Tour Manila Philippines

If Vietnam has its pho, Thailand its tom yum and Singapore its chicken rice, what does the Philippines have? Definitely much more than adobo and balut. This country of 7,107 islands offers a wealth of amazing flavors to be savored.

When people ask what Filipino food is, the answer is it is the best fusion cuisine in the world. It’s the sum total of our cultural influences: Chinese, Malay, Arabian, Spanish and Japanese. The cuisine also boasts extreme flavors: sour, sweet, salty, spicy, but not chili spicy. But adjectives don’t do the food justice. To know Filipino food you have to taste it. Here are some of the Philippines’ most exciting dishes:

Bagnet

Hometown: Ilocos Norte

Also known as chicharon or deep-fried pork meat, bagnet is a mouthwatering homegrown delicacy juicy crunch as well as its sky-high cholesterol content. Choice cuts of pork belly are submerged in oil inside a large iron pot or sinublan. When the oil starts boiling, the skin becomes crisp yet moist — this process is repeated until the perfect texture is achieved, and the result is a fabulously tasty friend treat. Laoag is one of the biggest producers of bagnet in Ilocos Norte, but do take a leisurely ride to the seaside resorts of Pagudpud: you can have your fill of bagnet is places such as Saud Beach Resort and Kapuluan Vista Resort. Bagnet makes a great pasalubong. And when stored in the fridge, it lasts up to a week.

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According to Chinese philosophy, each of us is governed by one of five elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth or Metal, as determined by the time, date and location of our birth. And these elements influence us.

When you put together complementary elements, you can achieve harmonious relationships and a beneficial flow of qi, or energy. Feng Shui is about harmony and balance that is necessary in our everyday life. It’s important to surround yourself with elements that complement yours. By applying simple principles of feng shui, one can maximize the flow of energy within one’s natural surroundings. Identify your dominant element and this will point you in the right direction, for a wonderful vacation that’s quite plainly written in the stars.

Fire

Those dominated by the element of fire are flamboyant and charismatic types who love to be mystified by a good puzzle. Whether you’re in a formal suit or rugged outdoorsy attire, you are likely to command attention.

The elements recommend:

• An exhilarating mountain trek is in your future. The challenge: Mount Talinis, the 1,800m peak nicknamed Cuernos de Negros, or the cliffs on Apo Island. The Cuernos de Negros Mountaineering Club organize a three-day trek up Mount Talinis. Sights along the trail are Lake Yagumyum, an ancient crater, and the Tolkien-esque forests of mossy maribuhok trees. Sleep under the stars by majestic Lake Nailig.
• Take a side trip to Apo Island, a short boat ride off the coast of Dumaguete. The limestone cliffs that surround the 12-hectare island are a rock climber’s dream. Scale them and then dive 12m into the ocean. Book a rustic hillside cottage on Apo Island Resort’s private cove.
• The enigma of Siquijor. With its long history of faith healers and mysticism, it may appeal to your analytical mind. Just a short ferry trip from Dumaguete, the smallest island province in Central Visayas was named “Isla de Fuego” – the island of fire — by enraptured Spanish explorers. Embark on a challenging trek through Cantabon Cave with its underground stream and huge chambers dripping with rock formations. Be mesmerized by the drove of fireflies that give the island’s mangroves an eerie glow at nightfall. Then ignite fires of a different kind at the romantic Coco Grove Beach Resort.

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