Lonely Planet picks top 15 sites to visit in the Philippines

Beautiful and calm and enchanting Siquijor

I wonder why Lonely Planet has not made Bohol to the 15 spots to visit in the Philippines. Maybe because Bohol has become too crowded? Of the 15 sites, I have only visited six of them: Siquijor, Malapascua Island, Camiguin, Manila, Dumaguete and Mt. Kanlaon. Why not visit them too this summer.

Here are the list of the top 15:

1 Siquijor

• Spooky island province of mysterious traditional healers, charming beaches and spellbinding sunsets

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  2 Banaue & the Rice Terraces

  Trek til you drop in the 'eight wonder of the world'

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  3 Malapascua Island

  Explore waters teeming with thresher sharks and manta rays from this miniature island paradise

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  4 Sagada

  Cradle of cool, deep in the heart of the wild and woolly Cordillera Mountains

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  5 Boracay

  The pearl of the archipelago allures by day, energises by night

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  6 Donsol

  Snorkellers' wonderland for up-close-and-personal whale-shark encounters

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  7 Camiguin

  This volcanic island is a playground for outdoor adventurers

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  8 Manila

  An explosive megacity, with action and possibility around every corner

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  9 Dumaguete

  The urbane, funky-town gateway to the natural attractions of Negros Oriental

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  10 Corregidor

  Breathtaking views, bloody WWII history, and a perfect excuse to escape the city

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  11 Mt Kanlaon

  Camp at the volcanic crater amid some of the rarest flora and fauna in the world

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  12 Subic Bay

  This former military town is transforming itself into the country's headquarters of extreme sports

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  13 North Pandan Island

  Low-key, low-impact island stay, alongside seagrass gardens and resident turtles

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  14 San Juan

  Cheap lessons and steady waves draw wannabe and veteran surfers alike

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  15 Bacuit Archipelago

  A water wonderland of jagged limestone cliffs, secret coves and hidden beaches

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines#ixzz1sA8BBNke

Check points to remember when you are in checkpoints

Photo grabbed from here

The Philippine National Police released some guidelines so you will know your rights when you are confronted with a checkpoint. I don't know if this will also be applicable with motorcycle drivers. But still. If you know your rights, you can save a life.

1. Checkpoints must be well-lighted, properly identified and manned by uniformed personnel.
2. Upon approach, slow down, dim headlights and turn on cabin lights. NEVER STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
3. Lock all doors. Only visual search is allowed.
4. DO NOT SUBMIT TO A PHYSICAL OR BODY SEARCH.
5. You are not obliged to open glove compartment, trunk or bags.
6. Ordinary/Routine questions may be asked. Be courteous but firm with answers.
7. Assert your rights, have presence of mind and do not panic.
8. Keep your driver's license and car registration handy and within reach.
9. Be ready to use your cellphone at anytime. Keep a speed dial emergency number.
10. Report violations immediately. Your actions may save others.

Please share.

SM and the trees of Baguio

Photo source: watwatworld.com

SM City's Baguio branch came into the limelight recently because they are cutting (or earth-balling, depends on who said them) trees around its vicinity to give way for ample parking space for its clients. I would like to give emphasis on the CLIENTS thing because thinking about it, it is really the people of Baguio who are cutting trees, not just SM. SM was just too kind to give them ample space, because they, the people of Baguio, are filling up SM City.

When I was in Baguio a few years back, the place was noisy and polluted with all type of machines running on its streets. Baguio was not as cold as I expected.

So this online protest of sort is like a wimpy cry of a child. Distant and losing ground. Baguio has abused mother nature long before. Unless of course, the real people of Baguio City really cares for nature and this protesting is not done only by outsiders.

Read this:

• Greenpeace: SM Baguio has started the "unthinkable" at the expense of trees
• Rappler: SM uproots trees in Baguio, triggers protests
• Pinoy Buzz: SM Baguio killing pine trees is just part of the problem

Saving Baguio's pine trees is just for show. Go around the place and they have been cutting them trees. This is not uniquely SM's doing.