Common Fishes in the Philippines

The Philippines is not only a country reflected on well-preserved artifacts, canvases, fabrics, or chiseled molds, with a history worth revisiting, but a country also known for its rich marine biodiversity.

To give you an idea regarding popular types of local fish in the country, we have listed some that would also be of great use in your next market hunt, together with their Filipino names, English names, scientific names, distinct characteristics, and market price.

Alumahan (Long-Jawed Mackerel; Rastrelliger kanagurta)

These mackerel species belong to the same fish family as tunas (family Scombridae). They are widely common in the Philippines and are generally found in shallow coastal waters.

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The alumahan fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 280 per kilo.

Bisugo (Threadfin Bream; Nemipterus japonicas)

These species are commonly found in tropical and salty waters in the Indian and Western Pacific ocean, which vary in sizes as well. They are relatively popular in the Philippine market because they are versatile for many dishes.

The bisugo fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350 per kilo.

Salay-Salay/ Salaybutang/ Apahay (Yellowtail Scad; Selaroides leptolepis)

These species are small and somewhat easy to catch although their meat is slightly coarse. They belong in the scad family and are known for the distinct yellow details in their bodies and tails.

The salay-salay fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 380 per kilo.

Galunggong (Mackarel Scad; Decapterus sp)

This fish is extremely popular in Philippine markets, especially with the masses as they are relatively inexpensive and remarkably tasty. They are found in salt waters especially in Northeastern Palawan and in Navotas-dubbed as the country’s fishing capital.

The galunggong fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 60 per 1/2 kilo.

Salmon (Threadfin Salmon; Eleutheronema tetradactylum)

There are threadfin salmon around Philippine waters but most of these fishes are imported and increasingly becoming popular.

The salmon fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 650 per kilo.

Bangus (Milk Fish; Chanos chanos)

Bangus is an important seafood in the Pacific with the Philippines even has a bangus festival in Dagupan where there is a major milkfish aquaculture industry. This fish has olive green skin with silvery scales with a milky white bottom.

The bangus fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 130 per kilo.

Dalagang Bukid (Yellowtail fusilier; Caesio cuning)

This fish got its name because of its unique red color. The color red is often used in describing Filipina farm girls wearing a red wrap-around skirt in the province.

The dalagang bukid fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 280 per kilo regular sized, Php 380 per kilo for Dalagang Lapad, a bigger and fatter fish of the same kind.

Dilis (Anchovy; Engraulidae)

This type of fish is extremely popular in the Philippine market, especially to be used as spicy bar chow or as toppings on rice. The dilis fish is common in shallow saltwater reefs.

Dilis is available in public markets usually priced at Php 200 per kilo.

“Yellow-Fin” (Big eye tuna; Thunnus obesus)

The big eye tuna is of the same species of the yellow-fin tuna (Thunnus albacares) thus also having a yellow dorsal fin and is more common in Philippine markets to be (mis)identified as “yellow-fin” tuna. This fish is commonly found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans.

The “yellow-fin” fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 230 per kilo.

Kitang (Spotted Scat; Scatophagus argus)

This flat fish is a popular brackish water fish with a silver-bronze body with black spots. In Philippine dishes it is usually cooked with vinegar, the process is called paksiw in Tagalog.

The kitang fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 200 per 1/2 kilo.

Maya-Maya (Red Snapper; Lutianus sp)

This type of fish is popular in Philippine markets due to their delicate and flavorful white meat. They usually vary in size that can either be small or big. They are known for their vivid and distinct red color and are commonly found in salty environments and shallow reefs.

The Maya-Maya fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350 per kilo.

Sapsap (Ponyfish/ Slipmouth; Leiognathus sp)

This type of fish is usually characterized by their slimy bodies, small scales, and a widely extending mouth. They only grow under six (6) inches in length. Because of its abundant population in its natural habitat- the shallow coastal waters. This feed is also usually used for various food cuisines especially in the country.

The sapsap fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 380 per kilo.

Tulingan/ Tambakol (Mackarel Tuna)

With its vertical stripes at the back, deeply forked tail, and a small velvety touch of scale, this fish is usually found offshores of both temperate and tropical seas commonly swimming with a school across the deep ocean.

The tulingan fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 60 per 1/2 kilo.

Hiwas/ Tahas (Mene Moonfish; Mene maculata)

This type of fish is usually found in muddy, salty waters and often in deep waters. They are often mistaken for the sapsap fish due to their similar features- flat body and big head but the hiwas has a protruding belly.

The hiwas fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 150 per 1/2 kilo.

Lapu-Lapu (Grouper; Epinephelus sp)

Groupers are a high-valued type of fish because of their white, flaky flesh which is usually distributed in markets either dead or fresh. They are commonly found in saltwater and are hard to raise because of their carnivorous nature. A famous dish using this fish is escabeche or pickled fried fish.

The Lapu-Lapu fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 450 per kilo.

Salmonete (Striped Red Mullet; Mullus surmuletus)

This type of fish has distinct bright red colored scales and yellow stripe on its body usually caught near the shore. Their white meat is delicate to cook and is often prepared in a paksiw dish.

The salmonete fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 380 per kilo.

Tilapia (Mayan Cichlids)

Covering the 4.30% of the inland contribution of fisheries last 2016, this fish is obviously one of the most abundant fish that can be found in the Philippine archipelago. The term “tilapia” however, covers nearly hundreds of different species in general.

The tilapia fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 60 per 1/2 kilo for the regular size; Php 135 per kilo for the large size.

Endangered: Tawilis (Sardinella tawilis)

This type of fish is migratory that can only be found in the Philippines, in Lake Taal, which is the 3rd largest lake in the country. The fish was announced endangered on January 2019 and is now illegal to be bought and sold in markets.

What do you think of these common fishes found in the Philippine archipelago? Share your thoughts with us below!

Iloilo City’s Rabiya Mateo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 in pre-taped finals held at the Baguio Country Club’s Cordillera Convention Hall and aired on October 25.

The 23-year-old educator and physical theraphy graduate bested 45 other candidates for the crown and the right to represent the Philippines in the next edition of the Miss Universe competition.

Ysabella Ysmael of Parañaque placed first runner-up while Quezon City’s Michele Gumabao finished second runner-up. Bohol’s Pauline Amelinckx and Cavite’s Kimberly Hakenson were third and fourth runners-up, respectively.

Mateo, who bagged the Best In Swimsuit Award during the preliminary competition, ranked first in Missosology’s “Third Hot Picks” and “Final Hot Picks” lists. She is the first Miss Universe Philippines to be crowned in a separate pageant. Bb Pilipinas previously held the Miss Universe franchise for 55 years.

Asked where pageants stand in the midst of the pandemic, Mateo answered: “As a candidate, I know I’m not just the face of Iloilo City, but I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest times. And as of the moment, I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact and that is the essence of a beauty pageant. It gives us the power to make a difference.”

Mateo will vie for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown. The country currently ranks 4th in Missosology Big5 Ranking. Missosology.Org; Photos from Miss Universe Philippines page; Inquirer.net

The most beautiful day in the Philippines is finally here!

For the first time in more than half a century, a separate pageant will be choosing the country’s representative to the Miss Universe contest and all eyes are on the brand-new Miss Universe Philippines as they crown the country’s new queen on Sunday, October 25.

There are 46 “inspiring women with action” vying for the coveted title, but who among these ladies have what it takes to wear the crown?

After the preliminaries (interview, swimsuit and evening gown), our panel of experts and correspondents sat down to discuss who among the contestants are the Philippines’ best bets for Miss Universe.

Still on top and leading our Final Hot Picks is Iloilo City’s Rabiya Mateo. There is a consensus among pageant observers that Rabiya peaked at the right time. Winning the Best in Swimsuit Award has solidified Rabiya’s status as one of the forces to reckon with in the competition. With that stunningly beautiful face, improved interview and public speaking skills, and overflowing charisma, Rabiya is all set to wear that crown!

Not far behind and climbing to the second spot is pageant veteran Michele Gumabao of Quezon City. This volleyball star has improved a lot since the Bb Pilipinas and Miss Globe stints. She’s one of the most engaging speakers in the batch. Add to that her sportswoman-to-pageant-girl background story and we might see another contender for the Miss Universe crown.

In third place is Parañaque’s Ysabella Ysmael. Beauty definitely runs in her blood as she is the niece of Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Moran. 23-year-old Bella is a ballerina; no wonder she has so far exuded grace and elegance so far in the competition. She is also a good speaker and is a mental health advocate. Aside from that, we believe her unassuming beauty will be too hard to ignore in the international stage. Winning the Best in Evening Gown is a proof of her mettle.

In fourth place is Bohol’s Pauline Amelinckx. This former Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder has become a legit contender, bagging the lion’s share of special awards. We saw her work the on stage as well as ace the Q&A. How could you ignore that angelic face? If she won’t win, we hope to see her in another national pageant: MWP perhaps?

Rounding out our Top 5 is Cavite’s Kimberly Hakenson. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given Billie’s head-turning looks. She was also impressive in all rounds of the prelims! It is no surprise given her engaging personality and beaming confidence. She has gained more fans after sharing her sexual preference and we salute her for that.

Check out the complete list below:

1 Iloilo City | Rabiya Mateo
2 Quezon City | Michele Theresa Gumabao
3 Parañaque | Ysabella Ysmael
4 Bohol | Pauline Amelinckx
5 Cavite | Billie Hakenson

6 Davao City | Alaiza Flor Malinao
7 Cebu City | Tracy Maureen Perez
8 Taguig | Sandra Lemonon
9 Aklan | Christelle Abello
10 Biliran | Skelly Ivy Florida

11 Cebu Province | Apriel Smith
12 Batanes | Jan Alexis Elcano
13 Mandaue | Lou Dominique Piczon
14 Misamis Oriental | Caroline Joy Veronilla
15 Oriental Mindoro | Adee Hitomi Akiyama
16 Bulacan | Dianella Louise Loya

Follow Missosology’s social media pages for updates. Missosology.Org

The four-part special featured a five-minute challenge for each of the candidates where they were judged based on substance, delivery, and personality.

From the 46 candidates, our core group of correspondents and experts picked the 15 ladies who impressed us the most during this round based on the content, delivery and composure of each ladies:

15 Misamis Oriental | Caroline Joy Veronilla

14 Biliran | Skelly Ivy Florida

13 Cebu City | Tracy Maureen Perez

12 Aklan | Christelle Abello

11 Pangasinan | Maria Nina Soriano

10 Mandaue | Lou Dominique Piczon

9 Taguig | Sandra Lemonon

8 Iloilo City | Rabiya Mateo

7 Muntinlupa | Maricres Castro

6 Quezon City | Michele Theresa Gumabao

5 Cavite | Billie Hakenson

4 Oriental Mindoro | Adee Hitomi Akiyama

3 Bohol | Pauline Amelinckx

2 Batanes | Jan Alexis Elcano

1 Parañaque | Ysabella Ysmael

Follow Missosology’s social media pages for updates. Missosology.Org; Screengrabs from empire.ph/Miss Universe Philippines

The clubmwah fabulous shows are at par with broadway type performances of Las Vegas, New York and Paris with different influences from movie musicals that represent India,Arabian,Chinese,French and Spanish cultures.

The fabulous awesome spectacular multi awarded CLUBMWAH SHOW takes an inspiration from the glittery shows of LAS VEGAS BROADWAY in new york and the pageantry of MOULIN ROGUE in PARIS.

To this day the fabulous awesome spectacular multi awarded CLUBMWAH SHOWS continues to live up to its reputation as an upscale entertainment theater venue.

Accredited by the DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM a must see TOURIST STOP

A recepient of many local national international recognition awards.

Clubmwah will resume after corona virus pandemic is over with the government go signal.

Call us:
Smart: 0908-173-0109
Landline: 8-535-79-43
652 Boni Tower Avenue
Mandaluyong City near City Hall

While using video on your website was previously a struggle (to put it mildly), advances in web technology now mean manipulating moving images is just as simple as working with their static siblings. What’s more, WordPress handles a variety of video formats from a range of different hosting sites.

In this article, we’re going to give you the lowdown on how to embed video in WordPress, along with how to leverage the many different sources available. However, first we’ll discuss our favorite plugins to embed video in WordPress. Let’s get started!

Video Embed Plugins for WordPress

Fortunately, embedding video in WordPress is a cinch – especially when you have a quality plugin to hand. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorites.

Video Embed & Thumbnail Generator

First up is the Video Embed & Thumbnail Generator plugin. This effectively kills two birds with one stone. First, you can embed video using a shortcode that results in a responsive HTML5 video on your site (with Flash fallback for those not yet supporting HTML5). What’s more, you can also generate suitable thumbnails for your videos, and the functionality is comprehensive and well-thought through.

YouTube Embed Plugin

One of the easiest ways to upload and view videos online is through YouTube. Once you upload your content, use the YouTube Embed Plugin to put it into your site. The plugin allows you to add an entire YouTube playlist right onto your site, or opt for a video gallery. You can choose to enable automatic play or let users scroll through the playlist. YouTube Embed creates custom thumbnails do you don’t have to.

Upon downloading the plugin, you’ll get a special button for YouTube right next to Add Media. That makes it incredibly easy to pull in any videos you want. If the channel is your own, add a Subscribe button below the video gallery and boost your numbers.

ARVE Advanced Responsive Video Embedder

An alternative is the Advanced Responsive Video Embedder (ARVE). While it doesn’t support thumbnail generation in the free version, there are an almost overwhelming number of video providers – including favorites such as YouTube and Vimeo. However, there are a number of premium add-on features – including automatic or manual thumbnail generation – so if you have the budget, ARVE could be the only plugin you need to embed videos into WordPress.

WP Video Lightbox

WP Video Lightbox allows you to display videos in a different way. When a user starts to play a video, it will pop out and make the screen behind the player dark. This makes it easier to view the video without the distractions of the post and ads behind it. The plugin works with YouTube or Vimeo and it’s a very easy embed process. Some sites begin playing the video in the form it appears on the site, which makes it hard to properly view. WP Video Lightbox puts special attention on it.

If you don’t have a lot of video content, the plugin can also be used to create a lightbox for photographs and other images. A great idea for infographics or diagrams.

Embedding YouTube and Vimeo Videos in WordPress

As we alluded to, embedding videos in WordPress is super simple, regardless of the video platform you’re using. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need a plugin to embed video into your WordPress website.

If you have a YouTube or Vimeo video, for example, WordPress includes an automatic embedding option that is enabled by default. To leverage this, first grab the URL of the video you’re interested in embedding:

Next, head to the edit screen of a page or post of your choosing within the WordPress back end – it doesn’t matter which editor you decide to use on this occasion. Finally, paste the URL into the editor, and wait a couple of seconds for the screen to update (or switch to the Visual editor if you’re not already in it). You’ll then see your video display within your content:

You’ll quickly notice that there aren’t many editing options for your video. However, by using the  shortcode, you can at least customize the dimensions to suit your layout. Of course, using a dedicated plugin here will give you more scope for customization.

Embedding Facebook Videos in WordPress

Facebook is an incredibly popular platform for sharing video, and while the embedding process used to involve a complex set of instructions, that’s no longer the case.

You’ll want to start by copying the link for the Facebook video you’d like you embed – the best way is to access the video, right-click on the date, and copy that URL. From here, simply head into your WordPress dashboard, and paste the link into a post or page editor:

You’ll see the video’s thumbnail embed almost immediately, and if you check the front end of your site, you should be able to see (and play) the video on your post or page.

Embedding Instagram Videos in WordPress

Instagram videos look difficult to embed on the surface, but in reality they’re similar to implement as Facebook (although still slightly more complex than YouTube and Vimeo).

First, head to the Instagram video you’d like to embed, and click the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner:

From here, check the box if you’d like to include the video’s caption, and click the Copy Embed Code button:

Next, head to a WordPress post or page, access the Text editor, and paste in the code. Once you switch back to the Visual editor, you’ll see a placeholder for your video, and by previewing your front end, you should be able to see the Instagram embed on your site:

Embedding Self-Hosted Videos in WordPress

Embedding self-hosted MP4 video into your WordPress website is just as simple as doing so with YouTube and Vimeo videos.

With your MP4 video in hand, navigate to the Media > Add New screen within WordPress, which will bring you to the Upload New Media screen:

You can either use the Select Files button and navigate to your video, or simply drag and drop your video onto the screen:

From here, you can select your video as normal from the Media Library within a post or page. However, due to bandwidth and site speed issues, we’d recommend using a dedicated third-party video hosting provider.

Regardless of how you’d like to embed videos, you’ll need a rock-solid and quick WordPress host. WP Engine has many plans tailored to practically any need, so drop us a line to find out more!

Coronavirus is changing the way coffee is made and served in South Korea.Image: REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

• A cafe in Daejeon, South Korea, is using robots to make customers coffee to maintain social distancing.
• The system can make 60 different types of drinks, and serve customers at their tables.
• An order of six drinks, processed through a kiosk, takes seven minutes.
• There is only one human employee at the cafe, responsible for cleaning and refills.

The new robot barista at a cafe in Daejeon, South Korea, is courteous and swift as it seamlessly makes its way towards customers.

“Here is your Rooibos almonds tea latte, please enjoy. It’s even better if you stir it,” it says, as a customer reaches for her drink on a tray installed within the large, gleaming white, capsule-shaped robot.

Have you read?

• How likely is it a robot will take your job? This US study has the odds
• Coronavirus: Graduates replaced with robots in Japan
• In pictures: this is what social distancing looks like around the world

After managing to contain an outbreak of the new coronavirus that infected more than 11,000 and killed 269, South Korea is slowly transitioning from intensive social distancing rules towards what the government calls “distancing in daily life”.

Robots could help people observe social distancing in public, said Lee Dong-bae, director of research at Vision Semicon, the smart factory solution provider that developed the robot barista.

“Our system needs no input from people from order to delivery, and tables are sparsely arranged to ensure smooth movements of the robots, which fits well with the current distancing campaign,” he said.

The system, which uses a coffee-making robotic arm and a serving robot, can make 60 different types of coffee and serves the drinks to customers at their seats. It can also communicate and transmit data to other devices and contains self-driving technology to calculate the best routes around the cafe.

An order of six drinks, processed through a kiosk, took just seven minutes. The only human employee at the two-storey cafe was a patissier who also has some cleaning duties and refills ingredients.

The manufacturer aims to supply at least 30 cafes with robots this year. It is also working with a state-run science institute on an upgrade that would add big data and artificial intelligence technology to make custom drinks.

“Robots are fun and it was easy because you don’t have to pick up your order,” said student Lee Chae-mi, 23.

“But I’m also a bit of worried about the job market as many of my friends are doing part-time jobs at cafes and these robots would replace humans.”

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, that future became the present: Untact has become a key plank of President Moon Jae-in’s 76 trillion won ($62 billion) “New Deal” program. The name is of course a nod to the patchwork of stimulus measures that helped the U.S. overcome the Great Depression. While South Korea hasn’t experienced a slump of that magnitude, economic growth has been sluggish in recent years, averaging 2.9% a year since 2010, compared with 4.4% annually from 2000 to 2009. The government anticipates growth of 0.1% in 2020, but the central bank and private economists are forecasting a contraction, the first since the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s.

A 136-page report released this month detailing Moon’s program mentions untact 47 times. Pledging to create 550,000 new jobs, the plan envisions investments in remote work systems for 160,000 companies, a high-speed internet infrastructure to connect 1,300 farming and fishing villages, and tablet PCs for 240,000 students. The report also calls for further investment in robots, drones, self-driving vehicles, and other technologies that will reduce the need for person-to-person contact.

While other governments are ramping up spending to revive their economies, South Korea wants to leverage stimulus to improve its competitive position, particularly vis-a-vis China. The country’s policymakers and business leaders have a history of working together to stake out key positions in global supply chains, often by claiming territory ceded by other countries.

Cars are a case in point. In the 1980s, when automakers in Japan and Germany went upscale, partly in response to U.S. import quotas, South Korean peers such as Hyundai Motor Co. stuck with making small, affordable, fuel-efficient cars that slowly but surely accumulated market share as their reliability improved. Something similar happened with memory chips. As makers of semiconductors in the U.S. and Japan migrated away from what had become a low-margins segment, South Korean companies like Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. moved in. Both profited greatly from the surge in demand for memory chips when sales of mobile phones took off.

More recently, China has muscled into industries where South Korea is strong, including TVs, semiconductors, mobile phones, and shipbuilding. China’s leadership is also doling out generous incentives as part of a plan to achieve dominance in leading-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence and alternative fuel vehicles by 2025.

Beijing’s ambitions have provoked tensions in Washington and other capitals. Moon’s economic program includes policies to reduce South Korea’s reliance on China as an export market and offers incentives to Korean companies for “reshoring.” Some elements of the plan also seem designed to stir up nationalistic sentiment, such as the pledge to raise an army of 100,000 specialists in AI. That harkens back to an oft-told tale of how a king five centuries ago didn’t heed a warning from a scholar to train an army of 100,000 soldiers, enabling Japanese samurai warriors to rampage across the land.

Kim Rando, a professor of consumer science at Seoul National University who led the team that coined the term “untact,” says South Korea’s record of embracing new technologies and its relatively small size may allow it to quickly become a leader in the emerging field. “What is a niche often becomes mainstream sooner or later,” he says. “Covid-19 will probably compel many nations that have been nonchalant about untacting technology to take this trend seriously.”

South Korea already ranks No. 2 worldwide in the density of robots in manufacturing, according to the International Federation of Robotics, with 774 installed for every 10,000 workers. The comparable figure for Germany is 338, and in the U.S. it’s 217. Moon’s goal of raising the minimum wage to 10,000 won an hour (vs. 8,590 won now) has spurred fast-food restaurants and convenience store operators to dial up investment in automation. Lotteria, the top hamburger chain in the country, has installed self-ordering kiosks at more than half its locations, while retailers Emart24 and Korea Seven have been experimenting with cashierless outlets for a few years.

Moon has political and economic capital on his side. His coalition scored a landslide victory in parliamentary elections in April, which makes passage of a third supplementary budget to fund the New Deal likely. The administration has already secured approval for some 24 trillion won in nonbudgeted spending this year.

South Korea is expected to post a deficit equal to 4% of GDP this year, the first shortfall since the global financial crisis. The central bank has slashed interest rates to a record low of 0.5% and is gearing up to absorb trillions of won in government bonds to back Moon’s initiatives.

The private sector is getting in on the act, too: There’s now an investment fund with “untact” in its name run by an affiliate of the country’s biggest conglomerate. “Untact sums up the direction in which the world is changing fundamentally,” says Jeong Dae-ho, who runs the fund at Samsung Asset Management Co. “The coronavirus will accelerate the shift to a so-called remote world.”

One company Jeong is keeping an eye on is Seoul-based Rsupport Co., which has the largest share of the market for remote working software in South Korea and Japan. The company says use of its service has multiplied as much as 44 times this year, and its share price has tripled. “The coronavirus demands the world accelerate its transition to a contactless society because it will never be the same even after it returns to normal,” says Seo Hyung-su, Rsupport’s founder and chief executive officer. “With just enough government support, untact could be the stepping stone for a variety of technology businesses to go mainstream.”
 
Read next: China Millionaire Livestreamer Viya Shows Online Shopping FutureBOTTOM LINE – With an edge in robotics and telecommunications, South Korea seeks to position itself in remote work via a massive new spending plan.Before it’s here, it’s on the Bloomberg Terminal.  

Intro

• Sniper at SpeedForce PH
• Photographer at Freelance Photographer
• Former Official Photographer at Monster Energy
• Former Team Leader II at Convergys
• Former Team leader at Convergys
• Studied Architecture at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila)
• Went to Manila Science High School
• Lives in Manila, Philippines
• viewbug.com/member/donndelica

What is your favorite golf course in the Philippines?
It is the question that I’m asked the most. There is no cut and dry answer to the question. Not to evade the question; but it speaks to the quality and the diversity of the golf courses in the country. There are reasons beyond what satisfies the intellect and stimulates the senses. The intangibles, if you will.
Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club is the crown jewel of golf in Batangas today. The club is nestled at the feet of the mountain range for which it is named. At 1,025-feet above sea level the weather is appreciably cooler than lower locales and provides the ideal climate for golf.

The course was laid out by Bob Moore of the JMP Design Group who designed an almost surreal 27-hole layout. The golf course is home to three distinct nines; the Lobo, Malipunyo and Makulot courses, named after peaks of the Malarayat range. In a bit of serendipity, the opening hole on each course faces the peak after which it is named.

It is beautiful here. Flat out gorgeous. Of the country’s inland golf courses, there are few that match the manicured glory of Malarayat. Everything is perfect, just as it should be. The mountains provide a serene backdrop to the magnificent property.

The golf is as good as the golf course is beautiful.

The course is not overly long; a hair over 7,000-yards from the tips, regardless of which combination you play. Each of the 27-holes is unlike any of the others. All are beautiful, but some transcend the others and are some of the most beautiful holes of golf anywhere in the country.

The finishing holes on each nine are standouts, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the seventh hole on the Makulot Course. It was once named one of the 100 Most Beautiful Golf Holes outside of the United States by Golf Magazine. It’s a reachable par five, if you have the game for it and the shot into the green is magnificent; the green is nestled beside a lake, framed by acacia trees. It is one of the most beautiful shots you’ll face anywhere in the country.

If you don’t have the long game to drive the shorter par fours and reach the fives in two, you need not despair. Malarayat rewards a tactical mind with decent control of the golf ball. There are generous areas from which you can approach the green from a reasonable distance.

The greens set Malarayat apart. The undulations on them need to be seen. Finding the correct quadrant of each green is of the utmost importance. The greens are always in amazing condition, which is a good thing given how difficult they are to putt.

That could be said about the golf course as a whole; the thing is in fabulous condition. I’ve been playing Malarayat for the better part of fifteen years now, and it is always in condition that would make most other golf clubs green with envy.

Beyond the golf and the abject beauty of the property, it’s the way everything comes together to make you feel, that I treasure the most here. The ultimate is to book a couple of nights in the hotel so you can savor each of the nines.

Malarayat transports you to a milieu of its own; one of beauty, grace and serenity with some pretty good golf in the bargain. That’s why it ranks high on my list of favorite golf courses.