Places That Have Good And Lovely Foods To Eat In The Philippines

First Of All Lets Have The First Place That Have So Many Delicious Foods That Is Manila City

Manila Food Frenzy: 29 Filipino dishes you need to try!

February 3, 2014

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One of the first things I repeatedly heard from tourists in Manila is how much they dislike the food in The Philippines. After spending some time in the country I couldn’t have disagreed more. The food here is awesome!
If you’re ever in Manila and looking to sample some local eats here’s a list of 29 Filipino dishes that I was wise enough to take a photo of. Enjoy!

1. Fresh Lumpia

The fresh version of lumpia is a bit like a spring roll crossed with a burrito. It’s big and fat and filled with meat, lettuce, carrots, peanuts, I think there was even some coconut in there. On the side there’s a sweet sauce, or you can opt for vinegar. It’s pretty awesome. Don’t forget to try the deep fried version – even more awesome.
Get it at: The Legazpi Sunday market (corner of Legazpi St and Rufino St)

2. Chicken Sotanghon

It kind of feels like The Philippines version of Grandma’s chicken soup. It’s got your chicken, shitake mushrooms, carrots, green onions, vermicelli noodles, who knows what else. All I know is that it’s super tasty and you need to try it.
Get it at: Recipes at Greenbelt 3 (most other Filipino restaurants also serve it).

3. Beef Mechado

I can’t decide if I like this. It’s prepared by taking a decent cut of beef, stuffing it with pork fat and then slow cooking it in a tomato sauce. Some potatoes and carrots are chucked in too. Sounds awesome right? I think it was a little too tomatoey for my liking, but it’ll grow on me.
Get it at: Fely J’s in Greenbelt 5

4. Paksiyo Baboy Bisaya (Pork and Banana Claypot)

Shanks of pork simmered in a soy based sauce with bananas. It tastes as wild as it sounds. I freakin’ love it!
Get it at: Fely J’s in Greenbelt 5

5. Leche Flan

While eating this I was trying to figure out how it was any different to creme caramel, because to me it tasted exactly the same. After some Googling I learned that the custard in this is thicker because they use condensed milk and more egg yolks. I couldn’t really taste the difference, which I guess means I’m a few years away from being a judge on Top Chef. Anyway, I had to include this on the list; it’s one of the country’s favourite desserts!
Get it at: Any Filipino restaurant

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6. Chicharon

Chicharon are like the Doritos of The Philippines. They snack on it like finger food and open a big bag of them while sitting down for a movie. Basically it’s deep fried pork skin, and aside from eating it on its own they also garnish various dishes with it. What’s it taste like? Well, kinda like a bag of very porky tasting Munchos, which I’m not really the biggest fan of. The locals however, absolutely love it.
Get it at: You will find it in most supermarkets and markets. 

7. Lechon

So, I used to think the Chinese made the best pork.
That is until I tasted lechon. Damn! Them Filipinos know how to cook a pig. This juicy, crispy masterpiece is something I won’t even try to describe. I had the privilege of attending a local baptism and they served up this freakin’ life changing roasted pig, I could’ve eaten the whole thing! Apparently the best lechon is from Cebu city, which is going to be my first stop on my next trip to The Phils.
Get it at: Sabroso Lechon, one of my favourites (corner of E Rodriguez Ave and Tomas Morato)

8. Bibingka

This is a type of cake made with coconut milk and baked in a banana leaf. I guess the idea is it’s supposed to end up tasting like coconut and banana, which it kinda does. You’re supposed to eat it hot, but not before lathering it with butter and coconut. The texture really reminded of a crumpet, especially with the melted butter seeping through it. I’m a fan.
Get it at: A franchise called Bibingkinitan, or various street stalls around the city

9. Kare Kare

This is a classic Filipino stew, consisting of oxtail, tripe, eggplant and Chinese veges. It has a strong peanut flavour and is served with shrimp paste on the side. It’s one of the flagship dishes here in The Philippines, but I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it. An acquired taste, perhaps.
Get it at: Most Filipino restaurants

10. Lomi

A classic dish from the Batangas area, this consists of flat egg noodles cooked in a very thick, eggy sauce. There’s also a whole bunch of other stuff in it depending on what variation you order (pork, seafood, chicken). It’s so thick that it’s almost like a cross between a noodle soup and a stew. On the side it’s complemented with a sauce of freshly diced onions, chili, calamansi and soy sauce. Put the two together and BAM! It’s seriously magic.
Get it at: Lomi King in Lipa, Batangas

11. Chami

After eating the Lomi I found out it had a little brother known as Chami. This is the dry version of the dish, and obviously I had to try it and see what it’s all about. It’s not really too different from a noodle stir fry, but it comes with a tasty dipping sauce/soup that I don’t remember the name of. Anyway, if we’re choosing between Lomi and Chami I’m taking Lomi any day of the week.
Get it at: Lomi King in Lipa, Batangas

12. Kilawin Na Tanigue

Kilawin is a dish where raw fish is marinaded in vinegar and lemon/lime juice. The high level of acidity cooks the fish and it’s flavoured with a bunch of other stuff like chili, capsicum, spring onion and tomato. You’re probably thinking it sounds very similar to ceviche or the Fijian kokoda, but the taste is rather different. I found ceviche to be very fishy, kokoda to be very spicy and kinilaw to be very sour. All catered for local tastebuds I guess.
Get it at: Most Filipino restaurants

13. Pancit Bihon Guisado

Bihon Guisado is a perfect example of great tasting, unpretentious Filipino food – some scallions, cabbage, celery, carrots, chicken and vermicelli tossed in soy sauce and topped with calamansi juice. Fast, cheap and awesome. Love it.
Get it at: Most Filipino restaurants

14. Crispy Pata

One thing you’ll notice when eating around The Philippines is that they’re completely obsessed with their pork, which is probably why they cook it so well. Enter the crispy pata – a pork leg/knuckle deep fried to perfection and then sided with chili, calamansi and a variety of dipping sauces. I ate it a couple of times, one homemade one and one from a restaurant. Needless to say the homemade one was mouth watering but the restaurant cooked one wasn’t too bad either. If you’re a pork man it might just change your life.
Get it at: Most Filipino restaurants. The crispy pata in the picture is from Kabila Museum Cafe at Ayala Museum, but I think it’s a little expensive for what you get.

15. Sinigang

If you’re a fan of sour soups like Thailand’s tom yum or Hong Kong’s hot and sour soup then sinigang is totally going to rock your world. I had one of these for breakfast almost every day during my month on Boracay. It’s a tamarind based soup with a whole bunch of other goodies in it, most commonly tomatoes, green beans, spinach, green mango and various other possibilities. I tried quite a few variations (pork and shrimp are the most popular), but I’d say the classic pork is probably my favourite. I can’t believe it’s taken me 27 years to try it.
Get it at: Most Filipino kitchens. If you’re a fan go and try the Corned Beef Sinigang at Sentro in Greenbelt 3.

16. Kaldereta

I’m always a sucker for hearty meaty stews so when I met my first Kaldereta we really got along. It’s a basic dish made by stewing cuts of meat in a tomato/liver sauce until tender, with a few carrots, potatoes and capsicums thrown in too. I’ve seen it with most meats but the lamb was easily my favourite.
Get it at: Most Filipino kitchens. Try the lamb kaldereta at Sentro in Greenbelt 3.

17. Adobo

Another Filipino classic, I saw this dish on pretty much every Filipino menu I set eyes on. It’s a basic meat dish which is simmered in a marinade of oil, soy sauce, vinegar and garlic, and sometimes later pan fried to give it a crispy surface. Like most dishes here they might often add a variation of other veges (onions, potatoes, capsicum). If you’re a budget traveler, this dish is always a tummy pleaser and usually very easy on the wallet.
Get it at: Any Filipino kitchen or jolly jeep.

18. Ginataang Papaya

Tried this bad boy at a jolly jeep and was so pleasantly surprised. Green papaya shaved into thin slices and cooked in coconut milk and pork bits. Who knew it could taste so good?
Get it at: You’ll have to look around the jolly jeeps and Filipino restaurants, I’m really not sure how popular it is!

19. Bacolod Chicken

Due to my fast increasing age and waistline I’ve been trying to eat grilled chicken wherever possible and turn a blind eye to KFC and Chicken McNuggets. My solidarity to this goal can waver rather easily but this wasn’t a problem in the Philippines thanks to the amazing bacolod chicken. I have no idea how they cook it, but from peeking into the kitchen I can tell you they employ a charcoal grill and probably brush some special sauce onto it, who knows. All I know is it tastes amazing. Don’t forget the soy sauce/calamansi/chili combo sauce on the side either.
Get it at: My favourite is Bacolod Express, but there’s various chains around the city.

20. Balut

After hearing about the infamous Balut over and over again I just had to try it. For those who have never heard of it, balut is a street food delicacy in the Philippines; a fertilised duck egg, boiled and eaten once the embryo is half developed. From Wikipedia:
“In the Philippines, the ideal balut is 17 days old, at which point it is said to be ‘balut sa puti’ (“wrapped in white”). The chick inside is not old enough to show its beak, feathers or claws, and the bones are undeveloped.”
When the guy handed it to me I nearly dropped it, it was scorching hot! After cracking the shell I saw a small amount of juice which you’re supposed to drink, so I did, which tasted very eggy. After that I just peeled it like a normal boiled egg and ate it. There were a few funny textures but nothing overly weird; in all honesty, it just tasted like a boiled egg. Talk about an anti climax. If you’re ever in The Philippines you should definitely try it, it doesn’t taste bad at all.
Get it at: At night you will hear the sellers riding around the streets on bikes screaming “Baluuuuuut!”

21. Tablea Tsokolate

As the story goes, the Spanish colonists began this tradition of growing cocoa in The Philippines as the tropical weather was perfect for it. This tradition has continued until today with growers harvesting, drying, roasting and then grinding  fresh cocoa beans into tablea or ‘tablets’. This is used in various Filipino delicacies, including tablea tsokolate – a local style hot chocolate.
The tablea is supposed to have a few minor differences to regular cocoa, which I did manage to find out but I’ve since forgotten. If you know, please share!
Get it at: I got one roll at SM department store and another at the bus stop in Lipa.

22. Bulalo

I fell in love with Bulalo the moment it touched my lips. To cook this they get a nice, fat beef shank, let it boil in a broth until all the bone marrow and fat has melted into the soup and then throw some veges in to top it all of (usually cabbage and corn). The soup is so beefy and flavoursome, probably because they leave it simmering in those massive pots all day (see pic). My mouth is actually watering furiously as I type this. It is seriously delicious.
Get it at: Al Goto King Special Bulalo in Batangas City. It’s not as common in Manila but quite a few Filipino kitchens will have it.

23. Buko Pie

If you travel anywhere by bus in The Philippines you will surely experience the street vendors jumping on board screaming “Buko pie Buko pie!!” After seeing a number of people buy these I came to the conclusion that this Buko pie thing must be a pretty big deal so I had to try one. This blog post on Our Awesome Planet laid out the best brands and eventually I got my hands on a Colette’s pie.
It’s awesome, for real. I did not expect it to be that good. The texture reminded me of a really good apple pie, it had a nice firm pastry with a lovely crust, and it had that ‘freshly baked’ smell, the kind that weakens your knees as you walk past a bakery in the morning. Partner it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ll probably end up packing a suitcase of them to take home with you.
So, what exactly is a buko pie? Just a well baked pie packed with young slivers of fresh coconut and condensed milk. How they make it taste so good, I have no idea.
Get it at: I think it’s easiest to find the famous brands at their stores in Laguna, but you can find them at bus stops and markets too.

24. Turon

Take a few slices of banana, wrap it in a spring roll wrapper coated in brown sugar and then deep fry it. Sound delicious? That’s a turon! And yes, it tastes as good as it sounds.
Get it at: I bought mine at a bus stop in Lipa. Also got served to me at a resort in Quezon.

25. Ilocos Empanada

This is a snack native to the Ilocos region, hence the name, but I seemed to keep running into it in the various Manila markets. The reason it kept catching my eye was the orange dough; it’s almost a neon orange before it’s cooked. However that’s not the only difference to standard empanadas. Inside it’s packed with sausage meat, green papaya and a whole egg, and you’ll notice from the photos that the shell is unusually thin. Once it’s deep fried and ready to eat you need to do what you do with everything else in The Philippines – splash it with vinegar!
Get it at: Cucina Andare market outside Glorietta 3 (Fri, Sat, Sun), food market at Mall of Asia (Fri, Sat, Sun) or the Legazpi Sunday Market (cnr Rufino/Legzpi St).

26. Longaniza

Longanisa is a type of sausage that they often eat for breakfast here. Every region of The Philippines has their own specialty, so depending on which one you choose you might get sweet, sour, garlicky, fish, chicken, beef etc. Although almost every time I ate it in Manila it was sweet and garlicky.
Get it at: Any supermarket, food market or Filipino restaurant during breakfast.

27. Banana Ketchup

Not your regular ketchup. It’s made from mashed bananas and you’ll definitely taste the subtle difference (less tang, more sweet). During WW2 there was a shortage of tomatoes and the ketchup makers decided bananas were the next best thing. Judging by it’s popularity today it seems the tomato never really made a comeback.
Get it at: Any supermarket. Restaurants will likely have it if you ask for it.

28. Isaw

Another popular street food in The Philippines, this is a grilled skewer of chicken or pig intestines. Splash some vinegar over it and away you go. I’m a fan of the flavour but the texture, not so much (it’s a bit powdery). It’s so popular here that you have to try it at least once.
Get it at: Cucina Andare market outside Glorietta 3 (Fri, Sat, Sun), food market at Mall of Asia (Fri, Sat, Sun) or the Legazpi Sunday Market (cnr Rufino/Legzpi St).

29. Bangus

Bangus (milkfish) is the country’s national fish and quite often they fry it up for breakfast with a side of garlic rice and egg. Before trying it I wasn’t sold on the idea of fried fish for breakfast (I’m more of a fresh fruits kinda guy), but after the first time it quickly became my breakfast of choice. With the trademark drizzle of vinegar it’s quite the kickstart to your day.


Now Lets Go To Zambales

The Coffee Shop

Opened in 1984, The Coffee Shop has become an institution in Barrio Barretto, just outside the main center of Olongapo City. The restaurant is famous for their Giant Tacos, hearty servings, and reasonable prices. Their Steak and Eggs (P170), for example, is composed of a medium-sized slab of beef, two eggs, two pieces of the best toast you will find in Subic, and home fried potatoes. The Giant Tacos (P85) are as long as a dinner plate, and as wide as half of it. As one of the few places in the area that's open 24/7, it's a good place to satisfy those midnight and early morning cravings. Be prepared to wait awhile for your food though. Like most of the restaurants in Subic, service conforms to the province's leisurely pace.

Xtremely Xpresso

Everything is bigger in Xtremely Xpresso: the pizza, the cookies, and the menu, which offers Filipino, Italian, American, and Thai cuisine, as well as a selection of drinks and desserts. The cafe is one of the more popular hangouts inside the base, and is also one of the small number of establishments that stay open past 10PM. It is also one of the restaurants that comes closest to a Manila haunt, without losing its distinctly Subic flavor. A large order of the Big Ben, a pizza loaded with pepperoni, sausage, bacon and beef piled on onions, peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and two kinds of cheese comes up to P729, but looks like it could feed two families. The restaurant's interior and garden offer diners two different ambiances, so whether you feel like sitting in a rowdy family restaurant or chilling out with your friends, having lasagna or curry, Xtremely Xpresso has what you want, and more.

Meat Plus Cafe

Another Subic landmark, Meat Plus Cafe is one of those restaurants that locals say define the Subic experience. As its name implies, the restaurant specializes in meat--specifically steak. The restaurant tends to fill up during mealtimes, so go earlier or later if you want to avoid the long lines and families with small children. The food is worth the trip. The steaks are hefty, come in different cuts (Tenderloin P240, Topsirloin P270) and are served with gravy, vegetables, and rice. You can also choose your own cut and have them cook it for you (market price + P100). Sidings include soup (P45), mashed potatoes (P40), fries (P45) and a variety of salads (P30 - 130). There are non-beef options too, such as Grilled Boneless Chicken (P165) and Grilled Salmon Steak (P255), as well as a small but impressive dessert and coffee menu, which includes Apple Pie (P100), Chocolate Cake (P100) Banana Fritters (P105), and the usual assortment of hot and cold drinks. Meat Plus holds no airs apart from its claim to serving the best steaks in Subic--a claim which is true, by the way--this is part of its charm, and what keeps people coming back.

Texas Joe's House of Ribs

In a town that is popular for its hearty meat dishes and American-sized servings, Texas Joe's has made a name for itself, and is one of those places strongly recommended by the locals. Its ranch-style interiors (which actually extend to an outdoor dining area) hint at the down-home country cooking they serve. Their Hickory Smoked Ribs (P389 for a single order of three ribs, P549 for five ribs, and P759 for a Texas Slab with 7 bones) are strongly flavored and further enhanced by their selection of sauces. "Light fare" is also available, such as their Barbecue Quesadilla (P259) and Smoked Chicken Lunch (P219). The restaurant offers a wide selection of sides for the picking, including their classic Corny Corn Bread Loaf (P79). With its wood interiors, smoky stage, and jolly jukebox, Texas Joe's is the perfect place to experience the good ole ambiance of the American South.

Sam's Pizza

Sam's Pizza, despite the dim lights, live music, and indoor smoking, is very much a family restaurant, as evidenced by the tables filled with smiling parents and enthusiastic children. The place seems like it never left the 80s, which is a good thing as it combines good and filling food at reasonable prices coupled with a lively atmosphere that, while chaotic, is also nostalgic. The restaurant, which opened in 1976, claims to have introduced the square pizza to the Philippines--so if this claim is true, it is a historic landmark as well. Sam's Pizza is located along one of the main roads of Olongapo City, so parking might be a problem, and valuables should be kept on one's person at all times.

And Now For The Last Part Let's Go To Zamboanga City
Beyond Zamboanga's diverse yet traditional culinary scene is a city ready for gastronomic change.
Something new was happening in Zamboanga City. Marco Lobregat, Ministry of Mushroom’s head honcho and a native Zamboangueño, invited FOOD Magazine to visit his hometown and be part of an ambitious project called the Mindanao Summer Peace Fest (SPF), a celebration of music, food, art and local traditional culture in the name of peace for the southern state.
In Zamboanga, you’d find the Canelar Trading Center, more popularly called the Barter Trade -- once a bustling commercial center. It’s now teeming with affordable goods from Malaysia and Indonesia. You’ll find instant noodles in curry and nasi goreng flavors, assorted wafers, instant coffee, chocolate, candy and wall-to-wall displays of ready-to-wear batik clothing.
Locals speak the lingua franca, Chavacano, considered a bastardized version of Spanish. Every city has its signature eats and these establishments are popular for it.

A small corner hut called Busy Bee along Governor Camins Road gets really crowded, especially during lunchtime. Edna Montano and her staff serve classic dishes like pato estofado, bicol express, pork adobo, chicken arroz caldo and fresh lumpiang ubod.

If you’re looking for one of the oldest (and still most popular) panaderia in town, go to d’Master Bakery. Ivy Simbajon and her mother, Myrna Inocencio of Myrna’s Bakehouse, continuously churns out batches of their freshly baked bestselling cheese bread and monggo bread, ready to be consumed by customers waiting all throughout the day. It is also popular for the best cakes and pastries in town. Scrumptious examples include Cassava Lychee Pudding, Durian Napoleon, Nangka Bars, Avocado Pie, Melon Yogurt Pie, plus savory pastries like Spaghetti Cheese Tart and Chorizo Cheese Pie.

Ricky Manzano bought New Country Chicken, one of the city’s oldest restaurants, from its previous owners and continues to serve its most popular dish, mano-mano, a big boodle of daing na bangus, calamares, homemade longanisa, asao custillas (pork spareribs) or pork belly, adobo de manok, asao de talong, salted eggs with tomatoes and mangga hilaw con bagoong gata.

Beside New Country Chicken is La Oliva, his fine dining establishment where they offer an extravagant (by Zamboanga standards) Angus beef rib eye which Mr. Manzano insists on grilling himself to ensure it’s done right. For dessert, you must not miss the homemade ice cream available in peanut butter, strawberry and Choc-Nut, among many flavors.

If you’re considering a full degustation of fine Muslim cuisine, try Keyo’s, a relatively new restaurant whose owners come from Sulu. Keyo’s menu offers a wide range of halal selections like chula itum, a remarkable beef soup that’s blackened with scorched coconut and flavored with ginger and other spices. Another dish is kurma (or kulma in Tagalog), which is beef braised in coconut milk.

Lastly, you shouldn’t leave Zamboanga until you’ve eaten in Alavar. It has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a seaside carinderia in Cawa-cawa in the 1970s, to becoming the city’s source of culinary pride ever since it introduced the curacha, elevating the once ignored crustacean to symbolize Zamboanga’s cuisine. Started by Marisa Alavar Alfaro’s parents, Miguel and Teresa Alavar, the restaurant became successful thanks to its delicious homegrown fare.

Today, Alavar’s main branch is in Tetuan, with a lovely dining area and a spacious open-air hall for larger parties. Guests can check in at the adjacent bed-and-breakfast offering cozy accommodations and friendly service. Here, you can get to enjoy giant prawns in lemon butter, succulent grilled blue marlin belly, steamed imbao with garlic and butter sauce, bagoong gata served on a bed of green mangoes and, of course, a huge platter of steamed curacha with the signature Alavar sauce.
That's All Thank You Very Much!!!!

Beautiful Places In The Philippines

There Are To Many Beautiful Places That Can Be Found In The Philippines Like Manila, Zambales And Zamboanga City.

Let Me Tell You How Beautiful Is The Places In The Philippines.

Manila

“The  Capital City Of The Philippines”

There are plenty of tourist spots in Manila that local and foreign travelers would love to see.

Tourist Spots That Can Be Found In Manila Are Shown Below.

Rizal Park

Rizal Park or Luneta Park is the most famous landmark in Manila. The country’s national hero and genius, Jose Rizal’s monument stands in the facade of the park across the Roxas Boulevard and the Manila Bay. Many tourists and locals go there every day to have some photos taken in the famous statue and park.

Another One Is The Mall Of Asia

Mall Of Asia

Of course, don’t miss going to one of the biggest malls in Asia (yeah dude, not only in the Philippines), the Mall of Asia a.k.a. MOA. The huge mall is owned by the SM supermalls group. Big concerts and events are usually held here. Just recently, the popular Justin Bieber had his first concert in the country in MOA. Known celebrities and icons also performed here like Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, and many more. Fantastic fireworks displays are seen every Saturday night and during some special occasions in MOA. International Pyro Musical Competition is also held every year. Experience the best IMAX theater here as well. Totally one of the best tourists spots and places to visit in Manila.

That's Two Of The Nice Places That Can Be Found In Manila

Now Let's Go To Zambales

Zambales

Zambales hosts 173 kilometers of beaches, with coral reefs, dive spots, surfing areas, hotels and day-use beach huts. If you are a group of college kids or twenty-somethings eager to rough it out and camp then the Zambales Coast offers a lot of camping opportunities. Make sure you dispose of your garbage properly, or better yet bring your own trash bag. Zambales is also perfect for people who want to surf closer to Manila as well as wreck divers who can’t make it to Coron. There is hiking in the north and the promise of finding that secret waterfall tucked somewhere in the cloud-covered Zambales mountain range is an exciting prospect.

Tourist Spots That Can Be Found In Zambales Is Listed Below.

Cultural

• Botolan Resettlement Sites

Botolan, Zambales

A model resettlement village located in Brgys. Baquilan, Loob-bunga and Taugtug. Baquilan offers a hilltop view of the volcano's crater. It is populated by hundreds of Aeta families who were displaced from their native habitat during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. An optional visit for tourists who would rather engage in social and cultural exchange with the natives.

Historical

• Camara Ancestral House

Iba, Zambales

Vicente Camara was the first Filipino Governor of Zambales, appointed by Gen. Aguinaldo in 1898. His term ended upon his surrender to the Americans in 1901. The Camara house is one of a kind built from the strongest local hardwoods, such as molave, yakal and narra. Camara himself together with Ginzaburo Hanaki designed the house with materials personally chosen by the former in 1912. Design was based on the need for ventilation, steep roof made of nipa for coolness. Floor-to-ceiling windows added more ventilation to the house. The main staircase and jambs are made of single, unjoined molave hardwood. During the war, it was used as headquarters by the Japanese. Gen. Yamashita visited the house during the war years. In its yard, the first Caimito, Java Mango, and Mangosteen trees in Zambales were planted.

• Capones Island Lighthouse

San Antonio, Zambales

The Faro (Lighthouse) de Punta Capones on the Island of Grand Capon is a significant lighthouse of the first order. Its light guides ships entering and leaving the port of Manila and Subic Bay. The lighthouse also warns navigators of the rocky shores surrounding the Island of Capones. As a warning beacon, it serves together with the lights situated in the islets of Los Frailes, and Los Jabones as a series of warnings due to the dangers of the surrounding seas as well as the islands close proximity to shore, thereby making the seas very treacherous to unseasoned navigators. As a navigation guide, this lighthouse serves the main artery for ships heading towards China, which therefore makes it a very busy and important shipping route.

Responding to the need for better navigation guides throughout the Philippines, the Spanish colonial government initiated a substantial building program of lighthouses and light stations throughout the Philippine archipelago. One of the initial projects to be approved in this significant undertaking was the lighthouse on the Island of Grand Capon or Faro de Punta Capones.

• Fort Paynauen

Botolan, Zambales

This historic fortress whose moss-covered walls still stand on the bank of Bancal River in Barrio Pader in Botolan was once the most formidable Spanish garrison in Central Luzon during the first century of the Spanish regime in the Philippines. Also known as Playa Honda, the fort was constructed on the advice of Spanish Admiral Pedro Duran de Monforte to Governor General Diego de Salcedo whose administration of the islands from 1663 to 1668 had to face the serious problem of the continuous uprising of the inhabitants of the province, also known as the province of Playa Honda. Paynauen is the original name of Iba. In 1617, off the coast of Zambales, the Spaniards led by Juan Ronquillo, destroyed three of the six Dutch ships led by Admiral John Derickson Lamb in the two-day battle. This was part of a series of Dutch attacks on the Philippines in the early part of the 17th century. This is known in history as the second battle of Playa Honda. Fort Paynauen served as a prison not only for the recalcitrant natives of Zambales but also for Spanish officials who angered the Spanish Governor General or Archbishop of Manila. During rhe administration of Governor General Juan de Vargas Hurlado (1678-1684), he and the Archbishop of Manila, Don Felipe Pardo were not in good terms. When Archbishop Pardo became powerful, Vargas' trusted followers were incarcerated in Fort Paynauen.

• Subic Naval Base (now Subic Bay Freeport)

Olongapo City, Zambales

Characterized by its natural deep-sea harbor, with narrow entrance guarded by Grande Island, for the defense of its colonial hold on the Philippines, Spain was the first to build a naval station here in 1885 - only to lose it during the Spanish-American War 13 years later in 1898.It became a major shipyard and repair facility for the U.S. Navy after floating drydock "Dewey" was towed in Subic from Virginia in 1905. It was home to the U.S. 7th Fleet. The administration of Olongapo was later turned over to the Philippine government by the United States on December 7, 1959. The town was converted into a city on June 1, 1966 by virtue of RA No. 4645 sponsored by Congressman Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. The city mayor then was James L. Gordon. Today the former naval station has grown to become the first freeport zone in the country - a sprawling industrial, commercial and tourism estate attracting hundreds of investors and millions of local and foreign tourists.

Landmarks

• Ramon Magsaysay Marker

Iba, Zambales

Ramon Magsaysay - Popularly known as the "idol of the masses," loved by by a multitude as the "guy", he was born on 31 august 1907 in Iba, Zambales; finished his BSC at the Jose Rizal College, Mandaluyong, Rizal; highest ranking official of the armed forces in Zambales, 1942; was promoted to Major General by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, 1945; representative, 1946 - 1950; President of the Philippines, 1953 - 1957; was responsible in crushing the Hukbalahap movement (insurgency); was responsible in organizing the President's Action Committee (PCAC), National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Administration (NARRA), National Marketing Corporation (NAMARCO), and the Land Tenure Administration (LTA). He died on March 17, 1957.

• Ulo ng Apo Monument

Olongapo City

Legend has it the name ‘Olongapo’ was derived from the phrase ‘Ulo ng Apo’ or Old Man's Head. The name was derived from the story of a wise, old man who wanted to sow unity among the members of a warring tribe. Disliked by the idea of a tribe having a true and good leader, the wise, old man just disappeared only to be found dead with his head severed from the body. His head was later found resting on the tip of a bamboo pole. Upon seeing this, a young boy run around the village crying “Ulo ng Apo”. The phrase stuck and the place is now known today as Olongapo. A monument in honor of the legendary leader lies at the center of the city.

Local Wonders

• Bacala Guesthouse

San Salvador Island, Masinloc, Zambales

The guesthouse sits astride a sand bar in the middle of the bay. It has the privacy and comfort of a resort plus the pristine white sand and crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkeling.

That Are Some Of The Best Tourist Spots That Can Be Found In Zambales 

Now Let's Go To Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City

•Zambales  is one of the best places in thePhilippines. For history buffs who want to relive the Philippines’ past, Zamboanga city is paradise. Not only would you get to see Hispanic manifestations in the architecture, but you get to experience it through its unique language, Chabacano. Extranjeros would often comment that hearing natives speak Chabacano makes them feel like they are in Mexico. From the time you get off the plane, stroll in its many parks and plazas, visit its churches, wander along the city streets, and talk to the locals, you would agree that it is truly Asia’s Latin city.

The Best Tourist Spot In Zamboanga Is Shown Below

Pasonanca Park

The Pasonanca Park, Zamboanga is believed to be the only one of its kind. Found in Barangay Pasonanca, one of the city barangays with the highest elevation from the sea level, the park takes pride in its centuries-old trees, flowering plants, ferns, shrubs and close to 600 different species of orchids. More so, nestled high in the branches is a tree house built in the 1960s.

For a minimal fee, the tree house could be rented for an overnight stay provided a permit from the City Mayor’s office is acquired. It has the amenities of a small motel room.

In the dark of night, you can commune with nature, the gentle rustling of the pine trees lulling you to sleep. Moreover, the place is guaranteed safe. Now, you can share this unique experience because not everyone has the opportunity to sleep in a tree house with the ambiance of a motel.

The biggest attraction in the park is the ‘La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat.’ Named after the late mayor, Maria Clara Lobregat, the garden is a showcase of floral and butterfly species. Here, you get to see a colorful palette of different varieties of flowers that tend to light up the surroundings in every angle.

It also has an aviary park. Keeping in safe sanctuary, birds like parrots, turkeys and eagles provide a symphony of chirps with every sound they make. Seeing them in close proximity enables you to understand and observe how they are – up close and personal.

If the flowers and birds do not spark your ignition for adventure, then tag anyone along the short garden towards the statue of Madam Clara and spend minutes leisurely on the benches around. Feel the wind’s embrace and whisper sweet nothing in your ears while in the presence of your family, friends and significant other.

There are other features found inside the park like the separate campsites for males and females, an amphitheatre and a convention center.

Families and groups come here on weekends for picnic and a much deserved relaxation away from the stress bundles of work.

Indeed, the park is huge but is well- kept. Admittedly, visitors admire it for its serene and calm ambience.

Relaxing under centuries-old trees gives you a feeling of peace. It is most definitely the best place to meditate and unwind. Experience Pasonanca Park, Zamboanga and rejuvenate with nature!

That Are The Some OF Beautiful Places That Can Be Found In The Philippines.

It's More Fun In The Philippines So Come