcquillan

Manila could be ideal destination for those who have love for big city. The capital of Philippines is second name of frenetic pace, shop till drop options, drool inducing dining joints and numerous colonial buildings. With 12 million people, the city offers a great diversity which attracts wanderers towards the city. The city is a great destination in itself but not as dazzling as its Asian rivals like Bangkok and Singapore. With impressive colonial history, magnificent architecture and jovial population, the city provides enough reasons to keep demand for Manila flights soaring. 

Here we are listing a number of things to do in Manila. 

Be a History Buff

If you want to explore city differently, then you should take a look on its history and you will find the whole experience interesting. Visit the colonial buildings, explore China Town or see the historical artefacts at National Museum. Every experience is enriching and unique to the core.

Have an Ear for Music

You may have visited various music shows and festivals but brace for music of a different kind. Visit Saint Joseph Church and get entertained by music of only bamboo organ in the world. This nineteenth century church organ is made up of bamboo. The bamboo organ is declared a National Cultural Treasure and now attracting tourists from different corners of the world.

Shop, Sleep, Shop

Metro Manila is also a shoppers’ paradise as tourists can find designer labels from around the world here. The city is replete with designer boutiques which are often raided by shop-till-drop brigade. Greenhills is the shoppers’ hubs but it is also very crowded. We suggest you to go to Mandaluyong where you can shop at Malls like SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza, and The Podium that offers an array of local and international brands. There are hotels and accommodations in the surrounding so if you are tired off shopping you can retire in your cosy hotel rooms.

Image source: - mithunonthe

Seek Staycation Not Vacation

Not ready to wander through the streets? No problem, take another route. Just book a room in hotel in Muntinlupa and stay there. The place is far from hustle and bustle of the city, but it is still in the city. Why not give it a try? 

Image source: - tourism

Pamper yourself

Want to pamper yourself? Pave your way to Makati where you can have dinner at scrumptious dining options and relax at bars and lounges.

With so many things to do and so many options to explore, the Filipino national capital is an ideal place for vacation. If you are postponing your Manila trip due to budget constraints then book a cheap flight to Manila from Birmingham and arrive this city that amazes tourist with variety.

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Tips For Minimum Stress When Traveling Abroad

This is a guest post from Rampants.

Few things are as stressful as traveling. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, the idea of packing everything you need into a small suitcase and leaving home for an extended amount of time can be overwhelming. Follow the advice in this article to help you turn your travels into an enjoyable experience.

Keep your money in your front pocket when walking around in a new city or location. It is far easier for a pick pocket or other criminal to snatch money out of your back pocket without you even realizing it. Having your money in the front gives you more control, especially if you walk with your hands in your pockets.

When traveling to tropical areas, always keep your dirty laundry in a closed bag. Hotels and homes in tropical parts of the world aren't as bug-proof as most American homes. Dirty laundry will attract insects, especially ants, meaning that clothing that was simply dirty, is now completely unwearable for the rest of the trip.

Young women traveling alone may want to invest in a simple gold plated band or cubic zirconium ring. Wear the ring on your left ring finger which signals that you are married or engaged. This keeps potential suitor at bay and gives an excuse for unwanted attention in hotels, airports and buses. While it may seem a tad dishonest, it can keep you from getting hit on if you are alone in unfamiliar places.

If you are traveling to the beach or staying at a hotel with a pool, pack your swimsuit in your beach bag. It can sometimes be difficult to sort through everything you have packed. To save time, pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and anything else you might need for the beach or pool in a beach bag.

To decide if you should buy travel insurance, you need to look at how much the trip is going to cost. At some date in the future, many reservations can't be canceled without some financial penalty. Looking to see how much is already at risk if you have to cancel is a great way to get an idea of what you might be willing to spend to insure a trip.

Planning your travel in advance is always good advice to follow. Make sure to plan your trip at least a month or a few weeks in advance to ensure you have enough time to make changes. Planning ahead leaves more room for error and gives you more time to get the best deals on travel packages.

When you're taking a trip that requires a passport or any type of paperwork for that matter, make sure that you have a second copy available. Go to your local photocopy shop and make a copy of all of your documents. This is a great way to stay safe, even if you lose your original documents or if they are stolen.

Before taking an overseas trip, travelers must remember to check their immunizations. Traveling to a destination on a different continent will expose the traveler to germs and potential infections that his or her body is not used to. The wise traveler will check with a health care professional to determine what new immunizations and boosters he or she needs.

Try and get as much knowledge of the destination you're going to travel to before you arrive there. You want to have an idea of the things you want to do rather than finally getting to the hotel and feeling lost and bored. You can also ask hotel employees and locals where good places to check out are.

When you get to your hotel, check the alarm clock. In some cases, the last person who stayed in the hotel will have previously set the alarm. If you do not wish to be awakened at four in the morning, you may want to double check the all the alarms.

In addition to making a photocopy of your passport before you leave on an international vacation, write down your passport number and place of issue. Store this information in your money belt or wallet, separate from you passport. The more copies of this information you have, the easier it can be to recover lost or stolen passports.

Always carry extra passport photos of yourself and your family. That way, if someone loses their passport, you can walk straight to the embassy prepared to get another. Make sure these are the high-quality photos of the original, because they will not accept a photo taken for any other reason.

Whether you are taking a family vacation or a solo trip, traveling away from home can be a stressful event. There is always so much that needs to be taken care of before you leave, and if you are like most people, there is always something that you need that gets left behind. By applying the advice in this article to your future journeys, you can turn stressful trips into enjoyable memories.

This author is a writer and content producer for Cru Chalets Chamonix, offering five star chamonix accommodation. Our chalets are perfect for summer and winter activities for all the family.

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Travel Safety Tips - Stay Safe While Travelling

In adventure, we know the fact that the world or a place is not safe. We don't really know what might happen next to our escapades.

To help you stay safe while travelling, follow these simple and common important tips on your trips.

1. Research - Do the research or try to check the place in the internet, do a quick reviews about the place.

2. Bag/Backpack - Light backpacking is very important. Bring only important things do not overload.

3. Money - Make it sure that you have enough budget please bring an extra money in every adventure. Always separate your sources of money while you are travelling. Keep at least one in a different place, this is very helpful.

4. Wallet - Do not keep your wallet or purse in your jean's back pocket to avoid being pickpocketed.

5. Waterproof - If possible, make sure that your bag is waterproof or bag with rain cover.

6. Shoes/Slippers - Always bring an extra shoes/slippers.

7. Gadgets - Don't bring all your gadgets while travelling. There is no better way to advertise the fact that you have all the expensive gadgets on you. Bring only what is important to you, this is for your safety.

8. Strangers - Do not trust strangers because it is hard to get to know the locals at a destination if you do not trust them but there are always limits to how much you should trust them when it comes to your personal safety. Safety must come first.

9. Belongings - Please do not leave your belongings unattended in public spaces. Keep them on your lap or wrap its strap around your leg.

10. Street Robbery - If you are mugged, give over your wallet, cellphones, watch etc. Just do it and walk away uninjured.

11. Credit Card - Be wary of using your credit card in any establishments while travelling to avoid some problems that might arise.

12. Malaria Pills - Take precautions against malaria when you visit areas at risk. Mosquito bites can be prevented if you will take malaria pills as advised by many.

13. Bottled Water - In the majority of countries in the world, one can not drink tap water because it's not clean enough, so therefore bottled water is the only option.

14. Medicine - Have a supply of medicine for self treatment of diarrhea.

15. Casual Sex - This is very important to all travellers..lols. Practice safe sex with condoms to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Enjoy your travel Everyone! 

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Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, Pangasinan

If Bohol has 1,260 Chocolate Hills or more than that. Then, Pangasinan has Hundred Islands. If you would like to visit roughly 100 Islands in all at once, the Hundred Islands National park in Alaminos City is the place to go in Region 1.

Pangasinan is visited by local and foreign tourist for its beautiful beaches but the prominent travel destination of the said place is the Hundred Islands Natioanl Park. Pangasinan also known for its crumptious cuisines, most especially for its "BAGOONG or fish sauce. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to taste their fish sauce for some reasons (shoestring budget), hehehe.

There’s a viewing area on top of the Island. The view at the top is a magnificient sight to behold. You just have to climb the stairs. It was an exhausting but worth the view as you can see more than 100 Hundred Islands.

We didn’t stay too long on each visit and our next stop was the Marcos Island where the Imelda cave is also located. The Cave it looks so scary and you can also see a lot of bats hanging on the ceiling and the water below the cave was dirty.

The most exciting and scary adventure I ever had was the close encounter of the snake inside the cave where we stayed for one night. It was fun then.

Visit Hundred Islands Now! and be SAFE!

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Hidden Valley Resort Pinamungajan Cebu

Photo Credit: Jhoncin

Hidden Valley Resort 

This is an isolated valley Southwest of Cebu, 14 km. to the Barangay Lamac, Pinamungahan, Cebu and 42 km. via Lutopan to Cebu City.

You can choose from over 45 rooms that range in size from single to good for 30 pax dorm-type rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned.

The Hidden Valley Conference rooms provide a perfect venue for corporate seminars, meetings, conference and spiritual retreats. Cocktail receptions and events such as wedding receptions, debuts and parties can accommodate up to 300 persons.

Photo Credit: Jhoncin

At the Hidden Valley, enthrall yourself with breathtaking views of a hidden valley by nature hiking, caving and camping as well. You can indulge in Filipino food at Natibo Resto, sip your favorite drink at cafe Veranda, or dine in the cozy Kabyaw Ristawran.

For recreation, spend time leisurely in swimming pools, fish pond, kiosks, camp sites, hiking trail and sports center.

Photo Credit: Jhoncin

SPECIAL PACKAGES: 

For Package A. Php750.00/day/person. Inclusions: 3 meals, free use of swimming pool and fully air-conditioned dorm type room.

For Package B. Php750.00/day/person. Inclusions: 3 meals, free use of swimming pool and fully air-conditioned dorm type room.

For Package C. Php1,100.00/day/person. Inclusions: 3 meals, free use of swimming pool and the accommodation for this package with fully air-conditioned family type room good for 6 pax (2 double beds & 2 single beds)

ROOM RATES: 

For single rooms - free plated breakfast, inclusion of swimming pool and you have to pay Php300.00 for additional charge per bed and nine single rooms are available good for 2 pax (Php1500.00 per day/room) and 3 single rooms with refrigerator good for 2 pax (Php2,000.00 per day/room).

NOTE: Rates are subject to change without prior notice. 

 For more inquiries, please contact at (032) 516-2576 / (032) 516-0450 or you can email them at lamacmpc@yahoo.com.

Come and discover memorable experiences in a Hidden Valley. Be Safe!

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