Background:

Tagaytay, officially the City of Tagaytay, or simply known as Tagaytay City, is a 2nd class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 71,181 people.

It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations because of its beautiful scenery and cooler climate provided by its high altitude. Tagaytay overlooks Taal Lake in Batangas and provides views of Taal Volcano Island in the middle of the lake through various vantage points situated in the city.

History:

hilippine Revolution

During the Philippine revolution of 1896, the ridges and forests of Tagaytay became the sanctuary for revolutionaries including those from nearby provinces. The passage to and from towns via Tagaytay added the word “mananagaytay” to the native’s vocabulary. It means “to traverse ridges.”

World War II

On February 23, 1945, the 11th Airborne Division of Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger’s 8th Army performed a combat jump of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment and associated elements on the ridge, with a drop zone around the Manila Hotel Annex, which had been cleared of Japanese forces by Filipino soldiers of the 4th, 42nd, 43rd, 45th and 46th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 4th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and recognized guerillas. To commemorate this event, a marker was installed in 1951 at the junction of Silang, Canlubang-Nasugbu roads by the city officials in coordination with the National Historical Institute of the Philippines.

Tourist Spots:

• Escala Hotel
• Tagaytay Castle House
• Picnic Groove Tagaytay

Background:

Baguio, officially the City of Baguio and popularly referred to as Baguio City, is a mountain resort city located in Northern Luzon, Philippines. It is known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, owing to its cool climate since the city is located approximately 4810 feet above mean sea level (1466 m), often cited as 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) in the Luzon tropical pine forests ecoregion, which also makes it conducive for the growth of mossy plants and orchids.

Baguio is classified as a Highly Urbanized City (HUC). It is geographically located within Benguet, serving as the provincial capital from 1901 to 1916, but has since been administered independently from the province following its conversion into a chartered city. The city is a highly urbanized area, a major center of business, commerce, and education in northern Luzon, as well as the location of the Cordillera Administrative Region. According to the 2015 census, Baguio has a population of 345,366.

History:

Pre-colonial period

Baguio used to be a vast mountain zone with lush highland forests, teeming with various wildlife such as the indigenous deer, cloud rats, Philippine eagles, Philippine warty pigs, and numerous species of flora. The area was a hunting ground of the indigenous peoples, notably the Ibalois and other Igorot ethnic groups. During the 14th and 15th centuries, it was under the control of the Kingdom of Tondo until it returned to an indigenous plutocracy by the 16th century. When the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, the area was never fully subjugated by Spain due to the intensive defense tactics of the indigenous Igorots of the Cordilleras.

Spanish colonial period

During the period of Spanish rule in 1846, the Spaniards established a comandancia in the nearby town of La Trinidad, and organized Benguet into 31 rancherías, one of which was Kafagway, a wide grassy area where the present Burnham Park is situated. Kafagway was then a minor rancheria consisting of only about 20 houses. Most of the lands in Kafagway were owned by Mateo Cariño, who served as its chieftain. The Spanish presidencia, which was located at Bag-iw at the vicinity of Guisad Valley was later moved to Cariño’s house where the current city hall stands. Bag-iw, a local term for “moss” once abundant in the area was spelled by the Spaniards as Baguio, which served as the name of the rancheria.

Tourist Spots:

• Burnham Park
• Pink Sisters Covenant Church
• Tam-awan Village

Background:

Coron, officially the Municipality of Coron is a 1st class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 51,803 people.

It comprises the eastern half of Busuanga Island, all of Coron Island and about 50 other minor islets stretching as far as Tara Island in the north-east and Canipo Island in the south. All these islands are part of the Calamian Archipelago in Northern Palawan that separates the South China Sea from the Sulu Sea.

History:

The Calamianes Islands were originally inhabited by the Tagbanuas, Calmiananen and Cuyonon tribes.

Oral history tells that the Datu Macanas ruled the entire Busuanga Island where present day Coron town lies. Early on Spanish exploration of the islands, Fray de la Concepcion took note of the friendliness of the people of Busuanga Island and the ferocity of the Tagbanua tribe living in Coron Island.

Background:

Mambukal Resort, officially the Township of Mambukal or simply known as Mambukal, is a resort township located within the boundaries of the municipality of Murcia, Negros Occidental. As a township, it is directly governed by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, which also manages Mambukal Mountain Resort in the 6-hectare townsite near Brgy. Minoyan.

History:

Mambukal Resort lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. Originally developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927, the resort started as a bathhouse and picnic garden and has provided cool haven for Negrenses and their guests. Spread over 23.6 hectares, Mambukal is blessed with exceptionally beautiful natural features. A big mountain stream, fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven waterfalls and cuts through the center of the resort, feeding the water holes and boating lagoon. Mambukal boasts a number of hot sulfur springs whose medicinal waters are a balm for the weary flesh and continually feels the warm dipping pool Ishiwata Bathhouse and the newly constructed Japanese Ofuro.

Tourist Spots:

• Dipping pool
• Falls

Background

Salvador Benedicto, officially the Municipality of Salvador Benedicto and also known as Don Salvador Benedicto, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 25,662 people.

The municipality is a post-colonial provincial hill station and designated as the Summer Capital of Negros Occidental, a very popular tourist site among locals and foreigners seeking a moment of serenity away from the hustle-bustle of huge cities.

History

Located at the center of the mountains of northern Negros Occidental, Don Salvador Benedicto was chartered through Batas Pambansa Bilang 336 by then President Ferdinand Marcos. It consolidated all the remote barangays of San Carlos City and the towns of Calatrava and Murcia which were apparently neglected due to inaccessibility. The town is named after the former Vice Governor Salvador V. Benedicto (March 31, 1889–November 28, 1956) who played an important role in the setting up of a Revolutionary Government in Negros Island particularly in Barangay Igmaya-an, when the country was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. Salvador Benedicto is a relative of Roberto Benedicto, President Marcos’ crony.

Tourist Spots:

• Lions Club
• Jomax Peak
• Lantawan View

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton