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21st September 2008 Anak1	Interesting, but possibly overdone topic - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila Your images are very interesting, but sadly the squatters seem to be the only image of Manila that is known in the West and worldwide. A few friends of mine were gobsmacked to realise that Metro-Manila actually possess malls, LRT trains, skyscrapers, highways and all the other amenities of contemporary living, considering the image of the city (and the country) that was rampant throughout the 80's and 90's in Western media, which was one of extreme poverty. This negative imagery has affected tourism in the country for over 20 years and indirectly, the continued suffering of the poorest in the country. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the least number of international tourists and travellers, in light of neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. It is unlikely to suggest that slums and poverty are not present in these countries as well, just google images of Bangkok, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh's residential areas and you'll see they all uncannily resemble Manila. The Filipino also cannot blame the economy fully either for our disfavor with travelers and investors; the Filipino, while still being poverty-stricken, earns on average twice as much as the Laotian and a third more than the working Indonesian, and the country is (finally) becoming one of the fastest growing economies of Southeast Asia in the noughties. The main difference lies in how the people of these respective countries portray their homeland to prospective travelers. Many overseas Filipinos are intent on showing how terrible Manila is to non-Filipino employers and friends in the hope of gaining pity, whereas neighboring countries' overseas citizens tend to portray their countries as a "paradise on earth", and this really affects the minds of people who'd then to want to visit and experience such a place. In the case of the Philippines, I really think the image is in dire need of a change. Who would want to visit Manila after being reminded that it is a capital of a developing country? Travelers want to see past these things to find the beauty or unique qualities of the place they want to visit. I know I sure would. Thus I think we (travelers to the Philippines, native or overseas Filipinos) all need to make the effort to show the Philippines as the country it really is, as opposed to the ultra-negative portrayals that still deter the much needed dollar and investment from the average Filipino. If Manila is a lively, colorful, historic, modern and multicultural mix of many different people, places and flavors, as we who have been or live/d there know it to be, and is presented in such a light, then it is what the traveler expects and sees in the city; but if Manila is presented as a tragic case of capitalism-gone-wrong, consisting solely of polarized and separate communities of ultra-rich versus the economically worst-off people on earth, then it will be the only thing travelers will see (if they ever decide to go).
14th May 2008 camille	BEST PLACE IVE EVER BEEN - From: Sagada, Philippines: Nature and Culture ive been to sagada last august of 2005. it was my first time. when we touched down frm the bus i was upset because what welcomed me is a concrete road,an empty municipal hall and concrete houses. At first,i thought my so called nature trip was ruined. Not until we cheked-in at THE GREEN HOUSE it was owned by a retired elemntary principal. The owner is very accomodating she even had her helper Meryll guide us to the Eco Valley,it was our activity for the first day. On our second day we went to Sumaguing Cave which is very lovely. We also visited the BIG Waterfalls on the thrid day. They said it was tiring but its actualy not. The long trek is very much compensated by the beautiful scenery. Nothing beats the feeling of being so close to nature as in REAL CLOSE. On our fourth day we decided to visit the Bontoc National Museum. It was my firstime to TOP LOAD which i really enjoyed. With all the artifacts,photos and other information ive known It made me understand and appreciate more the culture of the locals. On our way back to Sagada we also visited the Sagada Weaving where me and my friends bought some pasalubong. Iwill never forget that place and as a matter of fact IM GOIN BACK THIS WEEKEND!!! yahoooo!
8th May 2008 otep	hi - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila nice photos..
15th April 2008 peter	investment - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila no one in their right mind is going to lend these people money , how will they repay , answer they wont , just like all the people of the philippines that have borrowed/conned out of me
31st March 2008 harvey	about davao city - From: Nature Parks and the Islands of Davao its great to be here in davao... madaming places na magagnda ,,tourist spots....basta grabeh ang saya d2 sa davao...kung pupunta kayo d2 lalo kayong magaganahan kasi super ganda xa...its nice to be here... hopefully makapunta kayo d2...
27th March 2008 dreamboracay.com	Boracay Dream Island Destination - From: Boracay Island: My paradise Lately, Boracay is listed as one of the ten most beautiful beach in the world. You may read it here www.dreamboracay.com. Indeed Boracay is one of the places that every travelling Filipino has to visit and experience. A place that makes us proud as Filipinos.
2nd January 2008 Glenn Mitton	My Visit in 1991 - From: Sagada, Philippines: Nature and Culture I spent 2 weeks in Sagada in 1991 and the people wew lovely, very welcoming, didn't stay in the village but at Grace's Guest House. we chilled, swam and toured the caves and it was one of the best experiences of my life, wish i had taken a camera.
25th August 2007 Marlu	Sagada - From: Sagada, Philippines: Nature and Culture I am proud to be an Igorot. My mother is from Sagada. Though I did not grow up there, I visited often. I have cousins who live there. Sagada is indeed a peaceful community given the impression that most people have. Locals are mostly Anglicans (Episcopalians) because of the mission. And because of the mission, most of the townfolks are Christianized. There is a happy balance between the Christian ways and the old culture. There is this stigma that the Igorots are primitives, Until one actually visits the town and mingles with the locals, one will have a better insight of how westernized the culture is. The locals also speak English better than the national language. In the 70s, there was an influx of Western tourists to the area and most of them actually lived there and assimilated into the culture.
19th April 2007 mamay	Like Batanes - From: Maui - Road to Hana. A drive to paradise. Ang ganda ng seascapes. I saw one like that in Batanes last December. Ganyan talaga. The waves are tossed by teh currents from the South China Sea in the west and the Pacific Ocean in the east. Beautiful! I hope I can visit the places you placed in the blog. Very energizing ang mga views. Our earth is really beautiful! Thank you bo for sharing these lovely places to us. Miss you iyaan.
19th April 2007 mamayug	Bongacious - From: Hawai'i Atlantis Submarine Tour Ka Vongga sa underwater experience nyo ya. Nag nostalgia na noon ko. Went to an underwater observatory in Cairns in Queensland several years ago. Mas tsada inyo karon kay may I ride in a sub. Ingggggiiiiit.
15th April 2007 anonymous	- From: Volcanic Island of Hawaii wow, this place spells marvels!
11th April 2007 Kris	Can't wait to go back - From: Maui - Road to Hana. A drive to paradise. My wife and I were in Maui less than a year ago and are planning to go back in September. There were so many wonderful things that we saw there, and it's hard to choose one that's the best. However, the Road to Hana was definitely near the top of the list. We actually took a guided tour rather than make the drive ourselves. I know there are pros and cons of each, but either way, it's still unforgettable.
5th April 2007 Milvie	great pictures - From: Maui Beaches Wow, i love the pictures you took, my fave is the one taken at a beach in Wailea area- -very pro! Thanks for sharing them.
4th April 2007 arfel	nice, nice, nice!!!! - From: Maui - Road to Hana. A drive to paradise. great beautiful place...paradise...have fun fifol!
2nd April 2007 Cindy	so good - From: Tagaytay: Taal Lake and Volcano Hi, I'm from Canada but a Filipino. It's so nice of you to feature Taal Lake, God bless! Take Care.....
12th March 2007 mona	hello! - From: Sagada, Philippines: Nature and Culture we, with my co-workers were planning to visit the place..hope we will enjoy the sagada tour as you did.
9th December 2006 jameeze bayeta	vongga! - From: Colorado Rocks! !!! Ka-vongga iyaan!!!! tell me, how can i go home back to that place?!! hehehe... as if i was there in my previous life.... hahaha!! wish ko lang...("._.")!!
8th December 2006 ate malou	colorado - From: Colorado Rocks! junie, kaguapo sa imo pics. hope makaabot ko sa colorado ug laag he! he!
5th December 2006 Gids927	- From: Colorado Rocks! dear gids, kamusta? at merry christmas to u! ang ganda ng mga pictures mo .. thanks for sharing it with me... wish ko lang makarating din dyan.. cathy is there na nga pala for good..yung iba naman nasa dubai..so far im still ok here kailangan magtiis.. hehehe... bye ingatz. josie
4th December 2006 Selim	Quelles belles photos! - From: Colorado Rocks! Hey Gideon, Awesome pictures of an extremely wonderful landscape. I am glad you had a nice time. Thanks for sharing these moments. Look forward to the pics of your next trip. Warm wishes, The Mediterranean sailor
2nd December 2006 anonymous	- From: Colorado Rocks! Seen your blog this Pm (colorado pics). Nice pictures with a friend and Dorish. Best regards> Lolit
5th August 2006 Girlie	I miss that place! - From: Pineapple and Tuna City of General Santos Kalsangi is one of my favorite place..... soooo peaceful. I'm dying to see it again, hopefully!!!
5th July 2006 cheeky	soo nice!!! - From: Coral Reefs, Mangroves, small Islands and the colors of Cebu hey, i truly love the sceneries you took! pls.. if u visit again cebu try to post more pics from different places and beaches. id advice u to have a southern trip. there u will find the oldest churches in the philippines. alongway are great beaches. try to tour from Carcar to Boljoon. i guarantee its nice and ul hav a breath-taking ride!
1st May 2006 anonymous	- From: Boracay revisited. Still my favorite island - fun, sun & great nightlife. kainis ka.. nainggit na ako sobra. the places you've been to ( and the accompanying pics and the accounts of ur travel - simply great).. im so inspired to work harder to have that same fun.. why didnt u tell u were here?
1st May 2006 anonymous	- From: Spring in Chicago Nice work--- very pro-like takes. Thanks for sharing them.
19th April 2006 ruel	gosh! - From: The Beautiful Island of Bohol and its tropical flora and fauna. i like the "beauty and the beast" caption. hehehe.. just extend my warmest regards to elsie. she's working at watrefront, right? cya!:)
13th April 2006 Gids927	Thanks - From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue Tita Mun, Thanks for the thoughts. I really appreciate it. We made it good in Banaue and saw the terraces. We had fun. I wanted to go back there in the near future to have more interaction with the locals, see the rice terraces from below and maybe climb up...and yeah, jump on the waterfalls....Maybe we will go there together, huh?
13th April 2006 Gids927	Thanks - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila Tita Mun, Thanks for your comments. I know it is a big challenge but I'm happy to know that the Philippine government is working on it. Keep up the good work and hopefully you will achieve your agency's goals in the near future. I'm always proud of your work!
8th April 2006 Gids927	Thanks - From: The Beautiful Island of Bohol and its tropical flora and fauna. Thanks- I use a Nikon Coolpix camera. It's not professional but with the right settings, you can take nice photos from it.
8th April 2006 bert	your photos - From: The Beautiful Island of Bohol and its tropical flora and fauna. what kind of camera/cameras are you using? you take good pics. i enjoy looking at them in all your posting.
7th April 2006 mun	poverty in manila - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila precisely what President Arroyo wants to do, alleviate if not totally eradicate this. our office is currently into mainstreaming the informal sector (that is how we call the squatters) but government alone can't do it. we need more help from the private sector or the filipinos who can afford to spare some money for the betterment of their fellow men. example are the informal settlers at the Batasang Pambansa area, we have a client who needs only Php50,000.00 so she can have her home re-blocked (conform to the approve community plan, gov't is giving them the lot at very very low price, amortized pa!) yet she can't do it. nobody would lend her the amount since they are only daily wage earners. and she is not alone in her plight. would it not be nice if someone will lend money so that the whole face of the community will change... better kinds of shelter...liveable communities...
7th April 2006 mun	rice terraces - From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue hi gids... am glad you came to visit our country and saw the terraces... i could have asked the mayor of banaue to give you the best tour guide for the place had you informed me that you we going there; for a better appreciation of the culture and tradition of our Ifugao brothers. a great heritage don't you think? we are planning on the rehabilitation/preservation of the terraces... the mayor is asking for our assisstance... that is my work in progress.
5th April 2006 bert	poverty - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila Thanks for sharing with your viewers the other side...the ugly side of Manila which is seldom featured in most travel blogs.
5th April 2006 nomad	Good point - From: Poverty and the Fancy Corporate Headquarters in Manila The photos you posted speak for itself. You have presented the real image of Manila - the impoverish society needs the attention not only of the Philippines government but also by the local and international sectors. Would be nice if Filipinos can rebuild and turn Manila into a clean and modern city like Makati.
4th April 2006 Milvie	Great Pictures! - From: Pineapple and Tuna City of General Santos Definitely paradise! I can't wait to see it all again myself! Glad to see you guys had FUN!
1st April 2006 Bambi	- From: Nature Parks and the Islands of Davao davao!!!! the best place ever! hehe.. wla ko kbalo ana diay ka gwapo sa eden.. never been there kasi.. cge lng, kng mka uli ko.. ad2on nko na!!
1st April 2006 bambi	- From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue Hi tito deon!! wow!!! nkakamiss ang pinas!! =) n im glad that tito leonard went wit u.. i hope he'll love it!! cute kau mo sa inyong costumes.. ingat!
24th March 2006 JO	Nice - From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue Hi gids,nice view.talagang relaxing....nakakaingit . hi to edil and have safe trip back home, more pictures pls.
23rd March 2006 dorish	- From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue i enjoyed viewing the photos. pls post more of those taken in banaue esp. you folks wearing the tribal clothes. by the way, is that djanggo with you?
23rd March 2006 Selim	- From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue Dear friends, Your pictures are breathtaking! You must be having a wonderful trip, lucky you, guys! After seeing your pictures, mine of my trip to Ibiza and Paris look kind of dull... but I will send them to you soon anyways. I look forward to your next ones..., which I am sure will show you sitting in a bus with strangers, and chasing piglets with arrows, and Gids jumping form tree to tree as he promised he would do... I look forward to receiving them! Have a safe trip back home. I'll see you upon my return so that we can talk about our journeys while we're having a hot coffee. Take care, guys Selim
23rd March 2006 arfelia	ka guapa - From: Rice Terraces and the Ifugaos of Banaue bongga ang poses, wala ako ma say....! have more fun ate....! take care and leonard...
21st March 2006 grace	nakakamiss! - From: Ruins, Heavy Traffic, & the seaside beauty of Manila Nice pics! You're really having a great time, huh! Well, you deserve it. I know that this is what makes you happy...to travel & be with family & friends...How I wish we could travel together in the future...It was fun being with you here in L.A. Just enjoy & relax...and keep us posted.Take care & regards to your family...Make sure you post Leonard's pics eating "balot"....
20th March 2006 JO	Friend - From: Ruins, Heavy Traffic, & the seaside beauty of Manila Hi gids, Nakakainggit naman kayo!I fell like ur so relax, pa posing 2x pa. while I'm here as usual palaging time presurred, I can feel na talagang very light yong shoulder nyo......regards to everybody
20th March 2006 Catalin	Great pics! - From: Ruins, Heavy Traffic, & the seaside beauty of Manila Really nice pictures guys, I hope you are having a great time in the Philippines. Can't wait to see more!