Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has made history when it’s recorded as the world’s oldest and most sophisticated pagodas and temples that have caught the attention of many travelers across the globe. Despite the thousand years of being under the rule of different thrones being politically unstable, the country has opened her arms to the world that once before was an off the limits destination. This country is now one of the best attractions in Southeast Asia showcasing the wonders of its temples and pagodas along with the best places to visit and the unique culture of the local people.

If you are a Buddhist or wanted to learn and know the ways and teachings of Buddha, you are never wrong in visiting the country. For more than several folds of centuries, Buddhist tradition and culture remained rich and surviving. Also, one will greatly appreciate how Myanmar is unified with almost 135 different ethnic groups.

Apart from the world’s famous pagodas and temples, Myanmar is likewise a country you would want to spend your holidays with. From exotic and spicy food to best islands and beaches, you would also experience how friendly, welcoming and hospitable the people of this country are. If you are convinced to visit Myanmar, try to know about its public holidays and get your reservation earlier.

Below are the country’s official Public Holidays:

Independence Day – January 4, Sunday

Myanmar is celebrating the declaration of its independence from British rule in 1948. Several affairs and sports activities are prepared to commemorate this occasion which marks as one of the most important celebrations in the history of Myanmar. Parades are also held in Naypwidaw, the capital city of Myanmar while cultural program are held across nation. Educational facilities are holding programs where teachers and students sing patriotic songs while most people are wearing traditional outfit. The national flag is also hoist in almost institutions to mark the celebration of this commemorative event.

Union Day – February 12, Thursday

The most powerful officials of Myanmar led by General Bogyoke Aung San signed the Panlong Agreement in 1947 which depicts the democratic government and making the country unified amidst racial diversities and discriminations. Yearly celebration includes around 7000 people from different tribes who participate in actions and movements. Town after town, the national flag is paraded two weeks prior to the celebration and the festival is held where the flag finally rests.

Peasant’s Day – March 2, Monday

Colorful fireworks display and civic parades are held to commemorate this day. The annual celebration every 2^nd of March is to honor the peasants who composed the biggest sector in helping the development of the country. Around the country, leaders are reaching about regarding reforms in peasantry and talk issues regarding the development of the agricultural sector. Also, many private companies are closed with families visiting pagodas and temples with cultural shows nationwide.

Full Moon of Tabaung – March 5, Thursday

Known as Magha Puja in the Buddhist community of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand is also an important festival in Myanmar. The celebration begins with pagoda festival until the full moon. Buddhist followers proceed to temples. This is likewise a day for merit making activities where followers only do good, purify their mind and spirit as well as not to commit any form of sin.

Armed Forces Day (Tatmadaw) – March 27, Friday

This day marked the removal of Japanese power from Myanmar in 1945 with the aid of the Allied Forces during the World War II. This commemorative day is now celebrated with parades and fireworks across the country. It is also a tradition since 1989 to give pardon to some prisoners.

Thingyan Water Festival – April 13-16, Monday-Thursday

This is one of the highest Buddhist celebrations culminating in the New Year. The festival normally falls in mid-April and lasted for four days. The throwing or dousing of water is a distinguished feature of the festival. There are water-spraying stations which are set known as pandals. Religious activities are also observed with Burmese girls perform cultural dances during the end of the celebration.

Myanmar New Year – April 17, Friday

This celebration marks the end of hot and summer months. Every Burmese is getting wet and happy during this day. Before the New Year, people are throwing and dousing water to drench away bad luck from the previous year. Monks are hosting special feasts. The day is also celebrated by eleasing birds and fishes as acts of merit.

Labor Day – May 1, Friday

Anywhere in the world, this occasion is celebrated to give honor to laborers. Public offices are closed with a few private companies are open during this day. There are some demonstrations on the streets urging for labor reforms while this has become a good day for some to take a rest and enjoy time with the family and gatherings.

Full Moon of Kason or Buddha’s Birthday – June 1, Monday

This is a very significant celebration for Buddhist followers. This is the very day that Gautama Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment and passed away. As an assurance that Buddha is coming again is the arousal of the Bodhi tree out from the earth. Buddhist people usually celebrate this important day by pouring scented water after they are done with the grand procession in pagodas or at the Bodhi tree. They likewise observe this day through meditation, merit making deeds as well as offering incense, flowers, water and light on the images of Buddha.

Full Moon of Waso or the Beginning of Buddhist Lent – July 1, Wednesday

This celebration commemorates the day where Buddha preached the first sermon to Five Disciples. In Myanmar calendar, Waso is the fourth month where Buddhist Lent begins and lasted for three months. Buddhist people spend the lent season by reciting the Buddhist chant, making donations, not drinking alcohol and observing meditation. Changing of abode or marriage is frowned upon within the lent period. Offering of alms, robes and other essentials to the Sangha are done by laymen and laywomen to gain merits.

Martyr’s Day – July 19, Sunday

In 1947 of July 19, the nation’s leader, Prime Minister Bogyoke Aung San and seven other comrades were assassinated. This day is commemorated through ceremonies led by high ranking officials in the Martyr’s Mausoleum in Yangon to pay respect to them. Ceremonies include the recital of the Marty’s Day poem.

Full Moon of Thadingyut or the End of Buddhist Lent – October 27, Tuesday

Based on the Myanmar calendar, Thadingyut is the seventh month which marked the end of the Buddhist lent. This is generally a three-day festivity: before, during and after the day of the full moon where it is believed that Buddha descends from heaven. Stage shows, movie shows and musical plays are held across the country during the festival. Food festivals are also present showcasing Myanmar’s traditional foods and a lot of staffs at the streets where people can shop. Buddhist people pay respect to monks by visiting monasteries and pagodas and offer them food. Balloons and firecrackers are also played by people.

Full Moon of Tazaungmon – November 26, Thursday

This occasion marks the end of the rainy season. This day is also known as the Festival of Light where the lighting of hot balloons in Shan State and lanterns nationwide occurs. During the night of the festivity, some areas in Myanmar are holding speed-weaving competition participated by Burmese women. They offered the finished or unfinished weaving product to the monks eventually.

National Day – December 8, Thursday

This day is the Anniversary of the first students in university who strike against British policies in 1920. Across Myanmar, this day is celebrated through food festivals and gatherings purposively to discuss about reforms. Traditional and cultural programs are also held.

Christmas Day – December 25, Friday

Despite Myanmar as a Buddhist nation, Christmas is also celebrated. Like any other nations in the world, here are also Christians living in the country. They celebrate this religious festivity through colorful Christmas decorations and lights. Also, this is a time for family gatherings during the Christmas eve with exchanging or giving gifts.

Great things can be experienced especially during holidays at Myanmar. Experience the best of Myanmar holidays and gain extremely unique and memorable moments.

Photo by Scott Edmunds 

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Try Saving & Investing Way Ahead of Time

There’s benefit to be reaped from early planning when travelling.

This applies to planning what you’re taking with you in terms of luggage – and it can pay to travel light. (Look out for nasty charges for going over baggage allowances – especially on so-called budget airlines.) It can also help to plan your finances ahead of your journey. Whether it’s saving or investing towards your dream trip around the world or putting something away so you have a nice pot of spending money, thinking ahead can be a wise choice.

If you plan ahead and if you were thinking of opening an ISA account, and were to save or invest over a period of at least 5 years, ideally 10, it could mean you won’t need to rely on plastic when you get to your destination. Think how much better you’ll feel knowing that you won’t be paying interest on your good times while you’re away.

Bear in mind that if you’re investing money in an ISA, the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you could get back less than you have paid in. Another advantage of planning early is catching the best early bird deals. Major airlines offer early bird promos as a way of luring possible buyers to buy their plane tickets. These early bird promos are slashed 50% off from their regular price.

Some of the major hotel establishments also offer early bird promos. Example, a particular hotel offers a free night stay if you book 6 months in advance with them. Such early bird promos are a big help in lessening your travel expenses.

Two Heads Are Better Than One

There is truth to this old saying. If you’re travelling with friends, dividing the expenses is one of the best ways for you to earmark a small and practical budget for your travel. Dividing the expenses on the hotel, restaurant, or transportation will enable you to travel within your budget limits. So why not invite your close friends for a holiday adventure; plus, it’ll be more fun to travel with friends than to travel alone.

Scout for the Best Online Deals

Other than early bird promos from airlines and hotel establishments, online travel agencies offer packaged deals for travelling. For a price of one, you can have round trip tickets plus hotel accommodations, all paid and wrapped in one travel package. The thing about this though is that you should make sure that the online travel agency you’re dealing with is a legitimate entity so that you won’t be robbed of your money.

Use Your Credit Card Rewards Points

Maximize your credit card reward; when we say maximize, use your earned points. With enough points, you can redeem a roundtrip plane ticket or even an extra night stay with your accredited hotel.

Final Note

These are just few of the travelling tips for a once in a lifetime venture. What’s important is you have enough money to cover for your basic travel needs like roundtrip plane tickets and hotel accommodations.

No advice has been provided in relation to any financial plans or funds. You should contact an IFA if you are in any doubt about the suitability of the product.

Photos by Mike Behnken and Erwin Soo

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But with plenty of choices, where do you begin?

One look at the Philippine map and you can see that there are scattered islands in the central part of the country. This is the Visayas, home of the Philippine beach capital Boracay, and a host of gorgeous others.

If the perpetual gridlock of Manila starts getting on your nerves, why not head over to Cebu – Manila minus the mayhem – and island-hop your way to the best beaches in the region? Cebu is gateway to the finest beaches in the Visayas while also boasting some of its own that have earned loyal following.

Cebu

Camotes Island is way off the usual path but getting there is worth it

Most people consider Cebu as Manila without its headache-inducing traffic. It’s actually the second largest city in the Philippines, and the economic hub of the Visayas. So everything you would want in a metropolis is here. And Cebu has plenty of beaches that people from Manila have fallen in love with again and again. Malapascua, Moalboal and Bantayan Island easily come to mind. Oslob has become famous for its whale sharks, while Camotes Island is alluring for its native beauty and being tucked away.

Bohol

The textbook case of “Chocolate Hills” (karst limestone outcrops that spread for miles and miles around) is also a beach lover’s paradise. The beaches of Panglao Island come to mind first because of sand so white it blinds the unsuspecting and makes the already turquoise waters sparkle even more. Doljo and Alona Beaches are all-season favorites. Swimming here is safe, even at night. If Travel+Leisure were to be believed, it is one of the best secret beaches in the world. (Author’s note: Last time I checked, which was in 2006, Panglao surely bedazzled.)

Siquijor

An hour away from Dumaguete lies Siquijor, in another lifetime known as the sorcery hotspot of the Visayas. Today, it enchants unsuspecting travelers with its “raw” beaches in the town of San Juan. But come here quick before San Juan is overrun with beachfront forest of hotels and facilities that would “ruin” the view. There are already a number of resorts and dive centers here, but the place is still rather desolate. If you want to beach bum with government facilities nearby, the Salagdoong Beach in the town of Maria is worthy of a day trip.

Samar

A few years back, Samar burst to mainstream attention when adolescent boys needed to be rescued from a cave that would eventually known as the gargantuan Calbiga Cave Complex thought to tunnel through the entire province. But beyond the caves also lies another enchanted destination of Calico-an Island that is still raw with the absence of “development.” It’s also an up and coming surf spot.

Leyte

In Philippine history class, Leyte was where Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his “I shall return” promise. Cruise ship passengers on a Southeast Asian island-hopping tour once stopped over for lunch at Kalanggaman Beach. Many of them have likely sworn that one day, they too, shall return.

Photo by Paolo Manalac, Coolm36, Roberto Verzo, jelynnc and Debbie Tingzon

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Here are ten Filipino desserts that you should try after a delectable Filipino meal.

1. Halo Halo

The summer heat in the Philippines can be scorching, but it is made more bearable by this year-round favorite. Halo-halo is said to have its roots from the Japanese dessert kakigōri that was introduced to the Filipinos sometime in the Second World War. Filipinos adapted it to fit their own taste by adding various ingredients like sweetened beans, sweetened fruit and gelatin. Top with shaved ice, evaporated milk, a spoonful of ube halaya and a sliver of leche flan, you have the ultimate dessert. The name refers not just the variety of ingredients, but the action done before taking a bite of this cool concoction. Halo-halo is available nearly everywhere; from a neighborhood street corner costing only a few pesos, up to five-star hotels that charge an arm and a leg for a serving.

2. Leche Flan

This very luscious custard dessert is a staple in many Filipino celebrations. It is quite like crème brûlée, but instead of a hard caramel top, the leche flan has a soft layer of caramel that also acts as syrup. Leche flan’s ingredients are very simple, eggs, sugar and milk that is steamed to cook. On its own it is very rich and flavorful, but it is also seen as an added topping to the ever favorite halo-halo.

3. Yema

The ingredients of yema are the same as that of leche flan, with a bit of butter to bind the ingredients together. This caramel-like candy is very sweet and chewy. The ingredients are cooked to a thick consistency and formed into balls or triangles before being wrapped.

4. Polvoron

The Philippine polvoron is a cousin to the Spanish one produced in Andalusia, Spain. The Philippine version is made with equal amounts of flour and powdered milk, toasted with butter or margarine and sweetened with granulated sugar. It is then formed into shapes using moulds and wrapped in Japanese paper. The plain ones are already good, but you can change the flavor by adding cashew nuts, pinipig and even chocolate.

5. Ube Halaya

The purple tuberous root vegetable the Filipinos call ube is known as purple yam in other countries. It’s a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes, but it is primarily used for dessert by the Filipinos. The word “halaya” comes from the Spanish word “jalea” meaning jelly. Ube halaya is a sweet treat, and depending on the where it is made, can be served with various other toppings or eaten as is.

6. Pastillas

These sweet candies are sold nearly everywhere and have different varieties. Carabao milk and sugar are cooked to a sweet paste then formed to small, elongated pieces and wrapped in pieces of thin paper. In Zambales, pastillas are made simply with those two ingredients and no-fuss packaging. Bulacan pastillas as well as most of those commercially available make use of condensed milk and are rolled in sugar. In the old days, these are wrapped in Japanese paper with tails that are cut with intricate designs similar to lace. Unfortunately, the craft is dying so these delicious treats are wrapped in regular paper. Pastillas make for wonderful gifts and can easily satisfy any sweet craving.

7. Buko Pandan

Buko Pandan (Photo by punctuated)

Young, shredded coconut is mixed with gelatin flavored with pandan leaves. Cover with cream (either coconut or the all-purpose cream) sweetened with condensed milk and chill. Optionally serve with small tapioca balls for added texture.

8. Sapin-Sapin

The name “sapin sapin” literally means layers. The mixture of rice flour, sugar, coconut milk and water are cooked, separately colored and put together layer by layer to form a colorful glutinous treat.

9. Maja Blanca

Made primarily with coconut milk, maja blanca is commonly present in many Filipino celebrations as part of the dessert menu. Its creamy white color belies a gelatin-like consistency. The most common variation of this is made with sweet corn kernels and topped with latik (toasted coconut cream curds) for added texture and flavor. Different flavors are also created by using other fruits and vegetables.

10. Dirty Ice Cream

Long before Lady Gaga used it as a title for a song, dirty ice cream has been a Filipino street food and dessert staple. Don’t be turned off by its name though. It doesn’t mean that the food is unsanitary, but more of the fact that it is sold by peddlers in the open, gritty streets of the metro. This kind of ice cream is lighter than most commercial grade ice creams. Some producers make use of carabao’s milk for a creamier texture. Flavors are usually made from fruits that are available for that season. For less than half a dollar, you can have a few scoops of differently flavored ice cream on a wafer cone or a bread bun. Buy it from the sorbetero who walks around the street ringing a bell while pushing a colorful sorbetes cart.

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1) Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of Singapore’s longest-running bands, having turned 16 this year. The band is known for their kooky get-up and unlimited energy while performing, but it wasn’t always the case. Frontman Rizman Putra recalls that in the early days of the band, they were played with their eyes on their shoes. They ramped up the energy and despite the several line-up changes, managed to keep it up.

Rizman describes the band’s music style as “a zany, funky, clown-rock jamboree.” Hid bandmate Zul Andra says that the band takes in whatever is comfortable for them, and uses it in their music. It’s seems to work well with the audiences, both at home and abroad. Whatever formula these guys have, they should keep it up.

2) SIXX

Out of the band’s nine members (this number makes them one of SIngapore’s largest bands), seven have committed themselves fully to music by quitting their day jobs. The band’s bassist, Timothy De Cotta, describes Sixx’s sound as a mix of 90s, R&B, hip hop, funk and soul. They do what they can to promote their music, including performing on the MRT and inside a Mini Cooper while on the road. The band also had the privilege of representing the country in the Marche International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale (MIDEM) in Cannes. That should be enough to convince you of their talent.

3) Natalie’s Plight

“Real people, honest music.” These words are how the band defines themselves, rather than boxing their music into a genre. In late 2011, Natalie’s Plight came back from a three-year hiatus mostly on the desire to share songs that they wrote during their absence. The result is a three-track EP “What You See Is What You Get”.

4) Ivan Ng

This young man stands out not only for his choice of music, but for the instrument he plays it on. When he was 15, Ivan became interested in the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer after watching a Cyndi Lauper performance. His parents were supportive of their son’s unusual interest, and there was even a time when they would patiently wait for him while he would busk along Clarke Quay (before moving to Orchard Road). These days, the self-taught musician plays in various events and festivals, including Lights of Spring in Sentosa and National Day celebrations. While his favorite tunes to play are American folk and Celtic music, Ivan also adapts modern pop songs to appeal to a larger crowd.

5) The Pinholes

Take any song from the Pinholes and you’d immediately think of classic American rock music. Like the kind that the Beatles or the Beach Boys play. However, it’s got its own local Singapore flavor that makes it familiar yet new. There’s a certain sentimentality that their songs bring, and even if you don’t know the lyrics, you couldn’t help but sway along. The Pinholes have played in various gigs outside of Singapore and have been included in the SXSW 2010 lineup in the United States.

Special Mention: The Great Spy Experiment

Their music has been compared to known greats such as Franz Ferdinand, The Killers or Anberlin. With the guitar licks, the drum beats and lyrics of their songs, I couldn’t help but agree. Listening to their song “Class A Love Affair” made me want to jump up and down and say “This is the kind of music I’m looking for.” Of course, that is a highly subjective comment, but when you hear them, I’m sure you’ll agree.

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