Boracay hailed as Asia’s # 1 beach, World’s 2nd best

Boracay island in Aklan province is the second best beach destination in the world and the No. 1 in Asia for the second year in a row, according to travel website TripAdvisor.

“At only 4.5 miles long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don’t let its small size fool you — you’ll have several excellent beaches to choose from,” TripAdvisor said in its website.

“Yapak beach is known for beautiful white shells; White beach has picture-perfect sunsets; and Balinghai beach is a secluded spot, perfect for honeymooners. As long as you visit during dry season, you’ll agree this is one of the best beach destinations in the world,” it added.

Mountaineer Romi Garduce completes Seven Summits climb

Just like his past alpine climbs, his moment on top didn’t last long.

But that fleeting moment proved historic as Romeo “Romi” Garduce emerged as the first Filipino to complete the renowned “Seven Summits” after conquering Vinson Massif in Antarctica at 6:30 p.m. (Antarctica time) on Jan. 5.

“The summit day itself was the most difficult because that part of our climb was very steep,” Garduce said.

“It was a bit windy, so it was chilly, so we only had a few moments to appreciate the view.”

The remarkable feat made Garduce one of the few Asians—15 at the last count—to complete the “Seven Summits,” the collective reference to the highest mountains in the seven continents of the world.

Why the Philippines is the World’s Top Call center country

In a nutshell, it’s all about the culture.

Historically, the Philippines has always been an occupied country. Spain ruled the islands for 333 years, followed by 45 years with the United States in 1898 with a brief period of occupation by the Japanese during World War II until it was liberated by the United States again. On July 4, 1946, the United States granted the Philippines its independence as a sovereign country. Since then, American culture has always taken a frontline in the lifestyle of the modern Filipino.

Siargao Island hailed as one of world’s best surfing spots

Siargao in Surigao del Norte is well known as “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines” and recently, CNN ranked Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines as the 8th best surfing spot in the world.

Cloud 9 has one of the best known surfing waves on Siargao known for its thick, hollow tubes. It is the only wave easily accessible without a boat.

CNNGO’s 50 best surf spots called out the famed Cloud 9 spot in Siargao, Surigao del Norte, as a “dramatic and powerful reef break” that should be experienced by daring surfers.

Fil-Am midwife Robin Lim is named CNN Hero of the Year

Robin Lim

Robin Lim, a Filipino-American midwife who helps poor women have healthy pregnancies and births in Indonesia, has been named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year.

In Sunday’s star-studded ceremony at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Lim received the CNN Hero of the Year 2011 award from Anderson Cooper.

“Today on our Earth, 981 mothers in the prime of their life will die — and tomorrow again and yesterday. And I’m asking you to help change that. We don’t even know how many babies are lost, but all of us can help change that,” a tearful Lim said, as she accepted the honor.

Philippines is Asia’s friendliest nation and world’s 8th best

An HSBC survey, reported on Forbes Magazine reveals the Philippines is Asia’s friendliest country and ranked 8th best in the world in the list of the “World’s Friendliest Countries” in the “Expat Explorer Survey 2011.”

The survey by the global banking giant showed that hospitality is the greatest asset of the Philippines in the tourism industry.

The survey conducted in 100 countries worldwide between May and July 2011 rates countries based on the preference of expatriates to make them “their second home.”