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Region 4 -- the Southern Tagalog Region. Region 4 is the biggest region in the Philippines in terms of land area and population. It is comprised of 11 provinces -- Aurora, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Rizal, and Romblon. The provinces of Region 4 are mountainous and/or hilly. There are also plains and lakes. The primary product of the region is rice. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which is the primier center for research in South East Asia, is located in Laguna. The other products of the region are coconut, corn, coffee, monggo, pineapple, and bungangkahoys. The region is known as the "Coconut Region of the Philippines" because it is the # 1 producer of coconuts in the country. Sewing is also famous in Batangas. Usually the cloth used is made of jusi or pina. In Quezon hat-making is a famous industry. Paete, Laguna is not only known for its lanzones but also for wodden furniture.
Enjoy these breath-taking sites : Underground River El Nido Beach Resort -- Palawan. El Nido's Pangulasian Island won the 1995 Kalakbay Award for Resort of the Year, A category. And for the second year in a row, it was awarded the 1996 British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, Pacific category, for its El Nido Marine Conservation Program. Pagsanjan Falls -- The 300-foot high Pagsanjan Falls is a popular day trip destination about 2 hours from Manila. Most hotels and travel agencies offer day tours which include lunch at ariverside restaurant, and a two-hour banca ride upstream to view the roaring waterfalls. The Pagsanjan Rapids Hotel arranges a morning of river cruising or shooting the rapids, followed by a sumptuous Filipino-style lunch buffet with entertainment from local musicians and dancers, as well as crafts demonstrations by local artisans. Contact the hotel at 831-3530 or call your local travel agent. Puerto Galera Mt. Makiling -- located in Los Banos, Laguna. Legend has it that the mountain has a maiden named Maria Makiling guarding it. It is interesting that the mountain is shaped like a woman. Enjoy a trek in the mud to see the mountain's crater. Rizal Shrine -- Calamba, Laguna. A grand house in the Filipino-Spanish colonial style, the Rizal Shrine stands beside the parish church, just a stone's throw from the town plaza of Calamba, Laguna. More than a century ago on the very same spot, the national hero was born. Amanpulo -- Palawan. Since it first opened in 1994, Amanpulo has won 10 international awards --- the most prestigious of which is the Gallivanter's Guide --- as overall winner of the best beach resort worldwide. In 1998, it was chosen by Tatler's/Cunard Travel Guide as one of five private paradises to refresh your soul. Club Noah Isabelle -- Palawan. In 1993, it won the Department of Tourism's Kalakbay Award for Special Interest Resort of the Year. In 1995, it was presented with the International Gold Star for Excellence in Corporate Image and Quality at ceremonies held in Madrid, Spain. Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon -- offers a very good first-hand experience of rural living at its best in a coconut plabtation. Visitors to the plantation can explore on foot through the coconut trees or take a carabao-driven carriage. Sample home-cooked native fare served country-style on banana leaves in a restaurant set right in the middle of a flowing, freshwater stream. Ride a bamboo raft along the placid river that flows throgh the estate, or take a dip in the manmade pool of springwater. Located at the border of San Pablo, Laguna and Tiaong, Quezon, Villa Escudero is only one and a half hours' drive south of Manila. Tour can be arranged through any hotel or travel agency in Manila, or contact Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort at phone/fax number: 521-8698. Hidden Valley, Alaminos, Laguna -- About an hour's drive south of Makati is a romantic, fern-covered hideaway nestled deep within a lush valley that was once a volcanic crater. Hidden Valley, as the name suggests, is a resort tucked out of sight within thick jungle foliage, where guests can relax in a haven of hot or cold freshwater pools, and waterfalls. Tagaytay Ridge Cavite -- Formed out of a collapsed volcano, Tagaytay Ridge offers one of the rarer and lesser-known sights in the world: the Tall Volcano. What makes this rather small volcano unique is the fact that it is located within a very large lake.Along the northern side of the lake is Tagaytay Ridge, which provides breathtaking views of the volcano in its lake. Picnic facilities, fruit stands, restaurants, horses for riding and other attractions are set against the spectacular backdrop. The Taal Vista Lodge offers hotel accommodations, function rooms and other facilities as well as a casino. Call 810-2016(Makati) or 8172710(direct line) for reservations. |