Travel and Tourism Industry [Archive] - Page 39

plmetzen

January 5th, 2011, 11:19 AM

DoT bats for Metro’s unseen treasures
By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:41:00 01/05/2011

Filed Under: Tourism & Leisure, Marketing, Government offices & agencies, Philippines - Metro
MANILA, Philippines—From the colorful street dancing festivals in honor of the Sto. Niño to the fishing celebration and art exhibits, the Department of Tourism (DoT) on Tuesday made a pitch for Metro Manila’s “undiscovered treasures” to draw local and foreign tourists before summer.

“We have began the redevelopment of Metro Manila as a tourist destination in itself through our collaboration with the local government units,” Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said in a statement sent to reporters on Tuesday.

“Soon, both foreigners and locals will know the metropolis beyond being the premier gateway and capital city of the Philippines,” he said. “For a start, there are special events in Metro Manila worth witnessing from January to March.”

Lim encouraged sightseers to experience old and revered Filipino traditions on the streets of the capital, starting with the most celebrated Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo on Sunday.

Manila is the site of a bungled police rescue that led to the death of eight Hong Kong tourists held hostage by a troubled former policeman in August last year. Since then, tourism officials have been working to erase the bad image the tragedy created.

Sto. Niño festivals

Lim said the “Buling-Buling” festival in Pandacan and the “Lakbayaw” festivity in Tondo are also worth witnessing. Both are part of a nationwide celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño on the third Sunday of this month.

The “Buling-Buling” is a traditional dance by male and female performers garbed in colorful Filipiniana attire in honor of the Sto. Niño, who saved the town from being crushed by Spanish troops during colonial times.

On the other hand, the “Lakbayaw” is a fun-filled street dancing celebration in honor of the Filipino representation of the Child Jesus.

In Caloocan City’s Maypajo, residents will hold the “Pajotan de Sto. Niño,” a flamboyant parade of different images of the Child Jesus as thousands of devotees seeking miracles or favors will dance their way to the Ati-Atihan beat.

A similar event, the “Bambino Festival,” takes place in Pasig City.

Int’l Arts festival

In February, holiday makers may enjoy culture and style when the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will stage the International Arts Festival, which is aimed at highlighting the Filipinos’ creativity through art exhibits, film shows and writing workshops.

They may join the fishing festival in Navotas City or the “Caracol Festival” in Makati City, where major streets are expected to burst into a sea of color in a local version of Rio de Janiero’s Mardi Gras.

Held also in January, the Caracol aims to promote Makati’s cultural heritage and underscore the importance of preserving the environment and natural resources.

Fertility rituals are open to couples trying to conceive when Pasay City honors the feast of St. Clare at the Sta. Clara Parish Church on the second week of February.

The DOT’s must-see list also includes the Summer Music Festival in Pasig City, the “Bamboo Organ Festival” in Las Piñas City next month, and the “Dinagsa Festival” in Muntinlupa City in March.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110105-312583/DoT-bats-for-Metros-unseen-treasures

wino

January 6th, 2011, 12:40 AM

ano yan? an "indie" film disguised as a gay soft porn? :lol:

i heard stories about what happens in Gallera during Holy Week. nothing holy about it, to put it simply. :lol:

you mean??... gay soft porn disguised as an "indie" film.

Ady001

January 6th, 2011, 03:18 AM

ano yan? an "indie" film disguised as a gay soft porn? :lol:

i heard stories about what happens in Gallera during Holy Week. nothing holy about it, to put it simply. :lol:

Unfortunately, the film happens on holy week... and yes, about sodomy and being analized...

helorider14

January 6th, 2011, 03:57 AM

8 of the hottest Asian winter retreats

1. Bangkok, Thailand
January average maximum: 32 degrees Celsius

The mercury may stay at stubborn highs in Bangkok in January, but if locals say it’s winter, we’re not going to burst their bubble.

2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
January average maximum: 32 degrees Celsius

Kuala Lumpur’s best winter weather usually falls in January, with the rainy season out of the way, and toasty sunshine for most days.

Many locals take to the streets during Thaipusam, a Hindu holiday of penance and thanksgiving that falls on January 30. The street processions in Kuala Lumpur, led by a jeweled chariot, is a spectacle; as are the worshipping masses at the Batu Caves near the capital.

Alternatively, join the bargain-hunting masses at the city-wide End of Year Sale which ends on January 2.

3. Manila, Philippines
January average maximum: 30 degrees Celsius

Monsoon-free, with average temperatures not dropping below 21 degrees, January is a great time to visit Manila.

Most major towns and cities in the Philippines hold street processions for Santo Nino, the Child Jesus, throughout January.

In Tondo, Manila, young Ati-Atihan performers will traditionally dance on the streets and the city will host a string of masses held for the patron saint.

Read more: 8 of the hottest Asian winter retreats | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/asias-8-hottest-winter-non-wonderlands-868034#ixzz1ADiUMgeE

Kintoy

January 6th, 2011, 08:24 AM

you mean??... gay soft porn disguised as an "indie" film.

yeah, sorry for the mix up, lol

xxxriainxxx

January 6th, 2011, 08:28 AM

Just got back from Sri Lanka. My God. DOT can learn a thing or two about how the Sri Lankans handle tourism.

Bricken Ridge

January 6th, 2011, 09:30 AM

^^Is that why Sri Lanka is among the top destinations in the world?:)

Kintoy

January 6th, 2011, 09:56 AM

Tourism industry

The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami[11] and the past civil war have reduced tourist arrivals but Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006.[12]
The International media reports published about the improvements in industry of January 2008 by 0.6%[13], March 2008 by 8.6%[14] when comparing to last year's (2007) figures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Sri_Lanka

Perseus II

January 6th, 2011, 10:21 AM

ipur

January 6th, 2011, 10:30 AM

just want to share from surigao thread:

12 overlooked islands worth visiting
from CNNhttp://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/12-overlooked-islands-worth-visiting-454538?page=0,1

12 overlooked islands worth visiting
Run away to Asia’s little-known, eco-rich isles

Word has long leaked out on “island paradises” like Phuket and Boracay. In high season, some beaches seem to have more tourists than sand.

Unless you’re a hardcore Survivor fan, however, vacationing on an uninhabited rock isn’t the solution.

Strike a balance.

Sail away to these overlooked isles, which have enough amenities and activities to keep you breezy.

12. Innoshima, Japan
Innoshima, Japan

A small island in the Seto Inland Sea, Innoshima has a scurvy history: in the 16th century it was a battleground for Murakami Suigun pirates. The swashbucklers’ legacy remains in the maritime museum and annual Pirate Festival. Find the best of Innoshima here.

Why the island is unknown: Innoshima isn’t included in most tour guides or excursions.
How to get there: The island is connected to the mainland by Innoshima Bridge. From Hiroshima Station, take the JR San-yo line to Onomichi Station, then transfer to a bus for Innoshima.
Where to stay: Visitors stay either in Innoshima or the mainland city of Onomichi. The city has a chart of accommodations.

11. Izu Oshima, Japan
Izu Oshima, Japan

Travellers who shun the sun will feel at home in eerie Izu Oshima. Dissidents were once exiled to the volcanic island, including the shaman En no Gyoja, whose spirit supposedly fathered Sadako from The Ring. And thousands of Japanese have thrown themselves into the bubbling Mt. Mihara. Find a complete guide to the island’s spooky side as well as its cheerier attractions.

Why the island is unknown: While technically part of Tokyo, the island is remote and has a foreboding reputation.
How to get there: Take a two-hour hydrofoil from Tokyo’s Takeshiba port terminal, or a 45-minute flight from Haneda or Chofu airports.
Where to stay: Book a rustic hotel through Rakuten.

10. Siargao Island, Philippines
Siargao Island, Philippines

Located 800 kilometers southeast of Manila, the laid-back town attracts top surfers who between July and November for some of the best waves in the world. The season peaks with the annual Siargao Cup. For those who wipe out, there are fishing and dive sites.

Why the island is unknown: Until recently, flights to Siargao were not readily available.
How to get there: Philippine Airlines offers flights from Cebu to Siargao five days a week. SeAir takes off three times a week. You can also board a 12-hour overnight boat from Cebu, or a faster boat from Surigao.
Where to stay: The General Luna district is centrally located. Visit surigaoislands.com for listings.

9. Kinmen Island, Taiwan
Kinmen Island, Taiwan

Kinmen was a military reserve and tension zone between Communists and Nationalists. Since the island is close to the mainland, curious Chinese come to gape at bullet-ridden walls and get sloshed on local Kaoliang liquor.

Why the island is unknown: Officials lifted travel restrictions to the island only about 10 years ago.
How to get there: Fly on one of Taiwan’s domestic carriers, or take a one-hour boat ride from Xiamen to Shuitou.
Where to stay: The tourism board suggests traditional homestays and inns.

8. Shengsi Island, China
Shengsi Island, China

Shengsi is known as China’s “hometown of mussels” and hosts the annual Mussel Culture Festival. When you’ve eaten your fill of hairy clams in Seafood Town, walk to Lingyin Temple or Huaniao lighthouse, one of the largest in Asia. CNNGo has a foodie’s guide to Shengsi.

Why the island is unknown: Qingdao and Dalian are the bigger beach destinations in eastern China.
How to get there: Take Metro Line 4, get off at Nanpu Bridge Station and walk to 1588 Waima Lu. Ferry tickets are RMB 109 (steamboat) or RMB 140 (fast boat) including free shuttle bus to the harbor (which leaves at 8:30 or 9am).
Where to stay: For hotel options, click here.
7. Pulau Lang Tengah, Malaysia
Pulau Lang Tengah, Malaysia

Pulau Lang Tengah has the best-preserved ecosystem of the Redang Marine Park islands. The rich coral reef holds hundreds of species, including the endangered green and hawksbill turtle. Scuba. Snorkel. Tan on white sand.

Why the island is unknown: Most beach bums go to Redang and Perhentian Islands.
How to get there: Hop on a speed boat from Merang Jetty on Redang Island, or from Perhentian Islands (CNNGo has a guide to these isles). The ride takes 30-40 minutes.
Where to stay: The island has three resorts: D’ Coconut Lagoon, Redang Lang Tengah and Lang Sari.

6. Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia
Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia

Bali’s noisy traffic and tourists have disappointed many relaxation seekers. The solution: head 12 kilometers southeast to the tiny neighboring island of Nusa Lembongan. Surf, snorkel and explore local seaweed farms in silence.

Why the island is unknown: The giant next door: Bali.
How to get there: Boats depart from Bali’s Sanur Beach daily at 8 and 10 a.m. (the trip takes 90 minutes). Several tour companies offer drop-offs and packages.
Where to stay: Budget accommodation are found mostly in Jungutbatu, while luxury hotels are in Mushroom Bay. Here’s a list.

5. Koh Phra Thong, Thailand
Koh Phra Thong, Thailand

Koh Phra Thong is a New Age nature retreat. Eco-tourists can watch colorful birds in the mangroves and leopard cats in the rainforest. Or do yoga and spa treatments on the beach.

Why the island is unknown: Phuket, Ko Samui and Ko Phi Phi receive the bulk of Thai tourism.
How to get there: Take a bus, car or plane to Khuraburi, then sail to Koh Phra Thong on a longtail or speedboat. Full details here: kohphrathong.com.
Where to stay: Golden Buddha Resort has 25 unique beachfront houses. The island also has a budget option and homestays: kohphrathong.com (accommodation).

4. Koh Rong Saloem, Cambodia
Koh Rong Saloem, Cambodia

The nearly untouched island is considered the most beautiful in Cambodia. Perhaps not for long, as the government is currently pouring millions into Koh Rong Saloem. Until then, hiking, swimming and plain relaxing are the top activities.

Why the island is unknown: Sihanoukville, Kep and Koh Kong are more highly developed.
How to get there: A two-hour boat leaves from Ochheuteal Beach in Sihanoukville at noon daily.
Where to stay: Visitors speak highly of Lazy Beach. Eco Sea Dive is another option.

3. St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh
St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh

St. Martin’s is a delicate beauty. As tourism heats up, officials are making efforts to protect the endangered turtles and corals. Tread carefully at the sea turtle hatchery, then cool off under the coconut palms.

Why the island is unknown: Bangladeshis began visiting in greater numbers over the past decade, but foreigners remain largely unaware of St. Martin’s.
How to get there: Fly or bus to Cox’s Bazar, then catch a bus to Teknaf, on the southern tip of Bangladesh. From there, ferries run daily and take approximately three hours.
Where to stay: Here’s a list of guest houses on St. Martin’s. The best time to visit is between November and March.

2. Lakshadweep Islands, India
Lakshadweep Islands, India

Lakshadweep boasts some of the best scuba diving in Asia. The water has a 20-to 50-meter visibility, and swarms with rays and sharks. Agatti is known for its clear lagoons, Kadmat has light boats for rent, and teardrop-shaped Bangaram glows with phosphorescent plankton at night.

Why the island is unknown: Only the three islands mentioned above are open to foreign tourists, who must obtain proper permission.
How to get there: Foreigners must have an entry permit, which can be arranged by a tour group or hotel. Starting September 24, Air India will offer flights from Chennai to Agatti in the Lakshadweep Islands. You can also fly from Kerala, via Indian Airlines or Kingfisher.
Where to stay: The most luxurious hotels are in Bangaram, followed by Agatti and Kadmat.

1. Monkey Island, Vietnam
Monkey Island, Vietnam

Dao Khi, or Monkey Island, is ruled by thousands of long-tailed macaques who live in the mangrove. Watch out -- these Curious Georges are known to steal food and clothes. The Can Gio biosphere reserve also houses a Saltwater Crocodile Sanctuary, home to some 80 crocs.

Why the island is unknown: Nha Trang a busy beach town, so visitors forget to take the short trip to Monkey Island.
How to get there: Take a 20-minute boat ride from Da Chong Wharf in Nha Trang City.
Where to stay: TripAdvisor rates and reviews Nha Trang hotels.

Read more: 12 overlooked islands worth visiting | CNNGo.com #1 http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/12-overlooked-islands-worth-visiting-454538?page=0,1#ixzz13l2YLOkt
Posted by siargaonon at 7:44 AM 0 comments Links to this post

xxxriainxxx

January 6th, 2011, 10:34 AM

^^Is that why Sri Lanka is among the top destinations in the world?:)

It is certainly on top of the places to go for Europeans, they are just in busloads over there. The guides can either speak French, Italian, German, English and even some other languages. The roads are mostly in great condition, and yeah at 2am when we arrived at the airport, we were even received with garlands, a free hat, calendar and other goodies. They have direct flights to Rome, Kyiv, Paris and other main destinations..

Tourism industry

The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami[11] and the past civil war have reduced tourist arrivals but Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006.[12]
The International media reports published about the improvements in industry of January 2008 by 0.6%[13], March 2008 by 8.6%[14] when comparing to last year's (2007) figures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Sri_Lanka

Maliit kumpara sa Pinas ang Sri Lanka pero I think they have a very good tourism infrastructure in place compared sa atin,...Their industry is growing talaga.

rmb

January 6th, 2011, 11:00 AM

Wow , 2 seasons of Survivor USA filming in Caramoan ! This means 2 consecutive years of free publicity for the Phils. Well done ,Camsur ! :cheers:

LRAY for DOT Secretary :banana: -- after his terms ends as governor.. :lol:

xxxriainxxx

January 6th, 2011, 11:02 AM

Manila to host PATA Travel Mart 2012
Posted: Wed 22 Dec, 2010

December 22 2010, Bangkok: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce that the PATA Travel Mart 2012 (PTM2012) will take place in Manila, Philippines. Dates will be confirmed and announced soon. The event will be hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board.

The Philippines successfully won the bid over other strong contenders in the running. Manila hosted the very first PATA Travel Mart back in 1978, where over 300 delegates assembled to experience Asia Pacific’s first industry trade event. After more than three decades PATA Travel Mart still remains one of Asia Pacific’s leading travel shows, regularly attracting 1,000 delegates while still maintaining an exclusive B2B professional trade only format.

In the past, the Philippines has also hosted several key PATA events including the 29 PATA Annual Conference and Workshop in 1980; PATA Annual Board of Directors Meetings in 1989; the 47 PATA Annual Conference in 1998; the Chapter World Congress and the PATA Board of Directors Meeting in 2002.

Said Greg Duffell, CEO, PATA: “PATA is delighted to bring our signature event back to Manila, Philippines. We received tremendous support from the Philippine Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board to host our event. I strongly believe that the PTM2012 will showcase Philippines’s capacity in hosting major international events and highlight its re-emergence as a leading tourism destination hub in Asia Pacific.”

Said Alberto A Lim, secretary, Philippine Department of Tourism: "I am pleased to announce that the Philippines won the bid to host the PATA Travel Mart 2012 (PTM2012). The decision of the PATA Executive board to award this event to the Philippines is a strong indication of the region’s business confidence in the country. The forthcoming PTM2012 will give us the opportunity to showcase once again the beauty and culture of our country and the charm, warmth and hospitality of a friendly people, as well as the new tourism infrastructure in place since the last time we hosted a big PATA event in 1998. Our public and private sectors will now join hands to work for the success of PTM2012 for the sake of Philippine tourism as well as the entire Pacific Asia region.”

The event is scheduled to take place at the SMX Convention Center, the largest private venue in the Philippines and one of the flagship establishments of the country’s MICE industry. It is conveniently located within close proximity to prestigious hotels and key public transportation systems.

Ady001

January 7th, 2011, 01:28 AM

It is certainly on top of the places to go for Europeans, they are just in busloads over there. The guides can either speak French, Italian, German, English and even some other languages. The roads are mostly in great condition, and yeah at 2am when we arrived at the airport, we were even received with garlands, a free hat, calendar and other goodies. They have direct flights to Rome, Kyiv, Paris and other main destinations..

Maliit kumpara sa Pinas ang Sri Lanka pero I think they have a very good tourism infrastructure in place compared sa atin,...Their industry is growing talaga.

Tapos may mga separatist groups pa talaga...

Linguine

January 7th, 2011, 02:46 AM

Government told to push community-based tourism

THE GOVERNMENT should adopt a tourism strategy that will involve local communities hosting target destinations, as a way of ensuring rural areas gain from this industry’s bright prospects.

http://www.bworldonline.com/webpics/articles/image/201101062eacb.jpg

Former Tourism Secretary Guillermina T. Gabor, chairman and president of the International School of Sustainable Tourism, explains a point as Development Academy of the Philippines President Antonio D. Kalaw, Jr. listens during the press conference in Makati City yesterday. -- Photo By Jonathan L. Cellona

In a press briefing yesterday, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio D. Kalaw, Jr. said such a "policy shift" would provide a clearer basis for a tourism strategy, since it will dictate specific infrastructure that need to be built and specific areas to be developed.

This comes as DAP and the International School of Sustainable Tourism are set to hold next week the second Conference on Planning and Development of Community-Based Rural Tourism.

Guillermina "Mina" T. Gabor, president and chairman of the school and former Tourism secretary under the Ramos administration, said in the same event that this thrust will ensure that localities benefit from tourism.

Among others, she said, "There will be a lot more employment than we had before."

She said that, besides jobs to be generated by infrastructure build-up, tourism facilities to be developed will need support services, in which locals can be trained or can provide with minimum investment.

She said rural tourism offers a wide variety of activities, including ecotourism, agri-tourism where tourists go to model farms growing province’s main crops, as well as mountain biking, kayaking and white water rafting.

"It’s developing the productivity of local resources which are probably untapped or unutilized," Mr. Kalaw said.

Ms. Gabor said people in the rural areas -- even those with an average income -- can invest in accommodations to serve tourists.

She added that these accommodations can also be sources of employment for other people in terms of providing support services like housekeeping and laundry.

She said rural tourism mainly caters to Filipinos who want to enjoy low-cost leisure, although foreigners can also be a potential market. -- JJAC
|

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=24070

hakz2007

January 7th, 2011, 05:25 AM

LRAY for DOT Secretary :banana: -- after his terms ends as governor.. :lol:

he will vie for a senatorial position in 2013 :cheers:

Panzer_18

January 7th, 2011, 05:34 AM

Maliit kumpara sa Pinas ang Sri Lanka pero I think they have a very good tourism infrastructure in place compared sa atin,...Their industry is growing talaga.[/QUOTE]

^^i remember yung ceylon tea ng sri lanka which is in demand in europe particularly in france...

Bosnyboy

January 7th, 2011, 06:06 AM

marumi ang maynila kailangan ng overhaul. Mangyari naman kaya yan under the present city admin...

Maybe those treasures (kuno) should remain unseen baka ma turn off lang mga tourists. Linisin at ayusin muna ang maynila. Kadiri puntahan.

reign

January 7th, 2011, 07:26 AM

Mayor Lim is uselesss. I dont know why manilans voted for him. I saw him one time with some Caucasians in Serendra complex in BGC , hindi kaya siya nahihiya when he see other cities in Metro Manila ?

xxxriainxxx

January 7th, 2011, 07:58 AM

Tapos may mga separatist groups pa talaga...

LTTE has been crushed na. Security is pretty tight too.

manila_eye

January 7th, 2011, 09:16 AM

Kintoy

January 7th, 2011, 11:56 AM

Sri Lanka has about the same number of tourists per year as in Boracay - about 600k

xxxriainxxx

January 7th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Sri Lanka has about the same number of tourists per year as in Boracay - about 600k

That is true, but that is bound to change soon. The infra is all there na, and they are building a new international airport set to open in 2012. I hope we can really free our skies na. I support Sec Lim regarding the Open Skies policy. It will certainly bring in more tourists to the Philippines. At sana magkadirect flight ulit from Manila to Hanoi. Uuwi ako dyan buwan buwan.

juniordiscovery

January 7th, 2011, 01:36 PM

2nd Philiippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs566.ash2/148865_1730909517252_1373925160_31842750_10113_n.jpg

Feb 12
South Korea & Spain

Feb 19
Portugal and United Kingdom

Feb 26
China & France

Mar 05
Japan & Canada

Mar 12
Philippines & Australia

Nice! :banana:

kalbongdad

January 7th, 2011, 02:38 PM

Mayor Lim is uselesss. I dont know why manilans voted for him. I saw him one time with some Caucasians in Serendra complex in BGC , hindi kaya siya nahihiya when he see other cities in Metro Manila ?

oi nde naman useless....yung baywalk nga nilagyan ng metal swing yung tipong....uso nung 60s yung pang garden...... :lol:

sandwindstars

January 7th, 2011, 03:23 PM

metrosuburban

January 8th, 2011, 03:33 AM

kalbongdad

January 8th, 2011, 04:00 AM

good for them......mukhang tama ang pag lansag nila sa mga komunista....ngayon they are able to direct their energies towards fruitful endeavors....

OtAkAw

January 8th, 2011, 04:27 AM

Mayor Lim is uselesss. I dont know why manilans voted for him. I saw him one time with some Caucasians in Serendra complex in BGC , hindi kaya siya nahihiya when he see other cities in Metro Manila ?

Anung hiya? Hindi alam ng Lim na yan ang konsepto ng hiya. Tignan mo naman ang kapalpakang ginawa nya sa hostage crisis nung nakaraang taon. Kung may natitira pang traces ng kahihiyan yan sa balat nya, matagal na syang nagresign. :bash:

Sleepwalker

January 8th, 2011, 04:35 AM

Anung hiya? Hindi alam ng Lim na yan ang konsepto ng hiya. Tignan mo naman ang kapalpakang ginawa nya sa hostage crisis nung nakaraang taon. Kung may natitira pang traces ng kahihiyan yan sa balat nya, matagal na syang nagresign. :bash:

Si Lim ay isang halimbawa na'ng napakarami nating mga opisyales na sa halip na maging tagapagsilbi nang bayan, ay nagiging linta at mismong sumisipsip/sumisira sa kung ano pa ma'ng natirang dignidad at kayamanan nang ating bayan.

Hindi nag-iisa ang Maynila sa pagkakaroon nang mga peste'ng opisyales. Hindi ko lubos maisip kung saan dapat simulan ang pagbabago, kasi madami dami pa rin mga kababayan natin na di masyadong nag-iisip. :ohno:

ricoyan

January 8th, 2011, 05:56 AM

Mayor Lim is an OLD FART. We need young blood in Manila.:bash:

Askal82

January 8th, 2011, 06:44 AM

Mayor Lim is an OLD FART. We need young blood in Manila.:bash:

I agree. He's :ancient: :lol:

xxxriainxxx

January 8th, 2011, 06:54 AM

So, what's the total bill?? is it expensive? :)

flights HAN-BKK-CMB rt via TG is about 400-500 USD per person
tours for 2 is about 850 usd, private car/driver/tour guide. 3 star hotel, bfast/dinner inc, entrance fees to sites.

planning a trip to myanmar now and the costs are really steep. it is going to run up to 2000usd for 6 days. :(

wino

January 8th, 2011, 07:20 AM

^^ and i thought Myanmar was a cheap country.. $2,000 is a 4 weeks complete package trip in LAS VEGAS!!!

NTprime

January 8th, 2011, 08:09 AM

flights HAN-BKK-CMB rt via TG is about 400-500 USD per person
tours for 2 is about 850 usd, private car/driver/tour guide. 3 star hotel, bfast/dinner inc, entrance fees to sites.

planning a trip to myanmar now and the costs are really steep. it is going to run up to 2000usd for 6 days. :(

Hey xxxriainxxx, thanks for the tips on projected costs in Sri Lanka. Airfare out of MNL to CMB is expensive if routing via SIN. Probably via BKK is quite expensive too but there is always the LCC option in Air Asia.

Myanmar is still run by the military regime, although they've released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest without much hangups compared to the last time. This bodes well for future tourism provided the Burmese don't take to the streets again and the military clamps down.

I only have 2 more ASEAN countries on my bucket list, those are Myanmar and Laos. Laos seems less repressive, and there are flights to Vientiane on AirAsia via KUL. Although I understand that Luang Prabang is the better destination as it is a UNESCO heritage site.

This is where Thailand really has the advantage of air and land connections to the other ASEAN countries. It's only the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia among the ASEAN countries that can't be reached by road travel from Thailand.

ashton

January 8th, 2011, 08:13 AM

^ Go to Luang Prabang. Been there. Beautiful town. :)

NTprime

January 8th, 2011, 08:17 AM

xxxriainxxx

January 8th, 2011, 08:29 AM

Hey xxxriainxxx, thanks for the tips on projected costs in Sri Lanka. Airfare out of MNL to CMB is expensive if routing via SIN. Probably via BKK is quite expensive too but there is always the LCC option in Air Asia.

Myanmar is still run by the military regime, although they've released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest without much hangups compared to the last time. This bodes well for future tourism provided the Burmese don't take to the streets again and the military clamps down.

I only have 2 more ASEAN countries on my bucket list, those are Myanmar and Laos. Laos seems less repressive, and there are flights to Vientiane on AirAsia via KUL. Although I understand that Luang Prabang is the better destination as it is a UNESCO heritage site.

This is where Thailand really has the advantage of air and land connections to the other ASEAN countries. It's only the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia among the ASEAN countries that can't be reached by road travel from Thailand.

You can fly CRK-KL-CMB via Air Asia, that would cut down your cost. Luang Phrabang, mmmm... I was not that impressed. You can find better sceneries at the Sierra Madre mountains. If Mekong is your thing then I guess. Otherwise, I am not feeling it. Cordillera is better.

This is my shot of Luang Phrabang from the air with the Mekong snaking through the mountains:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs659.snc4/59890_476853751281_530586281_7285554_374806_n.jpg

Sri Lanka offer so much more than Lao.

One of my 1092 photos taken in 5-6 days in Sri Lanka. The Elephants of Pinnawala:

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg615/scaled.php?tn=0&server=615&filename=917fk.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

xxxriainxxx

January 8th, 2011, 08:32 AM

For USD2000 for 6 days (comes out to USD 366 per day), you're better off going to Bhutan (where tourism arrivals are controlled by the government). I understand they charge like USD200 per person daily, which is way cheaper than what you mentioned for Myanmar. And Bhutan is the more interesting destination. It's just airfare that will kill the competitiveness factor of the pricing for tourists considering visiting the place.

Bhutan is on my list but yeah flying out of Hanoi is just so expensive. I believe there is only 1 airline flying into Paro which is Druk Air and it flies from India. Hanoi to New Delhi is verrrrryy expensive at the moment. But definitely I will go there. This year, aside from Myanmar, other countries on my list would be Mongolia, possibly France, a return to Thailand or Nepal/India. I will be going to the Philippines as well (El Nido sometime July).

NTprime

January 8th, 2011, 09:27 AM

Bhutan is on my list but yeah flying out of Hanoi is just so expensive. I believe there is only 1 airline flying into Paro which is Druk Air and it flies from India. Hanoi to New Delhi is verrrrryy expensive at the moment. But definitely I will go there. This year, aside from Myanmar, other countries on my list would be Mongolia, possibly France, a return to Thailand or Nepal/India. I will be going to the Philippines as well (El Nido sometime July).

Tip: While Mongolia is expensive from MNL (more than 1000USD in some cases), you can use Star Alliance miles (only 20,000 miles roundtrip) to redeem tickets via Air China to Ulaanbataar. I was planning this in the past but you have to time the seasons (October onwards the temperatures drop below freezing). Star Alliance separates Asia into North (Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, Taiwan) and South (ASEAN plus Oceania in some cases). Between North and South would cost only 20K Star Alliance miles as compared to 25K miles for travel within South Asia (Star Alliance definition above).

If PAL flies to DEL then that would be good. For now it's really TG or AK (if LCC) and then on to Paro via Druk Air. Nepal is also cheapest via BKK.

AirAsia Philippines would really be a blessing for tourists who love traveling off the beaten track!

xxxriainxxx

January 8th, 2011, 09:58 AM

Tip: While Mongolia is expensive from MNL (more than 1000USD in some cases), you can use Star Alliance miles (only 20,000 miles roundtrip) to redeem tickets via Air China to Ulaanbataar. I was planning this in the past but you have to time the seasons (October onwards the temperatures drop below freezing). Star Alliance separates Asia into North (Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, Taiwan) and South (ASEAN plus Oceania in some cases). Between North and South would cost only 20K Star Alliance miles as compared to 25K miles for travel within South Asia (Star Alliance definition above).

If PAL flies to DEL then that would be good. For now it's really TG or AK (if LCC) and then on to Paro via Druk Air. Nepal is also cheapest via BKK.

AirAsia Philippines would really be a blessing for tourists who love traveling off the beaten track!

That is a great idea, except for one thing, I don't have a credit card and I dun have a Star Alliance membership. ;)

NTprime

January 8th, 2011, 10:50 AM

^^Really now? A flashpacker and you don't have a credit card? :lol:

Part of the challenges of not having a credit card (many years ago, when I didn't have an international credit card) while traveling abroad is that some customs forms require that you declare how much cash you are bringing into the host country. In the past, that meant bringing travelers' cheques as this mitigated the risk of losing cash in a foreign land. Nowadays, with an ATM that has Cirrus or any of the international networks, it's easy to withdraw from the airport local currency (in many cases it beats out exchanging pesos to dollars, then exchanging those dollars for the local currency). Plus you avoid commissions by the money changers, which again in a number of cases is higher than the service fee the banks charge for an international withdrawal via ATM.

Traveling with plastic money has become one way of traveling light. Of course, you will still need to stash away some cash in a secure place in the unfortunate instance your wallet with cards gets stolen.

xxxriainxxx

January 8th, 2011, 11:03 AM

Ph Man

January 8th, 2011, 02:06 PM

that elephant photo is soo cool. i wanna see an elephant family - whatever you call that. herd? school?

now this conversation of yours is making me green with envy. :lol: youve been into a lot of leisure trips.

im in seoul (another business trip). but my mind wanders elsewhere. wish i could backpack around asia - maybe vietnam, myanmar, mongolia, nepal, siberia. and of course, where there are elephants. hehe....i miss going around without being preoccupied with work. :(

Skyprince

January 8th, 2011, 02:38 PM

Just got back from Sri Lanka. My God. DOT can learn a thing or two about how the Sri Lankans handle tourism.

Err sir.. I totally disagree with you.

I'm now in the Philippines and I've been 7 times to Sri Lanka.

Tourism facility, overall infrastructure, discipline, cleanliness and safety here in the Philippines are definitely alot more superior than whatever I saw in Sri Lanka.

It's even very, very hard to find a "good" middle-class restaurant in Colombo , while there are loads and loads of them everywhere in Manila.

filcan

January 8th, 2011, 03:11 PM

^^7 times?...what was worth going there 7 times for? :nuts:

kalbongdad

January 8th, 2011, 03:15 PM

^^7 times?...what was worth going there 7 times for? :nuts:

cheap women.....:lol: me thinks...

xxxriainxxx

January 8th, 2011, 05:45 PM

Err sir.. I totally disagree with you.

I'm now in the Philippines and I've been 7 times to Sri Lanka.

Tourism facility, overall infrastructure, discipline, cleanliness and safety here in the Philippines are definitely alot more superior than whatever I saw in Sri Lanka.

It's even very, very hard to find a "good" middle-class restaurant in Colombo , while there are loads and loads of them everywhere in Manila.

I think SL is very safe, the roads were very good, the airport, efficient. Cleanliness - aside from Colombo, everywhere I go, places are very clean, green and there are alot of wildlife everywhere. Restaurants... hmmm... the food is great in SL, well coming from Hanoi, anything is better. LOL.

^^7 times?...what was worth going there 7 times for? :nuts:

Gorgeous country. I wont mind coming back.

that elephant photo is soo cool. i wanna see an elephant family - whatever you call that. herd? school?

now this conversation of yours is making me green with envy. :lol: youve been into a lot of leisure trips.

im in seoul (another business trip). but my mind wanders elsewhere. wish i could backpack around asia - maybe vietnam, myanmar, mongolia, nepal, siberia. and of course, where there are elephants. hehe....i miss going around without being preoccupied with work. :(

I'll try to post more photos. :) I've been to Seoul back in 2008, I am NOT wowed.. I'm going to Mongolia (via Beijing) around end of May. Maybe we can meet in Ulaan Baatar - thinking of going to the Gobi desert. :) It's a toss up between Nepal/India and France end of the year, so not sure yet.

cheap women.....:lol: me thinks...

Bad ka. :ohno:

Ph Man

January 9th, 2011, 02:54 AM

Well, I wish we can travel to those countries without the need for visa.
Nepal/India should be a better option. France is like...around the corner. You know what I mean.

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 03:32 AM

Well, I wish we can travel to those countries without the need for visa.
Nepal/India should be a better option. France is like...around the corner. You know what I mean.

What passport are you using? Sri Lanka, Mongolia you get visa upon arrival if you hold a Philippine passport. India/Nepal need a prior visa I think.

Ph Man

January 9th, 2011, 03:54 AM

I have the Ph Pasaporte. And will be expiring soon.
My India visa has also expired.

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 05:09 AM

I have the Ph Pasaporte. And will be expiring soon.
My India visa has also expired.

Apply for the new one na, and Indian visa should not be too difficult to get. :)

Ph Man

January 9th, 2011, 07:38 AM

I think it's faster to get an Indian and Chinese visa than to renew a Phil passport. :ohno:

wino

January 9th, 2011, 07:58 AM

^^ Passport renewal has improved by a hundred miles already. at least in the last 5 years, very obvious improvements if I may say.. :D

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 08:58 AM

I think it's faster to get an Indian and Chinese visa than to renew a Phil passport. :ohno:

^^ Passport renewal has improved by a hundred miles already. at least in the last 5 years, very obvious improvements if I may say.. :D

4-6 weeks for renewal yata. I asked from the Embassy here in Hanoi, I need to renew my passport too as I am still using the old green one and it will expire next year na..

A shot of the Hindu temple in Matale...

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg610/scaled.php?tn=0&server=610&filename=mw6x.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

Ph Man

January 9th, 2011, 09:04 AM

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 09:08 AM

^ I think NOW we do not need to get prior visa in entering India. No more wasting USD40 for me. hehe. :)

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 09:28 AM

4 weeks! that's unacceptable.
i checked DFA's site and indeed it's 20 working days regular, or 10 days when expedited.
then i won't be able to go out in a month's time.

i was almost denied boarding (again!). this time after they found out my passport is expiring in less than 6 mos. i didnt know that will be an issue.

It's biometrics passport now, most countries do processing in about the same amount of time.. Australia I think processes its passports for only about 1 week..

Yeah, most airlines would deny boarding if your passport will expire in 6 months..

Anyway, I am really looking forward to my trip to the Philippines in July-August.. Maybe 2 days in Manila and 3 days in El NIdo... Yay!!

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 09:40 AM

^ I think NOW we do not need to get prior visa in entering India. No more wasting USD40 for me. hehe. :)

Really???? :) That's great news!

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 10:43 AM

^ Yes. My Indian and Filipino friends who are in Bangalore told me this good news. It will start in 10 Jan 11. :)

Ph Man

January 9th, 2011, 11:21 AM

Really? Thatd be a good news.
But the embassy website doesnt have anything that says likewise:
http://www.embindia.org.ph/visa.php

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 12:03 PM

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 01:19 PM

^ I just clarified with the Indian Embassy here in the Maldives. It is visa on arrival only if you are going to metropolitan cities of Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and N Dehli. Sadly my favorite Bangalore is not in the list. So I would need to get a visa still. :(

That's okay, I am only going to Delhi/Agra and then to Kathmandu. You work there in the Maldives?

kalbongdad

January 9th, 2011, 01:40 PM

That's okay, I am only going to Delhi/Agra and then to Kathmandu. You work there in the Maldives?

sarap naman.....ng itinerary mo....ingat lang sa tubig nila....:) kaka miss din mag travel talaga.....

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 01:51 PM

sarap naman.....ng itinerary mo....ingat lang sa tubig nila....:) kaka miss din mag travel talaga.....

Korek ka dyan. waterborne diseases. :( ayoko maospital. knock on wood...

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 01:56 PM

It's quite fascinating to know that more Pinoys na go abroad for travel. :)

Kahit saan, dala ko ang Pinoy flag:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs073.snc6/168305_10150118408481282_530586281_8206126_2723269_n.jpg

eto sa Nuwara Eliya, sa SL..

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 02:13 PM

Yes, I work here. If you have time, come down and let's go snorkeling! ;)

That's okay, I am only going to Delhi/Agra and then to Kathmandu. You work there in the Maldives?

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Yes, I work here. If you have time, come down and let's go snorkeling! ;)

I will defo go to the Maldives, but maybe in 2 years pa via KL. I am thinking of going back to SL and cover the Deep South and the East Coast and then hie off to the Maldives for 3 days. Mahal dyan eh!

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 02:17 PM

I wonder lang if we can turn the Philippines into a high end tourism destination. SL is going that way eh.

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 02:19 PM

^ Yes, expensive but there are also nice and more affordable resorts near the city of Male. Maldives is only an hour flight from Colombo. Ending a holiday in paradise is a perefect idea! :)

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 02:22 PM

^ Yes, expensive but there are also nice and more affordable resorts near the city of Male. Maldives is only an hour flight from Colombo. Ending a holiday in paradise is a perefect idea! :)

We almost went to the Maldives on this trip, but we just dont have enough time. Maldives is a dream destination for me.. haha, hopefully I can take a picture of my traveling flag sa Maldives. :)

I almost got offered a job there 2 years ago. How is it living in paradise?

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 02:22 PM

I'm wondering too. And I always told myself why not? It's all about promotion and advertisements anyways, plus the support of the government. Here in the Maldives, almost all of the high end brands are here - Waldorf Astoria, W, Jumeirah, Conrad etc. Philippines can do better because we are far more beautiful! Hehe :)

I wonder lang if we can turn the Philippines into a high end tourism destination. SL is going that way eh.

ashton

January 9th, 2011, 02:25 PM

Really? That's cool. Living in paradise is a dream come true... First few months is great but you know what it gets boring in the long run. No joke, we have no McDonald's, Starbucks here. I only get to drink my favorite Coffee Frap every 3 months! But you should try... They pay good here. :)

We almost went to the Maldives on this trip, but we just dont have enough time. Maldives is a dream destination for me.. haha, hopefully I can take a picture of my traveling flag sa Maldives. :)

I almost got offered a job there 2 years ago. How is it living in paradise?

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 03:19 PM

Linguine

January 9th, 2011, 04:36 PM

there's no way to go but up....

Tourist arrivals in Philippines up
By JUN RAMIREZ
January 9, 2011, 6:08pm

MANILA, Philippines –The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Sunday that more than 3.4- million foreigners arrived in the country last year, despite the series of travel warnings against the Philippines.

Records showed that the figures were up by almost 20 percent, compared to those who entered the country in 2009.

BI acting Commissioner Ronaldo Ledesma said foreigner arrivals totaled 3,451,668 in 2010, or 19.5 per cent higher than the 2,887,303 who came to the country in 2009.

Ledesma said the negative advisories by foreign governments warning their citizens against going to the Philippines did not have any impact at all.

International traveler arrivals even peaked during the last quarter of the year, when most of the advisories were issued due to alleged threats of terror attacks in the country, he said.

BI records showed that from 188,028 foreign visitor arrivals last September, the number increased steadily to 204,779 last October, 218,482, November; and 265,651 in December.

“These numbers send a very clear message that the confidence of the international community in the Philippines and to the government of President Aquino is very strong,” Ledesma said. “No amount of alleged or perceived terror threats can shake or erode that confidence.”

Ledesma noted that the BI statistics are consistent with the tourism department’s target of 3.3-million tourist arrivals in 2010.

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/297542/touri

NTprime

January 9th, 2011, 05:24 PM

^ I just clarified with the Indian Embassy here in the Maldives. It is visa on arrival only if you are going to metropolitan cities of Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and N Dehli. Sadly my favorite Bangalore is not in the list. So I would need to get a visa still. :(

Oh, this is indeed good news!:cheers: Bangalore? They're far more modern than most cities of India...wonder why they weren't included.
It's quite fascinating to know that more Pinoys na go abroad for travel. :)

Kahit saan, dala ko ang Pinoy flag:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs073.snc6/168305_10150118408481282_530586281_8206126_2723269_n.jpg

eto sa Nuwara Eliya, sa SL..

Nice photo! The houses look great also, not as cluttered as some parts of Baguio. Is that a tea plantation on the side of the hill/mountain?

^ Yes, expensive but there are also nice and more affordable resorts near the city of Male. Maldives is only an hour flight from Colombo. Ending a holiday in paradise is a perefect idea! :)

It seems the Maldives has recovered from the tsunami of 2004. Are the only direct flights from CMB, SIN, BKK? Wasn't able to check if AK has flights from KUL.
Really? That's cool. Living in paradise is a dream come true... First few months is great but you know what it gets boring in the long run. No joke, we have no McDonald's, Starbucks here. I only get to drink my favorite Coffee Frap every 3 months! But you should try... They pay good here. :)

No McDonald's, Starbucks here too.. not that I really missed them..

Hmmm...you go to "paradise" away from the madding crowd and then you look for a McDonald's or Starbucks? I'm sure the local brew would be far more interesting! For Vietnam, cafe sua (cà phê sữa đá) should be interesting enough. Well, they don't have a frappucino equivalent though but cafe sua is good enough.

But yeah, if there are a few activities (or too many of the same), it does get boring. But working in Maldives should be not far from "the world's best job" of the Great Barrier Reef.

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 05:31 PM

I am wondering if that tourism figures include balikbayans.

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 05:33 PM

Oh, this is indeed good news!:cheers: Bangalore? They're far more modern than most cities of India...wonder why they weren't included.

Nice photo! The houses look great also, not as cluttered as some parts of Baguio. Is that a tea plantation on the side of the hill/mountain?

It seems the Maldives has recovered from the tsunami of 2004. Are the only direct flights from CMB, SIN, BKK? Wasn't able to check if AK has flights from KUL.

Hmmm...you go to "paradise" away from the madding crowd and then you look for a McDonald's or Starbucks? I'm sure the local brew would be far more interesting! For Vietnam, cafe sua (cà phê sữa đá) should be interesting enough. Well, they don't have a frappucino equivalent though but cafe sua is good enough.

But yeah, if there are a few activities (or too many of the same), it does get boring. But working in Maldives should be not far from "the world's best job" of the Great Barrier Reef.

Yeah tea plantation/veggies too.. Kandy, a city of 3 million doesn't look as bad as Baguio.. It is still very green and heaps of wildlife... I believe there are flights from KUL to CMB and then off to Male... Not sure if there are direct flights from KUL to Male...

xxxriainxxx

January 9th, 2011, 05:37 PM

I hope the mods will forgive me, but here are some of the photos I took:

Matale's Hindu temple

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg610/scaled.php?tn=0&server=610&filename=mw6x.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

Nuwara Eliya's Tea Plantation

http://a.yfrog.com/img619/6963/t0aw.jpg

ricoyan

January 9th, 2011, 06:09 PM

I am wondering if that tourism figures include balikbayans.

Yes it includes Balikbayans.

wino

January 9th, 2011, 11:35 PM

4 weeks! that's unacceptable.
i checked DFA's site and indeed it's 20 working days regular, or 10 days when expedited.
then i won't be able to go out in a month's time.

i was almost denied boarding (again!). this time after they found out my passport is expiring in less than 6 mos. i didnt know that will be an issue.

I renewed mine at the DFA office in Macapagal near MOA.
Yup 10 days!! and they will deliver it right at your home.. so no need to fall in line again.
I renewed mine last March when i got back.. but they were 2 days late so it took 12 days in total.

I guess renewal time differs from where you have it taken. processing in consular offices could be slower.

and yeah.. you have to always check the expiration of your passport before travelling if you don't want to have any problems.. make it a habit! :D

wino

January 9th, 2011, 11:42 PM

this is the most related thread i can think of for this post.
i could be off topic.. sorry. natuwa lang talaga ako, wanna share it. :D

‘Food truck’ in LA is popular for its Pinoy dishes
By KC Santos, loQal.ph
For Yahoo! Southeast Asia
http://ph.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/07/food-truck-in-la-is-popular-for-its-pinoy-dishes/

http://yfittopostblogph.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/600loqal_themanilamachine.jpg?w=600

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A mobile food joint offering Filipino food has caught the fancy of casual diners and food critics.

Since food bloggers Marvin Gapultos and Nastassia Johnson started the business seven months ago, the Manila Machine never fails to draw crowds whenever it goes around the city.

The huge orange Manila Machine truck has become the first food truck specializing in Filipino food in LA attracting not only Filipinos, but American diners as well with its wide selection of Filipino food including sisig, silogs, pork belly and pineapple adobo, carabao wings, beef tapa, turon, and ube cupcakes, among others.

The Manila Machine has also earned a spot in the 2010 Top Newcomers in Los Angeles, from bloggers, food writers, and critics from all over LA.

Renowned food critic Jonathan Gold even endorsed The Manila Machine to some big food events in the US while fashion designers Monique Lhuillier and Oliver Tolentino are among the high-profile diners to visit the food truck.

The mobile food joint even has its own music video that diners can listen while waiting for their orders.

However, Marvin stresses that The Manila Machine will always cater to the “cravings of the masses.” He adds that the business started when he and his friends decided to specialize in Filipino food that they miss back in the Philippines.

Aside from pioneering the Filipino food truck business, he hopes to be able to bring the mobile food joint to other cities across the US.

ashton

January 10th, 2011, 02:10 AM

Oh, this is indeed good news!:cheers: Bangalore? They're far more modern than most cities of India...wonder why they weren't included.

Nice photo! The houses look great also, not as cluttered as some parts of Baguio. Is that a tea plantation on the side of the hill/mountain?

It seems the Maldives has recovered from the tsunami of 2004. Are the only direct flights from CMB, SIN, BKK? Wasn't able to check if AK has flights from KUL.

Hmmm...you go to "paradise" away from the madding crowd and then you look for a McDonald's or Starbucks? I'm sure the local brew would be far more interesting! For Vietnam, cafe sua (cà phê sữa đá) should be interesting enough. Well, they don't have a frappucino equivalent though but cafe sua is good enough.

But yeah, if there are a few activities (or too many of the same), it does get boring. But working in Maldives should be not far from "the world's best job" of the Great Barrier Reef.

MH flies non - stop daily from KUL to MLE and soon AK. Other non - stop flights from Asia are those from Beijing, Shanghai and Kunming. Direct flights (via CMB) from Tokyo by UL is also available. Of course not to mention those non - stop flights from LGW, CGD, DUS, MXP, FCO, ZRH & of course DXB, DOH & JED. Maldives is well connected I would say.

And Yes, this is probably the best job in the world. ;)

Cheers!

Ady001

January 10th, 2011, 02:32 AM

xxxriainxxx

January 10th, 2011, 03:03 AM

Yes it includes Balikbayans.

So it kinda doesn't count..

I renewed mine at the DFA office in Macapagal near MOA.
Yup 10 days!! and they will deliver it right at your home.. so no need to fall in line again.
I renewed mine last March when i got back.. but they were 2 days late so it took 12 days in total.

I guess renewal time differs from where you have it taken. processing in consular offices could be slower.

and yeah.. you have to always check the expiration of your passport before travelling if you don't want to have any problems.. make it a habit! :D

Yeah, if you apply in an embassy, they will have to send your details to Manila and then have the passport printed there. So it takes time...

MH flies non - stop daily from KUL to MLE and soon AK. Other non - stop flights from Asia are those from Beijing, Shanghai and Kunming. Direct flights (via CMB) from Tokyo by UL is also available. Of course not to mention those non - stop flights from LGW, CGD, DUS, MXP, FCO, ZRH & of course DXB, DOH & JED. Maldives is well connected I would say.

And Yes, this is probably the best job in the world. ;)

Cheers!

This is great to know.. Salamat sa info! :)

Kung uso na yung ibang pagkain ng ibang lahi, tayo naman.

It's our time to shine!!

mwg12a

January 10th, 2011, 03:09 AM

Mercato

January 10th, 2011, 03:52 AM

^^ What I think is dapat siguro basahin ito ng mga "elite" circles of california based Filipino chefs. Di ba nagpa interview ang mga ito in an article in one large San Franciso newspaper na "filipino food is only good for the kitchen" at hindi puede sa restaurants dahil greasy, brown, oily at kung ano pa, para bang hindi commercially viable ang ibig nilang sabihin. They never even tried it seriously and even if they did and it didn't work out (as some had claimed), they blame the food pointblank, not their business management style nor their feasibility studies.

minsan kasi pag sumobra ang pinag-aralan ang reality ng iba diyan lagpas na hanggang Outer Space, e. :lol: :lol:

mwg12a

January 10th, 2011, 04:21 AM

Good point bai mercato.

NOVO ECIJANO

January 10th, 2011, 06:33 AM

bakit walang adobo sa menu,sana meron ding ginataan (bilo bilo a mixture of saba kamote langka at sago.)

OtAkAw

January 10th, 2011, 06:49 AM

Askal82

January 10th, 2011, 07:47 AM

This would also be perfect in Pagkain thread in Samahan/Philippines skybar or Filipino cuisine in Photography, heritage and architecture section of this thread.

Actually, I think it does belong to the two more than Philippine travel and tourism section. It can however be added in Good News Thread. Whadayathink? ;) :okay:

In some way, this is like promoting culture as well as tourism. We can induce curiosity of the people to visit the country through food.

xxxriainxxx

January 10th, 2011, 08:14 AM

In some way, this is like promoting culture as well as tourism. We can induce curiosity of the people to visit the country through food.

Tama ka dyan. Sa dami ng Pinoy na nakakalat sa buong mundo dapat sana magtayo ng mga restaurants kagaya ng mga Chinese.

Kintoy

January 10th, 2011, 08:16 AM

I am wondering if that tourism figures include balikbayans.

does the Malaysian tourism figures include weekender Singaporeans who cross the boarder?

Kintoy

January 10th, 2011, 08:23 AM

tourism slogans around the world. i first read about this in Twitter from some travel blogger I follow:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4103122491_83bc255857.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103122491/)
WOW Philippines (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103122491/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4103123929_2707c237da.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103123929/)
Uniquely Singapore (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103123929/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4103882846_82b590a934.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103882846/)
Indonesia Admit It You Love It (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103882846/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/4103882518_4be6f8ac48.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103882518/)
Cool Japan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103882518/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4103121799_83e48a2519.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103121799/)
Taiwan Touch Your Heart (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103121799/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/4103122863_159961d72c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103122863/)
Amazing Thailand (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103122863/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2614/4103880552_4d583acbb8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103880552/)
1 Malaysia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103880552/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/4103120503_cb974698e4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103120503/)
Albania A New Mediterranean (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103120503/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4103120243_5b5594933b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103120243/)
Hong Kong Best Place Best Taste (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103120243/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4103879308_48d7f8462f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103879308/)
France Rendez-Vouse En France (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103879308/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/4103120057_fb37771d6e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103120057/)
Italy Much More (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103120057/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4103118609_577076893c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103118609/)
Germany Affordable Hospitality (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103118609/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/4103878402_97520d5c25.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103878402/)
Smile! You are in Spain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103878402/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4103878604_45305acb41.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103878604/)
Montenegro Wild Beauty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103878604/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4103877466_61c1b05c92.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103877466/)
Croatia The Mediterranean As it Once Was (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103877466/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/4103877254_a950b7b784.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103877254/)
Egypt Where It All Begins (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103877254/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4103117603_3d32dcc7fd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103117603/)
Switzerland Get Natural (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103117603/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

there are about >30 countries and slogans in the photostream.

Kintoy

January 10th, 2011, 08:26 AM

this is witty:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/4103117189_d81d4b0449.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103117189/)
Slovenia I Feel Love (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103117189/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

__

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/4103876946_a48258458b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103876946/)
Visit Finland Breathe (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103876946/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4103876506_ba027ed7aa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103876506/)
See the world. Visit London (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103876506/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4103116445_efb7801afa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103116445/)
Slovakia Little Big Country (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103116445/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4103116179_a207c5b6be.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103116179/)
Romania Land of Choice (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103116179/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4103116637_7b47abd2ef.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103116637/)
Hungary A Love for Life (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103116637/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

Kintoy

January 10th, 2011, 08:27 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4103887718_54fddabb79.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103887718/)
Jamaica Once You Go You Know (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103887718/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/4103887546_60b62d2109.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103887546/)
El Salvador Impressive! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103887546/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/4103127347_a9f0759c83.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103127347/)
Brazil Sensational! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103127347/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4103125079_d80f0c82ae.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103125079/)
Incredible India (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103125079/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2745/4103883628_2a090dbf0b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103883628/)
Maldives Sunny Side of Life (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103883628/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

Kintoy

January 10th, 2011, 08:28 AM

very imaginative

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/4103130499_a9368012e5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103130499/)
Visit Florida (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103130499/) by Katchooo (http://www.flickr.com/people/katchooo/), on Flickr

chrismartin02

January 10th, 2011, 08:30 AM

^ thanks sa pics. okay talaga yung wow philippines. catchy phrase and can mean many things (good things).. lol. :lol:

I will experience soon Egypt: Where it all begins (or began).. basta looking forward ako. :D

xxxriainxxx

January 10th, 2011, 09:36 AM

does the Malaysian tourism figures include weekender Singaporeans who cross the boarder?

Possibly not.

xxxriainxxx

January 10th, 2011, 10:07 AM

Eto sa SL:

http://www.ft.lk/wp-content/uploads/file/46(16).jpg

May libre pa ako nyan na garland, calendar, and baseball cap paglabas mo sa arrival area.

NTprime

January 10th, 2011, 02:17 PM

Eto sa SL:

http://www.ft.lk/wp-content/uploads/file/46(16).jpg

May libre pa ako nyan na garland, calendar, and baseball cap paglabas mo sa arrival area.

What happened to the Pinoy's version of garlands (sampaguitas I think)? Don't they do this anymore for arriving tourists (whether on chartered or regular flights)? In Hawaii, the lei is still very popular. You really get the tropical feel.

Not sure if in Dubai they still have the Marhaba greeters (many of whom are Pinoy).

Kintoy

January 10th, 2011, 02:27 PM

where are they going to get enough sampaguitas to make 3.45 million garlands?

Aerin

January 10th, 2011, 06:33 PM

wino

January 10th, 2011, 06:49 PM

does the Malaysian tourism figures include weekender Singaporeans who cross the boarder?

Possibly not.

yes they do.

we debated that before in the tourism thread in the ASIAn section. coz in Thailand and Singapore they only count tourists who enter international airports and not by border, while Malaysia does.

blkmage

January 10th, 2011, 09:47 PM

Panzer_18

January 10th, 2011, 11:16 PM

^^^^having an holiday vacation in thailand is cheap... hotels, restaurants, bars and entertainments pubs, resorts and others are more cheaper than singapore.....:lol::lol: i wonder there sex tourism is part... just as a thought

Askal82

January 11th, 2011, 12:58 AM

xxxriainxxx

January 11th, 2011, 03:34 AM

where are they going to get enough sampaguitas to make 3.45 million garlands?

Imagine, ang mga sampaguita vendors hindi na pakalat kalat sa kalye, you will be providing them steady jobs. Kaya yan.

I think that this post of yours explain it best :D

Quote:
Originally Posted by wino
here is the full year statistics for the Singapore in the year 2008
http://app.stb.gov.sg/asp/tou/tou02.asp?#VS

NOTE: VISITOR ARRIVALS Refers to all the visitors who go through immigration clearance regardless of their length of stay. It excludes:
All Malaysian citizens arriving by land;
Returning Singapore citizens residing abroad;
Non-resident air and sea crew (except for sea crew flying in to join a ship);and
Air transit and transfer passengers.
(THEIR STATISTICS are very accurate)

(ASEAN countries are in BOLD FONT)
TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING THE SINGAPORE
1. INDONESIA....................1,765,404
2. CHINA..........................1,078,637
3. AUSTRALIA......................833,146
4. INDIA.............................778,299
5. MALAYSIA........................647,339
6. JAPAN.............................571,020
7. PHILIPPINES .....................418,920
8. UNITED KINGDOM..............492,928
9. SOUTH KOREA..................423,011
10.USA...............................396,618

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
(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 the PHILIPPINES in the year 2008
http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/dot/statistics.asp

TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING THE PHILIPPINES
TOP 10 MARKETS BY VOLUME
Rank Country Jan-Dec2008 share %

1. KOREA...................611,629-------19.48%
2. USA......................578,246-------18.42%
3. JAPAN...................359,306-------11.44%
4. CHINA...................163,689--------5.21%
5. AUSTRALIA.............121,514--------3.87%
6. TAIWAN.................118,782--------3.78%
7. HONGKONG.............116,653--------3.72%
8. CANADA.................102,381--------3.26%
9. SINGAPORE..............100,177--------3.19%
10.UNITED KINGDOM......87,422--------2.78%

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/inter...untry_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.

here is the full year statistics for VIETNAM in the year 2008
TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING VIETNAM
http://www.vietnamtourism.gov.vn/eng...25&itemid=1951
1. China.................650,055
2. South Korea........449,237
3. USA..................417,198
4. Japan................392,999
5. Taiwan (China) ....303,527
6. Australia ............234,760
7. Thailand.............183,142
8. France...............182,048
9. Malaysia.............174,008
10.Singapore...........158,405
WOW!! THE SNOBBY FRENCH ARE VISITING VIETNAM.. and its TOP 8!!!

here is the STATS for CAMBODIA visitors for the year 2008
http://www.tourismcambodia.com/ftp/C...stics_2008.pdf
1. SOUTH KOREA...............266,525------12.54%
2. VIETNAM ....................209,516------9.86%
3. JAPAN ........................163,806------7.71%
4. USA ...........................145,079------6.83%
5. CHINA ........................129,626------6.10%
6. THAILAND ...................109,020------5.13%
7. UNITED KINGDOM ...........98,093------4.62%
8. FRANCE ........................97,517------4.59%
9. AUSTRALIA ...................84,957------4.00%
10.TAIWAN........................83,000------3.91%

OVERALL IF WE WOULD JUST COUNT THOSE COUNTRIES THAT IS HOME TO THE BIGGEST TOURISTS..
USA,CHINA, AUSTRALIA, UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, GERMANY visits to ASEAN in 2008
2007 for Thailand (I don't have the complete statistics for Vietnam)

------------------Thailand--------MALAYSIA-------Philippines----------SINGAPORE
CHINA ................1,003,141..........949,864............163,689................1,078,637
JAPAN ................1,248,700..........433,462............359,306...................571,020
SOUTH KOREA ......1,075,516..........267,461............611,629.................423,011
GERMANY...............537,200...........111,525............55,303...................175,277
UNITED KINGDOM ....746,422...........370,591............87,422................492,928
USA ......................623,638...........223,249..........578,246................396,618
AUSTRALIA .............638,126...........427,076..........121,514................833,146

TOTAL..................5,872,743........2,783,228.........1,977,109..............3,970,637

so it is really evident that THAILAND is the TOP TOURIST DESTINATION in SOUTH EAST ASIA

THERE I POSTED SINGAPORE TOO.. IM TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRED OF POSTING..
LOL

FILIPINOS VISITED SINGAPORE THE MOST IN ASEAN with 418,920 visits in the year 2008.

Thanks for reposting this, Ive been looking for this info. :) As for the French, yep, there's quite a lot of them here and it helps that Hanoi have direct connections to Paris. I think we should exploit our historical ties with Spain as well. A direct flight to Madrid would be great...

wino

January 11th, 2011, 04:28 AM

^^ with more than 11 million Singaporean visitors to Malaysia.. no doubt that they are counting weekend cross borders.

thanks blkmage for reposting. :D

NTprime

January 11th, 2011, 04:41 AM

I think that this post of yours explain it best :D

Quote:
Originally Posted by wino
here is the full year statistics for the Singapore in the year 2008
http://app.stb.gov.sg/asp/tou/tou02.asp?#VS

NOTE: VISITOR ARRIVALS Refers to all the visitors who go through immigration clearance regardless of their length of stay. It excludes:
All Malaysian citizens arriving by land;
Returning Singapore citizens residing abroad;
Non-resident air and sea crew (except for sea crew flying in to join a ship);and
Air transit and transfer passengers.
(THEIR STATISTICS are very accurate)

(ASEAN countries are in BOLD FONT)
TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING THE SINGAPORE
1. INDONESIA....................1,765,404
2. CHINA..........................1,078,637
3. AUSTRALIA......................833,146
4. INDIA.............................778,299
5. MALAYSIA........................647,339
6. JAPAN.............................571,020
7. PHILIPPINES .....................418,920
8. UNITED KINGDOM..............492,928
9. SOUTH KOREA..................423,011
10.USA...............................396,618

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
(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 the PHILIPPINES in the year 2008
http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/dot/statistics.asp

TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING THE PHILIPPINES
TOP 10 MARKETS BY VOLUME
Rank Country Jan-Dec2008 share %

1. KOREA...................611,629-------19.48%
2. USA......................578,246-------18.42%
3. JAPAN...................359,306-------11.44%
4. CHINA...................163,689--------5.21%
5. AUSTRALIA.............121,514--------3.87%
6. TAIWAN.................118,782--------3.78%
7. HONGKONG.............116,653--------3.72%
8. CANADA.................102,381--------3.26%
9. SINGAPORE..............100,177--------3.19%
10.UNITED KINGDOM......87,422--------2.78%

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/inter...untry_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.

here is the full year statistics for VIETNAM in the year 2008
TOP 10 FOREIGN COUNTRIES VISITING VIETNAM
http://www.vietnamtourism.gov.vn/eng...25&itemid=1951
1. China.................650,055
2. South Korea........449,237
3. USA..................417,198
4. Japan................392,999
5. Taiwan (China) ....303,527
6. Australia ............234,760
7. Thailand.............183,142
8. France...............182,048
9. Malaysia.............174,008
10.Singapore...........158,405
WOW!! THE SNOBBY FRENCH ARE VISITING VIETNAM.. and its TOP 8!!!

here is the STATS for CAMBODIA visitors for the year 2008
http://www.tourismcambodia.com/ftp/C...stics_2008.pdf
1. SOUTH KOREA...............266,525------12.54%
2. VIETNAM ....................209,516------9.86%
3. JAPAN ........................163,806------7.71%
4. USA ...........................145,079------6.83%
5. CHINA ........................129,626------6.10%
6. THAILAND ...................109,020------5.13%
7. UNITED KINGDOM ...........98,093------4.62%
8. FRANCE ........................97,517------4.59%
9. AUSTRALIA ...................84,957------4.00%
10.TAIWAN........................83,000------3.91%

OVERALL IF WE WOULD JUST COUNT THOSE COUNTRIES THAT IS HOME TO THE BIGGEST TOURISTS..
USA,CHINA, AUSTRALIA, UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, GERMANY visits to ASEAN in 2008
2007 for Thailand (I don't have the complete statistics for Vietnam)

------------------Thailand--------MALAYSIA-------Philippines----------SINGAPORE
CHINA ................1,003,141..........949,864............163,689................1,078,637
JAPAN ................1,248,700..........433,462............359,306...................571,020
SOUTH KOREA ......1,075,516..........267,461............611,629.................423,011
GERMANY...............537,200...........111,525............55,303...................175,277
UNITED KINGDOM ....746,422...........370,591............87,422................492,928
USA ......................623,638...........223,249..........578,246................396,618
AUSTRALIA .............638,126...........427,076..........121,514................833,146

TOTAL..................5,872,743........2,783,228.........1,977,109..............3,970,637

so it is really evident that THAILAND is the TOP TOURIST DESTINATION in SOUTH EAST ASIA

THERE I POSTED SINGAPORE TOO.. IM TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRED OF POSTING..
LOL

FILIPINOS VISITED SINGAPORE THE MOST IN ASEAN with 418,920 visits in the year 2008.

Thanks for this post. Very much appreciated. :)

You will notice that there are almost always more Filipinos visiting other countries than the citizens of these countries visiting the Philippines, whether for tourism or employment. This is a very telling statistic regarding the Pinoy diaspora.

Look at Singapore, 418,920 Pinoys visited SG in 2008 while only 100,177 Sinaporeans visited PH. Now you might say that there are far more Pinoys than Singaporeans, which if you multiply the PH visitor numbers from Singapore by 10 (assuming there are 10x more Pinoys than Singaporeans, population-wise), you will actually get a much larger percentage. That means Singaporeans per capita are more traveled than Filipinos. But then again, this argument has to take into consideration there are far more wealthy Singaporeans, percentage wise, than Filipinos. What if we get statistics that show Pinoys and Singaporeans of say USD10,000 per annum income and get the percentage that visit each other's country and vice-versa? Maybe you'd get a bigger percentage for the Pinoys.

For another country, in this case Thailand, there are 198,873 Pinoys who visited their country (2007 figures as mentioned below) vs. not even 87,000 Thais visiting the Philippines. Now this is an interesting statistic. Do Thais really travel as much out of their country, or do they not travel as often to the Philippines compared to other nearby countries? Note that the PH has 95 million population vs. less than 70 million Thais. So this means that more Pinoys find Thailand a more interesting destination than the Thais find the Philippines, based on tourism arrival numbers for both countries.

And with the third example, take Korea. There were 611,629 Koreans who visited the Philippines, but obviously less Pinoys who visited Korea (although the figures were not included in the post below). It's possible also that the 359,306 Japanese visitors to the Philippines also exceeds the Pinoy visitors to Japan. What does this indicate? That Pinoys tend to visit countries that are not too expensive (e.g. ASEAN countries) for tourism than expensive countries like Japan and Korea, with the exception of the United States. It could also be the difficulty of getting a non-immigrant's visa to any of these 3 countries mentioned which is why there are fewer Pinoy tourist arrivals (again except the USA).

The Philippines should thus focus on getting more arrivals from long haul destinations as tourists from long haul destinations tend to spend more, stay longer, and use high end establishments (more tourism receipts) rather than countries whose tourists go for the short term weekend visits. Trending wise, we're seeing that already (based on the stats given below).

So one conclusion I can make is that the typical Pinoy tourist would start visiting nearby destinations (ASEAN countries), just like the ASEAN countries would also have their tourists visit their neighboring countries. But then, the big tourism receipts come from tourists of countries who are generally farther away, usually those with flights between their capitals lasting more than 4 hours.

ipur

January 11th, 2011, 04:46 AM

^^ with more than 11 million Singaporean visitors to Malaysia.. no doubt that they are counting weekend cross borders.

thanks blkmage for reposting. :D

I just wonder, ilang singaporean kaya yang bumibisita ng Malaysia considering that Singapore population is only around 5-M. di naman siguro uniform na lahat ay tig-2X. at considering the proximity of the two countries, I think 'yong iba, baka naka 20X a year pa...baka nga 'don pa 'yong iba namamalengke so if they count that as visits, maramihan talaga.

reign

January 11th, 2011, 04:55 AM

I just wonder, ilang singaporean kaya yang bumibisita ng Malaysia considering that Singapore population is only around 5-M. di naman siguro uniform na lahat ay tig-2X. at considering the proximity of the two countries, I think 'yong iba, baka naka 20X a year pa...baka nga 'don pa 'yong iba namamalengke so if they count that as visits, maramihan talaga.

Yeah , I agree. Almost 80% of the tourists came from the border or nearby countries.Based on the figures above, it seems that our 3 million tourists is not bad after all considering we been separated from the rest of Asean countries which is the no. 1 source of visitors in the region, except in Thailand and Singapore.

xxxriainxxx

January 11th, 2011, 05:03 AM

For another country, in this case Thailand, there are 198,873 Pinoys who visited their country (2007 figures as mentioned below) vs. not even 87,000 Thais visiting the Philippines. Now this is an interesting statistic. Do Thais really travel as much out of their country, or do they not travel as often to the Philippines compared to other nearby countries? Note that the PH has 95 million population vs. less than 70 million Thais. So this means that more Pinoys find Thailand a more interesting destination than the Thais find the Philippines, based on tourism arrival numbers for both countries.

And with the third example, take Korea. There were 611,629 Koreans who visited the Philippines, but obviously less Pinoys who visited Korea (although the figures were not included in the post below). It's possible also that the 359,306 Japanese visitors to the Philippines also exceeds the Pinoy visitors to Japan. What does this indicate? That Pinoys tend to visit countries that are not too expensive (e.g. ASEAN countries) for tourism than expensive countries like Japan and Korea, with the exception of the United States. It could also be the difficulty of getting a non-immigrant's visa to any of these 3 countries mentioned which is why there are fewer Pinoy tourist arrivals (again except the USA).

The Philippines should thus focus on getting more arrivals from long haul destinations as tourists from long haul destinations tend to spend more, stay longer, and use high end establishments (more tourism receipts) rather than countries whose tourists go for the short term weekend visits. Trending wise, we're seeing that already (based on the stats given below).

So one conclusion I can make is that the typical Pinoy tourist would start visiting nearby destinations (ASEAN countries), just like the ASEAN countries would also have their tourists visit their neighboring countries. But then, the big tourism receipts come from tourists of countries who are generally farther away, usually those with flights between their capitals lasting more than 4 hours.

As for Thais, one thing I noticed during my travels is they don't usually travel on their own. They travel as a family or in groups (I saw this in Cambodia and in Sri Lanka). When I arrived in BKK last 31 Dec 10, the immigration counters for foreigners are overflowing but the ones for Thai passport holders are just a trickle (for 15-20 minutes I was in queue, I only saw less than 10 Thais passing through - yep counters in Suvarnabhumi are just a nightmare, the slowest ever immigration wait I had to endure so far). Cambodia and Lao PDR well, Thailand shares a border with them so they usually go to these destinations.

xxxriainxxx

January 11th, 2011, 05:09 AM

I think with Air Asia coming in, more Pinoys will be traveling. I hope there will be new routes from the Philippines.

My wishlist for new routes for Air Asia PHL -

MNL/CRK - Phnom Penh
Siem Reap
Hanoi
Bali/Denpasar
Chiang Mai
Luang Prabang
Yangon
Phuket

These are tourists rich areas and we can also get tourists from these places...

xxxriainxxx

January 11th, 2011, 05:10 AM

Pag may CRK-HAN, uuwi ako lagi dyan sa Pinas!!! Yahoooooo!!!!!

Manila-X

January 11th, 2011, 05:58 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4103122491_83bc255857.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103122491/)
WOW Philippines (http://www.flickr.com/photos/katchooo/4103122491/) by

To me the Philippine one looks the coolest in the bunch and yes retails its cultural design.

Imagine if DOT insisted on Pilipinas Kay Ganda and if you see that sign instead?

Kintoy

January 11th, 2011, 08:58 AM

Vietnam used to be a French colony so no surprises there

Kintoy

January 11th, 2011, 09:00 AM

amras

January 11th, 2011, 09:09 AM

they go to Malaysia for shopping... and for petrol. And quite a number of Singaporeans also have properties in Johor.

Kintoy

January 11th, 2011, 12:25 PM

Thanks for this post. Very much appreciated. :)

You will notice that there are almost always more Filipinos visiting other countries than the citizens of these countries visiting the Philippines, whether for tourism or employment. This is a very telling statistic regarding the Pinoy diaspora.

Look at Singapore, 418,920 Pinoys visited SG in 2008 while only 100,177 Sinaporeans visited PH. Now you might say that there are far more Pinoys than Singaporeans, which if you multiply the PH visitor numbers from Singapore by 10 (assuming there are 10x more Pinoys than Singaporeans, population-wise), you will actually get a much larger percentage. That means Singaporeans per capita are more traveled than Filipinos. But then again, this argument has to take into consideration there are far more wealthy Singaporeans, percentage wise, than Filipinos. What if we get statistics that show Pinoys and Singaporeans of say USD10,000 per annum income and get the percentage that visit each other's country and vice-versa? Maybe you'd get a bigger percentage for the Pinoys.

For another country, in this case Thailand, there are 198,873 Pinoys who visited their country (2007 figures as mentioned below) vs. not even 87,000 Thais visiting the Philippines. Now this is an interesting statistic. Do Thais really travel as much out of their country, or do they not travel as often to the Philippines compared to other nearby countries? Note that the PH has 95 million population vs. less than 70 million Thais. So this means that more Pinoys find Thailand a more interesting destination than the Thais find the Philippines, based on tourism arrival numbers for both countries.

And with the third example, take Korea. There were 611,629 Koreans who visited the Philippines, but obviously less Pinoys who visited Korea (although the figures were not included in the post below). It's possible also that the 359,306 Japanese visitors to the Philippines also exceeds the Pinoy visitors to Japan. What does this indicate? That Pinoys tend to visit countries that are not too expensive (e.g. ASEAN countries) for tourism than expensive countries like Japan and Korea, with the exception of the United States. It could also be the difficulty of getting a non-immigrant's visa to any of these 3 countries mentioned which is why there are fewer Pinoy tourist arrivals (again except the USA).

The Philippines should thus focus on getting more arrivals from long haul destinations as tourists from long haul destinations tend to spend more, stay longer, and use high end establishments (more tourism receipts) rather than countries whose tourists go for the short term weekend visits. Trending wise, we're seeing that already (based on the stats given below).

So one conclusion I can make is that the typical Pinoy tourist would start visiting nearby destinations (ASEAN countries), just like the ASEAN countries would also have their tourists visit their neighboring countries. But then, the big tourism receipts come from tourists of countries who are generally farther away, usually those with flights between their capitals lasting more than 4 hours.

you need visas to visit Japan and Korea, so less Filipinos go there, compared to Thailand or Singapore.

Bosnyboy

January 11th, 2011, 03:24 PM

you need visas to visit Japan and Korea, so less Filipinos go there, compared to Thailand or Singapore.

Well you answered your questions. Korea, Japan, europe and north america are expensive places to visit. I dont know of any pinoy who doesnt wish, dream of visiting those places and even stay for good. I was lucky enough to visit japan 2x basically there were great promos when i got them. I would love to stay longer and I mean longer like 6mons or more but the prices of the subway and the food are a big hinderance plus of cors theres the visa requirements. But for cheaper option there will always be HK, sg, thailand and guam. Cheaper becoz there are year round promos for these places. Sometimes even cheaper than local tours.

I dont think philippines can achieve big tourist arrivals just yet. Not until basic issues are address. First and most important is the lack of infrastructure specially public transport and hotels. Then security problem comes next. Making the cities looking less like dumpsites would definitely help the country's image too. Corruption should be lessen(i dont think it can be totally eliminated since corruption is ingrained in our culture already). And the people themselves should have a change in attitude. People maybe poor but they can at least dress decently, behave properly and not let their kids run around nakid and the guys display their big agila tats in public. Really, really eyesores. These sights leaves a visitor feeling disgusted, pityful and certainly not the impression we wanted. them to have.

Kintoy

January 11th, 2011, 03:31 PM

what question did I ask?

Bosnyboy

January 11th, 2011, 04:02 PM

what question did I ask?

Sorry qrong quote was referring to NT Prime's msg.

Bosnyboy

January 11th, 2011, 04:04 PM

what question did I ask?

Sorry wrong quote was referring to NT Prime's msg.

NTprime

January 11th, 2011, 06:25 PM

Well you answered your questions. Korea, Japan, europe and north america are expensive places to visit. I dont know of any pinoy who doesnt wish, dream of visiting those places and even stay for good. I was lucky enough to visit japan 2x basically there were great promos when i got them. I would love to stay longer and I mean longer like 6mons or more but the prices of the subway and the food are a big hinderance plus of cors theres the visa requirements. But for cheaper option there will always be HK, sg, thailand and guam. Cheaper becoz there are year round promos for these places. Sometimes even cheaper than local tours.

Well, travelers differ across all statures in life. I've met a few people who would rather stay in their homes or cities rather than venture out to the provinces, more so other countries. But then many of these people have strong prejudices.

On the other hand, economics/finances really determines what the ideal destinations would be. The US tops the list for many reasons, among them the ease of the language (most people in Korea and Japan don't speak English), the affinity with the culture (Pinoys having been colonized by the US for almost 50 years are fairly familiar with American pop culture, music, maybe even history and international affairs), friends and relatives to visit (which make the cost of overall travel cheaper if they can stay at their places instead of hotels), and so on.

It's interesting you mentioned that some foreign destinations are cheaper than certain local tours. I agree with this, just take for example hotel rates in BKK and MNL. You can get 5 star accommodation in BKK for half the price what you'd pay for in Manila, plus the options are vast. There are a lot of Thai hotel chains (Dusit, Amari, Erawan, Sawasdee, etc.) that are well known, but not that many 4-5 star Pinoy hotel chains. However in recent years airfare to domestic destinations is really cheap compared to the last decade, easily within PHP5,000 roundtrip (often even less). You don't see many sub USD100 airfares being sold for foreign destinations except for HKG and probably MFM and BKI.

I dont think philippines can achieve big tourist arrivals just yet. Not until basic issues are address. First and most important is the lack of infrastructure specially public transport and hotels. Then security problem comes next. Making the cities looking less like dumpsites would definitely help the country's image too. Corruption should be lessen(i dont think it can be totally eliminated since corruption is ingrained in our culture already). And the people themselves should have a change in attitude. People maybe poor but they can at least dress decently, behave properly and not let their kids run around nakid and the guys display their big agila tats in public. Really, really eyesores. These sights leaves a visitor feeling disgusted, pityful and certainly not the impression we wanted. them to have.

Well, it seems to me you are talking about "image" in addition to infrastructure. Good infrastructure should lead to less traffic woes, as well as ease of traveling. Faster and more accessible travel aids in better security compared to limited travel options. And so on...

The Philippines will continue to have more tourist arrivals each year despite the negative image. More people from other countries are looking at alternative travel options aside from the familiar, so sooner or later the Philippines will be on their destination list.

wino

January 11th, 2011, 06:50 PM

isa na namang malaking dagok sa Turismo
sana wag magpadala sa " destructive power of suggestion".. tsk tsk tsk..

Philippines Overtakes Indonesia as Southeast Asia's Worst Terror Hotspot
By Nick Gentle and Luzi Ann Javier - Jan 11, 2011 4:27 AM CT
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-11/philippines-tops-indonesia-as-southeast-asia-s-terror-hotspot.html

The Philippines has overtaken Indonesia and Thailand as the country facing the greatest threat from terrorism, according to FTI-International Risk, a security consultancy.

While the Philippines has made progress in containing the threat from armed groups such as the Abu Sayyaf, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and New Peoples’ Army, it lagged behind other countries in the region, FTI-International Risk’s Chairman Steve Vickers said in a report released today.

The U.S. State Department renewed its travel warning for the Philippines on Nov. 2, citing an October bus bombing that killed 10 people and warning attacks could extend “to include Manila.” Philippines ranks 130 out of 149 countries in the 2010 Global Peace Index compiled by the Sydney-based Institute of Economics & Peace. Thailand ranked 124, and Pakistan 145.

“Pakistan, southern Thailand and southern Philippines are the places where, unless you have a very compelling reason, you should not be going without professional support,” Vickers, who formerly commanded the Hong Kong Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau, said in a phone interview today.

Indonesia’s counter-terrorism program was successful in 2010, he said. Little progress had been made in tackling an insurgency in southern Thailand because the government there was distracted by violent protests in Bangkok, the FTI report said.

FTI-International Risk is a subsidiary of Palm Beach, Florida-based FTI Consulting Inc. that offers investigation and security consultancy services.

Isolated Trouble

The trouble in the Philippines is largely isolated in the south of the country, and while the government has made progress in suppressing the Abu Sayyaf, “in quiet times, you see them going back to what they do best, which is small-scale kidnapping and ransom,” Vickers said. “Some of it is purely criminal and has no link to terror groups,” he said.

Edwin Lacierda, a spokesman for Philippines President Benigno Aquino, said the report overstated the threat.

“It’s a matter of perception,” Lacierda said at a regular televised briefing. “The threat is not as grave as the think tank assesses it.”

The southern Philippine island of Mindanao is home to the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and a stronghold for the military wing of the Communist Party, the New People’s Army, both branded terror organizations by the U.S.

Between 2005 and 2010, 1,536 people were killed in terror attacks in the Philippines, including those staged by the two groups, according to the U.S. National Counter-Terrorism website.

Two days ago, suspected Muslim militants killed five businessmen in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, Xinhua news service reported, citing an official.

Xstrata Attacks

Communist rebels have staged attacks on mining assets in the Philippines, derailing the government’s plan to attract overseas investors. At least two attacks on Xstrata Plc’s Tampakan copper project in Mindanao were staged in 2008.

The NPA has a policy of imposing taxes on state and private infrastructure projects within the areas of its operations, Satur Ocampo, a co-founder of the National Democratic Front, an alliance of organizations including the New People’s Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines, said in a 2009 interview. He declined to give an estimate of the tax collected.

A study three years earlier by Philippine Institute for Development Studies put the levy at between 5 percent and 10 percent.

Bombing cellular phone towers and other infrastructure is a way for rebels to assert their authority, Ocampo said.

‘Plain Banditry’

“It’s one form for the revolutionary government to demonstrate its political and military authority, to deliver a message to the contractors,” Ocampo said. “Of course, the government claims this is plain banditry.”

President Benigno Aquino’s government said in December the government will ensure security in mining sites and that the NPA’s extortion threatens investment.

The armed conflict in Mindanao between the government and the Muslim rebels resulted in an economic loss of more than $10 billion between 1975 and 2002, according to the World Bank.

The International Risk report’s findings “might affect the new investors” who rely on risk consultancy firms, said Earl Parreno, an analyst at the Institute for Political and Economic Reforms in Manila.

Aquino, who started his six-year term in June, vowed to fight corruption and bolster investments as he seeks to expand the economy by at least 7 percent starting this year. His government plans to pitch to investors more than 700 billion pesos ($15.9 billion) of road, port and railway projects.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nick Gentle in Hong Kong at ngentle2@bloomberg.net; Luzi Ann Javier in Singapore at ljavier@bloomberg.net.

Nanflexal

January 11th, 2011, 07:44 PM

another demolition job for the philippines.

kalbongdad

January 11th, 2011, 10:11 PM

Aerin

January 12th, 2011, 02:07 AM

It's possible also that the 359,306 Japanese visitors to the Philippines also exceeds the Pinoy visitors to Japan. What does this indicate?

My impression of the Japanese is that they're really into travelling. Within Japan, every city, even small ones like Takayama and Nikko (in terms of population), seems to have its own tourism office.

Just thinking about Japan further--we have the advantage over Japan in that English is widely spoken in the Philippines, but even so, it is still much easier to travel in Japan. Learning some Japanese phrases would help tremendously (very important: gohan = rice :)), but there are also ways to go around the language barrier. Ordering food, for instance, can be a painless affair as usually there are restaurants that have plastic displays of their dishes (which can be unbelievably realistic) so you can just point at what you want. In addition, their rail networks are very extensive and efficient; with a rail pass you can go just about anywhere, and quickly too. Tourism offices are conveniently situated near or inside the train station, with people eager to point out the highlights of the city and provide you with maps and brochures. There are also ordinary citizens who will approach you if you are looking lost, and give you guidance. In short, Japan is a country that we (and even the US and other countries) can really learn a lot from.

Ady001

January 12th, 2011, 02:36 AM

xxxriainxxx

January 12th, 2011, 03:12 AM

another demolition job for the philippines.

I agree. I smell neighbours.

Fraulein

January 12th, 2011, 03:20 AM

^^Hhhmmm. Agree!

habagatcentral1

January 12th, 2011, 03:24 AM

^^ Can the Philippine government hire a "risk management firm?" And what? More terrifying? Oh puhlease!

Sleepwalker

January 12th, 2011, 03:28 AM

I agree. I smell neighbours.

Hahahahahha!

+1 po kayo sa akin... :)

I just observed, na dahil medyo unti unti tayong naging close sa China, medyo parami nang parami na ang dagok na natanggap natin... :D

Observation ko lang yan.

xxxriainxxx

January 12th, 2011, 03:50 AM

Sayang hindi ako nanalo sa lotto, ako maghahire ng 'risk management firm' and alam nyo na ang mangyayari. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA. :D

Btw, the January 2011 issue of Sawasdee, Thai Airways inflight magazine used a photo of Kalibo Ati-atihan for a festival that is located in South Africa.

anglakiiii... pano ko to maresize??? help naman

http://shareimage.org/images/at11p4832buor68o0a.jpg

NTprime

January 12th, 2011, 05:23 AM

My impression of the Japanese is that they're really into travelling. Within Japan, every city, even small ones like Takayama and Nikko (in terms of population), seems to have its own tourism office.

Just thinking about Japan further--we have the advantage over Japan in that English is widely spoken in the Philippines, but even so, it is still much easier to travel in Japan. Learning some Japanese phrases would help tremendously (very important: gohan = rice :)), but there are also ways to go around the language barrier. Ordering food, for instance, can be a painless affair as usually there are restaurants that have plastic displays of their dishes (which can be unbelievably realistic) so you can just point at what you want. In addition, their rail networks are very extensive and efficient; with a rail pass you can go just about anywhere, and quickly too. Tourism offices are conveniently situated near or inside the train station, with people eager to point out the highlights of the city and provide you with maps and brochures. There are also ordinary citizens who will approach you if you are looking lost, and give you guidance. In short, Japan is a country that we (and even the US and other countries) can really learn a lot from.

Yes, Japan is really a beautiful country to visit. Especially during their spring festivals. Kyoto is one of the most scenic cities in the world. Mt. Fuji has always been a postcard staple.

The thing with traveling is that if you make it accessible for even the elderly, tourism will thrive. In Korean I bumped into a few septagenarians climbing their mountain trails. I haven't been to Japan in a very very long time but I'm certain their seniors are also hiking up the slopes of Mt. Fuji.

In the Philippines, we need more elderly friendly and wheelchair accessible establishments, since senior tourists tend to be less demanding in the physical activity part but more demanding in the comfort aspect. Imagine the potential if the country promotes even further its place as a retirement haven or winter destination (warm, breezy weather) with very qualified nurses or attendants to address the needs of this special market.

I hope we can expand this discussion about how we can learn from other countries' tourism experience.:)

amras

January 12th, 2011, 06:33 AM

Askal82

January 12th, 2011, 06:58 AM

^^ That's called smear campaign. It has something to do with something you know. Time to dig in to Wikileaks! :lol:

wino

January 12th, 2011, 07:14 AM

^^ yeah i always thought there are ulterior motives behind all this bad publicities..

i wonder what that is.. .

Mercato

January 12th, 2011, 07:18 AM

Philippines Overtakes Indonesia as Southeast Asia's Worst Terror Hotspot
By Nick Gentle and Luzi Ann Javier - Jan 11, 2011 4:27 AM CT
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-11/philippines-tops-indonesia-as-southeast-asia-s-terror-hotspot.html

The Philippines has overtaken Indonesia and Thailand as the country facing the greatest threat from terrorism, according to FTI-International Risk, a security consultancy.

While the Philippines has made progress in containing the threat from armed groups such as the Abu Sayyaf, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and New Peoples’ Army, it lagged behind other countries in the region, FTI-International Risk’s Chairman Steve Vickers said in a report released today. Full of conjecture and hearsay, so what else is new? If memory serves me right, the main headquarters of Jemaah Islamiah (Arabic: الجماعه الإسلاميه) is definitely NOT in the Philippines … so what gives? :dunno:
“Pakistan, southern Thailand and southern Philippines are the places where, unless you have a very compelling reason, you should not be going without professional support,” Vickers, who formerly commanded the Hong Kong Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau, said in a phone interview today. Hong Kong, indeed … they can be quite emotional there instead of rational at times … you know. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Isolated Trouble

The trouble in the Philippines is largely isolated in the south of the country, and while the government has made progress in suppressing the Abu Sayyaf, “in quiet times, you see them going back to what they do best, which is small-scale kidnapping and ransom,” Vickers said. “Some of it is purely criminal and has no link to terror groups,” he said.

Edwin Lacierda, a spokesman for Philippines President Benigno Aquino, said the report overstated the threat.

“It’s a matter of perception,” Lacierda said at a regular televised briefing. “The threat is not as grave as the think tank assesses it.” much ado about nothing. There ya go, by their very own admission, it is isolated in Mindanao and we haven’t even heard anything new on that front that we hadn’t heard of already. :lol:
The NPA has a policy of imposing taxes on state and private infrastructure projects within the areas of its operations, Satur Ocampo, a co-founder of the National Democratic Front, an alliance of organizations including the New People’s Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines, said in a 2009 interview. He declined to give an estimate of the tax collected.

A study three years earlier by Philippine Institute for Development Studies put the levy at between 5 percent and 10 percent.

Bombing cellular phone towers and other infrastructure is a way for rebels to assert their authority, Ocampo said.

‘Plain Banditry’

“It’s one form for the revolutionary government to demonstrate its political and military authority, to deliver a message to the contractors,” Ocampo said. “Of course, the government claims this is plain banditry.” Wasn’t this clown in Congress? Can a leopard change its spots? Brazen open admission to extortion? :|
To contact the reporters on this story: Nick Gentle in Hong Kong at ngentle2@bloomberg.net; Luzi Ann Javier in Singapore at ljavier@bloomberg.net.Look at these 2. Another nervous Caucasian Wreck writing from his comfy flat in Hongkong of all places. The other one is an irony, no other group in SEAsia goes by Hispanic names and this paid Filipina hack javier is some piece of work. :goodnight

xxxriainxxx

January 12th, 2011, 07:47 AM

Full of conjecture and hearsay, so what else is new? If memory serves me right, the main headquarters of Jemaah Islamiah (Arabic: الجماعه الإسلاميه) is definitely NOT in the Philippines … so what gives? :dunno:
Hong Kong, indeed … they can be quite emotional there instead of rational at times … you know. :lol: :lol: :lol:
much ado about nothing. There ya go, by their very own admission, it is isolated in Mindanao and we haven’t even heard anything new on that front that we hadn’t heard of already. :lol:
Wasn’t this clown in Congress? Can a leopard change its spots? Brazen open admission to extortion? :|
Look at these 2. Another nervous Caucasian Wreck writing from his comfy flat in Hongkong of all places. The other one is an irony, no other group in SEAsia goes by Hispanic names and this paid Filipina hack javier is some piece of work. :goodnight

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

You nailed it.

manila_eye

January 12th, 2011, 09:32 AM

kaninong smear campaign kaya galing ito?

Parchie

January 12th, 2011, 10:00 AM

kaninong smear campaign kaya galing ito?

Syempre, Hongkong galing yan! Read well and see Steve Vickers, former HK Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau commander.

wino

January 12th, 2011, 10:04 AM

^^ and i guess that's what made the report biased against the Philippines.

Kintoy

January 12th, 2011, 10:12 AM

probably financed by Malaysia. it's an open secret that they support the rebels in the south

bledzoe

January 12th, 2011, 12:11 PM

hinay hinay lang mga brod!

xxxriainxxx

January 12th, 2011, 01:02 PM

Yay! Flights and tours booked for Myanmar na. 3-8 February. :) Visa requirements ready... will submit them tomorrow..

kalbongdad

January 12th, 2011, 01:49 PM

Yay! Flights and tours booked for Myanmar na. 3-8 February. :) Visa requirements ready... will submit them tomorrow..

wow hilig ka sa mga konti ang pumupunta na destination....ha....ok na rin para hindi siksikan....ma immerse ka sa kultura nila....

Ejames

January 12th, 2011, 02:08 PM

probably financed by Malaysia. it's an open secret that they support the rebels in the south

maybe.... because Philippines can't get away with these rebels from the south without Malaysia.. if only PNOY can act like Estrada.. All out war.. These rebels will gain power if the gov't will just talk to them.. if only the gov't gives more to the south for infras and others then this rebel issue will just fade. one of the issues , in my opinion ,is the unparalleled distribution of budget. no one will complain if they get what is due to them.

OtAkAw

January 12th, 2011, 02:33 PM

Philippines Overtakes Indonesia as Southeast Asia's Worst Terror Hotspot
Edwin Lacierda, a spokesman for Philippines President Benigno Aquino, said the report overstated the threat.

“It’s a matter of perception,” Lacierda said at a regular televised briefing. “The threat is not as grave as the think tank assesses it.”

Nakakain na naman ng utot ang Aquino-Lacierda tandem. :ohno: Better answers please!

xxxriainxxx

January 12th, 2011, 02:54 PM

wow hilig ka sa mga konti ang pumupunta na destination....ha....ok na rin para hindi siksikan....ma immerse ka sa kultura nila....

Oo. naturn off ako sa BKK, too many tourists!! After Myanmar, my next big trip is Mongolia around May... :) Pero side trip muna ako ng HK to meet my parents and my sister. :D

Mercato

January 12th, 2011, 05:46 PM

Philippines Overtakes Indonesia as Southeast Asia's Worst Terror Hotspot
By Nick Gentle and Luzi Ann Javier - Jan 11, 2011 4:27 Isolated Trouble

The trouble in the Philippines is largely isolated in the south of the country, and while the government has made progress in suppressing the Abu Sayyaf, “in quiet times, you see them going back to what they do best, which is small-scale kidnapping and ransom,” Vickers said. “Some of it is purely criminal and has no link to terror groups,” he said.

Edwin Lacierda, a spokesman for Philippines President Benigno Aquino, said the report overstated the threat.

“It’s a matter of perception,” Lacierda said at a regular televised briefing. “The threat is not as grave as the think tank assesses it.”
Nakakain na naman ng utot ang Aquino-Lacierda tandem. :ohno: Better answers please! The answers you seek are all contained in that propaganda article. Dude, read the article again (highlights in red). The article just contradicted itself + its main title . Don’t you see? Even Vickers admits that “some of it is purely criminal and has no link to terror groups” - Vickers very own words. So why is Nick Gentle and Luzi Ann Javier putting a very distorted slant on that story. Yea, sure, all countries have their share of criminals, big deal ... They are also invoking the NDF and NPA and even Satur admits to open extortion, which is also the act of petty criminals. Their current acts can hardly be called terrorism in the traditional sense of ideological warfare, goodness.

How can the Philippines overtake anyone on terrorism when the current Abu Sayyaf acts are petty criminal extortion and with no link to terror groups? It’s really a matter of reading through the fine print. Jemaah Islamiah is NOT based in the Philippines.

I just read the very same article on the Today newspaper in Singapore, a day late. Thank goodness it was placed in the backpages on page 24 in a small corner and overshadowed by the glitzy ads of the supermarkets and the Telecoms giants. So I guess the article is going to make its merry-go-round around the capitals of the world again.

I know countries cannot choose neighbours, but 'tis always wise to be guarded. Sometimes neighbours with vested interests can be quiet adept in backstabbing. Now I understand why Pres. MLQ always had this frame of mind of a Philippines Rising,... in the Western Pacific... lmao. :lol:

NTprime

January 12th, 2011, 06:16 PM

Oo. naturn off ako sa BKK, too many tourists!! After Myanmar, my next big trip is Mongolia around May... :) Pero side trip muna ako ng HK to meet my parents and my sister. :D

Consider going to Mongolia in July (specifically July 11-13), when they have the Nadaam festival. And if you can, visit the Gobi desert!

BKK if you've been there more than thrice should be avoided afterwards. Try going to Chiang Mai or Phuket, Koh Samui or the southern section (just make sure the insurgency is not on an upswing). Also avoid Pattaya.

kenken94

January 12th, 2011, 08:05 PM

Tourists up by 20% despite hostage, travel advisories
Sunday, 09 January 2011 19:01 Recto Mercene / Reporter
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THE number of foreign visitors who entered the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) last year went up to 3.4 million or almost 20 percent from the previous year’s 2.8 million despite the negative travel advisories, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Commissioner Ronaldo Ledesma said the exact figures show that from January to December 2010, the arrivals were recorded at 3,451,668 against 2009’s 2,887,303.

“The negative advisories by foreign governments warning their citizens against going to the Philippines did not have any impact at all,” Ledesma said.

He added that international traveler arrivals also peaked during the last quarter of the year, when most of the negative advisories were issued due to alleged threats of terror attacks in the country.

The most adverse impact on arrivals was recorded shortly after the bungled attempt to rescue a busload of tourists from Hong Kong in August, eight of whom were killed.

Hong Kong and Taiwan cancelled all scheduled trips to Manila but resumed months later following an investigation showing that the authorities erred and admitted the lack of sophisticated equipment to deal with such a situation.

BI records showed that from 188,028 foreign visitor arrivals in September 2010, the number increased steadily to 204,779 in October, 218,482 in November and 265,651 in December 2010.

“These numbers send a very clear message that the confidence of the international community in the Philippines and the government of President Aquino is very strong,” Ledesma added.

“No amount of alleged or perceived terror threats can shake or erode that confidence.”

He noted that the BI statistics are consistent with the Tourism department’s target of 3.3 million tourist arrivals in 2010.

The number pertains to all international travelers, including tourists, investors, expatriates, students and balikbayan who acquired foreign citizenship.

Immigration Regulation Division chief Alberto Braganza said that of the 3.4 million foreigners who came last year, about 80 percent, or 2.7 million arrived at the Naia while the rest were passed through other ports, such as Mactan, Clark and Davao.

Braganza added that 3.47 million Filipinos also arrived from abroad last year, 12-percent higher than the 3.1 million who returned in 2009.

crossboneka

January 12th, 2011, 08:06 PM

the poland ball!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs565.ash2/148702_1211798711314_1719162486_399785_6313240_n.jpg

habagatcentral1

January 12th, 2011, 08:32 PM

Sayang hindi ako nanalo sa lotto, ako maghahire ng 'risk management firm' and alam nyo na ang mangyayari. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA. :D

Alam ko na yan....:lol:

sandwindstars

January 12th, 2011, 11:19 PM

financed by Malaysia. it's an open secret that they support the rebels in the south

probably? more likely than not.

sandwindstars

January 12th, 2011, 11:21 PM

the poland ball!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs565.ash2/148702_1211798711314_1719162486_399785_6313240_n.jpg

May I ask where did you get this? Funny.

Aerin

January 12th, 2011, 11:49 PM

Kyoto is one of the most scenic cities in the world.

I'd have to disagree (sorry). Certainly, Kyoto has loads of attractions (historical shrines, temples, even a castle) and some areas of the city are indeed nice (eg Arashiyama), but overall though, I was disappointed. I guess I was expecting more from a city that escaped bombing during WWII, imagining it to look like Kurashiki's historical district, just on a wider scale. For a place that's truly picturesque, my vote goes to Hakone.

Mt. Fuji has always been a postcard staple.

My understanding is that one can visit Japan many times and not see Mt. Fuji (unless one actually goes to the mountain?), even though it's possible to view it from Tokyo or while heading west to Kyoto or northwest to Kanazawa, as most of the time the mountain is covered in haze or cloud. (I was able to get a glimpse of it, though it took me several attempts. The darn thing just didn't want to be seen.)

The thing with traveling is that if you make it accessible for even the elderly, tourism will thrive. In Korean I bumped into a few septagenarians climbing their mountain trails. I haven't been to Japan in a very very long time but I'm certain their seniors are also hiking up the slopes of Mt. Fuji.

In the Philippines, we need more elderly friendly and wheelchair accessible establishments, since senior tourists tend to be less demanding in the physical activity part but more demanding in the comfort aspect. Imagine the potential if the country promotes even further its place as a retirement haven or winter destination (warm, breezy weather) with very qualified nurses or attendants to address the needs of this special market.
I attended a presentation on accessibility once; it was an eye-opener, to say the least. It made me more aware of the difficulties the disabled people typically experience, even if it's something simple as crossing a street. Like you, I'd welcome the improvement of facilities to make them more accessible, but it shouldn't be done just for the tourists' sake.

I hope we can expand this discussion about how we can learn from other countries' tourism experience.:)

A few more notes and observations (not sure if any of these is applicable/already being implemented in the Philippines though):

Some cities apparently have specially designated streets (eg Rue du Tresor in Quebec, Rue St Amable in Montreal, El Caminito in Buenos Aires) where artists can display their artworks on the sidewalks and sell them. The streets are pretty lively, mostly flocked by tourists as the artworks (of varying quality and mostly consisting of paintings of iconic places of the city/country) make great souvenir items.

Bicycling is something that can be promoted, perhaps not in crowded Manila, but in the provinces. It's a great way to explore a city. In Rio de Janeiro, the city created a bike path (complete with lane markings for pedestrian and cyclists) parallel to the beaches, while in San Francisco, California, the city closes some of the streets within Golden Gate Park on Sundays to motorists, allowing the pedestrians and bicyclists to take over the streets. The city of Hiroshima had a (pilot?) program where bicycles were lent out for a period of time to anybody, including tourists, after presenting just an ID. There are also hotels that offer complimentary bicycle rental to their guests--I know at least a hotel in Okayama (Japan) and one in Portland, Oregon (USA) that does this.

In Buenos Aires, one doesn't have to attend a tango show at night to see it being performed as one can easily witness it being danced in the pedestrian streets of Calle Florida or El Caminito during daytime. It's also interactive as the dancers (male and female) encourage the tourists to join in and partner with them. Additionally, milongas welcome tourists wanting to learn more about the dance; likewise, in Rio de Janeiro, samba classes (even those located inside the favelas) are promoted to the tourists. Can something similar be done with tinikling or pandanggo sa ilaw, perhaps?

Askal82

January 13th, 2011, 01:20 AM

the poland ball!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs565.ash2/148702_1211798711314_1719162486_399785_6313240_n.jpg

:lol::lol:

xxxriainxxx

January 13th, 2011, 02:25 AM

Consider going to Mongolia in July (specifically July 11-13), when they have the Nadaam festival. And if you can, visit the Gobi desert!

BKK if you've been there more than thrice should be avoided afterwards. Try going to Chiang Mai or Phuket, Koh Samui or the southern section (just make sure the insurgency is not on an upswing). Also avoid Pattaya.

Unfortunately July-Aug, I already have a trip scheduled during those dates: I am heading back to the Philippines!!!!
:banana::banana::banana::banana:

Ady001

January 13th, 2011, 04:10 AM

probably financed by Malaysia. it's an open secret that they support the rebels in the south

Any leading proofs sir?

Mercato

January 13th, 2011, 05:00 AM

the poland ball!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs565.ash2/148702_1211798711314_1719162486_399785_6313240_n.jpg

:lol: ajajaja ejejeje ojojojo :lol: ... Viva Hispanidad!
http://jimenapulse.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/hispanidad.jpg

http://filipinoscribbles.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/%C2%A1feliz-dia-de-la-hispanidad/

Manila-X

January 13th, 2011, 06:25 AM

Manila-X

January 13th, 2011, 06:26 AM

Philippines is Asian period!

http://www.hotelsbycity.net/blog/int_philippines_metro-manila/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/mall-of-asia.jpg

Mercato

January 13th, 2011, 07:27 AM

... With neighbours like that, who needs enemies? ... :lol:

According to Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, we are a nation "in the midst of the West Pacific". :D "mistress of her own destiny" (meaning beholden to none, including nosy scheming conniving neighbours)

Shouldn't we heed the Clarion Call of our Founding Forefathers? :D

Message to My People
Manuel L. Quezon

http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/08/talumpati-manuel-l-quezon.html

My fellow citizens: there is one thought I want you always to bear in mind. And that is: that you are Filipinos. That the Philippines are your country, and the only country God has given you. That you must keep it for yourselves, for your children, and for your children's children, until the world is no more. You must live for it, and die for it, if necessary.

Your country is a great country. It has a great past, and a great future. The Philippines of yesterday are consecrated by the sacrifices of lives and treasure of your patriots, martyrs, and soldiers. The Philippines of today are honored by the wholehearted devotion to its cause of unselfish and courageous statesmen. The Philippines of tomorrow will be the country of plenty, of happiness, and of freedom. A Philippines with her head raised in the midst of the West Pacific, mistress of her own destiny, holding in her hand the torch of freedom and democracy. A republic of virtuous and righteous men and women all working together for a better world than the one we have at present.

Sleepwalker

January 13th, 2011, 08:00 AM

wino

January 13th, 2011, 08:41 AM

the poland ball!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs565.ash2/148702_1211798711314_1719162486_399785_6313240_n.jpg

LOL This made my day!!

crossboneka

January 13th, 2011, 09:28 AM

May I ask where did you get this? Funny.

oh i know about the poland ball in one of the threads here in SSC, so i googled it and randomly picked a link generated from my search and found one for philippines :lol: but i didn't bookmark the site so i can't remember where i got this one.

NTprime

January 13th, 2011, 10:02 AM

I'd have to disagree (sorry). Certainly, Kyoto has loads of attractions (historical shrines, temples, even a castle) and some areas of the city are indeed nice (eg Arashiyama), but overall though, I was disappointed. I guess I was expecting more from a city that escaped bombing during WWII, imagining it to look like Kurashiki's historical district, just on a wider scale. For a place that's truly picturesque, my vote goes to Hakone.

Haven't been to Hakone. But that should be an interesting visit, considering the views and the proximity to the sea. Lots of onsen for sure... It's not that far from Tokyo and is near Mt. Fuji. Perhaps I should also qualify "scenic" as also "full of interesting and historical architecture", which was what I had in mind when mentioning Kyoto.

My understanding is that one can visit Japan many times and not see Mt. Fuji (unless one actually goes to the mountain?), even though it's possible to view it from Tokyo or while heading west to Kyoto or northwest to Kanazawa, as most of the time the mountain is covered in haze or cloud. (I was able to get a glimpse of it, though it took me several attempts. The darn thing just didn't want to be seen.)

Since Mt. Fuji is about 100km west of Tokyo, it's like saying if we can see Mt. Mayon from Sorsogon or Naga. I haven't been to Bicol in over a decade so I don't know what exactly that view would look like. But Mt. Fuji is way taller than Mt. Mayon, so I guess it indeed can be seen albeit on a small scale.

I attended a presentation on accessibility once; it was an eye-opener, to say the least. It made me more aware of the difficulties the disabled people typically experience, even if it's something simple as crossing a street. Like you, I'd welcome the improvement of facilities to make them more accessible, but it shouldn't be done just for the tourists' sake.

Most modern structures have handicap accessible ramps and elevators. The tourist spots should take this into consideration. Banaue is a great view, but it is definitely not friendly to those with weak knees.

A few more notes and observations (not sure if any of these is applicable/already being implemented in the Philippines though):

Some cities apparently have specially designated streets (eg Rue du Tresor in Quebec, Rue St Amable in Montreal, El Caminito in Buenos Aires) where artists can display their artworks on the sidewalks and sell them. The streets are pretty lively, mostly flocked by tourists as the artworks (of varying quality and mostly consisting of paintings of iconic places of the city/country) make great souvenir items.
Nice mention of those places. Haven't been to Quebec (only Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver) but I would think that these cities are very European, not North American in feel.

Was in Buenos Aires many years ago although on a quick (1 day) trip. I didn't get to notice that section you mentioned as I went around the usual spots on foot (those along Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida de Mayo)

Bicycling is something that can be promoted, perhaps not in crowded Manila, but in the provinces. It's a great way to explore a city. In Rio de Janeiro, the city created a bike path (complete with lane markings for pedestrian and cyclists) parallel to the beaches, while in San Francisco, California, the city closes some of the streets within Golden Gate Park on Sundays to motorists, allowing the pedestrians and bicyclists to take over the streets. The city of Hiroshima had a (pilot?) program where bicycles were lent out for a period of time to anybody, including tourists, after presenting just an ID. There are also hotels that offer complimentary bicycle rental to their guests--I know at least a hotel in Okayama (Japan) and one in Portland, Oregon (USA) that does this.

In Buenos Aires, one doesn't have to attend a tango show at night to see it being performed as one can easily witness it being danced in the pedestrian streets of Calle Florida or El Caminito during daytime. It's also interactive as the dancers (male and female) encourage the tourists to join in and partner with them. Additionally, milongas welcome tourists wanting to learn more about the dance; likewise, in Rio de Janeiro, samba classes (even those located inside the favelas) are promoted to the tourists. Can something similar be done with tinikling or pandanggo sa ilaw, perhaps?

There are groups like the Tour of the Fireflies trying to promote biking on the streets of Metro Manila. I've joined a number of their bike runs but the traffic is a real choker. Pollution is so bad at the ground level that I had to think twice about the route the Tour would take especially if it involved EDSA!

Many cities in Europe are best visited by bicycle, considering the narrow roads and limited parking. I hope to do this one day in the future.

Mercato

January 13th, 2011, 10:38 AM

^^Manuel L. Quezon must be like Nostradamus... :)

It was him who said that he'd prefer Philippines to be ran like hell by the Filipinos....And now, our officials are really running our country like hell... :D

And now, this one. Would you rather be sleeping with the enemy within and throwing yourselves shamelessly at their feet for the proverbial thirty pieces of silver? :|

Most of us before (including myself) read only half of the sentence. To understand what MLQ meant you HAVE to read the entirety of the sentence.
"I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans, I used to be puzzled as well. Because the phrase often presented to us was in truncated form. Only that one above. For 20 years, I was puzzled why should I opt for a lesser status when we could've become somethin like what Honolulu is now? Perhaps because I didn't see the whole context of what he meant... :D
because however a bad Filipino government might be, we can always change it." - Manuel L. Quezon I can detect a wry sense of humour to MLQ when he mentioned this. Simple but it's direct to the point. This phrase is often left out.
"I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans, because however a bad Filipino government might be, we can always change it." - Manuel L. Quezon Now I understand what he was trying to teach. His main point was being the Masters of our Destiny and Masters of our Fate, to paraphrase from Invictus. To say that we would rather be in American heaven is also a tacit admission that filipinos are incapable of standing on their own two feet, which is erroneous of course. :D The whole point was that of Liberty and Freedom.

If latter day generations made poor electoral choices over the last 3 decades, that does not in any way detract from his salient points. We cannot blame that speech for the poor electoral choices the electorate made. :)

Parchie

January 13th, 2011, 10:54 AM

Now I understand what he was trying to teach. His main point was being the Masters of our Destiny and Masters of our Fate, to paraphrase from Invictus. To say that we would rather be in American heaven is also a tacit admission that filipinos are incapable of standing on their own two feet, which is erroneous of course. :D The whole point was that of Liberty and Freedom.

If latter day generations made poor electoral choices over the last 3 decades, that does not in any way detract from his salient points. We cannot blame that speech for the poor electoral choices the electorate made. :)

I agree, nobody should use MLQ's speech to justify what's happening in the country now.
So, you said, in 30+ years, the Filipinos are still not good electors! Sad, isn't it? Where have all the years of schooling and parental tutelage gone? Is it wrong to admit that we, as a nation, are not capable of making the right choices? Where did we fail?

Mercato

January 13th, 2011, 12:15 PM

I agree, nobody should use MLQ's speech to justify what's happening in the country now.
So, you said, in 30+ years, the Filipinos are still not good electors! Sad, isn't it? Where have all the years of schooling and parental tutelage gone? Is it wrong to admit that we, as a nation, are not capable of making the right choices? Where did we fail?The readymade answer to that last one would always be the clichéd creeping and inexorable corruption. Corruption by the way does not only manifest itself in the upper echelons of government, it is just as pervasive in all levels of society. Corruption also existed in varying degrees in other Asian societies. But do take note that their forms of government are far different from our freewheeling democracy. Corruption was mitigated through the use of the iron fist. Where have all the years of schooling and parental tutelage gone? Is it wrong to admit that we, as a nation, are not capable of making the right choices? You speak as if each and every single Filipino have had that luxury of schooling and parental tutelage. Hardly so, because if that were indeed the case, the elite and the oligarchs would have no uneducated Masa to manipulate, would they now? :D :D :D

The educated Filipinos are quite capable of making the right life choices and indeed electoral choices. Howbeit they are in the minority, the middle class is the minority. The great multitudes of the illiterate Masa decide the victors and the losers. Of course, the Middle Classes have no control over the Masa for they haven’t got the finances to do so. Aaah however, our elite and the great entrenched Oligarchy do have the finances to manipulate the ignorant Masa. That is why Dynasties will always prevail in the current system. He who has the gold rules, that is the Philippine Golden Rule. :lol:

One way to mitigate this is by disenfranchising all those who do NOT have BIR TINs, all those who are non taxpayers have no right to dictate the future of the nation and the future of the taxpayers. That right to vote only belongs to those who pay taxes diligently out of their own wallets. :lol:

froghat

January 13th, 2011, 02:05 PM

the poland ball!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs565.ash2/148702_1211798711314_1719162486_399785_6313240_n.jpg

Polandball comics are created by anonymous people in http://krautchan.net/int/

http://i52.tinypic.com/jucsd0.jpg

ricoyan

January 13th, 2011, 02:45 PM

One way to mitigate this is by disenfranchising all those who do NOT have BIR TINs, all those who are non taxpayers have no right to dictate the future of the nation and the future of the taxpayers. That right to vote only belongs to those who pay taxes diligently out of their own wallets. :lol:

ANTI-POOR ka! Hahahahaha Onli in Pinas:bash::ohno:

filcan

January 13th, 2011, 03:47 PM

[QUOTE=wino;70545165]

^^Why is it called "Poland ball"?? Isn't that Indonesia??

Mercato

January 13th, 2011, 04:00 PM

ANTI-POOR ka! Hahahahaha Onli in Pinas:bash::ohno: The Oligarchs control the Masa and they win election after election because of these spineless mindless horde. And you damn well know it and if you don't you are obtuse. That’s why all your Dynasties will never lose and the system will never change. Then everyone will come to forums like SSC and lament to high heavens oh why, oh why, oh why. Why must Erap be close to winning again and again and again. :lol: :lol: :lol:

O heto para sa mga non-taxpayers, tax evaders, vote sellers and leeches. :bash: :bash: :bash: ... bato bato sa langit ang tamaan ... sana dagdagan pa ng kidlat. :lol:

Let’s put it this way. My frame of thought is that a more stable society is one whose Middle Class is burgeoning, prosperous and healthy. So in that sense, I am pro-Middle Class. :D :D :D

Mercato

January 13th, 2011, 04:04 PM

[QUOTE=wino;70545165]

^^Why is it called "Poland ball"?? Isn't that Indonesia??Coz I think the first balls were done by Polish political cartoonists? Yes, it is Indonesia. And Polandball Indonesia is pretending it can fit in "chummily" (with its Malay and Islamic majority) alongside the Buddhist North Asians. Such are the stuff myths are made of. :lol: :lol: :lol:

habagatcentral1

January 13th, 2011, 04:19 PM

La lang...
Sumasakit ulo ko sa mga lugar na may visa requirements. I need to apply for a credit card (either MC or Visa) AND I need to have LOTSA MONEY in my bank account. :doh: Sakit sa ulo ng mga requirements, mamamasyal lang naman ako, di eeskapo!

Ph Man

January 13th, 2011, 04:23 PM

NTprime

January 13th, 2011, 05:55 PM

The Oligarchs control the Masa and they win election after election because of these spineless mindless horde. And you damn well know it and if you don't you are obtuse. That’s why all your Dynasties will never lose and the system will never change. Then everyone will come to forums like SSC and lament to high heavens oh why, oh why, oh why. Why must Erap be close to winning again and again and again. :lol: :lol: :lol:

O heto para sa mga non-taxpayers, tax evaders, vote sellers and leeches. :bash: :bash: :bash: ... bato bato sa langit ang tamaan ... sana dagdagan pa ng kidlat. :lol:

Let’s put it this way. My frame of thought is that a more stable society is one whose Middle Class is burgeoning, prosperous and healthy. So in that sense, I am pro-Middle Class. :D :D :D

I subscribe to this point of view. Only those who pay their taxes should be allowed to vote and elect the representatives of the people. If the poor want to dictate their fate, then they should pay taxes as well. Maybe a pro-rata system of determining vote numbers based on taxes paid should make an interesting formula.

In the tourism industry, the masa don't always go for the cultural and historical aspect of the tourist spots, but rather the populist appeal and the "in" factor (nakapunta na ako diyan, ikaw kaya?). They go to a place to take pictures to share and brag to the others who haven't been there. They hardly contribute to the historical cause because they usually don't want to pay decent money for the upkeep of these places. What they want is something free just like Luneta, where they can prop themselves anywhere and throw away their trash without thinking who will be cleaning up after them and what the effects are to the environment.:bash:

kenken94

January 13th, 2011, 06:57 PM

May I ask where did you get this? Funny.

Here! I found it while scrolling down Poland Ball page at Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1211798711314&set=o.366029555482

habagatcentral1

January 13th, 2011, 07:01 PM

shouldnt be a problem if the company is sponsoring your travel.

what country requires a credit card during application? show 'em your Amex! hehe...

but correction Berns...its MC and VISA...hehe...
there are some places that accept only visa. i dunno why. i learned it the hard way.

I'm on my own actually. This is a vacation somewhere in the Americas. I was targeting Mexico.

wino

January 13th, 2011, 11:15 PM

[QUOTE=filcan;70563543]Coz I think the first balls were done by Polish political cartoonists? Yes, it is Indonesia. And Polandball Indonesia is pretending it can fit in "chummily" (with its Malay and Islamic majority) alongside the Buddhist North Asians. Such are the stuff myths are made of. :lol: :lol: :lol:

lol

i didn't ask that question. :D

Aerin

January 14th, 2011, 12:09 AM

Haven't been to Hakone. But that should be an interesting visit, considering the views and the proximity to the sea. Lots of onsen for sure... It's not that far from Tokyo and is near Mt. Fuji. Perhaps I should also qualify "scenic" as also "full of interesting and historical architecture", which was what I had in mind when mentioning Kyoto.

Yes, lots of onsen in Hakone. Pictures I've seen (in postcards and elsewhere, such as this one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LakeAshi_and_MtFuji_Hakone.JPG)) depict Hakone's Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji in the background so it should be possible to see it from there (I said 'possible' but it almost seems to me like you have to be living there to get that view since Mt. Fuji is so elusive--I went there twice and didn't see it).

As for Kyoto, I don't think any other city in Japan can compete with Kyoto in terms of the amount of attractions, so no arguments there.

Since Mt. Fuji is about 100km west of Tokyo, it's like saying if we can see Mt. Mayon from Sorsogon or Naga. I haven't been to Bicol in over a decade so I don't know what exactly that view would look like. But Mt. Fuji is way taller than Mt. Mayon, so I guess it indeed can be seen albeit on a small scale.

In Shinjuku there's a government building that has an observation deck at the top where you can get magnificent views of the city (it's free to go up). There are display boards telling you what you're looking at; Mt Fuji is shown in those display boards so I assume it's possible to see it--on a clear day, of course.

Most modern structures have handicap accessible ramps and elevators. The tourist spots should take this into consideration. Banaue is a great view, but it is definitely not friendly to those with weak knees.

Not having been to Banaue yet, I'd have to ask--what improvements would you suggest? (If facilities need to be built I hope it's something that wouldn't seem out of place there.)

Nice mention of those places. Haven't been to Quebec (only Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver) but I would think that these cities are very European, not North American in feel.

Quebec really does feel very European, Montreal not so much unless you're in the historical part of the city (Vieux Montreal). I haven't been to Vancouver, but I'm hoping to visit it later this year. That and Prince Edward Island are the last two on my list of Canadian places to visit.

Was in Buenos Aires many years ago although on a quick (1 day) trip. I didn't get to notice that section you mentioned as I went around the usual spots on foot (those along Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida de Mayo)
El Caminito lies almost on the outskirts of the city while Calle Florida is located not too far from Avenida de Mayo. You should visit Buenos Aires again; there's a lot more to see now as some areas have been redeveloped, like the port area.

There are groups like the Tour of the Fireflies trying to promote biking on the streets of Metro Manila. I've joined a number of their bike runs but the traffic is a real choker. Pollution is so bad at the ground level that I had to think twice about the route the Tour would take especially if it involved EDSA!

How about doing it in the provinces (eg a bikepath/lane parallel to the shores of a lake or sea)?

Many cities in Europe are best visited by bicycle, considering the narrow roads and limited parking. I hope to do this one day in the future.
Keep in mind that some of the streets are cobblestoned, but otherwise, that should be a fun experience, particularly in the countryside :)

Parchie

January 14th, 2011, 12:14 AM

You speak as if each and every single Filipino have had that luxury of schooling and parental tutelage. Hardly so, because if that were indeed the case, the elite and the oligarchs would have no uneducated Masa to manipulate, would they now? :D :D :D

I mentioned both, schooling and teaching of the children by their respective parents knowing too well that not all have the luxury of formal education, sir! Those with money will have their children go to schools while those who don't have the means will have to make do with parents teaching their own children the basic things! The problem I guess is when they, the parents themselves are not educated!

OTOH, with the much ballyhooed "free education" (up to elementary grades), this should have taken care of the giving of the necessary tools for a "poor" Filipino to know right or wrong. If that free education did not help, did the system degenerated into uselessness? My uncle who is just an elementary graduate (war broke-out) understands and speaks a fair English than these kids in the elementary now! In fact, he rarely accedes when we argue on political matters - meaning he understands what things are important!

Are there more factors unknown to us that made our kids loathe schooling/ learning and choose to be dumb? Easy money? Like being on TV? Being talked-about?

FlashCollider

January 14th, 2011, 12:51 AM

^^
The quality of educationbefore is far different from the quality of education now. Add to that the idiocy of what Cory did that gave rise to taglish resulting to the bastardization of both English and Pilipino Language. The quality of education the system has is on downward trend unless we do something about it.

12jairien14

January 14th, 2011, 01:18 AM

^^
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs044.snc6/167464_160715130642322_100001115098314_314124_6334388_n.jpg
^^

^^
Zamboanga City
largest city in region IX
2nd largest city in mindanao
3rd largest city outside Metro Manila
in terms of economy and population
^^

xxxriainxxx

January 14th, 2011, 03:07 AM

shouldnt be a problem if the company is sponsoring your travel.

what country requires a credit card during application? show 'em your Amex! hehe...

but correction Berns...its MC and VISA...hehe...
there are some places that accept only visa. i dunno why. i learned it the hard way.

France requires a credit card... I checked a couple weeks back because I am thinking of spending Christmas there this year..

Mercato

January 14th, 2011, 05:53 AM

I mentioned both, schooling and teaching of the children by their respective parents knowing too well that not all have the luxury of formal education, sir! Those with money will have their children go to schools while those who don't have the means will have to make do with parents teaching their own children the basic things! The problem I guess is when they, the parents themselves are not educated!

OTOH, with the much ballyhooed "free education" (up to elementary grades), this should have taken care of the giving of the necessary tools for a "poor" Filipino to know right or wrong. If that free education did not help, did the system degenerated into uselessness? My uncle who is just an elementary graduate (war broke-out) understands and speaks a fair English than these kids in the elementary now! In fact, he rarely accedes when we argue on political matters - meaning he understands what things are important!

Are there more factors unknown to us that made our kids loathe schooling/ learning and choose to be dumb? Easy money? Like being on TV? Being talked-about?The uneducated were never in danger of extinction. :lol: :lol:

What about you, what are your thoughts on the matter? :|

No one would consciously choose to be dumb ~ neither rich nor poor. All of us have built in instincts for basic survival. The poor are esp quite adept at being streetsmart, which can hardly be called dumbness. :colgate:

I think all the factors are known already. It’s just a matter of implementation or rather, the willpower to do so. Before we forget, there is also such a thing as strict implementation of Standards. We are notorious for being lackadaisical when it comes to strict enforcement of educational standards esp in public schools. Now that is also another manifestation of corruption at the educational level. Case in point, you mentioned English in the 40s and 50s as superb compared with the boorish variety we hear from the younglings today. True, true, so very true. That is because the new generation likes to be defensive about their bad English ~ the bahala na and puede na yan syndromes which are really difficult to cure. :)

Mercato

January 14th, 2011, 06:03 AM

I subscribe to this point of view. Only those who pay their taxes should be allowed to vote and elect the representatives of the people. If the poor want to dictate their fate, then they should pay taxes as well. Maybe a pro-rata system of determining vote numbers based on taxes paid should make an interesting formula.

In the tourism industry, the masa don't always go for the cultural and historical aspect of the tourist spots, but rather the populist appeal and the "in" factor (nakapunta na ako diyan, ikaw kaya?). They go to a place to take pictures to share and brag to the others who haven't been there. They hardly contribute to the historical cause because they usually don't want to pay decent money for the upkeep of these places. What they want is something free just like Luneta, where they can prop themselves anywhere and throw away their trash without thinking who will be cleaning up after them and what the effects are to the environment.:bash: Another glaring area I can think of is that long stretch of railway I see on the South Superhighway? That long stretch(I don’t know where it begins nor ends) is filled/ (or was filled) with squatters and some even built their homes with concrete. I can imagine all of these making demands on the mayors of Muntinlupa and Makati that the world owes them a living!!! Another creepy area is that stretch of C5 going to Serendra and Boni Hi Street? Those curious little structures lining both sides of C5 do not look to me like legitimate homeowners, no not at all.

We can try that interesting formula of yours, although privately I would prefer to simplify things and disenfranchise the buggers outright. Then that would politically emasculate all the Eraps and the Saturs. LMAO. :lol: :lol:

That would guarantee that majority of the registered voters are conscientious and literate taxpayers. :lol:

TANSTAAFL = There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. :lol: & I do sincerely hope none of the illiterates would ask me to expound on this US adage. :rofl:

Mercato

January 14th, 2011, 06:12 AM

[QUOTE=Mercato;70564607]

lol

i didn't ask that question. :D Oh, I do beg your pardon. The reason why the 3 of us are playing musical chairs is because one of us truncated one’s post earlier so the other poster’s name comes up instead of the one the first poster was trying to respond to. :| All I ever do is click on the quote button outright. But I see that some forumers love to truncate posts esp the end QUOTEs, don't ask me why. :lol:

Parchie

January 14th, 2011, 06:36 AM

No one would consciously choose to be dumb ~ neither rich nor poor. All of us have built in instincts for basic survival. The poor are esp quite adept at being streetsmart, which can hardly be called dumbness. :colgate:

Rightly so! Future citizens of the country will miss a hell lot if they choose not to educate themselves. Unknowingly or knowingly, every decision we make today impacts our future. Make your mistake now, and suffer in the future. If you knew nothing of the consequences of your actions, that doesn't exempt you from being called "dumb". Simply because, you should have asked others! That is always the thing we tell our workers; "when in doubt, ask"; dumb if you don't! See the point I'm trying to paint? Dumbness is not just a state of mind but also an attitudinal problem!
Even dogs can be streetsmart if we apply the true sense of the word! But pitting that kind of smartness on the ability to choose a leader is another thing! The laws on the street are simple and animalistic. There, we have no future to think of, just plain today and how one gets to wake up tomorrow, right? Enough has been said. God help our country!

Ph Man

January 14th, 2011, 09:26 AM

France requires a credit card... I checked a couple weeks back because I am thinking of spending Christmas there this year..

I didnt know that. Now credit card has become a necessity. A country I have been to only accepts VISA credit card.

Since you mentioned France, is it hard to get visa? I once phoned a lady visa officer. She wasnt very nice! And shes Pinay. :ohno:

I'm on my own actually. This is a vacation somewhere in the Americas. I was targeting Mexico.

Cool...be careful. Esp when going to Acapulco or somewhere near the US borders. Well, I think we're not required to get visa for Brazil. Are we?

Kintoy

January 14th, 2011, 09:28 AM

no visas required for Brazil

Ph Man

January 14th, 2011, 09:39 AM

cool, thanks for that info.

but i think thatd be too long a flight from here to Rio. one will have to take either AF via CDG or DL.

habagatcentral1

January 14th, 2011, 09:50 AM

I didnt know that. Now credit card has become a necessity. A country I have been to only accepts VISA credit card.
Now, Shengen visa is a necessity in €urope. What is it?

Cool...be careful. Esp when going to Acapulco or somewhere near the US borders. Well, I think we're not required to get visa for Brazil. Are we?
Will be only at the heartland--Mexico City, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Acapulco including. Its just Mexico is having the same situation as ours (Philippines) in front of international media. Yet the border or near the border (Culiacan, Chihuahua, Cd Juarez, Hermosillo, Reynosa, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Tijuana) are some areas that needs extra precaution or better yet, avoid.

no visas required for Brazil

Therefore, I have to prepare for Brazil 2014 and 2016.

Kintoy

January 14th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Countries that do not require visas from Filipino tourists:

Africa
Countries and Territories Conditions of access

Burundi visa issued upon arrival [2]
Cape Verde visa issued upon arrival [3]
Comoros A free 24 h transit visa issued upon arrival at the airport. Within 24 hours this must be converted into a full visa at the immigration office in Moroni (fee payable) [4]
Djibouti 10-day visa issued upon arrival for DJF3,000; 1-month visa issued upon arrival for DJF5,000 [5]
Egypt (South Sinai only) 14-day visa issued upon arrival (free of charge) [6]
Gambia At port of entry passport 24-72 h transit pass is issued. This must be converted into a full visa valid up to 1 month at the immigration department in Banjul (fee payable) [7]
Kenya 3-month visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [8]
Madagascar 90-day visa issued upon arrival for MGA140,000 [9]
Morocco 3 months [10]
Mozambique 30-day visa issued upon arrival for US$25 [11]
Saint Helena visa issued upon arrival
Seychelles 1 month [12]
Tanzania visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [13]
Togo 7-day visa issued upon arrival [14]
Uganda 6-month visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [15]
Zambia 3 month visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [16]

Asia

Countries and Territories/ Conditions of access
ASEAN
Brunei Darussalam 14 days [17]
Cambodia 21 days [18]
Indonesia 30 days [19]
Laos 30 days [20]
Malaysia 1 month [21]
Singapore 30 days [22]
Thailand 30 days [23]
Vietnam 21 days [24]

Non-ASEAN
Armenia 120-day visa issued upon arrival for AMD 15,000 [25]
Azerbaijan 30-day visa issued upon arrival for US$100 [26]
Bangladesh 90-day visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [27]
Georgia 3 month visa issued on arrival for US$10 ~ US$200 [28]
Hong Kong 14 days [29]
Iran 15-day visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [30]
Israel 3 months [31]
South Korea (Jeju Island only) 30 days [32]
Macau 30 days [33]
Maldives 30-day visa issued upon arrival (free of charge) [34]
Mongolia 21 days [35]
Nepal 15/30/90 day visa issued upon arrival for US$25/40/100 [36]
Sri Lanka 30 days [37]
Timor-Leste 30-day visa issued upon arrival for US$30 [38]

Europe
Countries and Territories /Conditions of access
Kosovo 90 days [39]

Oceania
Countries and Territories/ Conditions of access
Cook Islands 31 days [40]
Fiji 4-month Visitor’s Permit issued upon arrival (free of charge) [41]
Marshall Islands 30-day visa issued upon arrival (free of charge) [42]
Federated States of Micronesia 30 days [43]
Niue 30 days [44]
Palau 30-day visa issued upon arrival (free of charge) [45]
Samoa 60-day Visitor’s Permit issued upon arrival (free of charge) [46]
Tuvalu 1-month visa issued upon arrival (free of charge) [47]
Vanuatu 30 days [48]

[edit] North America
Countries and Territories Conditions of access
Bermuda 6 months [49]
Costa Rica 30 days [50]
Dominica 21 days [51]
Haiti 3 months [52]
Nicaragua 90 days [53]
Saint Kitts and Nevis 14 days [54]
Saint Lucia 6-week visa issued upon arrival for US$50 [55]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1 month [56]
Turks and Caicos Islands 30 days [57]

[edit] South America
Countries and Territories Conditions of access
Bolivia 59 days [58]
Brazil 90 days [59]
Colombia 90 days [60]
Ecuador 90 days [61]
Peru 90 days [62]
Suriname 120 days [63]

http://reahguevarra.com/countries-filipinos-no-tourist-visa/

Kintoy

January 14th, 2011, 09:59 AM

cool, thanks for that info.

but i think thatd be too long a flight from here to Rio. one will have to take either AF via CDG or DL.

i heard that some take HK > Johannesburg > Rio

wino

January 14th, 2011, 10:04 AM

^^ Bolivia?? wow nice! didn't know I could actually visit my Bolivian friend there with my Philippine passport.

nice info btw

froghat

January 14th, 2011, 10:09 AM

^^Why is it called "Poland ball"??

It's called polandball because it started as a comic to make jokes about poland.

Isn't that Indonesia??

That's the joke.

xxxriainxxx

January 14th, 2011, 10:34 AM

I didnt know that. Now credit card has become a necessity. A country I have been to only accepts VISA credit card.

Since you mentioned France, is it hard to get visa? I once phoned a lady visa officer. She wasnt very nice! And shes Pinay. :ohno:

Cool...be careful. Esp when going to Acapulco or somewhere near the US borders. Well, I think we're not required to get visa for Brazil. Are we?

It's on the French Embassy Hanoi website that they require a Credit Card. Which country only accepts VISA cc? Myanmar do not have any facility for CCs at all. I haven't tried applying for the visa yet as I'm trying to piece through my requirements one at a time.

As for shitty/bitchy Pinoys working in various MNCs/Embassies/Consulates, that's nothing new. Sometimes these f*cktards, nakatayo lang sa balikat ng foreigner nilang mga boss, akala mo kung sino nang umasta. Oh, I have to stop here before I get all riled up.

No visa required for 3 mos (afaik) for Brazil.

xxxriainxxx

January 14th, 2011, 11:29 AM

Someone was asking about visas to India earlier so here:

Tourist Visa-on-Arrival for Philippines nationals

To facilitate bona fide tourists holding Philippines passport, who plan their tours at a short notice, Government of India has introduced “Tourist Visa-on-Arrival” with effect from 01 January 2011.

Tourist visa on arrival shall be granted by the Immigration Officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports and shall be valid for a maximum of 30 days with single entry. Tourist Visa-on-Arrival shall be allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year with a minimum gap of two months between each visit. This may please be noted that the tourist visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Who is eligible:

Filipinos with valid passports upto at least 6 months validity, or re-entry permit if required,
Visiting India for the purpose of tourism (recreation, sight-seeing, visiting friends and relatives),
Fulfils all other criteria for grant of normal tourist visa to India like assured financial standing (production of confirmed return ticket or a ticket for onward journey within 30 days of arrival from India, proof of availability of sufficient funds to spend in India).
Documents to be carried:

Passport size photographs, and
Photocopy of the passport
Who is not eligible:

Filipino who was or whose parents or grand parents (paternal or maternal) were born in, and was permanently resident in Pakistan,
Persons holding diplomatic / official passports,
A person who is a resident of India and / or works in India,
A person who is declared persona non grata by Government of India and is the subject of a black list or any warning circular or other restrictive list.
Fee:

The fee would be US$ 60/- per passenger or an equivalent amount in Indian Rupees.

http://www.embindia.org.ph/tourist_visa.php

Ph Man

January 14th, 2011, 12:17 PM

Someone was asking about visas to India earlier so here:

http://www.embindia.org.ph/tourist_visa.php

I was the one asking, so thanks man....
Very useful info.

It's on the French Embassy Hanoi website that they require a Credit Card. Which country only accepts VISA cc? Myanmar do not have any facility for CCs at all. I haven't tried applying for the visa yet as I'm trying to piece through my requirements one at a time.

As for shitty/bitchy Pinoys working in various MNCs/Embassies/Consulates, that's nothing new. Sometimes these f*cktards, nakatayo lang sa balikat ng foreigner nilang mga boss, akala mo kung sino nang umasta. Oh, I have to stop here before I get all riled up.

No visa required for 3 mos (afaik) for Brazil.

I really hate pinoys that way to their fellows.
St African embassy staff are no better.

i heard that some take HK > Johannesburg > Rio

Sounds like an easier route. Maybe via 2 airlines at least.

rmb

January 14th, 2011, 12:23 PM

i heard that some take HK > Johannesburg > Rio

Do we need to have a South African visa for the Johannesburg connection?

I love Brazil too .. :banana: also interested with South Africa. :lol:

xxxriainxxx

January 14th, 2011, 01:46 PM

I was the one asking, so thanks man....
Very useful info.

I really hate pinoys that way to their fellows.
St African embassy staff are no better.

Sounds like an easier route. Maybe via 2 airlines at least.

NP. HK to Jo'burg that seems to be like an extremely long flight. There should be flights from BKK to JHB right?

Kintoy

January 14th, 2011, 01:48 PM

alas, they now require transit visas: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/261009/south-africa-ow-requiring-transit-visa

xxxriainxxx

January 14th, 2011, 01:55 PM

alas, they now require transit visas: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/261009/south-africa-ow-requiring-transit-visa

Boo!

Ph Man

January 14th, 2011, 02:24 PM

NP. HK to Jo'burg that seems to be like an extremely long flight. There should be flights from BKK to JHB right?

Probably same as HKG to LHR.

Theres hardly any direct flight from Africa to St America.
You have to connect via Europe or US.

On a Mali flight from CDG, I was beside a nice Brazilian guy. Hes travelling from Brazil via CDG. If you look at the map he wasted so much time flying.
alas, they now require transit visas: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/261009/south-africa-ow-requiring-transit-visa

But if you dont leave the international area, and you have confirmed onward ticket, transit visa should not be required. Right?

It's on the French Embassy Hanoi website that they require a Credit Card. Which country only accepts VISA cc? Myanmar do not have any facility for CCs at all. I haven't tried applying for the visa yet as I'm trying to piece through my requirements one at a time.

Sorry, missed this out.
It's Mali. At least the hotel and stores Ive been to.

Really Myanmar does not have CC facility?

b_two

January 14th, 2011, 07:40 PM

Asia’s first underwater resort hotel to be built off Palawan

By Emman Cena
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20110114-314457/Asias-first-underwater-resort-hotel-to-be-built-off-Palawan)
First Posted 19:26:00 01/14/2011

MANILA, Philippines—The country is all set to embrace a futuristic undersea project to rival those in Maldives, Dubai and Fiji, according to a Filipino team of developer and architects, which is set to build an underwater resort hotel in Palawan.
Dubbed as the Coral World Park, this multibillion-peso project will set the record as Asia’s first underwater resort development and the biggest undersea living in the world once the project is completed by 2013.
Picture this: You wake up to a picture perfect view of frivolously swimming manta rays and fishes or hold a meeting in a restaurant submerged in the pristine waters. Say what? All this isn’t science fiction according to an all-Filipino team behind the project.
Taking the helm is Singapore-based businessman Paul Moñozca, who is known for his advocacies of helping Filipino sports teams and the overseas remittance business. Partnering with Moñozca is renowned eco-architect Jose “Pinggoy” Mañosa, who will take charge of the architectural design of the Coral World Park.
“It’s high time we brought sustainable development underwater because there have been similar projects elsewhere in the world that have been proven successful,” Moñozca told Inquirer Property in an exclusive interview Wednesday.
He cited global warming and the rising water levels as factors that pushed him to look into the possibility of exploring the readiness of the country for this kind of revolutionary development.
Pegged at some $150 million, the undersea structure takes pride in its 24 undersea suites or pods called “Anemones,” which are submerged 60 feet below sea level with a fascinating 270-degree view of the sea. The 15-foot-high Anemones will be built by a US firm that specializes in submarines.
Several units of these Anemones will be open for public viewing at reasonable rates while majority are for ownership. Each 50-square-meter Anemone (the size of two-bedroom condo unit) can be customized per owner’s preference. It can be used as a private villa, a receiving or entertainment room that could cater to as many as 15 people.
Filipino ingenuity
How can one move from one pod/suite to another? The Coral World Park will be built with submarine technology. The mode of transport will be through glass bottom mini-submarines to be powered by the first mobile hydropower system, which generates up to 1 megawatt of electricity. This will use a patented water recycling and pressure chamber invented by an all-Filipino team of engineers, Moñozca said.
“The project will show to the world Filipino ingenuity as 80 percent of the project will be run and manned by Filipinos, from engineers to architects down to personnel,” Moñozca said. When completed, the proposed underwater habitat will be the biggest in the world.
Also part of the futuristic project is a 50-bedroom onland boutique hotel complete with amenities like casinos, spa, business center and an underwater restaurant to be named “Starfish,” which could seat as many as 200 people in its 600-square-meter dining area. A seahorse-shaped science center aptly called “Seahorse Science Center” will be built for tourists and will serve as the park’s marine observatory and conservation center showcasing the richness of marine life in the Philippines.
The project is expected to pour in billions of investments and will help create thousands of jobs for the people in Palawan and neighboring provinces.
Conservation tourism
Funding will come from Moñozca’s Monaco-based group, which counts investors from the United States, the Middle East and Russia. As an aggressive venture in ecotourism business, the project also aims to replenish the coral reefs in the area and would advocate conservation tourism in the country.
Moñozca related that everything has been in the planning stage since last year. He identified a group of islands in Coron as the site for development owing to its perfect geography, clear and cove-protected waters and rich marine life. The islands of Palawan hardly experience earthquakes and are not prone to visiting typhoons that occasionally hit the country.
The construction is set to start soon and will be completed in two years, according to Mañosa, who said this would be “my biggest project so far in my professional career.” Mañosa is behind some of the biggest projects like the San Miguel Building constructed in the 1980s and the Brent International School.
“I was overwhelmed myself when the project was offered to me. Even my family is excited about this; my grandchildren are asking when they could visit the underwater resort,” Mañosa said.
The group dispelled fears of security as the whole resort will be tightly guarded. The proponents also envision a cashless system of transaction as everything will be made via specially issued bracelet cards similar to the function of a credit card.
The group promised strict adherence to protect the environment and the biodiversity of Palawan. They said no marine life will be harmed during the course of its construction to its operations.

wino

January 14th, 2011, 09:11 PM

^^ OH NO!! You beat me in posting it!! :D

i was so excited to post that article!!

filcan

January 15th, 2011, 04:53 AM

Another Asian first in the Philippines! And the biggest in the world! :banana:

xxxriainxxx

January 15th, 2011, 05:11 AM

Probably same as HKG to LHR.

Theres hardly any direct flight from Africa to St America.
You have to connect via Europe or US.

On a Mali flight from CDG, I was beside a nice Brazilian guy. Hes travelling from Brazil via CDG. If you look at the map he wasted so much time flying.

But if you dont leave the international area, and you have confirmed onward ticket, transit visa should not be required. Right?

Sorry, missed this out.
It's Mali. At least the hotel and stores Ive been to.

Really Myanmar does not have CC facility?

Yep, that's what we were advised.

Credit Card informations

Q-1 Can we use our credit cards in Myanmar?
Ans : No, Officially not. But for those international chain hotels, their in house guests can make the payment by credit cards for their own usage at the hotel. The hotels currently accepting credit cards are as follow:
- Bagan Hotel, Bagan
- Dusit Inya Lake Hotel, Yangon
- Grand Plaza Park royal Hotel, Yangon
- Hotel Nikko Royal Lake, Yangon
- Sedona Hotel, Yangon
- Sedona Hotel, Mandalay
- Summit Park View Hotel, Yangon
- Strand Hotel, Yangon
- Tharabar Gate Hotel, Yangon
- Traders Hotel, Yangon
Q-2 What about the other places in Myanmar.
Ans : Generally not possible at the other places in myanmar.

Q-3 What about Traveller Cheques?
Ans : Totally not possible to use due because of EU & US sanctions.

Q-4 How could I spend in Myanmar for my trip?
Ans : If you are planning your trip on your own arrangement, the best possible way right now is to bring along the enough cash for the whole trip. If you are planning your trip using a travel agent or local tour operator, you can either use Telegraphic Transfer via your bank for the whole or deposit amount of trip expenses in advance. But, please make sure that you have bring along the enough cash for your personal use.

Q-5 What is your recommendation for the amount of money to use in Myanamr?
Ans : The standard hotel, transportation, admmission fees and meals will cost you average about US Dollar 50 - 100 per person average per day. Don't forget the amount for your own shopping too!

Q-6 What is the local currency in Myanmar?
Ans: The local currency used is called Kyat (pronounced “chat”). For abbreviations, use as Ks.

Q-7 What is the current exchange rate?
Ans: The current exchange rate is around 1200 to 1300 Kyats against US Dollar.

Q-8 Where could we change the money to the local currency?
Ans : Please get the cunsultaion from your guide or taxi driver or hotel receptionists to find the authorized money changer around the country.

Q-9 What about US$200 into FEC (Foreign Exchange Currency) upon arrival in Myanmar?
Ans: No. The requirement to exchange the above specified amount upon arrival no longer exists.

Q-10 Is it true that the FEC is worth 25% less than the US Dollar?
Ans : It is also not correct that the FEC is worth 25% less than the US Dollar. The FEC is officially equal to the US Dollar in value and so far has similar exchange rates (sometimes slightly vary from 20-50 Kyats) to the local Kyat currency.

Q-11 Can we pay you by credit card?
Ans : Yes, you can pay the deposit to us by credit card.

This is from our travel agent.

xxxriainxxx

January 15th, 2011, 05:27 AM

amigo32

January 15th, 2011, 05:29 AM

Yep, that's what we were advised.

.

may internet namn?:D

pulsephaze22

January 15th, 2011, 05:29 AM

Asia’s first underwater resort hotel to be built off Palawan

Just saw this in the Inquirer today,. It's so damn COOL!!:cheers:

xxxriainxxx

January 15th, 2011, 05:30 AM

may internet namn?:D

Meron pero super limited connectivity. No social media afaik. so no Twitter, Facebook for me for 6 days. Kasi la ding internet kiosk sa Noi Bai.

kalbongdad

January 15th, 2011, 10:21 AM

b_two

January 15th, 2011, 10:56 AM

^^ OH NO!! You beat me in posting it!! :D

i was so excited to post that article!!

tabi-tabi po. :):cheers:

Ph Man

January 15th, 2011, 02:10 PM

Yep, that's what we were advised.

This is from our travel agent.

Thanks for sharing. Held my breath there on the last question. Thought it would be a no. lol...

Then you would need to carry with you millions of kyat when you go there.

xxxriainxxx

January 16th, 2011, 03:18 AM

Thanks for sharing. Held my breath there on the last question. Thought it would be a no. lol...

Then you would need to carry with you millions of kyat when you go there.

Hindi naman millions, thousands lang siguro.. LOL.

roughly 5000 Kyats = 700 USD. :)

I am not planning to buy the entire country. LOL

pthfndr19

January 16th, 2011, 03:39 AM

Q36fP6KKhQg

vLindseyk

January 16th, 2011, 04:41 AM

hi i like to travel and share it with others in my site צימר בצפון (http://www.premium-zimmer.com/)

Mercato

January 16th, 2011, 05:14 AM

On the Editorial page 10, today on the Sunday Morning Post. (South China Morning Post, Hongkong).

This was the main editorial today on an article about Filipina-Chinese (Asian American) Tiger Mother Amy Chua's book on parenting. Why must these Hongkies insinuate too much on Philippine affairs. One can only wonder why? :|

What did I say about nosy, scheming, conniving neighbours? Always on the prowl lurking in the shadows for snide remarks? :| :| :|

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=a023632029a8d210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=Columns+%26+Insight&s=Opinion

(South China Morning Post/ Sunday Morning Post) January 16, 2011

Pause for thought amid Tiger Mother hyperbole

Jan 16, 2011
Yale University academic Amy Chua has caused a stir with her now famous - or is it infamous - article in The Wall Street Journal. She advocates a strictly disciplinary, all-work-and-no-play style of child-rearing that she characterises as Chinese and likely to produce more accomplished children. She outraged readers by recounting that she called one of her two young daughters "garbage" because she was being disrespectful, and forced one of them to practise the piano late into the night without food or bathroom breaks....
.......................................
.......................................
That should not be surprising for those familiar with Chua's work as a high-powered lawyer and author. Long before she became a professor, she was part of a Wall Street team that helped the Mexican government privatise the country's then dominant telecommunications company. Her first book, World on Fire, brought her recognition outside academia. It challenged those who advocated the rapid imposition of Western-style free-market democracy on developing countries that lack the mature institutions to make it work. (Think of the Philippines, which is where her parents hail from). It had been compared to Francis Fukuyama's The End of History and the Last Man - except that it offers a far more accurate description of the dangerous world we live in today. Her more recent book, Day of Empire, was compared by noted US historian Paul Kennedy to Arnold Toynbee's classic A Study of History.

Kintoy

January 16th, 2011, 08:29 AM

Fukuyama Fallacy: http://bigthink.com/ideas/11592

r0mm3l

January 16th, 2011, 08:55 AM

^^ so cool! thats good for our country.., hahataw na ang turismo pag natapos yan.., another big project!!!!!!! :banana::banana:

Ph Man

January 16th, 2011, 04:00 PM

Hindi naman millions, thousands lang siguro.. LOL.

roughly 5000 Kyats = 700 USD. :)

I am not planning to buy the entire country. LOL

Ah, ganun ba.
Sa Cambodia kasi thousands ang presyo ng coke.
Sa Korea, from Airport to hotel is 10,000 won!
Millions ang monthly salary. Hehe...

Sleepwalker

January 16th, 2011, 06:40 PM

MICE bookings push hotel occupancy rates in Mactan (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=648897&publicationSubCategoryId=108)
By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) Updated January 17, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

CEBU, Philippines - Hotels and resorts in Mactan Island are enjoying high occupancy rates as Cebu slowly gains ground as a preferred destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Corporate and Exhibits (MICE) market.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino said that the 256-room triple-A resort is averaging a 90 percent occupancy rate during the last few weeks, not because of the Sinulog-related guests, but due to the increasing MICE bookings from both local and foreign customers.

“It’s a good start for 2011, MICE is taking off,” Belarmino said adding that what strengthens the expectation of good occupancy performance for the rest of the year is the emerging Korean MICE market.

For her part, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa communications director Mildred Amon said that the resort is expecting a good number of MICE bookings in the next few months, although as early as now, the resort is already hitting a high occupancy rate for its total 547 luxury room accommodations.

According to Belarmino while Cebu has been very popular for Korean family and honeymoon travelers, the market has now expanded to the large group of MICE and leisure bookings from Korea.

One group of MICE and leisure booking could already bring in at least 100 persons for an average stay of four days and three nights, Belarmino said.

Aside from the pre-arranged package business, MICE market is a good tool to further market Cebu as a leisure destination.

Belarmino said the good tourism sector projection for Cebu is starting, taking into consideration the strong bookings in the next few months from corporate travels of big multinational companies.

Historically, this time of the year, especially during the Sinulog Week, the occupancy rate of most resorts will only hit the 70 percent level. But this time, averaging at 90 percent is a good indication that the tourism market is starting to recover, following the global economic crisis.

Meanwhile, Plantation Bay is also noting the comeback of the Japanese market. Today, Cebu is starting to regain its popularity as the wedding destination for Japanese nationals.

Overall, Belarmino said the good outlook for the tourism industry in Cebu is slowly being realized with MICE as the main growth driver especially for resort establishments.

At present, Plantation Bay’s top three markets are the Koreans, Japanese, and the American travelers, including the Balikbayans.

Belarmino hopes that aside from the MICE market, the bid of the Lapu-Lapu local government to push the Sports Tourism edge can also help push for the full recovery of the tourism industry after it experienced a minimal decline due to the global recession last year.

manila_eye

January 16th, 2011, 06:47 PM

^^ pardon my ignorance but what is MICE?

Sleepwalker

January 16th, 2011, 06:51 PM

Just in case you are serious... :D

MICE bookings push hotel occupancy rates in Mactan (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=648897&publicationSubCategoryId=108)
By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) Updated January 17, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

CEBU, Philippines - Hotels and resorts in Mactan Island are enjoying high occupancy rates as Cebu slowly gains ground as a preferred destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Corporate and Exhibits (MICE) market.

swatch69sg

January 16th, 2011, 06:52 PM

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE)

^^ pardon my ignorance but what is MICE?

manila_eye

January 16th, 2011, 06:53 PM

^^ sorry tanga lang. :lol:

ang hirap talaga pag react lang ng react at hindi muna magbasa :lol: :bop:

Mercato

January 16th, 2011, 07:09 PM

Fukuyama Fallacy: http://bigthink.com/ideas/11592 Was this piece written by a Chinese mainlander under the pen name Jimmy Huntington? Because it was quite a read and I had to concentrate real hard to make sense of the strange syntax. :D Only history of course will determine which political ideology will eventually triumph, it could be Western Liberal Democracy or it could be the newly evolved Asian Autocracies, classic example China – neither pure communist nor pure democracy but a hybrid.

Anyway after hurdling through all that, it was rather curious how Japanese American FF, whose main thesis (political) is the eventual triumph of Western liberal democracy, would be compared to Yale Professor Amy Chua, with her draconian thesis (cultural) on child rearing which is neither liberal nor democratic. Or rather it must have been a study in contrasts, I suppose. US public response to Amy Chua seems to have been largely negative. Even though racially she is Han Chinese and her cultural views are largely the stereotypical ones involving the success stories of Asian American students, the Sunday Morning Post had deemed it fit to inject the Philippines as a side story even THOUGH Amy Chua never grew up in the Philippines but rather in Illinois and Indiana and is an Asian American through and through !!

Two points gleaned from that South China Morning editorial:

1. It insinuates that Amy Chua could not possibly speak for the Chinese American community because her Chinese-ness is in question. It is being questioned solely for the reason that her parents hail from the Philippines. Had US public response been largely positive, thence it stands to reason that the Philippines will never be mentioned at all by the South China Morning Post. :|

2. I had already come across similar articles in other Asian countries insinuating that Western liberal style democracy is not suitable to some developing countries, always zeroing in on the prime target Philippines, because they claim our institutions lack the maturity to make it work, to make liberal democracy work. Whilst I subscribe to a certain extent to their points of view about fast tracking national progress or taking great leaps forward, I find it uncomfortable that our benevolent brotherly neighbours have no qualms about nitpicking on the failures of Philippine freewheeling democracy and gleefully pointing out the Philippines as the poster boy example of what Asian societies should not follow. :shifty:

wino

January 16th, 2011, 07:49 PM

^^ i like your 2nd point.

anyway.. your topic is becoming more of the international relations rather than tourism.

Danny19

January 16th, 2011, 11:11 PM

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20110110/tbs-turkishairlines-routes-7318940.html

Turkish Airlines to expand routes in 2011

ISTANBUL, Jan 10 - Turkish Airlines <THYAO.IS> said on Monday it is to add 11 new international routes this year in its effort to win market share from European rivals.

The new routes bring Turkish Airlines, Europe's fourth-biggest airline by passengers, to 130 international destinations and 41 domestic, according to an emailed statement.

New long-haul flights will begin to Guangzhou, China, this month, to Los Angeles in March and to Manila later in the year.

It also plans flights to Shiraz, Iran, from March, it said. Flights to Thessaloniki, Greece; Valencia and Malaga, Spain; Toulouse, France; and Naples, Genova and Torino, Italy, are also planned, it said.

Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines has said it expects to have a fleet of 184 planes in 2011, up from 142 last year.

Shares in Turkish Airlines were down 2.21 percent to 5.30 lira at 0916 GMT.

amigo32

January 17th, 2011, 02:11 AM

^^ sorry tanga lang. :lol:

ang hirap talaga pag react lang ng react at hindi muna magbasa :lol: :bop:

basta pogi/maganda okay lang tanga:lol::lol::lol:

Sleepwalker

January 17th, 2011, 03:34 AM

basta pogi/maganda okay lang tanga:lol::lol::lol:

Forrest Gump got laid anyhow... :cheers: :lol:

@manila_eye...hindi ka nag-iisa...kung katangahan yan, tanga din pala ako... :)

Mercato

January 17th, 2011, 04:35 AM

^^ i like your 2nd point.

anyway.. your topic is becoming more of the international relations rather than tourism. Yes, you are right. :D :D :D ... Da Svedanya, comrade. :hi:

wino

January 17th, 2011, 06:15 AM

Forrest Gump got laid anyhow... :cheers: :lol:

@manila_eye...hindi ka nag-iisa...kung katangahan yan, tanga din pala ako... :)

basta ako pogi.. :banana:

Yes, you are right. :D :D :D ... Da Svedanya, comrade. :hi:

poka!!

(thanks yahoo for the translation :D)

xxxriainxxx

January 17th, 2011, 07:15 AM

Ah, ganun ba.
Sa Cambodia kasi thousands ang presyo ng coke.
Sa Korea, from Airport to hotel is 10,000 won!
Millions ang monthly salary. Hehe...

Yeah I know, I still got some leftover riels from my Cambodian trip. Airport to hotel is 10,000 KRW? Where is your hotel? That is cheap! That's like 10USD. I bought an umbrella at the Gangbyeon Station at 5,000 KRW. Same in VND, milyones din ang sahod namin dito. Hahaha. :D

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20110110/tbs-turkishairlines-routes-7318940.html

Turkish Airlines to expand routes in 2011

ISTANBUL, Jan 10 - Turkish Airlines <THYAO.IS> said on Monday it is to add 11 new international routes this year in its effort to win market share from European rivals.

The new routes bring Turkish Airlines, Europe's fourth-biggest airline by passengers, to 130 international destinations and 41 domestic, according to an emailed statement.

New long-haul flights will begin to Guangzhou, China, this month, to Los Angeles in March and to Manila later in the year.

It also plans flights to Shiraz, Iran, from March, it said. Flights to Thessaloniki, Greece; Valencia and Malaga, Spain; Toulouse, France; and Naples, Genova and Torino, Italy, are also planned, it said.

Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines has said it expects to have a fleet of 184 planes in 2011, up from 142 last year.

Shares in Turkish Airlines were down 2.21 percent to 5.30 lira at 0916 GMT.

This will be Istanbul-Manila connection? Will this be a direct flight? Or with stopover in Bangkok? I also heard they will be flying from HCMC to Istanbul via BKK but mukhang press release lang sila dito sa VN.

wino

January 17th, 2011, 07:51 AM

^^ wow ang yaman!! Milliones ang sweldo!! ;D

xxxriainxxx

January 17th, 2011, 08:09 AM

^^ wow ang yaman!! Milliones ang sweldo!! ;D

19,500 VND (Official) = 1 USD

It's not so difficult to be a millionaire in VN. :D

Kintoy

January 17th, 2011, 08:13 AM

Was this piece written by a Chinese mainlander under the pen name Jimmy Huntington? Because it was quite a read and I had to concentrate real hard to make sense of the strange syntax. :D Only history of course will determine which political ideology will eventually triumph, it could be Western Liberal Democracy or it could be the newly evolved Asian Autocracies, classic example China – neither pure communist nor pure democracy but a hybrid.

Anyway after hurdling through all that, it was rather curious how Japanese American FF, whose main thesis (political) is the eventual triumph of Western liberal democracy, would be compared to Yale Professor Amy Chua, with her draconian thesis (cultural) on child rearing which is neither liberal nor democratic. Or rather it must have been a study in contrasts, I suppose. US public response to Amy Chua seems to have been largely negative. Even though racially she is Han Chinese and her cultural views are largely the stereotypical ones involving the success stories of Asian American students, the Sunday Morning Post had deemed it fit to inject the Philippines as a side story even THOUGH Amy Chua never grew up in the Philippines but rather in Illinois and Indiana and is an Asian American through and through !!

Two points gleaned from that South China Morning editorial:

1. It insinuates that Amy Chua could not possibly speak for the Chinese American community because her Chinese-ness is in question. It is being questioned solely for the reason that her parents hail from the Philippines. Had US public response been largely positive, thence it stands to reason that the Philippines will never be mentioned at all by the South China Morning Post. :|

2. I had already come across similar articles in other Asian countries insinuating that Western liberal style democracy is not suitable to some developing countries, always zeroing in on the prime target Philippines, because they claim our institutions lack the maturity to make it work, to make liberal democracy work. Whilst I subscribe to a certain extent to their points of view about fast tracking national progress or taking great leaps forward, I find it uncomfortable that our benevolent brotherly neighbours have no qualms about nitpicking on the failures of Philippine freewheeling democracy and gleefully pointing out the Philippines as the poster boy example of what Asian societies should not follow. :shifty:

the conclusions of Fukuyama is wrong. Communism fell a few months after the publication of his book. that's why historians call it Fukuyama Fallacy, if you try to make predictions on history