The Philippines is once again in the top 10 of the most equal countries, the only one from Asia. Globally, gender gap stands at 68% but according to the World Economic Forum, the Philippines has closed 80% of the gender gap in the country.
Philippine cargo ship MV Aztec Maiden ran ashore the coast of Wijk aan Zee in The Netherlands around 4:45 in the morning of January 20, 2011. 21 crew members aboard the ship are all Filipinos. Again, social media has done its fair share in updating the public.
After four years of waiting, the Puerto Princesa Underground River lands in the list of the New 7 Natural Wonders. Read this article I wrote for Philippine-isles.com.
Our quest for Rizal started in the morning of May 10, 2010 — our third day in Madrid and election day. So while the people in the Philippines were busy electing their heroes, we were trying to search for our (Philippines) hero’s statue in the big, bustling city of Madrid. It was not an easy task. Rizal’s statue was not to be found in any of the major plazas in the city. He is also not mentioned in the guide book we carried. With the help of a Madrid map, we were able to find a metro station leading to an avenue named, “Avenida de Filipinas”, so we thought, that could be the place where Rizal is to be found.
When we go traveling and see stuff like the Wats of Thailand, I can´t help but admire the people who lived before us. Just look at the pyramids of Egypt and the rice terraces of the Philippines! All built with the same philosophy as the Wats, products of manual labor and old-age patience. Somehow, I can´t help but believe that there is something noble in all of that. Somehow, I can’t help but think that maybe, there is a tiny microscopic possibility that we indeed hailed from giants.
The Cagayan that I saw last year was far from the one I knew during the summers of my youth. It was fresh and refreshing. It was rich in virgin forests. It is full of promise. Most roads are already paved. New tourism destinations were even discovered like the white sand beaches that will rival those of Pagudpud. Historical and beautiful churches still stand. Which makes me wonder why Cagayan has always been difficult to sell as a primary tourism destination.
