i know we talked about this before in a previous thread.. but now here is a real plan by the government to promote medical tourism.. i say it solves about 3-5 problems of the country right out if the implementation of the program would be very good.. what do you guys think?

RP program seen to attract foreign patients

First posted 10:52am (Mla time) Nov 11, 2005
By Leila B. Salaverria
Inquirer News Service


TO KEEP doctors and nurses from leaving the Philippines and entice back those who have left, the government will bring the foreign patients to the country.

The Philippine Medical Tourism (PMT) program, set for launching next month, is aimed at attracting foreigners to come to the Philippines for medical treatment and enjoy the country’s tourist attractions on the side.

Authorities hope the program will not just bring in the much-needed revenues but also stem the exodus of medical professionals.

The first phase, with five government and five private hospitals participating, will have its soft launch on December 14.

According to Health Undersecretary Dr. Jade del Mundo, the perceived lack of medical experts because of the medical brain drain would not hinder the program but would in fact stop the exodus.

“Those in United States will be enticed to come back and those in the Philippines will be enticed to stay. In effect, we’ll keep the doctors here,” he said.

Del Mundo said doctors participating in the PMT would be receiving higher compensation.

“Their salaries will increase. We’ll make sure the compensation will be of international standards,” he said.

He said the Philippines enjoys several advantages in this field as its medical professionals are highly skilled and proficient in English. Also, medical costs here are comparatively lower than in the West.

When you couple these benefits with the tourist attractions and exotic locales, it would make an attractive package, he said.

Not all doctors will qualify to practice under the PMT. Only those who come from accredited institutions and have received the proper training would be allowed to participate, he said.

Also, only accredited government and private hospitals would be allowed to treat patients under the program.

The government expects to earn 300 million dollars from the PMT’s first year of operation and 1 billion dollars a year for the next five years.

The medical procedures to be offered range from elective, which include liposuction, cosmetic surgery and dental surgery, to life-saving, including kidney transplants, cancer treatment and coronary bypass surgery.

State hospitals participating in the first phase of the PMT are the Philippine Heart Center, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Lung Center, the Children’s Medical Center and the East Avenue Medical Center.

The private hospitals are the St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Asian Hospital, Medical City, the Makati Medical Center, and the Capitol Medical Center.

The government also plans to put up medical centers in tourist destinations like Boracay where simpler medical procedures can be performed.

maganda ito for our country.

Medical tourism can be broadly defined to include other things not only hospital based type medicine. These include simple things like caring homes for the aged, infirm etc which we are naturals at. Wellness Spa's a huge boom worldwide. Retirement homes. And of course closer to the above dental tourism and elective medicine (recuperate from your nose job on the beach!)

nice thread stephen!

Aha! Finally a plan in action. We have been discussing this concept before.

wow ganda ng plan, i hope it'll work fine :)

they should have done it a long time ago. Oh well better late than never.

@bustero - thanks!

^^ Are they sure on including East Ave MC?? coz thats so far the worst govt hospital in MM, worse than PGH. my cousin had her internship there, &....... patients there are obliged to buy not only the medicines but all the basic medical supplies doctors would need to treat them, eg cotton, needles, iodine, glucose, & bandage... and this hospital has the highest record of medical malpractice in the country :(

Medical Tourism? hmm, i dont know, we cant even support the poor people seeking medical attention in our country and we still send simaese twins for operation in other countries, hmmm, maybe Dra. Vicki Belo can be one of the medical tourism frontliners in the country.

I won't be surprised seeing an Ad in an American daily newspaper that says:

Great Opportunities for Registered Nurses to work in The PHILIPPINES!
Filipino citizenship is an advantage! Apply NOW!

Medical Tourism? hmm, i dont know, we cant even support the poor people seeking medical attention in our country and we still send simaese twins for operation in other countries, hmmm, maybe Dra. Vicki Belo can be one of the medical tourism frontliners in the country.


It's not for the poor people I think. Yeah, Belo and Calayans.

Aha! Finally a plan in action. We have been discussing this concept before.
Indeed! Hopefully we can see some progress with this plan. :cheers1:

I won't be surprised seeing an Ad in an American daily newspaper that says:

Great Opportunities for Registered Nurses to work in The PHILIPPINES!
Filipino citizenship is an advantage! Apply NOW!

I wonder who would grab at that chance? :lol:

^^ Maybe dancethingy Ben? He just passed the NCLEX and he loves tourism. He can apply for dual citizenship. Being knowledgeable in US Healthcare systems, he can also apply as a consultant for this endeavor. ;)

^^ Are they sure on including East Ave MC?? coz thats so far the worst govt hospital in MM, worse than PGH. my cousin had her internship there, &....... patients there are obliged to buy not only the medicines but all the basic medical supplies doctors would need to treat them, eg cotton, needles, iodine, glucose, & bandage... and this hospital has the highest record of medical malpractice in the country :(


mysaong how do they track the medical malpractice incindences in the country? Is there a website and agency that does it and publishes e.g. Dept of Health?

Actually it's happening now. A portion of those tourist from Korea actually come here to do certain elective surgery's. Nothing big mind you but for example things like beauty stuff hair removal etc. and specially dental as its amazingly expensive there daw. Here isang bunot baka 1000 Php lang. haha. This is big after the Korean honeymooners daw. I've a friend from NY who came last year and she claimed that her rebonding here was cheap enough that it would pay for her ticket. e.g. 800$ ang rebonding daw doon eh dito PHp 4000 may tsismis pa. hehe. we should ask Lili. if she rebonds her hair if this is really the price! Granted this is not exactly medical but it actually falls under the category in the beauty side.

I think this is interesting because it combines two great fields that the Philippines has, naturally as well: medical and tourism. Why not? We have too many resources and we should make use of all of them. At the same time, it helps the Philippines, we'll get foreign patients who are tourists in another sense, but most of all, the country will get their own doctors/nurses to stay and avoid a brain drain and their families will all rejoice because this is would be a gift from God and nobody would be leaving the family unit.

I've a friend from NY who came last year and she claimed that her rebonding here was cheap enough that it would pay for her ticket. e.g. 800$ ang rebonding daw doon eh dito PHp 4000 may tsismis pa. hehe. we should ask Lili. if she rebonds her hair if this is really the price! Granted this is not exactly medical but it actually falls under the category in the beauty side.

What is rebonding? Is this the same as Japanese thermal reconditioning? If it costs $800.00 to straighten my hair I definitely will not shell out that much. I guess it will depend which salon you go to to have this hair process done. A haircut with hairdresser to the stars Sally Hirshberger costs $600.00!!! Well, I'm letting my natural waves grow.

RP gears up to become the new haven for wellness
By Ayn Veronica L de Jesus Tuesday, November 15, 2005

THE PHILIPPINES has been long known for its fabulous beaches and marine wonders. But these may no longer remain mere natural attractions, for the government is repackaging them to go with wellness and medical services that will transform the country into a legitimate medical tourism destination.

As the elderly increase in number worldwide and stressed-out city dwellers yearn for a soothing respite from the urban jungle, a number of Asian countries, including Malaysia, find themselves offering wellness and healing services. We’re not talking about faith healing, but a combination of conventional and alternative medicines, offered with an attractive travel package, that at the same time would bring in significant revenues into the government coffers.

The Philippines is among those Asian countries that hope to earn more revenue by offering medical tourism.

“Medical tourism has a significant revenue potential for the Philippines,” said Jade del Mundo, undersecretary of health, at a media conference on November 9 announcing the Fourth National Conference for Alternative and Natural Medicine.


Trends in health and tourism

The health department uses Malaysia’s definition of medical tourism as “all activities, by virtue of health and tourism, that generates wealth for the country.”

Medical tourism consists of medical care, health and wellness, traditional and alternative health care such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, virgin coconut oil, organic food, neutraceuticals and long-term tourism and international retirement health zones where foreign patients can recuperate, rehabilitate and retire.

To complete the picture, the department has added the components of tourism and shopping to increase the choices of tourists and bring in more profits.

According to del Mundo, offering medical tourism will be to our advantage since the cost of health care are rising in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Europe; the waiting period to obtain health services and treatments in these countries is long; and because it is easy and affordable to avail of health services in Asia.

He added that improved medical technology and the affordable health services in developing countries such as the Philippines give us an ace in medical tourism.


Premiere medical services

Among the services that the country will offer to foreigners are elective procedures such as cosmetic surgery, liposuction and dental surgery, and life-saving procedures such as coronary bypass surgery, kidney transplants and cancer treatment.

As testimony to our advantages in medical tourism, del Mundo said that a general checkup in the United States costs $5,000 while it will cost only the equivalent of $500 in the Philippines. Coronary bypass surgery, which clocks up $50,000 in the United States, will cost only $25,000 locally. And while kidney transplants can reach up to $150,000 abroad, it will only cost $25,000 here.

“Even if we add the plane fare, trip to resort and a $100 gift certificate to add to their shopping money after they recover, we will still come out so much cheaper than having the surgeries abroad,” del Mundo, himself a medical doctor, said.

Cost is not only our competitive advantage. The Philippines is also blessed with well-trained and highly skilled medical practitioners that are fluent in English and have received postgraduate training in the developed countries. Nurses and paramedical staff are also one of the best, as attested by the strong demand for their services and skills in foreign countries. Besides competence, they are also known for their compassion, a key ingredient in caring for patients.


More than beaches

The variety of the country’s tourism offerings is also seen as a key advantage to luring medical tourism. For sure, there will be the staple aqua and beach tourism in Cebu, Palawan, Albay, Camiguin, Bohol and Boracay. But we will also offer heritage and cultural tourism in places such as Vigan in Ilocos; the Banawe Rice Terraces, Fort Santiago and Intramuros, and the many interesting sites and activities in every province.

Don’t forget the great and affordable shopping opportunities in Makati, Ortigas, Libis, Global City and even Divisoria.


Extra challenge

The undertaking to promote the Philippines as a hub of healing and tourism is not without its challenges. Government health facilities and services need to be improved.

Hospitals, health and wellness centers must be licensed and accredited, and the government needs the assurances that foreign health-insurance companies will reimburse the government for fees accrued by foreign patients.

“Between the years 2010 and 2020, about 10 million Filipino retirees will come home from the United States, Canada and other foreign countries. We should be prepared. Will their insurances pay for reimbursements here?” del Mundo said.

Linkages also need to be set up to establish and widen the multiagency network of hospitals, wellness centers, travel agencies, airlines, hotels or resorts, etc.

To date, the department has partnered with private and public hospitals such as the Philippine Centers for Specialized Health Care, Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Children’s Medical Center and the East Avenue Medical Center.

On the private side, the government has partnered with Asian Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Makati Medical Center and, yes, even the Belo Medical Group and Calayan SurgiCenter.


Natural healing

One medical service the government is promoting, as part of the medical tourism program, is alternative and natural medicine.

The first of conference about this topic is being held from November 13 to 16 at the Subic International Hotel, while the others will be on November 20 to 23 at the Iloilo City Amigo Terrace Hotel, and November 29 to December 2 at the Davao City Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Jaime Dy-Liaco, director general of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Health Care, said topics to be discussed during the conference will include clinical studies done on cures with virgin coconut oil, reversing AIDS and cancer with electrotherapy and other natural remedies, using blood root salve to remove cancerous tumors, curing tuberculosis naturally with Bio-Zapper in one month, removing pain in 15 seconds without using drugs, etc.

What is rebonding? Is this the same as Japanese thermal reconditioning? If it costs $800.00 to straighten my hair I definitely will not shell out that much. I guess it will depend which salon you go to to have this hair process done. A haircut with hairdresser to the stars Sally Hirshberger costs $600.00!!! Well, I'm letting my natural waves grow.
yup it's hair straightening, but different from relaxing . That's what she told me, I can kinda believe her. Things like this are not popular in the US compared to here which enjoys very high first mover and first trial in market indication, as when it comes to cutting edge beauty stuff ...well let's just say we know where pinoy's put their priorities:)

i think our country is just following Thailand's concept. but still it's great news :D Thailand is very known to cheap sex change. are doctors in our country open to aggressively promote this as well?

meh anything Dental is also wayy cheaper there in Phils, quality is equal to that here in Australia nways..its not like the Philippines is behind technologically.

This is a very exciting area of tourism indeed hehe maybe this is the kind of incentive that will help decrease the outflow of doctors and nurses in the country??

@ ate lili, i've decided to actually be a student here in Pinas and get my masters in Nursing and get some education on Philippine History. I'll be here for a while. I shouldn't be an unusual case. My cousin is Australian and she's here for her masters also. :)

I'm hoping, praying to work at Heart Center or St. Lukes :) :) :)

^ I am happy that you made that decision Ben. It entails some sacrifice since you are foregoing earning more moolah in the meantime but it will have a lot of psychic and emotional rewards. I'm hoping that you will be a vanguard there of elevating the standards of practice and making it really commercially attractive for the nurses to stay put in the Philippines and making the country in the forefront of international health care and medical tourism. I'll pray for your success and the fulfillment of your worthy goals and dreams. :)

Don't forget also refractive eye surgery such as lasix. They cost 4 times as much in other countries. They should make a package of this too. Cost of airfare, the procedure and a few days recuperating on the beach will be cheaper to get it done in their own country.

Thanks for the encouragment Lili :)

I didn't know tooth extractions were only 1000 here. But if you think about it, that's pricy for the general populations. sigh.

:D

Braces or Orthodontics are also inexpensive here compared to other countries.
Foreigners could also go here for braces, but that would also mean regular trips here for the adjustment and other procedures.
Mine just cost 25k but that was 6 years ago.

hey check out this site i found.. http://medicaltourismphilippines.rxpinoy.com/

^^ Great promo! Another way to get tourists to visit the Philippines, play on their vanity! :okay:

Vanity, vanity, all is vanity

Well, Thailand made a head start with this medical tourism thingy. They have a hospital for people desiring for transgender operations because the procedures in their home countries are expensive and they have to climb a mountain of paperworks to do it.

Makati Med president resigns
Posted: 3:23 AM | Dec. 19, 2005

Clarissa S. Batino
Inquirer

Published on Page B1 of the December 19, 2005 issue of the Philippines

AILING MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER HAS lost its president, Asian Institute of Management professor Gabino Mendoza, in yet another power play among the influential members of the board of directors.

Mendoza said he had tendered his irrevocable resignation on Dec. 13 after the board of directors decided it wanted more control of management and, consequently, clipped the powers of the president which the owners had appointed in May.

"I agreed to become president of the hospital only when they agreed to give me the full authority of a CEO, which included hiring and firing, promoting and demoting," the AIM professor said in an interview.

Mendoza said in the course of the reforms management had been instituting to stop the hospital from bleeding, he had fired some people. It turned out that those affected had ties to influential board members.

Sources said two doctors, who were board members, and an heir of a doctor who also sat in the board, threw their support behind those affected by the management shakeup.

"As president, I need not be answerable to individual members of the board, but only to the entire board," Mendoza explained. "The condition was, if that would change, I would resign immediately."

The condition did change on Dec. 12 when some of the board members met without Mendoza.

"After the meeting, our chairman Manny Pangilinan told me on behalf of the majority of the board that they could no longer give me the authority I asked for," said Mendoza. "So I resigned immediately. There was no sense in staying any longer if I didn't have the powers of a president and a CEO."

The AIM professor said he agreed to stay until the end of the month, during which the board must find a replacement for him.

Mendoza was appointed by the controlling owners of Makati Med, who wanted to implement corporate restructuring after the hospital sustained P300 million in losses over the last three years.

Due to a faulty accounting system, Makati Med discovered the losses only in December 2004. Before that, the once premier hospital thought it was still earning.

The hospital has about P1.2 billion in maturing debts that it wants to restructure. But banks have insisted that at least P100 million must first be infused into Makati Med to aid its recovery.

In July, the hospital brought in some new board members, including telco czar Pangilinan and banker Francisco Dizon to help effect the changes.

About one-third of the hospital's shares are controlled by the families of Fores and Araneta.

About 25 percent are held by the heirs of other founders, like the Manahans and Alimurungs. The rest are owned by more than 100 doctors connected to the hospital.

Before Mendoza came in, the hospital's books were in disarray. There were huge receivables that have not been collected. Several pieces of medical equipment, reported to be overpriced, are now lying idle.

There were allegations of mismanagement and excesses among those who control the hospital.

Mendoza believed his six-month stint at the hospital helped in stopping the hemorrhage.

^^ i don't like makati med anyway...it's becoming the worst among the "best" hospitals here...

eto ibang incident, sa bagong medical city.

I have an uncle who was operated there. Tapos after a month or less ng operation, another doctor reviewed the video tape of the operation. He found out that there was a large towel (rolled size is about the size of a mayonnaise jar) stuck in my uncle's body. The technicians of the CT scanner overlooked the object when they observed my uncle, saying that it was just puss. To make things worst, the doctor of my uncle only said sorry and was willing to return 20% of the overall expenses paid to him and the operation....

he should sue that doctor for malpractice. that's one problem we have here in the Philippines, doctors are so looked up to in society that they think they can get away with even basic competence in their jobs! They even believe they are above paying taxes saying this will hurt the poor which is hogwash. You only need one of these idiots to screw up for the whole medical tourism thing not to take off.

^^ we (the kids) are telling him to sue the doctor, but we don't know what the grown-ups will do. I think they are sending notices to the people involved. As far as I know, ayaw nila ng gulo, so we're afraid these people might get away with the things they did...

^^whoa..i watched a very similar incident like that, an episode of Grey's Anatomy!!

^^ ows? stig!! ang galing, tugma sa real life yun episode ng Grey's Anatomy :lol: My uncle was operated kasi he was brutally shot :(

tama ka dun bustero.. thats why ALWAYS ask for a receipt whenever you go on your medical checkups.. it may cost a little more, but in the end the benefits will be for us all.. a little sacrifice goes a long long way...

taken from abs-cbnnews.com.. dibs to my favorite cabinet member mr. durano! he's certainly doing all he can to put the philippines back on the world map!

Nose jobs and breast implants

BIZZFIZZ
By RENE MARTEL

It was Thailand that first discovered the hidden potential of big bucks to be tapped from medical tourism, to be followed closely by India. South Africa then jumped on the bandwagon, offering nose jobs as an alternative to safari jaunts to attract tourists.

Some four years on medical tourism—spurred on by the prohibitive cost of medical care in the United States and Europe—has grown rapidly with the above mentioned three countries at the forefront and now (according to a recent CNN report) joined by Tunisia that has hitherto been known more for its beaches rather than its hospitals.

Given that sort of competition, it’s hardly surprising that the Philippines with some of the best doctors in the Asia/Pacific region, nurses famed for their post operative care and emerging state-of-the art medical facilities has decided to enter the medical tourism arena—spearheaded by the Department of Tourism where go-getting Secretary Ace Durano is making positive waves to explore and expand the country’s untapped tourism potential.

Much DOT headway is expected in the Q1 of 2006 with the department thus far accrediting just six hospitals—namely St. Luke’s and Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City, Medical City in Ortigas, the UST Hospital in Manila, the Asian Hospital in Alabang and the Cabrini Medical Center in Sto. Tomas, Batangas—to pioneer medical tourism in the Philippines.

It appears Makati Medical Center (where PLDT/ Metro Pacific main man Manny Pangilinan has recently come on board) has not made the cut this time around. While "ambulatory" clinics such as that of Dr. Vicky Bello, which one would have thought were tailor made for medical tourism where heavenly bodies form a major thrust, have not been accredited as yet.

Next month in Greece the DOT will be making a major pitch when the first ever World Health Tourism trade fair, with specific emphasis on corporate buyers and vendors, will be held in Athens.

The Product Research and Development Office at the DOT, under Director Elizabeth Nelle, has been tapped to handle this particular sector. A wide range of publicity material aimed at overseas markets has been prepared, and a website is currently being developed and will be up and running soon.

According to the DOT, strict guidelines will be applied to the accreditation process since the highest medical standards are paramount if the Philippines is to make major headway in the dollar generating medical tourism industry.

More so considering that cosmetic surgery—such as facial nicks and tucks, nasal sculpting and breast implants—constitute a significant part of medical tourism. And as we all know there are implants and implants—with some looking lumpy and sad, and others having an admirable and impudent thrust.

The latter will be most definitely be what the DOT will be aiming to offer on the global market now that it has jumped enthusiastically on board the medical tourism bandwagon.

And we guess nothing would delight handsome Tourism Secretary Durano more than to see someone come to the Philippines under the medical tourism program for a breast implant and return home to the States or Europe with several inches of saline and silicone bubble wrap as impressive armory between her and the elements.

Medical Tourism at Cebu's South Reclamation Properties
Cebu Daily News

A Cebuano group has committed to build three standard industrial buildings for locators, while a Japanese group represented by a local businessman is looking at the possibility of building a retirement complex, according to Joel Mari Yu, managing director of the Cebu Investment Promotion Center (CIPC).

The group, which owns between 10 to 15 retirement buildings in Japan, wants to build a retirement condominium that includes a medical facility, shopping center and other features, he said.

“I am very optimistic. It is very gratifying to see so much interest in SRP. There is so much potential in SRP,” Yu said.

He noted that two companies operating medical facilities are also interested in locating at the SRP.

One of the firms is a Japanese medical facility that plans to set up a place for retirees and Japanese patients.

The other is an American medical facility, which sees the opportunity in more affordable medical services, especially in cosmetic surgery, he added.

“This will open up the Philippines to the huge wellness market,” Yu said.

RP muscles in on medical tourism, introduces 'hilot'

First posted 04:49am (Mla time) Jan 11, 2006
By Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer

MOVE OVER, Thai massage. The Pinoy hilot is here.

The country is set to market its own brand of massage therapy in the world stage as part of the Philippine Medical Tourism Program started by the government two years ago.

The strategy is to consolidate at least seven popular therapies which are still practiced by indigenous people in the country, according to Health Undersecretary Jade del Mundo.

Besides the common hilot, included were the "dinalisay, kisig galing, unang lana, tapik kawayan, paligo, oslob and dagdagay," the latter a form of tribal foot massage, Del Mundo told the Inquirer in an interview.

"The Pinoy hilot has therapeutic benefits," he said. "We'll just remove the supernatural dimension and make it scientific in consonance with international standards."

Del Mundo said the government had tapped experts in various local massage therapies from among indigenous peoples. This would be popular among foreigners who would be lured by the local medical tourism program, he said.

The indigenous experts will also train other therapists in the intricacies of hilot, he said.

Therapists will use virgin coconut oil and other herbal concoctions which will be sourced locally.

Taking its cue from the success of its Asian neighbors, the government began its own medical tourism program in 2004.

Citing figures from the International Trade Center Geneva, Del Mundo pegged the global medical tourism industry at $20 billion.

In Asia, he said the industry was dominated by India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Pinoy hilot falls under the program's wellness and health enhancement category which also includes spa, massage, naturopathy and detoxification. Tapped as centers for this program were The Farm in Lipa City in Batangas province, and the Detox Center in Subic, Zambales.

The local medical tourism program, scheduled for launching today at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, is expected to catch up with India and company in the next five years, according to Del Mundo.

He said it won't be difficult to invite foreign patients to come to the Philippines, since treatments here are cheaper than in other countries.

A comprehensive medical check-up would cost $5,000 in the United States, compared to only $500-$600 in the Philippines, he said in a lecture.

A complicated bone marrow transplant in the United States would cost $250,000, compared to only $20,000 here, he said.

Del Mundo said a plus factor would be the Filipinos' facility in English, on top of competent health professionals who were trained in the United States and Europe.

:okay: good fot the Philippines

taken from inq7.net..

Gov't aims to earn $2B from medical tourism
Posted: 5:30 PM | Jan. 11, 2006

THE PHILIPPINES is aiming to earn about two billion dollars annually within five years following the launch of an integrated program to promote medical tourism here, officials said Wednesday.

The program is meant to attract about 700,000 foreign "medical tourists," annually by the end of five years, said Cesar Bautista, head of a special taskforce spearheading the program.

Bautista conceded that the Philippines is "quite behind" other Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia which are already attracting thousands of foreigners, seeking medical procedures that are cheaper than in their home countries.

He and other officials expressed confidence the Philippines could catch up, thanks to the country's hospitable, English-speaking labor force, high quality medical professionals and facilities, and competitive costs.

In recent years, some developed Asian countries have seen a boom in medical tourism where people from wealthier countries seek to have treatments that would be much more expensive back home.

Bautista said the Philippines had been attracting medical tourists for years but there were no specific figures as there was no agency keeping track of this development before.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque also expressed hope that promoting medical tourism would ease the "brain drain," which has seen thousands of Filipino doctors and nurses leaving the country to find better-paying jobs abroad.

Industry leaders have previously warned that the Philippines could face a crisis if it loses too many of its medical practitioners to migration.

Duque said medical tourism could also allow local hospitals to upgrade their facilities and equipment.

The government expects to combine medical tourism with spas offering massages, relaxation and "wellness packages," as well as attracting foreign retirees to live in the country, where they can avail of cheaper medical care, officials said.

Bautista said Philippine diplomats would also work to find ways that foreign medical insurance programs-- such as Medicare in the United States, would extend their coverage to include treatments in the Philippines.

Cites importance of Pinoys in state’s health-care system

VIGAN CITY – Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle reported here a great demand for Filipino nurses in her state, saying there is a shortage of workers in the health-care sector on that mid-Pacific island.

The Hawaii governor lauded the Filipino nurses when she said, "the health care system of Hawaii could not function without the Filipinos."

She cited the importance of the Filipinos in the health-care program in Hawaii, saying they have their distinct virtues, skills, and values towards their jobs.

Governor Lingle and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson led last Monday the ceremonial signing of a letter of understanding and mutual cooperation between the University of Hawaii (UH) and University of Northern Philippines (UNP).

She said that the exchange program of the two universities is one way of achieving the goal of UNP President Lauro B. Tacbas to make nursing education in the Ilocos academically excellent and globally competitive.

She said her state will train UNP professors in an effort to help local nursing graduates obtain a better chance to pass the rigid state nursing examination.

"With this exchange program, we will align our nursing curricula here and bring our best health-care practices to help people train the professors here so that they are clear on the requirements of our tests. Thus, the candidates from here would have a higher opportunity to pass the exam and, thereby, increase their wages in Hawaii by serving at a higher level of nursing," she said.

Lingle conducted a week-long tour of the Ilocos Region. She was here to attend the centennial commemoration of the first Filipino-Ilocano migration to Hawaii in 1906.

She had earlier signed similar nursing exchange arrangements between the University of Hawaii and the Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte, and University of Hawaii and the Virgen Milagrosa University in Pangasinan.

Governor Singson said that the exchange program will generate more job opportunities for nursing professionals in Ilocos Sur.

He said that this initiative will also support President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s 10-point agenda which aims to create 6-10 million jobs until 2010.

"This exchange programs will open the door to lucrative jobs opportunities for Ilocano nurses," he said.

"This will also realize my dream to make Ilocos Sur as a source of Filipino-Ilocano world-class nursing professionals possessing distinct health care values, and tender loving and care," he also said.

UNP President Tacbas promised the unwavering support of the university for the nursing exchange program. He was also considering another exchange program with Hawaii for the benefit of other students and faculty members.

At present, he said, at least 12, 600 students are enrolled in different curricular programs of UNP, the oldest university in Northern Luzon and one of the biggest producers of nurses in the country.

Tacbas thanked Governor Lingle, Governor Singson, and President Arroyo and other officials for the realization of the historic Hawaii sisterstate university exchange program on nursing education.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2006011253681.html

Maybe the new superhospital the government is putting together with the heart/Lung/Childrens/kidney and East Ave all in one, will be focused on this too.

this medical tourism will be good for our country in more ways than one. other than the obvious additional income, it will also help limit, if not stop brain drain. instead of our professionals having to move out of the country in search of "greener pastures", the grass will be greener on our own side of the fence. let's pray for the success of this endeavor.

im currently talking with a group of doctors and they want me to help make a website for them which would advertise their skills to people abroad.. so you could say im doing my fair share for this.. hope this project pushes thru.. :D

here is one website i found which promotes medical tourism in the philippines. :)
http://doktorko.com/FMD/index.php

medical tourism is an important step in the job creation program of the government. i guess we really have to work hard to make our mark in this industry. the gov't needs all the help it can get from the private sector, and vice versa, to turn this opportunity into a success.

Okay, so i want to take this moment to bitch.


My lolo just got here from Chicago last week, well maybe more than a week i don't remember. He's 89 years old and has cardiac problems related to old age, all his medical ailments are due to old age, and our first agenda for this week was to see a good cardialogist at the heart center. So we did, but the problem was, we were made to wait two hours for the cardiologist that never even showed up. I hear that this is very common here in the Philippines; you know, the i'll wait forever for a doctor to show up because they are so GOD. That Physicians here just love to feel important that they feel they have the right to let their patients wait long hours in their offices. Ok, i have to be frank, Foreigners would NEVER come to this country for medical purposes just to be disrespected. There's a punctuality issue that will get in the way. In America Physicians are inclined to respect their patients and one important way of showing it is being PUNCTUAL.

sad to hear such thing, ben

^that is so true dancethingy. Some doctors in the PHils. feel like they're god that you cannot even make appointments to be seen by them. They need a refresher course on bedside manners ,which Filipinos are touted to have the comparative advantage over their counterparts.

@heathcliff - thanks for the site.. il try to check it out and get some ideas.. :)

@dance - not all doctors are like that though.. i peronally know of several doctors who would go out of their way to help a patient.. though the patient still has to wait several minutes to see him cuz of the volume of patients that he sees everyday..

Okay, so i want to take this moment to bitch.


My lolo just got here from Chicago last week, well maybe more than a week i don't remember. He's 89 years old and has cardiac problems related to old age, all his medical ailments are due to old age, and our first agenda for this week was to see a good cardialogist at the heart center. So we did, but the problem was, we were made to wait two hours for the cardiologist that never even showed up. I hear that this is very common here in the Philippines; you know, the i'll wait forever for a doctor to show up because they are so GOD. That Physicians here just love to feel important that they feel they have the right to let their patients wait long hours in their offices. Ok, i have to be frank, Foreigners would NEVER come to this country for medical purposes just to be disrespected. There's a punctuality issue that will get in the way. In America Physicians are inclined to respect their patients and one important way of showing it is being PUNCTUAL.


That is so messed up. He got problems.

^^^ OKAY

Unfortunately Ben's experience is not uncommon. Hopefully if they want to serve the international market ,doctors will learn to be more professional about this.

Stephen good luck on your site, I've seen a small dentist site ( I think I googled phil med tourism and it came out). Not too many yet but surely this is a good project! Update us on your progress and we'll even mystery shop the site for you if you want.

^^^ OKAY
somethng wrong with askal respond, BEN

..... Doctors at Asian are nice...

Okay, so i want to take this moment to bitch.


My lolo just got here from Chicago last week, well maybe more than a week i don't remember. He's 89 years old and has cardiac problems related to old age, all his medical ailments are due to old age, and our first agenda for this week was to see a good cardialogist at the heart center. So we did, but the problem was, we were made to wait two hours for the cardiologist that never even showed up. I hear that this is very common here in the Philippines; you know, the i'll wait forever for a doctor to show up because they are so GOD. That Physicians here just love to feel important that they feel they have the right to let their patients wait long hours in their offices. Ok, i have to be frank, Foreigners would NEVER come to this country for medical purposes just to be disrespected. There's a punctuality issue that will get in the way. In America Physicians are inclined to respect their patients and one important way of showing it is being PUNCTUAL.


what happened to your lolo is really not good. next time, i suggest you guys get him a more professional physician, there are a lot of them here in the Philippines.

Ok, i have to be frank, Foreigners would NEVER come to this country for medical purposes just to be disrespected. There's a punctuality issue that will get in the way. In America Physicians are inclined to respect their patients and one important way of showing it is being PUNCTUAL.

i have to disagree. some of them do come in late, or patients are made to wait for two hours too before seeing the doctor. believe me!

Okay, so i want to take this moment to bitch.


My lolo just got here from Chicago last week, well maybe more than a week i don't remember. He's 89 years old and has cardiac problems related to old age, all his medical ailments are due to old age, and our first agenda for this week was to see a good cardialogist at the heart center. So we did, but the problem was, we were made to wait two hours for the cardiologist that never even showed up. I hear that this is very common here in the Philippines; you know, the i'll wait forever for a doctor to show up because they are so GOD. That Physicians here just love to feel important that they feel they have the right to let their patients wait long hours in their offices. Ok, i have to be frank, Foreigners would NEVER come to this country for medical purposes just to be disrespected. There's a punctuality issue that will get in the way. In America Physicians are inclined to respect their patients and one important way of showing it is being PUNCTUAL.

I've had the same experience several times, the last time when I tried to get an appointment for ultrasound a week or two before Christmas. It was urgent, and I tried several hospitals which turned me down. It turns out they only have one or two specific days in the week for ultrasound, and they were already full. One hospital said I should call back because they weren't sure if the doctor would go on leave. I couldn't help bltching either. I had the impression a lot of doctors were on leave for the holidays. I wanted to stick the Hippocratic oath up their sinuses. Not to mention up those bltchy receptionists/secretaries/whatever. It's too bad when these people had to act like GOD to their clientele.

But I don't think these should discourage medical tourism in the country. On the contrary, if the project pushes through, it will have a beneficial influence on the work ethics of local medical practitioners, as well as upgrade the quality of medical care in general by attracting more competent doctors and nurses to stay or to come back to work in the country.

@dance - not all doctors are like that though.. i peronally know of several doctors who would go out of their way to help a patient.. though the patient still has to wait several minutes to see him cuz of the volume of patients that he sees everyday..

Stephen, I agree with you. Not all doctors in the country are like that. There are still many competent doctors here who go out of their way to help a patient. I have seen real heroism in our medical practitioners. There are those who, despite better offers abroad, prefer to remain to serve their fellow Filipinos. Hopefully, medical tourism will give them an opportunity to get the compensation that they deserve.

I've had the same experience several times, the last time when I tried to get an appointment for ultrasound a week or two before Christmas. It was urgent, and I tried several hospitals which turned me down. It turns out they only have one or two specific days in the week for ultrasound, and they were already full. One hospital said I should call back because they weren't sure if the doctor would go on leave. I couldn't help bltching either. I had the impression a lot of doctors were on leave for the holidays. I wanted to stick the Hippocratic oath up their sinuses. Not to mention up those bltchy receptionists/secretaries/whatever. It's too bad when these people had to act like GOD to their clientele.

But I don't think these should discourage medical tourism in the country. On the contrary, if the project pushes through, it will have a beneficial influence on the work ethics of local medical practitioners, as well as upgrade the quality of medical care in general by attracting more competent doctors and nurses to stay or to come back to work in the country.
I agree with this. I don't think we're saying all doctors in the pHils are like that. However this experience of Dancethingy is not an isolated case and pretty common experience of most people.
In fairness i'm sure the DOT has done due dilligence in ensuring this program takes off, including great customer service of doctors. What it needs now is just implementation.

I think a convention inviting all health care workers participating in this medical tourism should be put together in order that all medical workers and facilities be on the same page about legal and cultural issues. They also need to do a session on common courtesy.

Philippines launches medical tourism campaign
January 13, 2006

Officials launched a campaign Wednesday to promote so-called medical tourism in the Philippines in an effort to grab a slice of the multibillion-dollar industry. In a program to formally promote the archipelago as "islands of wellness," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said government agencies and private clinics and hospitals will strive to make the Philippines the "new hub of wellness and medical care in Asia."

He said the country was gearing up to compete directly with other Asian countries that are years ahead in the industry.

Medical tourism, which combines both health care and travel and leisure, last year generated more than one billion dollars in revenues for Thailand, India and Malaysia, Duque said.

"We believe that the Philippines can tap into the remaining huge market potential and generate this kind of amount once we take off in the next five years and thereon push ahead," he said.

He said "it's not too late" for Filipinos to catch up with other Asians. "I think we still have very many worthy qualities as health care providers, and our medical and surgical capabilities are quite comparable, if not superior," he said.

He said the government also hopes the campaign "will be an attractive strategy to reverse the current outward migration of our professionals, prompt new doctors to stay and lure back our health workers who had international training."

Health Undersecretary Jade del Mundo said the medical brain drain, which has seen doctors take higher-paying jobs abroad as nurses, "could bring us to the brink of a health crisis."

As an added benefit, the growth of medical tourism could generate enough revenues for the country to improve overall health care by increasing the number of hospital beds for the poor and making expensive advanced medical equipment available to them, Duque said.

He said the components of the new program include medical, surgical and dental care, health and wellness, traditional and alternative health care, long-term tourism and the establishment of international retirement and medical zones.

The prices of medical and surgical procedures in the Philippines are 30 percent to 50 percent cheaper than elsewhere, he said. A coronary bypass costing about US$50,000 in the United States is only about US$25,000 in the country, with comparable clinical expertise and facilities, as well as complication and success rates, he said.

Elizabeth Nell, a program director at the Department of Tourism, said the Philippines will target medical tourists from the United States -- particularly the large Filipino-American community -- along with Europe, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Pacific island states.

RP poised as Asia's newest health and wellness hub


MANILA – The Philippines is being geared as Asia's newest health and wellness hub through the recently-launched Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP).

"The Philippines offers several competitive advantages over our Asian neighbors in the areas of human resources, economics and tourism. Most if not all of our physicians have clinical postgraduate training or experience in the US or Europe," said Health Secretary Francisco Duque during the launching of the PMTP at the Manila Diamond Hotel.

He cited that aside from its dedication to their professions, Filipinos are known as very compassionate, hospitable and caring.

Among the services offered by the programs are: medical, surgical, and dental care, health and wellness (spa services), traditional and alternative healthcare, long term tourism, international retirement health zones (irhz) and international medical zones (imz).

"The price differential is 30 to 50 percent in favor of the Philippines. For instance, Coronary Artery Bypass (CABG) costs US$ 50,000 in the US.. in the Philippines, with the same clinical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, complication rate, and success rate, it costs only US$ 25,000," he said.

Health tourism had been a sunshine industry in most parts of Asia. The country aims match or even surpass neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and India, all of which posted US$ 1-billion in revenues from patients flocking in for treatment.

Globally, healthcare is said to be the largest industry earning revenues estimated at US$ 2.8 trillion annually.

"We believe that the Philippines can tap into the remaining huge market potential and generate this kind of amount once we take off in the next five years and thereon push ahead," he said.

The PMTP is a multi-sectoral intiative which aims to attract international patients to the country for medical care, as well as sight seeing tours, vacation, and shopping packages.

He cited that the country also boasts of its competitive local healthcare industry, favorable foreign currency exchange and the significantly lower prices that medical practitioners offer in its medical and surgical services.

"Moreover, the country boasts of exotic locales be it eco, heritage, bio, or aqua-tourism. Leveraging these strengths will be crucial to further growth and development," he added.

He also expressed hopes that the program would be an attractive strategy to reverse the current outward migration of our professionals, prompt new doctors to stay and lure back our health workers who had international training.

"We envision medical tourism to be an effective strategy to mobilize and strengthen our human resources for health. We aim to convince them to serve the country while raising their salaries that are at par with international standards," he said.

Departments involved in the program are the DoH, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and firms from the medical industry.

Accredited hospitals are the Philippine Centers for Specialized Healthcare (PCSH) composed of the Philippine Heart Center, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Lung Center of the Philippines, the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and East Avenue Medical Center, and several private medical centers, clinics, and surgical centers are also included. Duque bared that the next phase of the PMTP is to bring the program in the regional level.

Last night, there was a segment about medical tourism in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. It stated that prices here are much (50%) cheaper than that of the US and our doctors are well educated. The segment interviewed a bunch of foreigners and stated that a lot of them go here for Lasik Eye treatment...heheheheh just wanna share

^^ahh which reminds me!! My mum wants that Pinoy TV of GMA instead of TFC hahahaha..when will that come to Oz?!!..sO off topic..never mind.

Medical tourism: RP's pain or gain?
By MIRIAM V. TORRECAMPO

The Alliance of Health Workers yesterday claimed that the recently launched medical tourism program of the government will do more harm than good to health workers and the already ailing healthcare system.

Jossel Ebesate, secretary general of AHW, said that in line with the medical tourism program, six specialty hospitals will be integrated to form the Philippine Centers for Specialized Healthcare (PCSH).

Medial tourism offers cost-effective medical treatments combined with special tourist destinations to patients from other countries.

Stakeholders said that patients are expected to flock to the Philippines because of medical rates lower than those offered by India and Thailand.

Ebesate said foreign patients, who usually can afford treatments, will then benefit from state hospitals which were built, ironically, with the use of people's money.

The proposed PCSH will integrate the resources and services of six government-run hospitals, namely the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children and Medical Center and the East Avenue Medical Center.

The PCSH will also include a 1,000-bed Women's Medical Center that would take the place of Fabella Hospital. It will be built on a lot adjacent to the NKTI.

A national Reference Laboratory for Degenerative Diseases, centers for blood diseases, brain, cancer, physical therapy as well as rehabilitation and a Medical Arts Building for clinics of 1,280 doctors will also be built in the mega-medical site.

The proposed PCSH will be completed in 2010.

Ebesate said that for ordinary health workers, medical tourism would mean layoffs and threats to their security of tenure.

He explained that functions will be duplicated as a result of mergers. There will also be higher qualification standards for specialized care.

Nurses at present work for 12 hours and above due to lack of personnel.

"With medical tourism, it would mean additional workload for the nurses because they will be caring for foreign patients who expect world-class service," Ebesate added.

Ebesate also predicted that the exodus of health personnel will continue.

He lamented that the billions-dollar income that the government expects to gain from medical tourism will not contribute to the betterment of health workers for as long as "health budget remains low, no salary increase, no allocation for benefits, and non-implementation of existing laws like Nursing Law."

Ebesate stated that discrimination is expected in the healthcare system with foreigners ending up getting royal treatment, while poor Filipinos likely to be treated with apathy.

"Right now, Filipinos needing heart surgery or kidney transplant could not be treated due to lack of money. They have to wait until there is a government subsidy for their operation. (Seeing) foreign patients based on our day-to-day experience in the hospitals, we are almost sure that foreigners will be given priority," Ebesate said.

^^ahh which reminds me!! My mum wants that Pinoy TV of GMA instead of TFC hahahaha..when will that come to Oz?!!..sO off topic..never mind.

OT...Pinoy TV is the worst thing TV has ever had.

^^^ahhh you serious?!!! isn't GMA kicking ass there in the Philippines?!!..
i mean...i like that SOP show..:( am I waiting for something not worthwhile?!! LOL...

^^ yup, GMA is kicking ass right now, they've got better ratings than ABS lol, but some of their shows and talent do...well suck! hehehehe

^^end of discussion^^ LOL sorry peeps..

GO MEDICAL TOURISM PHILIPPINES!!

Medical tourism plan offers Filipino massage
First posted 03:20am (Mla time) Feb 07, 2006
By Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Feb. 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link to the article (http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=65381)




IN THE future, the place to go for a soothing massage will be the hospital nearest you.

The government is set to make spas, health and wellness centers a regular feature of major hospitals in Metro Manila to lure more foreigners to its medical tourism program.

A 2,500-square-meter complex at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City is scheduled for a facelift to house a new Institute for Filipino Massage, as well as a health and wellness center, by October, according to Health Undersecretary Jade del Mundo.

The institute will be the main facility promoting indigenous Filipino massage therapies to both local and foreign patients. The centers will highlight traditional and alternative health care, such as herbal medicine, naturopathy and chiropractic medicine.

Later on, Del Mundo said, other government hospitals would house similar institutes and centers under the medical tourism program. Private hospitals would also be encouraged to follow suit, he said.

goal is to market our own brand of health care,” he told the Inquirer in an interview.

The construction of the new centers will be another strategy in the promising local medical tourism program from which the government is expecting to earn $300 million (P15.6 billion) in its maiden year.

Del Mundo said industry leaders, like India and Thailand, that began their respective programs in the late 1990s, recorded their highest annual revenue of $600 million (P31.2 billion) only last year.

“The prospects are really promising for the Philippines,” he said, noting Filipino health professionals’ expertise and good command of the English language.

Part of the program is an aggressive marketing of the Filipino hilot (massage) primarily using virgin coconut oil, he said.

Indigenous massage

On April 18-19, the government will hold the Philippine Indigenous Massage Festival at the Manila Pavilion Hotel, showcasing nine indigenous techniques that represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Participants will be selected from regional competitions initiated by the Department of Health, Del Mundo said.

Representatives of each group would then be tapped as instructors of people seeking jobs at the planned government spas and wellness centers in hospitals, he said.

Del Mundo said the different forms of indigenous massage and their practitioners would subscribe to a manual and code of ethics for hilot and herbolaryo (herbologist) which would be developed during the festival.

Local hilots excited over gov't medical tourism plan

Naval, Biliran (8 February) -- While some medical practitioners in the countryside complain of the local folks preference for hilot (Filipino massage) and tambalan (quack doctor) for its minimal fees, local hilots get excited over the government's plan of medical tourism in the country which for them means additional income for their families.

In a rural area like Naval, most people resort to the expertise of the local hilot, who usually have no formal medical schooling, for minor body pains, sprains, cough and flu. Even the educated and the moneyed in this capital town of Biliran do not discredit the capability of the local hilot for they also find relief in their hands.

Those deprived of financial capacity usually depend solely on hilot and tambalan but those with the money seek the expertise of both hilot and a licensed medical practitioner to ensure better health.

Though projecting a better income with the medical tourism plan, the local hilots fear, they might be downgraded by the presence of local hilots with trainings and short term courses in physical thyrapy.

In an interview with a masseuse with a short term course on physical therapy, it was learned that she is currently accredited in a hospital in Metro Manila to assist expectant mothers in the labor room with higher pay because the patients are mostly rich and foreigners in this hospital.

She even offers packaged home service massage to families where she is served free meals and snacks and relieved from space rental.

However, local patients also fear of possible inavailability of local hilots for them and increase in the hilot's service fee if ever they are hired in hospitals and be in demand for foreign patients who give them dollar fees.

One known local hilot of Naval is currently spending a vacation with her daughter in the states. It was learned from her family who was left behind that she is being fetched for a home service hilot by Filipinas who were once her patients in their younger days in Naval and who are now married with children to foreigners. These Filipinas who have resided in the western country for several decades still believe in the local hilot's magic hands against the western advance technology.

taken from philstar.com..

Playing catch-up in medical tourism
BIZLINKS By Rey Gamboa
The Philippine Star 03/06/2006

For decades some of our Asian neighbors and European countries have reaped whopping economic benefits from medical tourism. Although a bit late in the ballgame, the Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP) was finally created through EO 372 and launched last year.

PMTP, according to its proponents, is a private-public initiative aimed at attracting foreign clients to the Philippines for needed medical care as well as health and wellness services coupled with sightseeing tours, vacation, and shopping packages.
Wishful thinking
PMTP claims that medical tourism will bring in projected revenues of $2 billion from expected 700,000 medical tourists in five years time. This sounds, to me, like wishful thinking.

If the Philippines wants to seriously compete against other countries for medical tourists and the billions of green bucks from this industry, it has to drastically improve its air travel facilities and arrangements, tourist destinations, hospitals and facilities (clinics are rare in many resort places), and, as we have repeatedly emphasized, must develop a culture of tourism.
What Thailand offers
Take the case of Thailand. Its medical tourism industry is now a multi-billion dollar enterprise simply because the country followed to a T the tenets of basic tourism while focusing on a niche market.

(While India is considered the top medical tourism destination at the moment, Thailand, together with Malaysia and Singapore are quickly gaining reputation as key destinations in the region.)

Medical tourism emphasizes on the integration of medical treatment and rest and recreation, especially for post-operative cases which need a significant amount of tranquility and relaxation to promote healing. Medical tourists are first and foremost patients who obviously need the least discomfort before and especially after a medical procedure.

When a medical tourist goes to Thailand, he can opt to fly directly from Europe and other parts of Asia to Phuket. Upon arrival at Phuket, there is a personal guide who will join him and assist him with all his medical appointments and procedures, including transfers to his chosen resort facility.

Now that’s truly promoting healing and relaxation. Indeed, all of these services are geared to making the medical tourist‚s short (but modestly priced) stay in Thailand as hassle-free and smooth as possible.
What we now have
On the other hand, if a medical tourist avails of the services of our highly competent doctors in Manila and would wish to spend time in key destinations such as Boracay, he would have to endure at least an hour or so in the lounge of a relic that is the Manila Domestic Terminal.

There is also that hour-long land trip to the Caticlan Port and a 20-minute banca ride (on choppy waters during monsoon season) to reach the famous island’s white sand beaches. Then, there is another short hike to where the resorts are. A recovering patient obviously will die if exposed to all these travel rigors.
Finding that niche
Let’s set aside, in the meantime, the need for basic infrastructure such as more comfortable airport facilities and modern, adequately furnished hospitals in key tourist destinations. Let’s assume that we can still attract some medical tourists with what we have. Still, it would do well for local medical tourism proponents to identify those market niches where they may be competitive in order to achieve realistic business growth in this sector.

Thailand, for instance, had chosen cosmetic surgery as the flagship of its multi-billion dollar medical tourism industry; this has no doubt propelled the country in its bid to get a generous chunk of the world’s market.

Other countries, like Israel for example, advertise their expertise in treating both male and female infertility as well as in-vitro fertilization and high risk pregnancies. In India, some health care networks actively involved in medical tourism have begun venturing into medical outsourcing "where subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems in western countries."
Some possibilities for us
We need not compete on the specializations that the Thais, Israelites and Indians have chosen. There are many other niches in medical tourism waiting to be developed. Take wellness, alternative and natural healing processes, for example.

The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Health Care has been conducting conferences on, among others, clinical findings and uses of the now very popular virgin coconut oil, electrotherapy to fight AIDS and reverse cancer, and herbal medicines and organic food production or other alternative procedures and approaches to health.

The Philippines can also position itself as the dental care capital of Asian medical tourism. Balikbayans, after making the rounds of shopping malls, often seek out their local hosts‚ dentists for various dental procedures. Apparently, dental services abroad are usually not covered by basic health insurance policies and very costly in many countries.

So, how about it? Marketing the country to medical tourists as an alternative medicine and healing center (anyone for spiritual healers?) or as a dental care hub are some of the niches we may have to look at as we play catch up in the medical tourism business.

There was a time that 'hilots' were branded by the government as quacks. Now, they see traditional medicine as gaining a foothold in the Western world what with the proliferation of alternative/holistic medicine. Even acupuncture is now covered by medical insurance in the US.

This Thread is all about resorts, the top 10 resort in the Philippines, all about proposed resort, and everything about resort. Pls. support this thread, muahhhhh. Guys, here's my list, THE TOP 10 RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

1. Shangrila Mactan Island Resort and Spa - Cebu
2. Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa - Cebu
3. Plantation Bay Resort and Spa - Cebu
4. Pearl Farm Resort - Davao
5. Fairways - Boracay
6. Dakak Beach Resort - Zamboanga
7. El Nido - Palawan
8. Amanpulo Resort - Palawan
9. Badian Island Resort - Cebu
10.Alegre Beach Resort - Cebu

Its summer time na guys, we'll go to the beach.

^^ is that you pnggirl on your avatar? id love to see you on the beach! :D

Ako rin... saka paturo ako mag langoy.. nyehehe :P

^^ is that you pnggirl on your avatar? id love to see you on the beach! :D

uy, hitting on an avatar. :naughty: but :nono: :lol:

An addition to Cebu's premier resorts, SOON!!!



The King's Island, Mactan

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Club%20Ultima/kings_island_small.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Club%20Ultima/kings_island_large.jpg)
Click on image for full size

+ Two 7-storey hotel towers
+ Villas on beachfront
+ Suspension bridge connecting Mactan to the man-made island
+ Marina and diving shops
+ Underwater restaurant and bar, first of its kind in the Philippines
+ Construction starts after the completion of Fuente Towers Complex, Cebu City
+ Target completion date: 2009

amanpulo of palawan should be on top 5..

btw, plantation bay resort of cebu is the only 5-star resort in the country that is 100% filipino-owned..

^^ sakto. and soon The King's Island too coz its also all-filipino owned.

Antulang Beach Resort.. Paradise Lost, Now Found.. (char!)
-- a really great place somewhere in Oriental Negros..

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/SUNRISE_AT_THE_INFINITY_POOL_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
summer sunrise at their infinity pool right on top of a cliff overlooking the vast mindanao sea.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/2_POOLS_2_CHAIRS_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
two pools. each one as inviting as the other. which one will it be??

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/INFINITY_POOL_PANORAMIC_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
a panoramic shot at Waldo's Bar and the infinity pool.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/WESTERN_COAST_VERTICAL_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
lovely view of the antulang peninsula.. pristine.. heavenly!

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/TAMBOBO_BAY_YACHTS_for_the_web.jpg
yachts and sailboats from around the world dock and gather ryt at the antulang bay!

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/TWO_POOLS_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Beneath a cluster of "tigpud" trees lies a photographer's dream shot--that's that's the big pool and the smaller, infinity pool by the cliff's edge.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album04/POOL_VILLA_INTERIOR_POOL_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album04/POOL_VILLA_2_JACUZZI_POOL_INTERIOR_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
At their private pool villas, skinny dipping at your own pool is just a hop and a skip away from your bed! you also can have ur own private jacuzzi beside ur pool!

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/MAICA_IN_TUB_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Maica Porras during a Wedding Magazine photo shoot.


Antulang may still be unheard here in pinas but it is very popular abroad. it mainly caters to international visitors usually from europe. but u are very welcome there!!

sooo.. is the resort worth visiting??.. well, for me.. it does!! i cud spend my whole summer there..;)

Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort and Spa should really be number one. It's been voted as one of Asia's best resorts. I think it had been winning the Time Mag's Readers Choice award for best resort for three consecutive years. And, the hotel is undergoing renovation pa, it's expected to be completed by end-July.

:eek2: wow!

^^ sakto. and soon The King's Island sad bai.

The King's Island is also 100% Filipino owned?

^^ i suppose so because club ultima is also filipino-owned.

^^ the king family of cebu owns the resort..

^^ that's why it's called King's Island ? :D

Shang Mactan was last year's top Shangri-la resort in Asia.. wowwww

Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort and Spa should really be number one. It's been voted as one of Asia's best resorts. I think it had been winning the Time Mag's Readers Choice award for best resort for three consecutive years. And, the hotel is undergoing renovation pa, it's expected to be completed by end-July.

Antulang Beach Resort.. Paradise Lost, Now Found.. (char!)

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/MAICA_IN_TUB_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Maica Porras during a Wedding Magazine photo shoot.


buti na lang nakita nila si maica.. :D

ganda pala ng antulang.. salamat sa mga pics nicko :)

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/MAICA_IN_TUB_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg

Kahit ano pang resort kahit pipichugi bastat kasama ko 2 overnight ok na 2.. nyehehe!! :D

^^ kahit pa may birdflu si maica? :D

An addition to Cebu's premier resorts, SOON!!!

Not just to Cebu's scale but to ASIA! :D

This Thread is all about resorts, the top 10 resort in the Philippines, all about proposed resort, and everything about resort. Pls. support this thread, muahhhhh. Guys, here's my list, THE TOP 10 RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

1. Shangrila Mactan Island Resort and Spa - Cebu
2. Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa - Cebu
3. Plantation Bay Resort and Spa - Cebu
4. Pearl Farm Resort - Davao
5. Fairways - Boracay
6. Dakak Beach Resort - Zamboanga
7. El Nido - Palawan
8. Amanpulo Resort - Palawan
9. Badian Island Resort - Cebu
10.Alegre Beach Resort - Cebu

Its summer time na guys, we'll go to the beach.

Was that a random list or shangrila is really considered number one in the top ten list?

^^ I think that was her own top 10 list but I think the Shangrila Mactan Island Resort and Spa is considered the premiere destination in the Philippines.

Antulang Beach Resort.. Paradise Lost, Now Found.. (char!)
-- a really great place somewhere in Oriental Negros..

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/SUNRISE_AT_THE_INFINITY_POOL_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
summer sunrise at their infinity pool right on top of a cliff overlooking the vast mindanao sea.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/2_POOLS_2_CHAIRS_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
two pools. each one as inviting as the other. which one will it be??

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/INFINITY_POOL_PANORAMIC_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
a panoramic shot at Waldo's Bar and the infinity pool.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/WESTERN_COAST_VERTICAL_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
lovely view of the antulang peninsula.. pristine.. heavenly!

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/TAMBOBO_BAY_YACHTS_for_the_web.jpg
yachts and sailboats from around the world dock and gather ryt at the antulang bay!

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album01/TWO_POOLS_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Beneath a cluster of "tigpud" trees lies a photographer's dream shot--that's that's the big pool and the smaller, infinity pool by the cliff's edge.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album04/POOL_VILLA_INTERIOR_POOL_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album04/POOL_VILLA_2_JACUZZI_POOL_INTERIOR_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
At their private pool villas, skinny dipping at your own pool is just a hop and a skip away from your bed! you also can have ur own private jacuzzi beside ur pool!

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/MAICA_IN_TUB_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Maica Porras during a Wedding Magazine photo shoot.


Antulang may still be unheard here in pinas but it is very popular abroad. it mainly caters to international visitors usually from europe. but u are very welcome there!!


sooo.. is the resort worth visiting??.. well, for me.. it does!! i cud spend my whole summer there..;)

wow ang ganda, baka kulang lang marketing o' baka kailangan palitan pangalan

the thread title didn't mention "beach" resort, so maybe this one should be included also...

Eden Nature Park, davao city

A mountain resort located at 3,000 feet above sea level, Eden Nature Park is 95% human-made! It is a great model of how humans can re-create nature and rebuild a lost environment.

Discovered sometime in 1971, the resort used to be a logged-over area covered only by a blanket of wild grass. Its potential was, however, readily seen by the owners as the property provided an imposing view of Davao City and the Davao Gulf.

Not long after, terraces were carved out of the mountain slope, and thousands of pine tree seedlings were planted. As the pine trees grew it created canopies, allowing other trees and plants to grow and creating a secondary forest. Today, there are over 100,000 pine trees spread in about 80 hectares, providing a refreshing backdrop to the various attractions in Eden Nature Park.
EDEN WEBSITE (http://www.edennaturepark.com.ph)

this is davao's two punch, from the beaches...
pearl farm beach resort...
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/pearl03.jpg

to the mountains...
eden...
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/eden.jpg

Antulang Beach Resort.. Paradise Lost, Now Found.. (char!)



Maica Porras during a Wedding Magazine photo shoot.


Antulang may still be unheard here in pinas but it is very popular abroad. it mainly caters to international visitors usually from europe. but u are very welcome there!!

sooo.. is the resort worth visiting??.. well, for me.. it does!! i cud spend my whole summer there..;)


Very nice resort. But i dont like the name. :ancient: I LOVE THIS GIRL MATE ! :master: Is she a model?

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/MAICA_IN_TUB_1_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Maica Porras during a Wedding Magazine photo shoot.


There she is. I love her. :cheer:

This Thread is all about resorts, the top 10 resort in the Philippines, all about proposed resort, and everything about resort. Pls. support this thread, muahhhhh. Guys, here's my list, THE TOP 10 RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

1. Shangrila Mactan Island Resort and Spa - Cebu
2. Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa - Cebu
3. Plantation Bay Resort and Spa - Cebu
4. Pearl Farm Resort - Davao
5. Fairways - Boracay
6. Dakak Beach Resort - Zamboanga
7. El Nido - Palawan
8. Amanpulo Resort - Palawan
9. Badian Island Resort - Cebu
10.Alegre Beach Resort - Cebu

Its summer time na guys, we'll go to the beach.


pnggirl,
Have you been to all or some of those resorts? It's nice of you to open a very fascinating thread like this one. Cool!
I think these are one of the richness and beauty of our Philippines islands. We have alot of really awesome Resorts and beaches there. :)

Btw Junax, is Pearl Farm Beach Resort owned by one of Davao prominent businessman ( i forgot the name) , the husband of Margie Moran - fomer Miss Philippines ?

the antulang beach resort is amazing... i'm sure the price will also be amazing.. (amazingly mahal) :lol: i would like to go there when i can really afford it... :)

Amanpulo

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Amanpulo.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Aman3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Aman2.jpg

http://www.eaglepoint.com.ph/

For me , THE TOP TEN RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES are as follows,

1. Plantation Bay Resort - Cebu - I like the colonial setting of the resort.
2. Amanpulo Resort - Palawan - Truly worldclass. I have been there 2 times.
3. Shangrila Mactan Resort - Cebu - One of the most beautiful in Asia.
4. Pearl Farm Beach Resort - Davao - Awesome. Very nice resort. Been there 1 time.
5. Badian Island Resort - Cebu - Nice resort. One of a kind.
6. El Nido -Palawan - One of the best in Asia. Truly worldclass. I
have been there already , when i was a kid.
7. Dakak Beach Resort - Zamboanga - One of the best in Philippines.
8. Boracay - Aklan - One of the world best.
9. Malapascua - Cebu - Great, truly awesome, the next Boracay.
10.Cebu Hilton Resort - Cebu - Newest resort in Cebu. I have never been
there yet.

pnggirl,
Have you been to all or some of those resorts? It's nice of you to open a very fascinating thread like this one. Cool!
I think these are one of the richness and beauty of our Philippines islands. We have alot of really awesome Resorts and beaches there. :)





Yes Macky i have been to seven resorts out of the 10 .

Nice, nice, nice, nice and nice. :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:



Amanpulo

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Amanpulo.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Aman3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Aman2.jpg

I havent got any money big enough to buy an accomodation in one of those resorts!

Sinjin, Markiiboi, sugbuanon, Slerz Arnoldsa, and to other Cebu guys, please post the following resorts, Shangrila Mactan, Cebu Hilton, Plantation Bay , Alegre Beach and Badian Island resort? Sorry guys, but i dont know how to post and besides wala akoy pictures sa mga maong resort. Please guys muwahhhhhhhhhhh. Thank you guys.

Amanpulo

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/Amanpulo.jpg



parang mas malinis pa to sa swimming pool ah.... grabe.,... :) :) :)

Where excatly is Amanpulo?

palawan daw... pero exactly in palawan? sorry no idea...

Amanpulo is in Pamalican Island

usual visitors of antulang beach resort are foriegners with "big" names.. mga ambassadors, secretaries of watever blah blahs.. its still new.. and yeah, prices come in dollars.. they also have this private yacht which one can rent and just roam around the seas of oriental negros..

For me , THE TOP TEN RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES are as follows,

2. Amanpulo Resort - Palawan - Truly worldclass. I have been there 2 times.

damn you're rich!!! :rock:


Plantation Bay Mactan is the only 100% Filipino-owned resort hotel in the Philippines. the owner is a Cebuano.

The upcoming Crown Regency Tower at Fuente Osmeña is another 5-star hotel in Cebu. another 100% Filipino-owned. another Cebuano, Richard King. the man behind the upcoming King's Island Mactan.

another trivia:
Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu City was first owned by the Waterfront Group based in Singapore or Malaysia. it was bought by William Gatchalian in 1998 but the name "Waterfront" was retained. with Cebuano roots.

usual visitors of antulang beach resort are foriegners with "big" names.. mga ambassadors, secretaries of watever blah blahs.. its still new.. and yeah, prices come in dollars.. they also have this private yacht which one can rent and just roam around the seas of oriental negros..


im just curious nicko, is antulang a name of the place where the resort is located ? if not what's the meaning of the word antulang?

is it more expensive than amanpulo?

usual visitors of antulang beach resort are foriegners with "big" names.. mga ambassadors, secretaries of watever blah blahs.. its still new.. and yeah, prices come in dollars.. they also have this private yacht which one can rent and just roam around the seas of oriental negros..

based from the pictures of antulang , among the the top 10 resort in the philippines , i think it is on the 9th spot. 1. boracay , 2. el nido 3. shangrila mactan 4. plantation bay resort 5. amanpulo 6. puerto galera 7. pearl farm 8. cebu hilton 9. ANTULANG and 10. dakak .

damn you're rich!!! :rock:


Plantation Bay Mactan is the only 100% Filipino-owned resort hotel in the Philippines. the owner is a Cebuano.

The upcoming Crown Regency Tower at Fuente Osmeña is another 5-star hotel in Cebu. another 100% Filipino-owned. another Cebuano, Richard King. the man behind the upcoming King's Island Mactan.

another trivia:
Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu City was first owned by the Waterfront Group based in Singapore or Malaysia. it was bought by William Gatchalian in 1998 but the name "Waterfront" was retained. with Cebuano roots.

it is better for them to build a new hotel, as big as the sm sheraton to answer the worsening room shortage of cebu. i would suggest , they will build it at the srp. fronting the waterfront. and it will be named as WATERFRONT waterfront resort hotel. ( heheheh just a suggestion for mr gatchalian)

im just curious nicko, is antulang a name of the place where the resort is located ? if not what's the meaning of the word antulang?


i have no idea.. hehehe.. soweee.. but maybe i cud research on that.. hehe

Amanpulo's former guests include just Mariah Carey, Tom Cruise, Naomi Campbell, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas :D

^^ Really? What's your source?

^^ you are not aware of that jamaicus? :D yup Amanpulo has played host to numerous hollywood stars.

is it more expensive than amanpulo?


i dnt hav any idea.. i dnt know amanpulo's ratings.. but as far as i know, wen u check in to the place, ul hav ur own personal butler.. and all services are offered.. from spas to water sports to sea tours.. costing like P92,400.. i think its only good for two.. the cheapest is P57,120.. still good for two.. pang honeymoon.. is that cheap or not?..

cheapest accomondation is P2240.. i hav no idea wat ur place looks like with that price.. hehehe

^^ you are not aware of that jamaicus? :D yup Amanpulo has played host to numerous hollywood stars.

Yes, I'm not aware. Wow, Palawan must really be beautiful.

hmmm...i just know...and i think some other people also know...

the sorianos (of san miguel) formerly owned the island...but they, their friends and family can still stay at Amanpulo for free (part of the contract)...

^^
I've never been to any Aman resorts but some of the people who've been to an Aman resort said that it is exceptional-- from the moment you arrive at the airport until your check out ... everything is detailed and well taken care of. . . Truly world-class and high end, that some customers are going after them-- so loyal that they dont even advertise their resorts...

Amanpulo is not in Palawan... it is situated in the midst of Sulu Sea between Palawan and Negros... it is a bit near to the Tubbataha Reef Marine Reserve...

wow.. I didn't know Amanpulo only ranked 5th among the top resorts in the country... maybe due to the luxuriousness of this private island... I expected it to be on a higher rank.. this is because it is one of the 3 Philippine places listed in the book '1000 Places to See Before You Die'... the other two being the Taal Volcano and the Banaue Rice Terraces...

plus Amanpulo is really world class and it is only reacheable by a chartered flight....

^^ pau, the top resorts list is just a "personal" list ;)

^^ right.. i even have my own top 10 list.. :D

oh okay... I misunderstood a post above.. heheheh... :D

well I'd say in my view.. the top 10 resorts or resort islands would be... 1. Amanpulo 2. El Nido resorts 3. Boracay 4. Plantation Bay 5. Dakak 6. Pearl Farm 7. Puerto Galera... wala na akong iba pang kilala na resort hehehe...

Pagudpod is not yet as good though it is dubbed as the Boracay of Luzon... haven't heard of Antulang...

cheapeast is 2,240?? well that's cheap compared to amanpulo.. check out amanpulo's website and see the rates there.. US$325.00 for the airfaire.. then the lowest is US$550.00 per night.. wew!

I'll rank Amanpulo as #1 here in Phils..

i dnt hav any idea.. i dnt know amanpulo's ratings.. but as far as i know, wen u check in to the place, ul hav ur own personal butler.. and all services are offered.. from spas to water sports to sea tours.. costing like P92,400.. i think its only good for two.. the cheapest is P57,120.. still good for two.. pang honeymoon.. is that cheap or not?..

cheapest accomondation is P2240.. i hav no idea wat ur place looks like with that price.. hehehe

usual visitors of antulang beach resort are foriegners with "big" names.. mga ambassadors, secretaries of watever blah blahs.. its still new.. and yeah, prices come in dollars.. they also have this private yacht which one can rent and just roam around the seas of oriental negros..

Nicko, It looks like a nice place. I am just about ready to leave the Middle East but I am preparing a CD about Resorts in Negros Island for my friends. Could you give us more details about other resorts there? Please include the tariffs, but just message it to me instead.

Plantatation Bay is really nice! I haven't been to the other resorts so I could not give a fair rating to the rest. But based on Antulang's pictures, I'd say Antulang is more luxurious and exclusive than Plantation Bay. I'd guess Antulang would be at par with Palawan's best resort - without the risk of getting abducted.

based from the pictures of antulang , among the the top 10 resort in the philippines , i think it is on the 9th spot. 1. boracay , 2. el nido 3. shangrila mactan 4. plantation bay resort 5. amanpulo 6. puerto galera 7. pearl farm 8. cebu hilton 9. ANTULANG and 10. dakak .

Just a thought, ratings of the resorts should be divided according to size because the smaller extra luxurious resorts are totally different and could not be compared the bigger 5 star resorts which are targetted for a different market altogether.

5 star resorts
Shangrila's Mactan Island Resort
Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa
Fairways Resort Boracay

Boutique Resorts
Plantation Bay Resort & Spa
Antulang
El Nido
Pearl Farm Resort
Amanpulo
Badian Island Resort
Alegre Beach Resort

These are not in order but perhaps somebody could give a more accurate rating and even add to the list.

cheapeast is 2,240?? well that's cheap compared to amanpulo.. check out amanpulo's website and see the rates there.. US$325.00 for the airfaire.. then the lowest is US$550.00 per night.. wew!

I'll rank Amanpulo as #1 here in Phils..

you're right...and could go as high as more than $6000...

you're right...and could go as high as more than $6000...

You guys better visit Antulang before it gets really famous... and expensive!
This resort is at least affordable enough for the locals as well... for now.

Amanpulo is not in Palawan... it is situated in the midst of Sulu Sea between Palawan and Negros... it is a bit near to the Tubbataha Reef Marine Reserve...

wow.. I didn't know Amanpulo only ranked 5th among the top resorts in the country... maybe due to the luxuriousness of this private island... I expected it to be on a higher rank.. this is because it is one of the 3 Philippine places listed in the book '1000 Places to See Before You Die'... the other two being the Taal Volcano and the Banaue Rice Terraces...

plus Amanpulo is really world class and it is only reacheable by a chartered flight....

oh yes Amanpulo is exceptional. as much as i wanted to put Amanpulo as my number one resort in the Philippines, luxury isn't just everything. i'd say it's my number three after Shangri-La Mactan and Plantation Bay Mactan. :D

my close friend told me about the CEO and foreign bigwigs of the company he worked with. they initially planned to stay at Amanpulo for 5 days. barely 2 days after their stay at the resort island, the left after they realized it's just way too expensive. i don't know if this is true but my friend sure had a great time sharing his story. :lol:

^^ maybe that's one reason why has not made much noise in local tourism. it seems that nobody can afford it. hanggang pictures na lang tayu :D

^^ start befriending the sorianos guys :lol:

and it's definitely worth to put Amanpulo on top of my "in your dreams" list. :lol:

so how do you get to Antulang?? and are there resorts to check in?? may power na ba don??

You guys better visit Antulang before it gets really famous... and expensive!
This resort is at least affordable enough for the locals as well... for now.

Found these rates published online
Rates are Room/Night on Room Basis Only

Antulang Beach Resort, Negros Oriental
Standard Cabana - USD 29
Deluxe Cabana - USD 36
Garden View Cottage - USD 40
Seaview Cottage - USD 55
Deluxe Cottage - USD 63
Family/Presidential Suite - USD 100
Executive Suite - USD 116
Pool Villa - USD 266

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel
Superior Room - Single/Double - USD 103
Deluxe Room - Single/Double - USD 113
Deluxe Suite - Single/Double - USD 268
Executive Suite - Single/Double - USD 313
Extra Bed - USD 58

Plantation Bay Mactan
Poolside Rooms - max 2 adults - USD 240
Lagoon View Room - max 2 adults - USD 240
Lagoon Side Room - max 2 adults - USD 264
Water's Edge Room - max 2 adults - USD 264
1 Bedroom Suite - max 3 adults - USD 324
2 Bedroom Suite - max 3 adults - USD 484
Riverboat Suite - max 6 adults - USD 578
Penthouse Suite - max 10 adults - USD 650

Shangri-La Mactan
Garden Room - Single/Twin - USD 217
Garden Room - Triple - USD 269
Bedroom Suites - no less than USD 700
Presidential Suites - no less than USD 1000

Amanpulo Resort, Pamalican Island, Palawan
Treetop Casita - Single - USD 695
Treetop Casita - 1/2 Twin - USD 354
Hillside Casita - Single - USD 828
Hillside Casita - 1/2 Twin - USD 418
Beach Casita - Single - USD 880
Beach Casita - 1/2 Twin - USD 445
Deluxe Hillside - Single - USD 959
Deluxe Hillside - 1/2 Twin - USD 484

it is better for them to build a new hotel, as big as the sm sheraton to answer the worsening room shortage of cebu. i would suggest , they will build it at the srp. fronting the waterfront. and it will be named as WATERFRONT waterfront resort hotel. ( heheheh just a suggestion for mr gatchalian)

while there is exponential progress in Cebu hotel industry, it is still far from addressing the demands and lack of resort rooms.

Major hotels in Cebu that will be opening this year:
5-star Marco Polo Plaza – 500 rooms (April)
4-star Parklane International Hotel – 320 rooms (May)
5-star Coral Reef Resort – 1000 rooms (December)

There are at least 4 major hotel resorts and condominium in Mactan to open within three years from now:

Club Ultima King's Island Mactan
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Club%20Ultima/kings_island_small.jpg

Coralpoint Resort Villas
http://www.coralpoint.com.ph/afileastmartowers.jpg

+ 668-room S. Korea-based Imperial Palace Hotel
+ A 6-tower 700-room hotel complex: either Intercon, Sheraton or Marriott

seems like my top 10 resorts will change anytime soon. ;)

try first the I follow

Very true! local tourism is low, but mabe if we suceed in international tourism(north america,europe, and some of asia), then probably it can be. :)

Have your tried any yet?
(sorry if anyone has this question on-board)

well, congratulations to those who have a higher post-level than me!
Hail thee :applause:

Cebu Hotel Industry looks 5-star to me. Why do them tourists question us like savages then?

Major hotels in Cebu that will be opening this year:
5-star Marco Polo Plaza – 500 rooms (April)
4-star Parklane International Hotel – 320 rooms (May)
5-star Coral Reef Resort – 1000 rooms (December)

Rusty18, are you sure about the dates?

Anyway, MirageBistro, WILL YOU PLEASE, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, POST YOUR ENTIRE MESSAGE IN JUST ONE POST!

Yes sir! Cpt.Jamaicus

Yes sir! Cpt.Jamaicus
All in one piece

Major hotels in Cebu that will be opening this year:
5-star Marco Polo Plaza – 500 rooms (April)
4-star Parklane International Hotel – 320 rooms (May)
5-star Coral Reef Resort – 1000 rooms (December)

Rusty18, are you sure about the dates?
:yes: oo naman. Marco Polo had soft opening about 2 months ago pa. Parklane on the other hand was originally scheduled to open last month. slightly delayed. Coral Reef Resort will be partially open in time for the ASEAN Summit on December.

^^ Can you cite a source? And it seems somebody is spamming.

waterfront hotel is no.1 :yes:

^^ Can you cite a source?
search it on google. it has been discussed several times in Cebu Thread by Cebu-based forumers.

No no no.
Probably YOU don't know me.
I am a new member of skyscraper forums.
I have been a Aeroflot Engineer for 15 years, and I am interested in joining.Sorry if Ich hatte Sie gestört.

No no no.
Probably YOU don't know me.
I am a new member of skyscraper forums.
I have been a Aeroflot Engineer for 15 years, and I am interested in joining.Sorry if Ich hatte Sie gestört.

Welcome to SSC Philippines MirageBistro! pls introduce yourself at the "SSC Pinoy Roll Call" thread :okay:

[QUOTE=Dinho]Nicko, It looks like a nice place. I am just about ready to leave the Middle East but I am preparing a CD about Resorts in Negros Island for my friends. Could you give us more details about other resorts there? Please include the tariffs, but just message it to me instead.

Plantatation Bay is really nice! I haven't been to the other resorts so I could not give a fair rating to the rest. But based on Antulang's pictures, I'd say Antulang is more luxurious and exclusive than Plantation Bay. I'd guess Antulang would be at par with Palawan's best resort - without the risk of getting abducted.

just visit www.antulang.com

http://www.eaglepoint.com.ph/

Nice sana. Kaya lang why did they use monobloc tables and chairs sa dining area?

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is very big to be a 'boutique resort'. DOT and the hotel itself promoted it as '5 star'....

Same goes with any Aman resorts, all their properties are considered even more than 5 star, not just boutique status. .

Nicko, It looks like a nice place. I am just about ready to leave the Middle East but I am preparing a CD about Resorts in Negros Island for my friends. Could you give us more details about other resorts there? Please include the tariffs, but just message it to me instead.

Plantatation Bay is really nice! I haven't been to the other resorts so I could not give a fair rating to the rest. But based on Antulang's pictures, I'd say Antulang is more luxurious and exclusive than Plantation Bay. I'd guess Antulang would be at par with Palawan's best resort - without the risk of getting abducted.



Just a thought, ratings of the resorts should be divided according to size because the smaller extra luxurious resorts are totally different and could not be compared the bigger 5 star resorts which are targetted for a different market altogether.

5 star resorts
Shangrila's Mactan Island Resort
Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa
Fairways Resort Boracay

Boutique Resorts
Plantation Bay Resort & Spa
Antulang
El Nido
Pearl Farm Resort
Amanpulo
Badian Island Resort
Alegre Beach Resort

These are not in order but perhaps somebody could give a more accurate rating and even add to the list.

Antulang Air Philippines Package

For Travel 15 March up to 31 December, 2006
Inclusive of:
Roundtrip Airfare
3 Days/ 2 Nights Accomodation
Daily Breakfast
Roundtrip transfers: Airport - Hotel - Airport

Php5,911.00 on twin sharing on a Deluxe Cabana
(1 double / 1 single bed, water heating, PABX system)

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album04/DELUXE_CABANA_001.jpg

Php6,847.00 on twin sharing on a Seaview Cottage
(matrimonial bed, minibar, tv w/ dvd & audio, heated outdoor jacuzzi, water heating, safety deposit box, PABX system)

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album04/SEAVIEW_COTTAGE_2_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg

^^ that's a bit overpriced for a cheap-looking interior...

^^ that's a bit overpriced for a cheap-looking interior...

I'll have to agree. Although maybe the pictures just don't do justice to the place. Know what I mean? Buti na lang walang monobloc furniture. :)

well ok na yan.. matutulog ka lang naman dyan sa room.. ang maganda yung beach at yung activities na pwedeng gawin.. I wonder kung magkano naman kaya ang food sa resort??

As usual, Amanpulo is :drool: but this is the first time i've seen pics of Antulang Beach Resort, or even heard of it for that matter. Impressive, its really beautiful.

As of yesterday's report, there are currently at least 50,000 tourists enjoying Boracay's pristine beaches... (which caused the release of foul smell from their sewerage systems. :lol: )

Yeah, Boracay is getting crowded.

^^Usually the place that is overcrowded is the 4-km stretch of white sand beach right? They should just try lessen the density of people in the island I mean, there are so many unused places!

So, does the Philippines have an official top 10 resorts according to some credible source?

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8697/9130920661060bg8wi5zr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7484/115791988b6c1755fb8b0ea.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9820/665486760857ff93f7yx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

hilton hotel and resort: mactan, cebu

So, does the Philippines have an official top 10 resorts according to some credible source?


I think ,there is an official list for the top ten resorts in the Philippines. But I dont know where can we get the list. Maybe we can get some information from the DOT office. For me, the first place would be of course SHANGRILA MACTAN ISLAND RESORT in Cebu.

2nd - PLANTATION BAY RESORT - Cebu
3rd - Amanpulo - Palawan
4th - Fairways Boracay - Aklan
5th - Pearl Farm Resort - Davao
6th - Cebu Hilton Resort - Cebu
7th - Puerto Galera - Mindoro
8th - Bantayan Island - Cebu
9th - El Nido - Palawan
10th-Panglao Island - Bohol - the next Boracay

And in the future :Kings Islands Resort / Imperial Palace Cebu Resort / Intercon 6 Towers Resort - all in Cebu and Shangrila Boracay - Boracay, Aklan.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is very big to be a 'boutique resort'. DOT and the hotel itself promoted it as '5 star'....

Same goes with any Aman resorts, all their properties are considered even more than 5 star, not just boutique status. .

I don't think that both of the above-mentioned resorts have more than 200 rooms. Hotels & resorts that have less than 200 rooms are still considered small.

3rd - Amanpulo - Palawan


Amanpulo is in the Cuyo group of islands not in Palawan.. :D

to be exact..

Amanpulo is lying between the latitudes five to twenty-one degrees north, the Philippines archipelago comprises more than 7,000 islands sprinkled across the westernmost rim of the Pacific Ocean. The islands are actually the tips of half-submerged mountain ranges, part of a great cordillera extending from Indonesia to Japan. Amanpulo is located on the private island of Pamalican, in the Cuyo group, about 300km southwest of Manila. Seven square kilometres of reef rim the island. Beyond are sandbanks and a channel, where whales, dolphins and sea cows have been glimpsed. At its widest point, the 5.5km island is only 500 metres across

Amanpulo is in the Cuyo group of islands not in Palawan.. :D

naks.. talagang exact eh noh... with coordinates pa.. hehehe

@pau, but i think Pamalican still belongs to Palawan Province and it's part of the provincial territory?

Pamalican island belongs to cuyo group of islands and cuyo group of islands is one of the 3 group of islands comprising the provinve of Palawan. For information Palawan consists of about 1,768 islands; the Calamian Island group to the north, the Cuyo Islands group to the northwest, and the Balabac-Bugsuk group to the southwest.

Beds in a Cebu Resort:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/room.jpg

Intriguing Food:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/menu.jpg

Beautiful it is:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/hs3.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/hs2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/HiltonShangrila.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/HiltonShangrila.jpg
Beautiful!! :applause: when did u take this shot? Hilton is so massive!

I found it in google.com

I found it in google.com


Nice pictures. :banana: Some more pictures please.

NOW MY TURN, [IMG]http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j201/tagacebuako/828c9c9b.jpg



I really dont know how to post, i dont know why theres a black space in it??/Sorry.

Intriguing Food:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/menu.jpg



Oh my goodness! :omg:
San Miguel Pilsen is just P20 in our neighbor's store;
Regular Coke is just P14 (canned) or P8 (bottled);
Nature's Spring 550 mL is just P15....

Tsk..tsk... So expensive, only for TOURISTS! :colgate:

Sorry i dont know how to post.

Cebu Hilton Resort and Towers
http://www.geocities.com/reggiedoc/Hiltoncebu1.jpg http://www.cebubesthomes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/hilton3t-fro-q.jpg
http://go2marc.server210.com/cebu/images/DSC_7250.jpg

Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort and Spa
http://www.hotelpass.com/ftp_root/hotelimage/PHCEB0432.jpg

(ocean view rooms prior to 2006 renovation)
http://www.southtravels.com/asia/philippines/shangrilamactan/gifs/accommodation2big.jpg
http://www.okwebtour.com/club/club_picture/cebu02.gif

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/wilsonng/plantation6.jpg
http://www.holiday.pl/foto/42dbaf2dd6db1.jpg
http://www.angel.ne.jp/~nisikori/ceb/pic_plantation_bay2.jpg

El Nido Palawan
http://www.divephil.com/elnido/miniloc/miniloc3.jpg
http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/palawan_el_nido.jpg
http://www.divephil.com/elnido/lagen/lagen4.jpg

mura pa nga yan.. sa 5 star hotels.. 220 ang beer.. ++ pa yun..

Oh my goodness! :omg:
San Miguel Pilsen is just P20 in our neighbor's store;
Regular Coke is just P14 (canned) or P8 (bottled);
Nature's Spring 550 mL is just P15....

Tsk..tsk... So expensive, only for TOURISTS! :colgate:

Amen :happy:

meron nga.. 450.00 ang beer may naka ribbon lang na tissue! :bash:

Amen :happy:

Found these rates published online
Rates are Room/Night on Room Basis Only

Antulang Beach Resort, Negros Oriental
Standard Cabana - USD 29
Deluxe Cabana - USD 36
Garden View Cottage - USD 40
Seaview Cottage - USD 55
Deluxe Cottage - USD 63
Family/Presidential Suite - USD 100
Executive Suite - USD 116
Pool Villa - USD 266

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel
Superior Room - Single/Double - USD 103
Deluxe Room - Single/Double - USD 113
Deluxe Suite - Single/Double - USD 268
Executive Suite - Single/Double - USD 313
Extra Bed - USD 58

Plantation Bay Mactan
Poolside Rooms - max 2 adults - USD 240
Lagoon View Room - max 2 adults - USD 240
Lagoon Side Room - max 2 adults - USD 264
Water's Edge Room - max 2 adults - USD 264
1 Bedroom Suite - max 3 adults - USD 324
2 Bedroom Suite - max 3 adults - USD 484
Riverboat Suite - max 6 adults - USD 578
Penthouse Suite - max 10 adults - USD 650

Shangri-La Mactan
Garden Room - Single/Twin - USD 217
Garden Room - Triple - USD 269
Bedroom Suites - no less than USD 700
Presidential Suites - no less than USD 1000

Amanpulo Resort, Pamalican Island, Palawan
Treetop Casita - Single - USD 695
Treetop Casita - 1/2 Twin - USD 354
Hillside Casita - Single - USD 828
Hillside Casita - 1/2 Twin - USD 418
Beach Casita - Single - USD 880
Beach Casita - 1/2 Twin - USD 445
Deluxe Hillside - Single - USD 959
Deluxe Hillside - 1/2 Twin - USD 484

Turns out that the expensive rate earlier mentioned for Antulang is for a 3 day honeymoon package. If you want to check out the place, it's web address is http://www.antulang.com/ and it has lots of pictures too. Impressive place but they should get rid of those extra small rooms and get an interior designer too.

Magkatabi lang pala ang Hilton sa Shang-rila :D

Crown Regency Suites and Villas, Mactan
April 8-10, 2006
by Rusty18

Click on thumbnail to enlarge
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan01.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan01.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan02.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan02.jpg)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan03.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan03.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan04.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan04.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan05.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan05.jpg)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan06.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan06.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan07.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan07.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan08.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan08.jpg)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan09.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan09.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan11.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan11.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan12.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan12.jpg)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan13.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan13.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan14.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan14.jpg)http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/thumb/thumb-mactan15.jpg (http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Crown%20Regency/crs-mactan15.jpg)

Our villa at the last image. :D These photos are supposedly copyrighted, my name sticked on every image.
tinamad lang me. hehe

Plantation Bay has about 188 rooms and more to come and for Aman, I am not so sure--- but Im sure that they are both 5 star and not just boutique resorts-- and to be honest I dont ever think and havent heard yet that there are boutique resorts -- all I know is that there are boutique hotels, which are starting to get popular in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. .

I don't think that both of the above-mentioned resorts have more than 200 rooms. Hotels & resorts that have less than 200 rooms are still considered small.

Plantation Bay has about 188 rooms and more to come and for Aman, I am not so sure--- but Im sure that they are both 5 star and not just boutique resorts-- and to be honest I dont ever think and havent heard yet that there are boutique resorts -- all I know is that there are boutique hotels, which are starting to get popular in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. .

You are right about that. Nobody noticed that for a while. That's something I coined for small super-luxurious resorts. Hilton and Shangrila just smacks of mass tourism... but they are indeed 5 star resorts.

I think ,there is an official list for the top ten resorts in the Philippines. But I dont know where can we get the list. Maybe we can get some information from the DOT office. For me, the first place would be of course SHANGRILA MACTAN ISLAND RESORT in Cebu.

2nd - PLANTATION BAY RESORT - Cebu
3rd - Amanpulo - Palawan
4th - Fairways Boracay - Aklan
5th - Pearl Farm Resort - Davao
6th - Cebu Hilton Resort - Cebu
7th - Puerto Galera - Mindoro
8th - Bantayan Island - Cebu
9th - El Nido - Palawan
10th-Panglao Island - Bohol - the next Boracay

And in the future :Kings Islands Resort / Imperial Palace Cebu Resort / Intercon 6 Towers Resort - all in Cebu and Shangrila Boracay - Boracay, Aklan.

Which resorts in Bantayan and Panglao?

sounds like Cebu is now going into the realization of becoming a hub for medical tourism.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2006/04/13/bus/srp.locator.to.give.p500m.down.payment..html

Cardiovascular Hospitals of America also wants to put up the first hospital in the Philippines that will be fully accredited by American hospitals insurance system at the South Road Properties, Cebu City.

“There’s no hospital yet in the Philippines, including St. Luke’s or Makati Medical Center, that is accredited by the American insurance system. This will be the first,” he said.

The hospital will require two hectares of land, he said.

In a forum last month, David Paraiso, chairman and director of the Health-care Coalition Institute of Santa Fe Springs, California said aging populations of developed states present tremendous opportunities for countries that can provide retirement homes and medical services to retirees.

Yu stressed that for the country to capture the foreign market of retirees, it has to do some “realigning” of its health insurance system to ensure that Philippine doctors and hospitals can accept the insurance companies and policies of the retirees.

Which resorts in Bantayan and Panglao?


Sorry Jimbu, I have never been to Bantayan and to Panglao, but i just based it from the experience of my friends who have gone there, and compare these two exciting places with Boracay and Palawan. My friends told me that it is the Kota Beach in Bantayan and Bohol Beach Club in Panglao.

Guys can somebody post pictures of Bantayan and Panglao?

^^

Panglao in Bohol bai, for me, one of the best! The white sands there really approximates that of Boracay.

Guys, post pictures of Palawan too! I've never been there yet...

ive posted some pictures of palawan (particularly puerto princesa) in Luzviminda thread... my pictures are personal, kaya kasama ako sa pic.. . :) nontheless, i would like to share them.. plus, may isa akong nakuha online, na i think na post na rin ata dito somewhere....

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0157.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0151.jpg
this one was taken on the way to underground river, puerto princesa
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0125.jpg
this one is in el nido, palawan, taken two years ago:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/elnido.jpg
this one is an aerial photo of dos palmas, puerto princesa, palawan:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/01.jpg
my photo with the background of the underground river, taken last holy week.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0060.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0125.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/01.jpg

Looks like Middle-Earth from LOTR.

At last meron na tayong guide sa Palawan.. Hehe. :rock:

^^Diyan namatay si Rico Yan sa bangungot diba???

ang ganda pala ng palawan provincial capitol 10 pts para sakin! WOW ganda ng aerial nd dos palmas! kung di ka nga naman bangungutin sa ganda hehehe...

top 2 ko:
1. Shang Mactan
2. Amanpulo
parehas ko clang di pa napupuntahan pero based from the pics its the best!

yeah, rico yan died there in dos palmas. some dos palmas staff confirmed that he was on drugs when he died

ang ganda pala ng palawan provincial capitol 10 pts para sakin! WOW ganda ng aerial nd dos palmas! kung di ka nga naman bangungutin sa ganda hehehe...

top 2 ko:
1. Shang Mactan
2. Amanpulo
parehas ko clang di pa napupuntahan pero based from the pics its the best!


Where's Amanpulo located bro? Any pictures of it?

My top 5 would have to be:
1. Miniloc Island Resort, EL Nido
2. Pearl Farm, Samal
3. Amanpulo, Palawan
4. Bohol Beach Club
5. Shangri-la Mactan

How come this thread havent shown any El Nido resort yet???

pearl farm entrance at night... google find.
http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/5835/pearl037gt.jpg

Where's Amanpulo located bro? Any pictures of it?
bai arnold, here are some pics of aman pulo.... it is located at pamalican isaland, it's near palawan island

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/loc1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-141.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-121.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-101.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-91.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-81.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-71.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-11.jpg

Where's Amanpulo located bro? Any pictures of it?

sa sulu sea...

wow! I heard Amanpulo again. We've been talking here about that place since 2003. :D How I wish I could go there...

Nice. I see that it has an airport!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/loc1.jpg

amanpulo is world class indeed...

is it part of the philippine islands? who's in control of this paradise?

pearl farm entrance at night... google find.
http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/5835/pearl037gt.jpg



Super ganda. :banana:

bai arnold, here are some pics of aman pulo.... it is located at pamalican isaland, it's near palawan island

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/loc1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-141.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-121.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-101.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-91.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-81.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-71.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/amanpulo-11.jpg


Super, super ganda. :banana: :banana:

amanpulo is owned by aman resort who also owns amanpuri in Thailand. (basta lahat ng resort nila nag start sa aman...)

amanpulo is located in Sulu Sea and is under jurisdiction of Cuyo municipality, Palawan.

http://www.whatahotel.com/Hotels/amanpulo.html

my aunt keeps samples of sand from boracay and amanpulo. the sand from amanpulo is noticeably whiter than that from bora. :)

^^Super, super mahal :D

Nice. I see that it has an airport!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/carlosalmacen/loc1.jpg

It is ocarina-shaped.

amapulo looks so beautiful! i wish i am there now..

^^ edmund, promise to bring us along with you when you go there. :jk:

super ganda nga ng amanpulo pero super mahal naman... hehe

while there is exponential progress in Cebu hotel industry, it is still far from addressing the demands and lack of resort rooms.

Major hotels in Cebu that will be opening this year:
5-star Marco Polo Plaza – 500 rooms (April)
4-star Parklane International Hotel – 320 rooms (May)
5-star Coral Reef Resort – 1000 rooms (December)

There are at least 4 major hotel resorts and condominium in Mactan to open within three years from now:

Club Ultima King's Island Mactan
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/Club%20Ultima/kings_island_small.jpg

Coralpoint Resort Villas
http://www.coralpoint.com.ph/afileastmartowers.jpg

+ 668-room S. Korea-based Imperial Palace Hotel
+ A 6-tower 700-room hotel complex: either Intercon, Sheraton or Marriott

seems like my top 10 resorts will change anytime soon. ;)



Maybe the Club Ultima Kings Island Resort Mactan will be the number 1 resort in the Philippines, when completed. ( in my own opinion ) . :dance:

:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: Good evening guys, muahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Long time no see, but now see now.......hehehehe. Bitaw guys gikan pa gyud ko sa akong bakasyon. Murag gimingaw na man ko ninyo guys uy. Btw guys, musta na man mo uy?
:tongue4: :tongue4: :hi: :tongue4: :tongue4: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

amapulo looks so beautiful! i wish i am there now..


Hellow Edmuntanso, can i come with you too to amanpulo resort?

Originally Posted by tagacebuako
Maybe the Club Ultima Kings Island Resort Mactan will be the number 1 resort in the Philippines, when completed. ( in my own opinion ) .

dats also imo.., the name btw is so majestic to hear that it seems too difficult for me to remember it., hehe .. :D

Can somebody post the rendering of Imperial Palace Resort Hotel ? Or there's no rendering yet?

:eat:Dont eat too much :booze:dont drink too much :puke:IF you do eat and drink too much, don't puke too much
:okay:

my hitlist:
1. amanpulo, to name two of their celeb guests: Mariah, Michael Jackson,
2. shang mactan
3. panglao island nature resort
4. dos palmas
5. pearl farm davao

amanpulo of palawan should be on top 5..

btw, plantation bay resort of cebu is the only 5-star resort in the country that is 100% filipino-owned..

Who owns Plantation Bay now? Last I heard the owners were trying to sell it.

Is it true that there are a lot of Hollywood celebrities that go to Amanpulo? I heard that Robert de Niro, Mariah Carey have been there.

i hope all these resorts going take sewer and waste disposal very serious//

a lot of hollywood celebrity went to amanpulo without us knowing it... they go directly to amanpulo bec the resort has its own airport.

^^I wonder of those celebs think that amanpulo is just an island and not part of the Philippines lol

^^ edmund, promise to bring us along with you when you go there. :jk:

okay....when i win the lottery you guys are comming along with me =)

okay....when i win the lottery you guys are comming along with me =)


Me too please, :)

You guys better visit Antulang before it gets really famous... and expensive!
This resort is at least affordable enough for the locals as well... for now.



Next year i will visit this resort too, the pics looks awesome.

Maybe the Club Ultima Kings Island Resort Mactan will be the number 1 resort in the Philippines, when completed. ( in my own opinion ) . :dance:





And this one is the best. The future number one. :dance:

Cebu Hilton Resort and Towers
http://www.geocities.com/reggiedoc/Hiltoncebu1.jpg http://www.cebubesthomes.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/hilton3t-fro-q.jpg
http://go2marc.server210.com/cebu/images/DSC_7250.jpg

Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort and Spa
http://www.hotelpass.com/ftp_root/hotelimage/PHCEB0432.jpg

(ocean view rooms prior to 2006 renovation)
http://www.southtravels.com/asia/philippines/shangrilamactan/gifs/accommodation2big.jpg
http://www.okwebtour.com/club/club_picture/cebu02.gif

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/wilsonng/plantation6.jpg
http://www.holiday.pl/foto/42dbaf2dd6db1.jpg
http://www.angel.ne.jp/~nisikori/ceb/pic_plantation_bay2.jpg

El Nido Palawan
http://www.divephil.com/elnido/miniloc/miniloc3.jpg
http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/palawan_el_nido.jpg
http://www.divephil.com/elnido/lagen/lagen4.jpg


WOW PHILIPPINES . :laugh:

Is this El Nido? A breathtaking view! I would probably rate this as the best not just in the Phils. but in the entire world!!
http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/palawan_el_nido.jpg


Can anyone post pictures of beautiful CAMIGUIN Island?

And also, does anyone have an idea kung magkano yung mga resorts dyan (room per night). Yung mura lang pero malinis. :)

I'm planning to go back to Camiguin and fulfill the "Cam iguin, or come again!" promise.... I've actually been there pero it was an educational tour way back college.

Can anyone post pictures of beautiful CAMIGUIN Island?


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin013.jpg

yes, Camiguin is indeed beautiful. But I guess, no resort in the island would qualify for top 10 position.

arnoldsa: the tall limestone cliffs distinguish elnido from other beach resorts in the country. if you see a mountain/limestone cliffs, chances are, it is in elnido. There are similar rock formation in phuket and mainland china, although in the latter has no beach.
http://www.phuket-photos.com/frameme.php?page=phi-phi.htm
http://www.elnidoresorts.com/index.asp

@sleepwalker_uno

This was the scenery that greeted the ship I was riding to when it was about to dock at the pier. If I'm not mistaken, that mountain at the background is actually an inactive volcano na. And it's the same volcano that was responsible for the Santo Niño Church ruins and the sunken cemetery?

How many volcanos does Camiguin have? Was it seven? I remember that the main highway which encircles the entire island is around 60 kilometers only.

We also had our lunch buffet (during the educational tour) at an enclave that looks like a lake (labeled "Lagoon" in the picture map below) which was actually a one big fishpond.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin013.jpg


More of Camiguin Island -- Born of Fire:
(googled pics)

http://www.camiguin.us/camiguinmap2.gif

http://www.philippines4ever.de/pix/camiguin.jpg

http://www.backpackingforlife.com/asia/special/camiguin/camiguin.gif

http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/43960/thumb_falls.jpg

http://www.diver.com.ph/diver/lastissue/images/camiguin.gif

White Island in Camiguin with Mt. Hibok-hibok at the background
http://pitcher-plants.com/travel/whiteisland.jpg

Falls
http://thumb.shutterstock.com/photos4/display_pic_with_logo/50227/50227,1134033444,1.jpg

@ Arnold:

heres some Camiguin pics I have:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin2021.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/Img00067.jpg


Katibawasan Falls
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin060.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin065.jpg

Sunken Cemetery
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin2034.jpg

^^ nice waterfalls

Is this El Nido? A breathtaking view! I would probably rate this as the best not just in the Phils. but in the entire world!!
http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/palawan_el_nido.jpg
.

I love this pic!!!

^^

I remember in WOW Philippines' advertisement this was the setting in the "Not your usual fast food" part of the said ad where a man was running while carrying a big fish..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/sleepie_uno/camiguin/camiguin013.jpg

yes, Camiguin is indeed beautiful. But I guess, no resort in the island would qualify for top 10 position.


Beautiful island . :wink2:

some of dumaguete's best beach resorts aside from antulang beach resort...


atlantis beach resort

http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/9413/atlantisdgte6kp.jpg

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/3043/atlantisdgtecabin6wv.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2939/atlantisdgterum9oq.jpg


santa monica beach resort

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6985/dgtesntamonica6dv.gif


pura vida beach resort

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5001/puravidadgte4np.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9687/puravidadgtejacuzzi7wq.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8026/puravidadgterum1yr.jpg

some of dumaguete's best beach resorts aside from antulang beach resort...


atlantis beach resort

http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/9413/atlantisdgte6kp.jpg

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/3043/atlantisdgtecabin6wv.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2939/atlantisdgterum9oq.jpg


santa monica beach resort

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6985/dgtesntamonica6dv.gif


pura vida beach resort

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5001/puravidadgte4np.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9687/puravidadgtejacuzzi7wq.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8026/puravidadgterum1yr.jpg


Dumaguete's resorts are nice. Btw are they located close to the city?