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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The country took center stage as Destination of the Year during the 10th Salon de la Plongee, an international diving trade show in Paris, France, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

Quoting a dispatch from Philippine Ambassador to France Jose Abeto Zaide, the DFA said the Philippines, taking its first plunge at the Salon de la Plongee sous-Marine (SCUBA Exhibition) at the Exhibition Park in Porte de Versailles, was named the event’s Destination of the Year.

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PANAGBENGA/BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL
Baguio City; February 1 to March 5
(074) 4465793, 4421007

SIBUG-SIBUG FESTIVAL
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; February 1 to 16
(062) 3335557

BICOL ARTS FESTIVAL
Legazpi City, Albay; February 1 to 28
(052) 8206315

MUSIC & THEATER FESTIVAL
De Lara Park (Capitol Grounds), Cagayan de Oro; February 1 to 29
(08822) 726394, 723696

SALAKAYAN FESTIVAL
Miag-ao, Iloilo; First week of February
(033) 5091260, 3209505

CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR
Baguio City; February 2
(074) 4422855

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES
Jaro, Iloilo City; February 2
(033) 5091260, 3209505

PAMULINAWEN
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; February 2 to 10
(077) 7731676

FIESTA TSINOY
Legaspi City, Albay; February 3
(052) 4820712

DINAGSA
Sto. Nino Plaza, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City
(02) 5230820

BURDAHAN FESTIVAL
Taal, Bocaue, Bulacan; February 4 to 13
(044) 6926720, (0920) 4008240

CHINESE NEW YEAR
Manila; February 7
(02) 5281134

BURGOS TOWN FIESTA/BUYBUY FESTIVAL
Burgos, La Union; February 9 to 11
(0912) 2081227, (0918) 2134618

CHINESE NEW YEAR
Downtown Iloilo City; February 9
(033) 3372172, 3367572

BABAYLAN FESTIVAL
Bago City, Negros Occidental; February 9
(034) 4610540, 7328362

PAGODA SA DAAN
Pateros, Metro Manila; 2nd Saturday of February
(02) 5424346

FERTILITY RITES/FEAST DAY OF STA. CLARA
Sta. Clara Parish, Pasay City; February 10
(02) 5510523

BODBOD KABOG
Catmon, Cebu; February 10
(032) 4309196

TINAGBA FESTIVAL
Iriga City; February 11
(054) 6551397

ROKYAW FESTIVAL
Aquinas University, Legaspi City; February 11
(052) 8208747

ULLALIM FESTIVAL
Tabuk, Kalinga; February 12 to 14
(074) 4427014, 6191127

FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE OF APAYAO
Kabugao, Apayao; February 14
(074) 4427014, 6191127

LAGUIMANOK FESTIVAL
Padre Burgos, Quezon; February 14 to 17
(0920) 9075812

SAROK
Consolacion, Cebu; February 14
(032) 3441246

TRAVEL TOUR EXPO
SMX Convention Center, SM Bay City, Pasay City; February 15 to 17
(02) 5520026 to 29, 8451324

GOV. CUP 2008 - A HORSE SHOW COMPETITION
Cube Boardwalk, Mandaue City; February 15 to 17
(032) 2341643

SAYAW PINOY
Liceo de Cagayan University, February 16
(08822) 723696

SORTEO GRAND FESTIVAL
Carmona, Cavite; February 16 to 22
(046) 4301611

ILOILO PARAW REGATTA
Villa Beach, Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City; February 16 to 17
(033) 3372172; 3367572

TAWO-TAWO
Bayawas City, Negros Oriental; February 18
(035) 5310743

KAPYAAN FESTIVAL
Davao del Sur, February 18 to 19
(0920) 3136792, (082) 4411472

KAAMULAN FESTIVAL
Bukidnon, February 18 to March 10
(08822) 726394, 723696

PASAYAW
Canlaon City, Negros Oriental; February 19
(035) 4140004

SAMPAGUITA FESTIVAL
San Pedro, Laguna; February 21 to 22
(02) 8686623

MUSIKAHAN
Tagum City; February 21 to 27
(084) 4003788, 3710659

KALILANGAN FESTIVAL
General Santos City; February 21 to 27
(083) 5538338, 5538448

33rd BAMBOO ORGAN FESTIVAL
Las Pinas Church, Las Pinas City; February 21 to 29
(02) 8741440

WOW ARAW NG CARAGA
Caraga; February 22 to 23
(085) 8156040

INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINE MARATHON
Manila - Marikina; February 24
Registration: February 17; Orchidarium, Rizal Park
(02) 5276376, 5276378 to 79

CEBU CHARTER DAY
Cebu City; February 24
(032) 4124355

ANI NG SINING
Municipal Gym, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur; February 25 to 28
(0920) 3136792, (082) 4411463

2008 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

February 21, Thursday - GALA
Misa de Sales (1826) from Iglesia de Baclayon, Bohol - Las Pinas Boys Choir with Bamboo Organ
Bach Cantata no. 82 – Noel Azcona, solo baritone, with Festival Orchestra conducted by Chino Toledo
Handel Organ Concert op. 4 #2 – Festival Orchestra with Ghislain Leroy (France)

February 22, Friday - AN EVENING OF ORGAN MUSIC
Full program of organ music on Bamboo Organ and auditorium organ by Ghislain Leroy ( France)

February 23, Saturday - IN CONCERT: LAS PINAS BOYS CHOIR
For the first time in almost a decade, the resident boys choir will be presented in a full concert of their own with guest artists Alejandro Consolacion II on the organ, the Las Pinas Mens Choir and the Festival Strings. Conductor will be titular organist of the Bamboo Organ and choirmaster Armando Salarza.

February 24, Sunday - CONCERT UNDER THE TREES
Popular music performed in the church patio (Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña)

February 25, Monday - ORGAN AND VOICES
Concerto for two organs with Armando Salarza and Rea Lodronio
Misa de Sales (1826), from Iglesia de Baclayon, Bohol - Las Pinas Boys Choir with Bamboo Organ
Bach Cantata no. 82 – Noel Azcona, solo baritone, with Festival Orchestra conducted by Chino Toledo

February 27 & 29, Wednesday & Friday - MESSA DI GLORIA
We celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the great opera composer Giacomo Puccini with a performance of his only mass, written in 1880. Randy Gilongo, tenor, and baritone Noel Azcona are soloists with the Coro Tomasino and the Festival Orchestra conducted by Maestro Chino Toledo. Organists Dr. Johann Trummer and Armando Salarza will also perform Bach’s Concerto in C major for two organs as the opening number.

Ticket prices: P600, P400, P200
Please call (02) 5103839 for inquiries