CENTRAL VISAYAS
BOHOL
Local Cuisines
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Calamay: A traditional Boholano sweet delicacy made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar, typically sold in coconut shells.
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Sikwate: A traditional hot chocolate drink made from local cacao beans. Often paired with puto maya, a sticky rice delicacy.
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Torta: A soft, sweet, and fluffy sponge cake, traditionally made with tuba (coconut wine) as a leavening agent.
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Balbacua: A slow-cooked beef stew flavored with spices, popular in local eateries.
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Broas: Boholano ladyfingers, light and crispy biscuits often eaten as a snack or dessert.
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Pork Humba: A popular Visayan dish made with pork belly stewed in soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, resulting in a savory-sweet flavor.
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Kinilaw: A Filipino-style ceviche made from fresh fish marinated in vinegar, calamansi, and spices, often served as an appetizer.
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Fresh Seafood: Bohol, especially Panglao Island, is known for its fresh seafood, with dishes like grilled fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs being widely available.
Visit Chocolate Hills
Diving and Snorkeling
Bohol Bee Farm
Tarsier Sanctuary
Loboc River Cruise
Danao Adventure Park
Panglao Island
Hinagdanan Cave
Blood Compact Shrine
Best time to Travel
The best time to visit Bohol is during the dry season, from November to May. The weather is ideal for beach activities, diving, and sightseeing.
December to February offers the most comfortable temperatures.
Transportation
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Air Travel: Bohol is accessible via the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which has direct flights to and from major cities like Manila and Cebu.
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Ferry/Boat: Ferries run regularly from Cebu to Tagbilaran (Bohol’s capital) via fast ferries like OceanJet and SuperCat.
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Jeepneys: A common mode of public transportation within towns for short distances.
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Tricycles and Motorbikes: Widely available and commonly used for short distances. Motorbikes can be rented for island exploration.
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Vans and Taxis: Vans or taxis are available for hire for more comfortable and direct travel to various tourist spots.
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Private Tours: Many resorts and tour operators offer private vehicles for day trips and guided tours around the island.
Festivals
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Sandugo Festival (July): This festival commemorates the Blood Compact between the Spanish and Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna. It features cultural performances, street dancing, historical reenactments, and beauty pageants.
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Ubi Festival (January): Celebrates the ubi (purple yam), a staple crop in Bohol. The festival includes culinary competitions, exhibits, and cultural shows.
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Bolibongkingking Festival (May): Held in Loboc, this festival is a celebration of dance, music, and culture in honor of the town’s patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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Suroy sa Musikero (December): A unique musical tradition in Bohol where local musicians travel from house to house to serenade families and spread holiday cheer.
CEBU
Local Cuisines
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Lechon Cebu: Known as the best roasted pig in the Philippines, Lechon Cebu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, often served at festive occasions.
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Puso (Hanging Rice): Rice wrapped in coconut leaves, often paired with grilled meats and fish.
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Ngohiong: A Cebuano spring roll filled with vegetables, seasoned with Chinese five spice, and served with a sweet, spicy sauce.
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Larsian Barbecue: Cebu is known for its street food, and Larsian is the go-to spot for grilled skewers of pork, chicken, seafood, and other meats.
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Danggit: A popular dried fish, typically eaten with vinegar for breakfast alongside rice and eggs.
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Bam-i: A noodle dish that combines pancit canton and bihon, giving a unique blend of textures and flavors.
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Tuslob Buwa: A unique Cebuano dish where diners dip rice into a bubbling gravy made of pig brain, liver, and spices.
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Otap: A sweet, flaky pastry that’s a popular pasalubong (souvenir) from Cebu.
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Mangoes: Cebu’s dried mangoes are world-famous and make for a great snack or gift.
Visit Magellan's Cross
Visit Fort San Pedro
Oslob Whale Shark Watching
Island Hopping
Kawasan Falls
Shopping & Nightlife
Best time to Travel
The best time to visit Cebu is during the dry season, from December to May.
The weather is ideal for outdoor activities, island hopping, and sightseeing.
Transportation
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Air Travel: Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves as the main gateway, with flights connecting to major cities in the Philippines and international destinations.
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Jeepneys: The most popular mode of public transportation in Cebu City and surrounding towns.
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Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services: Taxis are widely available, and ride-hailing services like Grab operate in Cebu.
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Buses and Vans: Used for traveling to more distant towns, like Oslob, Moalboal, or Bantayan Island. Buses leave from terminals like the South Bus Terminal.
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Ferries/Boats: Regular ferry services connect Cebu to nearby islands like Bohol, Leyte, and Negros. Island-hopping tours are also available via boats.
Festivals
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Sinulog Festival (January): The biggest and most famous festival in Cebu, celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). It features grand street parades, colorful costumes, and traditional dances.
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Kadaugan sa Mactan (April): A reenactment of the Battle of Mactan, celebrating the victory of Lapu-Lapu over Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The event includes cultural performances and street dancing.
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Paskuhan sa Sugbo (December): A Christmas festival in Cebu City, featuring light displays, Christmas carols, and cultural performances.
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Mantawi Festival (May): A cultural and historical festival in Mandaue City, featuring street dancing, floats, and a showcase of local traditions.
NEGROS ORIENTAL
Local Cuisines
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Diwal (Angel Wing Clam): A rare and highly sought-after delicacy.
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Talaba (Oysters): Often grilled or served fresh with vinegar and spices.
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Alimango (Crabs): Locally caught and often cooked in various styles, from steamed to spicy.
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Binakol: A local chicken dish cooked in coconut water, creating a light and flavorful soup.
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Seafood Kare-Kare: A twist on the traditional peanut stew using seafood instead of meat.
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Suman sa Ibus: Sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves, a popular dessert or snack.
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Crocodile Meat: Some restaurants offer dishes made from crocodile meat, reflecting the region’s diversity in food offerings.
Diving & Snorkeling
Mount Talinis
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Manjuyod Sandbar
Casaroro Falls
Valencia Hot Spring
Best time to Travel
The best time to visit Capiz is during the dry season, from November to May. The weather is more pleasant, especially for beach outings, island hopping, and attending festivals.
Transportation
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Air Travel: The Roxas City Airport (Capiz's capital) has flights from Manila and other major cities.
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Land Transportation:
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Tricycles are the primary mode of transport within towns and cities.
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Jeepneys and buses connect nearby provinces and towns.
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Vans and taxis offer more comfortable travel between towns.
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Boat/Ferry: For island hopping, local outrigger boats called bancas are common.
Festivals
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Sinadya sa Halaran Festival (December): A vibrant mix of religious and cultural festivities held in Roxas City, celebrating Capiz's culture and history with parades, street dancing, and food fairs.
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Aswang Festival (October): A unique festival that delves into the local folklore of the "aswang" (a mythical creature in Philippine folklore), promoting local beliefs and showcasing cultural performances.
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Capiztahan Festival (April): Celebrates the province's foundation and highlights its cultural heritage with a seafood festival, cultural shows, and boat races.
SIQUIJOR
Local Cuisines
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La Paz Batchoy: A hearty noodle soup made with pork offal, liver, crushed pork cracklings, and a flavorful broth, often served with egg noodles.
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Pancit Molo: A wonton soup from the district of Molo, made with ground pork or chicken, and soft dumplings in a savory broth.
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Kansi: A sour soup similar to sinigang but made with beef shank, often flavored with batwan, a local fruit.
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Butterscotch: A popular pasalubong (gift), these sweet treats are made of butter, brown sugar, and cashews or other nuts.
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Biscocho: Crunchy, buttered bread slices toasted to perfection, a favorite snack or souvenir.
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Laswa: A traditional Ilonggo vegetable soup made with a mix of local vegetables like squash, okra, and eggplant.
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Chicken Inasal: Grilled chicken marinated in a mixture of vinegar, garlic, and local spices, popular in nearby Bacolod but also beloved in Iloilo.
Beaches and Island Hopping
Hiking & Nature Trips
Snorkeling & Diving
Spiritual Healing and Mysticism
San Isidro Labrador Church
Cantabon Cave
Best time to Travel
The best time to visit Iloilo is from November to May (dry season), with cooler and pleasant weather, especially during the festival season in January.
Transportation
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Air Travel: Iloilo International Airport offers flights to and from major cities like Manila, Cebu, and international destinations like Hong Kong and Singapore.
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Jeepneys: The primary mode of transportation around the city and nearby towns.
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Taxis and Vans: Readily available in the city for more comfortable travel. You can also use ride-hailing apps like Grab.
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Buses: These connect Iloilo City to neighboring provinces and towns.
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Ferry/Boat: Iloilo has regular ferry services to nearby provinces such as Bacolod and Guimaras Island for island hopping.
Festivals
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Dinagyang Festival (January): Iloilo’s most famous festival, celebrating the Santo Niño (Holy Child). The festival features elaborate street dances, colorful costumes, and a lively street party.
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Paraw Regatta Festival (February): The oldest sailing event in Asia, featuring traditional sailboats called "paraws" racing off the coast of Iloilo. There are also cultural performances and exhibits.
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Jaro Fiesta (February 2): A religious celebration in honor of the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles), which includes processions, food fairs, and traditional games.
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Pintados de Pasi Festival (March): A colorful festival in Passi City, celebrating the body-painting traditions of the region’s early settlers, with cultural performances, parades, and dances.