It's More Fun in Bohol - Department of Tourism's TV Commercial

After last year's devastating earthquake, the Department of Tourism would like the world to know that Bohol is back in business! The international TV commercial which lasts for 30 seconds gives 1,776+ reasons for everyone to visit the island-province paradise.

Bohol is home to 1,776 limestone Chocolate Hills, the adorable but endangered Tarsiers, the white-sand beaches of Panglao Island, the lush underwater world of the Balicasag islet, the languid and scenic Loboc River, the organic Bohol Bee Farm, the exciting Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, and more!

Although some of the island-province's heritage churches were destroyed by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on October 15, 2013, Bohol has now fully recovered and the churches are now under reconstruction and restoration by the government.

Furthermore, the natural wonders of Bohol were unaffected by the quake not to mention that it has been named Best Governed Province and its Panglao beach was cited as one of the Best Secret Beaches on Earth by Travel+Nature Magazine.

 Watch the glossy TVC below which I'm sure will convince you to visit this island paradise in the near future:

   

For updates about the province of Bohol, like their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PadayonBohol

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Palawan is No. 1 Island in the World, Boracay 12th

Palawan recently bagged the title "Best Island in the World for 2014" based on an international poll conducted by travel magazine “Conde Nast Traveler” through their annual Readers Choice Awards.

Photo: www.divezone.net

Conde Nast Traveler revealed the results of their 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards on October 20, 2014 and topping the Top 30 islands list is our very own Palawan. The island province, which is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park) had scored the highest rating of 88.75% and garnered a total 76,600 votes for the title “Top Island in the World.” Here’s what the magazine said about Palawan:

This small island—one of the Philippines’ 7,107—shot to the top of our list this year with a recent claim to fame: It’s now home to one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Pro tip: Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system. Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction. Boracay, on the other hand, ranked 12th with a rating of 82.683 beating Indonesia’s Bali which ranked 17th in the Top 30. 

Photo: www.divezone.net

The Top 10 Islands in the World

1. Palawan, Philippines
2. Kiawah Island, South Carolina USA
3. Maui, Hawaii USA
4. Kauia, Hawaii USA
5. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
6. Great Barrier Reef and Whitesunday Islands, Australia
7. Santorini and Cyclades, Greece
8. St. John, US Virgin Islands
9. Kangaroo Island, Australia
10. Big Island, Hawaii USA

Cross-published in Starmometer

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Travel Tip: How to Apply for a Chinese VISA (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc) in the Philippines

I've been to Macau and Hong Kong several times because travel time to these two Chinese regions takes less than two hours and they don't require VISA for Filipino tourists. Last month, I decided to explore mainland China--Shanghai in particular--and this is the third destination that I've been to (after Korea and Taiwan) that required VISA. Let mo show you how simple it was to acquire a Chinese VISA!

So you've been to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau and this time you want to explore mainland China? The first step is to apply for VISA. Please take note that aside from Shanghai, this is also applicable to other Chinese destinations like Beijing, Guangzhou, Haikou, Lijiang, Ningbo, etc. Before going to the Chinese embassy, make sure you complete the following requirements first: 1. Passport – Make sure it’s not expiring within 6 months. 2. Photocopy of the information/photo page and the emergency contact information page (must be completely filled out) of the passport. 3. Invitation letter – Since I’m just a tourist and I’m not going to work or study in China, I submitted a photocopy of my round-trip ticket and hotel voucher in lieu of the invitation letter. 4. Photocopy of latest ITR Statement (BIR Form 2316). 5. Employment or Business Certificate. 6. Bank certificate – I suggest you have at least P50,000 in your bank account to give an assurance that you have the ability to fund your travels in China. 7. Completed VISA Application Form which can be downloaded here: VISA Application Form of the People’s Republic of China. Since I applied for single entry, I paid P1,400 processing fee and after 3 working days, I claimed my VISA! If you opt for multiple entry in case you plan to explore other cities like Beijing or Guangzhou, the charge is P2,800 and it’s valid for 6 months.

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