Butuan: The Timber City of the South

The City of Butuan is the regional center of Caraga an administrative region of the Philippines. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del Norte, to the east by Agusan del Sur and to the northwest by Butuan Bay. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 298,378 people.

The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan"(Garcinia morella). Other etymology sources say that it comes from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled over Butuan.

Butuan was the capital of Agusan del Norte until 2000 when Republic Act 8811 transferred the capital to Cabadbaran City. However many of the provincial government offices are still located there, including the provincial capitol, as are many the Caraga regional offices of the national government agencies. 

The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Other etymology sources say that it comes from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled over Butuan. The City of Butuan is the regional center of the Caraga Region in the Philippines. It lies flat along the banks of Agusan River following along course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and drains into Butuan Bay. Butuan serves a strategic center of the Northern Mindanao region. The fishing ground of Butuan is the Butuan Bay of which two coastal barangays are located. It extends some two kilometers to the sea and joins the Bohol Sea. These are barangays Lumbocan and Masao. 

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head:

City Population: 307,942 as of 2009

City Land Area: 817.28 km2

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City

Website: http://www.butuan.gov.ph/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butuan

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

MONIKER/NICKNAMES:

LINKS FOR MORE ABOUT THE CITY HERE:

@ http://butuantoday.tumblr.com/

@ http://butuantoday.tumblr.com/

@ http://www.butuancityguide.com/

MORE OF THE CITY’S PIC HERE:

Zamboanga: The Asia's Latin City

Zamboanga City is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines. It is currently ranked as the 6th most populous city (947,020 estimated population as of 2010) and the 3rd largest by land area in the Philippines (522/km2 (1,353/sq mi)). It is located at the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and is bounded in the north by the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, in the west by the Sulu Sea, in the east by Sibuguey Bay, and in the south by the Basilan Strait. It is approximately 460 nautical miles (850 km) south of City of Manila, 365 nautical miles (676 km) northeast of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 345 nautical miles (639 km) northeast of Menado, Indonesia, bounded to the west by Sulu Sea, on the east by the Moro Gulf, and on the south by the Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea. Its distance from Cebu City is about 372.57 nautical miles (690.00 km), and is 340.17 nautical miles (629.99 km) from Davao City.

The Ciudad de Zamboanga’s climates are generally of the third and fourth types where it is practically from June to December. The highest rainfall occurs on the month of July while the lowest rainfalls on the month of April. The city is outside the typhoon belt, hence, typhoons rarely visit the Ciudad de Zamboanga.

It is now the centre of economic activities in Mindanao with its modern international seaport, which is one of the principal ports of call for inter-island and international shipping. Its airport, which also classified as an international airport, provides air transportation to various domestic destinations. Both seaport and airport serve as transshipment points of various goods to neighboring cities and countries.

It is the seat of one of the largest number of military and police bases in the country. It is also home of the 3rd Air Division of the Edwin Andrews Air Base, which handles the Air Force of the Philippines in the city; and the 6th Naval District in Camp General Basilio Navarro also known as Western Mindanao Command, the main headquarters of Armed Forces of the Philippines in Western part of Mindanao; the Philippine Army, Philippine Marines, and Philippine Navy are assigned to that command. The "Camp Enrile" and other three military camps can be found in the city.

It is the former capital of Moro Province now Mindanao Island (1903 to 1913) in the Philippines. On September 15, 1911, the Municipalidad de Zamboanga was converted into a Ciudad by the legislative order Act. No.272.[6] It is known as CIUDAD LATINA DE ASIA in Zamboangueño Language or in English Language Asia's Latin City for its strong Hispanic/Latin influence.

Currently, Ciudad de Zamboanga is one of the primary hubs in the Philippines, being the premier city in Zamboanga Peninsula Region in terms of commerce, trade, health services, financial institutions and education.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: 

City Population:

City Land Area:

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines

Website:

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamboanga_City

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

MONIKER/NICKNAMES:

Asia's Latin City

LINKS FOR MORE ABOUT THE CITY HERE:

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Cagayan de Oro: The City of Golden Friendship

A growing metropolis classified as a first-class city, Cagayan de Oro serves as the regional center being the most populous highly-urbanized city in Northern Mindanao (Region X) noted for its accessibility, business growth, and tourism attractions. According to the 2007 Census, the city has an estimated population of 553,996 inhabitants.

Cagayan de Oro is considered as a melting pot in Mindanao. The name Cagayan de Oro may appear abbreviated as CDO, CDOC, CdeO or Cag. de Oro.

Cagayan de Oro is a veritable goldmine for those in search of new tourist and investment destination.

The city has a reservoir of advantages: no typhoons all year round, rich agricultural environments, a broad consumer and manpower base, cheap and abundant power, strategically located internation seaports, modern telecommunication facilities, adequate infrastructure and a highly efficient educational system.As the trade and service center of Northern Mindanao, the city is a prime location for cost-effective air, land and sea transit. Moreover, its striving business community and the necessary business support facilities makes the process of doing business relaxed and pleasurable.

The soundness of the Cagayan de Oro business climate as well as its metropolitan flavor combined with the warm and easy nature of the local people gives it a self-contained setting that motivated an increasing number expatriate business to stay in the city for good.




As an urban center with a regional market orientation, a high level of market sophistication and an economy closely intertwined with the economies of the entire region, the city is poised for planned, rapid and sustained growth. 

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head:

City Population:

City Land Area

Classification:

Website: 

Wikipedia:

NICKNAMES/MONIKER:

"City of Golden Friendship"
Gateway to Northern Mindanao
A City in Bloom, in Blossom and in Boom!
ICT Goldmine of the Philippines
Rafting Capital of the Philippines




LINKS ABOUT CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY HERE:
@ http://www.cdokay.com

MORE OF CAGAYAN DE ORO IMAGES HERE:

 

Cebu: The New Queen City of the South

The Skyscrapers in Cebu City

The City of Cebu (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbo) is the capital city of Cebu and the second city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest city established by the Spaniards in the country. 

The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port and is home to about 80% of the country's domestic shipping companies. Cebu also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippines and is a significant centre of commerce, trade and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao region. According to the 2007 Philippine census, the city has a population of about 798,809 people.

The New Queen City of the South boasts of famed Cebuano hospitality and faith, reputable economic activity, competitive administration and renowned scenic spots.

You have come to the right place to know more about Cebu City: its rich cultural history and landmarks; the downtown tourism opportunities that have amazed tourists and locales alike; and its thriving trade and industry through its various businesses.

Cebu City Aerial View

The news section keeps you updated with City Hall and Barangay activities, job openings, and notices to taxpayers. Our photo gallery showcases highlights, milestones and other imagery that promotes the city as a whole. For a more convenient service, you can also download business permit application forms and building permit application forms.


Behind the success of the city is our organized governance that keeps it up and running, offering sensible services that have alleviated the lives of its constituents and services that aided the city to prosperity and efficiency. 

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Mayor Michael Rama
City Land Area: 315 square km.
City Population:  799,762 as of 2007

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines
Location: Website: http://www.cebucity.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebu_City
  
MONIKER/NICKNAME:
"The New Queen City of the South"
"The Gateway To A Thousand Journeys"


AWARDS & CITATIONS:

MORE OF THE CITY LINKS HERE:
@  http://totallycebu.com/

MORE PICTURES HERE:
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Lapu-Lapu

Lapu-Lapu City is a first class highly-urbanized city in the province of Cebu in the Philippines. The city occupies most of Mactan Island, a few kilometer off the main island of Cebu and also covers the area of Olango Island further to the southeast region, plus a few other islands. It is part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area which is located in Cebu City. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of about 292,530 people.

The city is linked to Mandaue City on mainland Cebu by the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the second busiest airport in the Philippines, is located in Lapu-Lapu City. The only aquarium attraction in the Visayas is also located in Lapu-lapu City.

In the 16th century Mactan Island was colonized by Spain. Augustinians friars founded the town of Opon in 1730 and became a city in 1961 and was renamed after Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Muslim king who defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. This battle is commemorated at the Lapu-Lapu shrine in Punta Enga?

Politician Manuel A. Zosa, the representative of the Sixth District of Cebu, sponsored the Bill converting the former municipality of Opon into the present day City of Lapu-Lapu. This was the Republic Act 3134, known as the City Charter of Lapu-Lapu which was signed on June 17, 1961 by former Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia.

OFFICIAL DETAILS: 

City Head: Paz Corro Radaza

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City

City Population: 292,530

City Land Area: 5,035 sq. km.

Website: http://www.lapulapucity.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapulapu

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Davao: The Land of Promise

The City of Davao  is the largest city on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines.

Davao is a region in south eastern Mindanao, Philippines that boast of its natural beauty and resources. Davao is composed of four provinces namely: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and the City of Davao. 

Collectively, they are designated as Region XI of the Philippines. Davao is a major producer of gold, and its mining resources include silica, silver, copper and elemental sulfur. It is where the highest peak (10,311 feet) in the Philippines is located – Mt. Apo, where only the brave dare climb.

Davao City is the most important city in Mindanao and the largest city in Asia in terms of  land area - occupying more than 244,000 hectares. Its population according to the 2000 Census is 1,147,116. It's international airport and seaport is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the southern Philippines. Davao City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province. The city is also the regional center for the Davao Region.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio
City Land Area: 2,444 square km.
City Population: 1,363,337
City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines

Website: http://www.davaocity.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_City

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

1. Department of Tourism as the Most Livable City in the Philippines in 2008.

2. Named as 10th "Asian City of the Future" by the Foreign Direct Investment Magazine

 MORE OF DAVAO CITY HERE:

@ http://www.philsite.net/davao.htm
@ http://tagadavao.wordpress.com

MORE OF THE CITY’S PIC HERE:

Baguio: The Summer Capital of the Philippines

Baguio is hailed as the summer capital of the Philippines and known as one of the industrialized cities in the Northern part of the Philippines.

Baguio City on Aerial View

Many people visit this city every summer because of its cold weather and attractive tourist spots. Based on the history of the city, it is the Americans, which recognized Baguio as one of the Philippine cities on June 1, 1903 at Kafagway.

Naguilian Highway, Marcos Highway and Kennon Road are the three accessible roads to the city. The most famous route to the city is Kennon Road, however, it is dangerous to take that route during the rainy season because the road is prone to land slides. In this case, travelers who want to visit the city is advised to travel by air since the city has an airport which is named as Loakan Airport.

Baguio City is a big city in the Northern region of the Philippines. Based on reports, the city has 130 barangays, which include the Session Road area, the barangay that is very popular for bars, restaurants and other business establishments that attract tourists and travelers to the area. Aside from the Session Road area, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay and Burnham Park are the other tourist attractions in the area.

Downtown Baguio City

For travelers who want to have a look at some tourist spots in city, they can also visit the vacation house of every Philippine president in Baguio. It is also exciting and luring to have a tour at some of the strawberry farms of the city. In addition, the city is also renowned for its top universities and colleges such as University of the Philippines Baguio, University of Baguio and Saint Louis University. Above all, Baguio is popular for Philippine Military Academy that is based on one of its barangays.

Many foreigners visit the place during February because it is the month in which the famous and luring Panagbenga Festival or Flower Festival is held. For those who want to visit the city during these times, they are advised to book in hotels in Baguio in advance. With the help of the Internet, players can visit Web sites that are created for travelers who want to have a background on the alluring tourist destinations in the city. The sites also have instant access to the places where travelers can stay when they visit Baguio. With these tools, tourists will surely enjoy their visit to the attractive city of the Philippines, the Baguio City.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Hon. Mayor Mauricio Domogan 
City Land Area: 57.5 Square KM.
City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines

Population: 450,000 est. as of 2010
Location: Benguet Province, Philippines

Website: http://www.baguio.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguio

MONIKER/NICKNAME(S):

"The Summer Capital of the Philippines"

"The City of Pines"
"The Ghost Capital of the Philippines"

MORE LINKS FOR BAGUIO CITY HERE: 

@ http://www.gobaguio.com

@ http://www.baguioboard.com

@ http://hotelsinbaguio.com 

@ http://www.baguiocity.com
@ http://baguiocity.org

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Bacolod: The City of Smiles

The City of Bacolod (Filipino: Lungsod ng Bacólod), is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region.

The Cleanest and Greenest and the Most Livable City in the Philippines. The capital of the Province of Negros Occidental which is the Sugarbowl of the Philippines. Bacolod City serves as the entrance of the sugar-rich cities and towns of the Province. Visitor’s facilities abound, modern means of in-land transport can take guests for business or leisure to any point in the island of Negros.

Bacolod will charm you with the genuine warmth and hospitality of her people in harmony with their lilting melodious accent. The Bacoleños will delight you with food and cuisine that is as vigorous yet as subtle as the legendary Ilonggo gentility and taste for the good life.

Bacólod (English: Bacolod), is derived from bakólod (Old Spelling: bacólod), the Old Hiligaynon or Old Ilonggo (Old Spelling: Ylongo and Ilongo) word for a "hill, mound, rise, hillock, down, any small eminence or elevation", since the resettlement was founded on a stony, hilly area, now the barangay of Granada. It was officially called Ciudad de Bacólod (English: City of Bacolod) when Municipalidad de Bacólod (English: Municipality of Bacolod) was converted into a city in 1938.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Mayor Evelio Agi Ramos Leonardía

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippnes

City Population: 499,497 as of 2007

City Land Area: 162.76 square km

Website: http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacolod_City

MONIKER / NICKNAMES:

"The City of Smiles"

"Football City of the Philippines"

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

@ 2009 AIM Awardee for Best Compliance with Gov’t. Mandated Plans.
@ 2009 Region’s Best Performing City in Economic Development.

@ No. 1 in a survey by MoneySense Magazine as the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines"

MORE PICS HERE: 

 

Iloilo: The City of Love

Iloilo [/,e-la-we(,)lo] City lies on the south coast of Panay Island in central Philippines. It was made the capital of Iloilo Province in 1673 and a city in 1890. Centuries before Ferdinand Magellan received formal education in Portugal, inhabitants of the city had been trading with Chinese, Arab, Persian and Indian merchants.

The city has a total land area of 11,800 hectares, generally flat with a population of 309,500 and considerably increases during the school season. 

Its naturally-protected port attracted world trade in the 17 th century that by 1878 several foreign commercial houses and foreign consulates were bustling with commercial activities with local manufacturers, farmers and businessmen and the world merchants and traders. At present it boasts of its fine local and international ports. 

Iloilo got its name from the local dialect irong-irong , meaning “nose-like” because the great Iloilo river that divides the city is shaped like a nose if seen from above.

The port is on the southern end of this district where the regional offices of government instrumentalities are located. Many old mansions, houses and structures dot this district, some of which need reconstruction like the once beautiful Laguda colonial mansion and the fabulous Casino Español near Fort San Pedro. 

The great conflagration of February 1966 which burned a vast portion of the City Proper paved the way for a successful redistricting of the city. 

Iloilo City is a vibrant mix of the East and West, old and new, where old Chinese businessmen still prefer to use the abacus , where new architecture soars over ancient mansions and churches. There is so much to see in Iloilo with fascinating Ilonggo traditions and festivals, exciting shopping for local products and trips and excursions to outlying islands and beaches. Although nightlife is more subdued here, high-tech discoteques of hotels are the hosts to the swinging young set while elegant coffee shops, bars, pubs and eateries are strategically located in the city that the Ilonggos invite you to stay an extra day.

OFFICIAL DETAILS :

City Head: Hon. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog
Land Area: 78.34 sq. km.
Population: 450,000 est. as of 2010
City Classification: Highly Urbanized City
Location: Iloilo, Philippines
Website: http://iloilocity.gov.ph/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo_City

MONIKER:
"The City of Love"
"The Queen City of the South"
"La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (English: The Most Loyal and Noble City) by the Queen Regent of Spain



AWARDS RECEIVED & CITATION:
     1. ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST LIVABLE CITIES, a recognition given by LivCom: The International Awards for Livable Communities in 2010 ^ http://www.livcomawards.com/2010-awards/winners.htm

     2. 2009 Palladium BSC Hall of Fame - Iloilo City is the First Philippine Awardee ^ http://www.thepalladiumgroup.com/about/hof/Pages/HofViewer.aspx?MID=135


          3.  BluPrint Magazine's One of the Worlds Most Livable Places - 1st Issue for 2011


MORE OF ILOILO CITY LINKS HERE:
@ http://allaboutiloilophilippines.blogspot.com
@ http://www.gigsilonggo.com
@ http://www.exploreiloilo.com
@ http://www.iloilodirectory.com



MORE OF ILOILO IMAGES HERE: