Diniwid Beach is a 200-meter stretch of powder-white sand in Boracay. Located a few minutes north of White Beach, this cove can be reached by walking along a picturesque path that had been carved along Boracay’s cliffs. Great for those who want to get away from the party atmosphere of White Beach, Diniwid is a favorite hang-out for picnics and snorkeling.

Microtel Inn & Suites Boracay - Tel. No. (036) 2884311; Fax (036) 2884312; Mobile (0917) 7165004
Nami Private Villas - Tel. No. (036) 2886753 to 56; Fax (036) 2886382
Boracay West Cove - Tel. No. (036) 2884279, 2884579; Fax (036) 2884576; Mobile (0917) 6168318
Artista Beach Villas - Tel. No. (036) 2885960; Fax (036) 2886235
Boracay Spider House Resort - Tel. No. (036) 2884468

PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL
February 29 to March 16
FEU, UST, UP, Rockwell Tent, Ayala Malls, Sofitel Hotel, Bonofacio High Street
(02) 8902016

BANGA ANNIVERSARY FIESTA
March 1 to 4; Banga, South Cotabato
(083) 2283447

SES’LONG FESTIVAL
March 5 to 16; T’boli, South Cotabato
(083) 2283447

CEBU X INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS EXHIBITION
March 6 to 9; Cebu City
(032) 4207109, 4228082

KAMAYADAN FESTIVAL
March 6 to 10; Norala, South Cotabato
(083) 2283447

ARYA ABRA FESTIVAL
March 6 to 11; Bangued, Abra
(074) 7528148

ANILAG FESTIVAL
March 6 to 12; Laguna Provincial Capitol Complex
(049) 8080464

KAAMULAN FESTIVAL
March 7 to 8; Bukidnon Province
(088) 2213272

VIS-MIN TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE SHOW
March 7 to 9; SM Cebu Trade Hall
(032) 2328886

February 25 is now a special non-working holiday! This reverses an earlier announcement of the Executive Secretary that it will be a working holiday.

In Proclamation No. 1463, the President announced the regular holidays for 2008 are Maundy Thursday (March 20, Thursday), Good Friday (March 21, Friday), Labor Day (May 1, Thursday), Christmas Day (Dec. 25, Thursday), and Rizal Day (Dec. 30, Thursday).

Other regular holidays have been moved to the nearest Monday namely, Araw ng Kagitingan on April 7 rather than April 9; Independence Day on June 9 rather than June 12; National Heroes’ Day on Aug. 25, the last Monday of August; and, Bonifacio Day on December 1, instead of November 30.

Also moved was Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday, from August 21 to August 18. Another special holiday is All Saints’ Day on November 1, Saturday. Also added were two special non-working days on December 26, Friday, and December 29, Monday. The last day of the year, December 31, Wednesday, is also a special holiday.

The national holiday for the observance of Eid al’ Fitr will be issued after the date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is estimated to fall in the first week of October this year.

Happy traveling! For travel ideas, check out Ivan About Town, named Best Travel Blog at the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards.

An ethnic festival featuring the seven hill-tribes of Bukidnon, namely the Tala-andig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tiwahanon, Matigsalug and Bukidnon, the Kaamulan Festival is celebrated at the same time as Bukidnon’s Foundation Day. It will be held from February 18 to March 10 this year. The festival features rituals showcasing the tribal culture of Bukidnon, a trade fair, garden show, food fest, agri-fair, rodeo & horse show and a street dancing contest among others. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for gathering.

The Grand Opening is scheduled on February 29. Other major events include the Pamuhat, a Bukidnon ritual (4 a.m.), Ethnic Street Dancing (7 a.m.) and Kaamulan Rodeo (1 p.m.) on March 8; and Bukidnon’s 91st Foundation Day Parade (7 a.m.) on March 10.

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Panglao Island in Bohol is famous for its world class diving locations and beach resorts. The island is divided into two municipalities namely Panglao and Dauis. In 2007, the Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project discovered about 250 new species of crustaceans and 2500 new species of mollusks around the island.

Bohol Beach Club - Tel. No. (038) 4115222 to 24; E-mail: bbclub@mozcom.com
Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground - Tel. No. (038) 5022122; Fax: (038) 5022122 loc. 102; E-mail: info@flushingmeadows.com.ph
Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa - Tel. No. (038) 4115878 / 4115982; E-mail: metroctr@mozcom.com
Paragayo Resort (Alona Beach) - Tel. No. (038) 5029172

February 22 to 24 - Abanao Nights, 6 p.m. at Abanao Square
February 23 - Grand Parade, 8 a.m. from Session Road to Melvin Jones
February 24 - Parade of Floats and Bands, 8 a.m. from Session Road to Athletic Bowl
February 25 - Opening Ceremonies of Session Road in Bloom
February 25 to March 2 - Session Road in Bloom
March 2 - Closing Ceremonies, Athletic Bowl
March 2 - Synchronized Fireworks Display, Athletic Bowl

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Dikasalarin Beach is a white sand beach located in Baler, Aurora. Dikasalarin Cove is 45 minutes by pump boat from the Baler Fishing Port, which is about nine kilometers from the poblacion. On the way, one is afforded stunning views of wave-battered rock formations and islets, lush forests and majestic cliffs that form the spectacular Baler coastline.

From the boat, you can spot Digisit Falls and the PAGASA Relay Station high up on a hill. The entrance to Dikasalarin Cove is stunning. And more often than not, the beach is deserted since there are just a few residents.

Update (02/19): February 25 is now a non-working holiday!

Yes folks, you read it right. There will be no long weekend this month since February 25 this year was declared a working holiday.

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A prestigious international magazine has listed two Palawan resorts among the 20 most eco-sensitive hotels in the world.

In its January 2008 issue, Travel + Leisure, published by the American Express Co., included El Nido’s hotels in Miniloc and Lagen Islands on its roster of “conservation-minded places on a mission to protect the local environment.”

Travel + Leisure’s 20 Favorite Green Hotels highlighted El Nido Resort’s active participation in protecting Palawan’s giant-clam gardens and supporting the re-introduction of endangered Philippine cockatoos.

“Surrounded by 123,000 acres of protected forests, jagged limestone cliffs, and hidden lagoons, travelers to sister resorts El Nido Lagen Island and El Nido Miniloc Island can take their pick of daily activities: bird-watching, kayaking, rock climbing, or simply watching fish swim below one of the guest cottages-on-stilts, which are set above the crystalline ocean,” the magazine said.

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Yahoo! Travel came out with a list called The Most Popular Beaches of 2007, the ten top-rated beach destinations by Yahoo! users last year. And two Philippine beaches made it!

1. Boracay Island, Philippines
2. Nassau, The Bahamas
3. Cebu, Philippines
4. Phan Thiet, Vietnam
5. Montego Bay, Jamaica
6. Phuket, Thailand
7. Cozumel, Mexico
8. San Diego, California
9. Honolulu, Hawaii
10. San Juan, Puerto Rico

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