The Regions of Luzon

Luzon is divided into 8 regions, each with its own unique characteristics and provinces:

1. National Capital Region (NCR) - Also known as Metro Manila, it is the country's capital and includes several cities such as Manila, Quezon City, and Makati.

2. Ilocos Region (Region 1) - Located in the northwest, it consists of the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. It is known for its rich history, beautiful coastlines, and preserved Spanish colonial architecture.

3. Cagayan Valley (Region 2) - Situated in the northeast, it includes the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Batanes. The region is known for its agricultural landscapes, pristine beaches, and stunning cave systems.

4. Central Luzon (Region 3) - Located in the central part, it comprises the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. Central Luzon is known for its fertile plains, historical sites, and culinary delights.

5. Calabarzon (Region 4A) - Encompassing the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, Calabarzon is known for its proximity to Metro Manila, beautiful beaches, and popular tourist destinations such as Tagaytay and Puerto Galera.

6. Mimaropa (Region 4B) - Consisting of the provinces of Mindoro (Oriental and Occidental), Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, Mimaropa offers stunning natural attractions including the Underground River in Puerto Princesa and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

7. Bicol Region (Region 5) - Situated in the southeastern part, it includes the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. Bicol is known for its majestic Mayon Volcano, beautiful beaches, and spicy cuisine.

8. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - Located in the northern part, it includes the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and the city of Baguio. The region is known for its stunning mountain landscapes, indigenous cultures, and the cool climate of Baguio City.

Each region in Luzon offers its own distinct cultural heritage, natural wonders, and attractions, making Luzon a diverse and captivating destination for travelers.

The Three Regions of the Philippines

The Philippines is divided into three main regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each region has its own distinct characteristics, attractions, and cultural identities.

1. Luzon:

Luzon is the largest and most populous region of the Philippines, located in the northern part of the country. It is home to the bustling capital city of Manila, along with several other major cities such as Quezon City and Caloocan. Luzon offers a diverse range of attractions and landscapes.

In terms of natural wonders, Luzon boasts the stunning Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World." These centuries-old terraces are a testament to the engineering prowess of indigenous communities. Luzon is also home to picturesque volcanoes like Mount Mayon in Albay and Mount Pinatubo in Zambales.

The region has vibrant cultural heritage, with various indigenous groups preserving their traditions. The Cordillera region is known for its indigenous Igorot communities, famous for their unique customs, vibrant festivals, and intricate woodcarvings. The Ilocanos in the Ilocos Region showcase their rich history and distinct culinary specialties, including bagnet (deep-fried pork) and pinakbet (a mixed vegetable dish).

Luzon is also famous for its stunning beaches and beach resorts. Popular destinations include Batangas, known for its pristine white-sand beaches and excellent diving spots, and the island province of Palawan, home to the world-renowned Puerto Princesa Underground River and the stunning beaches of El Nido and Coron.

2. Visayas:

Visayas is a group of islands located in the central part of the Philippines. It is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, idyllic beaches, and rich cultural heritage. The region is divided into three island groups: Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Western Visayas is home to Boracay Island, one of the world's top beach destinations, famous for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. It also includes the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

Central Visayas is highlighted by the vibrant city of Cebu, known for its historical landmarks, vibrant festivals (such as the Sinulog Festival), and beautiful diving spots. The region also includes the popular tourist destinations of Bohol, known for its Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, and Siquijor, renowned for its mystical charm.

Eastern Visayas is home to Leyte, Samar, and Biliran provinces. The region is known for its natural wonders, including Sohoton Natural Bridge and National Park in Samar, and the pristine islands of Kalanggaman and Cuatro Islas.

3. Mindanao:

Mindanao is the southernmost and second-largest region of the Philippines. It is known for its rich cultural diversity, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. Mindanao is home to various indigenous groups, including the Lumad people, who have preserved their customs, arts, and crafts.

The region offers diverse natural attractions, including Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines located in Davao City. Mindanao is also known for its picturesque beaches and diving sites, such as Siargao Island, renowned for its surfing spots, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mindanao is famous for its vibrant festivals that showcase the region's cultural heritage. The Kadayawan Festival in Davao City celebrates the bountiful harvest and cultural diversity of the region. The T'nalak Festival in South Cotabato highlights the indigenous T'boli people's traditions and the beauty of their woven fabrics.

Each of the three regions offers a unique experience, from the urban vibrancy of Luzon to the idyllic beaches of Visayas and the cultural diversity of Mindanao. Travelers can explore the rich history, natural wonders, and warm hospitality found in each region, creating unforgettable memories in the Philippines.

What products is Philippines known for?

The Philippines is known for producing and exporting a variety of products. Here are some notable products that the Philippines is known for:

1. Electronics: The Philippines has a strong electronics industry, with products such as semiconductors, electronic components, and consumer electronics being major exports.

2. Agricultural Products: The country is known for its agricultural resources, including products like rice, coconut, pineapple, bananas, mangoes, and coffee. The Philippines is one of the world's largest exporters of coconut products.

3. Garments and Textiles: The Philippines has a significant textile and garments industry, producing clothing, fabrics, and textiles for both domestic and export markets.

4. Food and Beverages: The Philippines offers a diverse range of food and beverage products, including dried fruits, canned goods, seafood, processed meats, snacks, and beverages like coconut products, fruit juices, and coffee.

5. Furniture and Handicrafts: The country is known for its craftsmanship in producing furniture, home decor items, and handicrafts made from materials like wood, bamboo, and rattan.

6. Personal Care and Beauty Products: The Philippines has a thriving beauty and personal care industry, known for products like skincare items, cosmetics, hair care products, and traditional herbal remedies.

7. Automotive Parts: The Philippines is a major producer and exporter of automotive parts and components, supplying both domestic and global automotive industries.

8. Jewelry and Fashion Accessories: The Philippines is known for its intricate and handcrafted jewelry, as well as fashion accessories like bags, shoes, and accessories made from indigenous materials.

It's important to note that the product landscape of a country can evolve over time, and there may be other notable products and industries in the Philippines beyond the ones mentioned above.

The Birth

Pinoy on board, how did it begin? The concept of pob came to me when my second son was born and I kept buying those yellow triangle sign that says baby on board. One day I printed a sticker with the word pinoy and stuck it on top of the word baby to make the sign say pinoy baby on board. At that time I was running a website pinoylifestyle.net but I really wanted a .com website that features pinoy life in America but pinoylife.com was taken already as well as pinoylifestyle.com. I did not want to compete directly with pinoylife.com by getting pinoylife.net so pinoylifestyle.net was a safer bet because pinoylifestyle.com is a travel agency website. While I was hanging the newly created pinoy baby on board aign in my car it just clicked! I checked if the domain was available and it was. POB was born. POB in the beginning was a pinoy lifestyle website. I wrote the articles myself. I had to chase stories and my main focus was pinoy nightlife. I asked myself, where would a young single pinoy/pinay go to meet other single pinoy/pinay? So, I started searching the internet and I ended up getting a promoter gig in nyc nightclubs like exit, sound factory, and vinyl among others. Then through one of the pinoy yahoogroups, I saw event postings for pinoy band gigs so I started going to those and wrote articles about it. I started getting to know the band members, djs, promoters and club owners. I stood out because I used to be the only one with a camera running around. This was before smart phones came out, the nokia 3310 days. I used to stay out friday and saturday nights and come home before sunrise the following day. My exwife was not too happy. She did not understand what I was trying to do. I was out chasing stories and she thought I was chasing skirts. I was loyal. Until one day when she did not come home on valentines day no call no show. That was when the lion got out of the cage. Then I started chasing skirts while getting the stories. PFV was the place to be at that time. That was my hunting ground. The owners and the staff knew me there. PFV was one of my web design clients. Kuya Fred contacted me after I wrote some articles about their events. I ended up renting a room with them when I got separated. I shifted the business model after the website hosting company raised their prices and I cannot afford the overhead anymore. I was forced to change web hosting carriers and unfortunately the new hosting does not have a directory software so I stopped the directory service and focused on making POB a web design company. Then Wix and the likes came out. I closed up shop and turned off the website.

Now, I'm trying to revive the brand. This time using social media like youtube and instagram.

I figured that I will use the brand to tell my life story through vlogging.

What took me so long? I am camera shy and I am not photogenic. But I do not care about that anymore. I just want to tell and share my story and hopefully I can bring joy and happiness to someone's life.