Biyahe Tayo (21 Artists Version) Sightseeing Destinations Part 1

On my previous post, I wrote the lyrics of the song “Biyahe Tayo (21 Artists Version).”

Here are the places/festivals/activities mentioned in the lyrics of the song… this list will serve as my Philippine travel checklist. LOL.

(Note: I want to write about these places/festivals/activities in details but I can’t do that because (1) this blog will be very long and (2) I haven’t tried nor been to all of them. Please bear with me. I’ll blog them individually when I have time.)

 INTRAMUROS   

Intramuros is also known as “The Walled City.” It came from two Latin words –  intra which means within and muros which means wall. It was the old capital of Manila.  It is a very historical city and is probably the oldest part of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Must see places in Intramuros:

• Fort Santiago – the place where Dr. Jose Rizal was executed

• San Agustin Church – the oldest stone church in the Philippines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Manila Cathedral – the biggest church in the Philippines

LUNETA PARK

Luneta Park, also known as Rizal Park, is a historical national park located in Manila just a few blocks away from Intramuros. Formerly known as Bagumbayan, it’s the place where Dr. Jose Rizal was executed. To honor the hero, a monument was built at the heart of the park.

 PALAWAN

Palawan is an island province located southwest of the Philippines. Its amazing landscapes, rich flora and fauna and wonderful beaches make it one of the best destination spots in the country. Two most popular sightseeing spots here are Puerto Prinsesa and El Nido.

 VIGAN

Vigan, located in Ilocos Sur,  is also known as “The Heritage City.” It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City. It is rich with history and it’s a perfect destination for people who want to have a taste of the Spanish regime atmosphere in the Philippines.

Must see places in Vigan:

• Calle Crisologo – most photographed part of the city, filled with the old Spanish atmosphere with its old Spanish houses, calesa (horse carriage), antique stores and so on… a true picture perfect scenery!

• Baluarte – interactive wildlife sanctuary perfect for animal lovers

 BATANES

Batanes is also known as the “The Home of the Winds.” It is the smallest province in the Philippines and is located in the northernmost part of the country. I have never been here but my friends who have been to this place said that “You must go to Batanes once in your lifetime! It’s one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see!” I saw some of their pictures and I think it’s really a wonderful place. Some places to visit here include Batan Island and Sabtang Island.

SUBIC

Subic is a place for people who love adventure and who want to really relax and have a wonderful getaway with friends or the family. When you visit Subic, be sure to allot time for sightseeing because there are a lot of places you should visit and a lot of activities that you should try!

Must see places:

• Bat Kingdom – man-made sightseeing spot, home for the biggest kind of bats (fruit bat) and the smallest specie of bats (Bamboo bat)

• Zoobic Safari – have a taste of safari with exotic and wild animals from tigers to monkeys!

• Ocean Adventure – the only open water marine park in Subic and the rest of Southeast Asia, it has animal shows like dolphin shows… if you are adventurous enough, you can try the animal encounter where you can swim with some of the marine animals…!

• Tree Top Adventure – its a place for adventurous people… lots of attractions and exciting activities to do at this park!

Things to do in Subic:

• JEST Camp – Jungle Environment Survival Training Camp, learn survival skills in the Jungle that are being used by the US Navy Seals and Special Forces

• Scuba Diving – Subic is said to be one of the greatest diving spots, however, you will not see so many marine species… what you will see are wrecks and ruins from ships and vessels that sank and were submerged under water during the WWII

• El Kabayo Equestrian Ceter – if you love riding horses, this is the place for you!

• Subic International Raceway – if you love car racing such as Formula 3 and Grand Prix, this is your chance to try the real thing

• and many more! Just see for yourself. haha

I have just covered 6 places mentioned in the lyrics of the song!!! waaaahhh!!! This is more challenging than I have expected. It’s already 4:30am here and I need to take a short nap before my part-time job. haha. I will update this again later… or tomorrow… ^^

 

Biyahe Tayo! (21 Top Filipino Artists)

I love the new promotional videos of the Department of Tourism (DOT)! After watching the videos, I was encouraged to really travel around the Philippines. I really want to travel around the world someday. But I also realized that before travelling the world, I want to see the Philippines too.

The Philippines is a wonderful country. It has a very rich biodiversity. In fact, it is one of the hot spots of biodiversity in the world, especially in terms of marine biodiversity.

I will share the three new videos of “Biyahe Tayo (Let’s Travel)” which has the theme “Pilipinas, Tara na! (Philippines, Let’s Go!)” by the 58 Top Filipino Artists (2011) and the earlier version which has the theme “WOW! Philippines” by the 21 Top Filipino Artists (2003).

I will try to include the lyrics (with English translations) and an overview of the places, festivals and activities included in the lyrics of the song… However, I am going to do this one by one. hehe

For this post, it will only be the earlier version first. The new versions will be posted in the coming days… after I’ve translated everything. hehe

21 ARTISTS VERSION (2003)

Title: BIYAHE TAYO (LET’S TRAVEL)
Performed by: ARTISTS FOR PHILIPPINE TOURISM  (21 Top Filipino Artists)
Lyrics by: RENE NIEVA
Composed by: RICO BLANCO & MIKE VILLEGAS
Arranged by: ANGELO VILLEGAS
Directed by: NOEL NIEVA

Lyrics
(with English Translation)

Ikaw ba’y nalulungkot, naiinip… nababagot?
(Are you feeling lonely, bored… and have nothing else to do?)

Ikaw ba’y napapagod, araw gabi’y puro kayod?
(Are you getting tired of working day and night?)  

Buhay mo ba’y walang saysay, walang sigla, walang kulay?
(Has your life lost its meaning, its fun and its color?)  

Bawa’t araw ba’y pareho parang walang pagbabago?
(Everyday is just the same and nothing seems to change?)

Tara na, biyahe tayo kasama ang pamilya
(Let’s go and travel with our family…) 

Barkada at buong grupo para mag-enjoy nang todo.
(…friends and the whole group to enjoy to the fullest) 

Halika, biyahe tayo nang ating makita
(Come, let’s travel for us to see…) 

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas… Ang galing ng Pilipino.
(…the beauty of the Philippines and the greatness of the Filipinos) 

Napasyal ka na ba sa Intramuros at Luneta?
(Have you ever been to Intramuros and Luneta Park?)

Palawan, Vigan at Batanes? Subic, Baguio at Rice Terraces?
(Palawan, Vigan and Batanes? Subic Baguio and Rice Terraces?) 

Namasdan mo na ba ang mga vinta ng Zamboanga?
(Have you ever seen the vinta of Zamboanga?) 

Bulkang Taal, Bulkang Mayon? Beach ng Boracay at La Union?
(Taal Volcano and Mayon Volcano? Beaches of Boracay and La Union?) 

Tara na, biyahe tayo mula Basco hanggang Jolo
(Let’s go and travel from Basco to Jolo…)

Nang makilala ng husto ang ating kapwa-Pilipino.
(…for us to get to know really well our fellow Filipinos) 

Halika, biyahe tayo nang ating makita
(Come, let’s travel for us to see…)

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas…Ang galing ng Pilipino.
(…the beauty of the Philippines and the greatness of the Filipinos) 

From city to city…seven thousand and a hundred plus islas
(From city to city… 7,000 and a hundred plus islands)

Sa mahal kong Pilipinas…Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao ating puntahan.
(My beloved Philippines…  Let’s go to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao)

Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan!
(Let us not be strangers in our own country!) 

Nasubukan mo na bang mag-rapids sa Pagsanjan?
(Have you ever tried the white water rapids of Pagsanjan?)

Mag-diving sa Anilao? Mag-surfing sa Siargao?
(to go diving in Anilao? or to go surfing in Siargao?) 

Natikman mo na ba ang sisig ng Pampanga?
(Have you ever eaten the sisig of Pampanga?)

Duriang Davao, Bangus Dagupan? Bicol Express at Lechong Balayan?
(durian of Davao and milkfish of Dagupan? Bicol Express and Lechong Balayan?) 

Tara na, biyahe tayo nang makatulong kahit pano
(Let’s go and travel to help somehow…)

Sa pag-unlad ng kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan.
(…in improving the livelihood of our fellow Filipinos) 

Halika, biyahe tayo nang ating makita
(Come, let’s travel for us to see…)

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas… Ang galing ng Pilipino.
(…the beauty of the Philippines and the greatness of the Filipinos) 

Nakisaya ka na ba sa Pahiyas at Masskara?
(Have you ever joined in the Pahiyas and Masskara festivals?) 

Moriones at Ati-Atihan? Sinulog at Kadayawan?
(Moriones and Ati-Atihan festivals? Sinulog and Kadayawan festivals?) 

Namiesta ka na ba sa Peñafrancia sa Naga?
(Have you ever gone to the fiestas of Peñafrancia in Naga?)

Umakyat sa Antipolo? Nagsayaw sa Obando?
(climb the Antipolo Church? danced at Obando?)  

Tara na, biyahe tayo upang ating matamo
(Let’s go and travel for us to achieve…) 

Ligaya at Pagkakaibigan… Kaunlaran, Kapayapaan.
(…Joy and  Friendship… Prosperity and Peace)

Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
(Come, let’s travel for us to see…) 

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas… Ang galing ng Pilipino.
(…the beauty of the Philippines and the greatness of the Filipinos) 

Tara na, biyahe tayo upang ating matamo
(Let’s go and travel for us to achieve…) 

Ligaya at Pagkakaibigan… Kaunlaran, Kapayapaan.
(…Joy and  Friendship… Prosperity and Peace)

Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
(Come, let’s travel for us to see…) 

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas…Ang galing ng Pilipino.
(…the beauty of the Philippines and the greatness of the Filipinos) 

Halika, biyahe tayo…
(Come, let’s travel~!) 

WOW! Philippines…

21 TOP FILIPINO ARTISTS-MUSICIANS: Sharon Cuneta, Lea Salonga, Freddie Aguilar, Rey Valera, Rico J. Puno, Apo Hiking Society, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs,Jolina Magdangal, April Boy Regino, Jessa Zaragosa,Paolo Santos, Nina, Rico Blanco of River Maya and Francis Magalona…leading violinist John Lesaca, flutist Jhong Cuenco and Filipino ethnic instrument player Joey Ayala… musical arrangement by Villegas

I will write about the places/festivals/activities mentioned in this song on my next post. ^^