Mura pala ngayon ang trip to Hongkong. 2500 pesos na lang daw kasama na 2 night hotel accomodation.


All inclusive pati bus tour. Special promo daw para sa mga pinoy.

Mura pala ngayon ang trip to Hongkong. 2500 pesos na lang daw kasama na 2 night hotel accomodation.


All inclusive pati bus tour. Special promo daw para sa mga pinoy.

may offer din, compulsory na mag day off lahat ng maid na Pinay meron daw isang building iipunin sila lahat doon:D exclusive para sa mga Pinoy, free food, etc...

Hatred toward Filipinos ‘smacks of racism’ — HK daily (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/199419/hatred-toward-filipinos-smacks-of-racism-hk-daily#)
JERRIE M. ABELLA, GMANews.TV
08/25/2010 | 10:02 PM

A newspaper in Hong Kong on Wednesday sought to ease the reported resentment felt by Chinese nationals toward Filipinos in light of the deadly hostage crisis in Manila that left eight tourists from China’s special administrative region dead.

In its editorial Wednesday, the South China Morning Post said Filipinos are the “wrong targets" of the collective anger although it described the police force that handled Monday’s hostage situation as “incompetent."

“The actions of a unit of police commandos were not [the Filipinos’] doing. Tarring them with the same brush of incompetence isn’t right," the editorial read, adding that venting anger toward Filipinos “smacks of racism."

The editorial also scored the Hong Kong government’s response to the tragedy after placing the Philippines on its travel blacklist.

“It has issued its highest travel alert for those thinking of going to the Philippines. Based on a single isolated incident, it has determined that a severe threat exists and that all travel should be avoided," it said.



The editorial explained that the only other countries on the alert list – Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia and Thailand – are ranked two levels lower, with travelers advised to “exercise caution."

The Security Bureau of Hong Kong issued a travel warning on Monday, discouraging all travel to the Philippines by its citizens.

Just an hour after the hostage-taking ended, the Philippines’ status was changed by Hong Kong from an “amber alert warning" to a “black alert warning," indicating severe threats to the country’s security.

“Travel bans are for safety, not political retribution," the SCMP editorial stated.

It likewise faulted protesters in Hong Kong who rallied outside the Philippine Consulate General there for the “abuse" hurled against Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in blog postings and placards.

The editorial cited a placard that read “Cold-blooded Aquino – Go to hell."

“Statements like this are not rational or reasonable. All they do is stir needless hatred," it said.

The newspaper, which has a daily circulation of over 100,000, urged Chinese nationals not to place blame for the hostage drama to Filipinos, which it described as “innocent bystanders" to the tragedy.

“The 150,000 Filipinos who live among us in Hong Kong and the untold millions in the Philippines who rely on our business and tourism dollars cannot provide what we want to know. They are as much innocent bystanders to the tragedy as we are and deserve to be treated as such," the editorial said. - KBK, GMANews.TV

This was also posted on the Airlines, Airplanes & Airports thread. Note the section regarding tourism arrival goals to be missed...


http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=16531

Backlash feared after fiasco

Markets plunge, tourism seen immediate target; gov’t response awaited

THE PHILIPPINES could be in for a backlash following Monday’s botched hostage rescue that resulted in the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists.

The government’s damage control response was seen as crucial to mitigating the impact on the country’s image and the economy. The peso yesterday shed a hefty 47 centavos to the US dollar while the stock market dropped by 2.29%.
The fiasco has prompted Hong Kong to issue a "black" travel alert -- its highest -- while China warned its citizens to exercise caution while in the Philippines, prompting alarm among local travel industry officials and concerns that foreign investments would also be affected.
Diplomatic overtures
President Benigno C. Aquino III met with Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian Chao yesterday to convey the Philippines’ sympathy and assure that the incident would be investigated. He also talked with Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang -- who had complained that calls on Monday to Mr. Aquino were not answered -- by phone and declared today a national day of mourning.
Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky A. Carandang said members of the diplomatic community would be provided a detailed explanation, including particulars of the botched rescue’s operational aspect.
"We have a plan to send a delegation to Hong Kong in the next few days ... The idea is to go there and meet with concerned officials to explain what happened," Mr. Carandang said.
The delegation will also address concerns that Filipinos living in Hong Kong could come under threat given public anger over the incident.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Foreign Affairs department would brief members of the diplomatic corps to assure them and the foreign community that the Philippines is safe.
"We believe that if we explain what happened ... they’ll have more of an understanding, perhaps be kinder when they issue travel advisories," Mr. Carandang said.
Tourism goal to be missed
The immediate impact, said Mr. Aquino, would likely be in tourism.
"One of our avenues for job generation is tourism. We intend to double the tourism figures from three million to six million. This obviously does not help," he told a briefing early yesterday.
Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim told BusinessWorld he expects this year’s 3.3-million visitor target to be missed.
"We still have to consult it with our tourism planners and the industry to know how hard they expect to be hit, but I think it (visitor volume) would [go down by] about 5% to 10%," he said.
Mr. Lim said his department would be coming up with a new "branding package" for the country in a couple of months’ time to counter the negative impact of the incident.
This was echoed by Philippine Travel Agencies Association President Maria Paz R. Alberto, who said: "With the help of the government, we have to improve security for tourists and improve the image of the Philippine National Police, which was heavily tainted in the incident."
In Cebu, travel agency operators said they were anticipating booking cancellations, and not just from China and Hong Kong.
Jenny Franco, chairperson of the Cebu chapter of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, said: "Hong Kong is a country that everybody listens to, especially Asians, because they have a government that everybody looks up to."
Japanese travel agent Hiroshi Nakamura said Japanese nationals had been advised to exert extra caution when traveling to the Philippines. He was optimistic, however, that Cebu would continue to attract Japanese visitors.
"Cebu has long been loved by the Japanese. It has a good image because it is peaceful," Mr. Nakamura told BusinessWorld.
Carriers see cancellations
Local carriers said they expect to lose business but noted that cancellations were not immediate.
"Philippine Airlines (PAL) carries at least 40% of all inbound tourists from Hong Kong. The Manila-Hong Kong-Manila route is a very busy one with a total of 10 flights daily," spokesman Ma. Cielo C. Villaluna said.
Given Hong Kong’s call for its citizens to return immediately, she said PAL would be waiving penalties for re-bookings of all Hong Kong-issued tickets.
The flag carrier is also offering two round-trip tickets for free to relatives of Hong Kong nationals who were killed or hospitalized during tragedy.
"The flag carrier will shoulder the airfare for two each for the victims’ relatives in flying to and from Manila. As our way of condoling with the victims’ families, PAL is also offering to bring back the remains of their loved ones to Hong Kong free of charge," said Harry Tan, chairman of PAL’s executive committee.
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific said it was also waiving re-booking penalties.
"So far, we have received re-booking requests for less than 5% of our total daily passengers carried for our Hong Kong flights," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice-president for marketing and distribution.
Latest Tourism department data showed visitor arrivals up nearly 10% to 980,765 as of April this year. Of the figure, 47,715 came from Hong Kong, 7.89% more compared to the same period last year.
Hong Kong was the fifth-biggest tourism market for the Philippines during the period, behind only South Korea, the United States, Japan and China.
Hong Kong’s "black" alert, said Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo C. Malaya, is the only confirmed advisory against the Philippines.
"We recognize the exercise of the prerogative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to issue a travel alert in light of the tragic end to [Monday’s] incident. The incident, however, is an isolated case and is no way reflective of the peace and order situation in the Philippines," Mr. Malaya said in a text message.
Not part of the economy
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr., meanwhile, said the incident would not have a substantial impact on economic growth projections.
"I don’t think this will have a significant effect on our year-round GDP (gross domestic product) and economic growth for the third and fourth quarters. It’s an isolated case. It is not part of the country’s economic condition, and I hope it would be taken that way," Mr. Paderanga said in a telephone interview.
The government is targeting higher 5%-6% GDP growth this year. Second quarter results, following the first quarter’s surprising 7.3% uptick, will be released tomorrow.
"What is important now is the government’s response and handling of the incident and how we cope with it," Mr. Paderanga said.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. told reporters: "That was a very unfortunate incident but an isolated event and the markets will see through that and it should not have a significant effect on the market in general". -- reports from Ana Mae G. Roa, Aura Marie P. Dagcutan, Jose Bimbo F. Santos and N. R. Melican in Manila, and Antonio Antogop, Jr. in Cebu

Wow, hanggang ngayon kinukulang pa rin ako ng masabi. :(

Lol i mean really just ignore them send the delegation to placate the chinese and for the rest continue to focus on those real issues that plague the country, because regardless of the chinese and regardless of the other days events these issues remain and continue to hamper our tourism industry .

okey i'm deeply very sorry for the lives lost but to hate and condemn the entire nation for one lunatic's action is overboard and what more the ofws in Hongkong who had nothing to do with the situation. It's just an excuse for the already prejudice feelings againts the filipinos in their communities to materialize and take form. They did use to throw their maids out of the window. Hate the Pnp , hate the president , hate that stupid mayor Lim but to hate the entire Filipino people?

^^ wer did you get your avatars?

I made them myself

okey i'm deeply very sorry for the lives lost but to hate and condemn the entire nation for one lunatic's action is overboard and what more the ofws in Hongkong who had nothing to do with the situation. It's just an excuse for the already prejudice feelings againts the filipinos in their communities to materialize and take form. They did use to throw their maids out of the window. Hate the Pnp , hate the president , hate that stupid mayor Lim but to hate the entire Filipino people?

HK better be careful. There is a huge Chinese population concentrated in Manila chinatown, in Cebu, and other cities that may also become targets.

Anyway, I may not be the mod in The Philippine forums but I would suggest any further discussions concerning the hostage crisis is better off at the Not so Good News thread.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=62602195#post62602195

The best thing Filipinos can do in this thread is to discuss solutions on how to revive the tourism industry especially the foreign market.

Also to discuss the sights of the country and promoting it.

^^ Yup, let's move on...

Duterte lauds ‘Kadayawan’ stakeholders
By SARAH JANE R. HILOMEN
August 25, 2010, 4:08pm

DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte is “happy” with the outcome of this year’s “Kadayawan Festival,” her first as city chief executive.

“I am happy with the participation of the people of Davao and their support to the Kadayawan Festival,” she said in a press briefing.

The mayor is also satisfied with the implementation of the security plan of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Task Force Davao (TFD).

“There was a good cooperation with the DCPO and TFD in securing the city,” Duterte said.

For his part, Chief Supt. Rene Aspera, DCPO director, said the Kadayawan was peaceful despite the apprehension of those who committed petty crimes. There were about 15 apprehended by the DCPO who committed petty crimes during the Kadayawan celebration.

While outgoing TFD chief Col. Oscar Lactao also gave positive review of the security situation of the city during the Kadayawan.

The security of the city was heightened not just because of the festival but also because of the recent bombing that happened in Zamboanga.

Duterte also stressed the importance of the private sector in the holding of the Kadayawan festivities.

“The private sector participation played a big role since 90 percent of the activities are private sector initiated,” she said.

The city government handled only the “traditional major events” like the “Indak Indak sa Kadalanan” and the floral float parade.

Asked what are the things that could be improved for the next Kadayawan, Duterte said she has already jotted down her observations and would put in writing and submit to the 2010 executive committee for their perusal.

Duterte, however, refused to “talk about negative things since everybody is still in celebratory mode.”

The 2010 executive committee was also placed in holdover capacity and was already tasked to work on next year’s Kadayawan taking into consideration written suggestions from the mayor.

Although the mayor refused to talk about her negative observations in the holding of the Kadayawan she has expressed her dismay over the winning of a non-Davao participant in the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan contest. “It is quite unfortunate that the contingents from other provinces won the Indak Indak,” Duterte lamented.

Because of what happened, Duterte vowed that what happened would never be repeated again in the next Kadayawan celebrations.

“It will not happen again. Starting from now, there will always be a Davao category because the highlight of the Kadayawan is the culture of the city,” Duterte said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/274105

okey i'm deeply very sorry for the lives lost but to hate and condemn the entire nation for one lunatic's action is overboard and what more the ofws in Hongkong who had nothing to do with the situation. It's just an excuse for the already prejudice feelings againts the filipinos in their communities to materialize and take form. They did use to throw their maids out of the window. Hate the Pnp , hate the president , hate that stupid mayor Lim but to hate the entire Filipino people?
Don't think that is happening on the ground here. While we hear occasional reports of reprisals, the general mood is anger towards the police handling, rather than Filipinos themselves. This is reflected by media coverage and editorials here. Besides, if such incidents were to happen, the maids can most definitely make good use of the legal system to get their rightful compensation.

^^For such this thing happened in our country na ginawa ng isang tao resulted to a more embarrassment, it's time to help one another to rebuild our image to other countries.

An example of which is Thailand. Naalala nyo ba ang kaguluhan for the past few years na nagkaroon ng massive protest that resulted to riot, civil disobedience that killed some of its people and closure of the airport. They also had military takeover (Martial Law) and recently nagkaroon uli ng violence at sobrang kaguluhan na marami ring namatay dahil sa bangayan ng pulis at protesters.

Pero may nakita ba kayo sa mga Thais na sinisiraan ang bansa nila by Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking or media? They wanted to rebuild their country and they started within themselves. They cleared and cleaned the streets especially yung nangyari ang bloody riot, marketing program para bumalik ang turista etc. At ngayon, look at them, they are recovering fast.

We Filipinos can do it. Ilang beses na rin tayong sumuong sa ganitong sitwasyon and I believe that our good image will be back if we started within ourselves and gain confidence na malalampasan natin ito... :)

^^We Filipinos can do it. Ilang beses na rin tayong sumuong sa ganitong sitwasyon and I believe that our good image will be back if we started within ourselves and gain confidence na malalampasan natin ito... :)

This is your signature:

If you ask a foreigner, "Where is Manila?" he will say "Philippines". But if you ask "Do you know Philippines?" he will answer quickly "Manila!"

So, who are the Filipinos you are talking about?

This is your signature:

If you ask a foreigner, "Where is Manila?" he will say "Philippines". But if you ask "Do you know Philippines?" he will answer quickly "Manila!"

So, who are the Filipinos you are talking about?

Tayo, image na ng bansa natin yun. Ayaw mo ba?

Tayo, image na ng bansa natin yun. Ayaw mo ba?

I always use "we" in all my posts here, because being a Filipino, I share the burden of what happened.

Just a feeling, that citizens of the capital just use true meaning of "Filipino" when in times like this.

By the way, from your good actress:


“Kasi when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and of course Tagalog. Maybe she should answer in Bisaya,” says Gloria Diaz.

I wonder, why Janina San Miguel, kept on answering in English when her tongue don't want to follow her brain.

Thank you sir...

Btw, and your signature too..

Thank you sir...

Btw, and your signature too..

I'll keep my signature... :okay: Sometimes, we had to answer back...Hehehehe

^^ Huy tama na yan.

But here is the 1 Million Hong Kong Dollar Question:

Satisfied ba kayo sa reaction ng DoT sa mga pangyayaring ito?

^^For such this thing happened in our country na ginawa ng isang tao resulted to a more embarrassment, it's time to help one another to rebuild our image to other countries.

An example of which is Thailand. Naalala nyo ba ang kaguluhan for the past few years na nagkaroon ng massive protest that resulted to riot, civil disobedience that killed some of its people and closure of the airport. They also had military takeover (Martial Law) and recently nagkaroon uli ng violence at sobrang kaguluhan na marami ring namatay dahil sa bangayan ng pulis at protesters.

Pero may nakita ba kayo sa mga Thais na sinisiraan ang bansa nila by Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking or media? They wanted to rebuild their country and they started within themselves. They cleared and cleaned the streets especially yung nangyari ang bloody riot, marketing program para bumalik ang turista etc. At ngayon, look at them, they are recovering fast.

We Filipinos can do it. Ilang beses na rin tayong sumuong sa ganitong sitwasyon and I believe that our good image will be back if we started within ourselves and gain confidence na malalampasan natin ito... :)
Panatiliin ang magagandang katangian at ugali ng mga Pilipino. marerespeto , magagalang, matulungin, makadiyos, makonservatibo. tanggalin yung mga pangit pagka baboy sa pagtatapon ng basura kung saan saan at pagkabastos na pagmamaneho, ingitero, mayayabang , pangongotong, walang paki sa mundo.

This image shows how ignorant and insensitive some Filipinos can be!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs180.ash2/44355_10150252997085368_883315367_14330501_6230387_n.jpg

Again what do these girls know about life, other than going to school, watching koreanovelas, play farmville in facebook, eat chicken joy in jollibee and putting on too much johnsons baby powder?

Correct. They even do not deserve to wear school uniform. Such a shame!

These girls are considered 'isolated' and I still believe more Filipinos at home would act wisely and with sensitivity.

Again, my request for any further discussion concerning this issue is to go here.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1201817&page=2

Or go here to see HK's perspective on the issue

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=62610701#post62610701

Sabi ni Erap, baka makarate siya ni Jackie Chan.
At sabi ng iba "notice the last paragraph of this news: it's disturbing. We are discriminated in OUR OWN TURF by foreigners"!

News:

"Estrada scraps HK trip
By Cynthia Balana, Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:04:00 08/25/2010


MANILA, Philippines-He may have gotten new knees in Hong Kong but that is the last place Erap wants to test how strong and supple they are-especially if chased by Chinese demonstrators.

Former President Joseph Estrada Tuesday said he was canceling his scheduled trip to Hong Kong this week in the wake of the bloody police rescue operation during Monday's Luneta hostage drama that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong Chinese hostages.

"Mahirap na (I won't risk it)," Estrada said with a laugh, referring jokingly to the possibility that Hong Kong nationals outraged by the death of their compatriots might protest against his visit.

Estrada had surgery at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital in 2004 for arthritic knees. They were replaced with titanium.

Estrada said he would have wanted to take advantage of the long weekend starting this Friday to relax in Hong Kong but changed his mind after learning of the anger and strong reaction from some quarters in Hong Kong, particularly from youth groups, to the killing of the hostages.

"You know the Hong Kong protesters, they are aggressive. So, forget it," Estrada, speaking in Filipino, told the Inquirer.

Int'l confidence

Estrada said the police handling of the rescue operation was "very disappointing" and that the incident was a big blow to Philippine tourism, foreign investments and even foreign affairs, with several countries issuing a travel advisory against traveling to the Philippines.

"Imagine, even Nepal and Pakistan issued one. We don't have too many tourists coming from those countries and yet they also issued advisories," Estrada said.

He said the government would have to work double time to restore the confidence of the international community in the country as a safe tourist and business destination.

Estrada, who said he closely monitored the hostage saga on television, said he was disappointed and, at the same time, confused as to who was on top of the situation.

He said that the one in charge of the rescue effort was not visible, and noted that Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, a former top policeman, was "conspicuously absent" from the scene.

Still, Estrada wanted to give Lim the benefit of the doubt, saying the mayor could have been sick or out of the country. Later reports said that Lim was actually in the area but not visible to the media.

'Don't blame Aquino'

Estrada said that in the absence of the mayor, a known personality like the Armed Forces chief of staff or the Philippine National Police chief should have led the negotiations with the hostage-taker, a dismissed police officer.

"He (the hostage-taker) is a policeman and he will respect the AFP or PNP chief."

Estrada said that Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, who dealt with the media during the hostage incident, "had no personality for that kind of a situation."

Estrada also asked the people to stop blaming President Benigno Aquino III for what happened.

"He was not at fault," Estrada said, noting the "crab mentality" of people who would blame the President.

"I've been there, and I know it was beyond him. He has been in office less than 100 days so let us just help our President," he said.

Feeling unwanted

Filipino media people didn't have to go to Hong Kong to feel unwanted.

Reporters representing various Philippine news organizations were initially barred from a press briefing of Hong Kong officials at Manila Pavilion hotel Tuesday afternoon.

There was no clear explanation but hotel guards said they were under instructions that only the foreign media were to be allowed in.

After appeals, the Filipinos finally got in, only to realize that much of the briefing for about 30 members of the foreign press was in Chinese.

Generously, one of the organizers toward the end allowed the locals to ask their questions-in English. And they were rewarded with answers-also in English."

500 HK, China flight bookings cancelled--PAL :bash:

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:34:00 08/26/2010

MANILA, Philippines--In the wake of Monday’s tragic hostage incident where eight Hong Kong residents were killed and several others injured, Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday said that more than 500 tourists from Hong Kong and mainland China have cancelled their bookings with the airline.

“PAL is beginning to feel the initial impact of a Hong Kong government advisory warning its residents to refrain from all travel to the Philippines. As of Wednesday, our Hong Kong station reported at least 558 Manila-bound bookings were cancelled. The bookings consisted of tourists from Hong Kong, Beijing, Xiamen, and other points in China,” said PAL president Jaime J. Bautista in a news release.

In the Philippines, Bautista said two Hong Kong- and Macau-bound Filipino tourists opted to change their destination in view of the current situation.

Despite the negative travel advisory, PAL continues to mount five daily flights to and from the former Crown Colony. “We’re closely monitoring the situation and will decide soon whether we will maintain or reduce flights. We share the grief and understand the Hong Kong people’s wrath. We are optimistic that fears of travelling to the Philippines will be temporary,” Bautista said.

He said PAL has yet to determine the financial impact of the booking cancellations at this early stage. However, he admitted that the negative travel advisories to the Philippines are not helping the flag carrier which is currently struggling financially and grappling with restive workers.

“We understand that Philippine officials in Hong Kong met with the latter’s legislative and travel councils and assured them that the Philippines is still a safe and viable tourist destination. We are looking forward that it will soon lead to the lifting of the travel restrictions,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bautista said PAL, as the national flag carrier, will continue with its sworn mission to promote the Philippines as a tourist destination. “More than ever, we need to help our government in showcasing the Philippines’ best,” he said.

On the security front, PAL said it will try to help in its small way to improve the capability of Filipino law enforcers. “Last year, PAL joined hands with the San Francisco Police Department. PAL provided some plane tickets and gave the team of security experts extra baggage allowance to bring in paraphernalia for use in their training program with the Philippine National Police,” Bautista explained.

He added that the team from the San Francisco Police Department will again be in the Philippines in January 2011. “We hope to expand our partnership with our friends from San Francisco,” he said.

From how I see it, this is only short-term. After a few weeks or a month, everything will be back to normal.

HK may have raised down the black status and that this problem is settled.

This is your signature:

If you ask a foreigner, "Where is Manila?" he will say "Philippines". But if you ask "Do you know Philippines?" he will answer quickly "Manila!"

So, who are the Filipinos you are talking about?

Japanese - "No No No No!, I don't wanna go to the Philippines, I want to go to Cebu"

So it means he doesn't want to go to the Philippines coz Philippines for them is Manila. Kung hindi lang sana representation ng Pilipinas ang Manila, maganda sana ang reputation ng Pilipinas ngayon...kawawang Pilipinas:ohno:

Japanese - "No No No No!, I don't wanna go to the Philippines, I want to go to Cebu"

So it means he doesn't want to go to the Philippines coz Philippines for them is Manila. Kung hindi lang sana representation ng Pilipinas ang Manila, maganda sana ang reputation ng Pilipinas ngayon...kawawang Pilipinas:ohno:

Hahahaha. I can just imagine the facial expression of that Japanese guy!! Did this really, actually happen Sle? Or you just making us?

^^TV Ptrol Central Visayas... ininterview ang Japanese tour guide that tours Japanese tourists in Cebu. Customer ng Japanese tour guide ang Japanese natinal na nag sabi non... and It is all about the negative impact on Cebu's tourism industry with regards to the hostage tragedy in manila. He said that so far wala pang Japanese tourists na nag cancel ng trip nila patungong Cebu. :)

^^TV Ptrol Central Visayas... ininterview ang Japanese tour guide that tours Japanese tourists in Cebu. Customer ng Japanese tour guide ang Japanese natinal na nag sabi non... and It is all about the negative impact on Cebu's tourism industry with regards to the hostage tragedy in manila. He said that so far wala pang Japanese tourists na nag cancel ng trip nila patungong Cebu. :)

Thanks a lot! Good to hear that!

There is one Japanese friend (GF's co-teacher) who was supposed to visit Manila for a day and then Cebu and Bohol for 3 days with me and my GF to go on a diving and food trip but is now thinking twice.

There goes all my efforts at selling our beautiful but tragic country..
I'm still hoping she pushes through. But my point is, yes, from firsthand experience there is that undesirable effect and consequence.

Panatiliin ang magagandang katangian at ugali ng mga Pilipino. marerespeto , magagalang, matulungin, makadiyos, makonservatibo. tanggalin yung mga pangit pagka baboy sa pagtatapon ng basura kung saan saan at pagkabastos na pagmamaneho, ingitero, mayayabang , pangongotong, walang paki sa mundo.

Ewan ko nga ba, bakit nga ba tayong mga pinoy naging antagoinstic sa kapwa natin pinoy na kalimitan, karamihan mas pipiliin pang mapaligiran ng ibang lahi huwag lang kapwa pinoy. Para bang laging negative ang tingin natin sa sarili at lahat may masamang interpretation sa kapwa filipino. Sa nga trabaho, masaya nga kung may kasama kang pinoy pero kahit paano lagi ka pa rin mag iingat dahil may iba na pailalim at ahas kaya minsan talaga kailangan mo pang kilalanin mabuti ang kapwa mo pinoy.Hindi ko naman nilalahat ha?

There is one Japanese friend (GF's co-teacher) who was supposed to visit Manila for a day and then Cebu and Bohol for 3 days with me and my GF to go on a diving and food trip but is now thinking twice.

There goes all my efforts at selling our beautiful but tragic country..
I'm still hoping she pushes through. But my point is, yes, from firsthand experience there is that undesirable effect and consequence.

She's japanese, go for it, encourage her some more. Give assurance and you'd be around all the time anyway.

^^TV Ptrol Central Visayas... ininterview ang Japanese tour guide that tours Japanese tourists in Cebu. Customer ng Japanese tour guide ang Japanese natinal na nag sabi non... and It is all about the negative impact on Cebu's tourism industry with regards to the hostage tragedy in manila. He said that so far wala pang Japanese tourists na nag cancel ng trip nila patungong Cebu. :)

Boracay may mga cancellations na.

Hongkong flights to Laoag cancelled beginning today

by Cristina Arzadon

Laoag City (26 August) -- The aftermath of the Manila hostage taking has began to be felt in the city with the indefinite suspension of flights from Hongkong to Laoag and vice versa beginning today.

Milagros Gonzales, provincial tourism officer, confirmed that twice weekly flights from Hongkong to this city and vice versa have been suspended indefinitely.

"We were informed that all bookings in two major hotels in the city have been cancelled since Tuesday," she said.

Ronal Estabillo, manager of the Laoag International Airport, said he got a letter from executives of the Hongkong Express Flights notifying him of the suspension of the twice weekly flights to Laoag.

Estabillo said there was no mention of the reason behind the suspension as it was a standard procedure for operators to suspend flights without stating the cause.

He said, however, that the last flight coming from Hongkong today is set to arrive as scheduled to transport back the remaining Hongkong nationals who visited the city last Sunday.

Gonzales said the city's tourism industry is bound to feel the impact of reduced number of tourists because of the flight cancellation.

She said Hongkong tourists have been steadily coming to Laoag before the Manila bloodbath. At least 1,200 Hongkong nationals visit the city monthly for rest and recreation purposes.

Gonzales said the only other international flight from Kaoshiung, Taiwan to Laoag is expected to be cancelled as well in response to the travel ban imposed by Chinese authorities to the Philippines. Around 200 Taiwanese nationals visit the city on a monthly basis.

"We hope to bring back these tourists in the coming days when the anguish over the tragedy has died down," she said. (PIA Ilocos Norte)

:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:

ang layo nman ng Manila sa LAOAG!!!! parang unreasonable na tong ginagawa ng Hongkong government.. tsk tsk tsk..
i find it really irrational..

^^ Political vendetta? And perhaps to pressure the Philippine government to really get to the bottom of things. Hope this event serves as an eye-opener and a catalyst for national change regarding our system.

^^ Political vendetta? And perhaps to pressure the Philippine government to really get to the bottom of things. Hope this event serves as an eye-opener and a catalyst for national change regarding our system.

I think it is more the pressure. I hope that get to Noynoy's head.

Anyway, what is the best thing to do now to regain the country's tourism industry.

ang layo nman ng Manila sa LAOAG!!!! parang unreasonable na tong ginagawa ng Hongkong government.. tsk tsk tsk..
i find it really irrational..

Very logical rin po yon. Mas malapit sa HK ang Laoag City airport! Malayo pa ang HK-MNL kumpara sa HK-LAO.

Sana naman magising na lahat ang mga Pilipino at magtulungan na para makaahon sa kahirapan. Sa mga nangyayari it only shows na sobrang bulok na ang Pilipinas sa lahat ng aspeto. Ang nakakalungkot kailangan pang mangyari ang mga to bago marealize na tayo'y lugmok na.

Very logical rin po yon. Mas malapit sa HK ang Laoag City airport! Malayo pa ang HK-MNL kumpara sa HK-LAO.

the threat or danger is only in Manila... not LAOAG, nadamay lang..
irrational..

Problema ng mga taga HK yan, resulta din yan ng pagkaignorante nila. Isolated incident, tinatrato nila na comon occurance yan sa filipinas. Hindi mo nakita or narinig? DH na walang kamalay malay pinagdiskitahan? Yuong mass killer dito sa VT yata yon Korean immingrant pero ang mga tao hindi naging indifferent sa lahat ng Koreano sa America.

Problema ng mga taga HK yan, resulta din yan ng pagkaignorante nila. Isolated incident, tinatrato nila na comon occurance yan sa filipinas. Hindi mo nakita or narinig? DH na walang kamalay malay pinagdiskitahan? Yuong mass killer dito sa VT yata yon Korean immingrant pero ang mga tao hindi naging indifferent sa lahat ng Koreano sa America.

The reason for the black warning if for the poor security provided to foreign tourist visiting The Philippines.

The PNP needs to improve its local law enforcement and keep the country safe.

As for tourists, the city does not have a strong Tourist Police system like they do in Thailand.

Hongkong flights to Laoag cancelled beginning today

by Cristina Arzadon

...

Gonzales said the only other international flight from Kaoshiung, Taiwan to Laoag is expected to be cancelled as well in response to the travel ban imposed by Chinese authorities to the Philippines. Around 200 Taiwanese nationals visit the city on a monthly basis.

"We hope to bring back these tourists in the coming days when the anguish over the tragedy has died down," she said. (PIA Ilocos Norte)

:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:

Kaoshiung is in Taiwan, and not the People's Republic of China. So how come now the Taiwanese seem to be thinking in line with their antagonists from the mainland? MECO (the de facto Taiwanese Embassy in MNL) is comparing notes with the ambassador from the mainland?

BTW Kaoshiung is nearer to Laoag (about 500km) than Hong Kong (about 600+km). They shouldn't be as swayed by what's happening in Manila when Laoag is practically across the strait!

Just like what hkskyline has said, If there is one ASEAN country to benefit from this it would be Malaysia. Thailand is also in its jitters regarding security and its past situations.

Now its wow and amazing that those venturing to ASEAN will visit a truly Asian country! For one it can provide security and ensure the traveler's safety.

I think many here are looking at this situation from the wrong angle.

These actions by the Hong Kong people are in response to the way the police and government authorities handled the seizure, rather than some crazed gunman's undertaking, which as many have stated can happen anywhere. This is supposed to be a NATIONAL police force, whose duties include enforcing the law and protecting the people, be it in Manila, Laoag, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, etc.

If this is how the Philippine NATIONAL Police works and manages crisis situations in Manila, the capital, wouldn't you be a bit apprehensive about your safety being possibly compromised in visiting smaller and maybe more isolated places in the archipelago? I'm quite certain this is what's running through people's minds across the South China Sea.

I think many here are looking at this situation from the wrong angle.

These actions by the Hong Kong people are in response to the way the police and government authorities handled the seizure, rather than some crazed gunman's undertaking, which as many have stated can happen anywhere. This is supposed to be a NATIONAL police force, whose duties include enforcing the law and protecting the people, be it in Manila, Laoag, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, etc.

If this is how the Philippine NATIONAL Police works and manages crisis situations in Manila, the capital, wouldn't you be a bit apprehensive about your safety being possibly compromised in visiting smaller and maybe more isolated places in the archipelago? I'm quite certain this is what's running through people's minds across the South China Sea.

But again, the crisis happen in Manila's jurisdiction so those involved are The Western/Manila Police District. It is odd though why SAF were not ordered to take part in the crisis.

^^ actually they were present.. but they were not utilized as admitted by the PNP chief during the senate hearing.

That is what I meant.

^^ actually they were present.. but they were not utilized as admitted by the PNP chief during the senate hearing.

But again, the crisis happen in Manila's jurisdiction so those involved are The Western/Manila Police District. It is odd though why SAF were not ordered to take part in the crisis.True, but to those outside of the Philippines it doesn't matter.
You don't hear or read about "the PNP-Manila district," all you're aware of is it was the Philippine National Police (菲律賓國家警察) bukan?/是不是?

Did it ever occur to anyone here that in the time it took this disastrous event to transpire, the HK PTU could have been flown in, got the job done more efficiently, and have returned to HK?

^^ actually they were present.. but they were not utilized as admitted by the PNP chief during the senate hearing.Ahhhh, the soon-to-be ex-PNP chief? ;)

True, but to those outside of the Philippines it doesn't matter.
You don't hear or read about "the PNP-Manila district," all you're aware of is it was the Philippine National Police (菲律賓國家警察) bukan?/是不是?

Did it ever occur to anyone here that in the time it took this disastrous event to transpire, the HK PTU could have been flown in, got the job done more efficiently, and have returned to HK?

Ahhhh, the soon-to-be ex-PNP chief? ;)

If the HK PTU or SDU to interfere with this crisis, it would also be embarrassing to Philippine law enforcement. Again, the Special Action Force could have done the job if took part in the action.

It is also a question if the SDU are really capable in handling the crisis since they are less engage in any operations unlike the SAF.

Note that the SDU were in the same fire as the SWAT due to the injuries of their own officers during a bank robbery back in 1992. As a result, the entire SDU have to improve.

Singaporeans staying away from trouble-hit Bangkok & Manila
By Joanne Chan | Posted: 27 August 2010 1809 hrs

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1077527/1/.html

SINGAPORE : As the year-end travel rush approaches, Singaporeans are staying away from places that have been hit by trouble and violence.

Bangkok and Manila are top on the list. The thousands who thronged a travel fair on Friday are avoiding these places for safety reasons.

In Manila, a tour bus was hijacked on Monday and eight Hong Kong tourists were killed during a police assault to end the hostage crisis.

As for Bangkok, it is grappling with sporadic violence. The latest bomb blast occurred in downtown Bangkok on Thursday, seriously injuring a security guard.

Travel agents expect demand to these places to plunge until the dust has settled.

Alicia Seah, senior vice-president, Marketing & PR, CTC Holidays, said: "I think it's a short-term impact. We think that bookings will decrease significantly for about one to two weeks.

"But in the long term, recovery will take place. If they are travelling out of Bangkok, like Phuket or Chiang Mai, and not staying in Bangkok, they will still proceed with their tour bookings."

- CNA/al

ang layo nman ng Manila sa LAOAG!!!! parang unreasonable na tong ginagawa ng Hongkong government.. tsk tsk tsk..i find it really irrational..

It is unreasonable and irrational theres also alot of politics involved, sometimes travel associations which do represent a large role in a modern economy can excert alot of preassure on their governments, someone said hong thai is one of their largest travel agencies in HK so just think of their irritation having their brand flashed live on tv screens for hours on end on the side of that bus later with bullet holes, its got to be one of the most negative pr a travel agency can get resulting in more losses in the companies minds than the value of those lives so a little payback might be welcomed aswell as portraying them as "responsible protectors" of their customers and people .

As for tourists, the city does not have a strong Tourist Police system like they do in Thailand.

True tourist police is weak and the one time i saw them was a squad car in tagaytay tourist police which ended up what seem to be discretely extorting money from operators of a local horse/poney riding park lol, to be fair to them my party and i and our conclusions could have been wrong .

But ok despite the real need for one i doubt it would have had much of an effect on the hostage incident, a full public gun ban with regular road block checks and stricter permit laws probably would have done better .

However i understand completely that the countries ressources on police and security and pretty much every other endeavour simply isnt sufficient or adequate .

Singaporeans staying away from trouble-hit Bangkok & Manila
By Joanne Chan | Posted: 27 August 2010 1809 hrs

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1077527/1/.html

SINGAPORE : As the year-end travel rush approaches, Singaporeans are staying away from places that have been hit by trouble and violence.

Bangkok and Manila are top on the list. The thousands who thronged a travel fair on Friday are avoiding these places for safety reasons.

In Manila, a tour bus was hijacked on Monday and eight Hong Kong tourists were killed during a police assault to end the hostage crisis.

As for Bangkok, it is grappling with sporadic violence. The latest bomb blast occurred in downtown Bangkok on Thursday, seriously injuring a security guard.

Travel agents expect demand to these places to plunge until the dust has settled.

Alicia Seah, senior vice-president, Marketing & PR, CTC Holidays, said: "I think it's a short-term impact. We think that bookings will decrease significantly for about one to two weeks.

"But in the long term, recovery will take place. If they are travelling out of Bangkok, like Phuket or Chiang Mai, and not staying in Bangkok, they will still proceed with their tour bookings."

- CNA/al

this is dumb. Bangkok trouble is caused by a large group. In manila its only 1 mentally deranged man which is now dead.

i even believe that hostage incident even caused a publicity in Philippine tourism. It makes people curious what is it that tourists try to see in the Philippines.

TOURISTS ARE ADVENTUROUS. THE MORE YOU TELL THEM THE PLACE IS DANGEROUS THE MORE THEY VISIT IT!!

:banana:

this is dumb. Bangkok trouble is caused by a large group. In manila its only 1 mentally deranged man which is now dead.

i even believe that hostage incident even caused a publicity in Philippine tourism. It makes people curious what is it that tourists try to see in the Philippines.

TOURISTS ARE ADVENTUROUS. THE MORE YOU TELL THEM THE PLACE IS DANGEROUS THE MORE THEY VISIT IT!!

:banana:

I hope your analysis is true! Else, we won't be counting more heads passing through the gates of our airports! I always know human race has a lot of learning to do. Yet, we never learned how to live in peace; maybe it's human nature or what?

^^ That is soo NOT TRUE..

edi sana number 1 na ang IRAQ in tourism..

^^ :lol:

^^ That is soo NOT TRUE..

edi sana number 1 na ang IRAQ in tourism..

iraq is different. this is just hostage incident by 1, again 1, again 1, mentally deranged man.
tourists are always a target whenever they are in a foreign land.
it also happened in china.
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/aug/09/american-tourist-stabbed-death-beijing/

so what's the fuss?

I think 8 deaths, a hostage crisis, and a police force accused of being incompetent is enough to cause a fuss.

I also admire Jackie Chan on his statements.

The people of Hong Kong are a peaceful society.

We are never violent or would want to cause violence on others. In face our protests have been peaceful. Violence is rarely common.

Filipinos in HK should not worry about their own safety cause nothing harmful will happen to them.

I'm glad you're here WANCH. If you weren't, a lot of people would be here trying to post things about how some Hong Kong people are full of crap for being hurt and angered for what has happened. If you ask me, they have the right to be troubled for what has happened. However, they don't have the right to take it out on innocent Filipinos who didn't have a part of this. Earlier somebody tried to show that Chinese people are all mean after a few Filipinos were shot in Beijing a long time ago. Seriously? We're not asking everybody to bow down and apologize and cry for the situation. All that's being asked for maturity and respect. Another person referred to Hong Kong people as Koreans who worked for the JIA during World WAR II - therefore he had a grudge. Sometimes I really don't understand the logic that goes on here.

Truth is, anything can happen anywhere at anytime.

I'm glad you're here WANCH. If you weren't, a lot of people would be here trying to post things about how some Hong Kong people are full of crap for being hurt and angered for what has happened. If you ask me, they have the right to be troubled for what has happened. However, they don't have the right to take it out on innocent Filipinos who didn't have a part of this. Earlier somebody tried to show that Chinese people are all mean after a few Filipinos were shot in Beijing along time ago. Another person referred to Hong Kong people as Koreans who worked for the JIA. Sometimes I really don't understand the logic that goes on here.

Truth is, anything can happen anywhere at anytime.

I haver mentioned that in the not so good news thread. Again my sig, "condemn and convict the guilty ones, not the innocent"

Exactly. Condemn the guilty not the innocent. I mean I'm glad you're here as a middleman to advocate the side of both HK and the Philippines. There's no need for HK and Filipinos to go ape on each other over this :).

When I said this I meant it as "IF" haha. --> However, they don't have the right to take it out on innocent Filipinos who didn't have a part of this.

Anyway last page na tayo sa thread na ito. Mods, if kung nakikinig kayo or nagbabasa nito, I hope yung first post sa next Tourism thread medyo positive naman. :)

iraq is different. this is just hostage incident by 1, again 1, again 1, mentally deranged man.
tourists are always a target whenever they are in a foreign land.
it also happened in china.
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/aug/09/american-tourist-stabbed-death-beijing/

so what's the fuss?

quoted form you

"TOURISTS ARE ADVENTUROUS. THE MORE YOU TELL THEM THE PLACE IS DANGEROUS THE MORE THEY VISIT IT!!"

definitely not true. Iraq is "probably" the most dangerous place right now.
hehe

no need to take my words seriously, im just playing.. coz i'm bored.

quoted form you

"TOURISTS ARE ADVENTUROUS. THE MORE YOU TELL THEM THE PLACE IS DANGEROUS THE MORE THEY VISIT IT!!"

definitely not true. Iraq is "probably" the most dangerous place right now.
hehe

no need to take my words seriously, im just playing.. coz i'm bored.

Yes. We know what lies behind your words since we are on the same page (synchronized mentally).
It is just a pity that some posters do not accept some of the normal mental deductions when analyzing events!
It is always wrong to rush to conclusions not knowing the whole facts, right? In the same manner, it will be very much improper to judge others if you are not party to all the evidences necessary to arrive at an intelligent judgment!
The best thing for people to do is watch, listen and wait for the "official" report of the incident. That is what the HK Special Administrative Region executives are asking for from the Philippines. We should not ride on speculations and incendiary statements. Hate words had been floating in the internet, and we don't want to be part of those, would you?

Im . here at the mall lots of tourists here

Im . here at the mall lots of tourists here

Care to do some mental counting for us please? Location or vicinity as well?

I see 2 Italians here:D

no more tourist buses at crown regency here in cebu. before that freaking incident last monday, almost everyday there are busloads of tourists from china and korea that unload and load guests at crown regency but now can hardly find any. :ohno:

no more tourist buses at crown regency here in cebu. before that freaking incident last monday, almost everyday there are busloads of tourists from china and korea that unload and load guests at crown regency but now can hardly find any. :ohno:

Ibig sabihin nagkulong na lang sa tower? Sabagay, malayo rin ang mararating ng paningin mo diyan sa itaas! Kung wala talaga, goodbye tourism and travel!

Im . here at the mall lots of tourists here

I have seen lots of foreigners of difft. nationalities sa isang mall dito sa MM.

I see 2 Italians here:D

ooppps Israeli pala sila, kinausap ko:D biro mo Hebrew ba ang sagot sa akin:D:lol:

Holy language:D

mabuti hindi Aramaic...mas mahihirapan kang intindihin :D

Welcome to Thread 10! :cheers:

Keep posting dudes :okay:

Link to Thread 9 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=435396&page=304)

^^ Just the dudes? How about the betties and dudettes? :lol:











Corny pills! :bash:

Just like what hkskyline has said, If there is one ASEAN country to benefit from this it would be Malaysia. Thailand is also in its jitters regarding security and its past situations.

Now its wow and amazing that those venturing to ASEAN will visit a truly Asian country! For one it can provide security and ensure the traveler's safety.

Malaysia has been reaping the rewards of its consistent advertising with their "Malaysia, Truly Asia" for many years now. Thailand is trying to make a comeback with their "Amazing Thailand, how you remember it" campaign. How about the Philippines trying a better version of their "More Than the Usual" campaign?

I think they should ask the world reknown performing artists like Lea Salonga, etc. plus Apl.de.ap to make a big concerted pitch for Philippine tourism...ala "We are the World" style.

I think they should ask the world reknown performing artists like Lea Salonga, etc. plus Apl.de.ap to make a big concerted pitch for Philippine tourism...ala "We are the World" style.

Been there. Done that. The "We Are The World" route has already been attempted, although it mostly targeted local travel and tourism industry and not geared towards foreign tourists.

BIYAHE TAYO!

8fRgS8iHMsw

Been there. Done that. The "We Are The World" route has already been attempted, although it mostly targeted local travel and tourism industry and not geared towards foreign tourists.

BIYAHE TAYO!

8fRgS8iHMsw

Agree, since it was recorded in Tagalog it only targets the Philippine market (I don't think you need to put too much effort in the balikbayan market --- I remember one jingle ... "Babalik at babalik ka rin..."

What I want to see is something similar to the new Thai Airways ad or even follow-up variants to "More than the Usual...". maybe they can even make a song or jingle that incorporates not only English but Chinese, Spanish, French, etc. in the lyrics. So as to project a more cosmopolitan image.

The "More than the Usual..." ad seemed to lack focus...or too much of it...they talk of the Philippines as being many things...but then, it's also like saying, Jack of All Trades, Master of None. We should target specific niches depending on where the ads will air (whether CNN, NGC, History Channel, Travel & Leisure channel, other foreign news channels, etc.). I get this impression a "one ad for all" approach shows that the promoters lack advertising dollars.

And they shouldn't limit themselves to TV. There are so many travel magazines where the impact would be much greater at a lesser cost.

u want a new jingle to promote the philippines to the filipinos here and abroad?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZupHfSf89ak&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ewbJsyGgV0&feature=related

u want a new jingle to promote the philippines to the filipinos here and abroad?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZupHfSf89ak&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ewbJsyGgV0&feature=related

I wonder if the Tagalog-speaking Filipinos could ever accept this wonderful piece in selling the Philippines to world but not in their native tongue!

Thanks a lot bai!

I wonder if the Tagalog-speaking Filipinos could ever accept this wonderful piece in selling the Philippines to world but not in their native tongue!

Thanks a lot bai!

that will be their major major problem because they're losing grounds. :cheers::cheers::cheers:

It sound really nice but using any of our native languages to promote the Philippines overseas might not work. They do wanted to understand what was being said right?

It sound really nice but using any of our native languages to promote the Philippines overseas might not work. They do wanted to understand what was being said right?

Definitely!

The best way to promote The Philippines commercial wise is to have foreigners traveling around the country and having a good time. And also in English.

Just like the "Your Home in Asia" campaign.

VsHrw2qR_-A

Also, the ads should focus on the key tourists spots around the country say Boracay, Chocolate Hills, Mayon Volcano, Puerto Princesa Subterrainian Park, Taal Volcano and Banawe Rice Terraces, etc.

BTW, I was in Robinsons Ermita last Friday. I saw several European backpackers, plus several Chinese tourists walking around mostly from either Mainland China or Taiwan.

Shows that not everyone is afraid of coming here.

Yeah, from my experience alone and I'm sure this could not be used as a good representative for the majority, whenever my friends flip their channel and it happen to be in a foreign language, even if it's a commercial, the tendecy for them is to click it off or switch to another channel already and won't even bother to look into what was being shown...

BTW, I was in Robinsons Ermita last Friday. I saw several European backpackers, plus several Chinese tourists walking around mostly from either Mainland China or Taiwan.

Shows that not everyone is afraid of coming here.

Ahh! The ones you saw were perhaps the veteran tourists! Those who have canceled their tours are called "better run"(away from RP)! hehehe joke3x!

I'm sure all these things that are going on is just temporary. It's not the first time a travel ban to the Philippines was called, I bet in a year time, there are chineses who would ignore the travel ban and would still proceed in visiting the Philippines. This news would fade over time I am sure.

^^ Just the dudes? How about the betties and dudettes? :lol:


Corny pills! :bash:

that cracked me up...:lol:

108 big foreign travel agents to attend 10th RP Travel Exchange


INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:11:00 08/29/2010
Filed Under: Travel & Commuting, Tourism


MANILA, Philippines—Delegates of 108 wholesale travel agents from the world’s six continents are coming over to forge deals with the various sectors of the local tourism industry.

“They (foreign travel wholesalers) are joining this year’s 10th Philippine Travel Exchange (Phitex 2010), which is geared to bring in big volume of tourists from around the world,” said Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim in a news release.

Lim said among the foreign delegates to Phitex 2010 are large representations from outbound travel wholesalers in China, Korea, Japan, Asia Pacific, North America, India, the Middle East, and Europe.

“They will do business with 194 local sellers (of tour packages), thus generating volumes of foreign visitors over the short and long term,” he said.

Scheduled at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel on Tuesday (September 2), Phitex 2010 is an industry-based and government-supported marketing initiative that links foreign wholesale buyers and local sellers of tourism products and services in a full day of one-on-one business meetings, with each delegate being accorded a number of pre-scheduled appointments for table-top discussions.

“Thus, the foreign wholesalers themselves will push the Philippine tourism brand in their respective countries through OTC (over-the-counter) or POS (point-of-sale) promotion and other agency-driven consumer marketing schemes,” said Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions (TPP) Vicente R. Romano III.

“At the same time, their participation in Phitex 2010 will guide the members of the local tourism industry in conducting product development based on market-specific demands, or the actual requirements of their target foreign clients,” he explained.

In the process, Romano said, local industry players would also learn about the present and future global market opportunities that they could take advantage of.

“All in all, Phitex 2010 will boost and guide our efforts in focusing on infrastructure and product development since this event covers both ends (supply and demand) of the market spectrum,” Romano added.

With the theme “Awesome Philippines, Awesome Sceneries, Awesome Activities, Awesome Experiences,” Phitex 2010 will be formally opened by Lim, who is expected to speak on the strategic direction of the country’s tourism development for the duration of his term.

To highlight the welcome dinner for the participants is the celebration of “A Decade of AWESOME Phitex Experience” jointly hosted by the Department of Tourism and Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.

Part of this Awesome Phitex Experience is the foreign buyers’ visit to the Manila Ocean Park, the Philippine’s first state-of-the-art oceanarium. The following day, the foreign buyers will have a glimpse of the country’s Awesome Sceneries through the Philippine Travel Mart, which will be held at the SM Megamall.

The buyers then get the chance to sample these local destinations with the familiarization programs organized by the DOT in cooperation with the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa). They will visit Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Bicol, Palawan, Clark, Subic, and the Ilocos Region to see and experience the Awesome Philippines, according to Romano.

These Awesome Experiences are made possible by Philtoa, Philippine Airlines, Manila Hotel, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, and the participating hotels and resorts.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100829-289381/108-big-foreign-travel-agents-to-attend-10th-RP-Travel-Exchange

Simunol, Islam: A peaceful life
MANILA, Philippines—Traveling farther down Tawi-Tawi, the country’s southernmost province, one reaches a historic island named Simunol—quiet, solitary and never usually in a tourist’s itinerary.

Simunol is a speck off the capital town of Bongao, inhabited by peaceful Muslims blessed by the sea’s bounty. Its contribution, however, to the rich history of Islam and the colorful culture of Muslim Filipinos is immense and profound.

Islam was introduced in Simunol in 1380 A.D., way long before the Philippines was discovered by the Spanish conquistadores.

Adventure

Getting there is half the adventure. The only jump-off point is the unimaginably busy Chinese wharf in Bongao. After confusing translations, funny paralinguistic signals and hard bargaining skills, one gets ready for a first-hand experience of the Samas’ seafaring skills honed by lifelong affairs with the Sulu Sea.
Crossing the unknown, silent and vast waters on a small, motorized banca may be one’s most daring challenges. But there are no one-eyed pirates and swelling waves; the feeling of solitude while sailing smoothly by a rosary of white sand islets is priceless.

Arabic chant

Approaching Tubig Indangan in Simunol, a hypnotic experience starts to unfold as the high-pitched Arabic chant welcomes one to its white sand shore. The call for prayer comes from the 629-year-old Sheikh Makhdum Mosque, the oldest Muslim house of worship in the country.

Walking past the houses on stilts framed inland by lush greens, the song becomes fainter, but the sight of the mosque where the first words of the Prophet Mohammad were first heard is clear.

Sheikh Karin Ul Makhdum, an Arab missionary, originally erected the mosque in nipa and logs. The place went through different transformations as the number of the Muslim faithful grew.

After weathering the changes of climate, time and stories of aggressions, what are now left and enshrined under the new mosque are the four solid ipil posts carved in okir by Sama artisans. Interred in the premises is the tomb of its founder.

Best time

The best time to visit is Nov. 6-7, when Bongao celebrates the anniversary of the mosque with the “kinakan” (food festival) and a rare chance to see the locals charm visitors with the “pangalay” (dance form).

This cultural effort of promoting the colors of the island is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ziarah Simunol (Visit Simunol).

As Islam takes on a radically different world-view, an introspective walk-through with the imam (high priest) is a humbling experience. It is fascinating to learn more of its history and how it spread as far as Luzon.

Understanding the power of the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu and its diverse people widens one’s perspective of how they helped shape the nation. It is moving to hear its wisdom on faith and life, of understanding and tolerance. Nothing but wishes of peace and love whispered on a breezy island.

Experience Simunol.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100828-289293/Simunol-Islam-A-peaceful-life

Viewing the Philippines in a Different Light
Posted by Scott Allford on Oct 7th, 2009
Filed Under: Walkabout Pinas


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs027.snc3/11463_205328329063_86996579063_3190478_4154219_n.jpg


If you live outside of the Philippines and you watch or read the news you may feel very justified in believing that the Philippines is a very dangerous country. Savaged by typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and terrorist attacks. You may also be assured in your belief that it is a poor country with images of children picking through garbage, slums, and corruption scandals broadcast in most international news reports. I am not going to deny that these things are true, however, they are not all that the country contains. Not every person in the Philippines is poor, a terrorist, or a victim of terror. In fact other countries around the world suffer from these same problems yet they do not become iconic images of those nations.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs431.snc3/24830_346172529063_86996579063_3735974_1809570_n.jpg



The common view of the Philippines

A few months ago I was at a roof-top birthday party in Makati filled with socialites and expats. Whilst there I was introduced to a German ‘journalist’, and my friend asked him why the Philippines is portrayed in such a negative light in the foreign media. His response was in two parts; Firstly because in his experience he could not sell stories about the Philippines in Germany if they were not about poverty, violence, or corruption. Secondly, he said that because there is so much poverty, violence, and corruption there is nothing else to report on. After saying this he sipped his glass of red wine and was whisked away into a group of Filipino socialites.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs531.ash1/31150_398143869063_86996579063_4424347_5922476_n.jpg

Photo from: http://pedroiho.wordpress.com/2010/03/01/surigao-escapade-marvelous-tinuy-an-falls/

Perhaps the red wine was ‘poor’ in taste, or the fact that that particular roof-top was one of the few in Makati which doesn’t have a swimming pool made him focus on the poverty in the Philippines, or maybe the sounds of merrymaking were ‘violent’ on his ears. I think that it was none of these things. Germany, a developed country, has slums. But if the focus can be moved away from the poverty in the developed countries and put on some islands way out in the Pacific Ocean, then people in developed countries can feel a little bit better.

I remember growing up in Australia, taking garbage out to the dump after cleaning up the garden. I would see Aboriginals picking through the garbage for food. Yet that has never been an iconic image of Australia. I went to ‘water villages’ in Malaysia and Brunei and thought how similar they look to slums in Manila. Yet ‘water villages’ are tourist attractions and the slums here are not. I lived in South Korea a few hundred kilometres away from the DMZ, with jets and helicopters flying overhead all the time it felt like a war zone. In the spring I would have 40 tanks facing in the direction of my apartment. Yet South Korea is generally not viewed or branded as a dangerous country. And South Korea has slums too. Perhaps the time will come when people outside the Philippines will come to realise that the branded image of the Philippines portrayed in the media is only a small piece of the full picture of this country.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs396.snc3/24068_379613014063_86996579063_3972333_6855126_n.jpg


A Different View

Since the Philippines was settled by people 30,000 years ago this country has blossomed into a mix of over 180 indigenous ethnic groups, over half of which also represent unique linguistic groups. This array of cultures, languages, and cultural artifacts cannot be matched by most nations of the world. From the Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and Visayans to the Binukid, Moros, Ati, Igorot, and the T’boli, just to name a few. These cultures are rich, strong and proud and in most cases the people that make up these cultures are very friendly and welcoming to outsiders. On a trip to Sagada I was welcomed into a very warm and friendly Kankanaey family. They showed us around Sagada and told us stories of Kankanaey cultural practices. They even taught me how to wear a traditional bahag (a hand-loomed loin cloth or G-string).

Neighbouring Sagada is Ifugao, with vast rice terraces that shape the mountains of the region. The oldest rice terraces are 6,000 years old, which is 1,000 years older than the oldest pyramid in Egypt. If put end to end the rice terraces dwarf the Great Wall of China and the rice terraces were not made by using slave labor like most other ancient wonders of the world.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs132.snc1/5652_105522954063_86996579063_2279670_3559240_n.jpg

The Banaue Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site. But they are not alone. The Philippines have numerous UNESCO world heritage sites including the Baroque churches of San Agustin Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo. There is also the beautiful and historic town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Furthermore, there are the natural UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.


Lastly the Philippines consists of 7,107 beautiful islands. These islands contain remote beaches and amazing rock formations as well as other natural wonders like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the perfectly conical Mt. Mayon volcano or the stunning Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palwan. But also on these islands is a range of biodiversity not seen in most other places on the planet. In Romblon, Sibuyan Island is known as the Galapagos of Asia as it contains such a diverse range of species which can be found nowhere else on the planet. If you get off these islands and dive into the cool blue-turquoise waters of the Philippines, you may also see some of the richest biodiversity in the world’s seas. The Verde Island Passage has been named as the ‘centre of the centre’ of marine biodiversity in the world. It has over 300 species of corals as well as vast numbers of fish that you will not find anywhere else.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs152.snc1/5652_104965734063_86996579063_2271618_11731_n.jpg

With all that this country has to offer I am baffled as to why it has been branded in such a negative way by the International media. However, I think that more and more people are starting to discover that there is a different side to the Philippines to the one they have been bombarded with for the past few decades. Those who come to the Philippines to seek out the beauty of this country will not be disappointed. However, first time travellers to the Philippines should beware, just like me and many other foreigners, this amazing country may compel you to stay quite a bit longer than you initially planned.


http://tourism-philippines.com/viewing-the-philippines-in-a-different-light/

You can also post Philippine travel and tourism news in

World Travel & Tourism News (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=315981)

and post photos of the different tourism spots of our country in

Pearl of the Orient Seas - The Philippine Islands (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=314462)

Let's bring the tourists back! :cheers:

Definitely!

The best way to promote The Philippines commercial wise is to have foreigners traveling around the country and having a good time. And also in English.

Just like the "Your Home in Asia" campaign.

VsHrw2qR_-A

Also, the ads should focus on the key tourists spots around the country say Boracay, Chocolate Hills, Mayon Volcano, Puerto Princesa Subterrainian Park, Taal Volcano and Banawe Rice Terraces, etc.

These are the kinds of ads I would want to see on CNN and the other major channels!:cheer: It keeps one's interest because it is brief and concise (less than a minute compared to "Nasud Ko " MTV which is more than 8 minutes long), shows foreigners enjoying themselves and interacting with the locals (in fact this is even better than some of the Malaysia Truly Asia campaigns because most of them are focused on sights and sounds instead of human interactions), and has a good song to boot (David Benoit's "Land of the Loving"). Am I right in guessing that the song is Lea Salonga's version?

Thanks Wanch, this is a good find on a potential tourism booster!:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Philippines 101 – Origin of Myth
Posted by Scott Allford on Apr 19th, 2010
Filed Under: Walkabout Pinas


While writing about the media’s negative portrayal of the Philippines in my article ‘Viewing the Philippines in a Different Light’, I was “baffled as to why [The Philippines] has been branded in such a negative way by the International media.” Since then I have come to realize that a lot of negativity towards this beautiful country comes out of misinformation, uninformed opinions/ideas and perhaps a little prejudice. After months of reading blogs and articles it became clear that these common themes were the root of most ‘anti-Pinoy’ commentary online. So it’s time to look at the facts and examine some of the negative myths that surround this country.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs198.snc1/6692_100011864063_86996579063_2189548_6688721_n.jpg


Philippine Geography

Last night I was online and got a message from a relative in Australia asking if I was okay after the bombing in Basilan. I replied that Basilan is over 1,000 kilometers (well over 600 miles) from Manila and is just off the coast of Malaysia. She then replied that she really needs to get an atlas. Most people around the world need to not only get an atlas, but also read it when it comes to the Philippines.

http://tourism-philippines.com/images/batanes2.jpg

Just to help those who don’t know -The Philippines is the 12th most populated nation on Earth and is made up of 7,107 islands which stretch over 2,000 kilometers (Well over 1,200 miles) from Batanes in the north to Tawi-tawi in the south. Politically the country is divided into 80 provinces, 17 Regions and 3 Island Groups: Luzon in the north (where Manila is), Visayas in the centre and Mindanao in the south.


The Geography of Danger

It seems that many people overseas think that the whole of the Philippines is constantly experiencing problems with terrorist attacks. However, most of the troubles of this nature in Philippines are in the south western portion of the island of Mindanao which is over 1,000 kilometers to the south of the Philippine capital of Manila. Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines and the 19th largest in the world making it just over 1.5 times the size of Tasmania.

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Speaking of Tasmania, let’s focus on one problem I have. Back in 1996 in Port Arthur, Tasmania when Martin Bryant went on what was at the time the world’s worst killing spree and shot 35 people who were mostly tourists; massive numbers of people didn’t suddenly cancel their trips to Australia or even the cities of Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania. Yet last year in November when the Maguindanao Massacre happened (57 killed in a politically motivated attack) people suddenly cancelled tours around Manila and jumped on the next plane back to their home countries. Maguindanao is literally on the other side of the country from Manila. It would be like people cancelling tours in New York when the LA riots happened, ridiculous.

This ignorance of Philippine geography is not only prevalent amongst foreign travellers but also amongst some Filipinos and some expats living in the Philippines. Many times I hear from people in Manila that Mindanao is dangerous and a no go zone. I went to Northern Mindanao last year and had a great time. I also met a lot of really friendly locals who helped me as much as they could on my travels. I travelled by taxi, tricycle, ferry, local (non air conditioned) bus, multicab, a friendly stranger’s brother’s van and also just walked. There was no point along the way that I felt like I was in danger. I also hear from foreigners who live in or travel in the more notorious parts of Mindanao, that they had similar experiences to mine. Perhaps it just comes down to having some good old fashioned street smarts when you travel.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs178.snc3/20544_303709534063_86996579063_3595746_1497835_n.jpg

Official Misinformation

Earlier this week, I was looking at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s travel advisory website and was surprised to learn that their level of caution for the Philippines is exactly the same as Thailand. Thailand has bombings in the south just like the Philippines but that’s about where the similarities end. Thailand also has border skirmishes with Cambodia, Bird Flu, the Thai Government has declared a state of Emergency and people are dying on the streets of Bangkok amidst grenade attacks, shootings and the current protests by the Red Shirts. I was also surprised to learn that the site warns about the eruption of the beautiful Mayon Volcano in the Philippines. This volcano did have a small eruption back in December (concerned relatives in Australia asked if I was in danger even though Mayon is about 450 km away from Manila) and tourists actually flocked to Albay Province to take pictures of the streaming lava at night. It has since died down and I took my mother there last month and it really didn’t seem like a “hazardous magmatic eruption” was going to happen, as the DFAT suggests. In fact, PHILVOLCS agrees with my observation stating:

“This is a notice for the lowering of Mayon Volcano’s status from Alert Level 2 (evidence of magmatic intrusion that could eventually lead to an eruption) to Alert Level 1 (no hazardous eruption imminent).”

Even though PHILVOLCS issued this update on March 2, 2010, the DFAT website currently states that their advice on the danger of Mayon erupting “…is current for Friday, 16 April 2010.” It is sites like this which present a dangerous Philippines that just doesn’t seem to exist in reality.

Is it safe?
On our Tourism Philippines Facebook Fanpage (www.facebook.com/TourismPhilippines) the other week an American man asked if it was safe to come to the Philippines. Here is my response in which I quoted http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php :

“For murder per capita (US #24/Philippines not in top 62), rape (US #1/Philippines not in top 84), burglary (US #1/ Philippines not in top 68), executions (US #7/Philippines not on the list) the US is far more dangerous than the Philippines.”


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Makati_skyline_mjlsha.jpg/960px-Makati_skyline_mjlsha.jpg


The question of safety in the Philippines has to be one of the most common ones I hear and I believe it is so prevalent due the spread of misinformation and uninformed opinions that have spread across the internet and the media in general.

I have asked many people in the Philippines if they think it is dangerous here and the most common responses are either “No.” or “It’s no more dangerous than any other country, you just need to be a little street smart.” I totally agree with these comments. I wouldn’t walk down a street in a bad area I’m not familiar with at 3am in Manila. I also wouldn’t do the same in London, New York or Sydney for that matter. I’m also not the kind of traveller who arrives in a destination without knowing anything about the place. As travellers we must have some personal responsibility. On landing in Hanoi back in 2006, I hadn’t read up on the best way to get from the airport and was quite sleepy so my internal currency converter wasn’t working well. As a result, I was majorly ripped off by an unlicensed taxi driver. Ultimately, it was my own fault for not being prepared.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii177/ericlucky290/DPP/FortSantiago.jpg

Crab Mentality / Tall Poppy Syndrome

After my previous article on the Philippines being portrayed negatively in foreign media was posted on countless blogs, a lot of people had their say about what I wrote. While a lot of the feedback was positive, there were also countless negative responses. One Filipino referred to Manila as a “festering sore” and others focused on corruption in the Philippines or poverty. While I have never stated that the Philippines has never had problems, I do feel that the over promotion of the negative aspects of this country has managed to squash most of the good that comes out of the Philippines. I also view this as a vicious cycle which gradually diminishes the pride of country that Filipinos have and erodes the international image of this nation further. I say this because it is exactly what I witnessed on the blogs. I wrote something good about the Philippines and many Filipinos ignored the positives and went back to saying how terrible the country is.

Our own Worst Enemy
Jojo A. Robles wrote on this in the Manila Standard in response to my article stating that:

“no one can out-criticize Filipinos like the Filipinos themselves, as we do every single day in our own media……. if we are to stop people in other countries from thinking that we live in a hopelessly corrupt, poor and dangerous country, perhaps we should begin by ending our own persistent and oft-stated belief that we do so in the first place.”

Last December when I took a walk through Quiapo in Manila with Carlos Celdran, I saw many of the things that may lead a person to think of Manila as a ‘festering sore’, however, I really enjoyed the experience and actually went back the following month. The culture and history of Quiapo is really quite amazing and all you have to do is walk down Hidalgo Street or around the occult stalls beside Quiapo Church to see it for yourself. I guess that one man’s trash can truly be another’s treasure and to quote Carlos Celdran, “You can’t change the way Manila looks, but you can change the way you look at Manila.” This country really needs a vast number of its citizens to change their perspectives in order to create a better image of The Philippines on the world stage.


http://ourparadisephilippines.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/manila_ocean_park_ourparadisephilippines.jpg


What it all boils down to in the end is that no country is perfect, but each is unique and beautiful in its own way. Sadly, the image of the Philippines has been under attack from all angles for quite some time. Nevertheless, many Filipinos and foreign visitors are starting to discover that while the Philippines does have many problems, it also has so many amazing experiences to offer if you’re willing to seek them out. As more people experience this country and word gets out, the perceptions of both locals and foreigners are becoming more informed. Ryan Buaron recently posted on our Facebook Fanpage (www.facebook.com/TourismPhilippines): “When we see something amazing in the Philippines, we usually exclaim “Parang hindi sa Pilipinas! (Looks like it’s not in the Philippines!) – WRONG. It should be – “Ang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas!” (The Philippines is really beautiful!).” As a result of this change in thinking, Pinoy Pride is slowly on the rise and the astounding ecological and cultural beauty of the Philippines and the warmth of its people are starting to become more than dull whispers to travelers around the world.


http://www.pinoylife.jp/img/news/Sinulog-Festival.jpg

^^ We have a great country. Everything has been endowed to us. Our mindset had been the only thing hampering us. I hope our somewhat "underdog" status in tourism would go into something more.

Kaya pag may maganda sa isang lugar dapat ipagmalaking sa Pilipinas ito at hwag nang sabihing parang hindi sa Pinas :lol:

^^ I actually want to ask the mods to change the thread named "Parang hindi sa Pilipinas" to "Sa Pilipinas 'to!"

Kaya pag may maganda sa isang lugar dapat ipagmalaking sa Pilipinas ito at hwag nang sabihing parang hindi sa Pinas :lol:

101% tumpak. I remember posting same comment as yours... :)

But don't you know why travellers avoiding to travel in the Philippines? It is because they know very well aboout Manila. Manila itself is a place where travellers think is a chaotic city. Asked a tourist visiting Langkawi... i said, Im from the Philippines, do you know about Manila? "Yes, but is it beautiful there? Coz I see in TV that it is chaotic there and dangerous"...

Manila is far from a chaotic Mindanao but its image is also as bad as of Mindanao... So no where to go...:ohno:
As a representation of our country, we should improve Manila's image first.

If they know very well about Manila then they supposed to know that it's not all being chaotic city. And i must agree that Manila's image should improve first. How? It's up to the people because we can't expect from our government.

If they know very well about Manila then they supposed to know that it's not all being chaotic city. And i must agree that Manila's image should improve first. How? It's up to the people because we can't expect from our government.

So, what is the purpose of the government? Ask tax for nothing?

^^ I definitely agree, even my perception of Manila in the late 90's (while I was a student at UST for 10 yrs.) wasn't that good either. It looked old and grimy to me.

Mausok ang tambucho ng mga bus at jeepney, madalang ang mga puno at halamanan sa si sidewalk na makitid madilim pag gabi at puno ng kalat at ng basura. bahin ang mga kalye at dumarami ang mga batang namamalimos nuong mga panahong iyon

That is why we should clean it up, preserve our heritage buidings and restore order in the street. :okay:



:horse:

^^ I definitely agree, even my perception of Manila in the late 90's (while I was a student at UST for 10 yrs.) wasn't that good either. It looked old and grimy to me.



That is why we should clean it up, preserve our heritage buidings and restore order in the street. :okay:



:horse:

Aatakehin ako sa puso sa pagpapabaya sa mga Heritage Buildings natin.

Example na lang nito:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs169.snc3/19662_251138026281_530586281_4832361_2635905_n.jpg


That's an American era building sa Iwahig Penal Colony. Sira sira na ang sides nyan at daming butas sa bubong. Ginawa na lang na badminton court ng mga preso. Nakakalungkot. Kuha ko yan last Dec. 25.


Heto naman ang preservation ng National Historical Institute sa Rizal Shrine sa Calamba, Laguna. Well last year yan. Ginawang kulay avocado. Kaya namula ako sa inis habang kinakausap ko ang curator. Tignan mo, hindi ako mukhang masaya sa picture.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6730_120639056281_530586281_3457200_6700184_n.jpg

Aatakehin ako sa puso sa pagpapabaya sa mga Heritage Buildings natin.

Example na lang nito:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs169.snc3/19662_251138026281_530586281_4832361_2635905_n.jpg


That's an American era building sa Iwahig Penal Colony. Sira sira na ang sides nyan at daming butas sa bubong. Ginawa na lang na badminton court ng mga preso. Nakakalungkot. Kuha ko yan last Dec. 25.


Heto naman ang preservation ng National Historical Institute sa Rizal Shrine sa Calamba, Laguna. Well last year yan. Ginawang kulay avocado. Kaya namula ako sa inis habang kinakausap ko ang curator. Tignan mo, hindi ako mukhang masaya sa picture.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6730_120639056281_530586281_3457200_6700184_n.jpg

Doctor po ang pumili nang color na yan. Mabuti at di sakop nang MMDA yan, kundi, pink sana yan. Kasi pag mga bagay na yan, kailangan doktor po ang pumili nang kulay.

Since, our officials are known for covering a mistake with another mistake, I won't be surprise if they will put "Rizal's Playhouse" signage in the front door.

^^ It's actually a grave insult to our heritage. Tapos papuna-puna pa sila sa kanta ng bawat Manny Pacquiao fight? :ohno:

Thankfully, they're reviving the Metropolitan Theater's Art Deco and that's what I'm happy about

^^ It's actually a grave insult to our heritage. Tapos papuna-puna pa sila sa kanta ng bawat Manny Pacquiao fight? :ohno:

Thankfully, they're reviving the Metropolitan Theater's Art Deco and that's what I'm happy about

I was at the soft reopening of the Manila Met this year. Mahanap nga ang photos ko. Needs a lot of work too. I was just pissed off because the event was turned into a political rally for Noy, no thanks to Mayor Lim. Glad to bump into HCS chief Gemma Araneta.

Doctor po ang pumili nang color na yan. Mabuti at di sakop nang MMDA yan, kundi, pink sana yan. Kasi pag mga bagay na yan, kailangan doktor po ang pumili nang kulay.

Since, our officials are known for covering a mistake with another mistake, I won't be surprise if they will put "Rizal's Playhouse" signage in the front door.

Sinong doctor? si Doctor Jose P. Rizal ba?

Ano ang kinalaman ng mga doctor sa pagpili ng kulay ng pintura?:ohno:

I am a doctor, but don't count on me to choose the right color for your wall.
para sa akin it is always WHITE. Paint it WHITE! :cheers2:
BORING WHITE---that is what my wife always says.


:horse:

Heto ang justification nila:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6730_120639001281_530586281_3457192_2743684_n.jpg

Sinong doctor? si Doctor Jose P. Rizal ba?

Ano ang kinalaman ng mga doctor sa pagpili ng kulay ng pintura?:ohno:

I am a doctor, but don't count on me to choose the right color for your wall.
para sa akin it is always WHITE. Paint it WHITE! :cheers2:
BORING WHITE---that is what my wife always says.


:horse:

I can't remember his name, but from what i learned, he is the head of NHI, the agency in-charge in deciding whether to save, vandalize or completely destroy a heritage structure.

He is a doctor in history, I think.

But don't you know why travellers avoiding to travel in the Philippines? It is because they know very well aboout Manila. Manila itself is a place where travellers think is a chaotic city. Asked a tourist visiting Langkawi... i said, Im from the Philippines, do you know about Manila? "Yes, but is it beautiful there? Coz I see in TV that it is chaotic there and dangerous"...

Manila is far from a chaotic Mindanao but its image is also as bad as of Mindanao... So no where to go...:ohno:
As a representation of our country, we should improve Manila's image first.

Careful bai, because not all of Mindanao is chaotic. In fact, most of Mindanao is peaceful. But you know this of course, hehe. But make it clear so as not to be misunderstood and misinterpreted.

Heto ang justification nila:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6730_120639001281_530586281_3457192_2743684_n.jpg

Then why did they paint the whole thing in green? Pwede naman pala sana iretain ang natural stone color ng lower floor tapos they can paint the upper floor green.

Careful bai, because not all of Mindanao is chaotic. In fact, most of Mindanao is peaceful. But you know this of course, hehe. But make it clear so as not to be misunderstood and misinterpreted.


But it's Mindanao that they know that is chaotic. If I tell them Basilan is beautiful, they will say I will definitely go to Basilan but I don't wanna go to Mindanao.lol. But if they ask, i explain to them that only the Southern tip of Mindanao is chaotic... And they will answer me with "ahhh, I seee"... Maniniwala naman. hehe

I can't remember his name, but from what i learned, he is the head of NHI, the agency in-charge in deciding whether to save, vandalize or completely destroy a heritage structure.

He is a doctor in history, I think.

I have all the respect for Ambeth Ocampo but this is totally wrong.

Heto ang justification nila:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6730_120639001281_530586281_3457192_2743684_n.jpg

Maganda at magaling... Dapat silang maging endorser ng Safegard kagaya ng ABS-CBN. Dapat maghugas ng kamay.

“When we see something amazing in the Philippines, we usually exclaim “Parang hindi sa Pilipinas! (Looks like it’s not in the Philippines!) – WRONG. It should be – “Ang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas!”

To my personal experience this is usually said when we see often nice wealthy neighbourhoods or relatively untouched or deserted scenery or fake mockups of other places, so should we really say these things just to make ourselves feel better ?.

Imo we should ignore popularity contests we cant win or feel bad about negative comments, we need to be able to take criticisms and negative input and process them through introspection and have the ability to then draw the right conclusions and improve ourselves .

The country and its people does have potential but as with most things in the country they are diamonds in the rough awaiting to be developed to their potential, instead of trying to fool ourselves or make ourselves feel better into complacency we should see things from a more realistic point of view and be doubly concerned and doubly hawkish of our political system and its failings to deliver real development and quality of life for our people .

Until then we should portray ourselves more modestly and more realistically to the world because theres nothing more convincing than the truth, we must not create false hypes or overly boastful claims, its better to be modest and for such modesty to be proven wrong than the other way around .

Then why did they paint the whole thing in green? Pwede naman pala sana iretain ang natural stone color ng lower floor tapos they can paint the upper floor green.That's what I thought too and the upper floor should be the palest of green if it has to be green at all.

During the soft opening of the Manila Met:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108737100_724977100_4374473_5338308_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108702100_724977100_4374467_6034050_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108722100_724977100_4374471_4358920_n.jpg

With our expat writer and Gemma Araneta. Syempre ako ang photographer.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108677100_724977100_4374464_6076948_n.jpg

^^ Kung pwede lang i-transplant and MET at ilagay sa ibang lugar mas magiging attraction pa siya. Or why not push for Art Deco Revivalism in our buildings?

^^ Kung pwede lang i-transplant and MET at ilagay sa ibang lugar mas magiging attraction pa siya. Or why not push for Art Deco Revivalism in our buildings?

Actually, okay naman yung kinalalagyan ng Met ngayon. Sinira lang ng kung sinong Poncio Pilatong Presidente ang naglagay ng Flyover sa harap nyan. If Met can be revived plus Binondo, Quiapo, Liwasang Bonifacio and Post Office, napakaganda ng area na yan sana.

^^ I actually want to ask the mods to change the thread named "Parang hindi sa Pilipinas" to "Sa Pilipinas 'to!"

oo nga para kasing ang pakahulugan walang maganda sa Pinas.

Last time umuwi ako may kasabay akong foreigner sa bus papunta syang Baguio. Tingin ko European sya.

He said something that would make you proud regarding SCTEX., ang sabi nya "wow i never imagined roads are this beautiful in the Philippines"

Maganda at magaling... Dapat silang maging endorser ng Safegard kagaya ng ABS-CBN. Dapat maghugas ng kamay.

Ang pangit ng justification. Dahil Rizal comes from ricial meaning green fields? Eh diba hindi naman Rizal ang real last name nya? Pano kung Arco Iris ang apellido ni Jose? Eh di rainbow na ang kulay ng bahay?

During the soft opening of the Manila Met:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108737100_724977100_4374473_5338308_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108702100_724977100_4374467_6034050_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108722100_724977100_4374471_4358920_n.jpg

With our expat writer and Gemma Araneta. Syempre ako ang photographer.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs568.snc3/31022_382108677100_724977100_4374464_6076948_n.jpg

Sana maiayos na yan at ibid ang Philippines to host Miss Universe!!!:)

^^Mukhang hindi sila kakasya sa Met para sa Ms. Universe...

^^Mukhang hindi sila kakasya sa Met para sa Ms. Universe...

sabi ni butch francisco ng phil star... hindi na daw natin kayang maghost ng event like Miss Universe kasi daw hindi na natin afford.

Tanong ko lang? Pati ba naman yun hindi natin makayanan? O ano na lang kaya nating ihost? Cooking show???

Yung Singapore nga naghost na ng Youth Olympics at ang ganda ng presentation nila.. sana kahit yun man lang magawa natin dito sa atin. :ohno:

^^ It's a stupid thing. Halos wala na tayong budget para sa lahat pag nagkaganun.

Actually, okay naman yung kinalalagyan ng Met ngayon. Sinira lang ng kung sinong Poncio Pilatong Presidente ang naglagay ng Flyover sa harap nyan. If Met can be revived plus Binondo, Quiapo, Liwasang Bonifacio and Post Office, napakaganda ng area na yan sana.

I'd like it to be put in a better place. Siguro dismantle it carefully and transplant it somewhere. The Met was a victim of the modern times and Manila's poor urban planning.

I'd like it to be put in a better place. Siguro dismantle it carefully and transplant it somewhere. The Met was a victim of the modern times and Manila's poor urban planning.

the location, however, is as historic as the structure. to preserve it from crumbling into dust is enough effort, at least for now. we can build bigger and better-design buildings somewhere else to serve a similar function as the MET if there's such a need. and if we finally have enough funds, we can bury the flyover underground and redevelop everything there.

I'd like it to be put in a better place. Siguro dismantle it carefully and transplant it somewhere. The Met was a victim of the modern times and Manila's poor urban planning.

^^ I dunno sir, but medyo I prefer it to be in the same place kase these structures make the cities have more character.. and I can't see any other places to put it.

^^ Oh well, just my rant.

^^ Oh well, just my rant.


Aw sus no prob..

But yeah, have you visited the Nat'l Museum? Very interesting plans of the city actually.

Eto sana ang plano:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs431.ash1/23836_416696096281_530586281_5722117_4283819_n.jpg

Come to think of it, Seoul's "Infinitely Yours " tourism campaign does not show westerners visiting the city but more focus on the city's locals and Asian tourists.

The campaign is presented in different version as focused to the country they are promoting.

azwEWeh12Wk

A recent one featured popular K-Pop groups and local youths. No foreign tourists.

But again, these K-Pop groups are popular throughout Asia and are the best groups to promote their city.

Unfortunately, Filipino OPM groups are not as widely recognized as them. Its better to stick to the foreigner traveling around The Philippines concept rather than having Happyslip and her friends or OPM groups singing and promoting the country in a language that most in the world could not understand.

I still love Manila.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs370.snc3/23786_416700241281_530586281_5722258_4074039_n.jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs390.snc3/23786_416700296281_530586281_5722268_4007616_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs390.snc3/23786_416700276281_530586281_5722264_1190846_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs426.ash1/23606_416694896281_530586281_5722073_38882_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs366.snc3/23606_416694811281_530586281_5722059_4125142_n.jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs370.snc3/23786_416700231281_530586281_5722256_3778852_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs462.ash1/25395_378318177100_724977100_4277568_3698932_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs462.ash1/25395_378320427100_724977100_4277632_156735_n.jpg

Despite the tragedies that happened, Manila to keep itself alive and kicking. It has to continue its festive vibe by having various parties, concerts and events.

Some upcoming ones

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kf6Cmm7gIGk/TDdajN_3ZfI/AAAAAAAABR4/rSQyovSHC_8/s1600/Jay+Sean+Live+in+Manila.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ROXZFfuHbrs/TFQMyraMveI/AAAAAAAAMek/aWHX2s8BdsU/s1600/adam+lambert+live+in+manila.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H8Ol9dzMWwc/TGaC4Q8u_sI/AAAAAAAAASQ/wreX45PEQoE/s1600/40248_418734237873_563892873_4869960_5963842_n.jpg

Aw sus no prob..

But yeah, have you visited the Nat'l Museum? Very interesting plans of the city actually.

Eto sana ang plano:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs431.ash1/23836_416696096281_530586281_5722117_4283819_n.jpg

I haven't visited it but I hope to be. And ang lapit lang din ng Ayala Museum at Yuchengco Museum.

Isa pang inaabangan ay ang "MIND MUSEUM."

I haven't visited it but I hope to be. And ang lapit lang din ng Ayala Museum at Yuchengco Museum.

Isa pang inaabangan ay ang "MIND MUSEUM."

Yes I am looking forward for the Mind Museum. Ayala Museum, I've been there at least twice.

Ayala Museum:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs376.snc3/24068_377639399063_86996579063_3919632_2166128_n.jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs376.snc3/24068_377639359063_86996579063_3919624_2182672_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs436.ash1/24068_377639314063_86996579063_3919615_7233975_n.jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs436.ash1/24068_377639364063_86996579063_3919625_7280544_n.jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs436.ash1/24068_377639379063_86996579063_3919628_4665763_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs376.snc3/24068_377639374063_86996579063_3919627_5142840_n.jpg

All photos are owned by Ayala Museum.

^^ Ayala does have a Pinoy side to himself (his malls not only cater to the high end but also maintain Pinoy image and roots.)

As far as I know, the thing that Sy contributed in museum so far was the NIDO Science Museum in MoA.

The Philippine Treasures:

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6mYAHUq6bck

QgdMsZ73t-4

VwNRf8Mlb1M

D384VgzEg8M


QaEi6JpP7AU

z4lcr4bJ_tg

Vm-ASKMwxCM

7OOgqKXBU8s

^^ Kung pwede lang i-transplant and MET at ilagay sa ibang lugar mas magiging attraction pa siya. Or why not push for Art Deco Revivalism in our buildings?Art Deco Revivalism?!?!???? That went out the door when the Jai Alai Building on Taft Avenue was systematically demolished by the (dis)Honorable José L. Atienza. :mad:

The University of Santo Tomás should revoke his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture (dishonoris causa).

Requiescat in Pace
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kuwmyBo8CSI/SvtKD9gG1FI/AAAAAAAAAAU/NflT6NG8ysI/s320/6360_105151177766_101164622766_2042678_3161938_n.jpg

^^ :ohno:

Or push for a more Raygun Gothic design. I think what makes Tourism in a country is on how unique we could get. Aside from those museums, we should also push for the arts in our public places.

I could almost smell the Moscow Subway:

http://www.trekexchange.com/images/Moscow_Metro.jpg

Save from the "parang sa ibang bansa" thing. nice vid

fk94tg_-2MQ

The "Your Home in Asia" campaign shown on Korean television.

xbXp_OPr2Ik

Time to pick up the slack mga kababayan, NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL AND SUPPORT PHILIPPINE TOURISM.


Boracay reels from backlash of Manila hostage crisis
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 04:03:00 08/31/2010


ILOILO CITY—Boracay, the country’s premier tourist destination, has lost at least P15 million in canceled bookings by tourists from Hong Kong and China following the bloody hostage-taking in Manila last week, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Edwin Trompeta, tourism regional director, said 500 visitors from China and its special territory had called off their trip to the resort island scheduled in the next few weeks based on reports reaching his office.

Tourists usually stay for two to four nights on the island, Trompeta said in a telephone interview on Monday.

In one resort alone, some P5.8-million worth of reserved rooms were canceled in the aftermath of the hostage-taking at Quirino Grandstand on Aug. 23 that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong Chinese. Six other resorts and hotels reported canceled bookings amounting to as much as P650,000 each.

The loss of potential revenues included transportation, food, souvenir and entertainment, which could reach between P15 million and P20 million, according to Trompeta.

“These losses only cover canceled reservations and we have to consider potential bookings that could be called off because of what happened,” he said.

While the situation was expected to improve, Trompeta said the extent of the hostage-taking’s impact on the country’s tourism industry would be known by mid-September, just before the season starts to peak in Boracay and other tourist destinations.

Around 60,000 tourists from China and Hong Kong visit Western Visayas, mostly in Boracay, each year.

Trompeta said the first three months after the incident would be critical and the tourism industry would need to be more aggressive in its promotional campaigns.

“We have to rely on our domestic market, on our fellow Filipinos, to cover whatever slack in tourist arrivals,” he said.

The DOT has set up a vigil center at its regional office in Iloilo City where mourners and sympathizers of the victims of the hostage-taking could light candles and offer flowers and prayers.

“This way, we can show and let everyone know, especially the tourists, that we do not condone the hostage-taking and killing of their compatriots. Nobody wanted this to happen and we are sorry that this happened,” Trompeta said.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100831-289651/Boracay-reels-from-backlash-of-Manila-hostage-crisis

To sweeten the deal...


Special airfares for Batanes, Boracay, and Tablas

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:33:00 08/31/2010

MANILA, Philippines--Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair) will offer a buy 1-take 1 Batanes roundtrip promo and up to 75-percent off on Boracay and Tablas roundtrip tickets at the 21st Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) sale on September 3-5 at Booths 108-109, SM Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall.

Travelers can purchase buy 1-take 1 Batanes roundtrip tickets for only P14,344 all-in for travel until December 19, 2010. Boracay and Tablas roundtrip tickets will be at P3,500 all-in for travel until October 15, 2010, and P4,463 all-in for travel from October 16 to December 19, 2010.

The Boracay experience is further enhanced with the Seair special service advantages for Caticlan-bound passengers. Passengers enjoy complimentary transfers from the Caticlan airport to Boracay and vice versa, the shortest queues and airport check-in procedures, the fastest baggage claims, and exclusive boarding pass privileges in partner establishments in Boracay and Manila. Seair offers the fastest flights to Boracay at just 35 minutes.

Seair helped developed the northern province of Batanes into the major tourist destination that it has become today. The province has fpir seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall), a quaint rural vibe and a beauty similar to the idyllic European countryside. With green pastures overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and windmills and lighthouses dotting its pastoral landscape, Batanes is now becoming the next best year-round destination in the Philippines.

Tablas is the largest among 20 islands in Romblon. The province has some of the most breathtaking unspoiled white sand beaches in the country and has panoramic views reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Romblon produces world-class quality marble and is nicknamed “Marble Country.”

Seair the nation's second-oldest airline and has flown almost 3 million passengers to tourist destinations including Boracay, Batanes, Tablas (Romblon), Cebu, and Clark. Seair offers the most routes from Caticlan with flights from Caticlan to Cebu, Clark, and Manila.

PTM is the biggest travel, tourism, and trade show in the country and is spearheaded by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa).

Fly Seair and rediscover the joy of flight--speed, convenience, personalized service. Go to www.FlySeair.com for the best deals or call (+632) 8490100 for more information.

Romblon:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc89/asrobinson/knife_edge.jpg

Batanes:

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzfmoj0TYp1qb1msmo1_500.jpg

Boracay:

http://www.ourworldtravels.com/owt/philippines/gallery/boracay-at-its-best-l.jpg

Mahal naman ng Batanes... Gusto ko talagang maka punta sa Batanes...


@ Taipei Main Station.
http://a.imageshack.us/img827/5059/taipeimsad.jpg

^^Yes. It's high time for us to rediscover our own country.

23rd Anniversary of the Marian Apparition in Pagadian will be on September 8, 2010. To organize a pilgrimage please visit the City tourism office and asked the location of Lorenzo Heights Subdivision. Pilgrims are requested to plant in the site a cross to represent their place and their intention. Before they will plant the cross they are to carry it together while praying the station of the cross.
To read the story of the apparition see:http://marianapparitioninpagadian.blogspot.com/

The City will not help develop the shrine of the Eternal Father if no pilgrims will come to pray to the site where Our Lady appeared and God manifest their presence in a most tangible way.

For petition and intention email: lluchgarces@yahoo.com- they will be glad to give your prayer intention to be included in the prayers of the visionary.

As of this moment, no news yet of tour cancellations in Cebu...:)

As of this moment, no news yet of tour cancellations in Cebu...:)

Buti naman.


Mahal naman ng Batanes... Gusto ko talagang maka punta sa Batanes...

Kaya mo yan, kuripot ka lang eh. Sobrang sulit ang Batanes, hindi ka manghihinayang sa pera mo.

kahit ako gusto kong makarating sa Batanes. May hotel ba sa Batanes?

kahit ako gusto kong makarating sa Batanes. May hotel ba sa Batanes?

http://www.flyseair.com/destinations/batanes/wheretostay

Buti naman.




Kaya mo yan, kuripot ka lang eh. Sobrang sulit ang Batanes, hindi ka manghihinayang sa pera mo.

lol... kuripot. praktikal lang, may problema sa ngayon e... di ako makaka punta ng ibat ibang bansa kung kuripot ako, para lang makita ang lugar nila...


As a typhoon fanatic, I wanna see the the typhoon free island of Batanes :yes:

HONGKONG TOURISTS VISIT CdeO:

http://www.pia.gov.ph/press/image/100831-r10-jaraula.jpg

http://www.pia.gov.ph/press/image/100831-r10-visitors.jpg

Hongkong tourists, led by Cagayan de Oro natives Rosita S. Go and her two other sisters, and Mr. Hong See, spend Sunday afternoon with former City Mayor Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula and Divina Jaraula at their humble Woodhouse residence in barangay Indahag, Aug. 29, 2010 while thousands of Chinese people staged a grievance/protest rally in Hongkong in relation to the hostage-taking disaster at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Monday last week.

kahit ako gusto kong makarating sa Batanes. May hotel ba sa Batanes?

Fundacion Pacita.

Read my travel guide on Batanes here-

http://tourism-philippines.com/batanes

Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, last Saturday


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4944417323_0b495dfa7b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetboxers/4944417323/)
Philippine Pavilion at Expo2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetboxers/4944417323/) by wetboxers (http://www.flickr.com/people/wetboxers/), on Flickr

Pati Cebu Pac nakisakay din sa uso. Haha.

Major, Major Low Fares! CEB gears for Beijing launch with China and Hong Kong seat sale as low as P599!


The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) is set to launch its 16th international destination this September 5, 2010, with its maiden Manila-Beijing-Manila flights!

We are excited to begin our Beijing operations and so we are slashing up to 82% off the lowest year-round ‘Go Lite’ fares in a China and Hong Kong seat sale from now until August 31, 2010 or until seats last!

For travel from October 1 to November 30, 2010, you can travel from Clark to Hong Kong on P599 ‘Go Lite’ seats. From Manila to Hong Kong, fly on P799 ‘Go Lite’ seats, while those from Cebu traveling to Hong Kong can avail of P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats.

Guests traveling from Manila to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou can avail of P888 ‘Go Lite’ seats for travel from December 1 to 31, 2010!

Hurry, the Major, Major Low Fares are available now at www.cebupacificair.com!

hindi kaya ako makarate ng mga Ninja doon?:D

sold out na yung promo fares

By Rose Eclarinal, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 08/31/2010 12:33 PM | Updated as of 08/31/2010 2:07 PM


LONDON - The United Kingdom provides the biggest number of tourists to the Philippines from Europe.

Last year, there were around 90,000 UK nationals who visited the country. The level is set to be exceeded this year. But after the blundered police operation that ended the 11-hour bus siege in Manila, killing 8 tourists from Hong Kong and Canada, tour operators in the UK are concerned that it might affect the number of British tourists visiting the country.

Two British nationals survived the hostage drama but they were emotionally and psychologically scarred just like the other survivors of the traumatic assault.

Many Brits also sympathized with the former British Crown Colony, feeling sorry for the victims and families of the bloodbath in Manila. The backlash of the bungled-up operation was expected in the UK as well as its ripple effects, particularly on tourism.

But Filipino-owned travel agencies said the incident has not affected their businesses as yet.

The Philippine Embassy in London said the UK government has not issued a travel ban.

“The Embassy has been in touch with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They confirmed that the British government has not upgraded the level of its Travel Advise for the Philippines and is not advising against travel to the Country. Only a factual reference was added into the current text on the advise,” said Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo.

Hong Kong immediately issued a ‘black’ travel warning, urging its nationals to cancel all travel to the Philippines and calling Hong Kong nationals travelling in the Philippines to cut short their visit and leave the country as soon as possible.

The UK did not take this route and assured continued good relations with the Philippines.

In a separate statement on the matter, British Ambassador to Philippines Stephen Lillie made the same pronouncement on Wednesday and also extended condolences to the families of the innocent victims.

Lagdameo also assured that the incident last week ‘will not have an impact on the strong relationship between the Philippines and Britain.

The Philippine Embassy’s flag was at half-mast on Wednesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning declared by the President.

“The Embassy joins the entire Filipino nations in expressing condolences to the families of the victims of the hostage incident in Manila on Monday, 23 August,” Lagdameo added.

sold out na yung promo fares

Parati namang ganyan ang Cebu Pacific. Parating sold out na.

limited seats lang namn kasi yan:D

My shots of IFUGAO in Lomos.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs578.snc3/31518_432550301281_530586281_6125612_3484069_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs598.snc3/31518_432549421281_530586281_6125579_4296718_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs598.snc3/31518_432550281281_530586281_6125609_6629902_n.jpg

As of this moment, no news yet of tour cancellations in Cebu...:)

:cheers2:



As a typhoon fanatic, I wanna see the the typhoon free island of Batanes* :yes:

I wasn't aware of this.*
I thought only southern Mindanao is the only place in the country less prone to typhoons!
Terima kasih!



:horse:

:cheers2:



I wasn't aware of this.*
I thought only southern Mindanao is the only place in the country less prone to typhoons!
Terima kasih!



:horse:

I believe that remark was out of sarcasm. Batanes is not typhoon free.

^^naman! We all know naman na Batanes ay daanan ng bagyo... Paradox? kailangan pa bang imemorize yan? Knowing na ang nag post typhoon fanatic pa...lol

Please help. Kailangan ko ng

Top 5 hotels in the Visayas region

Top 5 hotels MIndanao region.

baka meron kayong links, makisuyo na lang.
Thanks.

^^naman! We all know naman na Batanes ay daanan ng bagyo... Paradox? kailangan pa bang imemorize yan? Knowing na ang nag post typhoon fanatic pa...lol

I think you meant sarcasm not as paradox.



Please help. Kailangan ko ng

Top 5 hotels in the Visayas region

Top 5 hotels MIndanao region.

baka meron kayong links, makisuyo na lang.
Thanks.


Hmmm hirap yata yan. I dont think merong existing ranking ngayon regarding that. DOT only classifies accommodation.

Hmmm hirap yata yan. I dont think merong existing ranking ngayon regarding that. DOT only classifies accommodation.

Sa Luzon meron akong nakita, pero sa tripadvisor lang yun, kahit mga travel sites/forum okay lang. :D

I think you meant sarcasm not as paradox.


Explain why sarcasm?
Di mo siguro alam kung ano ang Paradox...

Explain why sarcasm?
Di mo siguro alam kung ano ang Paradox...

Leeme help:
sarcasm - convey insult thru mocking with irony; "A form of humor that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis" (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sarcasm)

paradox - statement that contradicts itself; "The term is also used for an apparent contradiction that actually expresses a non-dual truth"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox)

By the looks of it, I'd say "paradox" is more fitting re the usage by SleMarken:
"typhoon-free island of Batanes" when the universal truth contradicts that statement "Batanes is not typhoon-free".
Am I right? I could be, but to be sure I need confirmations/ contradictions! Or "violent objections". Besides, I don't see any intention of the statement leading to mockery!

^^Right... Paradox is the word. There's no insult there towards Batanes... or to him? Why tell stories that he don't know... Baka babalik nanaman sa kanya lahat ng sinasabi niya. Baka na inlab na to sakin, lagig nagpapansin eh...hehe juk :D

^^Right... Paradox is the word. There's no insult there towards Batanes... or to him? Why tell stories that he don't know... Baka babalik nanaman sa kanya lahat ng sinasabi niya. Baka na inlab na to sakin, lagig nagpapansin eh...hehe juk :D

kabalo na ka ana sa iya, botboton :lol:

^^lol... baka na misinterpret lang siguro sinabi ko.

Leeme help:
sarcasm - convey insult thru mocking with irony; "A form of humor that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis" (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sarcasm)

paradox - statement that contradicts itself; "The term is also used for an apparent contradiction that actually expresses a non-dual truth"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox)

By the looks of it, I'd say "paradox" is more fitting re the usage by SleMarken:
"typhoon-free island of Batanes" when the universal truth contradicts that statement "Batanes is not typhoon-free".
Am I right? I could be, but to be sure I need confirmations/ contradictions! Or "violent objections". Besides, I don't see any intention of the statement leading to mockery! I concur :yes:... Malice cannot be established by the plaintiff, henceforth the verdict for the defendant is not guilty. :cheer:

bai Parch, na amuse lang ko sa 2nd definition sa defendant mao kuno ni, :D unsa man giud kaha'y tinuod nga suguilanon aning duruha no? ayay. :lol:
2. law defendant: the person against whom a divorce petition or an appeal is brought
^^Right... Paradox is the word. There's no insult there towards Batanes... or to him? Why tell stories that he don't know... Baka babalik nanaman sa kanya lahat ng sinasabi niya. Baka na inlab na to sakin, lagig nagpapansin eh...hehe juk :D pirme lagi mo magbingkil bingkil, bai. Unsa man jud ang matuod kaha nga suguilanon niini? na hala hain na man tong mga previous posts sa previous page ngano gipapas man sa mga bathala? hastilan :lol:

^^baka sa simbahan mattapos to lahat...:D :lol:

^^lol... baka na misinterpret lang siguro sinabi ko.

Yep. Let's be civil with each other. We agree to disagree but not to disagree in a disagreeable manner! Misinterpretations yes, condescending never!
BTW, those two terms are very close to each other -"irony".

^^yeah, but irony means the two statements are true when read in the sentence and its opposite meaning, the term there is the unusual occurence. Let's say "Pnoy and GMA had a dinner"... true that had have dinner and true that they are enemies.

Where as paradox means 1 statement is true or false that did not occur or describes the subject when the sentence is written , it only occurs if you think of it's opposite. :D

Pero IMO ko lang yan...hehe


BTW, how many seats that CebPac offers in their promos?

^^lol... baka na misinterpret lang siguro sinabi ko.

basig kaila niya ang nag-imbento sa word nga "paradox" :lol:

kaila ra ba niya tanan.

I'm still concerned about security especially for tourist.

Currently the black travel ban is still up in HK. Even after the bus incident, there are still reported crimes committed on foreign tourists with a recent report of a robbery that happened in Pasay.

Now the question is how can the police make it safe for foreign tourists?

I'm still concerned about security especially for tourist.

Currently the black travel ban is still up in HK. Even after the bus incident, there are still reported crimes committed on foreign tourists with a recent report of a robbery that happened in Pasay.

Now the question is how can the police make it safe for foreign tourists?

Since you trust the police no more, an easy way is to allow cheap and easily available security contractors just like what the US did in Iraq! Then we will see professional security contractors walking along with tourists, uzis/ ingrams /glocks/ etc. all in tow! And isn't it scary bumping into some of them tourists only to be gun-laid by their close-in guards? Crazy world?

^^Hey, we are not talking the whole Philippines here. :okay:

Don't dispair.

Since you trust the police no more, an easy way is to allow cheap and easily available security contractors just like what the US did in Iraq! Then we will see professional security contractors walking along with tourists, uzis/ ingrams /glocks/ etc. all in tow! And isn't it scary bumping into some of them tourists only to be gun-laid by their close-in guards? Crazy world?

I still trust the PNP but not all. But again, I'm more into the wider deployment of tourist police especially in key tourist spots around Metro Manila.

Anyway, as soon as the investigations are over, the black travel ban will be lifted soon. The question is will most HKers still consider The Philippines in their itinerary?

In order to break that, The Department of Tourism should launch a highly effective tourism campaign and the break the negative images of the country.

I still trust the PNP but not all. But again, I'm more into the wider deployment of tourist police especially in key tourist spots around Metro Manila.

Anyway, as soon as the investigations are over, the black travel ban will be lifted soon. The question is will most HKers still consider The Philippines in their itinerary?

In order to break that, The Department of Tourism should launch a highly effective tourism campaign and the break the negative images of the country.

maybe our filipino-chinese community who are outraged by this horrible incident can appease the chinese gods. the student body of cebu eastern college who are predominantly of fil-chinese descent filled the cebu metropolitan cathedral and offered mass and prayers for all the hk tourists killed and their families. i hope that we all can send them the message that we as a nation are sorry for what had transpired last week.

Explain why sarcasm?
Di mo siguro alam kung ano ang Paradox...

Leeme help:
sarcasm - convey insult thru mocking with irony; "A form of humor that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis" (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sarcasm)

paradox - statement that contradicts itself; "The term is also used for an apparent contradiction that actually expresses a non-dual truth"(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox)

By the looks of it, I'd say "paradox" is more fitting re the usage by SleMarken:
"typhoon-free island of Batanes" when the universal truth contradicts that statement "Batanes is not typhoon-free".
Am I right? I could be, but to be sure I need confirmations/ contradictions! Or "violent objections". Besides, I don't see any intention of the statement leading to mockery!

As an English teacher, sarcasm is the more appropriate figure of speech used for his statement. The statement was not meant to insult IMO but it does poke fun. And sometimes we mock something or someone in jest. We call that in laymen's term as "sense of humour".


^^Right... Paradox is the word. There's no insult there towards Batanes... or to him? Why tell stories that he don't know... Baka babalik nanaman sa kanya lahat ng sinasabi niya. Baka na inlab na to sakin, lagig nagpapansin eh...hehe juk :D

Don't flatter yourself too much. Ikaw yata may gusto sa akin eh. Taken na ako, sorry na lang. :D

^^lol... baka na misinterpret lang siguro sinabi ko.

Si Juan Pilgrim na misinterpret ka kaya kinorrect ko.


Moving on.




SARAKIKI-HADANG FESTIVAL

Calbayog City, Western Samar | September 1-8

SARAKIKI is a local term apparently referring to premeditated or frenzied movements which means to allure, to draw with, to attract or exercise attraction, to entice or to win. By its pre-colonial denotation, it means to praise, extol or eulogize spirits of gods. The word does not only ascribe to the ritual or hadang as an activity to gratify the gods, but likewise hadang as the offering or the sacrifice.

HUNDRED ISLANDS TRIATHLON

Alaminos City, Pangasinan | September 1-30

Involves completing three sporting disciplines – swimming, biking and running done in immediate succession. The event aims to revive the Hundred Islands not just as a beach destination but also as excellent venue for adventure sports.


HINIRUGYAW FESTIVAL

Cabatuan, Iloilo | September 1- September 10

Hirinugyaw, a street dancing festivity participated by various agencies and non-governmental organizations in the Municipality of Cabatuan. This activity serves as the opening salvo of the 10-day celebration of the Feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 1-10 of every year.

TUNA FESTIVAL SA GENSAN

General Santos City | September 3-5

The festival is about revelry and gaiety giving back the glory to the ocean for the abundance and bounty of tuna.


PENAFRANCIA FESTIVAL

Naga City, Camarines Sur | September 17
A religious festival honoring the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region.



SIARGAO INTERNATIONAL SURFING CUP

Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte | September 20-26
Once again surfers from all over the country will converge for the National Surfing Competition. Winners will compete together with foreign surfers for the International Surfing Competition. Other activities are also lined up to make this big event more exciting and colorful.

Anyway, as soon as the investigations are over, the black travel ban will be lifted soon.

Do you have any updates regarding the HK investigators in the Philippines now? I have the feeling HK investigation results will not be congruent to the NBI results! What will happen next after all the reports are published and known? Is it the NBI report to be believed of the other one? Why didn't Pnoy's advisers tell him to find a third-party investigators to do away with more friction between HK and RP?
More questions!

http://www.tourism.gov.ph/PublishingImages/Flash%20Banner/image1.jpg

^^ Email daw tayo.

Do you have any updates regarding the HK investigators in the Philippines now? I have the feeling HK investigation results will not be congruent to the NBI results! What will happen next after all the reports are published and known? Is it the NBI report to be believed of the other one? Why didn't Pnoy's advisers tell him to find a third-party investigators to do away with more friction between HK and RP?
More questions!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1201817&page=14

As an English teacher, sarcasm is the more appropriate figure of speech used for his statement. The statement was not meant to insult IMO but it does poke fun. And sometimes we mock something or someone in jest. We call that in laymen's term as "sense of humour".

.

hello teacher! Hindi ibig sabihin na na im making fun of what i said. Binibigyan mo talaga ng malisya ang post ko e wala ka namang alam sa ibig kong sabihin. Ang pag gamit ng figure of speech na paradox is not for fun.
Wala ngang pumapanig sayo eh :nuts:

^^Hey, we are not talking the whole Philippines here. :okay:

Don't dispair.

despair

despair

Oppsss...I stand corrected... :)

... is a comedy by William Shakespeare about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. Vamos a ver, muy interesante. cualquiera de los dos... :lol:
Besides, I don't see any intention of the statement leading to mockery!hello teacher! Hindi ibig sabihin na na im making fun of what i said. Binibigyan mo talaga ng malisya ang post ko e wala ka namang alam sa ibig kong sabihin. Ang pag gamit ng figure of speech na paradox is not for fun.
Wala ngang pumapanig sayo eh :nuts:Juan Pilgrim’s commentary was more inquisitive in nature, nothing more nothing less. ;) On the contrary, the plaintiff’s claim to correction was not a correction at all but in fact already accusatory hence it was highly subjective.

Even in a court of law, when it comes to litigation for libel, in many cases one of the most difficult points to establish is the intent on malice. It is quite ironic for the Plaintiff to invoke Sense of Humour when it is turning out quite dandily that he/she is in dire need of it himself/herself. :lol: :lol: :lol: How can one carry on with a humourless character? Sense of Humour is subjective and varies from one individual to the next, depending on his/ her tolerance (or lack thereof) for humour. :dunno: Methinks it best that you leave him/her to his/her devices since he/she had shown very low tolerance for humour. :lol:
A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.
Henry Ward Beecher
Your statement (highlights in bold) is true to that extent because how can anyone fathom what you truly have in mind? Howbeit based on those exchanges, we do find the defendant innocent on all counts. ;)

OK, before we go on OT, let's answer amigo's post first.

Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, last Saturday


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4944417323_0b495dfa7b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetboxers/4944417323/)
Philippine Pavilion at Expo2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetboxers/4944417323/) by wetboxers (http://www.flickr.com/people/wetboxers/), on Flickr Stunning pic indeed!
HONGKONG TOURISTS VISIT CdeO:

http://www.pia.gov.ph/press/image/100831-r10-jaraula.jpg

http://www.pia.gov.ph/press/image/100831-r10-visitors.jpg

Hongkong tourists, led by Cagayan de Oro natives Rosita S. Go and her two other sisters, and Mr. Hong See, spend Sunday afternoon with former City Mayor Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula and Divina Jaraula at their humble Woodhouse residence in barangay Indahag, Aug. 29, 2010 while thousands of Chinese people staged a grievance/protest rally in Hongkong in relation to the hostage-taking disaster at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Monday last week. Fast Forward... things will get better. Definitely, it's already starting in Mindanao. :yes:

hello teacher! Hindi ibig sabihin na na im making fun of what i said. Binibigyan mo talaga ng malisya ang post ko e wala ka namang alam sa ibig kong sabihin. Ang pag gamit ng figure of speech na paradox is not for fun.
Wala ngang pumapanig sayo eh :nuts:

Anong malisya ang pinagngangawa mo. That's it. You join the ignore list. Para kang langaw.

OK, before we go on OT, let's answer amigo's post first.

Mahirap kasi hanapin yung sa kay Amigo kasi wala pa akong nakitang formal ranking of hotels in the Vis-Min.

I'm still concerned about security especially for tourist.

Currently the black travel ban is still up in HK. Even after the bus incident, there are still reported crimes committed on foreign tourists with a recent report of a robbery that happened in Pasay.

Now the question is how can the police make it safe for foreign tourists?

And there are crimes committed against tourists all over the world. From the policing side, I think gun ban should be reimposed and should be in effect indefinitely. Install more street lights, have more police checks, more street level cameras, increase police presence. More training for the force, have a dedicated tourist police which is stationed and accessible to everyone near tourist areas.

And there are crimes committed against tourists all over the world. From the policing side, I think gun ban should be reimposed and should be in effect indefinitely. Install more street lights, have more police checks, more street level cameras, increase police presence. More training for the force, have a dedicated tourist police which is stationed and accessible to everyone near tourist areas.

Good ideas. Also a reorganization of the police force to make sure the bad cops don't get away with it!

Some of the worst crimes in Metro Manila are done by former cops.

Honestly I just hope The Department of Tourism would allocate enough budget to advertise and promote The Philippines in foreign media.

... is a comedy by William Shakespeare about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. Vamos a ver, muy interesante. cualquiera de los dos... :lol:
Juan Pilgrim’s commentary was more inquisitive in nature, nothing more nothing less. ;) On the contrary, the plaintiff’s claim to correction was not a correction at all but in fact already accusatory hence it was highly subjective.

Even in a court of law, when it comes to litigation for libel, in many cases one of the most difficult points to establish is the intent on malice. It is quite ironic for the Plaintiff to invoke Sense of Humour when it is turning out quite dandily that he/she is in dire need of it himself/herself. :lol: :lol: :lol: How can one carry on with a humourless character? Sense of Humour is subjective and varies from one individual to the next, depending on his/ her tolerance (or lack thereof) for humour. :dunno: Methinks it best that you leave him/her to his/her devices since he/she had shown very low tolerance for humour. :lol:

Your statement (highlights in bold) is true to that extent because how can anyone fathom what you truly have in mind? Howbeit based on those exchanges, we do find the defendant innocent on all counts. ;)


hahaha...

Anyway, it started sa Batanes...I wanna visit Batanes during typhoon seasons from June to Sept. I hope may piso promo papunta don...:)

sana cebu pacific will have flights going to batanes. gustong gusto ko rin pumunta.

And there are crimes committed against tourists all over the world...


True. Crimes against tourists is not unique in the Philippines. Remember the infamous massacre of 62 tourists at Luxor in Egypt in 1997? The downtown Mumbai attack in 2008 with 164 people killed including tourists? Sex attacks to women Russian tourists in Goa, India? Gunmen attack and hostage taking of 35 tourists at the Intercontinental Hotel Rio? The truck bomb attack to tourists in Djerba, Tunisia in 2002? The bombing of discotheques in Bali killing Australian tourists in 2002? The train bombings in Madrid in 2004? Bus bombings in London in 2005? etcetera? etcetera? I myself was a near victim in Madrid Spain in 2000 when a boy came to me asking for directions to Parque del Retiro in broad daylight. Just as I started to explain the directions ( in Spanish), a tall muscular guy in plainclothes came from behind and asked me to give up my passport, identifying himself as a cop after he showed his ID badge. I looked closely at him sending him a message that I wasn't scared. Then I gave him a finger to his face and said to f_ck off and walked away. It turned out they both worked together after I saw them talking to each other realizing that their M.O. did not work. My past experience tells me that crimes can happen to anybody anytime anywhere.

^^ Point taken lad.

napansin ko lang. bakit sa bansa natin its always a big deal (and a big blow) kapag may nangyayaring hindi maganda. Sa Ibang bansa parang natural occurence lang.

napansin ko lang. bakit sa bansa natin its always a big deal (and a big blow) kapag may nangyayaring hindi maganda. Sa Ibang bansa parang natural occurence lang.

Blame it on the media. Because these are most of the news that comes out of The Philippines.

Now if DOT is advertising on foreign media, have a more aggressive promotion, those writing about The Philippines are more focusing on the positive side rather than the negative then you won't have these problems.

Anyway, The Philippines is not the only country that faces this. Mexico for example is another country where it is portrayed negatively by the media and even Hollywood.

The country is usually portrayed as a country where crime is high and drug cartels run the cities. In reality it is a beautiful country with a rich culture and a high economy (more developed than Malaysia)

But again, Mexico does get alot of foreign tourists and I'm not just talking about Americans crossing the border to Tijuana or Juarez. Tourism is a major part of the country's economy.

Mexico too was hosts to Miss Universe pageant before, namely: '78, '89, '93 and 2007.
And Cancún sounds Indo-Chinese for me :)

Hindi ko talaga makalimutan yang 1989, maraming nangyaring reporma at pagbabago.

Blame it on the media. Because these are most of the news that comes out of The Philippines.

Now if DOT is advertising on foreign media, have a more aggressive promotion, those writing about The Philippines are more focusing on the positive side rather than the negative then you won't have these problems.

Anyway, The Philippines is not the only country that faces this. Mexico for example is another country where it is portrayed negatively by the media and even Hollywood.

The country is usually portrayed as a country where crime is high and drug cartels run the cities. In reality it is a beautiful country with a rich culture and a high economy (more developed than Malaysia)

But again, Mexico does get alot of foreign tourists and I'm not just talking about Americans crossing the border to Tijuana or Juarez. Tourism is a major part of the country's economy.

Well, it was in another thread where Mexico was compared to the Philippines as a "twin sister" ... except that this twin spoke Spanish while the Phils. doesn't (for majority of the population, that is).

One reason Mexico gets more tourists in Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cozumel, etc. is that their infrastructure is better developed, and they are within a few hours flying time from the United States, their largest international market. With over 20 million international tourist arrivals (and USD10 billion tourism receipts), Mexico gets enough investments and tourist dollars to support, sustain and grow their industry. Not only that, they have a lot of history and culture (Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec & Zapotec ancient civilizations).

I think the negative press about drug cartels and gang wars is only pretty recent in the case of Mexico. But it really depends on how outsiders perceive a foreign country...as for me, I see Mexico as a tourist destination more than a drug cartel land (that is more like Colombia)...I wonder if a Mexican has a similar impression of the Philippines.

Blame it to ABS-CBN. They always have headline regarding poverty and crime in their news and sadly international media picks it.

Well, it was in another thread where Mexico was compared to the Philippines as a "twin sister" ... except that this twin spoke Spanish while the Phils. doesn't (for majority of the population, that is).

One reason Mexico gets more tourists in Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cozumel, etc. is that their infrastructure is better developed, and they are within a few hours flying time from the United States, their largest international market. With over 20 million international tourist arrivals (and USD10 billion tourism receipts), Mexico gets enough investments and tourist dollars to support, sustain and grow their industry. Not only that, they have a lot of history and culture (Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec & Zapotec ancient civilizations).

I think the negative press about drug cartels and gang wars is only pretty recent in the case of Mexico. But it really depends on how outsiders perceive a foreign country...as for me, I see Mexico as a tourist destination more than a drug cartel land (that is more like Colombia)...I wonder if a Mexican has a similar impression of the Philippines.

Colombia is another example. I have never been there and I'm not familiar with the country. But the image of drug cartel and F.A.R.C rebels are my first impressions of this country.

But the challenge is for The Philippine government is to change the image of the country from negative to positive. The question is how?

Well, it was in another thread where Mexico was compared to the Philippines as a "twin sister" ... except that this twin spoke Spanish while the Phils. doesn't (for majority of the population, that is).

One reason Mexico gets more tourists in Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cozumel, etc. is that their infrastructure is better developed, and they are within a few hours flying time from the United States, their largest international market. With over 20 million international tourist arrivals (and USD10 billion tourism receipts), Mexico gets enough investments and tourist dollars to support, sustain and grow their industry. Not only that, they have a lot of history and culture (Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Toltec & Zapotec ancient civilizations).

I think the negative press about drug cartels and gang wars is only pretty recent in the case of Mexico. But it really depends on how outsiders perceive a foreign country...as for me, I see Mexico as a tourist destination more than a drug cartel land (that is more like Colombia)...I wonder if a Mexican has a similar impression of the Philippines.

What thread? Compared as twin sister in what aspect?

may jinx itong si lim sa tourism......nagkanda hetot hetot agad ang turismo sa pagupo nya......bad omen....ano ba ang qualification nito para maging sec ng tourism.....ah oo nga pala....ang malakas na critisism nya sa panahon ni little evil gloria.....at kapatid nga pala ito ni che che lazaro......:ohno:

Blame it to ABS-CBN. They always have headline regarding poverty and crime in their news and sadly international media picks it.

Don't worry, ABS-CBN will be broadcasting positive news from now on, most especially if it is about our president.

Promise yan. :D

What thread? Compared as twin sister in what aspect?

Here's the link to the post where HabagatCentral likened the Philippines and Mexico as long lost sisters (ok, not twin sisters).

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=62723793&postcount=69

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=62724023&postcount=71

It was the Airlines, Airplanes & Airports thread...

Here's the link to the post where HabagatCentral likened the Philippines and Mexico as long lost sisters (ok, not twin sisters).

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=62723793&postcount=69

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=62724023&postcount=71

It was the Airlines, Airplanes & Airports thread...What thread? Compared as twin sister in what aspect? We are twins in many aspects of culture, shared history and religion. For over 250++ years we were ruled not directly from Spain, but we were ruled from Mexico City under the Virreinato de Nueva Espana. The Manila-Acapulco galleon trade linked the 2 "twins". Shared roman catholic faith, many similarities in folk dances and folk music during those centuries, the barong tagalog is called by another name in Mex but it is of filipino origin, also the sabong came from the East, maria clara got her clothes from the west. If you see many pueblos of the brown locals and they kept their mouths shut, it looks like any Fil. town with the parish church and surrounding town plazas. Even the Virgen de Guadalupe shrine has a similar flavour to Baclaran. The Virgen de Antipolo & the Black Nazareno came from Mexico. The irony was that it was Spain which abruptly cut off relations when Mexico revolted for independence bet 1810-1821.

may jinx itong si lim sa tourism......nagkanda hetot hetot agad ang turismo sa pagupo nya......bad omen....ano ba ang qualification nito para maging sec ng tourism.....ah oo nga pala....ang malakas na critisism nya sa panahon ni little evil gloria.....at kapatid nga pala ito ni che che lazaro......:ohno:

...and the son of Former Secretary of Social Services and Development Estefania Aldaba-Lim.





:horse:

We are twins in many aspects of culture, shared history and religion. For over 250++ years we were ruled not directly from Spain, but we were ruled from Mexico City under the Virreinato de Nueva Espana. The Manila-Acapulco galleon trade linked the 2 "twins". Shared roman catholic faith, many similarities in folk dances and folk music during those centuries, the barong tagalog is called by another name in Mex but it is of filipino origin, also the sabong came from the East, maria clara got her clothes from the west. If you see many pueblos of the brown locals and they kept their mouths shut, it looks like any Fil. town with the parish church and surrounding town plazas. Even the Virgen de Guadalupe shrine has a similar flavour to Baclaran. The Virgen de Antipolo & the Black Nazareno came from Mexico. The irony was that it was Spain which abruptly cut off relations when Mexico revolted for independence bet 1810-1821.

Am going a bit off-topic here, I never fully understood why the Philippines as a country never learned Spanish while Mexico did. And since the Spanish-American War of 1898 was about Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guan (in addition to the Philippines), why hasn't Cuba been proficient in English despite the presence of the American colonialists in Cuba? Was it because the Cubans were given autonomy very soon in 1898, and eventual independence in 1902 (only the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam were annexed)?

Going back to Mexico we are right now their biggest competitors in boxing and beauty pageants:nuts: somehow we get some positive impact to tourism there...

Am going a bit off-topic here, I never fully understood why the Philippines as a country never learned Spanish while Mexico did. And since the Spanish-American War of 1898 was about Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guan (in addition to the Philippines), why hasn't Cuba been proficient in English despite the presence of the American colonialists in Cuba? Was it because the Cubans were given autonomy very soon in 1898, and eventual independence in 1902 (only the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam were annexed)?

Going back to Mexico we are right now their biggest competitors in boxing and beauty pageants:nuts: somehow we get some positive impact to tourism there...

At least The Philippines learned English which is more important than Spanish.

At least The Philippines learned English which is more important than Spanish.

Good point, but wouldn't you wonder what would be of our BPO/call center industry if Mexicans learned how to speak, read and write English as well as the Filipinos?

English is indeed a differentiator for Pinoys, unfortunately it is still not enough to make us competitive on a global scale.:ohno:

@Kalibo International Airport

Flight bound for Taipei?

hSz8KbInvdE

Am going a bit off-topic here, I never fully understood why the Philippines as a country never learned Spanish while Mexico did. And since the Spanish-American War of 1898 was about Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guan (in addition to the Philippines), why hasn't Cuba been proficient in English despite the presence of the American colonialists in Cuba? Was it because the Cubans were given autonomy very soon in 1898, and eventual independence in 1902 (only the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam were annexed)?

Going back to Mexico we are right now their biggest competitors in boxing and beauty pageants:nuts: somehow we get some positive impact to tourism there...Correct. At the time of the Spanish-American War, the only colonies left were Filipinas, Cuba, Puerto Rico & Guam (Guajan in colonial days).

The Philippines retained a vast majority of its native indigenous languages because thankfully the Natives were resistant to disease carried by the colonials. Somewhere in this book, Doctrina Cristiana (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16119/16119-h/16119-h.htm) (first book printed in the Phils. 1593), is outlined the procedure by which the Spanish missionaries taught Catholicism to the natives. The earliest missionaries found it much easier and much better time management to learn the native languages themselves instead of teaching whole masses of people the castillian language. The book spoke of some missionaries who could start preaching in just 3 months and teach it to others in just 6. That further strengthened the Native Mother tongues as it was spoken at home. It is interesting to note that all of the Native languages thrived in both Spanish and American regimes and never suffered a decline (which is why we all have them with us today). The colonials later put up a Spanish educational system whilst the natives spoke their Mother tongues at home. Spanish was lingua franca for traders and civil servants across the various regions in Las Filipinas. Until the Americans came and replaced the Spanish educational system with an English educational system with the help of the Thomasites. Native Mother tongues continued to be spoken at home whilst Spanish was relegated to a few token subjects in college. That led to its slow decline.

Any language which is only used in the academe but not a mother tongue at home is less stable and will decline without proper attention. Any modern student learning various languages is familiar with the old adage, “Use it or lose it”.

Case in point, somewhere in Malaysian recent history, one of its governments (before the time of Dr. Mahathir Mohammad) decreed that they adopt an all Bahasa Melayu educational system with English relegated to a few token subjects. The result was an English disaster with schools churning out batches of graduates who cannot speak fluent English. Mother tongue at home was Melayu, whilst the educational system was also in Melayu. A few token English subjects is not enough to gain fluency, not in English, and likewise not in any language. Dr. Mahathir put an iron hand down, went against the nationalists and reversed the educational system back to English.

Cuba was spared annexation because of The Teller Amendment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teller_Amendment). But the US did appoint US governors, plus the growth of US sugar estates was so quick that in 1905 nearly 10% of Cuba’s total land area belonged to US citizens. By 1902 US companies controlled 80% of Cuba’s ore exports and owned most of the sugar and cigarette factories. Despite those influences, English did not take root in Cuba because the Spanish Educational System remained intact & was further guaranteed when Cuba became independent in 1902 albeit the vast holdings of the Americans remained. Moreover, since the native indigenous tongues of Cuba were virtually non-existent, Spanish was also spoken at home reinforcing the language.

Puerto Rico also lost most of its Taino native language because most of the native Taino/ Borincano speakers were wiped out by disease during the Age of Discovery. Hence, Spanish is spoken at home. Today Puerto Rico is bilingual because it has an English educational system.

Guam used to be ruled from the Archdiocese of Manila. Most of its Chamorro people declined and were replaced with Filipino migrants in those colonial days.

Good point, but wouldn't you wonder what would be of our BPO/call center industry if Mexicans learned how to speak, read and write English as well as the Filipinos?

English is indeed a differentiator for Pinoys, unfortunately it is still not enough to make us competitive on a global scale.:ohno: It also takes good strategy to be "competitive on a global scale", so to speak. :)

The first step is to be cognizant of the 3-4 biggest spoken languages in the modern world: (perhaps someone can find a better list)

http://listverse.com/2008/06/26/top-10-most-spoken-languages-in-the-world/

Top Most Spoken Languages

1. Mandarin = 1 billion +

2. English = 508 million

3. Hindustani = 497 million

4. Spanish = 392 million

5. Russian = 277 million

6. Arabic = 246 million

Many Filipinos had proven to be multilingual. Proof of that are the provincials who can switch from tongue to tongue. From that rough list I would pick out (in any order), Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish since we already have English in our pockets. But since the call centre industry is still mostly with the Western Hemisphere (am I right?), so then the logical choice ~ Espanol.

It also takes good strategy to be "competitive on a global scale", so to speak. :)

The first step is to be cognizant of the 3-4 biggest spoken languages in the modern world: (perhaps someone can find a better list)

http://listverse.com/2008/06/26/top-10-most-spoken-languages-in-the-world/

Top Most Spoken Languages

1. Mandarin = 1 billion +

2. English = 508 million

3. Hindustani = 497 million

4. Spanish = 392 million

5. Russian = 277 million

6. Arabic = 246 million

Many Filipinos had proven to be multilingual. Proof of that are the provincials who can switch from tongue to tongue. From that rough list I would pick out (in any order), Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish since we already have English in our pockets. But since the call centre industry is still mostly with the Western Hemisphere (am I right?), so then the logical choice ~ Espanol.

Yes, and a lot of tourists visit Spain (no. 3 in international tourist arrivals after France and the USA) than say, Saudi Arabia, then that does make Spanish a logical choice. But since China was no. 4 in international tourist arrivals (and the Philippines also shares some history and culture with the mainland), learning Mandarin also helps. But not in the call center industry...there are more than enough Mandarin speakers who are willing to work at wages far lower than their Tagalog/Cebuano/Hiligaynon/Ilocano/Bicolano, etc. speaking counterparts.

One interesting thing I found out is that Malaysia is now No. 9 in tourist arrivals (as of 2009, improving from 11th place in 2008), chalk the credit to their aggressive and superior "Malaysia, Truly Asia" campaign. Imagine if the DOT had that kind of budget to promote the country...we should have been in the top 15 as well.

Robinsons to franchise 'Go Hotels'

GOKONGWEI-LED Robinsons Land Corp. is planning an aggressive expansion of its budget hotel brand Go Hotels for the next five years, officials said on Friday.

To facilitate the opening of 30 new branches, Go Hotels, which targets casual and business travelers, has opened its doors to franchising.

“Due to high demand for excellent accommodations, gohotels.ph is now welcoming offers from parties who are interested to franchise or sell their land," Liz D. Gregorio, general manager, said in a statement on Friday.

On Friday, the property developer formally launched Go Hotels' flagship branch, a 223-room hotel occupying the fifth and sixth floors of the 17-storey prime office condominium Robinsons Cyberplaza at Pioneer Center in Mandaluyong.

“We now have 30 malls, theoretically we know we have 30 locations where we could build in,” said Frederick D. Go, president and chief operating officer of Robinsons Land.

Shares in listed Robinsons Land, whose profits grew by 11% in the first half to P2.59 billion due to mall expansion, closed at P15.00 each on Friday from P14.42 on Thursday. -- Neil Jerome c. Morales
|

source (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17137)

Robinsons to franchise 'Go Hotels'

GOKONGWEI-LED Robinsons Land Corp. is planning an aggressive expansion of its budget hotel brand Go Hotels for the next five years, officials said on Friday.

To facilitate the opening of 30 new branches, Go Hotels, which targets casual and business travelers, has opened its doors to franchising.

“Due to high demand for excellent accommodations, gohotels.ph is now welcoming offers from parties who are interested to franchise or sell their land," Liz D. Gregorio, general manager, said in a statement on Friday.

On Friday, the property developer formally launched Go Hotels' flagship branch, a 223-room hotel occupying the fifth and sixth floors of the 17-storey prime office condominium Robinsons Cyberplaza at Pioneer Center in Mandaluyong.

“We now have 30 malls, theoretically we know we have 30 locations where we could build in,” said Frederick D. Go, president and chief operating officer of Robinsons Land.

Shares in listed Robinsons Land, whose profits grew by 11% in the first half to P2.59 billion due to mall expansion, closed at P15.00 each on Friday from P14.42 on Thursday. -- Neil Jerome c. Morales
|

source (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17137)

Looks like a good strategy for cross-selling other brands of the JG Summit empire. For sure they will have a Mini-Stop for each of the buildings where the Go Hotels will be built. And probably the mini-bar (if ever they have those) are stocked full with URC chips, noodles and biscuits, plus C2 drinks:lol:

Just wondering, who are their competitors in this segment? The only ones I can think of so far are the SOGO hotel chains with their bold red and yellow colored buildings.

Sogo para sa mga lover yun:D doon sila kilala:D

So, Go na:D

Looks like a good strategy for cross-selling other brands of the JG Summit empire. For sure they will have a Mini-Stop for each of the buildings where the Go Hotels will be built. And probably the mini-bar (if ever they have those) are stocked full with URC chips, noodles and biscuits, plus C2 drinks:lol:

Just wondering, who are their competitors in this segment? The only ones I can think of so far are the SOGO hotel chains with their bold red and yellow colored buildings.

Fersal? lol

Even in KL, Malaysia which was perceived by many as a safer tourist destination, tourists are also being kidnapped. Just the other day, a Sri Lankan tourist was kidnapped but died in the process of escaping.

Sri Lankan tourist killed fleeing Malaysian kidnappers

AFP - Tuesday, August 31
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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31, 2010 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan tourist died fleeing kidnappers in Malaysia while a friend escaped and another was rescued by police, the force said Tuesday.

The three had just arrived on holiday and to sell gemstones worth 40,000 ringgit (12,736 dollars) when they were abducted last week at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, district police chief Abdul Rahim Abdullah said.

"The three were trying to get a cheap ride to the city but were instead led into a van and kidnapped by four people and taken to a flat in the suburbs," he told AFP.

"The men were held for ransom and one of them managed to escape their captors on Sunday morning but one died in the escape bid," he said.

Mohammad Mihilar, 32, the tourist who escaped, told the New Straits Times he and his two friends, whom he identified as Samsudeen and Sarifdeen, were tortured during the three-day ordeal to get family details so that a ransom could be demanded.

"We were beaten and tortured for three days and were not given any food or water for refusing to give them the contact details of our families in Sri Lanka," he told the paper.

"They used masks as they assaulted us with iron rods, water hose and hot iron," Mohammad said.

He said the kidnappers took the gemstones and demanded a 35,000-dollar ransom from their captives' families.

"As I was heading to the toilet, I turned around and kicked the kidnapper before running out of the flat. I ran up to the rooftop of the flat and jumped off to escape," he added.

Mohammad broke a leg in the fall but said Samsudeen, who had jumped out of an open window, fell to his death.

Mohammad raised the alarm and police rescued Sarifdeen, who was found handcuffed in the flat.

"We have arrested two persons and one is believed to be a volunteer in the reserve police and we are on the lookout for two others believed to be involved in the kidnapping," Abdul Rahim said.

"Police are still investigating the case but we do not believe the kidnappers were part of any syndicate operating at the airport as it appears to be an opportunistic crime."

Looks like a good strategy for cross-selling other brands of the JG Summit empire. For sure they will have a Mini-Stop for each of the buildings where the Go Hotels will be built. And probably the mini-bar (if ever they have those) are stocked full with URC chips, noodles and biscuits, plus C2 drinks:lol:

Just wondering, who are their competitors in this segment? The only ones I can think of so far are the SOGO hotel chains with their bold red and yellow colored buildings.

Of course, shhhh.... http://images.geraldthebastard.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SX@xZwoKCG8AACvxf-g1/victoria.jpg?et=jrK72Vqnorag9NhAMdYHjA&nmid=0

Good point, but wouldn't you wonder what would be of our BPO/call center industry if Mexicans learned how to speak, read and write English as well as the Filipinos?

English is indeed a differentiator for Pinoys, unfortunately it is still not enough to make us competitive on a global scale.:ohno:

who would want to learn spanish when spain is now in recession. Its a country that's heading down.

^^ I guess its because of the population. Try telling that to Bernie :D

http://www.bworldonline.com/webpics/pictures/201009037e7fa.jpg

Robinsons Land to build 30 budget hotels in 5 years By Zinnia B. Dela Peña (The Philippine Star) Updated September 04, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

MANILA, Philippines - Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the property development arm of the Gokongwei Group, is aiming to build at least 30 budget hotels across the country over the next five years to meet the growing demand for affordable accommodation, particularly by local tourists.

At the same time, RLC president Frederick Go announced that the hotel brand, Go Hotels, is now open for franchising, pointing out that they have already received inquiries from several interested parties. One businessman, whom Go refused to identify, is already looking at five sites for his planned foray into the value hotels business.

Go said since the soft opening of Go Hotels in its pilot site at the Robinsons Pioneer Cybergate complex in Mandaluyong City, the hotel has been registering an occupancy rate of more than 90 percent.

“We’re very confident about this development plan that we intend to take this throughout the country. There is huge demand for proper accomodation and we intend to open branches in every city of the country,” Go said.

The next Go Hotels will rise in Bacolod and Dumaguete (both in 2011). Programmed for opening in 2012 are hotels in Palawan, Iloilo, Cebu and Tacloban. New sites for 2013 are Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Zamboanga, Batanes and Gen. Santos.

Built on the lot of the old Robinsons Apartelle, Go Hotel Pioneer offers 225 no-frills rooms with flat-screen television and free Wi-Fi connection targeted for budget-conscious travelers. Patterned after sister company Cebu Pacific’s novel pricing scheme where early birds get the lowest rate, Go Hotels is offering accommodations for as low as P388 a night. Regular room rates start at P1,888 per night.

Go said they intend to build Go Hotels in areas where RLC has a shopping center. As of end-March this year, RLC had a mall network of 29 with a gross leasable area of 811,000 square meters.

Go Hotels is the fifth hotel property of RLC after the 285-room Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, 263-room Holiday Inn Galleria Manila, 210-room Cebu Midtown Hotel and the 108-room Summit Ridge Hotel Tagaytay.

In the fiscal year ending September 2009, RLC’s hotel division registered revenues of P1.04 billion or about 10 percent of total revenues.

Holiday Inn Galleria Manila and Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila posted occupancy rates of 77 percent and 72 percent, respectively, despite the global economic slowdown that has cut holiday travel.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=608771&publicationSubCategoryId=66
[/QUOTE]

^^ A good move. With that kind of stuff, we can slowly bring in some tourists in our country. Sana man din gumawa din ng hakbang ang pamahalaan para maging kaaya-aya at interesado ang bansa.

Transport firm sees higher passenger, cargo volumes

Listed Aboitiz Transport Systems Corp. is expecting higher passenger and cargo volumes for the second half of the year after acquiring more vessels "to rejuvinate the shipping business."

Erramon I. Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., the parent firm of Aboitiz Transport, told reporters on Thursday the company was "slowly buying back new vessels."

"We are keeping our eyes open. We are rejuvinating our shipping line. As you know, we had sold almost all of our vessels in 2008. We are slowly buying back roll-on/roll-off ships and SuperFerry ships both for carrying cargos and passengers," he said.

"The company keeps a strong balance sheet and cash flow so far. We don’t have plans of borrowing as of this point," he added.

Mr. Aboitiz said two ships would arrive soon to beef up SuperFerry’s capacity.

Aboitiz Transport posted a P152.2-million net loss in the first half of the year, wiping out a profit of P496.1 million in the same period last year. The company said the losses were a result of "extensive" dry-docking of ships.

Last month, Aboitiz Transport said in a disclosure it had approved a merger with wholly owned subsidiary Reefer Van Specialists Inc., which was folded into the 2GO logistics brand. In July, the company obtained regulatory approval to merge with Zoom In Packages, Inc., another wholly owned subsidiary involved in the business of moving loose cargo. Its business operations were also folded into 2GO, which will become the sole brand name for the Aboitiz Transport’s cargo operations. -- Aura Marie P. Dagcutan


source (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17165)

RP told to beef up aviation security measures

THE INTERNATIONAL Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) wants the Philippines to hire more inspectors before upgrading the country's aviation security status.

Roberto Kobeh González, ICAO president, told reporters in a briefing on Friday the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has been doing its best to resolve 89 problems found in local aviation.

But he did not give a timeframe on when the safety tag on the Philippines would be lifted.

The ICAO issued a Significant Safety Concern advice on the Philippines in 2009 after a Universal Safety Oversight Audit inspection. ICAO’s decision to downgrade the Philippines had to do with the "lack of plan for certifying air operators in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations of 2008, as well as the lack of surveillance inspections of air operators and the aviation industry as a whole."

"As of Aug. 16, the CAAP has resolved 77 out of the 89 problems. But definitely the main concern that the CAAP should address is the lack of trained inspectors. We have talked about outsourcing some inspectors for the meantime while the CAAP is training the local inspectors," Mr. González said.

In January 2008, the United States Federal Aviation Administration downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 from Category 1 following an International Aviation Safety Audit in November 2007. -- Aura Marie P. Dagcutan

source (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17169)

Yes, and a lot of tourists visit Spain (no. 3 in international tourist arrivals after France and the USA) than say, Saudi Arabia, then that does make Spanish a logical choice. But since China was no. 4 in international tourist arrivals (and the Philippines also shares some history and culture with the mainland), learning Mandarin also helps. But not in the call center industry...there are more than enough Mandarin speakers who are willing to work at wages far lower than their Tagalog/Cebuano/Hiligaynon/Ilocano/Bicolano, etc. speaking counterparts.

One interesting thing I found out is that Malaysia is now No. 9 in tourist arrivals (as of 2009, improving from 11th place in 2008), chalk the credit to their aggressive and superior "Malaysia, Truly Asia" campaign. Imagine if the DOT had that kind of budget to promote the country...we should have been in the top 15 as well.


^^ano'ng ranking ng Pilipinas kong mahal?

^^ano'ng ranking ng Pilipinas kong mahal?

Sorry, most online listings have only the top 10. Sometimes you have to purchase the detailed reports from the UNWTO for more specifics.

But here's what I have so far: according to UNWTO, the Philippines accounted for 3.017 million tourist arrivals in 2009, a decrease of 3.9% compared to 2008. The numbers account for only 1.7% of total tourism arrivals in Asia (quite negligible)

Compare that to Malaysia (no. 9 worldwide) which had 23.646 million tourist arrivals in 2009, an increase of 7.2% over 2008, accounting for 13.1% of tourist arrivals in Asia.

If someone has the worldwide ranking figures, that would be greatly appreciated.

The more famous Amazing Thailand only have 14million compared to Malaysia Truly Asia's 23million in 2009...

http://a.imageshack.us/img195/6586/tourismranking6.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img138/78/tourismranking7.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img195/6586/tourismranking6.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img138/78/tourismranking7.jpg

Thank you for posting, Sle!
BTW, the tables tell we got lesser tourists last year and it was bad for the tourism industry!
(OTOH, it means lesser people for our police to take care and watch! Hehehe. Lesser exposure meaning lesser possibilities of hostage-taking incidents?)

The more famous Amazing Thailand only have 14million compared to Malaysia Truly Asia's 23million in 2009...

This information was posted by wino a while ago.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=42978426#post42978426


THE TOP 10 COUNTRIES VISITING MALAYSIA for the whole year 2008 ( i chose 2008 over the year 2009.. coz 2009 was a year of recession)
http://www.tourism.gov.my/tourismmal...ival.cfm?rpt=1
http://www.tourism.gov.my/tourismmalaysia_corp/default5.aspx?month_val=10-0
(ASEAN countries are in BOLD FONT)
1. SINGAPORE---------..........-------------11,003,492
2. INDONESIA -------..........----------------2,428,605
3. THAILAND --------..........----------------1,493,789
4. BRUNEI DARUSSALAM -------..........------1,085,115
5. CHINA (INCL HONG KONG MACAO )----------949,864
6. INDIA -------------------------------------550,738
7. JAPAN ------------------------------------433,462
8. AUSTRALIA -------------------------------427,076
9.PHILIPPINES-------..........------------------397,884
10. UNITED KINGDOM-------------------------370,591


here is the full year statistics for THAILAND in the year 2007
i can't find THAI STATISTICS for 2008

TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING THAILAND
http://www.tourism.go.th/files/international_tourist_stat/International_Country_2007.XLS
(ASEAN COUNTRIES ARE IN BOLD FONT)
1. MALAYSIA......................1,551,959------10.73%
2. JAPAN ..........................1,248,700-------8.63%
3. KOREA...........................1,075,516 ------7.44%
4. CHINA...........................1,003,141 ------6.94%
5. SINGAPORE........................799,100 ------5.52%
6. UNITED KINGDOM...............746,422 ------5.16%
7. U.S.A...............................623,638 -------4.31%
8. LAOS................................521,062 --------3.6%
9. INDIA...............................506,237 --------3.5%
10.TAIWAN...........................427,033 --------2.95%

**from the Philippines 198,873 1.37%

I think THAILAND is the most destined COUNTRY in ASEAN.


so it is really evident that THAILAND is the TOP TOURIST DESTINATION in SOUTH EAST ASIA

^^lol... I can't understand what you're trying to say... I don't get his presentation :dunno:

^^ He's pointing out that Thailand is the country most visited by citizens of other ASEAN members.

^^ah ic but I'm referring to International Tourist arrivals...

BTW, don't get me wrong... My fav city in SEA is Bangkok, and Phuket is unbeatable...:)

Im surprised about India, they only have 5M considering their Incredible India promotion :hmmm:

Sorry, most online listings have only the top 10. Sometimes you have to purchase the detailed reports from the UNWTO for more specifics.

But here's what I have so far: according to UNWTO, the Philippines accounted for 3.017 million tourist arrivals in 2009, a decrease of 3.9% compared to 2008. The numbers account for only 1.7% of total tourism arrivals in Asia (quite negligible)

Compare that to Malaysia (no. 9 worldwide) which had 23.646 million tourist arrivals in 2009, an increase of 7.2% over 2008, accounting for 13.1% of tourist arrivals in Asia.

If someone has the worldwide ranking figures, that would be greatly appreciated.

a lot of those tourists come from Singapore - bored Singaporeans who had enough of the merlion and that fake beach :lol:

inside the Philippine pavilion in Expo 2010 in Shanghai


http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/P8289773_2.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/P8289765_2.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/P8289753_2.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/P8289759_2.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/P8289758_2.jpg

a lot of those tourists come from Singapore - bored Singaporeans who had enough of the merlion and that fake beach :lol:

Ba't ka tumatawa? Wala naman silang ginagawang masama sa atin. Naninira ka pa sa Singapore. Ba't di nalang natin aminin na kulelat tayo. Ba't kailangan pang manira ng iba na wala namang ginagawa sa atin na masama :ohno:

Eto mga tourists na big time!:lol::lol::lol::cheers::cheers:


US carrier here; crew to ‘shop, shop, shop, eat, eat, eat’

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:30:00 09/05/2010

MANILA, Philippines—On the USS George Washington, men in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses and women in cool tops and sandals are waiting patiently for their turn to board the ferry that will take them to shore.

Looking more like an airport than a nuclear warship, the USS George Washington anchored off Manila Bay yesterday so its 5,000-strong crew could enjoy a much-deserved four-day holiday.

Sunny weather welcomed American soldiers, who were anxious to walk on land and fulfill their mission—to have fun.

“First thing I’ll do is go to Jollibee!” said 20-year-old airman apprentice Miguel Pua, a Laguna-born sailor who left the Philippines when he was 6.

He is among the sailors of Filipino descent who make up a third of the supercarrier’s crew.

“Then I’ll eat Filipino food like adobo, sinigang and balatong (mongo bean soup)—my favorite Filipino food that my lola (grandmother) used to cook,” added Pua, a Hawaiian resident who joined the Navy four months ago.

Shop, eat, enjoy

Escorted to Philippine shores by the Philippine Navy, the 100,000-ton supercarrier arrived from Singapore at daybreak yesterday with its fleet of three other ships: The cruiser USS Cowpens and destroyers USS John McCain and USS Campbell.

Ferry boats transported sailors by the hundreds from the USS George Washington to the fleet’s landing site at SM Mall of Asia’s bayside park where an enclosed area served as a transit station complete with foreign exchange booth, tourist information desk, transportation (hotel cabs, tourist buses) and guides.

“They are ready to shop, shop, shop and eat, eat, eat. They enjoyed themselves last year and I think some of the shop owners are looking forward to seeing them again,” said Capt. David Lausman, the carrier’s commanding officer.

Buddy system

Farthest from their minds were security concerns after the hostage-taking tragedy which left eight Hong Kong nationals dead in Manila’s tourist district two weeks ago.

Hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza, a dismissed police officer seeking reinstatement, was also killed in a police assault widely criticized as faulty in planning, coordination and execution.

“I think it’s an isolated incident. As a visiting US Navy ship, we’re still going to have our R and R (rest and recreation). Of course, we’re concerned about our security, but we’ve been trained,” said chief petty officer Romer Patawaran, a Pampanga native who joined the US Navy in 1993.

“We have a buddy system and we don’t just go out by ourselves,” said 34-year-old Patawaran, who plans to visit his parents in Angeles City.

During their four-day furlough, US servicemen will be allowed to go sightseeing but only within certain tour areas in Manila, unless given prior approval or granted leaves.

Sailors were also strongly advised against taking public buses, jeepneys and city trains—all tagged as “off limits” in their liberty guidelines.

“We’re always concerned about security—just like any world traveler. It’s a different time [compared to] several years ago. But we travel together, we work together and we enjoy the culture. [The men and women] are looking forward to [their holiday],” Commander Lausman said.

Deployed in Japan to fortify US defense capabilities in the Western Pacific, the USS George Washington recently held port visits in Vietnam and Singapore. The carrier had a brief stop in Manila last year.

“We all think of ourselves as ambassadors and citizens of the world. Every place we go, we look forward to enjoying the culture of what each country has to offer,” Lausman said.

Besides city tours, some of the sailors would also visit historic Corregidor, a landmark of US-backed Philippine resistance against the Japanese during World War II, he added.

Community service

During their liberty port call, some 600 US sailors are set to hold community service projects around Metro Manila, among them a reading session at a children’s home in Malate, mural painting with cleft-lip and cleft-palate patients at a Sta. Mesa clinic, and a school visit in Pasay City.

Sailors will also help clean up Estero de Quiapo and lend a hand in a day-care center built with Habitat for Humanity in Caloocan City.

The US Navy will also hold joint workshops with the Philippine Navy during their stay.

“We are cherishing the time here to work with [the Philippine Navy] ... We continually work together, we learn from each other,” Lausman said.

^^ May taga-SSC daw diyan :lol:

http://a.imageshack.us/img195/6586/tourismranking6.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img138/78/tourismranking7.jpg

Dubious. Bakit nawala ang Ukraine sa 2009 listing? Hindi naman ito dapat mawala na lang ng basta-basta.

Just a jolt of brain wave. Don't you think na pwedeng makapitalize ng Pinas ang pagiging "lesser in tourist arrivals?" It's preposterous, I know, but there are some spots na di pa nadedevelop dito sa pinas, untouched pa kumbaga ng mga turista na pwedeng i-capitalize to people outside (we have loads of beauty spots in this country na di nakikita ng mga tao.)

Siguro yuong may mga significance sa civilization... Tulad ng duon sa China, Terracotta warriors ng China.. sigurado crowd drawer at tourist attraction kaagad. Mga beaches at resorts kase sang katerba ang competition sa ibang bansa dahil hindi lang naman filipinas ang tropical country, ang dami dami pa....

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/

^ we got the 21st centuries' biggest volcanic eruption by mt pinatubo
most perfect cone by mayon
we got asia's best surfing beach in siargao
and lots more. im tired of typing. so don't say we don't have anything unique because we do

^ we got the 21st centuries' biggest volcanic eruption by mt pinatubo
most perfect cone by mayon
we got asia's best surfing beach in siargao
and lots more. im tired of typing. so don't say we don't have anything unique because we do

Volcanic eruption is not exclusive to the Philippines only, its more of a point of interest by Scientist rather than tourist. Surfing is not unique as well, US-Hawaii and Australia alone are good surfing and diving spots. Mayon's perfect cone shape is not a guarantee to draw tourism, otherwise, how come foreigners discovered Boracay when Mayon is there all along. Sadly, Boracay is starting to be over commercialized and somehow, we can't claim Boracay as something unique, nor any beach resorts in the Philippines because there are many other places in the world that has beautiful and well established, famous, exotic and very luxurious. What I was trying to say is SOMETHING OF SIGNIFICANCE TO CIVILIZATION. There is a big difference. Kaya nga binigay kong example ang terracotta warriers ng China. Ano pa? Pyramids sa Egypt at Mexico... Very few and unique...

^^ I know what's on your mind. We may not have terra cotta warriors on that scale but we got something else.

Perhaps someone can also post a comprehensive panorama of the Banaue Rice Terraces and government can help to propagate Ifugao culture more. In the meantime, I remember a Southern Forumer wanted to plug in more of this beautiful culture that is closely tied to an equally beautiful Mindanao lake called Lake Sebu. Both Ifugao and T'boli are mountain cultures so I guess the climate should be perfect for western & asian tourists. Canoeing or Kayaking on that Lake Sebu looks real fun. :yes:

http://a.imageshack.us/img64/4664/tiboli3.jpg
Beautiful T'boli ladies

Watch more of the t'boli tribe!
KyyqRBys9CQ

watch part 1 at http://saggi-space.blogspot.com/2010/07/south-cotabato-lake-sebu-tourism-video.html

check out more posts of the t'boli tribe of lake sebu at http://saggi-space.blogspot.com/

T'boli tribe montage Mindanao Philippines

CPXSZ492YKs&feature=related

full credits to alangeo4 | September 16, 2009 and the sponsoring companies below

T'boli tribe montage, Mindanao, Philippines by Alan Geoghegan, excerpted from "The T'boli: Preserving Culture". Production support from Philippine Airlines and the Punta de Isla Resort. Partial post- support from the South Carolina Arts Commission. Many thanks to Ursula Aznar and Maria Todi Wanan for production assistance. Videography & editing by Alan C. Geoghegan.


:pepper: