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Aurora Province: The Treasure of the Philippines

The Aurora Province is located on the East-Central part of Luzon Island, the main Island of the Philippines. The province of Aurora covers the eastern portion of the Sierra Madre Mountains, hence it is generally mountainous. Its coastline spans 332 kilometres in length. Aurora is a province blessed with an abundance of tourist attractions. It has its share of historical sites such as the home and resthouse of former Phil-ippine President Manuel L. Quezon. The province also has a beautiful Catholic church and several historical markers. Its natural attractions include picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery on mountainsides, and panoramic beaches. Surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, mountain climb-ing and trekking are only some of the activities you can enjoy in Aurora. The social life is dominated by a mixture of old traditions of the natives and modern arts. So the displeasing dances of former head hunters can be admired as well as the work of highly talented artists of today's time. The population lives predominantly on farming and skilled crafts. It is conspicuous how engaged scientists work out solutions for an eco-logical lasting way of managing agriculture and to increase the conser-vation management. The influence of Spanish conquerors in Auroras history is still present at many places trough to the architectural style of historic buildings. Also a big Part of the population is Catholic.

Antique Rice Terraces: Rediscovering Visayas's hidden gem

Behold the majestic beauty of Visayas region - Antique Rice Terraces. Nestled in the heart of Antique, this natural and agricultural gem has been nurtured and kept hidden by the Iraynon Bukidnon tribe for more than 200 years.
For the longest time, the Antique Rice Terraces remained undiscovered. Locals were aware of its existence, but never really gave it a second thought. For them, it was just a field in their backyard that they tilled to get rice for their everyday needs.
 
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While the Banaue Rice Terraces are a major tourist attraction in the country, the main reason this has remained a secret is the community’s remoteness. Getting to the village is no walk in the park. At present, there are no paved roads anywhere near the area and there likely won’t be any time soon. Getting there can only be done on foot on an 18-km long winding dirt path, crossing streams, uphill trails and give or take five mountains.
 
 
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 Secret under the City,
Sa mga nagdaang taon, isang lihim ang ikinukubli ng siyudad sa atin. Kung saan ang lihim na ito ay halos nakalimutan na nang dahil sa mabilis na pag-usad ng buhay, at natabunan na ng iba't ibang mga gusali. Kumusta na kaya ang kalagayan ng underground tunnel na ito matapos ang mga dumaang digmaan, makalipas ang ilang taon? Samahan natin si Sandra Aguinaldo na balikan ang Fort Bonifacio Tunnel na matatagpuan sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig sa kanyang pagsiyasat sa lihim sa ilalim ng siyudad.

Watch ‘I-Witness,’ every Saturday on GMA Network. These GMA documentaries are hosted and presented by the most trusted broadcasters in the country like Kara David, Sandra Aguinaldo, Howie Severino, Jiggy Manicad, Chino Gaston, Jay Taruc and Howie Severino. This episode, "Lihim sa Ilalim ng Siyudad," features a documentary on the abandoned Fort Bonifacio War Tunnel, which was used as a passageway for military supplies and war materials used by Japanese soldiers during the past World War.
 
DUMUNPALIT ISLAND
This 75-acre red-marble and volcanic-rock island, surrounded by coral reefs, is in the Mindoro Strait connecting the South China Sea to the Sulu Sea, about a 40-minute flight southeast of Manila. Dumunpalit is a last frontier of the Philippines, a timeless land of awe, wonder, sea and stars.

In the Cuyonin language, Dumunpalit means “the place which never changes,” but the island is also known as Turtle Island because the 150-plus-foot-high volcanic towers that rise on both its ends resemble fins flipping through the turquoise waters.

On the reef-protected eastern shore, larger boats are anchored and draft boats pulled in. Here, about 2,000 feet of pristine absolute-white fine sand beach gives way to coconut palms and, farther, the verdant island’s high point, more than 300 feet, with extraordinary views to all points. Here, 10 to 50 miles out, is just water, with distant slivers of land.

Just off the beach, a metal-roof, hardwood and bamboo caretaker cottage, with a porch, includes a septic toilet, kitchen and a shower; 200 yards inland, a larger more sturdily constructed guest cottage on a private lagoon, also with a porch, has a tiled kitchen, tiled shower, septic tank toilet, rain catchment system, a stainless holding tank and a beach bench.

A 100-by-75-foot site has been cleared for an owner’s residence by four full-time caretakers, who use the island’s boat for maintenance and to pick up supplies every week. Inadvertently, these men have created beautiful two-foot-tall coral and sea-shell walls during maintenance of the island’s 13 white-sand beaches.

Two concrete-lined water wells with Jetmatic manual hand pumps deliver year-round potable water for bathing, drinking and irrigating the garden. Many fruit trees have been planted, including bananas, tamarind, papaya, coconut, mango, citrus and rambutan, which provide excellent nourishment — and tropical drink mixings. The owner suggests that another 15 acres is plantable in the island’s loamy soil on the saddle of the island’s two highest points.

Pathways lead you into the island, which is vibrant with “toto yalo” birds, the rare Palawan eagle, butterflies, dragonflies, bumblebees, bats, monitor lizards, and rainforest amoghis, natuk, banyan and redflowering coral trees. Enjoy the numerous natural paths, challenging 200-foot cliffs and landmark rocks cut with erosion holes in their centers. Throughout the island, particularly on the southwest, are terrestrial and underwater caves for snorkeling or scuba-diving — one of best locations in the Philippines for this; the country has placed the area in a Marine Protection Zone because of the red, pink and blue coral reefs.

Nearby are Club Paradise on Dimakya Island and Maricaban Resort in Maricaban Bay for excellent dining and other amenities
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