An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year. The 15th typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2009, named Typhoon Ondoy, showed that 13 is not the unlucky number. Typhoon Ondoy is not even close to being categorized as a supertyphoon, based on the existing public typhoon warning signals of PAGASA. If we consider the amount of rainfall and the resulting floods, however, Typhoon Ondoy is easily one of the most destructive in recent Philippine history.

On behalf of every Filipino, we invite you to come and see the cultures, attractions and sights that make up our 7,107 islands.

“Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan.” This is a line repeated to the point of being treated as a cliche. Still, we really have to explore and enjoy the beauty of the Philippines. There are so many places to see and experience in the 7,107 islands of the Philippines.

How can I register?

The register link is found at the login page and also at the tools menu. The system is currently configured to allow single registration of each email address. Sorry if you feel it's difficult. Our experience tells us that spammers go through the registration process when it's not difficult. Please blame them, not us.

After filling in the required details, you need to verify your registration. A verification link will be sent to the email address you provided during registration. You should receive the email confirmation after a few seconds. Important: Check your spam folder because the confirmation email is sometimes treated as spam mails.

Registered users could interact with each other and use the various functions in this site, including the submission of new articles, new items in the Directory and new photos in the Gallery.

I'm a registered user, but why can't I receive regular updates?

Please note that registration is NOT equivalent to subscription (to receive email updates, every time a new article is posted). You have to subscribe separately for this.

How can I add new entries in the Directory?

This is a Directory that should contain all the relevant information about resorts, hotels, food, transportation and other travel-related information. You have to be registered to add new entries. The rest of the process is relatively easy -- just click the "Add in Directory" link in the User Menu) and fill out the requested information. Some details are required and some are optional. We suggest you fill out all the information, including the optional. The purpose of being listed in a Directory is for people to find your business. It makes no sense hiding information. Since this is intended to be user-generated, please make sure to include all useful information. Use the standard format and don't include special formatting. We reserve the right to remove any entry for valid reasons.

Listing in the Directory is for free. You can add up to 5 categories for a single entry. The categories are found at the bottom of the form. Click on a particular category, then click on the arrow pointing to the right. Do that in reverse to delete a category. Let us know if there are categories that you believe should be included. (You may have noticed that there's a category for Metro Manila, separate from Province. It's a reality that there are too many establishments in each city/municipality in Metro Manila and it only makes sense to create a subcategory for Metro Manila cities. This is not Manila-centric attitude.)

You can make changes in your entry, but you need to log in to do so. If you're the owner/manager of the listed site, but a Directory entry already exists, please notify the admin about the fact that you are the manager/owner. Verification of your status as such manager/owner may be done. The entry will be transfered in your name, which should enable you to make revisions.

You're encouraged to include an image of the entry, preferably as an Icon (which will appear in almost anywhere in this site; use your official signage). You could also include a photo, as the Logo, that best captures the essence of the entry (the Logo could be different from the Icon). For the Logo, use 300x300 pixels maximum for best fit. Click the "browse" button for the Icon and Logo, found at the bottom portion of the entry form, then select the location where the photo is found in your computer. It will be automatically uploaded when you click the entry's submit button.

How do I review and/or rate an entry in the Directory?

Only registered users can review and/or rate an entry. The form will appear at the bottom of each entry after logging in. You can write a review and rate the entry at the same time.

How can I upload photos?

Only registered and logged in members may upload photos in the Photo Gallery. The Add Photo button is found at the User Panel. Click the New Picture button, provide the title/caption of the photo, select the appropropriate category, click browse to look for your photo, then click Upload. Users are not allowed to create categories as of this moment. Just choose the more appropriate category and, depending on the theme of your submitted photos, we'll create a new category if needed.

Where is the User Menu and what is its purpose?

The User Menu only appears at the right sidebar after logging in. It has the following links or components: Add in Directory, Submit an Article, Add Photo, Your Details, User Profile, Logout.

How can I write an article?

Only authors can submit an article. All registered members may use the other features of the site, but only those who are promoted as "Authors" may directly post articles. If you're interested in becoming an Author, please send us a separate email, containing your details (name, contact info) and a sample article (please include a photo of your subject matter).

A registered user has access to the User Menu, which includes a Submit an Article link, but unless you're an Author, this will take you nowhere.

I'm already an Author. How do I submit articles?

After logging in, use the Submit an Article link found in the User Menu. Click the "Write New Article" link at the "User Menu", also found at the left sidebar. The toolbar for encoding your blog entry (also known as the WYSIWYG or "what you see is what you get" editor) is pretty much like Microsoft Word. Provide the title, select the appropriate category, then type away.

We strongly suggest that you first draft the article in Notepad because if you take too long in drafting the post, you're autmatically logged out. The result isn't good -- the composed message will vanish into thin air, and you'll probably hate us for it. So, please, compose it first outside.

To attach photos to your article, click the photo button, then provide the image location. We suggest that you first upload the photos in the Gallery, then use the image location for the article photo.

Then save the article.

I have a press release (or any article) that I want to post, but I'm not yet an Author. What could I do to have it posted?

If you have an original article you want to share, a press release about an opening of a tourism-related business, announcing a new promo, or launching a new travel-related product, then send it to us by email. We can't guarantee that it will be published, but we'll try.

How do I subscribe to receive regular updates by email?

Add your email address at the subcription form (disabled at this time). You'll receive regular updates through email. Great way to keep track of new articles, including discounts/promos that may be announced by the community.

Important: Check the email address you provided because you need to click the verification link in the first email that will be sent to you by Feedburner (the provider of this service). Check your spam tray because email softwares sometime go berserk and categorize our emails as spam.

Sometimes there's a problem when subscribing to the feeds when using Internet Explorer 6 as a browser. The subscription process (through Feedburner) starts upon providing your email address in the subscription form found at the lower-right side of this blog. After clicking the "Subscribe" button, a pop-up box appears asking you to enter a group of letters, sometimes referred as "captcha." The pop-up message reads like this:

…will receive a verification message once you submit this form. FeedBurner activates your subscription to “Pinoy Entrepreneurs” once you respond to this verification message.
To help prevent spam, please type the text you see in the box above:

Now, even if you correctly enter the letters or text found in the box, the subscription isn't confirmed. The box merely reloads with this message: "Please enter the characters displayed in the box. If you are unable to see the text clearly, you may reload this window for a new image." When that happens (and until we fix it), you could either use Firefox if that browser is already installed in your computer, or upload Firefox for free (click here). Takes a bit longer, but it works. Thanks for the patience.

Many of the entries you may submit, including articles in the group blog and in the Directory, are open to comments. You are fully aware that we don't have any control over the tenor of these comments. You hereby discharge VisitPinas.com of any liability arising from these comments.

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Long ago in a place called Ibalon, there lived a beautiful maiden. Her name was Daragang Magayon (the lovely one). She was the daughter of Makusog (the strong one), chief of the tribe.

One day, Daragang Magayon strolled near the river. While crossing the river, she stumbled on a rock and fell quickly in the water. She was swiftly swept down stream by the current.

No celebration in the province, at least in ours, is complete without a whole lechon in the middle of the main table. Fiesta, weddings, baptism, graduation, vacations, etc. It’s the centerpiece of the feast. City friends who are visiting are often amused at the sight of a perfectly roasted whole pig hogging (pun intended) the gastronomic limelight.

I have sentiments about climbing a mountain for the second time. C’mon, this country is sprawled lengthwise on a section of the Pacific Ring of Fire and volcanoes are strung to its length like beads on a rosary. Why should I climb a mountain for the second time when there are numerous mountains sprawled everywhere that I haven’t been to or even know existed?

The pale moon serene on a still night is unmoved by the glare of neon lights that greet our entry to Loboc. Its quiet glow foretells nothing of what awaits us in this province’s most musical town.

A crowd of the seemingly curious already milled outside the Loboc Children’s Theater as Sonieta and her kids, Paul, and I wormed our way to the entrance. The sight that greets our entry is that of over forty kids filling the theater stage each holding a musical instrument that to some looked too big for their size. ]]> chrisylli@yahoo.com (Mitzi Ibaya) frontpage Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:35:23 +0000 http://thevisitpinas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54:amana-waterpark-pandi-bulacan&catid=34:places-to-go&Itemid=71 http://thevisitpinas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54:amana-waterpark-pandi-bulacan&catid=34:places-to-go&Itemid=71

Summer is that time of year to enjoy the outdoors. Some prefer the beach, like Boracay, Pagudpud or Anilao. Some prefer mountain climbing, like in Mt. Pulag. Others, especially those with kids, prefer to cool down in water theme parks like Splash Island. Those who are near Bagong Barrio, Pandi, Bulacan, has a new destination — the Amana Waterpark.