Philippine - Filipino Values

Values may be defined as those standards of which a group or society judges the desirability and importance of persons, ideas, actions and goals. Values are shared convictions or beliefs in what are considered contributory to the welfare of the group. From these definitions, we can clearly see how values are affected by society and, in turn, how society can be affected by the values held by its members.

Two of these traits are positive traits and show the strengths of the Filipino character: Katapatan and Pakikipagkapwa-tao. The other two seem to hinder the advancement of the Filipinos. These are the "Bahala na" attitude and the "Kanya-kanya" syndrome.

Pakikipagkapwa-tao and Family Orientation: This indigenous Filipino trait is the regard for the dignity of others and being with them. It consists of all levels of interaction with one's fellowman in times of crisis, like illness and death. This is embodied in the concept of neighbourliness like mutual visiting and exchange of food. Pleasant attitudes are also exhibited towards relatives and friends such as extending moral and emotional support. This is also evidenced in the insertion of many light scenes wherein there is light-hearted bantering, jokes among friends and kin.

Because of the Filipino's collective nature, they have a deep sense of concern for one's dignity and respect. This pakikipagkapwa-tao is manifested in their sensitivity to other people's feelings. This is often evidenced in the relations among the characters. Polite language, soft pleasing voices and meek manners are employed to avoid open disagreement with others. Personal relationships are likewise almost always important in any transaction among the characters.

Katapatan: The Filipino virtue of righteousness in thought and deed. In a person, this virtue strengthens him against cheating and lying. It results in the cooperation and trust among neighbors, friends and co-workers. This positive character trait is dominantly displayed in Philippine movies and television by its leading characters. Viewers are attracted to the character and story because righteousness is considered a rare trait nowadays and the expression of this in the leading protagonist gives them hope in siding with the good.

Bahala na: Extreme reliance on higher force or fate. Bahala na is a common expression among Filipinos which rests on the fatalistic outlook and strong dependence on spirits. It literally, the Bahala na means "Leave it to God." The abundance of superstition can further encourage the superstitiousness of the Filipinos. This can promote the lack of initiative among Filipinos. Rather than relying on one's own effort and industry to solve problems, one leaves his fate to gods or "spirits". This trait also encourages the Filipino to be matiisin or being too patient for long suffering.

Kanya-kanya: A negative Filipino trait is a selfish and self-serving attitude. This is often elicited when one's peer has gained honor or prestige. Most if not all of the conflicts in the Filipino stories are a result of envy and jealousy. This "crab mentality" that characterizes many Filipinos is counter-productive.

Certain negative behaviors may be picked up by the youth if they are consistently exhibited and are not shown in the end to have negative consequences. At the same time, an understanding of the strengths of the Filipino character would help in recognizing the traditional and positive Filipino values that should be perpetuated.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stan_Mckey

Factors to Consider When Buying Luggage

Each year, many people hit the roads or the skies, but I wonder how many are using luggage that truly fits their wants and needs? Some travels are, but most probably are not. But you know better, you know that your luggage can have an impact on the ease of your travels. So what factors should you consider when buying suitcases for yourself or your family?

• Size: Size is important for a number of reasons. Most airlines even have a size requirement for checked bags; if yours is any bigger you need to pay an additional fee. Most importantly, ensure your suitcases, like Hartmann luggage, are big enough for your needs. If traveling for pleasure (like for a romantic getaway or a family vacation) be sure to leave extra room for souvenirs that you are likely to buy.

• Number of Suitcases: Now, if you are just buying a suitcase for yourself, you can get away with buying one single piece of luggage. However, if your entire family needs some suitcases, it is in your best interest to look at sets, like Hartmann luggage sets. Often times, you get a discount when buying in a set. Moreover, sets tend to have different sized suitcases and the smaller ones may work perfect for your children. Also, most sets come with some type of carryon bag.

• Style: As you can imagine, suitcases come in every color and style imaginable. You can get plain and simple, sleek and trendy, and much more. Choose a color or design that best fits your wants and needs. However, also take ease of spotting into consideration. If your Hartmann luggage looks like everyone else's, it may go around the baggage claim area a couple of times before you actually realize that it is your bag!

• Quality: Think back to your last trip, how many times did the car trunk accidentally close on your suitcase or how many things did you bump when wheeling your bags through the airport? I am sure a lot. It is no secret that travel bags take a lot of abuse. You need a suitcase that can standup to this abuse, as well as normal wear and tear. For that reason, opt for bags that are made from strong and durability materials. When buying, be sure to read the online description or the box to get information on this material; just because it looks nice it does not mean it actually is.

• Cost: When it comes to costs, who does not want to save money. However as previously stated, quality should be more important when buying bags for travel. Consider a quality suitcase an investment that pays off in the end. With a bag that is able to withstand abuse, wear, and tear, you can use it for years (meaning there is no need to buy a replacement every one or two years). To gauge quality, look at the warranty offered because good manufacturers will offer you more than just the standard one-year warranty.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Serena_N_Ericson

A Trip to San Francisco

Muir Woods: Tour operators will start their journey from Ferry building and then other places like Marin Headlands, Muir Woods and Muir Beach overlook, Sausalito and then drop you back from where they started the journey. This trip is for 5 hours.

Muir woods National Monument is one of the oldest and tallest living things on earth. Coast Redwoods are the main attraction in Muir woods-one of Northern California's most noted national parks and the nation's seventh national monument. Coast Redwoods are the tallest living things some reach as high as 368 feet tall. Most of these trees range in age of 800-1000 years old. The coast redwood has been able to mature and have survived fires due to their thick bark.

Napa valley wine tours: Napa valley wine tour is a stress buster. You can enjoy the country's most scenic and productive valleys. This place is one of Northern California's greatest attractions. This is home to some of the greatest wineries in the world. This trip is for 8.5 hours. Places that you can visit in this trip are 4 Napa Wineries, 1 picnic lunch, 50-minute Ferry Cruise. The four wineries that you can visit are Domaine Chandon, V.Sattui, Andretti Winery and Flora Springs Winery.

Major benefits of Wine country Tour shuttle are: You can have your lunch in Napa Valley, Separate Tour Guide from driver, No motor coaches and Premier wineries only.

Private San Francisco Tours: Many tourists want to enjoy the trip on their timing. They can either take a shuttle bus or a 12-passenger luxury shuttle van with leather seating. Some benefits of Private tour are as follows: Tourists can choose their own tour times, Change the itinerary, free San Francisco Hotel pick up and drop off, free refreshments, bathrooms on board available by request for buses and separate tour guide from driver.

With the help of Tour guide, tourists can plan their San Francisco tour itinerary. They will recommend unique stops that you might not do on a regular tour as well as great places to stop for lunch either in San Francisco or Sausalito. Tourists can stop in a particular location if they want to have a look at it. Tour operators will pick up tourists from their hotel and again drop after the trip. Private San Francisco Tours tend to move along quicker when the group is smaller and tourists can enjoy the benefit of knowing everyone on board.

Monterey Tour: This trip includes Carmel, 17-mile drive; Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf and the famous must see Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tourists can enjoy Monterey tour because the buses have Flat screens, Direct TV entertainment, Poker tables, games and kitchen, bathroom and luxury seats. From the bus you can see Pacific Coast Highway, Half Moon Bay, Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, Mansions of Rich/Famous and Steinbeck Locations. Tourists can enjoy their trip!
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Various Travel Accessories For You

The latest things to have are travel accessories. Try and stock up these new arrivals for the ultimate style and panache and of course utility. They are available in most travel and luggage stores. They are going to change your travel forever.

Compression Bags
You can save up to a super 80% of your luggage space if you resort to plastic compression bags. Packing becomes a lot simpler easier and definitely cooler. They are reusable and you can go on using them for quite a few years.

Non Slip Security Wallet
A non slip security wallet is the accessory that you mast carry when traveling. It is a lot like a regular wallet but with the added advantage of having a non slip rubber attachment on one side that catches on to the side of your pocket on the inside and thus does not slip out any way. It also blocks pick pocketing ventures. But to let this be effective you should always carry it around in your front pocket. If you carry it in your back pocket it won't work as effectively as when you carry it in your front pocket.

But of course you can any way convert your regular wallet to a non slip wallet by wrapping it in two rubber bands. Of course you could also try and prevent pick pockets by using a chain attached wallet that will thwart any foray into your pocket, security isn't very difficult with this.

Secret Waist Wallet
A complement to the non slip wallet is the secret waist wallet that kind of fits snugly into your shirt or blouse or underneath them. It is still quite easy to access. Of course the whole purpose is defeated if you lift your short or blouse in public as the potential pick pocket gets a good view of where your wallet is located and resort to his handy work to recover it from there. A public washroom stall is the best place for taking it out and it serves your security concerns.

Elastic Security Socks
There elastic stretch socks which are extremely effective and have a hidden zipped pocket on the inside. They stay up and are make it very difficult for the pick pocket to locate where the wallet is exactly.

Female Security Purse
For females there is of course the security purse with a steel cable attached to the strap. If a thief is trying to cut the strap and steal the bag, the steel attachment prevents this attempt.

Pocket Pillow
These are of course very easy to carry and very easy to inflate and use. The measurements are 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch. When inflated the measurement changes to about 19 inches by 15 inches. It makes sleeping easy while traveling.

Some countries for the particular configurations they use need you to carry electrical adaptors and converters. Try and check at the airport what all is allowed into the place you are traveling and the permissible weight to avoid trouble when you land there. Try and pack the travel accessories into the hand luggage
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Travel Club Membership

A travel club is a great vehicle to utilize when it comes to traveling. A Membership can offer deep discounts on your travel to virtually anywhere in the world. These discounts are sometimes not limited to airline, hotel and cruises, but can also include tours and even condominiums. Some travel clubs offer travel assistance in planning your travel. This assistance varies from one travel club to another. When choosing a membership you will want to be sure that the travel club offers concierge services. This will ensure that you will receive white glove services from a knowledgeable representative that has your best interest in mind.

Knowledge is important and especially when it comes to your travel. There are differences in the way travel clubs operate. Some offer structured travel where you enjoy deep discounted travel but on specific trips and with specific dates. Few offer the flexibility to travel when you want to and to where you want to.

Rarely will you find a membership that will offer true wholesale travel to virtually anywhere in the world along with the flexibility that you need combined with concierge services. While it is rare, there are memberships that are available that will provide you with all of these benefits. As you explore your options, it could be helpful to find out if the customer services representative is incentivized for booking your travel verses rendering excellent customer services. Being rewarded for rendering excellent customer services will benefit you the travel club member much better.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Dallas

Keep Your Luggage Safe With Personalized Luggage Tags

If you are planning to make a long trip, either by air, sea or rail, the only form of identification for your baggage is with Personalized Luggage Tags. In order to make the maximum and have a successful business or leisure trip, it is vital that you have your baggage when you reach your destination. This will only be possible with the help of luggage tags.

The present day travel cases and luggage sets are very much similar to each other in size, style and colour. A person who travels frequently will agree to this statement. Due to this, baggage can easily be taken away by mistake as they come off the luggage carousel. It is a common occurrence due to these similarities. The simple solution to a very common problem is the use of Personalized Luggage Tags.

Of course you will always have the option of moving away from the standard bags and purchase one with a difference; there are many with unique, also colourful and attractive designs. This is one way of not having your luggage confused with another. But not everyone will like to have a case of bright colours and vibrant designs.

Considering the large volume of travellers today, these tags have become a great asset and supporting device in keeping a good track of their belongings. There is a wide choice of designs to select from, and one will be surprised to see the great number of styles, colours and designs that are found in shopping stores as well as online stores. It might be wise to choose unique designs with bold colours as your Personalized Luggage Tags, as it will help your luggage to stand out from the rest and identifying will be much faster.

Past experiences of lost or misdirected luggage has now proved the value of luggage tags. Great emphasis is now given to this little piece of information, and travellers totally depend on their tags to ensure safe arrival of their baggage.

Here are a few points on the importance and uses of custom made luggage tags:

• In order to have uniformity, it is best you have similar tags especially in design. Ideal when you are travelling with your family or in a group.
• In the event of lost luggage or baggage being misdirected, luggage tags will help authorities to contact the traveller immediately.
• A mode of proving that the luggage belongs to you.
• Custom made tags are stronger, bigger, durable and visible when compared to the standard tags which tend to get damaged soon.
• They are perfect as a promotional product.
• Most luggage tags have a privacy flap to keep away your personal information from others.

Personalized Luggage Tags is an "all-important" piece of information. Most often than not, travellers put off filling in their tags until the last minute of their journey. It will good to take your time and complete these tags by filling in all your details without being rushed, as it is vital for long distance traveling.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Sung

Whale Watching in West Cork

Over the last number of years West Cork has recorded over 12 different species and as a result has become a popular destination for people who enjoy whale watching.

During the 1990's the Irish Government declared the coastal waters of Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary and each year Ireland attracts more and more whale and dolphin watching enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

Whale watching in Ireland has definitely taken off and in particular in Cork, this is due to the many species that call West Cork their home over half the year. During the month of May the Minke Whales arrive off the Irish coast followed by the Fin Whales who traditionally arrive in June or July. Both species stay through the months of August and into the autumn and early winter months, because of this, Cork provides some fantastic opportunities to view these large marine mammals along its stunning coast. The Humpback Whales traditionally arrive during the month of August or during the early autumn months but are not as predictable as the visitors before them.

Catching a glimpse of these magnificent mammals is certainly the highlight of any whale-watching excursion, there are also some fantastic opportunities to see some Bottlenose Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins and porpoises that arrive to the coast during the summer months. Throughout the year the following species can also be seen on the West Cork shore: Killer Whales, Basking Sharks, Long-finned Pilot Whales, Atlantic White Sided Dolphins and White Beaked Dolphins.

Seals are also another common sighting and there are two species that you are sure to see on the coast of West Cork, they are the Atlantic Grey Seal and the Common Seal. The Seals are a very common sight in the Baltimore area in particular.

Whale watching boat trips are a common sight in Cork and offer an ideal opportunity to view these wonderful mammals up close, whilst touring the spectacular unspoilt Cork coastline. Cork is famous for its natural rugged beauty and spectacular peninsulas, such as the remote Beara Peninsula, Mizen Head Peninsulas and Sheep's Head Peninsula.

West Cork is a popular tourist destination with much to see and do, from its rugged landscapes, colourful villages and towns peppered along its coastline, to amazing wildlife, its people and much much more, a visit to West Cork is a must.

West Cork also attracts a thriving population of common and uncommon seabirds and is a very popular destination for bird watching. Only this year an Ivory Gull from Arctic Russia was sighted 60 miles offshore in Baltimore Harbour and stayed for a week!

Whale watching is an absolutely fantastic experience and if you have not tried it already then you really must. What better place to conduct such a wonderful experience than in the spectacular surroundings of West Cork.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Breda_Quirke

Packing Before You Travel

When you plan to travel, it is wise to pack relevant travel items in advance in order to avoid hassles in the last minute. To begin with, packing in advance ensures that the traveler carries out the duty in a relaxed mood and does not rush or is not pressed to hurry.

This means that the person planning a trip can pack leisurely, relax and even have a cup of coffee just before the commencement of the trip, and be guaranteed of safe, alert and comfortable travel. Secondly, advance packing enables a person to determine what is required and avoid forgetting some of the most essential items for the journey or packing items that may not be required throughout the entire trip. It is noteworthy that if a person packs in a rush, he or she may leave some items, only to remember them after covering some 30 or 300 miles of the trip. Packing in advance also enables people to plan their trips and determine what kind of snacks to carry where to make stopovers, and the items required at each stopover. This includes the activities to be carried out at each point.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn
In order to have a successful road trip, one needs plan beforehand to determine all that is required by the traveling party. Planning will ensure that items that can be bought along the way are not carried in order to avoid unnecessary filling of the car. One of the vital things to consider during packing is clothing. It is important to pack comfortable clothes and shoes. Along this line, the person doing the packing should consider using outfits that have been tried before in order to avoid injuries or blisters as a result of putting on tight clothes or shoes in the course of the trip. While packing clothing, one should consider the prevailing weather. Chilly nights need button denim shirts and light blankets while hot afternoons need light clothing such as T-shirts. It is important to avoid over packing if laundry services can be found at the destination.

For hygiene purposes, it is important to pack some antibacterial wipes for cleaning spills in the car or sanitizing hands after handling some of the car's dirty parts such as gas tank. Towels are needed for use after having meals and are handy just in case there is any mishap in the car.

The road trip is not complete without nice snacks. Packed snacks will save travelers the hassles of stopping by restaurants and candy shops to buy packs of chips, fruits or sweets. Thus, the traveling group should consider carrying some freshly dried fruits, nuts, spread, cream cheese, carrots, and salads. Cold foods can be comfortably packed in a compact cooler.

For electronics, it is important to carry phone and iPod chargers, laptops, GPS devices, and travel alarm clocks. Additionally electronic game devices will be handy for entertaining children in the course of the trip. One also needs to pack some items to be used at the destination such as sunglasses and bathing suits. When all these items are packed in advance, there is no doubt that the trip becomes very enjoyable.