Minalungao to put Nueva Ecija on Philippine Tourism Map


Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province in Central Luzon. With its vast flatlands, Nueva Ecija is the biggest producer of rice in the region, giving it the nickname Ricebowl of the Philippines. It is unsurprising that most Filipinos, even the Nueva-Ecijanos themselves, think that there is nothing else to see in the province than ricefields and more ricefields.


So what is there to see in Nueva Ecija other than ricefields?

Located far beyond the countryside of Nueva Ecija, close to the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range, is the sitio of Minalungao in the town of Papaya (officially called Municipality of General Tinio). The entire area has been named Minalungao National Park and features the clear emerald waters of the Peñaranda River. On both sides of the river stand limestone walls towering to up to 16 meters.


One may choose to trek along the limestone formations or rent a raft to reach the other end of the river where a shallow portion awaits visitors for a refreshing swim. Favorite activity of the locals is cliff diving. If you wish to try it, we suggest that you hire a local guide who can direct you to the areas where it is safe for cliff diving. The best time to visit Minalungao is during the dry season as the limestones can get very slippery and the river may turn murky.




Tourism Potentials of Minalungao National Park

Minalungao is one of the very few remaining natural environments in Central Luzon and it is the relative uniqueness of this park that can finally place the province of Nueva Ecija in the Philippine tourism map. With proper care, development and management, the Minalungao National Park will be able to compete with other eco-tourism destinations in Luzon and perhaps across the country. It is not far from now that Minalungao will be fully accessible to visitors. Concreting of the local road connecting the downtown area of Papaya to the park is already 50% complete. Facilities such as cottages and boats are already in place. Ultimately, it is the local community of Minalungao who will benefit from the livelihood that would be created by this development.

How to get to Minalungao National Park

From Manila, take a bus bound for Cabanatuan City passing through Gapan City (Cubao: ES Transport or Baliwag Transport). At Gapan City center, hire a tricycle along the national highway that would take you to Minalungao. We highly recommend Kuya Erning (0909-997-2393). We paid P600.00 for a special round trip rate (three passengers). Please add a little tip for the driver's waiting time. Travel time from Gapan City to Minalungao is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.

Microtel by Wyndham, Cabanatuan City

Microtel Cabanatuan Double Room
Microtel by Wyndham Cabanatuan | Double Room

Cabanatuan is a highly urbanized city in the province of Nueva Ecija. With its central location, Cabanatuan is considered as the trading center of the province best known for rice production. The city's commercial significance called for an affordable and relaxing accommodation that can cater to business men, traders, balik-bayans and tourists.

Pattaradday Festival 2013 | Schedule of Activities

In celebration of its foundation day, the City of Santiago will hold its annual Pattaradday Festival on May 1-5, 2013. Pattaradday, the Ybanag word for unity, is the central theme of the festivities. It is a celebration of the people of Santiago City, who despite their diverse ethno-linguistic origin, are able to live in unity and peace.

Highlight of the festival is the Grand Pattaradday Parade Street Dance Competition happening on May 5, 2013, with contingents coming from various cities and provinces. Below is the official schedule of activities for Pattaradday Festival 2013 as posted on the official Facebook page of Santiago Ciy.

Pattaradday Festival 2013 Schedule of Activities
image source: Santiago City Facebook Page

Ang Tipulo Festival 2013 | Schedule of Activities


The City of Antipolo, best known as a pilgrimage site for the devotees of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, celebrates during the first week of May the annual Ang Tipulo Festival. The festival features the rich culture and heritage of Antipolo and the city's various local delicacies such as kasuy, suman, manggo and balimbing (starfruit).

Highlight of this year's festivities is the Ang Tipulo Festival Grand Parade scheduled to take place in the afternoon of May 4, 2013. This has been confirmed by Antipolo City Tourism Officer Engr. Mendoza through a phone interview. Incidentally, Ang Tipulo Festival was a runner-up in the recently concluded Aliwan Fiesta 2013 held last April 13, 2013.

May 4, 2013 - Ang Tipulo Festival Grand Parade

Photography enthusiasts are also invited to join the Litrato ng Tipulo Photo Contest. Photos must be shot on location in Antipolo City between April 8 and May 4, 2013. Registration fee is PHP100.00 while deadline of submission of entries is on May 5, 2013. Interested individuals may contact the photo contest organizers at (02) 697-4269.

Bookmark this page and check for updates on other scheduled activities for Ang Tipulo Festival 2013.

Carmelado of Milagros, Masbate

Carmelado of Masbate

Carmelado is a milk candy traditionally made of carabao's milk and sugar. It is Masbate's version of pastillas de leche, but are more solid. Until recently, this delicacy has been recognized as one of the OTOP or One Town, One Product of the province of Masbate, with majority of its producers based in the town of Milagros.

Carmelado is One Town One Product of Milagros Masbate

It's a childhood favorite among Masbateños, says Aurora Santiago-Cortez (Ate Auring), a local entrepreneur and producer of carmelado accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). We asked her why they use carabao milk when Masbate has thousands of cows. Ate Auring told us that carabao milk is thicker and richer in flavor. She added, we do mix carabao milk with a small portion of cow milk which we buy from Fazenda da Esperança, a self-sustaining rehabilitation center for alcohol and drug dependents located in Milagros. We were really inspired by how Ate Auring, with her small household business, found a way to sustain her family's livelihood and contribute to the society.

Auring's Special Carmelado of Masbate

Ate Auring has OTOP stalls located at Masbate Airport parking area and at the Masbate Seaport. Each pack contains 24 pieces of carmelado candies and sells for PHP100.00 per pack. Ate Auring also accepts orders from outside Masbate. You can contact Ate Auring for details on shipping.

Ate Auring and her OTOP Cariton at Masbate Airport

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Auring's Special Carmelado
PD Road, Bacolod, Milagros, Masbate
Contact Nos.: 09266454157 / 09184696416

One Town, One Product (OTOP) is a program of the Philippine Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to encourage entrepreneurship aimed at providing livelihood and employment to Filipinos. It showcases products made of indigenous raw materials crafted by local workers, craftsmen and artists. The OTOP is also a key instrument in promoting tourism in the country. We at Pinas Muna advocate the OTOP program and through our blog, we aim to introduce you to the many Filipino-made products and urge you to support Filipino businesses.

Sun-Dried Beef Tapa of Masbate City


Dubbed as the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines, Masbate is the major livestock breeding center of the country producing top quality cattle. Beef from Masbate is said to be the tastiest in the country because cattle in the province is fed only with grass. In addition, Masbatenos take pride in their beef products that are certified free from Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD).

It is no surprise that Mr. Mariano Natural (Kuya Nomer), a local entrepreneur, started a processed beef production business banking on the popularity of the quality of Masbate's cattle. The product was developed through the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and his Nomer's Beef Tapa product was later on recognized as the OTOP or One Town, One Product of Masbate City.

Aside from its excellent taste, what's equally amazing about this tapa is that it only takes 2-5 seconds to cook. The process starts with marinading the meat for 24 hours. The following day, they are set to dry under the sun the whole day. They are then cut into strips and are packed in vacuum-sealed plastic packaging.

Here are the steps for cooking Nomer's Beef Tapa:

Nomer's Beef Dried Tapa is OTOP or One Town, One Product of Masbate City
Step 1: remove the package from the freezer and let it thaw in room temperature

Step 2: heat cooking oil in frying pan

Step 3: fry the beef tapa for 2-5 seconds or until all are coated with oil

Nomer's Beef Dried Tapa is a sun-dried tapa from Masbate City
Step 4: serve and enjoy

Another way to cook this tapa is to mix the tapa cuts as an ingredient to fried rice. Start by sauteing garlic in oil, then add the steamed rice. Add seasoning. Add the tapa cuts and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes over low fire.

Kuya Nomer has a stall located at the Masbate Airport parking area. Each 125g-pack is sold at PHP100.00. Since they are vacuum-sealed, the airlines allow these to be place inside carry-on luggages. Keep the beef tapa frozen to extend its shelf life.

Kuya Nomer can also ship outside Masbate. Each 125g-pack costs PHP125.00 which already includes shipping. A 50% downpayment is required prior to the delivery, with the remaining balance payable upon receipt of the delivery. Contact Kuya Nomer for more details.

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Nomer's Beef Tapa
Masbate Meat Processing
Cagba, Masbate City
Contact Numbers: 0919-5195813 / 0919-8525443

One Town, One Product (OTOP) is a program of the Philippine Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to encourage entrepreneurship aimed at providing livelihood and employment to Filipinos. It showcases products made of indigenous raw materials crafted by local workers, craftsmen and artists. The OTOP is also a key instrument in promoting tourism in the country. We at Pinas Muna advocate the OTOP program and through our blog, we aim to introduce you to the many Filipino-made products and urge you to support Filipino businesses.

Bangus Festival 2013 | Schedule of Activities

Bangus Festival 2013 Schedule of Activities


This April 2013, spotlights will once again be on Dagupan City as it celebrates the annual Bangus Festival. Various activities are organized during the last week of April that will surely entertain both the city folks and tourists. During the festival, don't forget to sample Dagupan's famous bangus said to be the tastiest in the world.

Highlights are the Bangus ed Carosa, a float parade to formally open the festival; the Gilon Gilon ed Dalan, a streetdance competition participated by Dagupan's various barangays; and the Kalutan ed Dalan, a bangus grilling party set along the whole stretch of AB Fernandez Avenue. Here is the schedule of activities and highlights of this year's Bangus Festival:

Bangus Festival 2013 | Schedule of Activities
Dagupan City

April 22
Bangus ed Carosa Float Parade
Grand Fireworks Display (City Plaza)

April 22-May 1
Dagupan's Best Trade Fair (in front of City Plaza)

April 23
101 Ways to Cook Seafood (Dagupan City People’s Astrodome, 8:00am)
Bangus Rodeo (Malimgas Market, 8:00am)
Bikini Open (City Plaza, 8:00pm)

April 23-27
Pigar-Pigar Festival (Galvan Street, 5:00pm)

April 24
Little Miss Dagupan 2013 Pageant Night (City Plaza, 8:00pm)

April 25
D’ BSL Lechon Festival (City Plaza, 8:00am)

April 26
Drum and Lyre Competition (City Plaza, 7:00am)

April 27
Thanksgiving Mass (Pantal River, 7:00am)

April 27-29
Dragon Boat Competition (Pantal River)

April 29
Gilon Gilon ed Dalan - Street Dance Competition (Downtown area, 3:00pm)

April 30
Kalutan ed Dalan - Street Grilling Party (AB Fernandez Avenue, 3:00pm)
Grand Fireworks Display (Downtown area)

May 1
Miss Gay na Dayat 2013 (Tondaligan Beach, 8:00pm)

May 3
Kick-Boxing Tournament (Robinson's Place)


grilled milkfish or inihaw na bangus served by Matutina's Restaurant in Dagupan City Pangasinan

Aliwan Fiesta 2013 Street Dance & Float Parade

Aliwan Fiesta 2013 Mango Festival


Aliwan Fiesta brings together the best regional festivals of the Philippines to one venue to showcase the cultural diversity of the country. This year, we are able to attend Aliwan Fiesta for the very first time. The event showed us a glimpse of the rich heritage and tradition of our country as interpreted through colorful costumes and dance.

Rodeo Academy to Further Boost Tourism in Masbate

Sese Brahmans Ranch in Mandaon Masbate


Because of its rolling hills, grazing lands and cattle ranches, the entire province of Masbate was declared as The Rodeo Capital of the Philippines. Through the initiative of the Rodeo Masbateño Inc (RMI), and with the support of the local government, the very first Rodeo Masbateño Festival was held in 1993. Now on its 20th year, this annual festival has become the top drawer for tourists in the province.

Grand Parade | National Rodeo Finals 2013

Grand Parade of the National Rodeo Finals 2013 of Rodeo Masbateno 2013

The National Rodeo Finals 2013 was formally opened today with a Grand Parade in Masbate City. Bands and Rodeo exhibitions entertained the spectators, while the employees of the provincial government of Masbate walked the streets in their colorful Rodeo costumes.



Competing teams from various Philippine universities, as well as professional Rodeo Clubs, were among the participants in the parade.

















The parade will end at the Rodeo Masbateno Grand Arena where the opening ceremonies will be officiated by the Rodeo Masbateno Inc and the Masbate Provincial government.


Checklist for Kadayawan Festival 2013

image source: www.robinspinzon.com
image courtesy of www.robinspinzon.com


In August 2013, Davao City will once again be on the center stage as it holds the annual Kadayawan Festival. Also known as the King of Festivals, Kadayawan celebrates Davao's rich culture, diverse people and bountiful harvest. We invite you to join us this year and visit Davao to experience Mindanao's biggest festival.

Jump to: Kadayawan Festival 2014